Week 4

     Sounds like everything is good.  My e-mail time is now 2:30.  The week has flown by and it seems like I just e-mailed.  Not too much has happened this week except for on Sunday.  That is what my e-mail is going to be about this week.  We also went through an endowment session today and it was amazing.  I wrote about this experience right after it happened in la reunion de santa cena.
     It was a Sunday morning in the CCM and everything was going normal, but something was different at the meeting.  I had no idea what it was.  From the beginning of the sacrament I had no idea what the feeling was, until we took sacrament.  During sacrament I had this feeling that is really hard for me to describe but I'm going to try my best.  They blessed the bread and I was just closing my eyes and praying.  As soon as I put the bread into my mouth I had this overwhelming feeling of peace and love.  So many different things came over me.  As I sat there I felt as if someone was right above my head telling me that  there is a reason you are here.  I didn't send you off to Colombia for no reason.  After that, starting at the top of my head and working its way down to my feet, I felt the spirit testify to me that what I felt was true.  La expacion de jesucristo is true.  Christ gave his body and shed blood so that I can be here.  I am so thankful.  The sacrament has never meant so much to me before.
     I am loving the people, everyone, teachers, missionaries, and investigators!  I love them with all my heart.  They are a child of God and they deserve it.  Last week I showed them love and it felt so good.  I love Colombia! I love the people!  I can't wait to get into the field.  I want to change their lives with the message of the gospel and families.
     Is it hard? Yeah.  This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it feels so good and that feeling is why I am here.  I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.  I love the people of Colombia! I love you guys back home! Thank you for the support, help, and love.  So many people from the ward have no idea the effect that they have had in my life, whether it was big or small, it has helped me so much.  I want you all to know that I love you and that I am grateful for you.  This week share the gospel with someone who doesn't have it and the Lord will bless you.  We can't afford to not tell someone about this wonderful gospel that we have!!

I can't send any pictures until next week.

While chatting Elder Kennedy shared this with his Mom:
      We had a district meeting the other day, and we had to share why we are here and what keeps us going.  I shared how the missionaries baptized you and about Elder Adair.  That is a big reason why I am here.  I know that one person can make a difference in someones life like Elder Adair did for you. I want to be that missionary for someone or many people.

Love Elder Kennedy

Week 3

Not a lot happened this week.  I am growing a lot and love seeing the changes.  This transfer no more nortes will be coming in so we will be the only gringos for a while.  The BBQ sauce he is really good and I put it on everything.  On Saturday we went contacting outside of the CCM and got to walk around for 3 hours.  We got to talk to real people.  El don de lengues us muy real, words just came to my mind and my companion and I got 9 contacts!  I was paired with Elder Castillo from Peru so it was cool.  All of the older Elders and Latinos left today so it got me really pumped but other than that not much happened this week.  Love you guys!!

We got to chat back and forth for a little while

Elder Kennedy said that he has lost 15 pounds. Pizza and ice cream are his favorite foods.  The pizza  is really good but different than in the US.  The  ice cream is 100x better, but he doesn't get it very often.  He loves Colombia so much and gets so excited to learn and teach his investigadores.  He gets to make a lesson just for them and its a great feeling.

I don't have a lot of time again.  A general authority came today.  I got to meet Elder Clayton and have a conversation with him.  It was super cool hah.  The spanish is coming good.  I'm in prison though, seriously this place sucks.  I love the people and the work here.  I can tell the mission is changing me already and and that I'm going to be a lot different when I get back but it's super cool. Hope we can chat back and forth love you!

This is my District

Week 1

We got to Bogota at like 1:30 a.m. the first day.  I was with about 15 elders.  The first day I didn't do to well because of the lack of sleep.  The next day I got my companion Elder Wood because he missed his flight.  We have a little in common so it's kind of cool.  We started teaching our first investigator who is actually our teacher.  It has to be in all Spanish so it is kind of difficult but it's good practice.  Iv'e been super overwhelmed with everything since I got here.  I'm growing a lot and it's way cool.  On the 4th I barfed after breakfast.  I have had a lot of stomach issues because the food is so greasy and no fiber. The next day I said my first prayer in Spanish in front of everyone at the MTC.  I think I did pretty good.  Some older Elders said I did good and that they couldn't do that so it was cool.  Spanish is really hard and frustrating because I want to say so much to people but I don't know what to say.  My district is cool and I've made lots of friends.  The days are super long and I feel like I have been here for a month.  I tried a fruit called grandilla and it was way good.  I really liked it.  We got to leave and go outside the fence the other day and it was nice because I feel like I'm in prison.  I bore my testimony in all Spanish because I felt like I should practice faith.  One of the older kids said I was an example for everyone, so I felt really good.  Today we went to the temple and that was cool.  I hope you like the pics.  Love you

guys   Elder Kennedy

We also received another picture from his teacher today

This picture was sent to me by his teacher. This is his first companion Elder Wood.  The teacher said they were a powerful companionship.  

I made it

Hola familia! como le va? I made it to Bogota at approximately 1:30 last night because of a delay in atlanta.  In atlanta I met up with about 15 other misionarios y talked until the flight left.  Now, there es about 10 of them in my district and we have had clase all day long.  My ears have popped right when i got to bogota but i still have sinus problems but it isnt holding me back, im in a trio right now because mi companero missed his flight last night and should be here tonight.  I have about 4 hours of sleep and im really tired but im still learning.  El como es bueno pero different.  i feel like after study tonight and manana i will be better.  we went out and practiced on the latinos and i did really well.  im starting to memorize espanol again...its coming along well.  i am called a norte because i am from los estados unidos. i got my nametag today and met with president duvall. we get to email for about 10 minutes but then more practice. it makes it easier to learn because i am surrounded by latinos and ask them questions.  Hope you guys are well. Nos Vemos!!

Elder Kennedy