Week 4....Palm Trees are AMAZING!!

 Hey everyone reading this, I have officially been in the Florida Orlando Mission for a grand total of 7 days. Honestly though, I feel like I just flew in yesterday.

Last week as I was flying out, I met this super chill guy on my first plane ride from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City. He served his mission in Germany and gave me a list of some amazing advice. By the time he was finished our plane was already landing so the first flight passed real fast! Sadly, I missed the connecting one and had to reschedule but I did so in a way where I still managed to arrive in Florida at the right time while also flying with another missionary named Elder Smith who was recently converted just under two years ago!!

It only took me about three days to get use to the the Florida climate, going from wearing winter coats to short sleeve shirts and shorts was a welcome change. I even managed to acclimate to the humidity somewhat quick but I can confirm that when you get out of the the shower you never fully dry off for a couple hours.

My favorite part about the the mission is easily the people. That is definitely an overused answer but it is completely true! I have already had a day where members fed me breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also just had a member volunteer to do all of our grocery shopping for us and threatened to yell at us if we were shy about making a list!

I have felt my testimony grow so much already, meeting and talking to some of the the members has made me think that perhaps the people I am teaching should be the missionaries because of the strength of the testimonies, but I have felt so blessed to be able to share the messages that we study with them to further improve their lives. The first lesson I led was with a person who will be baptized in June and is super strong in the church already. Although her husband doesn't care for it and at most, he has only ever listened to the lessons without actively participating. However, as I was teaching them, he actually started asking some intense questions about the the Plan of Salvation and even ended up sharing a personal spiritual moment he had in the military. I have great hope that he will continue to participate more and more and eventually follow the example of Christ and be baptized.

A recurring theme that seems to have come up is "Beauty in Balance." At first a recent convert said it to me when we walked to Institute, and now I have noticed it in everything! We need both good and bad in this life to improve. When we experience that which is bad in life we become able to truly appreciate the good. I have thought about that much in the context of that first hug I will give my parents when I get home. Furthermore, I think of the pain I feel when I consider the fact that I caused Christ suffering because of my sins, but I then consider the joy his sacrifice enables me to have. There is beauty in both sides!

Pic #1-- Our dress code says we don't need ties!!

Pic #2--First time in the Atlantic!

Pic #3--Christmas Decor on Palm Trees!!

Here at few other pictures that he sent....there are 2 stuffed animals and here is what Elder Killian says about those...So there was a recent baptized kid around 12 who hand made both those.

There is also a "meme" picture that was made by his companion since Elder Killian made lots of comments about the AWESOME palm trees as well as other pictures as he adjusts to being in the Florida mission.

Officially in Orlando Florida Serving!!!

 

Desmond is adjusting to the humidity as he quarantines for 1 week!!!

Week 3...."The Airport"

 On Monday, December 14, 2020 at 6:30a.m, Elder Killian said goodbye to his family for the next 2 years.  He will be able to talk to his family, through limited phone calls, letters, email's etc.   But the Lord will guide and protect Elder Killian and his brother Elder Smith.

Desmond giving Seth a big hug.  This is never any easier no matter that they have sent 2 brother's off to serve the Lord.

                                                                    Kierra and Desmond

                                                 The biggest hug that a Mom can give her son....

Dad giving a hug.  He knows what it is like to serve a mission he served in North Carolina.

The family saying goodbye goodbye.  Kody had to work and Jenna was dealing with the challenges of pregnancy.

This is a very dear friend of Desmond's, I believe his name is Josh Jolley.  He is also working on getting ready to serve a mission.

        The final goodbye and off he goes to serve the Lord for 2 years!!!

Week 2 at Home MTC

 On November 22, 2020 Elder Killian gave his farewell address as he prepares to leave on his mission to first serve in Orlando, Florida and at some point to serve in Birmingham, England.

Desmond was given the opportunity to pick his speaking partner and he chose his Mom.  Because of technology and the fact that Ruthan and Elder Killian had to speak twice due to Covid-19 restrictions we were able to enjoy the blessing of hearing both of them speak as well at two of Elder Killian's good friends singing a melody for him.

It was a limited number of people who attended an activity at the house later.  But it was a WONDERFUL day for him.

Desmond has been to serve ...

 This is a little late in posting but it is truly an incredible letter that will help change not only Desmond's life but many other's as well.

Home MTC training Week 1

 Elder Killian was asked to completer hi MTC (Missionary Training) at home due to COVID-19.  This took place the first 2 weeks of his mission. 

During Desmond's training  sister Bodily completed his this picture. 

Elder Desmond Lynn Killian

 On November 17, 2002.  Desmond was set apart by the Stake President of the Firth Stake in Firth, Idaho. Usually after being set apart Elder Killian would fly to England to begin his training at the Missionary Training Center.

But at this point England will not let American's into their Country due to a very broad, sweeping second wave of COVID-19.

For that reason Desmond will do his training at home for at least the next 2 weeks and then off to Orlando, Florida he goes.

                                       Prior to being set apart as Elder Desmond Lynn Killian

             Desmond spent time going out with the local missionaries to help learn and                 grow.

We love you so much Desmond and look forward to hearing from you every week with letters, pictures and getting to call home.  You will be an incredible Servant of the Lord.

Blessings Come in Many Ways!!!

 The weekend after Desmond went through to receive his endowments,  his brother and sister-in-law were finally able to be sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.  They could have been sealed back in April which was the plan, but as we all know COVID came into the picture and temples were shut down.

So the blessing of waiting November, gave Desmond a chance to get his endowments (covenants) on Nov. 7th and then be able to attend the sealing on Nov. 14 2020.

Desmond will not be able to attend the temple again for an unknown amount of time due to the pandemic and also because he is working to bring the living into the gospel.

                               Ruthan with Desmond preparing to send him off to serve the Lord.

Desmond with Grandma Killian wearing the masks required to go into the temple and wear after the temple.

                                                                 Desmond and Daren

Birmingham, England via Orlando, Florida

 Desmond will have the blessing of serving those in Orlando, Florida and then moving onto Birmingham, England when the pandemic comes under control.

This is the letter he received from his mission President in the Orlando, Florida Mission.

Steps toward Eternity...

 As Desmond prepares to leave for England to serve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Birmingham, England he has the opportunity to go through the LDS temple to to make more covenants, known as Endowments with our Father in Heaven.

Initially it looked like Desmond would not be able to go through the temple before he left for England, due to the restrictions of COVID-19.  So his family would not be able to be with him.  This was certainly not how Desmond wanted to take out his endowments. 

But as Desmond has said many times it will work out.  The Lord hears those prayers.  Saturday, November 7th at 5:30p.m. in the Rexburg Idaho Templ, Desmond was able to take out his endowments.  Do to COVID and the restrictions the maximum amount of people that could be in attendance was 16 and they had to be with Desmond.

Rexburg, Idaho Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple.  Against a beautiful Southeastern Idaho sky.

                                                         

Masks are not an optional item....

Desmond is a very kind person and here he is walking his Grandma Killian out of the session.

The Lord knows all!! Changes to Desmond's call!!

Desmond is going to be such a blessing to those in England and they will be a blessing to him as well!!!

What a blessing Desmond and his Brother Mitch will both be serving in the mission field at the same time.

 

The Mission Call!!

On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Desmond Lynn Killian recieved his mission call.  Since the mission call is sent via an email, he had a his friend Spencer Killpack print it out and put it in an envelope so that he could open it via Facebook Live and Face Time.

Desmond received his call to Birmingham, England.  He will enter the MTC in England on Dec. 2, 2020.  There were plenty of guesses, the majority being foreign missions.

Elder Killian will be such a blessing to those he serves while in England and he will be blessed as well by those he meets and serves.

Some of the pictures of those who attended.  Everyone did the best they could to follow all of the rules and challenges that come with the pandemic.