JUAN'S BAPTISM

HEY FAMILY! MISS YOU ALL...=)

CONGRATS JACOSA AND ANGELA ON GETTING YOUR CONDO. YOURE PROBABLY MOVING IN RIGHT NOW HUH!??? THAT'S AWESOME... IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS HAD A SWEET CHRISTMAS FIRESIDE, IM SURE IT WAS AMAZING.

ITS CRAZY THAT CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE, LIKE DAD POINTED OUT IT IS STILL REALLY HOT HERE...LOL ITS REALLY WEIRD, DOESN'T FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS...  BUT THE PEOPLE HERE DO DECORATE THEIR HOUSES AND THEY GET PINOS FOR CHRISTMAS JUST LIKE WE DO... SO I DON'T GET TOO HOMESICK...HAHA

I THINK THE GREATEST GIFT FOR ME THIS CHRISTMAS IS ACTUALLY HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY AND DECLARE TO ALL OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST AND THAT REALLY HE SUFFERED AND DIED FOR US AND THAT WE CAN SHOW OUR GRATITUDE FOR HIM AND HIS SACRIFICE THROUGH HAVING FAITH IN HIM AND HIS ATONEMENT, REPENTING, BAPTISM, RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST AND ENDURING TO THE END BY KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS... BY LETTING OTHERS KNOW THIS, ITS A GIFT TO THEM AND TO ME...=) AND TO JESUS CHRIST...

ALSO IM REALLY EXCITED TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ON CHRISTMAS...=) I WILL DEFINITELY GIVE YOU GUYS THE DETAILS NEXT WEEK....

GREAT NEWS..... JUAN WAS BAPTIZED THIS LAST SUNDAY... HE IS REALLY HAPPY ITS WIERD THOUGH CAUSE HE DOESNT REALLY SHOW AN EMOTION.... HES 75 YEARS OLD AND HES A COWBOY.... (VAQUERO) AND HE HAS REALLY BAD HEARING SO WE HAVE TO BASICALLY YELL AT HIM FOR HIM TO UNDERSTAND....LOL YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE HOW OUR LESSONS ARE WITH HIM...

BUT HIS BAPTISM WAS REALLY SPECIAL. HIS GRAND DAUGHTER MADONNA SHARED A GREAT TESTIMONY OF GRATITUDE AND IT WAS VERY MOVING... HE WILL BE CONFIRMED THIS SUNDAY... OH YEAH HIS BAPTISM WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.... HAHA MOM AND DAD IT TURNS OUT THAT IT WASN'T JUST YOUR WATER HEATER THAT HAS PROBLEMS....HAHA WE ALSO FOUND OUT ON SUNDAY WHEN WE WERE FILLING THE BAPTISMAL FONT THAT OUR WATER HEATER DOESN'T WORK.....YIKES... THE WATER WAS FREEZING... ME AND MY COMPANION ELDER KIOA SAID A PRAY BEFORE PRAYING THAT THE COLD WATER WOULDN'T EFFECT US IN THE ORDINANCE.... AND REALLY IT DIDN'T FEEL THAT COLD.... JUAN WAS THE MAN AND DIDN'T COMPLAIN AT ALL..... ALSO WHEN I BAPTIZED HIM HIS FOOT KEPT COMING OUT OF THE WATER SO MY COMP HAD TO GET IN ALSO AND HOLD HIS FEET DOWN....HAHA IT WAS QUITE THE EXPERIENCE...=)

WE ALSO BROUGHT THIS GIRL NAMED IRMA WHO IS 19 AND SHE REALLY SEEMED TO LIKE IT.... SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH HER....

WELL DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME BUT JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT IM ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU AND THAT IM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU GUYS DO FOR ME.... HOPE YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK.... LOVE...

ELDER KINGSTON...=)

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Zone Conference

Hey family,

Happy Birthday Keva...=) i hope you had a wonderful birthday...

Jacosa felicidades on your great production!  I've never been to one but im hoping that in the future i will be able to go...

haha mom i cant believe you still havent decorated the Christmas tree yet...lol you better get on that... i wanna see pictures...

so you guys are getting allot of rain huh??? here it hasn't rained at all... its actually pretty hot still... i don't really like it though, to me Christmas isn't the same if its sunny...lol

even though I'm not with you guys i am really excited for Christmas...=)

this last week went by really fast, my comp and I had a leadership training in the offices which was really fun...  all the zone leaders from the whole mission get together and we have fun... there's about 20 zone leaders... i was so happy because we played flag football..=) i also learned alot too... one thing that stood out to me was that we shouldn't say do as i say... we should say do as i do.... we talked alot about what makes a good leader and being a good example is the first thing we need to do...

we also created a power point presentation for our zone conference which is tomorrow....yikes! im pretty nervous to have to give the presentation but im sure everything will go just fine.

this last week we didn't have much time in our area but we did manage to bring someone to church who accepted to be baptized this coming Sunday.... his name is juan.  hes about 70 years of age... hes really sweet...

well i better get going but just wanna wish you guys happy holidays and that i am so excited to talk to you guys on Christmas...=) i hope you all have a fantastic semana and remember that i love you..... take care...

Elder Kingston

Oh mom and dad if you guys havent sent a package yet i was wondering if you could send those hot chocolate packages from costco... you know the ones that have different flavors like raspberry and vanilla... thanks.... love you...

La Fama

Hey Family....=)

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving.... aww man all that food is making my mouth water right now... its all good, ill be their next year...=) but to answer your ? mom no we didnt celebrate thanksgiving because its not a tradition here....haha bummer huh!? lol...thats sweet you guys got your Christmas trees already... me and my companion are thinking about buying a Christmas tree here... haha i need something to get me excited for Christmas....lol

so this last week we had changes.... i totally thought my companion Elder Morby was going to leave from solidaridad because he already had 4 changes their (6 months) and me just 1 change (6 weeks) but No...haha they left him their another change which means hes going to have 7 and a half months their.... and as for me i am now in an Area called La Fama in the zone mitras,and they changed me from District leader to a Zone Leader... im now with Elder Kioa who is from Reno, Nevada.... he is really chill hes tongan... haha me and him have always been good friends throughout the mission... its cool that were companions now... he has 21 months in the mission... just a little bit more than me.... this is going to be a great experience being in charge of a whole zone... haha we have the richest parts of Monterrey and all of Mexico in our zone.... its going to be fun....=)

well i gotta go dont have much time... but just want you guys to remember that i love and care for each and everyone of you.... i hope you have a great week...

Love,

Elder Kingston

p.s. mom thanks so much for the pics.... everyone looks great...=)

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Tortillas de maiz and salsa

hey family,
how are you guys??? its sounds like everything is going super. its crazy to think that thanksgiving is coming... here its not celebrated at all... =( it kinda stinks but i know that i will be grubbin on some food next year...=) and to answer your ? dad yeah i really like the food here... i always have liked Mexican food and here they have the original authentic mexican food... i think its gonna be wierd when i come back and i dont have my tortillas de maiz and salsa with every meal... haha but i am dying to have some home cooked food from you and mom or some In And Out burger...lol haha enough about food... well this last week went well. oscar is doing good he was confirmed this last sunday and he is really happy and content, Rosendo is set to get baptized this sunday... the only thing is his wife (Alma) and his kid (Kenyon) 11 want to wait. they dont feel ready to take this step in their life. we are going to be seeing them tomorrow and we have planned to teach them The Plan Of Salvation... and we are going to focus on what we need to do here on earth in order to go back and live with our Father In Heaven again and our families... i hope that you all can pray for us so that we may have the spirit so that this family will come to the knowledge that these things are true and the importance of acting right now rather than the future...if you guys can do that i would highly appreciate it.
well also this last week we had 2 Baptisms... Mayra and her daughter Yahaira... i don't know if i told you about them.... well if i havent ill fill you in on a little right now...=) well mayra was a investigator from about a month ago... we lost contact of her because she moved... but 2 weeks ago we where in sacrament meeting and she called us... she ended up coming to church and accepted a baptismal date... then this last Sunday she was baptised... it was really a special experience and i wish i had time to tell you guys more but i just dont have enough time. maybe next week. I'm so grateful for this opportunity that i have to be able to see and work through miracles. its definitely building my testimony. i gotta go but just remember i love you all and im praying for you every day... Love you guys....

Elder Kingston...

Ps. dad and mom i was wondering if it would be possible to send me 20 dollars... what happens is as a district leader i have to travel alot to do interviews... its all reimbursable but it takes a while to come.... could you do that for me??? thank you so much for everything...

also this last Saturday we had the opportunity to have a confrence with a 70.... Elder Tenorio.... i really learned alot and maybe next week ill tell you a little more....=)

Happy Halloween!

hey family,

thanks for the emails....=) i hope you all had a fantastic Halloween.... I'm looking forward for next years Halloween. here in Mexico they do celebrate Halloween its just that they don't really know how to do it as well... haha!!!  all i heard last night in the street was "Noche de brua Halloween" all the kids sing it over and over... it means night of the witch Halloween.... i was just laughing the whole time.

well this week went by super fast.... i wasn't in my area for 2 days, every change there is a leadership training for 2 days. all the leaders from Monterrey were there and we learned some pretty sweet ways to do missionary work and ways to teach to our zones and districts... it really got me pumped up....lol

we did a really cool activity where we were assigned companions and areas to contact for about 2 hours... but it wasn't any area! we were all assigned parts of the richest parts of Monterrey and Mexico.... San Pedro and Sierra Madre... i was put with one of my good buddies Elder Flynn... they made it a game... and points were involved... every 2 contacts was a point, ever lesson was 3 points, if you committed someone to church it was 5 points.... etc...  Elder Flynn  and I ended up winning!!!....haha!  we got some candy and a new tie.... i think that was the highlight of my week!

the lord is truly blessing me and my companion here in soli... this last Friday we went to a reference from an elder who contacted a guy in his area but lived in ours.... we knocked on his door and he opened with a big smile and told us to come on in... his name is Rolando,  he has a wife (Alma) and 2 sons 6 and 8...

 Elder Morby and I started getting to know them and telling them a little about our background when all of a sudden Rosendo, out of nowhere, asked us what are the steps he needs to take in order to get baptized...my companion and I looked at each other with a smile and immediately started teaching him the doctrine of Christ.  he and his wife agreed to be baptized so that they can follow the saviors example.... it was a wonderful spiritual experience... we ended with a prayer and Rosendo offered it while kneeling... it was such a loving and sincere prayer... i know that throughout the world there are people waiting to hear this beautiful restored gospel and it is our job as baptized members to share it with our brothers and sisters around us and share this light of Christ.. i know if we share it and not keep it in we will have great joy in seeing them in the kingdom of god and being able to say to ourselves... we opened our mouths and gave them the choice to accept this marvelous glory....

i hope you all know how much i truly love and miss you.. keep me in your prayers as i do you.... Love you...

Elder Kingston

Nobody is Married!

Hey Family,

Miss you guys. im glad to hear you all had a very good week. thats awesome that you had a chance to hangout with leslie and max, im sure you had a blast, and im loving the pictures. haha dads looking pretty cool with your rastas.

this last week our primary here in soli also did a program. the whole time watching the kids singing i was just thinking about all of my nieces and nephews and how they also were singing and performing the same thing. it definitely brought comfort to me. im sure everyone did great in their parts.

good news about jake and katie getting sealed in the temple. thats way exciting, they are going to have a beautiful family. its crazy though that they have already been married a year. time flys by so fast. aren't matt and ericka married too??? wow thats crazy.

well here in solidaridad everything is going good... yesterday we had a baptism, we baptized a girl of 9 years, Miriam.. she is really sweet. her parents (yuliana and guermo) also want to get baptized but they cant right now because they are living together and arent married.. buts thats not all of the problem.. yuliana was married before and hasnt gotten a divorce. but she also has no clue where her husband is. they have been seperated for 7 years. we are going to see what we can do so they also can be baptized. seems to be alot of cases like that here.... NOBODY IS MARRIED!

I am really liking this new position as a D/L i am getting the chance to use another part of the priesthood and help here in the mission in a differant way. its just really time consuming...lol but thanks so much for all your love and support.. right now i gotta get going we're going to go eat little ceasars pizza...yummm well i will talk to you all later LOVE YOU ALL....

Elder Kingston..

Oh and thanks so much mom for sharing that story about maile... =)

write me.... love you all

Solidaridad

hey family.... how have you all been??? i hope fantastic.

its good to hear from you...
well to answer your ? dad, yes Liliana was baptized this last Saturday, but i wasn't there... i got changed to a new area... its still in Monterrey, its called Solidaridad. I'm with elder Morby now who is from Ogden, Utah he has been out 8 months on his mission. its a pretty interesting change because this area is super humongous and now I'm on a bike and the other is i am now a district leader.... i have a district of 9... 3 sister missionaries, 2 other companionships of elders and me and my companion.... haha its pretty interesting. instead of just worrying about my area i have to worry about every one else's too! as a district leader i have to teach all my district every week for an hour and a half in a meeting we have every Tue morning... i call and check up on everyone... and i interview the people that are going to be baptized... to be honest i was really shocked and surprised when they told me... and a little nervous about the whole thing.... but i really am liking it... I'm getting to experience so many things on my mission that i never have before. I'm using it as a learning opportunity.... i think my favorite part is interviewing people to be baptized.... the spirit is so strong and it helps me to see how i can improve in my teaching so that when the investigator has their interview they feel comfortable in answering...

i know David was a district leader... i was wanting to ask you for some good ideas or activities i could do in my meetings??? if you have any good tips or ideas hit me with them... Jaycee and Kenji too....=)

well i don't have too much time to write but i just want you all to know i love you and pray for you everyday.... have a beautiful week.... LOVE YOU GUYS....

Elder Kingston

My Testimony of Jesus Christ

Hey Family,
Happy Birthday David and Jaycee!  I hope you guys had a great birthday...=) David your getting old bro....30 whoa
haha well I'm glad to hear you all had a great week.... here in the mission everything is going great... we had the baptism of Priscilla on Saturday it was very special... we also had her and Edna's confirmation on Sunday...=)and this Sunday Lilliana will be getting baptized... I'm pretty excited about that.... she is also really excited for this opportunity to start over brand new and perfect....
tonight we find out if we have changes.... i am kind of stuck in the middle of wanting to go and staying.... i would like to go because i already have more than 4 months here in this area and its really small.... the reason why i would like to stay is for my converts here . . . and my companion... i love each and everyone of my converts.... each of them have their own story of conversion to this beautiful gospel.
haha yeah  president Treadway is right i do have a pretty hard head... everything has been fine with my stitches, i will be having them taken out this wed... so don't worry too much... oh and responding to dads ? about what i would like for Christmas.... haha i know when i was little i always liked making a Christmas list... i think that was one of the things i liked most about Christmas... making a list and waiting ...having patience and hoping that I would get what I asked. for!   till this day i still like making Christmas lists....haha here are some things that i wouldn't mind receiving for Christmas:

Letters from every body.... pictures..... perfect push up :)  i don't know if you guys have ever seen it before but should be easy to find,  i would really love one because i need to get back into shape!  my new balance running shoes.... i don't know where they are but should be around the house.... 212 cologne.... ties.... socks....white shirts... etc.... there's a few things =) your probably saying wow James hasn't changed at all.... hes still greedy... haha I'm sorry.... ill try and work on it!

well i guess i better get going but i just want you all to know that i truly have a strong testimony of this great work that i have a privilege to be in. i know that each and every one of us are a son and daughter of a father who is in heaven. i know that he wants for each and every one of us to return to his presence, and that he sent his only begotten son Jesus Christ here on earth so that we can return and live with him in his heavenly kingdom. and my love for my savior and redeemer Jesus Christ is great, he truly came down from his throne in his kingdom in heaven to take upon him all of our iniquities, trials, sickness and affliction so that we may find peace and love in this life and the next.... that we may have hope in entering the kingdom of God. i truly am grateful for Him because through Him i can go back and live with Him and my Father in Heaven and my beautiful family here on earth. these things am i so grateful for and know to be true and i share it with you in the name of Jesus Christ amen. =)
Elder Kingston

7 stitches

Hey family!
How have you all been??? It sounds like you are all doing great. General conference was awesome, huh?! Luckily I got to see all sessions except Saturday afternoon.  It was a wonderful and special experience, especially when you bring investigators and you can watch them and their reactions when they first see the prophet for the first time. We brought Liliana. She is a single mother and is 22.  We brought her to the morning session on Sunday and she had a great experience.  I looked over and she was crying after  President Monson's talk.  I asked her how she felt and she told me," really good" =) Priscilla also went, she liked it alot. She will be getting baptized this Saturday.

So I got my first set of stiches here in Mexico haha! ( I bet mom's mouth just dropped) and I got them today.!  7 of them in my head.  This morning we went to the temple and after a beautiful session we went to play soccer. Everything was going great.  I made 3 goals whoo hoo!  The ball was up in the air and I went to head butt the ball ,as was Elder Choate, and unfortunately we bumped heads! Luckily Elder Choate just got a big bump on his head but I  had to go get stiches, ha ha! What a fun missionary story to tell.  I had my first stiches while on my mission.  This happened about 4 hours ago.
Other than the stiches there isn't a whole lotta news. Elder Lopez and I are working hard and we are definitely seeing blessings from our Father in Heaven.  Thankyou so much for your prayers, they really help alot. Sometimes it gets really hard when I think about you because I really miss all of you. But I know that you are all praying for me and that really gives me comfort.  Thankyou so much for that.
Wel,l I've gotta get going, times running out... just remember that I love each and every one of you and I think about you all the time.
Have a great week...=)
Love,
Elder Kingston

Letter from September 20, 2010

Hola family!'

It's good to hear from you! sounds like this week was alot calmer than the other weeks...haha wow thats crazy you guys are actually thinking about moving... do you think you will move before I get home?? That would be so wierd... by the picture it looks like a really nice house... haha but I think any house looks nice after being surrounded by concrete houses and with these missionary houses that none of the missionaries clean.... jk and mom I'm really excited for you and your gettaway week with grandma and your sisters... sounds like lots of fun...=)
This week went by super fast.... apart from finding and teaching the gospel, we had the opportunity to celebrate the independence of Mexico... which was in 1810 against the Spaniards.... it was really fun and we took some investigators ( Edna, Priscilla and Abraham) they really liked it.... Edna was going to get baptized Sunday but instead is going to be baptized tommorrow..=) she is really excited and is going to be such a great convert... also Priscilla has a baptism goal for this Sunday... so we will see how that goes...
 My companion and I are in finding mode, working really hard so that we can find those people who are prepared and ready to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.. it's going to be a great week...=) but to answer your ? mom my companion and I are getting along great.  With every companion I learn something new, with Elder Lopez I really believe it's humbleness. He has had such a rough life and is still so grateful for all that he has. I'm so grateful for all the many opportunities I have to learn here on the mission and I am definitely taking advantage of it! well I've gotta go but remember that I love every single one of you and pray for you all everyday.
 Love,
Elder Kingston
oh and dad good luck on your talk.... =)

Seeing lives change

Hey family, Wow that's awesome that Jacosa, Angela and Tawna did a triatholon. Felicidades!  But yeah dad, that would be sweet if we do it next year. 
Sounds like there have been alot of changes in callings.  Katrina congratulations on your new calling.=)
It sounds like you guys had a great week and pretty busy too... that's good then you guys don't have to think about me so much. jk

This week was great, the Rivera family and Rosa Maria were confirmed and they are doing well in the church, really excited.

We also had a baptism. His name is Joel.  He is really cool!  He is a boyfriend of a member in our ward. I really thought he was a member when I first got here cause he always comes to church AND with a white shirt and tie on!  I just found out a few weeks ago that he wasn't a member. Then we started teaching him and he excepted to be baptized. Also good news is that Rosa Maria's son Dwight (11) came to church yesterday to see the confirmation of his mom and he saw the baptism of Joel and now he wants to get baptized next week.  It's such a great experience to see people change their lives and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The hard part like, dad said, is that they stay firm in the church.  That part is the toughest  It really depends on the ward too, cause if the ward doesn't befriend them or do their visiting teaching recent converts seem to fall away from the church, but this ward that I'm in is great and really friendly!
So tomorrow we have changes, I'm pretty sure my companion, Elder Combe is going to leave. He already has 6 months in this area. Im gonna miss him. We got along really well. But yeah I gotta get going.
Thankyou so much for your love and support.
Love you guys,
Elder Kingston

Old Letters

(Sorry, I'm so behind posting James' letters.  - Mom/Rosanna)
August 11, 2010
Hey Family,

Thanks for the input on things... sounds like you guys had a great week... oh and Katrina thanks so much for the package, I was so excited to see it.=) I loved the pictures, especially the one with everyone and Uncle Pat's guns...haha and thanks for the letters and m&ms.... you're the best!

As for me, my week went well! We have found some pretty good investigators that seem like they're gonna progress, which is good. Yesterday we had some pretty powerful lessons.  One of which was with Jovanna. Jovanna is part of a Christan church and has been baptised by emmersion and everything. So she's a little bit hard to talk with. Yesterday we talked about the apostasy with some pretty good scriptures from the bible, then about the restoration.. When I recited the first vision I could feel the power so strong and I knew she could feel it too.  She had tears in her eyes.  I asked her how she felt and she gave a strong answer. . . .GOOD!   I know she knows this gospel is true, she is just scared to take the next step.  I have faith that she will act on what she knows and join the church.

I'm so excited to be out here on the mission and learn and grow through helping others, it's the best feeling ever when you can see your investigators keeping they're promises and taking steps in their lives to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I gotta go but before I forget I sent you guys a package last Saturday. I sent it with a family who is going to Utah and they are going to drop the package off at Elder Combe's house and E. Combe's parents are gonna send it to you guys.  Hope you enjoy it.  It's not anything too big.
Well  I gotta go.
I love you guys... have a good week.
Love,
Elder Kingston

August 2, 2010
Hey Fambam,
 =) I'm happy to see everybody is doing great and that dad you have a great class and mom you were able to rocover from camp.
Here in my barrio, Los Andes, everything is going good.  Yesterday we had two confimations.  Alejandro and this girl, Dinorah.  Dinorah came to church last week to see Andres get the spirit conferred upon him and turned out she is somebody that we, along with many other missionaries, have been looking for. She  was baptized 8 months ago but never recieved the Holy Ghost. We started teaching her and we got her confirmed yesterday.  The Lord truly put her in our way.=) I'm just so grateful to be an instrument in the Lord's hands.  Last night me and Elder Combe went over and got them excited about missions.  Dinorah is 20 Alejandro is 17 and Andres is 16 and they all are planning on serving missions. whoo hoo! To see the joy in them when talking about serving missions really filled my heart with love for this beautiful work.  And already they are doing missionary work.  Alejandro told me he has been talking to a bunch of people about the church and he has like 8 that wanna come... its sweet! Mom, thanks for sharing that experience about Brigham Young, it's so true. Well I would love to keep writing, but I gotta go.
Love you guys and hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder kingston....
Oh and mom I think it would be better if you send me garments and I can buy the rest here.=)


July 26, 2010
Hey family
wow.... mom it sounded like you guys really made camp a wonderful and spiritual experience. Congratulations!
Well this last week went great. We comfirmed Andres and baptized his brother yesterday. They are both sweet converts. They both are planning on going on missions...=) which I'm way happy about!
Time here on the mission is going by so fast and I'm loving every minute of it, the hard times and the good times! I really wanna use this time so I can grow spiritually and I'm definitely having experiences!  One thing I started to do this change is to really love personal study. Alot of times I found myself head bobbing and falling asleep while studying but I am now keeping track of everything I study in a study journal and it has really been helping me out.  Right now I am studying the enabling power of the atonement and it is really helping keep the spirit through out the day.

I'm so grateful for all of you and everything you do.  I have to go cause im gonna send you guys some pictures but always remember that I love you.=)

Elder Kingston


July  19, 2010
Hey Family....=)
Well thank you all for your wonderful prayers. Even though I can't see you guys I still get comfort knowing that you are all praying for my success here on the mission.  This last week went sweet.  Andres, a 17 year old that came to church last week was baptized yesterday.  His mom is a member but he and his brothers are not. We went to his house last Tuesday to see how he liked church then we sat down and his mom yelled for him saying, "Andres get down here.  The missionaries are here to teach you so you can get baptized'' she said it really bluntly but he didnt argue at all.  He is a great kid with a great future ahead of him and I'm just so happy for the chance to see him start on this eternal path.  This next week we have planned for his brother to get baptized. His name is Alejandro and he's 15. He went to church and really liked what he saw.

Other than the baptism we had, this week has been pretty crazy. On Tuesday we had divisions.  Each elder in our zone was put with a different elder for 2 days.  I got Elder Bearchia and my companion went with Elder Parrera in Salinas which is about an hour away.  It was pretty fun.  I learned alot. I really like divisions cause you get the chance to get new ideas of ways to teach.  Then we changed back on Thursday. Thursday night we got a call from Elder Flynn, our zone leader, that he needed me and my companion to sleep at his house.  Turns out his companion, Elder Bearchia became one of the Presidents Assistants.  So we have been a triple for the last 3 days until tomorrow when we have changes. It's actually pretty hard cause we are having to go back and forth from his area to ours. But it's definitely a fun experience!

Wow mom you sound like your rockin it over there with camp. I know you're going to have a fantastic week. Well I gotta go but I will send pictures of the baptism next week.  Okay, I hope you all have a great week and remember that I love you. =)

Elder Kingston

July 12, 2010
Wow,  what a great surprise to have so many emails!  I feel so special....haha!  Thanks so much.

Happy birthday Kai.  Sounds like you had a great birthday!  And mom I hope you don't get too stressed out with all the camp stuff.  (read D&C 10:4) I know you are doing a great job though.

This last week was great. We have some new great investigators,  Milton and Veronica who are boyfriend and girlfriend.  They are really cool.  They are both really humbled right now,  not only for the hurricane that passed through but also about a month ago Milton was beat up pretty bad by a drug cartel who thought he was someone else.  They left him with 2 broken arms and a broken hip. He and his girlfriend came to church  on sunday and really liked the church... the only thing with them is that they are not married but have 1 child and she is pregnant with a second... but they also don't live together, so today we are going to talk to them about how they can have a family eternal and about marriage.  If you guys can pray for them that they may have a contrite spirit and follow the teachings of the spirit that would be great.  We also had a lady named Lupita come to church with us today.  Her husband is a member but she is Catholic.  They are expecting a baby and she wants the kid to grow up in one religion so she is really leaning toward joining this church.  We had the opportunity to give her a blessing last Saturday because she was having stomach pains... she told us that she felt alot better after and that it was a good experience.  I feel really good about all of them and  I know that if the Lord wants it right now they will take this next step in their lives and be baptized.

It's still been pretty wet here. I'ts been raining off and on but I'm pretty sure its all clearing up now.  The hurricane did alot of damage, in our area not as much, but in my old area which was in the center of Monterrey was hit really hard.  I'ts right by the Rio Santa Caterina.  You should look it up on google or something.  And another area right by us had the church swept away, leaving nothing,  pretty sad.  It might have taken away our material things but the only thing it did spiritually is lift us up.  I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have of this gospel and of the plan God has for us  and for the chance to always be happy. I love you all and I am so grateful for the wonderful and supporting family God has given me. I hope you all have a fantastic week!

LOVE YOU ALL,
Elder Kingston

Prayers Are Answered!

Hey Family,
haha! Sorry my letters keep getting shorter and shorter.  I don't know,  I think I just get sick of typing!
I know that's no excuse. Sorry I'll try and do better.

Well this week was awesome!  We had alot of success thanks to the Lord and much fasting and prayers.  Sunday we had a baptism.  The person's name is Sarah, a really cool girl.  She is 20 and has her own business cutting hair.  She has been through alot in her life.... I mean ALOT!   Friday she had her interview and passed then Saturday we went by and talked with her and she just broke down with a few things. I'm glad we were there to help her in her time of need. We gave her a blessing and she seemed to be very calm after that.  That lesson was probably one of the most spiritually draining lessons I've had on my mission.  But a great experience!  We also had 5 investigators in church, the Rivera family (Maricela, Ruben, Alejandro,and Ruben jr...)  a mother, father and 2 sons.  They are really cool.  The first lesson that we had with them was the Restoration.  They took it very well and it all seemed to make perfect sense to them.  At the end of the lesson we knelt down with them to ask God if the things we taught were true and if Jesus Christ restored His gospel through Joseph Smith.  They all got an answer that it was true.  It was very powerful! I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord answers our prayers.  They came to church and really loved it. They all, except the dad, accepted to be baptized next week. I know he will too, he's just a little scared. =) My companion and I are way excited for them.
We also brought a lady to church named Rosa Maria.  She is a widow with 2 sons.  She felt the spirit so strong in church and in the baptism of Sarah.  We saw her last night and asked her how she felt in the church.  She told us she felt such peace and could feel the love that God has for her through each and every member there.  We helped her recognize that this was an answer to her prayer she offered the night before asking if the things we taught were true.  She then had doubts about joining the church because she doesn't know if her children are going to join the church also.  We read the first part of D&C 31 and put her name in it instead of Thomas and that was definitely an answer for her.  She is also going to be baptized next Sunday  =)
Well I gotta go but remember that I love you all. Have a great week!  I'll be thinking of you all.
Love,
Elder Kingston
oh and thanks mom and dad for helping me buy some more socks and pants.... love you guys....

Opportunities to Serve

Hey family,
Sounds like you all had an awesome 4th of July.   Its a bummer sometimes being here in Mexico when it's an American holiday because nobody does anything!!  My companion and I didn't do anything yesterday.
We're party poopers!  We were thinking of what we could do but we didn't come to any conclusions so we just went to bed cause we were exhausted! But throughout the day we were singing the Star Spangled Banner.  I truly am grateful for our country . . . . and Mexico has really helped me see how much I LOVE my country...haha!
This last week was crazy with Hurricane Alex.  On Thursday we couldn't even leave the house unless we had appointments set. We had alot of opportunities though to give service.  Just walking down the street you could find many people in need.  We helped alot of people bucket water out of their house.  Many houses were flooded.  I believe we are going to see alot of people humbled and ready to hear the gospel this week haha!   For the first few hours when the hurricane hit my companion and I were like, "man this is awesome!" Then after about 2 hours we were miserable, walking in rivers of water haha! and nobody wanted to let us in their houses because we were soaken wet.  But we really got a special chance to experience a little bit of what Jesus Christ went through. It was a great opportunity and I'm so grateful for it.  Sorry, I' don't have many crazy stories, but that's how my week went.  I've gotta go but I hope you all have a great week and hope you all know I am always thinking of you and praying for you.
LOVE,
ELDER KINGSTON
Oh mom, is there any way in the next package you send me to send printed photos from the fam reunion, the 4th and whatever other pictures you want?  I would love that. . . and a few more of Davids cds?but there is no rush... just whenever.... thanks mom, love you.

Hurricane Alex

Hey Family, President Romney wanted all of us missionaries here in Monterrey to write and let you know that we are okay.  These last few days were pretty crazy.  We had a hurricane hit here, called hurricane Alex!  Just know that I'm alright and I'll let you know a little bit more about it next Monday.
LOVE YOU GUYS.
Hope you all have a great week!
Elder Kingston


-

"Patience Is a Process of Perfection"

Hey family,
I'm happy to hear the family reunion was a blast. Sounds like alot of people went, which is good.  I would love to have been there but it's all good.  I'll be there next year.=) JAKE'S BAPTISM SOUNDED LIKE AN AWESOME SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.!  He's going to remember that for the rest of his life..
Everything sounded good until dad told me what happened to him. It really scared me!  I'm just so happy that nothing happened to you, Dad.  The Lord definitely is watching out for you.  That was definitely a little miracle.  I'm glad you're safe!
Everything is going great here.  Combe and I are workin hard and lovin it.  Even if for now we're not seeing many results.  I know the blessings will come and maybe they are here already I just can't see them!  One thing that I have learned this week is from a talk by President Uchtdorf about patience.  There is a quote that says...." patience is a process of perfection" that really has helped me out alot. In D&C it says if we bring but one soul unto God how glorious it will be.  I like to think that that first soul is ourselves.  This opportunity to be a missionary and serve the Lord has really helped me grow and become more like the Savior.  I'm going to take advantage of the good times and the hard times here on my mission as growing experiences.
This last week went well. We found a few good people that look like they're going to progress.
This 4th of July is gonna be a downer...haha!  Nobody celebrates it here obviously, haha!  My companion and I were talking about how we wanna have a little party between us two.... so we'll see how that goes...haha!  Oh and thanks so much for sending that cd player and cds... it got here really fast.  I was very suprised. Oh yeah I gotta ? about my atm card.  How am I supposed to activate it?  Well I really gotta go. But remember that I love you all and I pray for all of you every day.
LOVE,
ELDER KINGSTON

Happy Father's Day

hey family,=)
Happy Fathers Day Dad and Grandpa.... it sounds like you guys had a great Father's day. That's awesome that you guys had it at the farm with Grandpa. It's crazy to think that I'll be home next Father's Day.... How cool is that?
Well, here in my area we are struggling a little. During the week we have lots of investigators and then when it comes Sunday they all suddenly have alot to do around 11 to 2....haha! It gets a little frustrating but I try not to get too discouraged because I know that's just what the adversary wants.  Really, as a missionary, the only thing we can control are our contacts.  The rest is in the Lords hands.  As long as we stay obedient and diligent I will have no regrets.  We had to let Adam and Vicky go.  They just aren't ready yet to make this change in their life but hopefully they will be in the future. We did find a really cool lady who is strong.  We contacted her and before we could say anything she let us in her house.  Turns out her daughter is a member and she knows alot about the church.  She accepted the challenge to be baptized that lesson.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to find her Sunday. But I have alot of faith in her.  It's so great to see how well prepared some people are. As missionaries, we are either planting the seeds or harvesting them.  We just have to remember to have alot of patience.  Well I've gotta go.  I don't have much time but tell all the fambam that I love them and that I wish I could be at the reunion.
Love you guys,
Elder Kingston...

Oh and mom thanks for sending that stuff..... love you....

San Nicolas

hey family.....
Im glad you guys had a great week.... the party for katrina kenji and kingston sounded awsome.... its all good ill be there for their next birthday....=)
and mom thats nice your gonna be able to have more time with not having work.... that should take a little stress away.... well this last week was pretty crazy we had transfers. they ended up shutting my last area due to not many missionaries coming. so they had to close all the small areas that werent having success, but they should be opening it back up again in a while... well i am now back here in monterrey... im kinda in the suburbs.... it would be like being in davis from sacramento..... the area is in San Nicolas..... im really enjoying this area, im with an american now.... Elder Combe from Draper, Utah he has 5 months in the mission he's awsome we make a good team... really hard worker... he plays football and rugby too so we have alot in common....=)
we have alot of sweet investigators one of them ,adam ,is really cool, hes way animated we told him about an activity last thursday... and we had a little bit of a misunderstanding.... we told him we were gonna pick him up at night around 730 to go but he thought it was in the morning so obviously we didnt show in the morning and he decided to go looking for the church.... haha we got there at night and he was like hey i was waiting for you guys.... we felt kinda bad but it truly showed how much he really wants to go to church... we have plans to have him get baptized in 2 weeks. . .  him and his sister..... im pretty stoked....
well i better get going dont have much time.... but i hope you guys have a great trip to utah and idaho and let ALL THE FAMBAM KNOW I LOVE THEM.....=)
oh and mom about that package.... is their any way you could send me a portable cd player, i dont know if there are any lying around the house.... and some speakers??? i forgot to tell you guys but we are not aloud to have video ipods anymore.... so im without music..... and some cds would be nice....=) david can you send me some of your raised in faith cds and a couple mixes.... i love you buddy.... oh and my giants hat too would be nice..... mom could you do that for me??? love you......
Elder Kingston

Felipe's Baptism

Hey Family,
Thanks so much for the emails. I love hearing about your weeks. The upcoming weeks sound like they're gonna be busy, especially this week with all these birthdays.. Happy Birthday Kenji , Katrina and Kingston.... let me know how your birthdays went.  Maybe you guys can send me a piece of cake..lol That's cool you guys are all going on vacation...whoo hoo....haha thats good you and dad are going to help grandma and grandpa with the reunion... im sure they really appreciate that..
This week was last week of changes and it went really well.  Friday we baptized Felipe (Peluche)  We were about to do the ordnance and then he said he would like to give a prayer beforehand. He gave one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard.  In his prayer he made some promises to God and gave alot of thanks. It was very spiritual.. With experiences like this,  it really just makes me wanna work harder so that every single person that passes me has the opportunity to hear of this wonderful gospel. As missionaries, sometimes we choose who we want to contact, we judge alot and we don't contact certain people because they're wealthy or they look like drug addicts... but I learned that we need to open our mouths about the gospel to everyone and let them decide whether or not they wanna listen, we should not be the ones to decide...

I am really excited to be staying another change here in Saltillo.  I am even more excited because I don't have to pack....haha!  but even after 13 months in the mission I still get nervous for transfers and getting a new companion... haha! I know I'm a sissy.
Well I've gotta go but I'll hurry and send some pictures of the baptism.
Love you all and have a great week.
ELDER KINGSTON

Moving

hey family
Thankyou so much for the emails and for the pictures of malias blessing.. she looks adorable!
sounds like you all had another week jampacked with fun things to do. and to be totally honest i didnt remember it was memorial day today, but im glad you guys have the day off to hangout.
this last week went pretty good in my area. we moved houses, our new house is so much better and cheaper, we didnt really move far only about 4 blocks.lol it was a bit of work to clean the old house and move though... i hope i dont have to do that again on my mission...lol ill make sure to send pictures of the new house next week...
also this sunday we had 2 investigadores in church. paola and peluche who are neighbors.  they are both really cool. they're just a little confused right now in their lifes but thats why we are here as missionaries... to help them....we put a goal with them to get baptized this sunday they said they will have to think about it.. so we are going to their house tonight to see what they're answer is. im hoping and praying that they will accept...
we also had interviews last week with president romney... he basically told my companion that he was leaving the next change which is next tuesday...so it looks like im gonna be in saltillo for at least a month and a half more which im pretty excited about cause i love it here...to be honest i hate changing areas... because you never know what to expect.. but then after the first week everything is all good.
well i gotta go but remember i love you all and that im always praying for your well being....Love you guys so much
Elder Kingston

Elder Bednar

Hey...=)
thanks so much for the email and all the updates..... sounds like everyone is doing so good and loving life. mom I'm glad you guys had a great trip to Boston, i cant wait to see the pictures. and dad congratulations on your vacation time sounds like you have lot of great things planned. i was scared to hear that grandma fell... but I'm relieved that she is okay and I'm sure that is because of the priesthood blessing grandpa gave her and all the prayers heading her way.
well as for me my week was great... we didn't have much success but we did see Elder Bednar which gave me a boost of spiritual energy. it was remarkable to listen to an apostle of the Lord. he talked with us for about 31/2 hours straight. one of the first things he told us is that we should look at meetings or reunions as time to receive revelation from the lord and that we should take notes on what the speaker is saying and what invites the holy ghost. so i didn't take notes....but i recorded it with the tape recorder you guys sent me..lol he talked to us about prayer... but he didn't really give a talk.... he asked ?s and had people answer, and gave us the chance to ask questions for him to answer... it was pretty much like a discussion.. he said this is the way we need to start teaching in the church... but as a teacher you should not play "what am i thinking in my head?" which is referring to when the teacher has a specific answer in his head and he asks others the ? to see if they know the answer.... he said this is stupid... we need to ask open ?s and we need to ask if anyone would like to comment on the ?.... well that's just a little of what he had to say, sorry I'm rambling on... ill send you guys the tape, he had alot of great things to say.... but i will definitely remember that experience for the rest of my life....
well i gotta go its getting late.... we didn't have time to write during the day... I'm going to start taking notes on things that happened during the week so that its easier to write you guys and so i don't get brain freezes....lol well i hope you all have a great week and always remember i love you all.....

Elder Kingston

Making tortillas

Happy Easter!

Hey Family,

Wow sounds like your week was great! Thanks for the heads up on everything. Congratulations Kingston and Kai on your great games, and Jacosa for that opportunity you had to go to the studio of George Lucas.... Wow....how was it?? and hey Katrina should be having her baby soon right??? Let me know how everything is going with that...also dad sorry to here about what happened to your student, very sad... but like mom said how great it is to know the plan God has in store for us and that we all are going to have the chance to go back and live with our loved ones.... it's just sad that some people have to wait for death to find this out rather than know it here on earth and receive comfort from it.
Well here in Saltillo everything is going very good.... it is alot different than Monterrey and Acuña. It is very calm here. It would probably be like the Idaho of Mexico....lol it's hard at times staying busy here in this area due to nobody wanting to hear us but I know that's exactly what the adversary wants me to feel so I'm going to "put my shoulder to the wheel and push along"...haha (that just came in my mind) but we do have some new investigators that are pretty cool. When we went to bring them to church yesterday they weren't there...=( So we are going to go by today and check out what happened. Their names are Veronica and Juanita. If you guys could add them to your prayers that would be great.
I'm gonna have to keep this letter short because we have alot of things to do and such little time. Just know that I love you all and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you and the influence you all have had on me.
Thanks for everything.
LOVE,
ELDER KINGSTON
OH AND HAVE A HAPPY EASTER. I'LL BE THINKING OF YOU GUYS!

oh and umm I have no clue if it would be cheaper in the US or here in Mexico to buy a camera...... I would think it would be cheaper here. Also, mom don't worry about the pictures, I put them all on a usb memory card before my camera was stolen.

Saltillo (Capital City of Couhuila)

According to the ranking of the Inversionista magazine of 2006, Saltillo is the best Mexican city to live in, chosen from more than 53 Mexican cities. It's nickname is the "Athens" of Mexico.  Population is around 680,000.

HEY FAMILY,
THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT UPDATES.  SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS HAD A GREAT AND BUSY WEEK.   CONGRATULATIONS COSA ON DOING  A FABULOUS JOB IN THE CONCERT.  I HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL AND TALENTED FAMILY.
WELL I GOT TRANSFERRED HERE IN SALTILLO, MEXICO.  ABOUT AN HOUR FROM MONTERREY BUT IT IS A DIFFERENT STATE.... IT IS ACTUALLY THE CAPITAL CITY OF COUHUILA.   I really like it here.  Everyone is way nice.  It was hard to leave Monterrey especially just as Dad said,  I had to leave all my converts and progressing investigators.   We had 4 that were going to get baptized this last Sunday,  all of whom are family members of my converts that I would have never thought they'd be baptized.  But as you can see there is a time for everyone.  I got bumped up to mayor with my companion being Elder Hernandez Ortiz from Puebla, Mexico.  He has 7 months on the mission.
This area hasn't seen a baptism for 7 months.  Yesterday we were about to have the baptism of Santiago and Guadalupe.  They were all ready and had their clothes with them but then our bishop told us we couldn't baptize until night time since we share the building with 2 other wards. We went to get them at night and they weren't there. =(   it was pretty sad and frustrating, but I know everything happens for a reason.
I had a pretty good experience having to do with a priesthood blessing.   2 weeks ago my companion and I were coming back home from church to change out of our suits when we saw Brother Flores' car out front.  He and his family didn't go to church and that's very rare for them.  ( the Flores family is the family that we lived above, very sweet.   I look to them as being my family here in Mexico) Well,  we knocked on their door and Carlos opened the door looking very disanimated.   We asked what was wrong.  He told us that Saturday he got a call from the Zetas who are basically an organized crime family here in the northern part of Mexico.   They demanded money or they would kill him and his family.   He said they talked very rough with him and the only thing he could do was give them money.   I don't remember how much money he sent them but it was alot.   This family, I would say,  are like our family,  very joyful and happy all the time so  seeing them afraid and scared,  not knowing what to do really made me sad.  My companion and I then sang to them the hymn "OH ESTA TODO BIEN".  The spirit lifted in the room and I could sense a state of peace.  I then gave Brother Flores a priesthood blessing, wow what a powerful and great experience that was! After that he gave his wife one of the most beautiful blessings I have heard.   I know these blessings come directly from Heaven and they are the words of God Himself.   I  know that if we are righteous priesthood holders we are able to bless others by the power of God.  In this case it was a blessing of comfort.  After seeing the change from sadness and  fear to happiness and hope it brought joy to my soul.  I am so grateful for these wonderful experiences the Lord is giving me.  I truly will cherish them forever.
Well I'd better get going.  My time is up!  Just remember I love all of you and the Lord.  I hope you all have a great week.... LOVE ELDER KINGSTON

OH!  ALSO I HAVE SOME BAD NEWS . . . .  DURING CHANGES SOMONE STOLE MY CAMERA...=(  I BELEIVE IT WAS SOMEONE FROM THE BUS STATION.

3/15/2010 - Transferred

Hey family I'm just writing to tell you guys that I won't be writing you this week because I'm pretty sure I'm going to get transferred and everybody else has Mondays for pday.  Our district's pday is Friday because we have the assistants and the elders in the offices.  So since I won't have pday this Friday you guys will have to wait until next Monday.... okay love you guys!
ELDER KINGSTON
oh hey mom thankyou so much for the package you sent it was very special....=) and thanks Kingston and Kai for your beautiful pictures and letters you guys wrote.... love you guys....
oh and mom can you send me Keva's letters too??? thankyou so much

Pray!

This is Elder Kingston's mom writing here.  Please remember Elder Kingston in your prayers.
I realize the violence in Mexico is probably not as bad as it sounds on the news, but I just read the following
in the "Mormon Times":

"The State Department authorized U.S. government employees at Ciudad Juarez and five other U.S. consulates in northern Mexico to send family members out of the area because of concerns about rising drug violence. The cities are Tijuana, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros."

I have faith that he will be protected but a few extra prayers never hurt, right?
Thank you!

The Light of Christ

Hey family,
Thanks so much for all of you who wrote to me;  Dad, David and Jacosa.  And for the rest of you thank you so much for your prayers.  It really means alot!
I would like to apologize for being so late in writing you guys.  We were way busy on pday and Saturday we didn't have anytime.  Sunday we couldn't write either,  but here it is now....lol!   I know you guys were probably worried and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.   I will be writing again this Friday!
Well it sounds like your stake conference was good.  What a privilege to be taught by a seventy. . . and from David's letter it sounds like he gave some pretty interesting talks.
These last 2 Sundays were great.  Dionisia and Elvis were baptized. It was such a great experience to see them enter into the Waters of Baptism.   Last week they were both confirmed.  Yesterday was really special. We had fast and testimony meeting.  After the testimonies Bishop Ramirez got up to close the meeting when I saw Dionisia get up out of the corner of my eye.  I noticed the Bishop's surprise by his raised eyebrow lol!  She gave the most beautiful testimony and this is only her second time going to church!  She said , "My life was filled with darkness, and I didn't know what to do, but then 2 young men knocked on my door and brought the light of Christ into my life,  Elder Kingston and Elder Montoya."  Then she went on to say she has no doubt that this church is true. As she bore her testimony my eyes were filled with tears and I thought to myself, "this is why I'm here, to help my fellow brothers and sisters find the Light of Christ."  It
was definitely a spiritual experience.   Also Elvis recieved the priesthood yesterday.  I was really surprised and happy!   He was dressed in a white shirt and tie and everything..... it was wonderful.  He and his girlfriend have plans on getting sealed in the temple on Febuary 28, 2011 a year from his baptism.  I am excited to be here for that!  Yesterday a man we found 3 weeks ago came to church again by himself.  We can never find him during the week but he's come to church 3 Sundays in a row...lol and yesterday he told me, "I don't just wanna keep coming and listening, I wanna become a member"... lol.   I told him, " Well I think we can arrange for that to happen"....haha!
Well that was my fantastic week.... I've really gotta go but I just want you all to know I love you and always have a prayer in my heart for each and every one of you.... stay close to the lord.
Love,
ELDER KINGSTON

More Mission Pics

We helped at the orphanage on Christmas Day and then played with the kids.

Mission Pics

Little Miracles

Hey Thank you so much dad for sharing with me the wonderful week you guys had.  I'm glad you had an awesome valentines. . . . and wow look at you getting all hip now with your iphones....lol thats exciting!
So in the MTC we had a mission president come talk to us.  He told us one thing that he does with his missionaries in his mission.  Whenever an appointment fails contact the first person you see or the houses around the investigators house.  He said that Heavenly Father has a reason for everything.  He also said, "Since I have told them this,  I have been calling each zone leader and asking if they have been having "LITTLE MIRACLES".  This is what he calls it when they have success from doing what he asked.... and each week the missionaries would report to him their little miracles.
 My companion and I had a LITTLE MIRACLE this week.  We ended up not bringing anyone to church, all of our investigators flaked, but instead of feeling down we did what this mission president suggested.  We saw an ally that we have never tracted before.  As we were tracting we didn't really have success but then we got to the last house and a woman let us in.  Her name is Dionesia and she is awesome.  We sang and prayed and immediatly started talking about baptism.  She said,  "If I'm 100 percent sure about this church I will be baptized."  My companion left not thinking that she was going to progress but we went back the other day and before we could say anything to her she told us she wants to get baptized. =) We have a date set for this 28 de febrero!   She is dominate and is gaining a strong testimony of the church.  I know the Lord is preparing people to be baptized into His kingdom. Our job as missionaries (and when I say missionaries I mean both fulltime missionaries and members) is to seek and find these lost brothers of ours.  I have no doubt in my mind that there are people ready to recieve this beautiful gospel and we as members need to rid ourselves of selfishness and share this wonderful gospel with others.  We need to open our mouths and share it because I know there are more people like Dionesia out there.
Dad, I know you always wanna know how the weather is so I'll let you know right now it is beautiful and sunny and its been like this for a while.  I'm glad you guys have been having sun, too.=) Well I'd better get going.  Oh yeah,  the mission President has been trying to call you guys to get grandpa's number to talk about the oil vials.  President Romney really wants to talk to grandpa so make sure you guys pick up ok?  I love you all and I hope you all have a great week.
LOVE,
ELDER KINGSTON

Quetzalcoatl

Hey Everybody,
I'm glad to hear everything went really well last week.=) This last Friday we baptized Rosy, the one that showed up out of the blue at church the Sunday before. She is golden. We met her on Sunday and she accepted her date to be baptized for last Friday. We baptized her at the Stake Center next to the Temple. It was a beautiful experience.

This last week we have been working hard on finding new investigators. Last night we met a man named Ricardo who is from Oaxaca Mexico. He is a native Indian and speaks Spanish in 4 different dialects. He is from a little village but is here selling handcrafted baskets from the people of his village. We started talking to him and he mentioned to us that Quetzalcoatl (Jesus Christ) came and visited his ancestors and taught them. My companion and I were in awe. Then we showed him a picture of when Jesus Christ came to the Americas and he said, " Hey, you guys have the white Indians in the picture too!" He told us there used to be white Indians here along time ago before the Spaniards came. Then he told us not many people know that. He also talked about how in some of the pyramids it talks about records recorded on golden plates. It's crazy how much he knew. We are going to go see him and give him a Book of Mormon so he can put it with his knowledge to help him see the truth. It definitely was a testimony builder talking to him. I can't wait to see what happens with him. I've gotta go but just know I love you all and I'm so grateful for everything you guys do for me. I love you and remember that the Lord loves you all.

Love,
ELDER KINGSTON

Quetzalcoatl
Wikipedia:  Some Mormon scholars believe that Quetzalcoatl, as a white, bearded God who came from the sky and promised to return, was actually Jesus Christ. According to the Book of Mormon, Jesus visited the American natives after his resurrection.  Latter-day Saint President John Taylor wrote:
"The story of the life of the Mexican divinity, Quetzalcoatl, closely resembles that of the Savior; so closely, indeed, that we can come to no other conclusion than that Quetzalcoatl and Christ are the same being. But the history of the former has been handed down to us through an impure Lamanitish source, which has sadly disfigured and perverted the original incidents and teachings of the Savior's life and ministry."

Mitla

ancient ruins in Oaxaca Mexico

Monte Alban

Ancient ruins near Oaxaca

Happy February!

Hey, HAPPY FEBRUARY! =)

I'm so glad to hear you all had a great week! I, as well, had a fantastic week here in the mission field. My companion and I baptized a wonderful man named Roberto. I think I have mentioned him before, right? idk but I would like to tell you guys a little about him and our story with him. We found him in the apartments right next to Paseo Santa Lucia. While contacting him, right from the start, I could tell he was someone special. He ended up coming with us to church the next day. He loved it and we set a goal date for baptism with him for the following Sunday. Through the week everything was going great. He was keeping his commitments. One big one was to stop smoking. We set a day for him to be interviewed to see if he was ready to get baptized. He ended up not showing up. I was pretty devastated. =( We tried calling him and he would never pick up. This lasted for about 5 days. I was pretty sure nothing was going to happen with him. But this last Monday night we went to visit some investigators that live by him and after the visit we were walking and I could see a figure of a man that was just like Roberto. I told my companion and we decided to go over towards him. He didn't see that we saw him but he saw us. He hid behind a tree.....lol I was thinking, "Are you serious?" So we went where he couldn't see us. When he came out we surprised him with a visit. To be quite honest, it was very awkward. He told us he was sorry and that he ignored us cause he was scared to be baptized and didn't think he could give up smoking. But that night the Lord changed his thoughts around and he ended up getting baptized yesterday!! It was a wonderful experience to have witnessed the change in Roberto through the merits of this great gospel. This experience really taught me that we need to perseverar hasta el fin....until the end in everything we do and we need not doubt the Lord. Yesterday we were also blessed by recieving a new investigator who wants to be baptized this coming Friday. Her name is Rosy . The Lord is truly blessing us with success.
Tomorrow are changes. I don't know if I'll still be here in Buenos Aires, but we will see!
I'd better get going. I'm running out of time. But mom, about the pictures, today I put all the pictures that I have taken here on my mission onto a cd and I am going to send it, so have a little patience with me and you will be blessed with about 300 photos! ....lol
I love you all and thank you so much for being who you are.
LOVE,
ELDER KINGSTON.....
p.s. Mom I'll tell the mission president about the price of the oil vials and let you know what he says next week ok? =) tell Grandpa thanks so much.