Friday, July 29, 2016

ELDER KEARL'S TRIBUTE TO DAN

Jordan Mulholland read this tribute from Scott to Dan at the wedding reception.



BROZ!

Elder Paulsen (one of my companions) says this will go down in history so he rubbed his hands all over the page.  Great kid.  Hey Dan, how is marriage so far?  It’s too bad I couldn’t be reading this out loud in person but it is just the way it goes.  I’m bummed to be missing out but I know this is where I’m supposed to be and also what you are supposed to be doing.  I am extremely proud and happy for both you and Natasha.

Huge shout out to Natasha for agreeing to may you, jokes of course.  Man Do I love her.  Great pick brother.  You guys are going to have a great eternity together.  Super excited for you two.  Congrats!  We are going to have a lot of good times in the future as a family.

I would like to now share what my brother means to me.  Dan, We may not have been the best of friends always, but I have always been proud of you.  I have always looked up to you and thought of you as a great example to me.  You have gone through trials that I couldn’t even imagine myself going through and I know that has made you a better person and you will be able to handle anything life throws out to you.  You always shown me you could do hard things.

The last letter you sent me is a testament of the great things you can do.  Let me explain for those of you who don’t know.  My brother was called to the Micronesia Guam mission, English speaking.  We went to the MTC in the English program.  He got to Guam only to find out the Lord wanted him to learn the language of Chuukese all on his own.   Over the next 9 months Dan studied the language so he could teach the people on the island of Chuuk.  The craziest part is you learned it while never hearing it in person.  The only way you learned this language is by reading pamphlets and other books.  You didn’t even have a fully translated book of Mormon.  That’s even more impressive to me now that I am learning Tagalog and that’s with multiple textbooks and plenty of teachers who speak both English and Tagalog.   Danny used these skills and translated General Conference in Chuukese.

I’ll always remember growing up with you in the basement and the times we have bonded.  Do you remember getting the WII?  I’ll explain.  I remember you and I decided to pool our Christmas gifts together to justify getting this top of the line gaming console.  It really was top of the line at the time.  I remember we would try to convince mom why it was so epic and why we had to have it.  She said she would think about it.  A few weeks later it was Hook, line and sinker, she said yes but they were very hard to get a hold of one, they sold out very quickly everywhere.  Then one day she shouts down to the basement “market mall game store has one, we have to go right now”.  We raced in the car to go buy one, we bought it and the rest is history.  WII tennis was our game.   Good times playing on that thing.

I also remember at Emily’s wedding after Eric and Em departed, you and I made a bet.  The first one to get married gets $100 from the other person. The day I went to the MTC on June 15, you and Emily dropped me off.  I had to make sure I held up my end of the bargain so I gave you the only $100 currency I had on me.  So I gave you a $100 philippino peso.  I did the math and that’s about $2.30 American.  Whoops!  That conversion bites.

I would just like to say in conclusion that you are one of the contributing factors of me being on a mission right now.  While this is being read, I will either be in the air flying or in Hong Kong airport or landed in the Philippines.  I am excited to meet one of your old Filipino companions at the Manila MTC.  I’ll send a pic over to you.  Mahal Ako Kayo.   I love you guys so much and am excited to hear about your experience together as husband and wife.  Natasha, keep an eye on hi for me.  BFL’s.  We are separated by an oceans but connected through love.

Work hard, Pray hard

Elder Kearl

DAN AND NATASHA'S WEDDING



sidenote:  Dan and Natasha were married on July 29th, 2016 in the Salt Lake City Temple.  It was a wonderful day.  Scotty was on the other side of the world but we made sure he was not forgotten on that special day.












MANILA MTC

hi mom,

made it to manila, what a journey. werid place thats for sure. heard a rumoured stat its like most populated city in the world or something idk but you should see the traffic. such a thrill ride!! and like so many asians which makes a lot of sense. got some good pics ill have to send out next wensday!! (your tuesday).

so from provo MTC to this MTC it took something like 30 hours of travelling. and w 22 narries. got hectic but sunny days in the end. crazy views of hong kong from the airplane and great memories from the flights. the best flight i have ever partaken of was from hongkong to manilla. 2 hours, crazy high tec, chicken adobo wraps as a snack and a great row. oh and mooched an insane amount of candy from the sisters, too typical. oh werid drinks down here. idk how to explain the taste but most excellent. 

also ran into and befriended dannys old companion elder garcia!!!! it was so funny, i was like "yeah dannys doing great he gets married..... today!" it was funny. idk what year it is anymore bc of destryoed eternal clock but my masigla is red linning it. great food in here. ngl its anoyying being new again to the MTC. just 5 more days tho. tmrw i get set loose on the streets of manila for like 4 hours!! (w an experinced narrie of course) and im hyped. the heats a thing but its not actually heat its just slime. so if you can handle being moist at like all times youll be fine so im cruising. everyone smells terrible. my teeth havent been brushed really (srry sean) but ill just embrace. ya boy out in asia is happy.

sending love from the south china sea, 
elder kearl

Thursday, July 28, 2016

EN ROUTE TO THE PHILIPPINES



lol just a quick email from china. currently at hong kong international idk what time it is but the sun just rose and its 4:57pm over there in UT. i just witnessed 19 hours of no sun because we were running away from the sun rise. the 15 hour flight was rad. went soo quick. good airline. unreal flight food. found a tagalog learning game on the screen. ate like a hot fish oatmeal for breakfest lol it was awful. slept like 9 hours. read so much ensign and had a gooder.  crossed the international date line and skipped the 28th of july. its the 29th for my body. masigla.
en route to manilla now
love you guys
elder kurd

sidenote:  While Scott was flying to the Philippines, I received a random text from someone who sent me the above picture.  It was a lovely surprise.  What a great looking bunch of missionaries.


Wednesday, July 27, 2016

THE CALL HOME

hey ma. so about calling. i will call between like 3 and 7pm tomorrow and i have a werid call card and it will not be possible for me to call more than like a couple times so what i ask of you is to get the crew together so i can talk to everybody at once. man do i love you guys and am excited to hear your voices. if mom dad, em and eric, natahsa and dan are all together that would be so preferable. also what number should i call??? it would save me minutes if i could call an american number. so please email me asap which number to call!! sorry for being a lil pesky i just want to talk to everybody bc of my masigla!!

much love,
kurd. 

sidenote:  All missionaries leaving the MTC get a calling card to use while they are at the airport travelling to their missions.  I was very much looking forward to hear scotty's voice and talk to him directly.  I was driving down to utah that day for Dan and Natasha's wedding and Emily was with me.  While we were driving south on the I-15 into Salt Lake City, it nearly killed us knowing that Scotty boy was travelling north on the I-15 towards the SLC airport.  We were busy with wedding errands all day and anxiously awaited his call.  He finally called while we were in Costco with Laura and her kids.  I was so excited when I heard his voice that I squealed.  An older woman walked by me and asked if I was talking to 'my missionary'.  Only in Utah.  Scott sounded more grown up and was excited to share more details about the MTC.  He said it was truly the hardest thing he had ever done but the most rewarding.  Even though the language has been hard for him, he is very happy to have the challenge of learning Tagalog.  He called me again from LAX and we talked for a short time.  It was his first time as a missionary outside of the MTC.  He said he was loving every minute of it.  People were offering to buy him meals or use their cell phones.  Hard to say goodbye but I understand why they limit the calls home.  It makes us both very homesick for each other.  Love my boy, julie

Thursday, July 21, 2016

LAST EMAIL FROM THE MTC





Hi Mama,

Kumusta sa Calgary???  It's day 36 or something and I'm feeling great.  6 days till i leave this continent and I go to the jungle. I'm hyped.  Also nervous.  Goodbye TP and sanitation and hello malaria and rice fields.

This week was typical except for a pretty life changing situation, let me explain.  So for the sunday devotional we all sit down and Prez Bertasso shares that instead of listening to a speaker we will all watch "characteristics of Christ" which is an amazing devo given by Elder Bednar of the 12.  It's the same one i mentioned in my last email.  I've seen it twice before this being the third time.  I'm still hyped.  They start the devo and i manage to listen to the first 30 mins then i pass out for the last 30 minutes.  IDK how i slept for 30 mins but thats the MTC life i guess.   Also every other tagalog speaker in my row falls asleep, classic.   But i catch the last couple mins of the video and then it ends.  The lights turn on and i scan the stand theres some new faces i don't think much of it until Prez Bertasso mentions that Elder Bednar snuck in to address the MTC.  So now we have one of the 12 apostles addressing us in person and I'm 4 rows away.  So much masigla.  No one could believe it.  Elder Bednar then asks us to ask him questions, guess who fires off the first one?   My companion right beside me.  It was funny, at first my Companion couldn't speak and was trying to get it together but he managed to ask a brilliant question about the spirit. Elder Bednar answers the question then asks my comp a few return questions, the have a little back and forth Elder Bednar and Elder Larsen.  The meeting lasts like an hour and 20 mins of just different missionaries asking him challenging and deep questions.  The answers and things he said changed me.  What was unique was we got to hear from Elder Bednars son, the area authority of Europe and also from his wife. she roasted him a little it was so funny!   The biggest thing that effected me was Elder Bednar told us to become CHARITY, and not just for the 2 years but for our whole lives.  Become it.  Super interesting.  Also Elder Bednars son went up and talked about his dad and shared the one thing he loved about his dad.  And it was the exact thing i shared in my last letter that i love about my dad. Turning out in hard times instead of turning in.  Man,  what a great experience.

Other than that huge learning oppurtunity its been pretty typical.  I heard from an yet another emeritus 70, Don R Clarke.  I  recognized him from confrence, great devo.  I got a tie from an RM thats from Hungary from a tie bag, crazy story.  Maybe one day ill share that one too.  We have a funny joke going around about the natural man.  Occasionally one of us will yell "theres a fight w the natural man in 5M!!!" and were always talking about the natural man because your mission is such a huge war with the natural man constantly.  Or you will see a cute girl walk by and some one will say "nice try natural man" or you will wake up one morning and one guys like "such a fight with the natural man last night".   So far were all beating him tho, tough enemy tho.  Always praying for strength against him.  Another struggle is with white shirts.  Since I've never worn a white shirt everyday for the past 5 weeks you can guess how many have gone to the dry cleaner.  Typical Scott.  Red powerade always seems to end up on them and my ties.  The drycleaner works magic tho.  I'm done for in the jungle.

A huge shoutout to my mom for the absolutely amazing photo book you made and sent for me and the peters shirt.  Huge hit and much appreciated.  I also want to give a huge thanks to all who have sent me mail and packages.  It's really made this challenging experience more bearable.  And tell wendy shipley i say thanks for the shirt you gave me,  its my fav, so good.

My  branch president in here is hilarious.  He is constantly telling stories and repeats them like none other.  Ive heard all of his stories like 5 times and he always says them exactly the same way.  Theres a joke floating around that if you record the stories he says and play them all at once they will perfectly sync up.  I testify to that.  He's made me laugh harder than I have in the past year.  Great guy.  He opened the Phillippines.  He says his wife is "feisty", she's like 100 pounds, 70 years old and 5 foot 0.  But there are rumours if she doesnt like your tie she will cut it off w scissors and also shes knocked an elder out who cut in front of her in the cafeteria.  LOL,  so far I've been meeting the best people.

So i have my flight itinerary.  I fly out of SLC at 7pm july 27. Arrive at LAX at 8 pm. Leave LAX at 1am and arrive in Hong Kong at 7am.  I fly out of Hong Kong at 9 am and arrive in the jungle at 11am july 29, local times of course.  That was super exciting to receive.  i will probably phone you guys out of the SLC airport or the LAX airport.  Be ready.  Get the fam together if possible.

Holy long email.  Nothing more to say.  Life is good.  The language is better then ever and i skype into the Phillipines again tonight.  It's the best. I LUV U GUYS!!! stay true

Work Hard, Pray Hard,
Elder Kurd






Thursday, July 14, 2016

ONE MONTH DONE



Hi mama,


day 29, 1 month down, 23 to go (oh man)!


As per usual, the MTC is nothing short of stellar. i always talk about how much I learn so i think before i get into it i would like to share the biggest things that have affected me this past week.


As part of the MTC experience you get to watch special devotionals given here and they will blow your mind.  A christmas devo by Bednar was pretty killer but the biggest thing he talked about is characteristics of Christ.  His biggest being selflessness.  He shared the idea of when your are having a rough time, you should turn out and continue to help others, instead of turning in and thinking of yourself.   This helped me understand the thing I love most about dad.  I've noticed throughout my life that dad never complains and is very selfless.  But what I recently noticed is that no matter what was going on in dads life he would turn out and help others.  What a great example he is to me.  Bednar also said it is selfish to think of a mission as a sacrifice.  Instead it's an opportunity to serve others and Christ.  Whats interesting is that we are asked to come on our missions at a time when we are most like the natural man.  To serve a mission is the most opposite of the natural man.  We are on missions at a time when we have the most worldly desires and this is funny but scientifically proven to be most attracted to women, lol.   Hopefully that made sense rofl.  Also study the doctrine because it makes sense.  I have also learned alot about faith and its the key to everything.


Turns out we have the most epic zone in the MTC!  Theres like 50 of us and were like bf's.  Always eating with each other and we got 2 massive polys (over 300 lbs) who are insane loud.  Crazy good guys,  tons of bonding.  They call me the rapping ranger because I participate in the nightly freestlye battles.  Funny kids out here.  One quiet kid from Missouri,  dropped the most intriging rap about a dads life, idk it was hilarious tho.  So good.  I think I've bonded closest with this one SLC kid who spent this past year at Harvard.  Great guy.  Way smart.  So much masigla in here!!


My district is most fantastic. tons of bonding done.  To celebrate one month of friendship we are doing a secret santa gift exchange today.  Max spend is $2 and we buy things from the book store.  So much fun with these guys!   The funniest memories.  Also i got elder 'soon to be big money', so i got him a stapler and a temple reccomend holder.

The language is cruising along.  I no longer use notes to talk,  I can usually tanglish just enough to make sense to teach our investigator.  I am skyping to the Philippines tonight so wish me luck.


I miss some things.  2 biggest being motorcycling and walking joez.  I hope he's still alive.  


Other than that nbd.  Still classing so hard and and learning a ton.  Not much more to update on.  But i hope things are going good up north. oh also, nobody appreciates Canada :(  There loss tho suckers.


Hey if you ever get time I would love to get the full inside scoop on you and dads love story. I love you guys so much. 


work hard pray hard,

elder kearl

sidenote:  Aunt Liana received the following picture and note on Facebook.  Scott was a greeter for their son who was entering the MTC and saying goodbye to his family.  They wrote: 


"Thank you Elder Kearl made the drop easy and smooth for my and got my son really excited to be there. Elder Kearl will be an awesome missionary.  Where is he serving by the way?  He (I assume she means her son) is heading to Papua New Guinea.Elder Kearl was such a nice young man. He was happy and smiling the whole time and ask to take pictures for our family. He laughed when I ask if any of his family is on fb. He wrote down his name and said if I find any of his family it will be funny. So please let him know I did send you the photo haha




More pics from the MTC











Thursday, July 7, 2016

Half way through the MTC!


Hi mama, 
The MTC is starting to feel less like a hard working summer camp and more like reality.  Things are going real well tho!

I have a couple questions/requests.  I'm wondering who the new teachers quorum teacher is in Tuscany Ward.  Also, could you tell both sets of grandparents to send me dear elders about their missions.  oh mom please tell G'pa rosenvall to dear elder me all about his NZ mish and his BoM work. I don't know much about either and i want to learn all I can about both!!! The longer the stories, the better.  I love mail so much.  I haven't left this campus in 3 weeks and the mail gives me a taste of some adventure so i would like to ask everyone for more mail!!  I can't get enough, seriously. Any RMs wanna talk missions with me, that would be so hype, whether it be funny or spiritual, I want it all!! Thx crew. ALSO i am asking Wolffs to put a package together for me.  So if anybody would like to send me something, now is your chance.  I won't really be able to receive packages in the the Philippines and i head out in like 3 weeks so its a bit of a gamble to send it from calgs this late.  The plan is to send the one package from montana with whatever gets put into it.  The latest you can deliver to Wolffs might be tonight or tomorrow night, so God speed. i would love to get whatever like pictures or notes or lil toys/nick nacks/ memories.  So whateve goes into there will be super appreciated.  Anyone and everyone gets the Evite, the more the merrier.  This package will be a game changer. ALSO ALSO....tomorrow is Matt Wollfs bday so today everyone should drop off something at his house for his special day, should be funny.  Thx Calgary. 

It's been a typical week but a super hype weekend!  We had an international ceremony with the whole MTC. We had all the flags of either where missionaries are going or where they are from.  I helped escort the Marshall Island flag with an elder from the Marshall Islands!  Very cool opportunity.  They then would say a country and if your from that country you would stand up, like 30 of 2000 represented Canada and it turns out there are narries from around the globe here.  Then later they listed off countries and if your going to serve in that country you got to stand.  Like 35 represented the Philippines.  I love representing.  We then watched fireworks and got to stay out till like 11!!  cray (for the mission life)!! 

The language is coming!  I learned a lot this week!  i think its about time i teach you guys about tagalog cuz its messed up.  The sentence order is very strange, if i were to say "the Prophets Teach the People" i would say "Nagtuturo ang mga propeta sa mga tao" which translates to "Teaching Prophets the people" the order goes Verb Actor Object Location.  So proper grammar is interesting, it's coming tho.  Also verb conjugation is too confusing to explain via email but pretty much there is 8 ways or more to say any verb it depends whether its command tense or past, present or future.  Also depends what your focusing on in the sentence. Very picky.  I can pretty well understand anything my teachers say and make a lot of my own sentences if i think hard enough.  Teaching still destroys me tho.  I have a lot to learn still.

So amped on Jake Maller and Dave Henry's calls.  Good news for all you spanish speakers, spanish is the easiest language to learn out of all the missions languages.  Still gonna be hard tho so don't get too excited. 

All the Kirabati narries headed out yesterday ;/ miss their misigla, and their hugs.  But we did get 34 new tagalog speaking narries which triples the size of our zone.  So much masigla here.  Ones from Rocky Mountain House.  Havent talked with her yet.  Exciting tho.  Also, a Derek Johnson from Calgary Stake arrived at the MTC.  Super good to see a buddy.  He's been in toronto for the past 2 months waiting for his visa.  In 9 weeks he will be shipped off to Chezck Republic (idk how to spell btw).

The Provo temples been closed for a week and is closed for another for cleaning so for Pday we got to clean the temple.  I've already done a session in it before hand tho which was hype!  Weird story cleaning it tho.  So the church has a house by the temple they have been renting out for 10 years and the people just moved out and the house was disgusting.  They have literally never cleaned it.  Never vacuumed, never washed anything, just filthy.  So we were in temple cleaning scrubs and we had to gut the whole house out and throw everything they left into a dumpster.  And anything too big had to be smashed because there was too much junk to fit into the dumpster.  So we smashed alot of chairs, very fun.  Really funny stories from that. 

Nothing else really to share other then i love it here.  Hyped to get shipped out.  Half way done the MTC and more mail!!! 

Work hard, Pray hard,
Elder Kurd