Hey family,

Let me start by saying what a good weekend to be able to hear the voices of the people that I love. It was pretty crazy to hear all of your voices especially little miss B. She is such a sweetheart. Man, talk about my heart melting when I heard her. I miss her like crazy. As I do everyone else but her a lot, I don't know why but I really just love that little girl. Maybe she can help me when I get home, you know with the women. She is a good way to break the ice with the girls.

So I just wanted to tell you a little about how Christmas goes in Sierra Leone. As I woke up, I wondered if it was Christmas at all. I looked around and everyone was doing the same old song and dance. Every once in a while someone would say Merry Christmas. I am kind of taken back that people have really lost the spirit of Christmas. Because they don't have much money for gifts they just kind of forget about the holidays. So the average child here for Christmas they get a used pair of clothes and then they eat a big dinner. That's about how things go. But its ok because they are soooooo grateful to receive anything. All the little toys that you sent me became Christmas for those little kids here in Africa. As dumb as you think a 50 cent little motorcycle is, it made a bunch of kids Christmas - it really did.

So for Christmas I gave a talk on fatherhood and Christ and also ate a bunch of food and then, of course, talked to the fam. As long as the network would allow. But hey anything is better than nothing. We are lucky to have phones out here in the African jungle.

So for current events, I would like to say that I won the push up competition. I know surprising, right? Well I am getting pretty good actually. The competition might be more surprising actually. The way it worked was you do one push up shake hands and then do another one. Well I beat the first person no problem, then the second immediately after, no problem then the third comes, at this point I have done like 100 pushups or more so I was kind of tired because I never got off the ground. So as I am waiting the third person comes, so I make it more interesting we put our legs on the chair and did it. Needless to say, he beat me but barely. After we did like 30 or so I couldn't do anymore and he could only do 2 after that so I should have tried harder. But I was impressed with how many I did haha, I guess that's why they call me kosombo.

This week was a fast week. The mission is really zipping by so fast. I love it. I don't want to sound like a complainer but man Africa is tiring me out. Its crazy how humbling this place is. This week in district meeting we talked about Christlike attributes and seeing the face of God. Probably one of my favorite topics besides eternal families. I love talking about Christlike attributes. It is the best thing out there. When you become more like Christ you really become happier. You can see your thoughts and your countenence change. Its amazing. You can become whatever you want to be. Its our choice. So this week I made another pair of my 30000 mile shoes. Let me tell you everyone wants those things. They are coveted. I bought a tire for 40000 which is like ten bucks and I cut it up to make a tread for my shoes and I sewed it on. Man I miss working

Well I don't have much to say except next time you talk to me I will be coming home that year, wahoo! Godspeed. Never give up. Love you guys.

Love Elder Kev

Keep the faith

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hey family,

 

Things here in Bo are going good. It has its ups and its downs as does every area in every mission. As for right now we are really trying to find more investigators. We are really lacking them right now. There was a problem here in Bo where the branch presidents and other church leaders were stealing tithing and fast offerings so that is why all of the presidents were changed and missionaries were presidents for a small time. So now the task at hand is for all of us missionaries to train new leaders as well as bring new members. This week was busy for me with branch business and with district business, and also zone Christmas conference. Needless to say, we did a lot this week. I had some baptism interviews for the sisters and then I also had to go and settle some disputes. Haha, sisters they are funny sometimes. Also this week we had a program for our district. If you did not know we are not stakes or wards we are districts and branches throughout both Sierra Leone and Liberia. Anyway, we had a Christmas program which we got to sing at and also I got to sing in a quartet ath the last minute, lucky me. Wow, I am really starting to not like last minute things. I really hate when people are not prepared but that seems to be the motto for missionaries, do every thing last minute. That is totally not me. Anyway, that was fun. Elder Jenkins stayed at our apartment last minute and it was fun to reminisce about times of old. We have both changed a lot.

This week we had a service project. That was fun and a work out. No one here has ever heard of a lawn mower or a weed wacker. It is called your arm and a machete. Wow you should have seen all the work that we did. Our group was known for our power and endurance. For some reason, I take everything to be a competition. I think it is a part of my genes. Which isn't too bad because it makes me do my best all the time. This week we did not have much of a chance to go and teach lessons. We only got to teach like 15 lessons or something, but it was a fast week. Also I was tired of drawing water from a well with a bucket so I fixed the pump. It took me some time to figure it out. I just couldn't get the pump to pull any water from the well so after I hung in the well upside down by my waist, I cut the pvc pipe off and pulled it up. It was funny! I wish we had a picture of it. I was like a little kid on the monkey bars hanging by my legs. Instead it was a fat guy in a white shirt and tie in a well. I got the pipe out and we pulled it up and the valve on the end was bad. It is a one way valve so that you can prime the pump. Anyway, it was stuck open. We got a guy from Freetown to bring us one and we got it all hooked up so now we have a shower. Wahooo! My theory is if we have the ability to have a shower, lets do it. I can't believe that the pump had been broken for 6 months. Yes - 6 months- because no one would fix it. Man, people are crazy.

So we are praying Markus comes from Freetown this week so we can have Christmas. If not, it will be January. Oh well - that is not too bad because by that time I will be singing I'll be home for Christmas!!!

So this week I learned about what it takes to SEE the face of God. As children of our Heavenly Father, is that not our greatest objective? To be worthy to see the face of God? To render the veil thin enough so that we can see him. Joseph Smith made it pretty clear that if you are worthy then you can. It's funny because when you are in the presence of someone who is keeping themselves very pure you can see that there countinence is different. That there is some kind of glow about them. Our physical body changes as we become true followers of Christ. As you study the scriptures you can see that. In 2 peter 1 it talks about how we can receive our calling and election. I would hope that everyone is striving to receive this. Its really hard to think of these things and act on them. I think when we try to become more like Him then we really know Him.

There was something that Brother Jones told me a long time ago that has stuck in my mind and that is to live worthy of your priesthood. And I didn't quite get it until recently. I was thinking about how special I am as an individual. WHY ME? That is the question. Why would God choose me? Out of 7 billion people, 14 million are members with about 7 million active and about 3.5 million of those are men and about 1.5 million are old enough to hold the priesthood and about 700,000 are worthy (stats given by pres Roggia). And from that there are 56,000 missionaries, why me? Am I doing everything that I can to receive the blessings of heaven? Am I worthy to behold the face of God? That is the question, each and every day I am trying to work towards this. My favorite thing to think about and to study is Christ-like attributes. Without these attributes, we are really nothing. What's cool to think about is that we are preordained to the things we are doing here on earth. Now all I need to do is live worthy of the priesthood, or continue on the path. I really like the scripture from Proverbs 1:5: a wise man will hear, and will increase his learning and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise councils." Everyday we need to grow. If we are not becoming better then we are becoming worse. Because it is the Christmas season now, I hope that every one is remembering what it's all about. Remembering what the sacrament really is, and knowing that he lives.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love all of you and can't wait to talk to you and here your voices. Love you and keep the faith.

Love Elder Moss

Oh yeah - congrats Amy and Mike. SHE IS A CUTIE!!!

g

Hello family,

 

How are you guys doing this week? As for me, I am doing good - not too many complaints. So you know that I am in Bo now. Bo is sweet and crappy at the same time.  We are in the middle of nowhere but, hey, I don't have that much longer left so it's cool with me! As for getting food out here, it is not easy but that is cool too.  It means for easy weight loss. There are some really nice supermarkets in town but, ya right, like my money is sufficient for that. So I have for dinner, 3 boiled eggs and for breakfast, if I am feeling hungry, will have a couple crackers. So life is good.

 

It's always funny when I get to new areas because people look at my pictures that I have and they don't even know that I am in the pictures. I was thinking that when I get home, I am really different than the person I was when I left. I will be half the physical size and twice the spiritual size. I am excited to see everyone's faces when they see me. But that is far off so I don't want to dwell on that.  I will be in good shape for football though.  I just started doing pull ups.  Hey, they are hard when you are fat so I can only do like ten haha but I can do like 75 push ups straight. Ya, ya  laugh it up.  I thought it was good for my size. Ok moving on….

 

Bo…. I am a little confused on why everyone likes it so much. It's cool but man the mission work needs WORK. Sunday we had two investigators at church. I was a little sad but we will fix that if I have anything to do with it. Our chapel is super itty bitty, about the size of the family room. When I got to church I was being optimistic until we started.  I almost stood up and walked out to go and check the sign outside to see if I was at the right church. President has given me a big responsibility to get this branch turned around to what it is supposed to be. I have kind of been stressed out this week with all the work I have to do with the branch and also the district. I am not sure what the missionaries have been doing here but it is obviously not what they where supposed to be doing. So we will see if we can fix that.

 

The area is  big and dusty but flat so I don't have to go mountain climbing every day.   There also is a jungle in our area.  It's so sweet but my companion is nervous to go there because maybe we will get eatin' by some African wilderbeast! But one day I will go and take pictures. It's cool because we cross this river on a huge fallen tree and go off into the jungle, just like you see in the movies

 

So also I have sisters in my district now, lucky me two new ones.  So I have to help them as well. My plate is full to say the least. I guess I have been studying to try to figure out how to do it all and the story that keeps coming to my mind is the story of the bro of Jared in Ether 2.  In verse 23,25 I think it basically says the Lord said, what will ye that I should do, that ye may have light in your vessels? What will ye that I should prepare for you? I guess when I do all that I can, the Lord will do the rest but first we need a game plan. The problem I have is I feel like I can take on the whole world but I can't.  I wish I could but I can't. I am forced to get help. What I have learned in missionary work is if you love the people and you love the Lord, you will do anything because perfect love casteth out all fear.  I think Satan really tries to work on me because I am working so hard.  I am glad we have revelation.  Even though it is often a strenuous endeavor that requires lots of intellectual effort combined with faith and spiritual yearning, the Lord expects us to use our talents, intellect and common sense as we seek solutions to our problems and answers our questions.   So I guess revelation is easy and hard for one to get, depending on your own faith.  Just this morning I was reading from the conference edition of the Liahona and I read something cool.  President Uchtdorf talked about Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory and  how we need to stop waiting for our golden ticket and enjoy the chocolate that is right in front of us. He said it doesn't mean we give up on our wants and desires and dreams but we need to be happy now.  Don't always be planning for future happiness and never be happy. I hope that everyone is happy while I am away, that you are enjoying the moments. I love all of you guys and want nothing but the best for you all and that includes you Rissa.  BE HAPPY, only we can choose to be happy!

 

So in summary. mission is good.  It has its ups and it has its downs but I can tell you that it really makes you a man.  Remember that the strongest steel comes from the hottest fire. He never said it would be easy just worth it. I love you guys.  Have a great week.

 

 Love Elder Kosombo (my new krio name. It means the strongest and toughest).

 

I wish these languages I am learning were real languages instead of tribal languages because I am learning mende now so now I can speak kalukwa, krio, mende and English!

 

Well love you guys take care
> holidays,
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Hello Family,

How are things over there once again?  Things here are good. I guess you are wondering about transfer news.    I am being transferred to Bo branch. So I am going uptown. It will be fun.   ELDER JENKINS and I will be together for Christmas!!!! Wahooo ~ man I am stoked.  I am kind of sad to leave Elder Saxton and Elder Burton but man it will be sweet to see my boy again.

To be honest, I don't have a whole lot to say. I cut my hair and it's pretty short. I figured it will grow back and it's hot. I am tired of people running there fingers through my hair.  It's not so bad when children do it but when people my own age do it, it makes for an awkward moment.  Everyone wants to just touch my hair. Weird.

 

So I have been trying to rekindle some strength that I have lost. I think I am still pretty strong, I decided to go and try to lift the back of this van in our compound.  It is a old vw bus.  Needless to say I, could lift it completely off the ground in the back so I think I am still pretty strong. A little civic would have nothing on me haha. I have been training a lot so I guess it is paying off. I just need to chisel the abs up and get rid of my fat. I am still an ox under that fat.  The diet is definitely not helping me. Bread and rice. Man, I don't know.

 

Anyway, things are good.  I have a huge assignment from president, like a gazillion records to fix from Elder Neves.  Man, I love that guy but he left me a butt load of work.  Lots of records to fill in.  I have like 100 records to fix and people to see by tomorrow night. So I will be busy.

 

So Saturday they had a wedding at the chapel and the bathrooms were locked because of construction.  Unfortunately, the font was not. I cannot believe people. The PEED IN THE FONT.  Sunday I opened the font to show an investigator and WHAT the smell!!!  Holy smokes!   I almost died.  What do people think sometimes.  It was so embarrassing!  Church was good this week except for one of our leaders!!  Saturday I found the 1st councilor in the district presidency drunk outside of the church compound. I feel like everything I am doing is being unwound sometimes. So I had to make a report to get that fixed. I taught another guy who was drunk as could be this week. I gave him the word of wisdom tract.   Hopefully, he will see it when he is sober.  Oh the joys of missionary work. The hardships are ok because the blessings are great. Never have I learned more in my life. I have grown more than people can understand. I love this gospel. And I can't wait until I can see you all again.  Sweet is the work. Love ya

 

Love  Elder Kev