A week being sick!

We heard from Kyle today.  He is doing much better but last week was not the best week he has had.  He said he got a "Dear John" on Monday.  He was sick on Tuesday and Wednesday.  He had a Christmas party on Thursday.  He dropped his new electric razor on Friday and it broke into a million pieces.  On Saturday he walked everywhere but wasn't very productive....no lessons.  Sunday he attended a fireside that he said was really good.  He was excited to tell us that he will Skype with us at 1:00 on Christmas Day!  We are both anxious to talk to each other but we are also both a little worried about being a tad bit homesick for each other.

A text from Mission Viejo

Mrs. Hess...here is a picture of the guys and I for my birthday on December 13.  It was Elder Bufton's 21st birthday also so I told Aaron and Kyle to come by and bring some munchies and we can have a party.  So they did and we had enchiladas etc.  Kyle is very nice.  He is assigned to my ward.  My girls and I are just visitors.  We thought you would like this picture.  Sincerely,  Catherine Brophy

Week 23

Hey!! It sounds like you had a rough week.   I can kinda say the same.  We had to stay in for two days cause Elder Bufton got sick.  But… it’s all good! Watch "my burdens made light" it’s a Mormon message.  It talks about trials and forgiveness might help ya out a little bit.  On another note… going to the temple on Saturday was the most spiritual one I have been to on my mission.  There was just a different spirit in the room with Michael.  It was just awesome!! Even better news…I’m going again on the 2nd of January.  Even best news MY BIRTHDAY IS GONNA BE THE BEST ONE YET!!!!  We have two baptism on the 4^th of January…Diane and Vanessa and they are both being confirmed on the 5^th.  Happy Birthday to me! Finally….one more bit of news.   I need to know my card balance I have to tailor my brown suit its way too short its like wearing floods haha.  I usually try to stay positive but right now I am struggling a bit.  Elke sent me an email and told me that she is engaged.  I could use some faith, knowledge, and confidence.  I’m trying hard to pick my head up and stay positive but it’s not that easy. Elder Ballard of the 12 told President Orgill that this was the hardest mission in the world. He wasn't kidding just the challenges I’m facing are over whelming at times.  Sometimes I just don't know what to do.  I know that I need to exercise my faith but it’s a lot different than it seems.  Every day I’m still figuring out why I’m here and my purpose of being here.  Everyone has a different purpose being on a mission.  Everyone’s goal as missionaries is to bring others to Christ but each missionary has their own purpose and it’s up to them to figure out what their purpose really is.  I am trying hard to find mine!  I know that I have to have patience….everything will work out!  I received a letter from Grandma and a card from Uncle Jay…loved them!  I also got your Christmas package and a package from the Madson’s.  Sorry Mom….I couldn’t help but open them.  I needed the razor and I absolutely love the calendar.  It was the best Christmas gifts ever!  Well….I got to go.  I will talk to you again next Monday.  Don’t worry about me….I will be fine.  I love you all!

Mormon.org Profile

As a Christmas present to their mission president, the missionaries in the California Irvine Mission all updated their Mormon.org profiles.  Kyle shared his profile with us.

Hi...I'm Kyle

I play Baseball.  I Go Hard.  I'm Serving a Mission for the ONLY True Church.  And I'm a Mormon.

About Me:
I love to play sports especially baseball.  I enjoy being outdoors and doing anything active.  I love being around friends and family.  I am currently serving a 2 year mission in the California Irvine Mission, in the Mission Viejo area and it brings me joy watching people progress and come unto Christ by way of Baptism.

Why I am a Mormon:
From the time I was very little, the gospel has been instilled in my life by my parents and friends.  I have a testimony of the gospel and I am thankful everyday for the happiness that it brings into my life.  The gospel gives me direction in my life and without it I would be lost.  I know that families are forever, and I love knowing that I can be with my family throughout eternity if I live as I should and I choose the right.  I know that Heavenly Father knows me personally...he knows my name and he knows the desires of my heart.  I am thankful for the power of prayer and for the assurance I have of knowing that I am never alone and that I always have someone I can turn to for help.  My prayers may not always be answered how I would like them to be, but I do know that Heavenly Fathers always knows what is best for me.

How I live my faith:
I try to live my faith the best I can by following the example Christ has set for us by living by his teachings and commandments.  I am serving a 2 year mission in the California Irvine Mission.  It is the best decision I have ever made.  I enjoy serving the Lord cause it's the least I can do for all the things he has done for me.  I enjoy helping and serving those around me and helping them change their lives by coming unto Christ and receiving the blessings and joy the gospel has to offer.

5 Months

"I got the package you sent.  I don’t get a whole lot of letters, but when I do they are the best things ever.  In my opinion….they are even better than packages.  Thanks for the Christmas tree….I appreciate it!  I went to our ward Christmas party.  It was fun and I sang a solo.  It was just a line from the “chestnuts roasting” Christmas carol.  Our investigators are all doing good.  It looks like January is gonna be the baptism month for us instead of December.  They have all committed so that is good.  Diane announced her baptism.  She asked if she could bring non-members to our activities ha ha…she is a non-member herself.  It’s great!  Diane is awesome….I sure think the world of her!   We have no new investigators.  We helped a ward member move.  Oh…we have some Zundel’s in our ward.  They are from the Brigham City/Willard area.  Maybe I have found some of Jay’s long lost familia?  Tony made me a really cool Christmas sock.  The picture Tony posted on my facebook wall was of Elder McGary (he was one of my missionary buds at the MTC) and of Elder Burnham.  Today we are going shopping.  I need a jacket…it has gotten cold here.  It’s about 60-70 degrees during the day but at nights and in the morning it’s like 40-50 degrees.  I’m reading the Book of Mormon.  I wanted to be finished by the end of the year, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.  At first I went on a tare but I kind of slowed down cuz I need to study for lessons as well and that takes time so I read a couple of chapters a day.  I’m in Jarom now so ya it’s good…I’m enjoying it!  I watched the Christmas devotional at our WML (Ward Mission Leader) house.  I’m going to the Newport Beach Temple on Saturday with Michael.  Michael is the brother who almost died and his sister is now getting baptized.  Anyway….he is going through the temple for the first time and I get to go with him.  I’m so excited!" 

Singing at Ward Christmas Party

We received a text message today.  It said, "This is a pic of my missionary Elder Hess singing at the ward Chrisitmas program.  Merry Christmas from Mission Viego!  Text was sent by Diane Norton.

Christmas Sock



Tony posted this picture on Kyle's facebook wall.  This is quite the Christmas sock and a treasure to boot!  My only hope is that the Christmas sock we send him will be as well received.  Elder McGary (one of Kyle's missionary MTC buds), Elder Hess, and Elder Burnham.



Thanksgiving

"Hey, this last week went by so slow!! It was awful slow because everyone was gone for the Thanksgiving holiday. We only taught like 13 lessons total.  It’s all good though, this week should be much better and a whole lot busier.  We went to our investigators for Thanksgiving and then went to a ward member’s after that for another Thanksgiving.  I basically ate a plate of dinner at each home.  I was so full!!  After eating dinner at both places we went to a big zone activity and we watched the best two years again.  Earlier in the day I played in our ward turkey bowl for about two hours…that was fun and I even scored one of the touchdowns.  Yesterday when we were at Brother Patch’s house having dinner, I got called Elder Eccles in the prayer.  Brother Patch was praying for me and Elder Bufton but he had forgotten my name so he called me Elder Eccles…that was a bit awkward. We got moved into a member’s home and we share a little bedroom probably the size of Kellen’s.  It is crazy small but the exciting news is .... WE GOT A DOG!!!  It’s an Austrailian Shepherd and she is soooo cute.  Her name is Charlotte.  It’s the missionaries dog for as long as they live in the house.  So once we leave the next set of missionaries will be the new owner of the dog.  This dog is so obedient and fun to be around….I absolutely love it!  It’s December and the weather here is in the 80’s.  I love the weather but kind of miss the snow for the holidays.  We have a mission conference and dinner on the 19^th which will be fun cause we will be getting a Christmas present….IPADS!!  We are going over to our ward mission leader’s home on Christmas day to Skype on his computer.  I don’t know what time that will be but hopefully it will be in the AM.  Tell everyone I am doing good and that I love them."

Charlotte

Charlotte & Elder Hess

Chillin in the car with Elder Bufton

Name Tag hitting the rain = Hot Wife