1 year mark and his first transfer to.........

sidenote: It was exactly one year ago this weekend that we had Dan's open house and farewell to leave on his mission. Even on that day, he did not have his US visa and we knew that if it didn't arrive the next day he would not be leaving for another six weeks. Dan was ready to leave and Derek was ready for him to leave as well. Derek said that if there was a God in heaven it would come on time and it did, the very next morning. I knew it was transfers this week and so as usual my mind was thinking about him all day wednesday, wondering where he was. He has been in Saipan for his whole mission and it has been a very positive experience for him. As his mother, I was excited to hear of his transfer and that he was adjusting well. I knew it would be very hard for him to say goodbye to the people in Saipan, he had really grown to love them. Derek and I giggled tonight as we thought of him translating into the language of Chuukese. I had memories of him as a 4 year old taking him to speech therapy weekly at the Glenrose Hospital in Edmonton to learn prepositions, etc. His speech therapist would be thrilled to see where he is today. This boy has come such a long way in his life. I love him so very much and wouldn't want him anywhere else but where he is.  julie


Hey Mom,

Ran Annim

Man, this so crazy. How are you? OK so I got transferred to..........................................................................Guam! So crazy.

I am white washing an area with Elder Tadd in Yigo North. Elder Tadd just came off Mand in Pohnphei. He was the branch president there. This is his first time off his island too. We are by the Anderson air force base here in Guam. It was hard to say goodbye to Saipan. But.....I like Guam its an awesome place! We are having fun.

I can't even describe how sad I was to say goodbye to the island of Saipan. Guam feels very modernized compared to Saipan. The ward is awesome. The members like to have the missionaries over alot and to work with them. The past few days the Bishop has come out with us showing us where all the members live. We went to the ranches on saturday where all the less active chuukese families live. I have never spent so much time speaking chuukese. I was even asked to translate Gospel Principles class and priesthood, it was very interesting. During gospel principles I was translating for this one lady and her small son kept spitting on my hand and kicking me and the mom just kept giving me candy. That was interesting to me that she did nothing about her son.

I am having fun but also really stretching myself and progressing in the language. Its exhausting being a missionary but so worth it. We found this pohnpheian family yesterday. I am so glad Elder Tadd speaks Pohnpheian, it will help us reach so many more people in this area. He has been out for a year and a half. We made so many appointments with less active and part member chuukese families. The work is going to progress so much here, I just know it.

These pictures are saying goodbye to members at the Saipan airport. I left with Sister Tennant, she is done her mission.

Please tell everyone they can send mail to the mission home.

Oh yeah, I just found out that I can email grandparents but I won't do it all the time.

Well I gotta go,

I love you,

Love Elder Kearl

plugging along in saipan

Dear Mom,

That is exciting that you are finished your Psych Rotation. Are you excited to care for seniors?

I have no idea what is happening for transfers this week. There were supposed to be 3 new elders coming this transfer but 2 of them got delayed, so I think that switches things up, I have no idea!

I have some ideas of what I would want for christmas! Maybe a tie or two, a belt, a pair of crocs (turns out we can wear them while proselyting if we wear socks and I have been wearing mine but another pair would be nice, Black to match my socks and pants). Maybe some food or candy! Thats all I can think of for now!

The senior couple arrived here on Monday, Elder and Sister Jones. They are really funny and super nice! They remind me of President and Sister Dowdle a little bit! Oddly enough they also remind me of you two! They are CES misionaries helping out with Institute and YSA stuff. We are so excited to have them on Saipan!

Saipan is doing really good. We had a baptism on friday where 2 of the sisters investigators got baptized! Perry, one of our investigators is getting baptized on Wednesday and we are looking forward to that. Transfer calls are this week on wednesday too! So it is going to be a fun week.

Ummm nothing else much new! I helped give someone the Melchezidek Priesthood to a guy named Arthur who is going to australia on his mission in December.  The computers aren't working this week so I can't send pictures but I will try again next week. Sorry! I can't believe I have been out a year, I feel so old!

Love Elder Kearl

short and sweet but amazing pictures make up for it

sidenote: There has been much discussion in the past few weeks between Derek and I about what we are able and willing to do as parents to help our kids obtain an education in a reasonable, fair and equitable manner. I have tried to not ask Dan too many questions about what his plans are for when he gets home from his mission. As of right now, he has been accepted to BYU for January 2013 but other schools have not been ruled out. Yesterday, I felt very impressed that I needed to share with Dan what we had agreed upon and emphasize to him that as parents, we really value education. When I received Dan's email I was reminded of how aware the Lord is of each of us. It assured to me the importance to share our thoughts and feelings with others when we feel prompted, even if we don't know why. I had no way of knowing that Dan was thinking about this very thing too and needed reassurance. It reminded me of the quote by Spencer W. Kimball where he reminds us that Heavenly Father does hear our prayers but it is usually through someone else that he answers them. For this I am grateful. i love my boy!!!! julie

Hey Mom

How are you? I am doing just fine! Ben got confirmed this week by Elder Cook! We were all really happy and its nice to know that the ward is behind him 100%! My next transfer is next week on the 26th or 27th I believe!

That is so exciting about Grandma and Grandpa entering the MTC today. I'm sure it was a little sad for them to say goodbye too. I know they will enjoy being missionaries and serving the missionaries in London! The new senior couple is coming in today and we are all excited to meet them. The assistants met them last night and they told us that they are very awesome and very nice. They will really help the Saipan ward and we are all looking forward to their efforts in the Lord's work.

Thats so crazy that Danielle and Jeremy Stanford were both called to the same mission in France but different languages. What are the chances of that? I know they will both be very good missionaries and will have fun.

I was very touched by what you said about my schooling when I get home. It means alot to me that you are willing to sacrifice so that I am able to get an education and that you believe in my ability to do so. It was a total answer to my prayers. I was thinking about this very topic last night before I went to bed. I was considering delaying school so I could work to save up some more money but then very clearly a thought came in to my mind saying 'don't worry about this, a way will be provided and it will all work itself out'. And then I received your email the next morning. My patriarchal blessing reminds me too that the Lord will help me in this regard. I am so blessed and I will not worry about it while I'm on my mission.

One thing that I have been able to improve on is using my money wisely and being thrifty! I am not perfect at it, but I have learned some tricks on how to save money and use it wisely. I regard the money I receive as a missionary as sacred funds and will not misuse it.

I love you all and hope you are able to recieve blessings that Heavenly Father has in store for you.

Love Elder Kearl

these pictures are from the American Memorial Park

another baptism

Hello Family

Thats a great family picture you sent me from Waterton. I remember climbing Bears Hump as a family, it is a good hike. I do have one concern....Joey looks very fat.

We have had a great week. Ben was baptized but he was not confirmed because we watched general conference and there was no sacrament meeting! Conference was great really awesome. I really liked the talks, especially Sister Daltons and Elder Callisters. I loved all the others too.

That's crazy that Grandpa and Grandma leave on the 17th. I am really happy they are going on a mission, they are setting a really good example by going. It reminds me of Elder Hollands talk where he say's that by going on a mission the couples are saying "in this family we go on mission's".

what happened to Patriarch Melchin that they needed to call Ian Miller? Did he die or did he move?

We don't have thanksgiving till Nov 26 and we are getting a new senior couple on Nov 20th. The other missionaries say that when there is a senior couple they usually help take care of the missionaries and they do stuff for holidays so thats exciting.

You asked me if i miss having seasons. I don't miss the weather changes at all, I love how summer is all year round.

I received the two packages you sent me, thank you very much.

I know that this church is true and I am very grateful for it.

I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Kearl

Here is a picture of Bens baptism, proof that I am getting fatter and yummy tacos we made.

more success in saipan and a trip to bird island....beautiful.

Hey Mom!

How are You? I am doing really good! I have had a really good week!

Ben, our investigator, is going to be baptized this coming week! It's so exciting. We taught him the Word of Wisdom last night and he said he would start to live it. He is very excited to be baptized! We are finding some new people but we feel super busy covering 2 areas.

We found this guy named Perry last week. He has parkinson's disease and he went to church and really enjoyed it! Luckily, he has some great fellowshippers!

I am having fun as a missionary for sure but the best part is just being immeresed in the Lord's work. I studied D&C 107 this week and I have been learning alot about the Priesthod. We had general Priesthood meeting here too and they talked about using ordanices not too much or too little and doing them the right way. They also talked about being prepared and to bring your consecrated oil with you all the time! The funny thing is, a members dad, one of our investigators was in the hospital and his daughter texted us and told us that he wanted us to visit him, turned out he wanted a blessing. What's ironic is I forgot to bring my consecrated oil right after we just talked about it. Luckily, my companion, Elder Cook had his and he asked me to seal the annointing. We really felt the spirit afterwards and there were some nonmembers visiting him at the time. We visited him later and he was doing fine. He had attended church a couple months ago and has since read the whole triple and the book of mormon! When we went back to see if he is ok he was recovering after surgery but he was awake. He said after you gave me the blessing I asked my daughter to go get the Book of Mormon and I have been reading it faithfully and it has helped me alot right now. He also said that he wants to go to church when he feels healthy enough to do so. His daughter Vicky, who is very active has been to the temple told us he was sad he couldn't come this week because of his health but he will come next week. He also really appreciated our visits she said and he wants to continue to learn more. We are excited for him.

We don't watch general conference until next week because of the huge time difference. I heard they are building another temple in Provo amd one or two in africa and in Wyoming. Also, I thought I heard something about France! I don't know for sure!

Hey mom I was wondering if you could put ten dollars in my bank account. I want to buy a memory card reader it only costs ten dollars.

We are going to have a crazy week this week!

I am excited to hear where Jeremy Stanford will be going and pleased that Danielle Stanford has been called to France. Thats going to be fun. No, I haven't received any of the packages you have sent yet but I look forward to them.

These are some pictures from Bird Island, I love it there.

I love you all.

see ya, bye

love Elder Dan Kearl

sidenote: the top picture is one that dan letter mailed to me from the saipan zone conference when he met his new mission president, Pres. Mecham. The first thing I noticed was the sister missionaries wearing matching shirts...a little strange but cute. Then it looked like Dan had spilt spaghetti on his shirt. As a mother, I rolled my eyes. Then, I realized Sister Mecham had the same "spots" on her white shirt. So I figured perhaps she also spilt spaghetti on her shirt. I then saw some "spots" on Elder Cook's white collar too. I am assuming it was probably something that happened in processing the photo. I like the latter assumption. you have to click on the picture to see what i'm talking about. anyhow, it's 11 months tomorrow...yipee!!!!!! julie

lots of pictures!

Ranannim Famini!!

Ifa soum? How are you?

I am doing fine! Its really weird being in a threesome (3 elders in a companionship) but I am getting used to it!

I bet the food drive was fun! That is such a great service project and I remember doing it with the family. They don't do anything like that here.

How was the temple trip? I'm glad Dad, Emily and Scott could all go. That is fun to hear that you are going to Hawaii for Christmas.

To answer your question, President Mecham did not give me any indication about how long I will be staying in Saipan. By the end of this transfer I will have been in Saipan for a whole year, so weird!

I was happy to hear that you are enjoying your clinical rotation in the psych ward! There are alot of people here who are crazy but still really good people. In this culture it seems that everyone enjoys being themselves and are not ashamed! Its the saying here, 'don't be ashamed!'

Well the missionary work is going alright. Ben is progressing towards Baptism, we set a date for Oct 8. We know he has a word of wisdom problem so we are going to work on that with him. We have other investigators now that our area has merged! We are struggling to keep appointments with people.

In our threesome we have lots of fun and laugh a lot. We found a funny sign about dogs, i'll send you a picture of it. We also found a church with a sign that says 'YE DAM CHURCH'! I thought it was funny, I will send you a picture sometime! I need to take it first though! ( did not end up taking that picture)

I Love ya,
see ya,
bye!
Love Elder Kearl

sidenote: today in the mail i received dan's memory card he sent me from micronesia. it had 183 pictures on it, some i had seen, some were new! it felt like christmas morning. i have included some of my favorites!

threesome and a time capsule

Ranineem Ai Famini

How are you? I am doing great! No, I did not get transferred, I'm still on Saipan. My area changed a little bit! I am.......in a threesome! so crazy! I am with Elder Cook and Elder Early in the CK area and the San Jose area, we are covering two areas. Fun! We are so busy and we are doing really good.

Ben, our investigator, does not have a baptismal date set yet. He has little ability to speak english so we have to take it slowly! But as missionaries we are working hard and having fun. Its hilarious being with these guys, all three of us get along really well. We had this really funny 3 hour discussion about the elements and soy milk powder. It was really dumb but it was funny! Man, I am doing so good!

Thanks for sending me a copy of the talk you gave in stake conference mom, it was awesome! I am glad grandpa and Laura came to support you.

I feel so old now, its insane. It feels like I have been here forever. We are trying to work with the Bishop and the ward council more. Because I have been on the island so long, the bishop called me an old fart.

It was awesome to fly to Guam last week for Zone Conference. Elder Stevenson (visiting from SLC) gave us lots of training! He's funny and really awesome. He always says "oh my word" He always remembers your name too! He doesn't call you Elder, he calls us using the japenese way. So for Elders, he will say chorro at the end, so I'm Kearl Chorro and for sisters shima (like Tennant shima). He's a great teacher. He will mention a gospel topic and ask what page is that in Preach my Gospel or what scripture talks about The spirit (for example) and every one will look it up and then he will talk about it in depth. Unfortunately, we had no time to take pictures because we had to go to the airport right after! But I will send you a picture of everyone who was there.

Have you received any of my pictures or letters I sent? I am still loving stuff from your package, it was so awesome, thank you mom.

I am loving being a missionary here in Saipan. ALthough I can't believe I will hit a year mark on November 3. We are having lots of fun working hard and staying busy!

Well I gotta go. I sent you some pictures of a van we found that was very old and hidden in the jungle and also a picture from church last week in the tagolag sunday school class. the guy to the right of me, the really dark one standing up, thats Brother Tamayo, he is really awesome and funny. We are really close, I love him so much, he always helps us with Missionary Work helps bring in many people to the church each year!

Well I love ya!  C ya, Bye, Love your son

Elder Kearl

sidenote: At stake conference this weekend they talked about a time capsule that had been buried at the west stake center 11 years ago. they opened it and in it were letters some of the kids had included in it. i loved reading dan's and thought i would include a copy of it on his blog.

My name is Danny Kearl. I am 8 years old. I was just baptized and it was really cool. I really like playing nintendo 64, my favorite game is pokemon stadium. I also like collecting pokemon cards. When i grow up i want to be a lawyer just like my dad. When this time capsule is unburied i will be 18. In one year i will go on a mission. I would like to go to germany or scotland so i can try haggis. We are learning about these countries in school. I hope that i will always choose the right and keep the comandments. I am a good boy and help my mom and dad a lot. I have really nice friends, they are Jare Squire, Steven Franchuk, Jared Mclellan, Michael Tagg and Michael Leavitt. I hope i will choose friends wisely. I have a sister, Emily and a brother, Scott. I hope my mom has another baby. I am happy to be a member of the church. I like to read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Danny Kearl