Booyah!!!

Hola! Como estamos?

This past week has been great. I am learning so much and feel like I am understanding more everyday. How is the outside world? It has been about a month but it goes by so fast. To see the progress I have made is amazing. As always on Thursday we get to go to the temple. It is probably one of my favorite things to do every week. And today more that other weeks it was beautiful. Provo is perfect at this time of the year. Not too hot, not too cold and the sun is always shining. I better take it all in before I go to the freezing cold Canadian weather.

We got two new teachers this week. We have had so many teachers these past couple of weeks. With Hermana Bauserman leaving and Hermano Arnold changing districts we have had 12 different teachers. It is nice to hear so many different missionary stories but it is also difficult because we don't really have a continuance of teaching. But these two new teachers, Hermanos Ackerson and Clayton seem amazing. Hermano Clayton went to Connecticut but spent his high school life in Argentina. He seems very interesting and I feel like I get along with him very well. Hermano Ackerson went to the Dominican Republic and has tons of chevre(cool) stories. When we teach lessons I am finding myself being able to just talk to people rather than struggle through memorized phrases. It is becoming more of a teaching experience everytime. Hopefully the next time we go to the TRC we will recieve a native speaker. Last week Elder Ostler and Elder Stevenson tought a native from Mexico and said they learned more than they taught. I have made a goal to read at least 10 pages in the Book of Mormon daily in English. It has helped me so much find things to learn for teaching and brought the Spirit that much greater. I challenge all to get into the scriptures daily. It will truly guide your life.

Elder Anderson, Elder Bigalow and myself are in a little Biggest Loser competition. Since the food here is not to healthy, we are limited on our options. But we are helping each other in the gym everyday and I feel so much better. The leaders of the mission have stressed the importance of eating healthy and exercising 6 days a week. It makes you focus more on studying and allows you to feel less tired. But I will keep going and keep you posted on the results.

We had a treat this week. Elder Holland spoke at the devotional this Tuesday. It was magnificent. This Spirit testified to me that he was a true disciple of Christ. He talked about the true importance of missionary work. He also stressed that we do not have the right to change the "perfect" image that the world has of missionaries. We are "apostles" with a lower case and we are declaring truth unto the world. I was greatly humbled that night and will remember it always. I will strive to receive that faith that he has and love people the way that he does. One thing that really stuck out to me was "Be better than who you are." Meaning that we can always be better than the person that we think we are at that moment.

I love Spanish hymns! "Tengo Gozo en Mi Alma" is my favorite. We usually sing two a day. I am so excited to find out what the latin culture is going to be like in Edmonton. I have already been thinking about the people the Lord is going to affect through me. I am so excited to have a front row seat for truly amazing changes. It will be hard but as long as I have the gospel on my side I will succeed.

Spiritual Thought: I have been thinking a lot this week about the character attributes of the Savior, especially patience. We need to have patience in every aspect of our life because we are being guided to become the best we can be. Sometimes things may not happen the way we want, but patience is necassary to truly be content in life. Patience with others is te most important aspect of this characteristic. If we do not realize that everyone has problems around us and are not understanding patience we cannot be happy. Let us not be offended when people us their agency. You can only control your actions. I will keep praying for Christlike patience and challange all to do as well.

Also Read Helaman 15:7 - this explains what true repentance is, a change of heart.

With mucho amor,

Elder Kipp