Week 6....Never to old to play at the park!!!

 P-days are amazing, the days go so fast here that I can only keep track of how long I have been out my counting the P-days. Today I was able to play tennis for the first time today with an Elder who extraordinarily talented at it. Apparently ping pong skills don't translate perfectly over to tennis, who knew🤷‍♂️. Either way Elder Moses (the other greenie in the apartment) and I are planning on playing each next week. I am also pleased to announce that all the time in the sun is finally giving me a tan, which is kinda weird since it is January, but I am all for it.

We had a pretty interesting experience this week with a Bible study we set up through cold texting. Basically the address led us pretty far out if town towards the closest thing to boondocks I have thus far seen. We pull down this old dirt road which leads to this community of trailer houses where some of them were just legit camp trailers that had address markers and porches built around them. There were also a ton of people out milling around that all just stared us down, only one waved back to me after I waved to him. Then we accidently passed the house we needed so we had to do the most awkward and tedious three point turn of my life while all the people were watching. Normally I am suppose to get out of the car to back the car up, but we classified that as an unnecessary risk. Then we got to the house and she didn't even answer so RIP but also maybe a blessing?

Alot of companionship in our zone made a goal to reach out and find 10 new people to start teaching. Insanely high. Anywho, my comp and I decided to try and so we tried so hard all week to find people. We devoted alot of hours to sending texts, making calls, and using Facebook to find. Sweat and tears went into finding and for all that work we got nothing...until. a recent convert called and said she had a referral who we called and she was amazing and we meet her tomorrow. I have come to learn that when we put in all that we can do, the Lord blesses us. Even if the person didn't come from our efforts, I know that the Heavenly Father saw our efforts and blessed us accordingly!

P.S. I'm pretty sure this email sent weird because I sent it as a reply, I will try and fix that in the future. 

Pic #1 - Random Pic I took while walking down the sidewalk!

Pic #2 - My comp and I waiting for a guy who requested a Book of Mormon! He never showed. :(

Pic #3 - Fun day in the park with our dads (trainers)!

Week 5...Christmas!!!

 This week has been a fast one! It was my first Christmas away from home but it certainly didn't feel like it! There has only been one really cold morning here and that was because we set the thermostat low so that we can wear some of the jackets we packed with us. 

This Christmas we had the opportunity to serve others by dropping off cookies and taping snowflakes to their doors and then running away before they saw us. In preparation for said activity, we made over 200 cookies and a few hundred paper snowflakes. Not to brag or anything, but I started whipping out some next level snowflakes, they were VERY nice!! We ended up delivering to over 15 people which made us get really close to going over on miles, but then the zone leaders gifted us a ton more so it really worked well in the end! 

With Christmas it was very easy to make lesson plans centered on family and on Jesus Christ. With Christmas winding down, I want to carry those same values into next year. Being a missionary, I get to meet and hear from spiritual giants on a frequent basis. Sometimes I feel as though I am being taught rather than being the teacher. In this position I have seen more than ever the importance of family, especially when we go through trials. I know that there is no support system greater and I am incredibly grateful for the family I have cheering me on back at home.

Sorry for the shorter email, enjoy the pics!!

Pic #1 Cocoa!! It has some really great people, but it also contains the only areas on our mission where we aren't suppose to be after dark!

Pic #2 Some of the district and I on Christmas! We all wore our pajamas and did a gift exchange and played games!

Pic #3 This is us baking cookies! The kitchen smelled like cookies for the next three days, it was kinda great!

 

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.