Aug 28 2016

Homecoming

just a few photos of some of the people who stopped by to welcome Kalen home

August 27 2016

After a delay on Friday in Panama and overnight stay in Houston Texas Kalen came walking out of the terminal in SLC on Sat the 27th of Aug at 11:45 am. Here are just a few of the joyous moments we shared. Mom, dad, Tracee, Ally, Grandma and Grandpa Curtis, aunts, uncles and many cousins were there. Even Pres and Sister Willard surprised him by showing up. What a great reunion and day we had. As I complete this mission blog I must say that the blessings we have received by having this faithful missionary serving in Bolivia can not be counted. My heart is full as I think of the many people who are now apart of our international ward family. Thank you for reading and sharing in this mission journey with Elder Jones and for the many prayers and support over the last 2 years. We are so happy to have him home and see the wonderful young man he has become. My testimony of Jesus Christ is undeniable and my eternal thank you goes to the Lord for keeping my son safe and returning him home to our family. love you all Lori Jones

Aug 22 2016

My last email home from the mission.
I love you too mom, thanks for always watching over me but I think this time around I will be good on the planes. I´m super pro now. I have been on too many planes. here´s a list: SLC to Atlanta, to Bogotá, to Lima, to Santa Cruz, to Tarija, back to Santa Cruz, back to Tarija, back to Santa Cruz, soon to come to Panamá City, to Houston, to SLC. I don't think I want to be a pilor anymore flying is not that fun.  See you soon

Almost done

This was my last Zone Conference with two of my buddies, Elder Lozano who is Secretary to the President, and Elder Bennet who was my comp in the MTC. I love you so much mom. I haven´t really let myself think to deeply about coming home either for two reasons, one this has been my life for two years and it has always just seemed like a dream that I would go home and see you guys again, and two I am still here working and I need to keep working because it´s not over just yet. 

Aug 15 2016

Here are the photos from baptism 6 of August with the Justiniano family.

This is from our baptism two days ago, (13 of August), with Luis Miguel Carrillo an his wife who is a member. Something special about his is that a few months ago before meeting the missionaries, he didn´t want to hear about the Church because he was firm in his habit and traditions as a Catholic. He was the one who softened his own heart with a little help from his awesome wife. He came to us looking for help so that he can one day go to the temple and be sealed to his wife and his new little baby girl. We are so happy for him. It was also the first time that I have been in the water baptizing since last year in December. I was super happy for him.

Aug 8 2016

I will keep some of my bolivian money because I want something to show others when I come home. I am passing the days well off and I am working really hard.  Every night I come home absolutely exausted. My feet are totally destroyed.   I am not trunky at all but I do get kinda excited to see everyone. We had another baptism on Saturday of the Justiniano family. (no photos today I don´t have my card reader.) Rolando, the dad, after 16 or so years of being inactive, he´s come back really strong, has received the priesthood and baptized his wife and oldest son. We are so happy for them because they have been working towards this for over 4 months, with their marriage and everything. So awesome!

Aug 1 2016

Here is the baptism of little Sara Morales and a Noche de Hermanamiento that we did with members, like a big Family home evening.

July 25 2016

Happy Anniversary mom and dad. I love you so much. I also love being here during this wonderful time of service. This Saturday is the baptism of a 9 year old girl who is the daughter of a less active. Then also on this Saturday we have the marriage of the Justiniano family who have been working for this day for over 4 months. Then the next week Sis Justiniano and her oldest son Jorge (9), both get baptized, and we are in the process of getting Bro. Justiniano an interview for tomorrow to receive the priesthood this Sunday so he can baptize his wife and son next Saturday the 8th of August. Also the 6th of August is Independence Day here in Bolivia so it´s gonna be fun packed but probably not as great as Independence Day in the States but whatever. Then the 13th we have a guy who is already married to his less active wife and he wants to be baptized as well. But not only that but because he lives with his parents in law, everyone helps him learn while we´re not there and he already knows about the temple and sealings. He wants to be sealed so that he never has to separated from his wife or his new baby girl. We are super excited. Elder Sierra my comp from Florida and I. His parents are latinos. His dad is from Guatemala and his mom is from Colombia. They both moved to Florida and there they met and there they stayed.

July 18 2016

We had a Welcome Conference for President Rodríguez last week. Here are my comps. Left to right are Elder Viscafé from Bolivia, Elder Sánchez from Colombia and Elder Talaverano my current comp from Peru.