Pictures... Zone transfers and caught in the act.

The Salina Zone post transfers!  Elders LaMont, Sromness, Thompson, Richardson, Demke, Hilborn, Carling, Urston, Hosenfield, Waldron, Michaelis, Christiansen.  Sisters Viera, Furner, Hansen, Webb, and Manu.

Elder Hilborn and Elder LaMont teaching an investigator W+++ G+++.  The Sister Missionaries were creeping on us and took a picture.

Why did you choose to serve a mission?

I was reading my scriptures (fancy that) in Jacob one morning. In the end of the first chapter, Jacob expresses his desire to help the Nephites. Verse nineteen says this: "And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day."

When I read this verse, I lit up! Whether or not you've asked me, "Why did you choose to serve a mission?" This is why I chose to serve. For quite some time I toiled to know if this was a righteous desire, and it has been revealed to me through revelation it most certainly is! Jacob, the righteous brother of Nephi, felt the very same way in a different calling albeit similar purpose. This validation is glorious to me.

When I met with the mission president for the very first time, he made it clear to me missionaries most pleasing in the eyes of Heaven stay on their mission because they love their Savior. So, let me make this perfectly clear: I am on my mission because I love my Savior. Do not misunderstand. But the reason I was able to walk into the MTC is Jacob 1:19, and that's not wrong.

I'm scared to be negative, but I am heartbroken. A non-member woman we have been teaching chose to leave town instead of coming to church. Because it is a requirement to attend at least two, consecutive weeks of church before baptism, she will not be baptized on the 26th per the plan. Of course, this is her choice, but the night before she departed Hays, she wouldn't stop talking about her recently baptized friend whom is acting in all forms of hypocrisy and eventually broke down crying. Let this testify to you of the example you are setting to every son and daughter of God around you. Especially to the beautiful fragile heart of one in the conversion process. Do you know whom this includes? Everyone. We are all converting, so think really hard about what you are demonstrating to your brothers and sisters.

Of more light-hearted conversation, last night (Sunday) we had a dinner appointment with the Unsworth's (The 's' sounds like a 'z'). They're a young family, their oldest is 16. Aunnaliese (on-a-lease) Unsworth, the mother, is writing a fantasy novel and I could talk to her forever about it because I love reading of that particular genre. Kayson Unsworth, 12 years old, and I went back and forth quoting movies. I quoted, with inflection, everything from Emperor's New Groove to Hercules to Cars to Shrek. That's right, I still have it! The awesome thing: Kayson did it right back!! I had such a blast! Needless to say, Kayson and I are best of friends.

This is Kayson:

So much love to everyone. Thank you for everything, particularly prayers. The words you utter bring about miracles in Hays, Kansas

Our work, Our Love...

Story of E+++ - 

Every week we schedule what's called Weekly Planning for three hours from noon to 3:00 pm. It's a time we review our goals of last week, and set appropriate goals for the week ahead. At 2:30, still in the middle of our weekly planning, I had a stark impression to visit an investigator briefly discussed named E+++. I told Elder Hilborn about this persistent feeling. Though hesitant at first, Elder Hilborn allowed the interruption and agreed we should act as soon as possible. We had been trying for a few weeks to contact this E+++, so the notion felt futile. As we gathered our things, thoughts crept into my mind like awful shadows, "This might be a waste of time. I should just get back to planning." I pushed the thoughts away as we started our journey, but they gradually became violent: "We are going to get there and soon find it will be for nothing but a wasted trip. Elder Hilborn is going to be frustrated to have spent time on a fool's errand." Although not entirely confident of my spiritual intuition, I will not deny I am sure this was revelation intended to help E+++ from the Spirit. 

When E+++'s residence came to view, Elder Hilborn and I saw his vehicle. We were extremely happy to see it, but would he answer the door? We knocked once and waited. E+++ came bustling out in his work clothes. "Sorry to cut this short guys, but I'm just heading to work," he said. We managed to schedule an appointment with him before he left. Had Elder Hilborn and I been a fraction of a moment late, we would not have been able to see E+++, become even further discouraged, and much less willing to keep trying to contact him. 

The Spirit confirmed to me this truly was a help to E+++. I was truly inspired, and I acted on this impression. I was so happy to have chosen to follow the invitation of the Spirit and to feel the love and approval of Heavenly Father as I obey Him. 

"Never postpone a promoting. The opportunity to be a blessing in the life of another often comes unexpectedly."

The next day, E+++ was there! We began to teach him immediately. E+++ said he turned down many opportunities to learn about the LDS Church, but said he felt it was time he learned. The Lord has been preparing him! We taught him lesson one, The Restoration. It was a beautiful lesson! He listened intently, excited to learn. He repeatedly exclaimed, ”That makes a lot of sense!" When we spoke to him of the anti-material he could find on the Internet, advising him to avoid it, I was inspired to say, "E+++ there is a lot out there that will confuse you. Promise us you will not seek it. Those things are the words of men, but the book you are holding in your hands, The Book of Mormon, those are the words of our savior Jesus Christ." The Spirit filled the room. We invited E+++ to say a kneeling prayer, asking him to reach to our Heavenly Father asking for the truth. 

Unfortunately, he is leaving town for a few weeks, but we have scheduled a time to meet with him on the 18th of March. 

Story of T+++ M+++ - 

Elder Hilborn and I had a lurid conversation with an investigator. Confused, Elder Hilborn felt impressed we visit a man named T+++ M+++, a middle-aged father from Georgia. He lives with his family in Hays, but he travels often for his job. In fact, in the time my companion was prompted to visit him, T+++ was away on a typical business trip. Or so we thought. We arrived at his house, surprised to see him. We approached him, excited to be blessed with this opportunity. T+++ says to us, "Well guys, you came in the best and the worst time. I just made a difficult decision I have never wanted to make." He now had our full attention. 

T+++ told us long ago, he sold drugs for a living. He went to prison for five years after he shot and killed a man in self-defense. Ordinarily he would not have been jailed, but because he was in possession of drugs and the circumstances thereof, he was in prison for five long years. Years he says he decided to become a better man through God. He married his wife in Hays, had his family, and has worked to become a better man since. 

"That being said,” T+++ continued, "I had to make an unexpected flight home because I learned my son brought weed into my home. I had to make a decision to either report him, or beat him real good. Because I was too angry and I thought I would hurt him very badly, I reported him. He's locked up for a couple days. I've never wanted to make this decision, you guys." 

The Spirit brought us to say to T+++, the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families. Families can be healed through repentance forgiveness, and faith in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

T+++ M+++ like E+++, will be gone for a few weeks because of his circumstances with work. But both are excited to hear more of Christ's gospel. I'm excited as well to teach them. 

K+++- 

This is K+++ (K-+++-+++)! She is the daughter of a woman we are teaching named A+++ C+++. When Elder Hilborn was teaching A+++, it was my job to distract K+++ so A+++ could focus on the lesson. A+++ has had a very dark past. She has recovered from an addiction of illicit drugs and is ready to turn her life around by coming to Christ through baptism. She struggles to read the Book of Mormon every day, but she is praying!

Thank you everyone!! I love all of you!!!

I do cook...

P Day Shenanigans...

The Sisters meet with us in the family history center, so there is a lot more talking and goofing around going on. Everything is great!!

Obedient fun of course! (: I'm having a blast! 

Interview with Mission President and a challenge by Elder LaMont...

As a missionary, I have the opportunity to be interviewed by President Bell, the mission president, quarterly (once every three months). Typically, he asks how each of us are faring in our endeavors, checks our progress, and makes himself available to any questions and concerns.

Connie and Michael L. Bell

In a matter of minutes, President asked if I had an accent. I told him enunciation is something I practice diligently and that he was simply hearing the English language as it should sound. I expressed my frustration of being called 'Kea-on' rather than 'Keaton'. This is why I enunciate my words well as to not be a hypocrite when I request my first name to be said correctly. President Bell responded, rather taken aback, he was impressed. It's nice to be complimented by superiors. We discussed the Christ-like attribute of hope: an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill his promises. If we have hope, we are peaceful and optimistic about the future. This is something in which I struggled greatly my first day in Wichita, but I have become increasingly comfortable in the missionary lifestyle as I put all of my faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We talked about the five keys to spiritual power, the weapons (if you will) in a missionary's arsenal: Faith, Atonement, Vision, Charity, and Sanctification.

A sister in my district advised I should prepare some questions because this interview is meant to be a revelatory experience. I scrawled some things into a notebook the night prior and I felt I should share them.

Question: I am often anxious about the pressure there is to baptize frequently. I do not want to rush a brother or sister of mine into baptism just to add another less active to the area book. I want convert baptisms.

Answer: The goal is to baptize every month. Not just a baptism, but a convert baptism. The difference derives from the Baptismal Interview Questions. These questions are inspired from the Lord to discover worthiness of baptism. The spirit will dictate whether the interviewed is ready. They will not be perfect converts because conversion is a process. They must, however, be converted enough. Baptism is only halfway. A full-purpose missionary sees his investigators through the temple and for life.

Question: I feel as though the ward distrusts the missionaries. What am I to do to build them up that they won't be so distrusting and cold?

Answer: Ward distrust comes from disobedient, and slothful missionaries. What wrong is done in one month cannot be undone for about six months. Remember King Lamoni was not impressed by Ammon's skill in battle, but because of his faith. Be faithful. Be on time, never be late, bear your testimony every fast Sunday. Let the ward know through actions of faith you are here to serve.

Question: I have difficulty scheduling subjects for personal study. What are my priorities? What should I consider when I decide what to study?

Answer: Your first priority is the needs of your investigators, above all. The second priority of a proper missionary is himself. Study as the spirit directs. Search the topical guide to check for understanding of doctrine, and introspect weaknesses and make them become strengths. Do not forget to search the words of the prophets. Their words are scripture.

President Bell and I discussed my 'Spiritual Giant Plan', a unique plan to set goals and make plans to improve my spiritual strength. I would like to share it:

Keaton's Spiritual Giant Plan

"[A mission] is by definition the most important thing you can do in the world, in time or eternity. For this reason you are engaged in the saving of the human soul. And that is the highest and holiest work in the universe."  (Jeffrey R. Holland - "The Miracle of a Mission" - October 28, 2000)

My Rebellion is fear

Will you allow fear to consume? Or will you overcome?

To surrender this weapon, I will…

• Face the sun - Never lose faith, record all fears
• Put my shoulder to His work - Don't think, do
• Give everything - Give 110, but 100 is okay
• Savor every day - Positive journal write every night

Faith in Jesus Christ

To increase my faith, I will crush fear by intensifying prayer.

Strength through the Atonement

In the morning, I will pray and make a Mutually Binding Commitment with the Lord to surrender my fear and follow my plan to give all that I have to Him. Also, I will be certain to account for my shortcomings and repent.

Wide Vision

I will commit to read 'My Clear-Cut Vision for the Salvation of Souls' morning and night and hold myself accountable to this pledge in order to improve my ken. I will daily bind myself to my Patriarchal Blessing by reading it once a day.

Charity and Love

I will forsake all judgments for the souls I teach and pray to experience a portion of God's love for them daily.

Sanctification

I'll never let a day go by that I do not do at least one thing outside of my comfort zone to become increasingly immersed in my mission"

I would like to challenge you to make your own Spiritual Giant Plan. Start by writing something you struggle to do or not do. Make a plan to overcome by using one, two, or all five of the keys to spiritual power. Search the scriptures and pray to know through the Holy Ghost how you can improve. Remember and have hope for the promise we are given in Ether 12:27. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Your Spiritual Giant Plan doesn't have to be a large one. It can be just a few short sentences. But I testify if you hold yourself accountable to it, work diligently to accomplish that which you say you will do, you will see yourself become the son or daughter of our Heavenly Father He wants you to be! This has changed my life forever! If you recognize the need for change in your life, I plead with you to accept this challenge I leave with you.

  

As always, thank you for the emails, packages, letters, love, prayers, support!

  

I love you!