Broken Refrigerators and new Mission Presidents

As you can tell by the subject, it has been an exciting week. This morning, as I was eating my bowl of cereal, I noted that my milk was a tad warmer than milk should be. We checked, and found out that on full blast, our fridge could only go as low as 40 degrees, and on normal it would get as high as 55. So in a hurry, we moved all of our food to the church fridge (fingers crossed that it's still there when we go to pick it up). Not quite sure what's wrong with it, but the apartment staff promised we'd have a new one by tomorrow, so that's exciting.

But even more exciting than that is the announcement of who our new mission president is going to be this July. We got a call out (a voice message) from President Gonzalez telling us that our new mission president is going to be Larry Gillwick, and went on to say:

"some of you may have heard of Larry Gillwick. He coached the highly successful Highland Rugby team for 37 years, and the movie 'Forever Strong' is based on him and his efforts",

Ironically, my companion and I had just been talking that morning about how we weren't sure anyone could fill the shoes of President Gonzalez and the great work that he has done. Now we're getting Larry Gillwick, who was depicted in the movie 'Forever Strong'. I think some exciting things are going to happen in this mission, or should I say, continue to happen.

Other than those exciting things, we've been having delightfully spring-like weather, and very little rain. Maybe California weather isn't so bad after all. Just kidding, talk to me in 3 months.

I love and miss you all!
-- Elder Keenan Monnett

Sanger!

Here I am, sitting in the small town of Sanger, which is just east of Fresno, emailing home. It has been an odd series of events that have led up to this moment, and I'll cover some of them now. When I had my interview with president, he informed that I would be transferring to Sanger, living with the zone leaders, and covering English work. I'm glad that he told me that, because if he hadn't, I wouldn't have found out till I got to Sanger. For some reason or another, these transfers have been horribly unorganized. One missionary didn't even know that he was going to be a District Leader until the day he was supposed to start.

Currently I am living with the Zone Leaders, who cover the spanish work in Sanger, with my companion, Elder Giesey (Florence, Kentucky). Sanger is quite a small town, and the population is largely Hispanic. The only large Grocery store in town is Super Walmart. The Zone leaders speak spanish, and my companion speaks spanish, so needless to say, soy aprendiendo espanol. The ward has a spanish group, instead of a spanish branch, so that means that the spanish speakers, and english speakers, meet together, and the meetings are translated into spanish. In fact, our Elders quorom meeting was all in spanish... I didn't get much out of it....

But, It's a good town. It sits far enough east of fresno that the Sierra-Nevada's aren't blocked as much by smog, so that's a beautiful sight, and there's a lot of nice country that we ride through around Sanger. Overall, I'd say its a nice town, and that I made out pretty well.

I love and miss you all!

Transfers!

All good things must come to an end. It has been a fun run in the Fig Garden ward, but transfer calls came, and I'm outta here. I have a long road ahead of me, all the way from the Fresno west stake, to the Fresno East Stake, to be with Elder Geisie (I think that's how you spell his name).... or am I? Thinks have been rather confusing in the last 10 minutes or so. For one, when Transfer calls came, they never told me which Area I was going to, and our district leader and zone leaders weren't sure why. Then about 10 minutes ago, the Assistants tracked me down, and told me to call president, who informed me that he wanted to have a "chat" with me, and to call him when I was done emailing... It's sort of like being called to the principals office, or when your parents ask you to come up to there room to talk. Nerves are a little on edge right now. I'm sure it's nothing, but we'll soon find out I suppose.

Other than that, things have been going really great. We went and saw Kathy Bates, who was in a car accidnet. She is awake now, and and we went by to see her not too long ago. She couldn't really talk, but we made her smile with our witty banter and good humor. The work in this area has also really picked up, and I'm sad to leave it, but happy for the next missionary that will get to experience the Fig Garden ward. As for me, who knows? I guess I will soon, and I guess all of you will sometime next week. I love you all!

Elder Keenan Monnett

A Week of Trials

This week has been a week full of very difficult trials. I think it's no coincidence that this week is also one of the better that I've had on my mission.

We'll start with the trials.

On top of what was seemingly, at first, an unproductive week, we got a call on Thursday night that an excommunicated member who we had been teaching quite regularly, whom we had grown rather close to, and who had suddenly become very serious about getting back into church, was involved in a major car accident. She's in critical condition, with a broken neck, and numerous internal injuries. She is unable to speak because they have to keep her sedated in order to keep her from squirming or moving and possibly separating the broken vertebrae. In the next few days, she will have a halo installed, which will keep her head immobilized. The big concern is that when that remove the current immobilizer in order to install the halo, they're afraid that the broken vertebrae will separate, and cause death, or paralysis. In that regard it has been a rough week for us, and I would like to ask everyone to keep her in your prayers. Her name is Kathy Bates, and she could use your help.

However, the lord never lets us experience trials in vain, and has a purpose for all things that we go through. This week was one of the best weeks that we have had since I've been in this area. Out of nowhere we found 3 very prepared people to teach the lessons to. I would gladly experience any of those trials again in order to experience the blessings that came after them, and such should be how we deal with life. Trials aren't always just the devil "trying to bring us down". Trials are necessary to the plan of salvation, and are very important to us progressing. There must needs be an opposition in all things, and sometimes we have to sink lower and lower for the lord to bring us higher.

Today was a wonderful blessing. We had the chance to go to Yosemite national park once more, and it is a land that truly testifies of God. It is one of the most beautiful parts of California, and it alone is a reason why I would want to come here again after my mission. It truly is a beautiful place, and it was nice to have that change of pace.

One last thing. The church has recently overhauled their Mormon.org website. Some of you may have seen it, and some of you not. The church is really taking this seriously. So much so, that every missionary in our mission, and as far as I know, the country, are required to spend 2 hours a week just looking around on the website, and create their own profile. This is something that really has a chance to further missionary work for good. So I want to challenge each of you to create your own profile on Mormon.org. It's really easy, and it could help bring somebody into the church, so what's to lose? And if you'd like to see just how far the church is coming in pushing this, head to boncom.com/mormon to see all of the advertisements.

I love and miss you all!

Elder Keenan Monnett

Respect your Elders (and feed them too!)

Another week, and the blessings keep coming. Elder Robb and I are continuing to take the missionfield by storm. I really am blessed to have such and awesome companion. So exciting changes have been happening. Last sunday, our bishopric in the Fig Garden ward was reorginized, and this last sunday, our stake presidency was reorginized, so everything is new! Another exciting thing about our Stake Conference, was that it was broadcasted, so we got to hear from President Packer, and President Eyering, and they both had some wonderful things to say. President Eyering spoke about Prophets, and how they are still mortal, still fallible, still subject to human emotions, and that we need to recognize that, while still understanding that they are called of God to stand over us, and guide us, and we need to follow them no matter what imperfections that we may percieve. This really hit home for me, as I haven't always been as patient with my leaders as I should be. They are still called of God to stand over me, and to help me and guide me, and that blessings will come from obedience to their instruction, no matter how imperfect they may be. This applies to almost everything in our life, but especially in the church. You may think that your bishop is the biggest idiot in the world, but he has been called of our heavenly father to lead you, so suck it up, and do what he says, because God will bless you for it.

That's all the time I have this week, until next!

I love and miss you all!


Elder Keenan Monnett

Another Week

...and they seem to be going by quicker. But we're not going to think about that. I feel like I have learned quite a few lessons this last week.

My first lesson is to always follow your leaders, even if you don't think they know best, because we are blessed for obedience, and the lord placed them there for a reason. Not that I was guilty of disobedience, but my attitude wasn't always best with my leaders. But it's not about their heart, it's about yours. You can think the person who leads you is the biggest idiot in the world, but you're the one that will pay the price for disobedience and poor attitude, not them.

Second, was follow the spirit, and don't get prideful when it makes you look amazing. I believed this was mentioned in Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk on pride. I had an experience this last week with teaching a lesson. An investigator asked a question, and I gave an answer that was definitely inspired by the spirit, because I didn't know the things I was saying before I started answering. Afterwords, the investigator made a comment on how good the answer that I gave was, and later, my companion too. Staying humble is tricky, because you can't put yourself down, and say "that wasn't me at all, I'm terrible" because God has chosen you for a reason, and it wasn't because you're terrible. But on the flip side, you can't get a big head.

These lessons both seem to fall in line with humility. We have to humbly submit to our leaders. We have to be humble to recieve inspiration, and later, humbly give credit where it is due. All in all, there's not a whole lot we can do without humility.

I love you all!

[SPAM]1/2

Ooops! Missed a week!

But nobody seemed to notice, so I'm just going to pretend it never happened.

Things in Fresno are going quite well. I have a new companion! His name is Elder Robb, from Highland, Utah, which marks my second Utah companion. He seems like a very good missionary in spite of this. The ward has put an entirely new emphasis on Missionary work to start off the new year, and we're really excited about what that is going to bring. Unfortunately we did not meet our goal of 6 baptisms in the area by the end of December, but we plan on accomplishing 12 more in this area for this year. I think it's a good goal. We had a great Christmas, and a good New Year (we got to watch the ball drop in time square for the east coast new year! Good enough for me!).

What is weird about the new year, is this thurday I hit my 1 year mark as a missionary. Half way. As I sit and look back at what the last year has brought, I realize that I have had some regrets. Times when I haven't tried as hard as I could have. Times when I wasn't obedient as I could have been. Luckily, someone made a way that I can take these mistakes, learn from them, and do better. This new year holds exciting prospects of what I can be. I very much look forward to it. I love and miss you all!

Elder Keenan Monnett

It's Christmas Time!

I simply cannot believe that it is already Christmas time. And what an amazing Christmas day it is already shaping up to be. What comes with Christmas time, besides presents, of course, is why it is we celebrate Christmas. Our mission president, during our "specialized training" (since we can only technically have 4 Zone Conferences a year) asked us why it is we focus on baby Jesus on Christmas. The obvious answer, of course, was that it is because we celebrate the birth of Christ. But then our mission president brought up a good point. Why do we celebrate birthdays? To celebrate our coming into this world. Ok, that's good, but when is the last time others focused simply on you as a baby during your birthday? The reason the Christian community focus' on baby Jesus during Christmas time, instead of celebrating Christ and his life in General, is because Baby Jesus is non-threatening. Baby Jesus just sits and looks cute. He does not ask you to get married, he does not ask you to stop drinking, or smoking, or gambling. It is something very easy and very simple to focus on, without feeling guilty about the way we have been living our lives. So I invite everyone to focus less on little cute baby Jesus, and focus more on what it is that Christ did for us this Christmas season. Our mission president then shared with us his Christmas scripture, and it is a little different than most Christmas scriptures: "For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yeah, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he died, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the lord. Yeah, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death--that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yeah, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord." (Helaman 14:15-17)

That is what Christ did for us. That is why we celebrate Christmas.

I love and miss you all!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

What's Your Conversion Story?

Today we had the opportunity to go to the temple. It was amazing! I wish we could go more often than we do, but you certainly can feel a palpable difference when you haven't gone in a few months. Now I can't wait for the next 4 1/2 months to go by, so I can go again!

I wanted to ask everyone who reads this email for their conversion story. Everybody has one. I heard it once said that "a conversion story doesn't come from joining the church passed the age of 9. A conversion is a series of events and feelings that brought you to know the truthfulness of the Gospel, and comes to members and non-members alike." We each have our own conversion stories, and I want to hear yours. So, Mom, Sandy, Dad, Tina, Val, Richard, Claire, Tyler, Ben, Lauren, Chris, and Haley, and all others who are reading this email, I expect an email waiting for me this coming Monday from all of you, telling me how you came to know the truthfulness of the gospel. A conversion story is a powerful thing, and testimonies can be strengthened by both sharing them, and hearing them. I look forward to hearing all of these stories, and learning what they can do to strengthen my Testimony. Thank you, and I love and miss you all!

P.S. Sandy, if you could ask your Mother for the same story, and Dad if you could ask Grandma and Grandpa Monnett for it... Thanks!

Elder Keenan Monnett

The No--the FresNO

Its been quite an eventful week, as is made evident by the lack of digital recording this week. Transfers wen't rather smoothly, and I was driven up to Fresno by my former companion, Elder Robertson. My new companion is Elder Lee, from Denver, Colorado, who has only been out about 7 weeks, but works like he's been out for over a year! He's such a good missionary. Also a certified Auto Mechanic, so it's fun helping people with service that way. The Fig Garden ward seems like a decent ward. I'm still trying to adjust to being Senior companion, but not leading the area. I still don't know very many people (which is a bit of a bummer coming up on the holiday season...) But I've determined to make the best of it. As for baptism's, President has asked each of us to baptize 6 in each area by the end of the year. And so far we've seen... 0 in this area since that challenge was issued, and we're coming down to the wire, but I'm determined that we can meet that goal by December 31st. So thank you, everyone who sent me birthday wishes. I got 4 letters on my birthday! That was pretty exciting!

I love and miss you all!

First Time Donor!

Exciting things have been happening this week. To start it off, after I finished emailing last week, I was standing on the side of the road to make some phone calls, when suddenly a cup of ice bounced off my arm and spilled everywhere as the truck it was thrown from drove by. I was so excited! Ha, I've heard of missionaries have stuff thrown at them before, but its never happened to me. Now that it has, its like passing some sort of initiation. I was pretty pumped.

On Thursday I listened to an investigator tell us that she no longer wanted to be baptized, though she was only a week away from her day of baptism. Then I felt the spirit come into the room, and later I heard her tell us that she was determined to be baptized, and would not let her concerns get in her way, but would embrace the Lord and his doctrine. I know that the adversary tries hard to keep us from doing what we should. I also know that God allows us to undergo these challenges to test our faith, and see if we will live the things that we constantly claim to believe. I saw this beautiful daughter of God overcome her challenges in an extraordinary showing of faith. I won't go into her individual challenges, but I will say that what she is sacrificing to be baptized is no small or insignificant thing. I'll also say that the lord blesses us for what we sacrifice, and she recognizes that.

Saturday was Make a Difference Day. On this day, there were dozens of service projects going on all around Visalia. I got to help plant trees around a ponding basin! It was exciting work, even though the majority of the people there had no idea what they where doing. It was fun still, and we all were able to feel the spirit of service. Afterwords, at a stake BBQ, an award was given to a family that were not members of the Church that we felt had made a difference. Across the parking lot at this BBQ, was a blood drive, and I like to think I made a difference by donating blood for the first time in my life! It was pretty exciting, and now a pint of my blood is probably sitting in a fridge somewhere, undergoing tests for all sorts of diseases. Exciting none the less.

I love and miss you all (and humbly ask to hear from you)

Just Kidding, I'm not Training!

I made it all the way to Fresno for the picking up of new missionaries, only to be pulled out halfway through the meeting by President Gonzales and told that my trainee never made it out of the Philippines to the MTC, but that Salt Lake had made the mistake of buying him a Plane ticket to Fresno anyway, so when President got the list, he was on it. Needless to say, he never came off the Plane. Luckily, there was an Extra missionary in the mission, Elder Johnson, who has only been out for 6 weeks. So technically I'm step-training now, instead of Training, which there are numerous positives and negatives to that I won't go into here. But regardless, things are moving along, and I am still Senior companion, which is still more responsibility than I had before. It's very interesting. You don't really notice all the things that the Senior companion does until you have to do it yourself, and then your companion is now, in turn, questioning you. But it is always a learning experience, and because of this, my favorite quote of the week is this:

"Don't let your responsibilities overwhelm you, but enjoy the challenge that they present. Although you may not have the confidence in your own abilities, Heavenly Father does and that is why he has presented you with these challenges."

As always, I appreciate the emails and the letters that I receive, and the prayers that are said on my behalf, and on behalf of all the Missionaries. I love and miss you all.

THIS IS A NEW POST, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE IT! OOPS!!

Things here in this... interesting.. town of Visalia have continued about the same. Not much changes to be seen here. But what I have seen is the power that comes from genuine active prayer. It still seems a miracle to me that no matter what it may be, whether I am in a bad mood, a sad mood, a sick mood, or anything of the like, that prayer will always pull me back. It is also interesting to note that when we find ourselves in these moods of Anger, Sadness, or frustration, when we need to pray most, we find it most difficult to kneel and utter a prayer. President Ezra Taft Benson said that "If we do not feel like praying, we should pray until we do feel like praying." This couldn't be more true, in times of trial and in times of temptation. We'll find that the moment we kneel and place our burdens on God, we will feel a load removed from us. Prayer protects and helps us, and others. We express love to many people all the time, but the best way that we could show our love to others would be to pray for them and us. Ask your Heavenly Father to help them, and to make you aware of ways that you could help them. Many times, when I family or individual meets with the Bishop and begins discussing their problems, the first questions the Bishop will ask is "Are you reading the scriptures" and "are you praying". For most it doesn't seem like their problems will be solved that easily, and they're probably right. Prayer will not necessarily remove the burdens that have been placed upon us, but will make them easier to bear, and more joyful to endure.

I love and miss you all. I will be praying for you. Pray for me, and each other.

Elder Keenan Monnett

The Lord's Work

I am currently companionless... again.

When departing missionaries leave, they leave to the mission office the day before transfers. So the companion of that missionary has to stick around with another missionaries until transfers happen, so he can get a new companion. Well because of an exciting call that came my way on Saturday, I'm not going to have a new companion until thursday...

...because I'm training....

I should probably be more grateful than I am, and I'm not saying I'm not. Being a trainer means that President Gonzalez has a lot of trust in you, and great expectations. So on Thursday, I get to pick up a missionary straight from the MTC. The kind of missionary that I still feel like sometimes. I know the Lord isn't going to ask me to do anything I can't do, but that doesn't stop me from feeling some anxiety. Things will go great though, I'm sure, and I will do everything I can to show this missionary the hard work and dedication it takes to be one of the lords servants here in the California Fresno Mission.

So, obviously, exciting things are happening, on top of more exciting things. Magen Root was just baptized this last Sunday, which is a miracle in itself seeing as she was an investigator for about 7 months. A suiting parting gift for Elder Robertson. I can imagine its going to be a little
rough for my next companion, seeing as the missionary that was here just before him was here for 10 months. It will be interesting to see how they adjust to having a different Elder there. We will find out, and I will give all of you the treat of telling how my first week of training a new missionary goes next week.

I love and miss you all...

Elder Keenan Monnett

Not Much New...

Things have been staying pretty standard. Just so everyone is aware, Heather Stiffler was baptized this last Saturday, which is amazing! Another investigator we've been teaching should be baptized this Sunday! And General Conference is happening this weekend, which is super awesome! All in all, it should be a pretty good week.

On the list of bad things that have happened this week, I saw 7 week old puppies die of Parvo, and we seem to have a problem of Gossip and Rumors in the ward. It really stinks when it's outside of your stewardship and there's not much you can do to stop it. Getting involved certainly wouldn't help. But I think its just the ward adjusting to the 3rd Bishop they've had this year, so things should blow over. Besides, I really love this ward.

So after getting weekly emails from other missionaries in exotic parts of the world, I realize just how boring my emails sound. I mean, it's not like I can spend a lot of time talking about the culture (though California can be strange. For example, the movement to legalize Marijuana goes to vote this november, the schools seem to have no dress code (another reason I'm glad for winter) and Visalia seems to be full of crazy people).

I can say, and I hate repeating this in almost every email, that just when I thought that summer was over, and we where moving into a very comfortable fall, California said "FORGET THAT!" and shot back up into the 100's. Joy.

I'm pretty much done ranting in this letter. I promise my next letter will be much more interesting. Oh, and I'll find out if I'm getting transferred or not this Saturday.

I love you all!

Working in the Lord's Vinyard

This last week things have been getting progressively better. The ward is healing, and the Sannar Family is possibly the strongest family that I have ever seen. We've been able to visit a lot of people in the Ward this last week, and there isn't a single person I've talked to who's life hasn't been changed in some way for the better by the events that took place last Sunday. I think back, in Doctrine and Covenants when the Lord tells us it was necessary for Joseph Smith to seal his testimony with his blood. To go out the way he did. I can't help but feel that in his pre-mortal existence, Bishop Sannar volunteered for this.

Bishop Sannar's funeral was last Friday, and we all learned a little more about the man who was Clay Sannar. I know that after learning the way that he lived his life, and how much of a selfless person that he was, I've never been more motivated to do better in my life, and in my callings. I've talked to several families who say that they have worked hard to improve the quality of their lives this last week. Bishop Sannar has touched the lives of countless people in both life and death.

This last Saturday, I had the opportunity to work in the Lord's vineyard.... literately... The church owns a grape vineyard in Fresno, that all of the members in the area have the chance to go and pick. Once the grapes are picked, they are laid on the ground to dry, and turn into raisins, that then are packaged and sent to the Bishop's storehouse to be used by needy families. The last thing that the Ward heard Bishop Sannar bear testimony of, was of how important this work is. Needless to say, there was a very large turnout, and we were able to pick 2 rows (about a quarter mile long each) in under 2 hours. It was amazing to go out and work like that, and even more so to be able to help those in need. So if any of you are eating any Deseret Industries raisins, look on the back where it says where they were packaged, and think of me.

Until next week, I love you all! (and even past next week....)
Elder Keenan Monnett

God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again...

I'm sure that most of you have heard of the passing of Bishop Sannar by now. He was a great man, with a great family, who will miss him dearly. Its been a hard few days, and emotionally I'm sure we'll be experiencing quite the roller coaster. But in any time of Crisis, whenever we are faced with things that are just too depraved, too out of place to seem real, we can find peace, comfort, and serenity in the Gospel.

For example, we know that, through the Plan of Salvation, that Bishop will see and be with his family again. They were sealed together, and have the opportunity to live together for eternity. We know, that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the dead shall rise again. That his Resurrection is a gift that will come to all that have ever lived on this earth. That because he lived again, so too shall Bishop Sannar. We know that our Heavenly Father does not leave us alone. And that in any time of trial we can turn to him, that he will never forsake us, or let us endure anything that we cannot handle. We know that death is necessary, and far from the end of things. God has intended for each of us to die, what we may rise to the Resurrection of Eternal life, and that to do so death is necessary. For some it will be much shorter than others. For some it will be in such a way that leaves us asking "why?". We can find comfort in a phrase quoted by President Gordon B. Hinkley: "A righteous man will not die before his time." I don't pretend to know the answers to all the "why" questions, and I don't presume to know why God allowed this to happen at this time, but I do acknowledge that his understanding is infinitely greater than mine, and that whatever plan he proposes, whatever plan he puts in action, I will accept, and follow.

I have received a flood of emails these last couple days, from many of you whom I love. I appreciate them greatly, they were a great help and support to me. I would like to assure all of you that I am alright, both physically and emotionally. I am grieving, as is everyone else in this ward, and stake, but I will do everything I can to make this moment of time in my a life a time of progression, and not simply one of suffering, for myself and all who are around me. I apologize to those who I was not able to respond to. My time is limited, but I promise you that you are not forgotten, and should expect to hear from me soon.

I love and miss you all.

Another transfer....

So, another transfer has come to an end. And I have since found out that I will be in Visalia 2nd ward for another Transfer with Elder Robertson! This will make Elder Robertson the longest companion I have had so far. Of course, this will be short lived, because Elder Robertson goes home in 6 weeks.

Obviously, my learning of Spanish has come to a hault because of me losing mi companero de espanol. But this transfer I have actually learned a lot about cars and mechanical work. It does help that for some service, we're helping a family in the ward replace their 50cc engine on their moped with a 200cc engine... A little overkill, but it will still be a blast.

A good friend of mine shared with me a scripture that they said really helped them to know that the Church is true. It can be found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:21, 36-37:

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not."

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."

How wonderful is that? He gives us a commandment that we are to look to him in EVERY thought. If we constantly think of the savior, we will never sin, we will never do evil. We make a promise every Sunday that we will always remember him. When we do that, we will not doubt, or fear, and we will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Of which there is no greater reward.

I love you all!

Elder Keenan Monnett

No trials, No Testimony

Another week in Visalia, and we're now on the last full week of this transfer. Its gone by pretty fast, and I've met some great people. I'll be finding out this Saturday whether I'll be staying or not. But I know that no matter where I end up, I'm where the lord wants me.

Its really become apparent to me this last week why the lord puts us through the trials that he does. Not neccisarily through my own, but from viewing others. We know that God tries those whom he loves. God loves everyone, and everyone goes through trials. Trials are not fair in this life among the people, nor will they ever be. Some people may be forced to ask why. Why do we go through the trials we do? Why are mine so much harder than others? Though I don't claim to know all of God's purposes in these things, I know that there are several reasons why God does send us trials. Some Impossibly harder than others. God wants to strengthen us. One of my favorite analogies of this, is to compare it to working out. When we work out, we are literately tearing our muscles, so that when they grow back, they grow back stronger, more resistant to breaking down. It is the same thing with trials in this life. To make us stronger, God allows us to go through things he knows will hurt, things that will break us down, things that will force us to our knees. He wants us to be humble, because once we are humble, we recognize our weaknesses and in turn, improve ourselves. We become harder to break down.

Another take on this, is sometimes God will allow us to go through trials, so that we will look to him, and turn our lives toward him. Thing of the instance in the New Testament when Jesus is walking on water. When Peter walks out to meet him, he quickly becomes distracted, and looses confidence in himself, and it wasn't until he was sinking that he turned towards the savior, and cried out for help. Sometimes in our day to day lives, we forget to focus on the Lord, to turn our lives toward him. Its human nature. When we do go through our trials, it forces us to recognize his hand in things, and to turn to him for support.

Trials are a necessity. As long as there appears any path to happiness that seems easier than turning to Christ, he will continue to send us trials that we will look to him. It may seem cruel, but in an eternal perspective, its one of the biggest acts of love that he's shown us.

My time is up, but I love you all!

Elder Keenan Monnett

Summer, Summer, Go Away

Summer was such a pleasant experience in Ohio, because in Ohio, July typically marks the halfway point of summer, which winds down a cooler temperature in September. Tis not so in California. Not only do I go through the bizarre, rainless, cloudless summer months here, but I've only about just now hit the halfway point. I love heat!

On a more missionary minded note, things have been going great here as far as the work goes. We are working toward our goal of 200 baptisms for the month of August in the California Fresno Mission. If we achieve this goal it will be the most that have ever been baptized in this mission in a single month. We've selected a righteous goal. If we do everything we can the Lord will follow through on his part. Sadly, zone conferences have been moved, from monthly Zone Conferences, to quarterly ones. Now instead of having 17 more zone conferences in my mission, I'll only have 5. Tis a sad day, but I do not doubt the wiseness of the lord, nor his servant, my mission president. I just really flippin liked zone conferences is all.

In my free time (what is free time?) I've been reading a book called Jesus the Christ (given to me by my amazing sister, Valerie) and it is an absolutely amazing book about the life and mission of our savior. In this book, the author (James E. Talmage) talks briefly about faith. He tells us that faith, though it is available to all who seek it, is a gift, and one that is only given us should the Lord will it so. I like that. We can learn from that, that like any gift that God offers us, it comes with a price. We have to prove ourselves worthy to receive gifts and blessings from the Lord.

That's why it can be incredibly frustrating when people tell me that they know the church isn't true, or that the book of Mormon is not true, saying that they haven't received an answer to their prayers, so that they don't believe it. In order to receive the gift of faith, we have to prove ourselves worthy of it. We have live in a way that is pleasing to the lord.

We have to sincerely desire it. But even then, there is still work to do.

Moroni tells us in Ether 12:6 "...faith is things which are hoped for and not seen. wherefore, dispute not, because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until *after* the trial of your faith." So even after we have acquired that gift of faith, it still has to be tried before we will receive a witness that it is true. I invite everyone to remember that next time they feel as if their answer to their prayers isn't coming. Be patient, be believing, and be worthy, and your answer will come.

I love and miss you all,

Elder Keenan Monnett

Trip from Portland, OR to Oak Harbor, WA

I put a "T" in the subject bar, and that subject heading popped up, so I used it. I'm still in California, were I'll remain.

The work continues here in Visalia, California!

One thing I've learned from constantly switching between wards, is that no 2 wards are alike. Every single one does things differently. Of course, that's how it should be, because every single ward has different people, and things that work for one may not work for another. Its just odd to get used to.

My companero and I were able to see a wonderful miracle the other day. Out of the blue we were called up by someone, who left a message asking if he could meet with us, and learn more about our church. As a missionary, of course I said YES! We called him back, and set up an appointment for that night! When we met with him, he told us that situations had arisen that required him to learn if this church really was true or not. After teaching him a first lesson, he told us that it all "made sense", and that he wanted to start meeting with us... EVERY OTHER DAY! I've never seen so much determination to learn the truth from someone who had barely just been introduced into the church. It was pretty exciting, and faith strengthening.

I had an interesting experience this last week. I had an opportunity to hear Glen Beck's conversion story. During his conversion process, he talks about how everywhere he looked in the scriptures, he just kept seeing 'Prove Me'. Reasoning with himself that if he did what the scriptures said, and the promises that were given were not kept, then he could prove the scriptures wrong. Though its a tool that I've used a lot as a missionary, I've never thought of it in that light before. How can we prove that the scriptures are true? We can live them. If anyone is struggling with knowing if this is true or not, then live it. There is not a single promise given in any of the scriptures or by any of God's servants that you will not see blessings from following. And when you see those blessings, you can then know for a surety that those scriptures are true. That is how you prove that the scriptures are correct, and that God does, in fact, exist, and loves us.

I love and miss you all. My mail box is feeling lonely......
Elder Keenan Monnett
1814 N Echo Ave
Fresno, Ca 93704

Yosemite National Park

First of all, I'd like to apologize to everyone for missing emailing last week! Cause I know you were just hanging on the edge of your seat waiting for it. I will now explain why I missed it:

Last Monday we took a trip to Yosemite National Park. And MY GOODNESS that park is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Very few times have I ever been truly blown away by nature, but Yosemite tops everything else that I've seen. We did a few different hikes, and climbed as close to a waterfall as we could while still being able to see where we were going. We got absolutely soaked, but it was amazing! And I was told by a former Professional Soccer player that I was in good shape. I took it as quite the complement. Unfortunately we didn't plan very well, and didn't make it back in time to email (let alone do any other preparation day things) so that is why there was no email. Sorry, but it was worth it.

Other than my new companion, Elder Terry, things have been pretty quiet since then. Elder Terry is GREAT! He's been an amazing companion. We get along well, and we teach well together. He's from Draper, Utah (My first Utah companion! Of many, I'm sure) and he's a theatre nerd. Haha. We have our fun. Elder Terry was baptized when he was a kid, but was inactive until the time he turned 18. Then he started coming to church, and made the decision to serve a mission. And now he's here, as part of the greatest companionship of northern Cali!

Today we had the opporotunity to go to the Fresno temple, tiny little thing that it is. Man had I missed going to the temple. In the MTC we went every week. In the mission field we go once every 3 transfers, or 4 1/2 months. But as one general authority said: we're here to do work for the living, not for the dead. I love the spirit that is there. That no matter my mood, the temple will always make it better. I feel very blessed that we have a temple in our mission that we are able to attend, as there are many missionaries that don't.

Work in Salida has been slow. But we we've evaluated what we've been doing and what we could be doing better, and we've commited ourselves to baptize! And we've seen an improvement since then. When you set goals prayerfully, and do everything in your power to achieve them, the lord will provide. Alright, that's all the time I have left! Let me know how everyone is doing!

Quote of the week: "You used my scripture!!!!!! oh my goodness... I laughed out loud and giggled and was just super flattered!!!!! [That Is] Amazing!!! ...unless someone else shared that scripture with you, then this email would be awkward."

It is now!

Love you all!

Elder Keenan Monnett

Last Week's Email-Sorry!

Sorry for lack of email last week, all 6 of you that read this, But now I'm back! And what an eventful couple weeks it has been. Elder Openshaw went home this tuesday, and I'm a little relieved. Nothing against Elder Openshaw, he's much more motivated than I was when I was 17, but I feel like I am far from ready to train somebody to be a missionary. But now he's home, and I have Elder Terry! So a Monnett and a Terry are again living under the same roof. Something more, Elder Terry is a spanish Missionary! So we have started teaching spanish speaking investigators, and I've started learning spanish! For real this time! Our rule in our apartment is that we have to pray in spanish. Its tough, but I'm getting it.

I know I make at least one reference to this every time I email home, but man is time going fast! All of my friends are leaving on missions. Some are getting HOME from missions! Half of my friends will be married by the time I get back!

So on one final note, I will share a scripture, one that someone shared with me that I really like (enough that it's now written on the back of my planner) "Trust in the lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. "In all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. No matter what our situation in life, Rich or Poor, sick or healthy, weak or strong, if we place our trust in the lord, we will never be lost spritually. But if we try to reason for ourselves, if we start to follow our own desires instead of what God desires for us, we will be lost. We will be stuck in the middle of a large, unfamiliar city without a map, and it will be impossible for us to make it home, unless we humble ourselves and come unto Christ.

I love and Miss you all,

Elder Keenan Monnett

P.S. Shoutouts go out to my friend Elder Nathan Johnson, who just entered the MTC on his way to Korea! And also to his sister Sister Morgan Johnson, who is spreading the Gospel in Halifax, Canada! Pray for them, and write them!

Oh to see how far I've come

And yet, I still have so far to go. I'm sure some of you are wondering what has become of me, after my companion left and I was left alone. Or maybe you aren't. I don't really care. I'm going to tell you anyway. On Thursday, a Temporary Missionary, Elder Openshaw, was sent to Salida, from Houghson (A small town near Turlock) to be my companion. Temporary MIssionaries = Harder than training. When you train a missionary, he has at least been through the MTC. He knows the lessons (sort of), and he has been in teaching scenarios. However, Temporary Missionaries are usually younger (E. Openshaw is 17) and have no experience prior to their first day in the mission field, with you. However, despite all of these things that certainly had me on edge, Elder Openshaw has actually turned out to be far better than I had previously supposed, and much more confident than I was on my first day. Its odd, only having been on my mission for a little over 4 months, and yet here I am, as a senior companion, and as a trainer. It has really helped me to see how far I've come in these last 4 months. Elder Openshaw reminds me a lot of myself during my first transfer with Elder Asay (I am SO SORRY Elder Asay). It's helped with patience, with understanding, and it has helped me to better myself, as a servant of God. So a thanks goes out to you Elder Openshaw. Things in Salida are going great. The weather is still bizzare (we're back into Jacket weather again) but the people are still amazing. Though the work has slowed a little, I am confident that Elder Openshaw and I will be able to get the work moving again.

Some of you may or may not know that my brother was married this last weekend. Making me the Oldest unmarried child in my family. Upon bringing this up to me, my Mother quickly added "but you better not be thinking about that". That's ok Mom, I bet Haley gets married before me anyway. So apparently things are still moving both inside my mission and out. I'd like to hear what's going on in each of your lives, so I'm not completely outside the loop. I challange anyone who has not sent me a letter yet to do it this week, and share with me a faith building experience they've had this last month. Of course, people who write me all the time can do so as well. I look forward to hearing from you all, and I love and appreciate your support.

Elder Keenan Monnett