chocolate crickets

Hello from freezing cold Nebraska. This week has been rainy and chilly. I even busted out my sweater this week. Crazy stuff. And even though the weather is cold, the work is heating up! So things with Paul have been crazy, he has been faithfully living the Word of Wisdom, and coming to church. But due to general conference and his work schedule, we are expecting his baptism to be on the 14th of October. He is so awesome, he told us he is up to Alma 50 a couple days ago, Paul devotes at least one hour a day to reading the Book of Mormon. It is so cool to see how it has completely changed his life. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Our investigator Penny is doing really well too, she told us she is thinking about being baptized, so that is a lot of progress. She is the sweetest lady ever. We also have a couple other sweet people we are working with, and we are excited to continue teaching them. Elder Towne and I are doing really well together, we are working hard, and not taking no for an answer! We are finding some really solid people, and we are looking forward to this coming week. Cool miracle happened last night! We were just at the end of our evening, and I felt like we needed to stop at the house right next to our car, so we knocked at the door, and the sweetest old lady answered, and invited us in with her husband. We went in and sat down with them and started to talk with them, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of our new pass a long cards sitting on their shelf. So I asked her when she got that, and she told us a few months ago, and then Elder Towne invited them to watch the "Prince of Peace" video that is on the back. As they did, the spirit was so strong. We were able to bear our testimonies of Jesus Christ and his atonement. We talked about prophets and the restoration. And the old woman, whose name is Doris, had tears in her eyes. It was so powerful. We invited them to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. And we are going to go back and see them! But the coolest part, I felt like I had met her somewhere before, and I wasn't sure where, she looked at me and told me that she felt the same way. And she couldn't decide where. I know that Heavenly Father prepares specific people for us to teach, we just have to be willing to listen and follow promptings from the Holy Ghost. 

Also this week, some members bought us some chocolate covered crickets....So I totally ate one and almost threw up...It was an experience none the less haha! Anyhow, the work is going great, I am excited for this upcoming transfer, we are going to do a lot of big things as a zone! Keep up the good work, I love you all and am so grateful for you! Have a good week! 

Elder Kirby

A thought from this week: Time is the most precious gift we have been given. We cannot take it back. We cannot replace it. And we never know how much we have. The best gift we can give our brothers and sisters is our time. 

sametownnewtowne

This week was legendary. One of the busiest weeks I have had on my mission. We did a back to back exchange this week, with the North Platte 1st Elders, and the Lexington Spanish Elders. It was so much fun, I got to go with Elder Jeffers on Tuesday, and we had a blast, and saw some amazing miracles with finding new investigators and teaching a lot of people. One of our investigators sent us off with a tin full of cookies, and as we were walking, we came across a young couple who just lost their home and jobs, and are living out of their car. It was an amazing experience as we taught them, the spirit was so strong, we also got to share our cookies with them! Very sweet couple! Anyhow, the rest of the day was equally as awesome! Then on wednesday, the Lexington Elders came up, and I got to go on an exchange with Elder Rubio. He is probably the funniest Elder I have ever met. We had a ton of fun, and we got to find and teach some really amazing people. After studies the next day, Elder Roos and I packed up and took off to Omaha, where we stayed the night and then had MLC the next morning which was so awesome! President Gardner taught us some amazing things about the doctrine of the Godhead, and Sister Gardners training on Parents was amazing as well! I also got to see Elder Brinkerhoff, and my boy Elder Buxton! Also crazy news!! i found out that i am a GRANDPA!!! Elder stokes is training a new missionary! So that is so cool! Speaking of transfers, i found out this morning that Elder Roos is leaving me, and I am getting Elder Towne! Kinda crazy, but its going to be fun none the less! We had a good week seeing investigators, and Paul came to church again this week, we are hoping to baptize him right after conference!! We also found one of the most amazing and prepared families last night. We have been praying to find a family, and we did! We started teaching a lady on her porch and she explained how she was just so confused about all these different churches and how she wished she could just find the truth. We were able to go inside and teach her husband and daughters. And it was such an amazing spirit filled lesson! They excitedly accepted the invitation to read and pray saying that they would start that night! We are going back to teach them again on Friday! Overall, such an amazing spirit filled week, lots of exciting changes and opportunities to teach the gospel!! Im looking forward to another transfer out here! Anyhow, thank you for everything. I love you all! Keep smiling and have a great week!

Elder Kirby

 serious missionaries

 True colors

 Reunited with Elder Buxton

 Corn

Disc Golf

Poetry

Hello everyone! This week was so awesome! We got a chance to work with a lot of our investigators, and we were blessed enough to have 3 of our investigators come to church. Paul is doing really good, he is set for baptism on the 23rd, and has read up to Mosiah 20 in the Book of Mormon. He is an amazing example how the Book of Mormon can influence our lives. He has completely changed and has grown closer to Jesus Christ. He is awesome, we went on exchanges with the Grand Island Spanish Elders, I went with Elder Hoogendoorn, he is from Yuma, Arizona. We had a good time, and we were able to teach some really awesome people! It was a great exchange, he is a good Elder.

We have been finding a lot this week, and we have been led to so many amazing individuals and families, and we are truly seeing so many miracles daily. I am  truly blessed to be serving in this ward, the members are helping us so much in teaching our investigators! It has been amazing. Elder Roos and I are doing good! We are getting along great, he is teaching me so much! I love him! We are working really hard, and having a ton of fun! we are going disc golfing all day today! it is going to be so sweet! Anyhow, NP is the place to be! We drive to Omaha this week for MLC! so I get to see all the homies again! I am loving my mission so much! Thank you for all that you do, have a good week!

Elder Kirby

 Floral ties are my favorite!

The crew

This a poem he wrote and sent me. I hope he doesn't mind my sharing!

"Eternal Friend"

In your palms I see sacrifice,

I see heavens light shining in your eyes, 

In the depths of your humility, I find my eternity.

Your walls of mercy stretch before me without end,

You are my life, my savior, my eternal friend.

keepingbusy

Hello From NE!

This week went by so fast, we had a busy schedule this week and lots to do! We had Zone Conference in Kearny this week, and it was a ton of fun! President Gardner gave some awesome trainings about Jesus Christ being the Word and how we get the Word in us! He also talked about agency and accountability! They were really awesome and i learned a lot! This week we were able to teach some really awesome people. We are working closely with all of our investigators! Paul came to church this week again, and is loving reading the Book of Mormon! He is up to Enos so far! Other than that, we have been running around to various different appointments! Our ward is awesome, they are helping us out so much with teaching and providing meals! It has been awesome! I am truly blessed to be in this ward. I am loving North Platte, it is so fun, we had breakfast at a little diner this morning. It was amazing, we are going to make it a regular place for sure. Elder Roos and I are doing well together! We are enjoying the work and the nice weather! Foot ball season started up, so i am sure things are going to be awesome here in the coming weeks! Good ol Husker football haha! Anyhow, not to too much else to report on! Thank you all for all that you do, you are all in my prayers every night! Have a good week! 

Love Elder Kirby

keepsmiling

This week was a fast one! Time just seems to fly by. This week was a lot of running around and teaching! Heavenly Father blessed us this week by guiding us to some new amazing families! We have been able to teach and testify so much in this past week. We are seeing some pretty amazing miracles as well. One of them this week, Penny our 80 year old investigator came to church. It was a big step for her, and she loved it and told us that she loved it. We also had two other sweet investigators come to church this week! It was truly a miracle! The members out here are outstanding, we have been able to have a lot of good fellowship for our investigators. And it is really helping them progress! Members are everything! Elder Roos and I have been having a blast, and working as hard as we can, our Zone is seeing lots of sweet miracles, and the work is heating up out here! We are excited for the future. Honestly there wasnt too much else that happened this week. Just working hard and having a blast! We have zone conference this coming week. So that will be fun! I also found out that I still suck at golf this morning. However we found a sweet disc golf course! So we will be playing that pretty often! Anyhow, Keep Smiling and have a good week. I am so thankful for you all, and love you! Have a great week

"why did the duck get kicked out of class?"

--Because he was quacking up--

 

Elder Kirby

 North Platte District

 Diva cup

Chocolate milk keeps us movin!

nebraska eclipse

This week was a week that I will never forget. We had an amazing week of finding, as well as an awesome exchange with the Sutherland Elders. Things here are blowing up! we are working harder than ever, and we are staying pretty busy. The highlight of this week for me believe it or not, wasn't the eclipse. We had the opportunity to gather as a mission and meet and learn from President Russel M. Nelson!! The president of the quorum of the twelve Apostles. As a mission we memorized the living christ to recite for him as he walked in the door. When he did, and we began to offer our testimony of our Savior, he stopped and watched. I could barely speak through the tears that came to my eyes. The spirit was so strong. After that he said with a laugh " I told you to  read it. I didnt expect you to memorize it." it was so funny. I got to shake his hand, and then we got to hear from him for an hour, as well as his sweet wife. I learned so many things from him. I can testify that he truly is an Apostle of the Lord. He left us all with his blessing, and he went on to do another broadcast. It is an experience thatI will never forget.

The rest of this week was awesome! one of the miracles from this week!

We prayed to be led to someone who's family on the other side was waiting to accept the gospel. And as we were walking down the street, we stopped to talk with one of our potential investigators. We started talking to her and a car rolled up, two ladies got out of the car and started our direction. They introduced themselves, and we began to talk with them. One of them  opened up to us about her family situation and how she recently lost her father in law and her mother. She began to cry as I testified of eternal families. Then she started to ask what happens after this life, and telling me she doesnt really know her purpose in life. So I told her how the Book of Mormon answers all those questions. She had explained a little bit about her current relationship with her husband as well, so I felt impressed to mark the page with the question of the soul "how can I find peace in my family" and I told her "this spot will teach you how you and your husband can find peace in your relationship.

She paused and looked at me and said..."how did you know?" She then explained how her husband has PTSD and is struggling a lot. She started to cry as I testified about the Book of Mormon being able to help her and her husband regain that peace...That experience changed my life. I know that I was led to her for a reason, and I am so greatful that the Holy Ghost led and guided our words that day. It was the most amazing and uplifting experience I have had. It helped me realize my purpose.

Things are going really well for us, Elder Roos and I are working hard. Seeing the eclipse today was awesome. What a wonderful world we live in created by our Heavenly Father. For us to enjoy. I am looking forward to this week! Liz is planning on being baptized on the 9th of this month! so that is going to be exciting. Thank you to everyone for your love and support. My prayers are with you always.

Elder Kirby

 Thanks for the shades mom

 This is how we eclipse in Nebraska

 You better be watching

Meetings

* mom note:  I was able to watch a recording posted by the mission of all 200 missionaries reciting "The Living Christ" from memory to Elder Russell M Nelson. It brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps up and down my arms. Thankful for his and all missionaries service!

Lotsa pictures and rain

This week was definately one to remember, Elder Brinkerhoff and I drove up to Omaha to transfer point, where I got to see everybody one last time.Then unfortunately we parted ways..sad day.. however, I love my new companion Elder Roos, he is so awesome, he is from Layton Utah and has been on his mission for 18 months now. We have been so blessed with miracles this week, I can't even describe them all. To make a long story short, Heavenly Father has led us to some amazing individuals and families. We have taught the restoration so many times, and the spirit has been so strong. We are looking forward to teaching a lot of new people, and helping them find the joy in the gospel. We are a pretty good team! 

This week we had such a crazy rain storm, it downpoured to the point that we couldn't even see the road...and wouldn't you know it, we got caught outside in it! we got drenched. It didnt stop us from teaching a lesson on the porch though! It was awesome! Things are going really well out here,I am looking forward to Elder Nelson on the 19th of this month. It is going to be straight cash.

Anyhow, I love you all, and appreciate everthing you do. Have a great week! and Keep Smiling!

Elder Kirby

 The old crew. Elder Luke is standing between his trainer and trainee.

 Elder George, Elder Kirby's trainer, heads home!

 Good ol Elder Kendrick

 Saying goodbye to Elder Brinkerhoff

 Dinner

 Meet my new comp Elder Roos

Old time celebration for pioneer day.

They only managed seriousness for one picture. Gotta love those smiles!!