Merry Christmas from Texas!

Our Skype call with Elder Kershaw was wonderful! He is happy and working hard. He has about 5 weeks left of his mission and he got a little emotional when talking about leaving Texas. 

"This has been my home for 2 years, I love the people here and love teaching the gospel. It will be hard to say goodbye." He said his goals for the next few weeks are to read the Book of Mormon again and continue working with his investigators. 

Christmas Week

Dear mom and family this week was so great.

We set a baptism date with a boy named Charlie he is a cool kid. His date is set for the tenth of January it will probably be my last baptism so that will be neat. I am a district leader and that is going good. I don't have to speak that much, just once a week at district mtg. This weekend was quite the experience of seeing family. I had dinner with Corey & Jen  on Saturday. They are a really nice family, not super interested in the gospel though. Then on Sunday I was so surprised to see Christina. 

It was so cool, it was weird to see her and talk with her but it was a lot of fun.

I cant wait to Skype y'all on Christmas it will probably be in the afternoon. We have a zone mtg in the morning on Christmas. I cant wait to see y'all and talk with y'all have a great couple days. Love Elder Kershaw

It's Christmastime

Hi Mom and Family. I had a good week. We are teaching several people... a 14 year old boy in one family and a man of another part member family. We have good lessons. Ranae and Terrell have set a baptism date for December 27th. That is exciting. 

I will be staying in Carrolton for my last transfer. Hard to believe my mission is at that point now. I am glad I will be staying here. My companion and I get along good. We don't have a lot in common, but he is a good kid and works hard. 

I am excited for Christmas. The one message we are teaching this Christmas time is that of the gift of the Savior. That is the best Christmas gift we have been given.

 Here is the link to a great video, HE is the Gift

Also here is another amazing video of The Piano Guys singing Angels we have heard on High. It is from the record breaking Largest Live Nativity in history. They so beautifully help us feel the sacredness of the Savior's Birth. 

I love y'all so much. I am excited to Skype on Christmas! 

Have a good week!

Love, Elder Kershaw

Working Hard Again, makes me happy!

Dear Mom and family,

This week was pretty good. We are working very hard. We are teaching Ranae and Terrell. They are going to get baptized sometime this month. They are progressing very well. We are also working with a man named Jon. He is a very heavy smoker, a pack a day plus 6 cigars. We are trying to help him quit smoking. He is a very cool guy.

I am a district leader over a trio of sisters. This last Saturday they had a baptism so my companion and I went to help. I was able to give the baptismal interview. It is a cool experience to interview for baptism. I could feel the spirit so strong. My companion helped with the baptism. 

I think I am going to Momma Holm's for Christmas. I am excited to be able to Skype y'all.

This next week is transfers, my LAST one. I don't think I will be transferred, but you never know so just don't send anything that wouldn't get here before next Monday. 

I am glad Dad was able to change the water pump. That is really cool the experience he had. The Lord truly does answer our prayers in all things. I'm sure he is glad to have it done, I wish I could have been there to help him. 

I'm excited for Boise State, I hope they win the Fiesta Bowl again. Thanks for my Christmas package. It was fun to put up my tree and ornaments. 

It sounds like everyone is growing up so much. I love y'all so much!

Love, Elder Kershaw

Thanksgiving

Dear Mom, this week was good. It is kind of crazy taking over three wards, but it keeps us busy which is good. My companion that left is just with the assistants now. I'm not sure where he will go. He and the missionary that was here last transfer made some very stupid choices so my companion and I are cleaning up their mess. It is good though, I like this area, the members are fantastic here and really help us out. We have one family we are teaching pretty regularly, Ranae and Terreal they are getting baptized hopefully on the thirteenth of December. They are pretty cool. 

Thanksgiving was ok, the food was good it just wasn't turkey and mashed potatoes. Sounds like y'all had a fun Thanksgiving. I cant wait for Christmas and it is in only three weeks away. I also got to speak in church Sunday. That was my first time speaking in awhile I talked about the power of true conversion, it went very well. 

That is so cool about Boise State, I hope they go to the Fiesta Bowl... Go Bronco Nation! 

I talked to Momma Holm, she said they loved going out there and they had a great time.

I love y'all so much! Have a great week,

Love Elder Kershaw

Dear family this has been a crazy week! First of all, Elder Verdine my last companion got emergency transferred. My new companion is Elder Roberts from Driggs, Idaho. He has been out about 7 months. There was a bunch of really bad stuff that happened last transfer before I got here, so basically I am cleaning up other elders messes. I don't know the area so it is a little stressful, but it is ok. Pops Holm came and gave me a blessing last night which helped a lot. I feel like the Lord is just putting me through the refiners fire this last part of my mission. 

It is a good thing this ward has work and we have a baptism date coming up on December 13th, which will be very exciting. It is Ranae and Terreal, they love the church! The members here are goo. Because we cover three wards, it is going to be kind of hard to get to know them very well. But I feel there is lots of potential in this area. 

It has gotten warmer here, it is in like the sixties and  feels pretty good. Sounds like y'all have fun plans for Thanksgiving. We are going to just go to a couple members for dinner and lunch. I don't think we have too many plans.

I think Boise State will win over Utah State...I am converted to Bronco football since I have been away from it for so long.

 I love y'all so much, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 Love always, Elder Kershaw   

Karma's Baptism

Dear Mom and Family,
This week was great. I love Carrolton. it is right next to where I started my mission in Coppell. Elder Verdine is an awesome companion. He is from Portland, Oregon and has been out for about 6 months. He is a great guy to work with. This change for me was definitely inspired. I am so happy and doing great! We cover three wards in Carrolton so we stay very busy. Sunday we were at church from 7am - 5pm. It was very long, but very rewarding!
On Saturday I had the time of my life going back to Tyler, Texas. I was able to go back and baptize Karma. She didn't know I was coming, so it was a surprise for her. I also got to see the Gallamore's, and Brother & Sister Brock. It was so much fun! I got to meet Karma's dad (who she hasn't even seen in a few years. He came for her baptism). It just made me so grateful to have a family together that loves each other. I loved seeing all of them.  Karma lives with her mom and step-dad. I baptized her mom and sister while I served in Tyler.

I did get your letter in the mail. I noticed you didn't put the apartment # (707) on it, but the mail lady knows which box is the missionaries.  I have Corey & Jen's #, I will get a hold of them, it would be great to see them again. Tell Dad I can't wait for his surprise at Christmastime. I can't believe I will be home in 11 weeks. When I unpacked in Carrolton, I thought to myself, the next time  I unpack, it will be home in Idaho. I am doing great though, It is fun to be an old missionary. I live near an airport so when other missionaries see it, they remind me I have to give someone a blessing. I love y'all so much. Have a great week!