Zone Conference with Elder Marcus B. Nash was a great experience. And transfers and Boo at the Zoo are coming.

     We only have 1 progressing investigator right now her name is Sarah Groth. She is an older woman and was a referral.  She saw the first session of the Sunday General Conference and has taken some of the lessons.  She came to church this last Sunday.  I was a little worried because a friend of hers in the church wasn't able to make it to church and she had told us before she isn't comfortable around people she doesn't know. So I said a little prayer that she would be comforted during church today and she told me after that she loved every moment of church. After church there was a potluck and I saved a spot so she could sit by us, after she had got her food I waved her over. All she did was smile and pointed to some members saying I'm sitting with them. When I turned to the members they gave me the thumbs up saying we got it. My prayer was answered that day, she was comforted by the members.  She loves everything about this church. She is a big supporter of Mitt Romney. And I'm pretty confident that she will be baptized. We just need to go over a few more things and then we will set a date with her the next time we see her.  The rest of our investigators we are just trying to figure out a way to have them progress. But the Church is true, so very true.
   Monday, October 15th, we had a Zone Conference and we had a General Authority come and teach us. His name is Elder Marcus B. Nash of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He actually spoke at this last General Conference during the very last session. I felt the spirit so strongly when he taught. I learned a lot from him, we all did. I also got to meet with him after and he checked up on me and asked questions about you guys and everything. It was a very humbling experience to meet with him and I also received a blessing from the mission president and Elder Nash was in the circle with him. It was a great experience probably a life changing experience for me. I love this Church so much!!!
     This week was a slower week. We saw a couple of our investigators.  I think I've mentioned Clint before but he isn't really progressing.  He's hard to talk to about the gospel.  He's a big Mitt Romney supporter well, so are a lot of people here in the south but all he wants to do is talk about how Romney is better than Obama.  But hopefully we can start to get him to progress. Then we are going to start working with the less actives. We have a ton of less actives so we are going to try to get them to come back to church.
     Sarah wasn't able to come to church but we do have an appointment with her tomorrow at 3:45 and we are planning to set a date with her for the 2nd Saturday in November. I might not be here for her Baptism.  I have been in Monroe for 3 transfers now and I'm not quite sure if I will be here for another.  I would like to stay at least 1 more transfer but we will see this coming Saturday when we get calls for the coming transfer.  This will be my 7th transfer and I will hit my 9th month mark very soon, that's way exciting!
     That is insane about the flooding in the basement. I'm not going to lie I will miss that bed if you have to get rid of it. I've missed it while I've been out here on my mission. I would like to see some pictures for sure of everything that's been going on.
     It's going to be an exciting week. We have trunk or treat this Wednesday and then Saturday they're having something called Boo at the Zoo and we will be helping with that. It will be an exciting week for sure.  It is nice having this cooler weather but the Saturday we had General Conference it was so cold to the point that it hurt our skin to ride our bikes. It was crazy.  We also share a car now so one week we'll have it and the next we will be on bikes. We can just get so much more done with a car.
     Oh and tell Sister Reynosa and the Young women thank you!  I got a package with a bunch of different letters with their testimonies. I thought it was sweet of them to do that so you will have to say thanks to them for me.  Also, I did receive grandmas package and I loved all the treats, the hot cheetos and M&Ms are already gone, haha.  I need to catch up on my mail so sorry if I haven't replied to anyone yet. Tell Grandma Sharon I hope she had a wonderful 75th birthday!  I'll have to write to Brendon. I think mainly what helped me not to be so homesick was just time and making friends out here. It just gets way easier every transfer. I think it will just take time
     Well, I should end for now.  I hope everything gets better with the flooding.  I love ya and miss ya a ton.  Your son,  Elder Kerr.

Stayed District Leader in Monroe, had my 2nd Baptism and we'll miss our friend Johnny!

     Well, transfers came and went and I stayed District Leader in Monroe and my new companion is Elder Criswell from California/Arizona. He's been out about a year now.  He came out with one of the sister missionaries in my district, Sister Van Roosendall.  He graduated High School in 2009.  We have a lot in common and are getting along just fine.  I've now had 4 companions in my 8 months out and so far I've gotten along with everyone of them (more or less).  Elder Crockett was transferred to Gulport, Mississippi which is awesome.  It's one of the cities on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in my mission and one I would like to serve in at some point.  We now have a 3-some sister group with the addition of Sister Harding who I served with in Meridian. 
      I had a scary experience a couple of weeks ago when my companion and I went to donate plasma.  A lot of the missionaries here donate plasma as a service but also to get a little extra money.  Well I received a letter from the place saying that I had a test result on my plasma that they wanted to talk to me about. And so I went in and they told me that they ran 2 tests on my plasma, the first test said that I had HIV and the second test which was a confirming test came back Negative meaning I don't have it. They said that they're pretty sure I dont have it because there are a lot of false positive tests on that.  Missionary Medical is pretty sure I dont have it and the same with President Pena but they are going to have me do a HIV blood test just for my own peace of mind.  It was hard to focus on the work after they told me that, it freaked me out big time, but the Zone Leaders gave me a blessing and it brought me some peace.  I know God gives us challenges to make us stronger.  I have a strong testimony of that. 
     So I just had my 2nd baptism last Saturday. Lavell Whitty was Baptized and Confirmed a member of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints".  It was an amazing experience as always to see someone enter into the waters of baptism and have that desire to follow in Christs footsteps.  Especially, because I have that same desire to follow in Christ's footsteps even though I mess up a lot.  I love this Church and I love my mission.  
      I've mainly been trying to introduce Elder Criswell to everyone. We had a couple of crazy experiences at the end of last week.  I took Elder Criswell over to one of our investigators that wasn't progressing but we would visit with him anyway and try to share a message. Out of nowhere he was angry saying that Elder Crockett brought devils into his home, cussing him out, and telling us that we aren't welcome anymore. I'm pretty sure he was drunk! Or antied. Anyways, it was way random. . . . but just another average mission experience.
     Do you remember Johnny Moore? He was one of the first member's to greet me when I came to Monroe.  He was baptized almost a year ago last November.  He would always feed us missionaries and take care of us.  He even paid to have my biked fixed when it broke down.  He became a good friend to a lot of missionaries. . . . . . . He passed away at 8 o'clock on Sunday. The medics said, probably due to heart failure. It's hard to believe that he is gone but it was his time and now he is on the other side of the veil!  He wasn't in contact with any of his family.  Really, Johnny's family was the missionaries and the Church but mostly the missionaries.  We went to his viewing and graveside services.  All of his family acknowledged that we were there for him and his family. It was just a crazy sad week. I have been telling people that knew him that he has passed away pretty much the entire week.  This has been an interesting 8 weeks of my mission.
     Thanks for the BYU shirt I love it!  And thanks Connie for all those pics of the places I used to hang out at when I was home.  That mud race looked like a ton of fun too.  And congratulations on your engagement!  I'll have a new uncle when I get home.
     I got the your burrito recipe mom, thanks.  I can't wait to make them for my district for General Conference weekend. Well, I'll end there.  I sure do love you and miss you.  Hope all is well.  I love you so much!
                                                                    Elder Kerr

It's gotten cooler which is way nice, had another rough week but we did get out.

Dear family,

     It has gotten cooler here too, the last couple of days have been way nice! In fact, it got pretty chilly on our bikes and that was way nice!!!  We had a rough week again.  I actually choked on some steak last Wednesday when we were out with some members.  Another missionary had to perform the Heimlich on me so I ended up in the ER.  And come to find out I have something called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. But the doctor said that I can heal from it. I will be using a handheld inhaler for 2 to 3 months and it should heal up and I won't have any more problems swallowing.  We were able to get out and see some people and we got in to Lavell Whitty who is getting really close to baptism. 

     I'm glad to hear that Grandma is doing better. I've been a bit worried about her all week.  I was also glad to hear that Ingela had a good endowment session. I will definitely go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple when I return! Me and Aaron want to go on a big temple trip when we get back home.  I heard that Jackson will be getting a temple once they get one more stake.  I love temples!  

     That is awesome for BYU and that is very surprising to hear that Utah State beat Utah! Utah State seems to get better every year.  Speaking of college football, the college here in Monroe, ULM (The University of Louisiana of Monroe) beat the 10th ranked team in the nation, Arkansas! So people are going nuts here. ULM is a small university like Weber State, so it's pretty awesome that they did that!  And I'm looking forward to the package and the BYU shirt!!

     My companion taught me how to make Shepherds Pie this week. Have you heard of that? It's pretty good. This is the last week of the transfer so either Elder Crockett or I will be leaving next week on the 18th. It most likely will be Elder Crockett and I will be training, I bet. Well I'll end for now. I love you and I hope all is well with you guys. The Presidents wife should have called the house and left a message about me.  She will need some insurance information.  

Love your son
Elder Kerr

It rained, and rained and rained and the Hurricane went around us.

    

     So this whole week was not the best for doing the work.  Monday was P-Day.  Tuesday, I had my first leadership training it's a meeting directed toward District Leaders and I got to see my trainer Elder Blomquist that day. The first time I've seen him in around 3 or so months. It was good to see that guy, I do miss serving with him at times. We tried a bunch of people after that but only got in with one person.  Wednesday, we had our district meeting which instead the Zone Leaders taught this week.  We were instructed on how to use our time wisely and basically reminded everyone of the chain of command. Which means anyone under District Leaders should be asking District Leaders instead of going straight to the President or Zone Leaders.  The President wants us to be better about making decisions.  We tried to go on exchanges this day with the Zone Leaders as well but it didn't work out because we needed to help fill sand bags.  We spent the rest of the day filling sand bags.  Thursday, it rained all day and it was recommended we stay inside. It rained and rained and rained, it finally slowed down around the end of the day and the Hurricane went around us for the most part. So there was no flooding.  Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday Elder Crockett was sick and I found a bump on the back of my neck that's been giving me a headache and causing my neck to be sore when I turn my head.  President Pena who is also a doctor looked at it and told me what he thought it was and what I should do so hopefully that will take care of it.     

     Wow, what a change in the Bishopric!! So now I will be coming home to a new Bishop and a new Stake President!! Thats intense! I didn't see that coming at all. Bishop Mendicino did a fantastic job! He is a great man and has been a big help for me throughout my life.  Congratulations to Bishop Heslop, Ray Corry and Myan Burton. Thats awesome for them!!

     I hope Grandma Ivy gets better. Send her my love, please.  I'm glad that she seems to be recovering just fine thats a good sign. Hopefully, she can get out of the ICU soon. I have been in that place here on my mission and it's a place that scares me. I went to the ICU in Meridian to give a blessing once and a family came out just crying so that place kinda freaks me out now.

     That is awesome that Hillcrest got turf in there stadium now. That makes it that much nicer of a field. I already think that Hillcrest's Football stadium is one of the nicest in the state because it's a bowl, not just a field with bleachers.  That's way awesome that they got a new soccer field! How does that look?  I can't wait to see these fields.  Have Megan take pictures of them and send them to me.

     I sent Brendon a letter, I hope he got it. I think he gave me the actual MTC address instead of his specific address and box number but he should get it.  I hope.  Love ya!

 

 

                                                                        Elder Kerr

 

P.S.   I heard about the BYU game that is very exciting!!! And thanks for the new BYU shirt I can't wait to get it!

Zone Conference with the new President and looking forward to the hurricane!

Dear Mother, 

     I did here about the hurricane coming in but I heard it is only a Cat 2, so not that big.  And it's probably not going to hit Monroe until Tuesday or Wednesday. We will see though. I hate to say this but I kinda want to experience a hurricane on my mission. I know that is terrible to say but I'm actually looking forward to seeing how much rain we get from this hurricane!!! 

     Elder Crockett's hand is healing just fine.  He did have to go to the doctor but it wasn't too serious since the dog had had all of his shots. 
     This has been a fun transfer.  There's a bunch of awesome missionaries and I've been having a lot of fun with them, playing some basketball and such.  A big thing missionaries like to get here in the south is Rebel stuff like the Rebel flag. It's kinda funny!  

     That is exciting that Ingela is going to go through the temple! That's really cool! And thanks for that wonderful scripture (Helaman 5:12)!!! I loved it! And it's so true! 

     This week we got to meet with Lavell Whitty who is a recent investigator.  He's an awesome guy, and he said not to give up on him so we don't plan to. But he might be moving to West Monroe with his family, who are members.  We also helped Johnny clean out one of his storage units.  He works for a storage place and some people didn't pay.  There were a  lot of big things to move out and guess what, we got a deer head for our apartment.  So now we have a deer head for a decoration.  Thursday was the best day we had Zone Conference, our first one with the new President.  Zone Conference is always a great meeting to get together with all the missionaries.  Then we had exchanges right after with Greenville.  And double worked the area of Monroe.

     So tomorrow I'm going to my very first leadership training as a District Leader and I'm pretty excited because I will be seeing my trainer again Elder Blomquist, hopefully! I heard he was going to the same meeting as me but we will see! We also did some tracting this last Saturday! We decided to do some tracting on the south side of town the poorest part. We didn't get much but we did give out 4 BOM's so that was good!  

     Debra Christy is also doing very well she came to church and is still very solid. I still need to get a picture with her I keep on forgetting! It's frustrating, haha! I'm glad to hear that Grandma Ivy is getting better.

     Well I will end for now I love and miss ya Mom! And I hope all is well.  Love your son. 

                                                              Elder Shawn Kerr

Honored to be a tool in the Lord's hands.

     I cant believe that Brendon will be going into the MTC this Wednesday, it's amazing!  Everyone in our group of friends are growing in many different ways.  I'm grateful to have them as my friends and the example they give to me. 

    The Baptism did go through and it went very well she even came the next Sunday to be confirmed a member and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I had the opportunity to be in the font during the Baptism. She is a really heavy set woman so me and Elder Crockett helped her in and out of the font. I was behind her when she went under and I had my hands under her back to help her up. It went really smoothly, only had to do it once. It was an amazing moment on my mission. There was some worries that she wouldn't be able to endure baptism but she did. She put a lot of faith into it and it was just an absolutely amazing experience. She is already talking about going through the temple in a year. The Lord has prepared her very well for baptism.  I was honored to be a tool in the Lords hands, to teach her and prepare her to enter the waters of baptism. 

     I also can't believe that I'm heading toward my 7 month mark. Aaron told me it even goes by faster after the 6 month mark. Im going to have another fun transfer I believe. The new Zone Leaders here are awesome guys and I'm getting along with them great. And Elder Crockett is as good as always. One of the new Zone Leaders here is a pretty good baseball player. He is from Kanab, Utah.  He played for Eastern Utah and he is probably going to be drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. It's pretty cool to be serving around him. Since I have been in Monroe I have come to like baseball a lot more. 

     That is an awesome quote from Brigham Young, "I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father … , for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year; and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know."  And I do feel something about this Anthony Smith. I hope he is lead to baptism either by us or someone after us. It truly was an amazing experience. I love this work. Sometimes it gets hard to put forth my full effort but I don't want to be anywhere else but here, on my mission, for this next year and half or year and 5 months soon. I love this church! It is so true! 

I love you Dad. I appreciate everything you do for me. I miss ya a ton.

                                                                  Love your son 

A GREAT week in the work!

Dear family,

     We had a wonderful baptism on Saturday but it wasn't Elder Crockett's and mine, it was the sister missionaries in the Monroe Area. They had the baptism. It was my first baptism interview though. As district leader I do all the baptism interviews in my district besides baptisms we do. The Zone Leaders interview those we lead to baptism. The mission average for each missionary is 4-6 baptisms throughout their entire mission so the 15 a month, you heard, could be right.  Our first baptism will be this coming Saturday, August 18th, at 2 o'clock so 1 o'clock there I believe.  And that's with Debra Kristy.    

          So this week was a pretty good week. We set up another baptism date on September 1st for Anthony Smith. He is a solid investigator right now who was referred to us from the Bishop of the ward. During our 2nd lesson with him he said something to us that touched me to the core.  We taught him The Plan of Salvation. And he said, "there is something about you two, it's like I have known you before.  Like I have always known you."  And that just confirmed for me that in the pre-existence I was pre-ordained to serve in this mission.  Probably the best experience I have had out on my mission so far :)  One I will always hold sacred.  I hope he will enter the waters of baptism.  Pray for him please.

     I'm glad to hear that Brendon's farewell went well.  And Megan's talk too.  I'm glad Megan saw what I saw as well when I started to prepare for my mission. I did see how much closer as a family we did get. So we will have 3 missionaries in the mission field from the ward now and just 6 and a half months ago we didn't have any in the field.

          The weather here is still very HOT but there have been a few cooler days.  It doesn't usually start cooling down here until the end of September but we have had such a hot year this year that it might not even cool down until mid October. So its pretty intense down here. The weather has been very interesting though maybe because the planets are lining up at the end of the year. 

     I do remember the olympics when they came to Salt Lake in 2002. I would probably enjoy them better now, at this age, because I was never really interested back then. And yeah people hear watched it so we heard about it. I heard that the basketball team won gold so Im excited about that. And I heard that the winter Olympics will come back to Utah. That will be exciting. 

      A GREAT WEEK in the work! I have felt the spirit many times throughout this week. From just learning how to show my love more to others to visiting Sister Meeks in the hospital (She had a stroke but is expected to make a full recovery), to helping 2 families move in, we did quite a bit of service. Another cool thing that happened this week is that the Stake President's son returned from his mission in South America.  Sunday was his homecoming.  I never even met him before but I can feel how much he has grown on his mission. It's weird to see returning missionaries when I'm still on a mission.  And then, of course, the wonderful baptism of Angie Mizel from the sister missionaries work was AWESOME! 

     I'm also glad to hear that Holly's blessing is helping her out. And I'm glad to hear that Marcelo is recovering. Well I will end for now. I love you and miss you. 

                                                                     

                                                                    Love your son 

                                                                    Elder Shawn Kerr