10 months

Hello again, it appears that the tides have changed, because this week was HOT. Summer is coming so fast I cannot believe that I have been out 10 months already. That is so crazy. Time is going by way to fast.

This week was a really good week full of really powerful lessons. We saw a ton of miracles this week. One of my favorites I will share: Elder Stokes and I were trying some of our investigators in an apartment complex, and we knocked on one of their doors, and received no answer, so for some reason I just headed back to the car. Well I got in and started off, and slammed on the brakes because I realized that we still had people to talk to there. So we get out of the car, and I notice a lady smoking on her porch, the spirit told me to talk with her, so we went over and I gave her a card. She told us that her friend needed to hear our message of hope, and peace. She then sent us to her friends car who was just across the lawn. We set up an appointment with her for later that night, and headed off to her friends car. We approached this young woman sitting in her car, and I introduced myself, and told her about our message, her face when we walked up and gave her a card about Jesus was priceless. We were able to teach her a lesson while we were standing in the pouring rain, we got completely soaked, but it was so worth it. We set her for baptism on the 20th and later that evening we set her friend as well. Since then they have both come on a church tour and been taught again.  The girl in the car, expressed to us her desire to be baptized, and change her life. It was just really cool, and such a miracle, because if we wouldn't have got in the car, we wouldn't have noticed the girl standing on her porch, and we never would have met her friend. This work is so amazing, and I am so blessed to be apart of it.

We also had an amazing Zone conferece this week. One of my favorite highlights, was when Elder Haire hit a hawk on the way to Kearny. It was hilarious. But Zone conference was good, we learned a lot about living the doctrine of Christ, and how it is essential in everything we do in this life. I can testify that that is true. We are what we choose to do. When we choose to live the doctrine of Christ, we are choosing to progress and become like our Heavenly Father. And also as we live it, our capacity to love and repent become magnified. The doctrine of Christ is not something we obtain, its what we become.

Elder Stokes and I are doing well also, we are having a ton of fun together! I also love Elder Swaner and Elder Haire, who are the other Trendwood missionaries. They are some of my best friends! We have had some pretty good times, like carrying a piano up 3 flights of stairs. Good times. Anyhow, it was another amazing spirit filled week. Keep smiling, and always strive to live the doctrine of Christ.

Love Elder Kirby

 lovin floral ties

 Trendwood missionaries

 Mtc buddies reunited

rain

Well this week started out much like the last, we found another hole in the wall restaurant down town. It was awesome! It was quite the bland and  grey. Nothing but rain and more rain. However, nothing can stop the work from progressing, not even the weather.

We met some really cool people this week, and found some really sweet investigators, one of them being a Russian guy named Vladimir. He says that God led him to America, and that the KGB has tried to kill him multiple times...it is pretty legendary. He also lives in a huge mansion..it was so awesome! We also had a really good lesson with our other investigator , we taught her about faith, and promised her that if she excercised her faith and came to church Heavenly Father would provide a way for her to make it. Sadly, she didn't show this sunday, but her son is now interested in learning more about the gospel, so we are teaching both of them now. We also had an interesting lesson with another investigator. She is from Sudan and really only speaks Arabic. Well we can't get a translator, so I was like well looks like we are gonna wing it then and I asked if her daughter could pull up google translate, and we answered some of her questions by typing them into the phone. It was one of the most interesting experiences of my life! I felt the spirit so strong, even though there were hardly any words said. I love this work. Nothing will stop it from progressing. Where there is a will, God provides the way! What a wonderful work to be engaged in, Nothing brings me more happiness than waking up and spreading the gospel! OH also we have an investigator whos name is John... and it just so happens that John shot the #4 largest white tail in the state of Nebraska. I love teaching him. He is awesome.

Other than that, nothing else too crazy yet. Elder Stokes and I are working our butts off every day, and having a ton of fun! We are looking forward to a good week with hopefully a little more sunshine. Nevertheless, I am pumped either way! Keep smiling and have an amazing week. You only get to live one day at a time.. you might as well smile. Love you all.

Love, Elder Kirby

week full of sunshine

Not too much happened this week, nevertheless it was a good one full of sunshine and lots of people to talk to.

On Monday last week, we went and walked around an art gallery which was so amazing! Then we went to an antique store, and I found this old Stetson hat that I just about bought, I just didn't have the funds. It was so sweet though. We ended out day with some basketball as usual!

The next big thing that happened was Wednesday when we had our trainer trainee meeting. It was phenomenal. One of the big things that I loved, was when President brought up that we are the tools that Heavenly Father uses to bring His children home. That really struck me. It made me really realize how important of a calling It is. And what It really means to be a member of the church. Elder Arnold came down from Omaha, because he is training also! I was so pumped to see him! he even made me a sick floral tie! (btw if you are going to send ties, send floral!) We had a good time, and then hit the streets again!

On Saturday, we helped a lady move, and Elder Haire and I carried an ancient heavy washing machine up a tiny flight of stairs, it was pretty interesting. I was so happy that I didn't have to carry it up to the 3rd story where her apartment is lol.

I am also happy to report that we found our family we have been praying for! One day we drove all the way out to Eagle (like 20 minutes on a dirt road.) And we were crusing hitting some farm houses, and we came across a red brick home, with three huge green stars. So of course we had to go and knock it. As we did, and older gentleman answered the door and let us right in, we were able to teach him the restoration, and set him for baptism. It was such an awesome lesson and feeling. My testimony that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers was definitely strengthened that day. We also had an amazing lesson with another family again this week, we finally broke down some walls that they had put up about his beliefs. I am super excited to help him love the gospel. I love their family. Other than that, not too much else happened this week. We are looking forward to a sweet week this week! I am so thankful for the book of Mormon. It is the catalyst of pure joy, because it teaches about Jesus Christ and His atonement. I love it, and I know that by feasting upon it every day, we can fill any void, conquer any challenge, and be filled with the love of our Heavenly Father. Thank you for all that you do, I love you and pray for you!

Love Elder Kirby

 Trainer\trainee meeting

 Floral ties with Elder Arnold

 Missing mountains

No explanation on this one ;) none on his shirt though!

finding white dogs

This week was a good one, we got to go on exchanges with the Zone Leaders this week, I went with Elder Jhonson! He is from Rexburg! He is such a stud, we had a good exchange, we taught a deaf man and we communicated with a notebook and a pen! It was super cool, we acutually set him for baptism! It was a super cool experience to say the least. So this week had some really sweet miracles, but this one was my fav! Ok, so I received a prompting one night to look for a white dog in the area we were tracting, and so I was super motivated and was just going ham looking for this dog. Well I started to get discouraged because I just couldn't find it, and by the end of the night I was really down. Well just yesterday, we were walking down a road to try one of our gators and this girl yells "hi Elders" and I had no idea who she was, so we just said hi and blew it off. Well we set up an appointment, and turned around and in the front lawn of this house is a white dog. So I felt impressed to go over and talk to the 3 people outside. As we did, one of them was inactive and was getting her kid for the weekend, but the young guy and his wife said they had talked to missionaries before, so I asked if we could share a message, and we taught them for an hour!! and they are now new investigators for us! but I found my white dog!!

Easter this week was amazing, I loved the sacrament especially this week. I was looking at the sacrament table and all I could imaging was the Savior laying in the tomb, and his sacrifice for us. I was brought to tears as I watched the young priesthood holders pass the sacrament, and thought how great a blessing it was to have that sacred power restored to the Earth. I love this Gospel. Thank you to everyone for the Easter cards and gifts. I appreciate them very much. I love you, and thank you. May we ever keep the Saviors sacrifice on our minds.. even long after this Easter season.

Elder Kirby

 Exchanges

 Downtown

Return of the yoyo

Transfers

Wow, what a crazy and exciting week. Elder Kendrick got transferred to Brandon, SD. So that was sad, I loved that kid so much. However,  I got a brand new missionary this week! His name is Elder Stokes. And he is from Plain City Utah, just outside of Ogden. He is an awesome kid who has a big heart. He is a hardworking machine. He loves to drive CAT equipment, and hopes to own his own business one day. I love working with him. We are having a ton of fun together. This week was just crazy because of transfers and whatnot, but we were still able to get a lot of work done and find some more investigators. We have been truly blessed. One of the coolest things actually happened this Sunday. We were invited to teach the Priest Quorum the Restoration, just like we would to investigators. Well I had one of the most profound experiences of my life. As I was going through the different points, I began to quote the first vision..and as I did, the spirit hit me so strong. And I couldn't help but cry as I continued on with the prophets words, and as soon as we finished teaching, the Spirit was so strong, and I knew in that moment that the spirit was confirming to me the truthfulness of the things I had just taught. It was an amazing experience. I would encourage all of you to think about how precious the simple truths that we have in our church really are. We hold the keys to happiness because we have the fullness of the gospel. Just remember that everytime someone asks a question or you feel prpmpted so say something. I love this gospel, and have a testimony that our Savior lives, and that he stands at the head of this church. I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, I know that by abiding by its precepts, a man can get closer to God than by any other book. Joseph Smith was a prophet. I have no doubts about that. I love this work and this gospel. And I leave you my witness of these things, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Kirby

 Elder Stokes

Road kill or pet??

A Temple!

What a blessing it is to be able to have a temple! When that announcement was made, I couldn't help but cry tears of joy. I was and am so happy. General Conference was so amazing, couldn't even pick my favorite talk. All of it was awe inspiring. I love our sweet prophet. He is truly an inspired man. His talks were definitely something to remember.

This week was an awesome week. With conference it was a bonus, but I wanted to focus on a really sweet miracle that I saw. That really strengthened my testimony of the priesthood. So a couple weeks ago Elder Kendrick and I gave  blessings to the Sister missionaries investigators, I gave a blessing to a 9 year old girl who had chronic migraines..they were so bad that this poor little girl couldn't hardly function. Well her mother asked if I could give a blessing I agreed and blessed her that she would be healed according to her faith. One of the most miraculous experiences of my life, I could literally feel the faith that this young girl had coming from her as I laid my hands on her head. It was truly an experience that I won't soon forget. Well just yesterday at conference, this young girl accompanied by her mother, came up to me and shook my hand, showed me her doll and said thank you for the blessing, I don't get headaches any more. Wow. that hit me. And what topped it off was looking at her mothers tear filled eyes as she explained that Elder Kendricks blessing had healed her as she was finally progressing to get over her illness. Her mother also explained that her daughter who had headaches at least 3 times a week hadn't had one for 2 weeks. I was overjoyed. I couldn't hardly believe it. My testimony for the priesthood authority of God increased so much. I have always had a testimony of its power, but that experience boosted my testimony so much. I love being a missionary, and I know that Heavenly Father cares for all of his children,  and if we are prepared, then he can use us as a tool in his hands to benefit his children. I love this gospel and all that it has to offer.

On a side note President Gardner called me and asked me to train another missionary! I am super excited! and so thankful for another opportunity to serve! Ill keep you updated on the new guy lol! Until then, Love,

Elder Kirby

 District Meeting

 A hat (gift from a member)

 Huskers Stadium

Future Athletic Director??

zonolympics

First of all, I absolutely love Nebraska. It is the most beautiful place in the world. The sky out here is amazing and all of the corn fields grow on ya after a while...

My week this week was pretty good, we had Zone Conference this week and it was amazing, I got called on to show a diagram that I drew, it was pretty scary lol. We also had Zone Olympics, I won the sprints because the guys that were in first, second, and third all tripped, so I just coasted in lol! You know how I feel about running anyway. I got second in 3 pointers and second in push ups and like 3rd in stick pull! it was really fun! It was all the way in Grand Island though, so we are not looking good on miles haha. But that's ok! We were able to find 8 more investigators this week! it was so awesome! We are finally finding the families that we have been praying for! It is truly amazing to see how the Lord will bless us with specific results as we pray for specific people. I love it haha! We are working on helping our investigators get to church, because that is one of the struggles we are having, but we have been praying for miracles in getting them to church! Other than that, not much has happened this week, we drove out to Eagle because we have a few investigators out there now! One of them is named Luke actually lol. But it has been cold and rainy all week, and the roads in Eagle are all dirt, so our car is filthy, and we didn't even have to try. I almost got stuck on one road. Its pretty nuts, but I love it so much. We get to do a stadium tour today, so I am super stoked about that! I love Lincoln so much, and I am having a blast on my mission! I have been studying in Mosiah still, and I love the stories in there, you should definitely study it! Especially chapters 11-15 they are my fav.

Anyhow, thank you for all that you do, I love you!

Love, Elder Kirby

Questions:

1. Any requests for treats in your next package?  Nah, anything is good.

2. Where did you get your Mcdonalds t-shirts?  They were a gift!

3.  What's your conference plans?  Headed to our church!

4.  What's one thing about Nebraska that reminds you of home?  McDonalds

ZONOLYMPICS PICTURES

courtesy of sis Gardner

Zone Conference