Happy Fall Y'all

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, another week has gone by and it was certainly better than previous weeks. 

On Monday, we got haircuts by Josten Cornett, said goodbye to Elder Munn and Sister Farmer. Not much else happened.

On Tuesday we biked around a good bit and tried a few potentials and less-actives. We were able to meet with the Rivers and give Bro. Rivers a blessing.  We then had supper with a family that just moved in, the Whitmores. We ended our night with the Owens, a family we are working with to bring back to church. A pretty decent day!

Donning the Sweaters

Wednesday morning we tried some old potentials and former investigators. We talked to Savoy whom Elder Stewart and I tracted into. He said it had been a long time since missionaries came by. He wasn't too interested this go-round, but we left him with a spiritual thought and a prayer that he offered and of which was the Lord's Prayer. That was a good start to our day. After lunch we visited Sister Melson, who lives in a care facility. She doesn't get too many visitors and both her and her non-member roommate enjoyed the visit. We then tried a recent move-in Bishop Zeh asked us to contact. As we were at the door, the neighbor across the street threatened to call the cops on us and have us arrested since she was at work. Very weird and it was in a good neighborhood too! We then biked down RailRoad st and talked to Deorun. We were both filled to testify of the Book of Mormon and the impact it could have on his life. We committed him to read it and pray about it. A very good discussion. A little later Bro. McClure(a different one) picked us up and we had a great meal with them of cheeseburgers. we then finished the night at Book of Mormon class. 

On Thursday, Elder Buckley was a bit under the weather. After RMT in the early afternoon, we visited Sis. Stevens and she gave some soup mix to Elder Buckley to help him out. we then met up with Bro. Bush and had a great lesson with Stan. In the lessons, I had a very surreal moment. For some reason, I imagined Stan in white and I believe that was a glimpse of how Heavenly Father sees him. We left with another appointment for Sunday evening. We then had supper with the Longerbeams, a part-member family. We're starting to get somewhere with Bro. Longerbeam, JUST GOTTA HAVE FAITH!

At the Longerbeams

Friday was pretty solid. We broke out the sweaters that day! We did some weekly planning, visited with the McClures(parents of Adrian, whose husband is in Ranger training). We then met Sis. Stevens as she dropped off some home-made soup and cornbread. I LOVE CORNBREAD! We then visited with the Collins, a part-member family. Sis. Collins hasn't been to church in a very long time and no longer claims it as her church. We talked with husband, Patrick who is the baseball coach at Columbus State. We had a good discussion with him and talked about what we do and why we do it. We then visited Sis. Hearn for the remainder of the night. It was quite chilly but felt very nice! The only downside is that Olivia dropped us... Such is the missionary life. We hadn't been able to meet with her for several weeks. 

Saturday morning we did some service with Bro. Bush and he afterwards treated us to Smokey BBQ, which was delicious! Not much happened the rest of the day. Tried visiting with Billy in our complex and walked around our part of town with no luck. A decent day at least. 

Sunday was pretty good. Bro. McCoy gave a great talk and in his talk he mentioned that Jon Schmidt's(of the Piano Guys) daughter, Annie, went missing in Oregon. Please keep the Schmidt family in your prayers. One of his daughters served in this mission. We ate with the Bush's, visited the Otts and Sis. Brewer. We then had a shortened dinner with the Sjostroms to make it to our lesson with Stan along with Bro. Bush. We get there and ring the doorbell twice. Nothing. No lights. I then get the impression to knock and a few seconds later Stan opens the door and invites us in. What a relief! Fist-bumps between us and Bro. Bush! It was a great lesson on Tithing and Fast Offerings. The Spirit was strong there and it was clear Stan was feeling the Spirit strongly. We left and all 3 of us had the confirmation that Stan would be okay. What a way to end the night and week!

Well, this week was amazing and the coming one I am looking forward to. 6 supper appointments this week which is very awesome! 

Have a good week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner

Chickens, Goats & Chili

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been crazy and quick. First off, Transfer came and I am staying in Phenix City with Elder Buckley! Which means I will be here until the last week of November which is the week of Thanksgiving!

Tuesday after emailing, we biked quite a bit. We tried quite a few people but many did not answer or were home at all. We briefly talked with a lady on a motorized chair and she asked us if we were in school, which is an odd question in my book... Towards the end of the evening, we were looking for a less-active family and we found them! They didn't have time to talk, so we moved on. We get about halfway up 40th st when Elder Buckley's chain gets jammed between the frame and the gears. we got it fixed, tried another potential, and visited Sis. Hearn on her porch for the rest of the evening. 

Wednesday was pretty good. We tried some of the old potentials from the beginning of my mission. The weather was cool and breezy. Just the way I like it! after lunch we talked with Wesley who had been reading the Book of Mormon since we saw him last. Awesome! we then met Terrence, whose mother is a member who had recently moved. Not sure if he's a member.. We then visited with Sis. Stevens, a less-active Sister until we met up with the other Elders to go to the Woods for Supper. We then had Book of Mormon class and Bro. Prudhomme took us home. A really tiring day!

Thursday was ZTM. It was very insightful and helpful for me. Later on, we had Supper with the Goertzens. After we ate, they showed us their newly arrived livestock of additional chickens and goats (pics below). They then found out that their rabbits had babies and Bro. Goertzen found the head of one and another one still alive. Very odd. Bro. Goertzen then dropped us off and Bro. Bush picked us up to give a blessing to one of the Sisters' investigator who is having a hard time. we talked briefly and set a time to come back the next day at 1 o'clock. 

Friday was relatively uneventful after our appointment at 1 pm. we later did some weekly planning, met with the other missionaries and Sis. Brewer at Waffle House. We planned with the expectation of one of us leaving the area or both of us. 

The Cornett's and Missionaries

 Saturday was busy busy busy! We helped set up for the Fall Festival and there was a great turn out. I had decided to enter the chili-cook off and I was shocked that mine won Really was not expecting it. We had Transfer calls later on. Sister Farmer and Elder Munn transferring out and Elder Glenn training. 

Sunday was pretty usual. Bishop Zeh and Sister Harsh gave incredible talks about compassion and love like the Savior showed. After lunch with the Eilands, where Bug busted out some Arctic Circle Fry Sauce Bro. McCoy brought back from Utah. It was so good! We then visited with Sis. Brewer, the Newsomes, had a delicious Supper of tacos at the Harsh's and visited with the McClures for the rest of the evening. Another thing, Elder Buckley and I both had a strong impression we would have a Baptism this Transfer. 

Keep us in y'alls prayers so we can make this happen!

Well, that's it. Have a good week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner

Peanut Butter, Baptism, & Blessings

My District

Dear Friends and Family,

The days are finally starting to feel like Fall! Believe me, it is a welcome sight down here!

On Monday after P-Day activities we drove over to the Cornetts to help cut their grass. All four of us were there since Josten was out of town in Atlanta doing National Guard duties. After finishing, Sis. Cornett fed us a delicious roast for Supper. She then sent us off each with a jar of peanut butter with her signature and the time on it. It was pretty funny and a good way to end the night.

Sister Grayson and some of the missionaries in my District

Tuesday after District Meeting we had Interviews with President Grayson. It went well and we heard from Sister Grayson news about the hurricane going along the coast. The entire Savannah East Zone was evacuated, where I have previously served. Not much occurred after getting back from Columbus. We did some street contacting without much success. 

On Wednesday afternoon we were looking for a potential/former investigator when we found his father-in-law, Vincent. We talked with him for a while and he had some great questions. We moved on and we met with the Rivers and BJ. We later met up with Stan after about two weeks with no contact. He told us he had been reading the Book of Mormon everyday at work and he saw the impact of doing so helping his shifts at a chicken plant become less-stressful. He and his wife were planning coming to church when Stan got called into work. Bummer... He really wants to come and he is searching for another job that is more flexible. We then biked home via shortcut by means of the freeway. (There was a large shoulder to ride on, don't worry!)We then cooled off and had Supper. Bro. Bush then took us to Book of Mormon class which was a very good session. 

Thursday afternoon we went to see the Longerbeams and we ended up talking to Sister Longerbeam on their porch, since her husband wasn't home. Before we left, she invited us to come back later for Supper. As we were leaving, I noticed by means of pain in my legs and on my bike that my front tire breaks were squeezing the disc brake, thus riding with applied brakes. We came back a little later and had Hawaiian Haystacks. bro. Longerbeam then loaded our bikes on a bike rack and dropped us off at our apartment. There I fixed the problem and we the biked and finished our evening visiting with Sis. Hearn. 

On Friday we weekly planned, but Elder Buckley wasn't feeling too well, so he slept. I felt a little down that day when we got in and a little discouraged. Feeling prompted, I knelt in prayer at my bed for strength and to have an additional blessing of the Spirit with me. No sooner had I risen did I feel the love of my Father in Heaven. Elder Buckley cheered me up in his his natural funny way. A lot of what I felt was the Adversary getting at me for what would be happening the next day.

Bonnie's Baptism

Saturday morning, Ft. Mitchell picked us up and we went to the church to prepare for Bonnie's Baptism that night. I was honored to be the one to Baptize her. Elder Buckley assisted me and the Spirit was overpowering and we both felt out of ourselves.After the Baptism and as were mingling we talked to Jason, Bonnie's son who will be taking the missionary lessons. There is never a bad time to share the Gospel, especially after a Baptism! We got home that night feeling like we just went to the Temple. What a marvelous day!

Sunday came and Bonnie was Confirmed. Bro. Bush, Bro. McCoy, Bug, Bishop Zeh, and the four missionaries were in the circle with Bro. Bush as voice. Right after there was a baby blessing and the Spirit was so strong. After church we were waiting for the other Elders to meet with Bishop when a guy named Randall walked in. We started with some small talk and eventually the Gospel was brought in and Bonnie began testifying of the Book of Mormon since she was there on the couch. Sister Culpepper was there as well and I could tell he was there because the Spirit directed him. He came seeking help financially, but we left him with more than he bargained for. He had also roofed the church a few years back. We exchanged information to meet with him later this week. We then had lunch at the Bush's and afterwards brought the Sacrament to the Otts, Sis. Brewer, and Sis. McClure. What's more is that Sister Otts let me borrow a bigger Crockpot so I can make chili for the chili cook-off at the Fall Festival next Saturday. 

So, yesterday was Columbus Day and the library was closed which explains why send this on Tuesday. We golfed a little, got Sonic, and relaxed a bit. A good P-Day!

Well, this week had a lot of highlights and lessons learned throughout. I am starting to realize a few things concerning what it means to be out here and why I am out here. What a Blessing indeed!

Have a good week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner

The Gospel is about 1 Lost Sheep

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has been pretty solid and the best part of it was getting to watch General Conference!

On Monday after P-Day activities, Sister Hearn dropped off some bread pudding and ice cream cups. We then went to visit some less-actives and potentials. We ended up talking with Sister Morgan for a while and she gave us some Fuze drinks which were good along with some crackers and other stuff.

On Tuesday, we helped the Ricks family move which took up a good chunk out of our day. We later had supper with the Clarks. 

On Wednesday we had District Meeting and Elder Glenn and I went on exchanges in our area. Our plans were somewhat scrapped due to time and the need to see of their investigators while Elders Buckley and Munn went elsewhere. After a brief visit with Nicole, their investigator, we biked back to the Ft. Mitchell apartment. As we pulled in, Elder Glenn's foot got caught on the pedal guard and he fell over in front of all of us plus their neighbor. Elder Glenn burst out laughing and we joined him. It was honestly hilarious. We picked him back up and had a good joint lesson with Bonnie who was released from the hospital and is back on track to being baptized. we then drove over and had a great time having Supper with Josten and Sarah Cornett. Afterwards we went to the church for Book of Mormon class. We set up a time to see the Rivers and BJ the following day. Brother Prudhomme then took us home. 

Thursday morning we exchanged back at the library and had lunch at our apartment. We then visited with the Rivers and BJ and reconnected with them. But before that, we biked down the infamous 'suicide hill'. we tried a few potentials and ended up seeing seeing Sister Susan Newsome. We then began biking down to see Stan and Nikki and others when we got a text that Bro. Goertzen was on his way to drop off supper for us. We then raced and trudged up Summerville Rd which took a lot out of me surprisingly. A pretty solid day. 

Friday was spent mostly weekly planning. The McGwins dropped off some supper for us. We then had a great discussion with the Owens family. There I killed a roach with my shoe as it crawled on their wall. I was quite proud of myself, actually. We then committed them to attend at least one session of General Conference and they came to the Saturday Afternoon session! 

Saturday was basically taken up with watching Conference. After the Priesthood Session, we all went and got ice cream at McDonald's and Brother Harsh took us home. A good way to end the day!

Sunday after the Morning session, we had lunch at the Eiland's. After the Afternoon Session, we visited with Sis. Brewer and were entertained by her mini schnauzer, Parker. We then visited the Newsomes and had a great discussion with them. That was our day! Well, before Conference, we had to assist the Sisters putting the spare on a tire that was punctured by a nail the day before. 

Now, I would like to share some of my favorite quotes from General Conference.

Elder Hales- 'If we love the Savior more, will we hurt less?"

Pres. Uchtdorf- "As members of the church of Jesus Christ, we have been given so much"

Elder Uceda- "Always pray with a sincere heart". "When you pray, are you just saying prayers, or are you really praying?"

Elder Oaks- "People learn when they are ready to learn"

Pres. Uchtdorf- "To be successful, we must find our Amuleks"

Elder Robbins- "The principles of righteous judgement apply to all of us"

Elder Bednar- "Serving Him requires our heart, might, mind, and strength". "We come to know the Lord as we feel His love"

Elder Nattress- "The Gospel is about one lost sheep..."

I have truly enjoyed this General Conference and I am ecstatic to apply the counsel and revelation given to each and every one of us. Another note... I hit 18 months last Saturday, which means the next time I watch General Conference will be the day before and the day of going to the Mission Home, preparing to return home. Last April seemed to be so recent. I admit, I was a little saddened after General Conference was adjourned this time around, but it makes me enjoy it even more. It truly was a delight. 

Have a great week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner

The fruits of our Work!

Columbus Zone Training Meeting

Dear Family and Friends,

I slacked off a little this week in my journal but I shall do my best!

On Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder Munn in his area (Ft. Mitchell). We had a pretty decent day. We did some service for the Otts and taught one of their investigators, Nicole. Another of their investigators, Bonnie, was hospitalized, so her Baptism had to be pushed back. She should be discharged in the next day or two. 

The next morning we exchanged back and did some RMT and we all had lunch at our apartment. Later on we tried a potential and it turned out to be a confused hung-over guy that kinda took us back since we were looking for a woman... Wednesday was relatively uneventful other than that. We really pushed trying to follow up with some potentials and less-actives. 

On Thursday we had ZTM in Columbus and the Graysons and the Finlinsons showed up to the meeting. Man, I hardly recognize anyone... Well, they ended up taking our car from us.... Sad day :( and since we took the other Elders, the Finlinsons took us back. On our way back they treated us to Popeye's and I love their biscuits!

Friday was primarily busy with weekly planning and getting a new couch from some members moving to Arizona. Bro. Bush helped us pick it up in his truck. 

We spent most of Saturday in Columbus working with the Red Cross installing free smoke alarms. We installed about 50 alarms in about 7 homes. Those people, well a good few, were receptive to hearing more of our message and we referred those people to the Zone Leaders who work in the area. It seemed to me that we were able to talk with them as we came with the Red Cross vests on. A really good day, probably the best day of the week! We later gave our old couch to the Sisters.

Sunday went by really fast. The highlight was the lesson in Elder's Quorum. AJ taught it and it was incredible to see the fruits of our work with him over a year ago now coming through. A lot of what he said are what we taught him. It brought me true joy to see that. Not too many missionaries get to see that, as Josten Cornett mentioned to me. Truly a blessing and a tender mercy.

The days are little by little cooling off. It is still in the 90s in the middle of the day but not quite as muggy as it was during the Summer. 

Have a good week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner

I have been sent back, until my task is done"

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was certainly a good one despite me getting a head cold on Wednesday that I am still fighting as I type, but a lot of improvement has been made. Let's jump into it!

On Tuesday after P-Day, we had a lesson with Olivia, an investigator. Our discussion was taken up reading Mosiah 3 which talks a lot on faith and repentance. She was very receptive and she is starting to see that the Book of Mormon has a lot of importance. As the end of the lesson we asked her to offer a closing prayer as Elder Uceda had challenged us to do. We then followed up by asking if we could kneel and she replied with a "Of course!!" which was really awesome. She also has a little puppy that was running around during the lesson. That ended our night well!

On Wednesday we traveled to Tifton for a follow-up Podiatrist appointment. The result is that I am clear. My toes are doing what they should be doing which is a major relief for me. We then drove the 3 hours back to Phenix City, passing through Albany to do so. It's like I was just there or something... We then had supper at the Worthington's and Book of Mormon class to finish off the night.

The next day, after RMT, we met up with the other Elders, had lunch, and went with them to a lesson with their investigator Bonnie, who will be baptized this Saturday! The lesson was great and the Spirit testified to her of the things she has both felt and read. We also visited with Brother and Sister Newsome. After splitting, we had a good lesson with Stan on keeping the Word of Wisdom. After our discussion we asked him to pray, but he started to defer to us but we followed Elder Uceda's counsel to remain firm in those moments as Stan then offered a heartfelt prayer. A very good day for sure!

A lot of Friday was spent weekly planning and cleaning the Church in anticipation of the Sisters' investigator's baptism. 

Saturday morning we helped Bro. Bush and the other Elders do some yard work for a Sister in the Ward. My sneezing and sinuses certainly were not helpful during and after. Bro. Bush, before dropping us off sent us with some chicken noodle soup to eat that would help. It certainly did help and he instructed me to rest a little which I hadn't been doing... Oh well. What can I say, I'm stubborn. That evening was the Baptism and Bug performed the ordinance for Rebel, the investigator, now convert. The room was packed as well! On our way home I got some spicy food from Taco Bell to help clear me out. 

Church was great yesterday and we had another great lesson with Olivia. We also brought the sacrament to the Otts. We also visited with the Newsomes and they gave us ice cream and cake which was good! Our lesson with Olivia went very well and she had read part of her assignment which was great. She starting to make some progress as well as gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. 

This week was a solid week with a lot of credit to Zone Conference with Elder Uceda which still has me invigorated. I am really excited to find out why exactly I was sent back and I kinda feel like Gandalf in the Two Towers; "I have been sent back, until my task is done". 

Have a good week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner

Seek the Spirit and the Lord will open your eyes

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, it's been pretty incredible being back in Sweet Home Alabama, aka Phenix City! A good portion of this week was spent getting reacquainted with the area and members. 

On Wednesday we did some service for Bro. and Sis. Otts. It was a little slow since I was instructed to wear sandals for my toes to get air. That night we had Book of Mormon class and re-introduced myself to Bishop Zeh and others at the church. We then had ward correlation meeting with Bro. Bush, the ward mission leader since Bro. Sullivan moved since I left along with a few other families I grew close to like the Howells and others. The meeting was good and the other missionaries in the District are Elder Munn(District Leader- 8 months out), Elder Glenn(2 months out and from the Idaho pan handle!), Sis. Farmer(12 months), Sis. Greenland(idk how long...) and of course Elder Buckley and I. And yes, I am the old man of the District with Sis. Farmer next. 

Well, on Wednesday evening, we got a call from president Grayson telling us that we would be given a car for temporary uses. I guess Sis. Finlinson (Mission Nurse) was behind that effort. So, we called up Carlos, a less-active, whom I am already acquainted with.He took us Thursday morning to the Mission Office in Macon to pick up the car. The AP's, Elder and Sister Jensen were there at the office along with the Grigsby's, the Missionary housing couple. We got it all worked out and we went to lunch with the AP's at Wendy's. It was good lunch for us, not so much for them where they had a weird looking blue-cheese salad. It looked pretty nasty... We then drove the two hours back in the Chevy Cruze to Phenix City. 

Skip ahead to Saturday, and we are heading to Stake Conference with Sam Jones, who has a mission call to Arizona. We were privileged to have all of the Columbus Stake Full-time missionaries (about 32) along with some YSA to sing two hymns for the Adult Session and guess who sat right in front of me! Elder Meurs, a recently called General Authority Seventy from Australia. Guess who was also in direct view of the camera when standing up... This guy! Kinda awkward, but a very enjoyable evening.  

The next day we heard from President and Sister Grayson and Elder and Sister Meurs. During the announcement of brethren who had advanced into the Melchizedek Priesthood and AJ's name was called and I talked with him and Malory after the conference and they were surprised to see me back in the area. It was a truly great day. We later had lunch with Bug and Lulu Eiland, when it began to dump rain on us. Thankfully we were in a car. We then had a church tour that no one showed up for except for Bro. Bush... We then visited with a Sister Brewer for a while. She has a mini schnauzer, Parker, that reminds of my own schnauzer, O'skar. It was a really good visit as well and the Spirit was strong. A generally good day!

A tank we fleetingly got a picture of on the road back from Macon on Thursday

The next morning we overslept, well, kinda. We set our alarm for 5:00 am so that we could carpool with the other Elders to Macon for a Mission Conference. We intended to leave by 5:45-6:00. We woke up to the other Elders ringing out doorbell at 5:35. We quickly got ready and left 15 minutes later and off we went. It was still dark! A sign that the seasons are about to change. We get to the Conference and we were privileged to hear from Elder Meurs and Elder Uceda of the Seventy.

I would like to share some thoughts and quotes from the Conference that have resonated with me...

President Grayson- "Seek the Spirit and the Lord will open your eyes"

Sister Meurs- Members are key to retention

Elder Meurs- We have the same calling and responsibility as the First Presidency, Quorum of the the Twelve, and General Authority Seventies. "Be a Full-time servant of Jesus Christ"

Elder Uceda- When we were set apart, it was as though the Lord did so in a very real sense. D & C 36:2 

and my favorite quote from the conference; "Talk less, and do more with your investigator"

It was a truly wonderful conference. We afterwards went to Chipotle and spent some time around the other missionaries that came for MLC (Mission Leadership Council). All of the other Elders I came out with were there, which was very cool.

Anyway, a fairly good week. Really looking forward to this week, despite other things like driving 3 hours to Tifton for a follow-up Doctor's appointment which will take most of the day...

Have a great week y'all!

Elder Alexander Kestner