Mon, Dec 12, 2011
Hey Fam,
It's been another good week in Ochi. We only got to spend about half the week in Ochi actually. Wednesday we went to Montego Bay for district meeting and worked with the elders there. Thursday we went to Kingston for a meeting which took the whole day. Friday we went up to Highgate for half the day to work with the elders there. It was a lot of driving especially on these roads. It's been good though. It's nice to have the truck. I'm learning to drive again. Jamaican drivers are crazy.
The work here in Ochi is doing well. even though we were gone a lot we have several really good investigators that are really progressing. We met Danielle, this 20 yr old girl, last week and started teaching her. she loves it. she's reading the book of mormon and came to church yesterday. We weren't sure what she was going to think of church since at the beginning there was only 6 people there and 3 of them were our investigators. She loved it though. She even announced when introducing herself in Sunday School that she was going to be baptized in January. Charmain is a member referral that came to church last Sunday and we've been teaching her this week. She is doing very well, but just has a few past teachings we need to help her overcome. She came to church again yesterday. We have a few others that are doing well also. We had 6 investigators at church yesterday and we have a few baptisms on the horizon. We really feel blessed because the work in Ochi has been struggling for a long time.
As far as Christmas we haven't made any plans - sorry. We haven't been able to see the members that we want to ask to Skype from there house. We are going to do our best to Skype so you can plan on it. I Don't know times though. What works best for you?
Christmas is a bit of a crazy time in Jamaica, as everywhere. It doesn't seem to make too much of a difference in our missionary work. The new year helps though, since everyone wants to get baptized for the new year. It is a little crazy at christmas time since that's when we have the most crime because everyone's trying to make a little extra cash for the holidays. Also Jamaica has their elections coming up on Dec 29 which is a huge deal for them and causes a lot of violence. We just can't wear green or orange ties since those are the two parties' colors. I'll do my best to stay safe. dont worry.
Well, have a great week. Love y'all lots!
Elder Kartchner
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Happy New Week
Mon, Nov 28, 2011
Hey Fam,
It's been another good week here in Linstead. It has been a little slow in terms of meeting with most of our investigators but we have been busy getting Audrey and Zenique ready for baptism. We had both their baptisms yesterday after church. It went really well. We're kind of hitting a wall with most of our other investigators because they won't make time to meet with us regularly and we're having a hard time getting a few of them to church. We'll have to see what we can do. Well, actually, when I say that I mean we'll have to see what Elder Worley can do because I'm getting transferred on Wednesday. I'm getting transferred to Ocho Rios or "Ochie" to be a zone leader with Elder Randle. I don't know him too well but he seems like a really good missionary. I'm excited. We should be getting a truck so good bye to the bicycle. Ochie is on the north coast and is one of the big tourist spots. The branch there is really small and it needs a lot of work. That's about all I know about it. I have visited there a few times back when I was in Highgate and it's very pretty. I'm a bit sad to leave Linstead and the branch here. It has been really good to us. I'm especially sad to say good bye to Vaughn, our all-star convert. He's doing so well. Oh well, all good things come to an end. I'm really looking forward to Ochie though. It should be good. Have a great week. Love y'all lots!
Elder Kartchner
Hey Fam,
It's been another good week here in Linstead. It has been a little slow in terms of meeting with most of our investigators but we have been busy getting Audrey and Zenique ready for baptism. We had both their baptisms yesterday after church. It went really well. We're kind of hitting a wall with most of our other investigators because they won't make time to meet with us regularly and we're having a hard time getting a few of them to church. We'll have to see what we can do. Well, actually, when I say that I mean we'll have to see what Elder Worley can do because I'm getting transferred on Wednesday. I'm getting transferred to Ocho Rios or "Ochie" to be a zone leader with Elder Randle. I don't know him too well but he seems like a really good missionary. I'm excited. We should be getting a truck so good bye to the bicycle. Ochie is on the north coast and is one of the big tourist spots. The branch there is really small and it needs a lot of work. That's about all I know about it. I have visited there a few times back when I was in Highgate and it's very pretty. I'm a bit sad to leave Linstead and the branch here. It has been really good to us. I'm especially sad to say good bye to Vaughn, our all-star convert. He's doing so well. Oh well, all good things come to an end. I'm really looking forward to Ochie though. It should be good. Have a great week. Love y'all lots!
Elder Kartchner
Monday, November 21, 2011
Basketball and Pudding Pie
Mon, Nov 21, 2011
1 Vaughn, our recent convert, teaching the kids in the branch to play basketball
1 Vaughn, our recent convert, teaching the kids in the branch to play basketball
2 It's not pumpkin pie, but it will have to do. They call it potato pudding. This lady made it and gave it to us.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mon, Nov 21, 2011
Hey Fam,
Its been another good week here in Linstead. yesterday the girl we baptized last week was confirmed in Sacrament meeting. We have two baptisms planned for this sunday. It should be good. We are really excited. One of them is Zanique, a 9 yr old girl Whose mom is a member but just never got baptized. The other is 30 yr old Audrey who we've been working with ever since we got to Linstead. They are both doing well. It's so good to see these people we've worked with progress. We also have a couple people planned for baptism in December. The only problem now is that I get the feeling that I will be transferred again this next week. We'll see.
That's so cool that you're doing the family history. We taught Vaughn, our recent convert, about temples and family history work. He is awesome. He told us that he already has an account on the familysearch website. Now he's got his sights set on going to the temple next year. I so wish I could go to the temple again.
Well it's a good thing you reminded me about thanksgiving because I almost forgot about it. We'll have to see what we can do to celebrate. It was good to hear from y'all. Hope you have a great week. Love you lots! Have a great Thanksgiving and eat some extra for me.
Elder Kartchner
p.s. I wouldn't suggest taking Marla up on an offer to swim across the pond after Thanksgiving dinner.
Hey Fam,
Its been another good week here in Linstead. yesterday the girl we baptized last week was confirmed in Sacrament meeting. We have two baptisms planned for this sunday. It should be good. We are really excited. One of them is Zanique, a 9 yr old girl Whose mom is a member but just never got baptized. The other is 30 yr old Audrey who we've been working with ever since we got to Linstead. They are both doing well. It's so good to see these people we've worked with progress. We also have a couple people planned for baptism in December. The only problem now is that I get the feeling that I will be transferred again this next week. We'll see.
That's so cool that you're doing the family history. We taught Vaughn, our recent convert, about temples and family history work. He is awesome. He told us that he already has an account on the familysearch website. Now he's got his sights set on going to the temple next year. I so wish I could go to the temple again.
Well it's a good thing you reminded me about thanksgiving because I almost forgot about it. We'll have to see what we can do to celebrate. It was good to hear from y'all. Hope you have a great week. Love you lots! Have a great Thanksgiving and eat some extra for me.
Elder Kartchner
p.s. I wouldn't suggest taking Marla up on an offer to swim across the pond after Thanksgiving dinner.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Hey Fam
Mon, Nov 14, 2011
We've had another good week here in Linstead. A week doesn't go by without some form of excitement. On Tuesday Elder Worley and I got our bikes stolen. We were teaching an investigator named Audrey at Sister Wallace's house and then left our bikes parked up behind her house while we went to visit another member just up the street. when we came back our bikes were gone. We walked home thinking we'd never see them again. On Wednesday, Sister Wallace and Audrey call us up and tell us to come to the police station because they had our bikes. They had seen these kids riding them and called the cops. Well, they were our bikes alright, but they didn't look like them. the kids that stole them scratched off all the paint and scrapped all the good parts off my bike. I can't complain though, it's still rideable for the most part - just needs some brakes. Friday they had an activity at the church where they watched 17 Miracles, that movie about the handcart companies. It was good, except I think it just confused our investigator that was there. We had a baptism yesterday for a 10 yr old girl named Leony. Her mother was recently reactivated and now we're working on the dad to get him baptized. We had good church meetings. It was branch conference so President Hendricks was there. We also had 2 of the referrals we contacted come to church. Vaughn, who was baptized 2 weeks ago, got called to be the Young Men's President. It's so good to see our recent converts getting involved.
I forgot to say last week that I did get the envelope for my birthday. Thank you for the SD cards and pictures and such. I was thinking about Christmas and what I needed to carry me to the end of my mission and I might need a 2 or 3 more shirts. Also, my insoles for my shoes are falling apart so I could probably use another set of them. Besides that I think I'm good.
Well, have a great week. Love y'all lots.
Elder Kartchner
We've had another good week here in Linstead. A week doesn't go by without some form of excitement. On Tuesday Elder Worley and I got our bikes stolen. We were teaching an investigator named Audrey at Sister Wallace's house and then left our bikes parked up behind her house while we went to visit another member just up the street. when we came back our bikes were gone. We walked home thinking we'd never see them again. On Wednesday, Sister Wallace and Audrey call us up and tell us to come to the police station because they had our bikes. They had seen these kids riding them and called the cops. Well, they were our bikes alright, but they didn't look like them. the kids that stole them scratched off all the paint and scrapped all the good parts off my bike. I can't complain though, it's still rideable for the most part - just needs some brakes. Friday they had an activity at the church where they watched 17 Miracles, that movie about the handcart companies. It was good, except I think it just confused our investigator that was there. We had a baptism yesterday for a 10 yr old girl named Leony. Her mother was recently reactivated and now we're working on the dad to get him baptized. We had good church meetings. It was branch conference so President Hendricks was there. We also had 2 of the referrals we contacted come to church. Vaughn, who was baptized 2 weeks ago, got called to be the Young Men's President. It's so good to see our recent converts getting involved.
I forgot to say last week that I did get the envelope for my birthday. Thank you for the SD cards and pictures and such. I was thinking about Christmas and what I needed to carry me to the end of my mission and I might need a 2 or 3 more shirts. Also, my insoles for my shoes are falling apart so I could probably use another set of them. Besides that I think I'm good.
Well, have a great week. Love y'all lots.
Elder Kartchner
Monday, November 7, 2011
Cool Mormon message
Mon, Nov 7, 2011
Things are going well here. It's been another good week in Linstead. Yesterday in church, Vaughn was confirmed and was ordained a priest. It was really cool. The branch has really done a good job with fellowshipping him. Besides that, we have tons of people we are teaching. We made a point to contact as many of our referrals as we could this last week and now we have a bunch of investigators. Now the hard part is scheduling so we can see everybody. No, I'm not complaining. One of those we contacted this week came to church which was cool. Also, one of the ladies we've been teaching for a while finally committed to be baptized in December. It was pretty neat because all it took was for us to do a bit of service for her and she was finally willing to read from the book of mormon. after reading 2 Nephi 31 she feels its right. Things are going well. I'm loving life as a missionary. With November comes the cool "Christmas Breeze" which is helping to cool things down a bit here. Well, have a great week. Love y'all lots.
Love, Elder Kartchner
Things are going well here. It's been another good week in Linstead. Yesterday in church, Vaughn was confirmed and was ordained a priest. It was really cool. The branch has really done a good job with fellowshipping him. Besides that, we have tons of people we are teaching. We made a point to contact as many of our referrals as we could this last week and now we have a bunch of investigators. Now the hard part is scheduling so we can see everybody. No, I'm not complaining. One of those we contacted this week came to church which was cool. Also, one of the ladies we've been teaching for a while finally committed to be baptized in December. It was pretty neat because all it took was for us to do a bit of service for her and she was finally willing to read from the book of mormon. after reading 2 Nephi 31 she feels its right. Things are going well. I'm loving life as a missionary. With November comes the cool "Christmas Breeze" which is helping to cool things down a bit here. Well, have a great week. Love y'all lots.
Love, Elder Kartchner
Monday, October 31, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Mon, Oct 31, 2011
Thanks family for all the emails and birthday wishes. I feel really old - practically a fossil - at least I assume I will tomorrow.
Yesterday I had the best birthday present. We had Vaughn's baptism after church and it was so good. It was one of the coolest baptisms I've had on my mission. We had good support from the branch. about 40 people stayed after church for the baptism. Our branch president did the actual baptism since he and his wife were involved in fellowshipping. His girlfriend, who is a returned missionary, also came up from Portmore. It was all super cool. We are so excited for Vaughn. He is an all-star and will make an awesome member. He should be confirmed and ordained a priest this next sunday. There's nothing like a baptism to get people excited about missionary work. after the baptism the branch president pulled us aside and gave us a list of referrals.
We're making progress with some of our other investigators. We've been meeting with them and have had some really good lessons. We had a few of them at church - not near as many as we were hoping for - but it was still good. Things are going well. we have a bunch of good investigators and a bunch of good potentials. We are also pretty excited because we found out yesterday that one of the guys we started teaching while Elder Worley and I were in Spanish Town for those two weeks, should be getting baptized soon.
Well, I haven't got any birthday envelope yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled. It should be a good birthday anyway. Elder Worley and I are thinking of going out to a place called Natural Bridge which is just outside of Linstead.
Love y'all lots. Have a great week.
Elder Kartchner
Thanks family for all the emails and birthday wishes. I feel really old - practically a fossil - at least I assume I will tomorrow.
Yesterday I had the best birthday present. We had Vaughn's baptism after church and it was so good. It was one of the coolest baptisms I've had on my mission. We had good support from the branch. about 40 people stayed after church for the baptism. Our branch president did the actual baptism since he and his wife were involved in fellowshipping. His girlfriend, who is a returned missionary, also came up from Portmore. It was all super cool. We are so excited for Vaughn. He is an all-star and will make an awesome member. He should be confirmed and ordained a priest this next sunday. There's nothing like a baptism to get people excited about missionary work. after the baptism the branch president pulled us aside and gave us a list of referrals.
We're making progress with some of our other investigators. We've been meeting with them and have had some really good lessons. We had a few of them at church - not near as many as we were hoping for - but it was still good. Things are going well. we have a bunch of good investigators and a bunch of good potentials. We are also pretty excited because we found out yesterday that one of the guys we started teaching while Elder Worley and I were in Spanish Town for those two weeks, should be getting baptized soon.
Well, I haven't got any birthday envelope yet. I'll keep my eyes peeled. It should be a good birthday anyway. Elder Worley and I are thinking of going out to a place called Natural Bridge which is just outside of Linstead.
Love y'all lots. Have a great week.
Elder Kartchner
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