February 19, 2016

Kyle flew home on Friday, February 19 on a Medical Release.  He had seen a Primary Care Physician and Optometrist in Canada, but both referred him to a Neurologist.  That's the appointment that proved impossible to get after several months of trying. With Canada's socialized medicine as it is, the Mission President felt it necessary to send Kyle back to the States for further evaluation and treatment. So we begin the process again in Medford with a Primary Care Physician appointment on Monday, February 22 and a referral to a local Neurologist.

Life has many bumps in the road, and this is but one of them. 

February 16, 2016

The last several weeks have been made up of doing a lot of finding. So we have tracted a lot. We have been able to find a lot of people to teach. But most of them have not been reliable. But we were able to find a man named Peter. He is in his 60's and is a great guy. He lives alone in a apartment. We taught him the restoration, and he agreed to get baptized!  Also we have found a guy named Robert. We haven't taught him a lesson yet but he had the glow of a Mormon so we are pumped!

Last weekend the weather got to -17. So we were pretty cold. But where I am is considered the banana belt. In some parts of the mission it got to -45. The whole time we were outside people were amazed that we were still doing missionary work. The Jehovah Witness's weren't even outside. 

I have also been going on exchanges all over the place which is fun because I get to experience a ton of different cultures and religions. For example, in the town of Leamington there is a religion that is called Mennonite. They are very similar to the Amish. And they dress like them too. 

On P-days we go to a native reserve where a member there is teaching us how to carve fish. So we are making a trout that we will paint. The fish once it is completed will look awesome!

Statue of Tecumseh at Fort Malden

Tecumseh /tᵻˈkʌmsə, tᵻˈkʌmsi/ tə-KUM-sə, tə-KUM-see (March 1768 – October 5, 1813) was a Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy (known as Tecumseh's Confederacy).
During the War of 1812, Tecumseh's confederacy allied with the British and helped in the capture of Fort Detroit. Prior to the raid, Chief Tecumseh delivered a powerful speech upon a rock that is preserved to this day at Fort Malden. Fort Malden, formally known as Fort Amherstburg, is a defense fortification located in Amherstburg, Ontario. It was built in 1795 by Britain in order to ensure the security of British North America against any potential threat of American Invasion. Throughout its history, it is most known for its military application during the War of 1812 as Sir Isaac Brock and Tecumseh met here to plan the Siege of Detroit.

February 8, 2016

Here's a picture of what my area looks like

We had a little bit of snow a couple days ago, but its gone now.  I'm in the banana belt I guess so it hardly gets colder then the freezing point. It has been raining today. Winter here is a joke.  I'm so far south that I'm pretty much parallel with the states.
 
Yesterday we went to a small fishing town on lake St. Clair.  It looked like Alaska, and all the houses were million dollar houses.

I'm starting to get burned out on church stuff. If I hear another cheesy testimony or one that makes some one cry I think I'm going to puke.  

I have had a persistent head ache the last couple months. Also this past week my eyes have started hurting. I have started seeing random colors in my eye like when you look at a bright light and look away. Those lights appear for a few seconds and then go away. And I have floaters in my eyes everyday.  I called Mission Medical and I have an optometrist appointment tomorrow at 9 am.

January 25, 2016

Week Recap: 

After we finished our P-day we went to the Taylor's house for dinner. When we were there, we picked up our laundry as well (they let us do our studies and laundry there in the morning). After dinner we went to FHE at the church where we read and discuss the Book of Mormon. The reason we have FHE at the church is to try and get empty nesters and single adults who are less active to come and socialize with members of the ward and to read the Book of Mormon.

On Wednesday, there was a world wide mission broadcast where we were instructed by the leaders of the church on how we can teach repentance and baptize converts. It was awesome hearing from Elder Anderson, Bednar and several other leaders of the church.

On Friday, I went on exchanges to Windsor which is just across a river from Detroit. I was surprised because Detroit wasn't as big as I had pictured it to be. 

And finally on Sunday, I had to give a talk on teaching little kids for 10 min. We also had 2 investigators show up which was sweet!

In Windsor, just across the river from Detroit.

Jill's Email to Kyle

Did you know that Jethro is like 1/38 Chippewa?  So you're among some of his relatives.  I was reading in 2 Nephi 30: 3-6 and thought of you:

3. "And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles.  For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed.

4.  And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.

5.  And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.

6. And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God.

You, my dear, are among the missionaries Nephi prophesied would carry the book to the remnant of his seed.  So incredibly cool!  Go get 'em tiger (or should I say snow leopard). Ha Ha.

Kyle's Reply to Jill

That's pretty sweet. Going to try and convert those laminates. I'm actually going to the reserve today. A member from the tribe lives there and he is going to teach us how to carve salmon out of wood.

January 18, 2016

A stop sign on the Chippewa Indian Reservation

In my new area, Chatham, there is an Indian reserve that we cover.  While we were there we visited a member that is a renowned wood carver.  He was telling us about the Traditional religion of the Chippewa tribe. Many members of the tribe still practice it.  It's Deity is the Great Spirit. When I heard this I immediate thought of the first part of Alma 18.

I like my area. It is snowing a lot more and has gotten to -10. I'm serving in a branch now which is kinda weird.

My building is the one farther in the background.

January 17, 2016

We had your delightful sons for dinner tonight. They got here to Chatham last week. We are thrilled to have them. The Branch President and I can tell already they are good faithful, obedient missionaries. Thank you for sharing your sons with us
Eric & Sarah Willett

January 11, 2016

Elder Ditty, Elder Vargas and  Elder Beddes

This week was really fun.  I was in a tripanionship with Elder Vargas and Elder Beddes.  Elder Vargas's companion went home early for school, so he came to our area for the week but we still had to work in his area as well. He is from Mexico city and has a hilarious personality. And a hilarious accent.

Missionary work for the week was different because we had to drive a lot from St. Davids to Stoney Creek which is about a 1 hour drive. In St. Davids we taught a man who is getting baptized next week. His main concern is the Word of Wisdom. But he is willing to give up cigarettes and get baptized. So were all pumped about him getting baptized.

Niagara Falls is in the town of St. Davids, so we were able to see the falls several times. Also while we were there we had a lot of poutine. There is a famous shop that is called Smokes Poutinery, that makes the best poutine. It is really good, but it is packed in calories.  It has made many missionaries fat here, so I get it only once in a while.

We got Transfer calls yesterday.  I am going to Chatham. It's in the London zone. My new companion is Elder Taylor.  New address is:

130 Park Ave East #201
Chatham, ON N7M3V6

Poutine

Poutine is a Canadian dish, originating in the province of Quebec, made with french fries and cheese curds topped with a light brown gravy.  In Canada, it is sold in small "greasy spoon" type diners  and pubs, as well as by roadside chip wagons (commonly known as cabanes à patates, literally "potato shacks") and in hockey arenas.

January 11, 2016

You do not know me but your son was in our ward. He just dropped by tonight to let us know he was being transferred to Chatham Ont., west of London Ont. He was a great missionary and lots of fun to have around. He was lucky to have been in our area when we have experience such a mild winter but he will be in for a surprise because snow is on the way tomarrow so I told them to drive carefully. I'm sorry I could not have done this sooner so you could be more updated. Hope you enjoy the pictures. 

Love,
Karen Ayers 
Grimsby Ontario