5th Letter from California

It is kind of hard to believe that we only have two weeks left of this transfer. This past week has been interesting, filled with highs and lows. There is a man by the name of ###### #######. He has only missed one of the investigator classes since we have been here. His reason for not having us over is he doesn't want to force the religion on his kids. Who by the way are getting very active in YM/YW. His son has even expressed intrest in a mission. So yeah, we finally got a meeting with him !!!

Brother ###### didn't do his reading and is still standing by his baptism, but on the bright side, his sister seemed intrested when we stopped by to follow up last night. She asked for a French copy of the Book of Mormon.

Sierra is being a good little girl and keeping all of her commitments so we are still on track there.

Today we had a lesson with a guy by the name of #########. He is Catholic and from what we can gather he knows the bible like the back of his hand his main concern is the length of the great apostasy. So we will pray thaat he reads 3 Nephi 11 and prays for his answer.

One lady that the ward mission leader pointed out to us at church on Sunday is Named ######### ######### she attended Divinity School, but droped it because she diddnt agree with the paryer time where you were required to "speak in tounges" then translate what another student was saying. She has attended church off and on for the past couple of years and we are hoping to get her to take the next step.

Love you more than Raspberry Cheesecake,
Chris

4th Letter from California

Well hey, its good to know that you miss me almost as much as I miss you guys.

Thanks, they are holding all packages @ the mission home and they will be delivered during district meeting tomorrow. So if they have it, that is when I'll get it.I am still floored that Christmas is 2 days away, it so doesn't feel like it. And you don't need to worry President and Sister Brady got all of the missionaries a little somthing and my compaions family actually sent me something to my suprise and delight. I will definatly be sending them a thank you note.

I am glad to see that you are being of service. My companion and I have been working at the local food bank for our weekly sirvice project and that is actually alot of fun.

Merry Christmas
Love you more than fudge,
Chris

3rd Letter from California - 1st Baptism

Well I am glad you are finally getting a chance to breathe, and it was no big deal about the Ice Cream it was just 2.50.

I like the hand writen letter idea much better. Thats cool that you have a cousin here in Fallbrook and as a missionary, I thank you for the member referral ( ha ha ) Well, I have news for you that I was going to wait to share untill the Christmas phone call but I cant. My companion and I have set our first baptismal date!!! Her name is ######### #######. Her parents were less active but have decided to come back to church and since she is 9 we have to give her the lessons, and she is soaking them up like a sponge.

Anyway the mission president has told us not to disclose our actual apartment address just the area we are in so yeah.

Love you more than Resins,
Chris

2nd Letter from California

You guessed it tuesday is now my Pday. I have been sent to a small town called Fallbrook serving in the second ward. My new companion's name is Elder Archibald. He has a great entuisiasm for the work. I am killing him which is mission talk for I am his last companion before he goes home. The ward has been so excited to have us beacuse before that they had to share a set of elders with one of the other Fallbrook wards.

The people have been cordial. No one has been overly harsh. Usually if we try to teach them we get a response that goes somthing like this "I admire and respect what you do, but I am already *insert branch of Christianity here*. Any how we have had 4 new investigators and some less active and part member families that are showing intrest in the church. One familiy, the ######## returning to activity and we are teching their 9 year old daughter the lessons so she can be baptized. The ####### are a part member family origionally for Haiti. The father is the non member he is now in the Marines. He translates for his wife, she speaks Creole French and basic English. We challenged him to read Moroni 10 and pray about it so we will se how that goes.

I just got back form the San Diego temple, Wow what a sight !!!

No i did not spend $160 at the MTC. I kept the 100 I had for anything I may need on the flight or here in Fallbrook. That is what I bought the bike with and a couple sets of garments, a back up set of Scriptures and lunch at In and Out on the way home from the temple. Tell Sis Nicolas I am now an Animal Style addict !!!!

Love
Elder Christopher McKenna

1st Letter from California

Dear Family,

I am writing at the beginning of my first full day in California! My companion, Elder Archibald, has a great enthusiasm for the work. We dove in right after dinner. In total we contacted 21 people, one couple even agreed to have us over for a lesson!! We are still waiting to get our hands on the area book so we can see who else we can be of service to. I will probably write again on Tuesday (P-day) to tell you about the ward,

Love,
Elder Christopher A. McKenna

Fifth Letter from the MTC

Dear Family,

Yes I am sure the music is approved. (Referring to some music he had requested to be sent.) They were playing Josh Groban in the mail room the other day and the other two songs are hymns. Did you get the letter I sent about MTC life? I did get the shoes, now for the fun part, breaking them in!! We have a dry cleaners on sight and getting suit done is about 5 bucks. I got one cleaned to wear the day of the flight so I can look my best for President Bradey. Thanks for the goodies, the carmel corn is almost gone. But I am saving the pumpkin bread for tomorrow.

I know what you feel about the spirit directing you lessons. I have felt that happen here. The only problem is the teacher who supervises us keeps tearing us limb from limb with her comments. On the bright side, I feel like I have the doctrine down. I have the first vision memorized and my scriptures have been marked with the first two lessons and a few panic button just in case. It is awsome the blog is running smoothly. Any as far as the gossip Mary sent me, did Missy really dump ###### for good this time?

Love Chris

Fourth Letter from the MTC "Life at the MTC"

Dear Family,

Dad said he wanted to know more about MTC life so here goes.

First off, the tree of life now has privacy stalls. I will never look at orange juice the same again because if you combine that with the food it does strange things to the body..#@%&*(%$#!!@. To top that off, I have gained 7 pounds in my first week!

The classes are amazing. Our teachers Sister Horton and Brother Roberts are very in tune with the spirit and of course the lessons always come at right time. Elder Sanders and I are starting to get the hang of the lessons. I have marked several scriptures I am referring to as my panic button scriptures. They answer common questions that may come up as we present the doctrine.

Then we have the referal center. This is where all the calls that are sparked from the commercials come in. I had some interesting experiences there. My favorite happened last night. I had a Southern Baptist call in that wanted to know about the "Mormon Testament." He seemed very excited to learn about the Gospel.

Then there is the Teaching Evaluation Center. Also known as the emotional rollar coaster. The first two times we have gone in confident with a great lesson plan, then the investigator throws in a question that we are not prepared for and the lesson implodes upon itself. Hence the panic button scriptures.

All my love,
Elder Christopher McKenna

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for the goodies. :-)

Third Letter from the MTC

Hello McKenna Family,

I hope you are ajdusting well. Missy, The MTC blows EFY out of the water!!!and dont worry you only have 103 more weeks untill you can have your brother back ha ha. Mary I love the bear and mom thanks for the chocolate katie sounds like you have had rough couple of days I want you to know that you are in my prayers.

Time is starting to go by really fast. So far Elder Sanders and i have taught three discussions and all i have to say is bring on the inactive non denominatioal christians becouse we have done really well with these, the problem is if the teacher is posing as a christian who knows what their talking about they throw in a question that we are not prepared for and we end up leving with a strong desire to rip our hair out because we cant come up with a scripture to ansewr the questions.

On the bright side I almost have the first vision memorized:)anyway, My roomates and I have joind the MTC Chior and that is a blast. Heres the best part we got to sing infornt of Jeffery R Holland last night :O and his talk was so full of energy and passion it was amazing. Lets just say that if any one had thought about going home there is no way they felt like that after he spoke. i feel like i am in heaven on earth, Could you do me a favor my roomates and i are getting slightly sick of MOTAB could you send me four copies of a CD with Come thou fount by Kate Pickett Lawyer, Spirit of God, Same Artist You Raise me Up, Dont Give up Josh Groban and any other lds solo artist.

Love you All
Chris

PS pet diggie for me

Second Letter from the MTC

Dear Family,

It is coming up on the end of my first week at the MTC and wow wht an experience. We have had an eye opening lessons on planning. On Friday I had one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Our teacher, Sister Horton had some sets of Elders come and pretend to by Hindu investigators of Christianity. That was an adventure.

Saturday was our first gym period. It turns out I'm not so bad at basketball. Sunday was absolutely incredible. I probably had the most spiritual sacrament meeting of my life. Then most of my district and I went to choir practice. The firesides were absolutely amazing. The first one was with President and Sister Maden. That was brilliant. My favorite talk was President Maden's. He applie missionary work to "Come thou font of Every Blessing." I want you to try this, look up the lyrics and substitute Eben - Ebenizer for stone of faith and substitute fetter for shackle. Lets just say the spirit hit me so hard I was openly bawling.

All my Love
Elder Christopher McKenna

First letter from the MTC

Dear Mom, Dad, Bissa, Schmade, and Shrimp,

I just finished by first day at the MTC. Wow the spirit here is amazing. My heart was pounding the entire day. My companion, Elder Sanders, is a great guy. I can't wait to study more with him. I found Elder Davidson. He is my district leader and one roommate. It is only day one and I can hardly wait for more.

All my Love,

Elder Christopher McKenna

P.S. Mary your bear will be in many pictures to come.