elder kearl learned chuukese all on his own...very proud of him!

loving missionary work in Yigo and advice for little sister

Hey Mom, Dad, Emily and Scott!

I am doing really good! It has really been a crazy week, i'll start with the good news!!

Ivan came to church and went on the YSA hike, the baptism and GED class!! He loves it and he feels awesome! We had 4 investigators at church yesterday! The bishop is back and we are really excited to work together. He is putting together a list of people to see (mostly part member families)! We also have some other good investigators we are working with. I met a korean guy who wants to hear the gospel (in Saipan, that never happened).

Bad news is we had dropped Micheal, turns out he had no real intent, only met with us to find a "true friend". He is really odd and has had alot of people pick on him. We talked with him yesterday about our purpose and how we help people follow Jesus Christ and he was really ticked at us! So we stopped, said a prayer and then left. The thing is he really knows the relief society president and so he might spread rumours about us, but Sister Kho knows about his difficulties and she knows us and why we are here and so it will work out! Also, we told Bishop who knew him before and he supports us. He felt we did the right thing and he said if there is something being said, he will put a stop to it! It is really awesome to know that Bishop trusts us! He really wants to work with us we have helped reactivate quite a few people. One of them, Jason, is teaching his cousin with us and they will get baptized soon. I know I am supposed to be here! I love Yigo so much!! We felt the Spirit when we were talking to another investigator, Michael. All in all things are really going well, we are receiving alot of blessings and we have really grown here! We are so blessed!

Sorry to hear about your allergic reaction this week mom. About going grey mom....don't be ashamed! (its a chamorro saying)

Emily, I would totally go to BYU over University of Victoria if I were you. You would have more friends with standards like you. Alot of girls in Micronesia get pregnant or start doing other bad stuff at like 16 or 17 because of friends and alot of guys go to jail or are in trouble with the police. Funny thing is we were talking to this 20 year old girl and we asked her where her boyfriend was. She said "he's in court for his 16 year olds brothers hearing court stuff" and then said, "You know when you are little and you are with your friends and you get in trouble with the cops, they did something like that" She said that like it happens to everyone and we both thought, 'that's never happened to us!' Alot of Micronesian men have found God and started seriously praying while they are in jail.

I have not received your package with the dress shirts, probably tomorrow or the next day. My dress shoes are fine. I don't need anything at all right now. Thanks for taking such good care of me MOM.

The work is good and I am so happy to be serving the Lord in Micronesia.

I love you all,
Elder Dan Kearl

punks in the ranches

Dear Mom,
I am great, and Guam is great!!! Time has been going really fast!

HOW ARE YOU?

We had 5 investigators come to church yesterday so were are pretty happy about that. We have been doing alot of chapel tours that really helps meet new people.

Some crazy stuff happened this week! Me and Elder Tadd saw this HUMONGOUS BASEBALL BAT and so we took some pictures with it! On Friday, some punks in the ranches threw some rocks at our rear windshield and completely destroyed it! We are using Talofofos car for now!

Also, I spoke in church yesterday. I haven't really had to do that very often on my mission. I think it went relatively well, I spoke on the Plan of Salvation! That same day I had to sub for Gospel Principles and found out only 5 minutes before class started!

We have been really trying hard to work with members. We have been scheduling times to go teaching with members every week!

Skiing sounds like fun. I hope you had a good time together as a family in Kalispel. I remember going there with Taggs years ago. I can't wait till I can go with you guys next winter.

How did your final go? Dad told me you are almost done nursing school, that is so awesome! I received an email from Grandpa Rosenvall, it was awesome! Crazy that Chantae is a married woman now.

Well I gotta go, love ya, see ya, bye
Elder Kearl

connection with Aunt Liana

Hey Mom and family,

Guam is good, it is really good!

Chuukese Gospel Principles was very interesting today. The sister who was called to teach it didn't know what to do, so everyone just sat down read the lesson manual and we read some scriptures! She has no idea how to teach and lead a class discussion. Many micronesians have never taught before. As missionaries, we helped this sister teach the lesson. Bro and Sister Raymond (he was in the branch presidency in Barriagada) are going over to her house to teach her how to teach effectively, which is very cool, he is a great man. He is on fire when it comes to the gospel.

I have almost completed my language masters! I am so happy!

You asked about Valentine's Day here...The stores here celebrate valentines day the people are not that into it! Micronesians don't show affection and they don't go on dates. They just find a boyfriend or girlfriend and get married! They don't hug or kiss or hold hands in front of people!

Elder Tadd and I had a good week, 3 people came to church and another one almost came but his ride was late. His name is Ivin, he was really prepared to hear the gospel and he really likes meeting with us.

I also found someone who knows Lianna! Lianna... do you know the Deleon family in Palau? I showed Grace Deleon your picture when you were a missionary and she recognized your face. She said she knew you. Her family was baptized in Yap, the dad was branch president there then moved back to Palau. She said her mom fed the missionaries all the time and you would know your mom! Here is an update for you...she married this Samoan guy in the 90's and he got baptized in 2000, they were sealed in 2005 in the Manilla Philippines Temple and she is Primary President. When her husband speaks in church he doesn't even use the microphone, he is really loud! She also works for the church!

Well I gotta go,  Love ya,

Elder Kearl

same old, same old

Dear Mom

I am doing very good, how are you?

I hope the Trojan basketball tournament was fun to watch! Way to go Emily for taking 1st place at the tournament. I am glad you could watch, I wish I could have seen Emily play! Thats awesome that Emily was accepted into BYU! Thats exciting about Peters mission call to Denver Colorado! I know he's going to be a great missionary and have a good time while he's there!

Th Missionary work is going pretty good. We had this ward activity on the weekend and some members brought their friends and we were able to make some appointments with them! The ward is becoming stronger each week. Some recent converts and less actives received callings! We have a chuukese Sunday school teacher now. I let her borrow my Chuukese bible since she doesn't have one! Elder Tadd and I had been teaching and subbing for it! None of the people we are really focusing on came to church this week but something will happen, I know that!

My camera is still working, I bought one that is very durable! The next transfer date is February 29.

I am wondering if you can apply to Mount Royal, U of L, and U of C for me, just to keep my options open. I am still leaning towards attending BYU but we'll see how I feel when I get home.

My testimony has grown alot since I have been a missionary. I know the gospel is true and it can really help everyone.

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Love Elder Kearl