January 30, 2012 Letter from Elder Keddington

Hello Friends and Family,

 

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love my mission. Like seriously. It is the BEST EVER!! The Work is going SO GREAT! It just seems like every time I turn around there is a huge miracle that happens. Some random person shows up to church. Someone I haven't talked to in a long LONG time calls or texts. We have an incredible lesson and someone out of nowhere starts asking questions and ends up being an amazing person who is so ready for the Gospel. I Love this work. Miracles happen every day.

 

My companion and I are really getting along a lot better. We had a very small.... conversation about how we can do better as individuals. Long story short. I did a little yelling and he isn't so cocky anymore. :) Haha. But its been great ever since. I've noticed all the missionaries around me are starting to look to me to take the lead on projects and take a lot of resposiblities for the ward. Its been pretty surprising to me. But then it hit me that I've been here in this ward almost the Longest. Haha. There is 1 other mission who has been in the ward longer. And not by much. Its pretty surprising to me.

 

Last night I got a phone call from a Brother Steve Oistad who lives out here in Arkansas. Well He visited Utah for about a week and decided to pay a little visit to my family. Yes. It might have been apostate but he called and left a voicemail. Yes. The whole family said Hi and that they loved me. :) It was very VERY Inspiring. :) It was exciting to hear from them. Just don't tell anyone. :) Hahaha.

 

I would've answered that phonecall but I was in one of the best lesson's I've ever taught. To a member's Son. His name is Chris. He has been going through a really hard time and isn't sure what to do. He isn't sure how to get an answer to a prayer. So we taught him a little story about a 14 year old boy who prayed. :) The Spirit was SO strong. He wanats to be baptized. But We didn't want to step on the Member's toes so we're going to set a date with him for next week. Which would make 7 baptisms In February if everything goes as planned. :)

 

Its just been a great blessing to see the Lord work in my life. Thanks for all the prayers and for all the help you all do for me. I can see it.

 

I Love You all! I miss you and I'll see you soon! Send me some letters! Just for fun! Haha!

 

Love

 

Elder Keddington

Adele's Baptism!

Adele Foutz (Kimber & Scott's daughter) was recently baptized.  They are currently living in MD where Scott is in the Secret Service. She had many of her family around her on her special day including her grandparents, Dave & Aleta who flew out from Utah especially for the occasion!

Congratulations Adele! We're so proud of you!

Zach's Mission Call!

A drum roll please....its a little long but the most important part is at the beginning.  The voices you hear coming out of the computer are Grandma & Grandpa Loveland and Katherine joining us via Skype over at Jared's house for the big moment. Andrew & Megan were on the phone as well.

 

Mississippi Jackson Mission
Entering the MTC March 14, 2012

Woohoo! Interesting to note,all the Mossman brothers have or will serve in Southern states:  Jared--Virginia, Andrew--Tennessee, and now Zach--Mississippi.  Another interesting little factoid is that we have 2 other family members serving in Southern states:  Davey Keddington--Arkansas and Kolby Sawyer--Florida.  Got any theories on that? Let's hear them!  In the mean time, we'll be out shopping for missionary attire and readying Zach for March 14!  I'm so proud of you Zach! We're going to miss you but know you'll be a great missionary! Get ready Mississippi!

January 17, 2012 Letter from Elder Keddington

Hello Friends and Family!!

 

Whew!! This week has been a LONG LONG Week! Very little teaching done. No Car. Tension in the companionship. Drama in the District. Inefficient Companionship Study. Its been a long humbling week. But. Don't feel sorry for me because I have had a Myriad of experience in the last 2 days that were worth all the hardships of my entire mission combine. Starting with Stake Conference.

 

Our Stake President shared a story about a team of SEALS that invaded Iraq and 3 of the 4 were killed fighting off 150 terrorists. The survivor wrote a book called "The Lone Survivor." (If anyone wants to buy me a present for when I get back, one book I would love to read.) He related the story to us and how we need to be SEALS in the Lord's army. We are at war against the adversary and the Lord doesn't need sissy girls that run and surrender in times of trial and hardship. But He needs SEALS. The Talk was amazing. I don't do it justice. Made me want to be a SEAL in the Lord's army.

 

Yesterday(P Day) We went to dinner at a Member's house and long story short. He broke down and begin telling us how his testimony is dwindling and how he is depressed and is thinking of suicide. Within minutes of him telling us this we had our scriptures open baring our testimonies of the Atonement and sharing our love for him and how important he is to our Heavenly Father. I have never been more impressed to share my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to let him know that our Savior lives and Loves us more than we can imagine. I have very few times in my life where I have felt the Spirit that strong.

 

Right after the Dinner we went to our appointment and she completely turned us down. Gave us back the Book of Mormon and told us not to come back. Haha. We were still walking on air began walking, said a short prayer and we were both prompted, "go right." We began walking and the very first door we saw we knocked it. We met Brian. Divorced and needed someone to talk to him. We shared with him the Restoration and gave him the Book of Mormon we had just recieved from our canceled appointment. We'll be teaching him later on this week.

 

The Lord answers prayers. He loves us. He Lives. I wouldn't trade this mission for anything in the entire world. I Love all of you and I am excited to get back to work. We have a baptism coming up the 28th. :) I miss you all and think of you often! Thanks for all that you do.

 

Love

 

Elder Keddington

January 9, 2012 Letter from Elder Keddington

Hello Friends and Family!

Sorry I haven't written in a while! Its been pretty crazy around here. Every P day I'm pressed with something to do or the Library is closed or something. So Here I am updating you on the work. That is definately what it is. Work. I go to sleep tired. I even wake up tired. But its a good experience for me! I'm loving every second of it. Sometimes I feel like a break would be good. Other times I know that would be a terrible Idea. I love it here.

I was able to speak in Sacrement meeting this past Sunday. I spoke on "A time to Prepare" by Elder Ian S. Aurdurn of last General Conference. I just have to tell you that I've been blessed with 2 things. Dad's ability to speak and teach, and being able to listen to the Spirit. I prepared a good amount and I don't even remember most of what I talked about. I do remember talking specifically to the Young Men about how important it is to achieve the Goal of serving a mission and all the joys in my life could never amount to the Joy of entering into the waters of Baptism. Seeing someone change their lives and come to know the truth of this Gospel. There is nothing better. I also remember talking about the 10 Virgins about how all 10 of them had a Goal to be with the Bridegroom but only half with prepared. I talked about the importance of preparing to achieve the goal we've set. I lost track of how many people said they loved my talk. I felt pretty good afterwords. But Honestly its because the Lord blessed me with the Spirit and I've never prayed more earnestly to be able to touch just one person. I always love speaking. :)

The ward is great. I'm eating probably too well for my own good. And I don't think I'll ever want to leave. I Love my mission!

The Work is going great! We're teaching the sweetest lady. Her name is Stella. Her daughter just had a stroke and she has no insurance. At all. So she is paying the Hospital bills. By herself. She's applied for Disability and such. We're praying that everything will work out. Its INCREDIBLE how much faith this woman has. I have no doubt that everything will work out. Satan is just working his magic against her because he sees that she can become a huge ally for the Kingdom.

I'm doing great. My area is still wonderful. My companion is..... getting to be better. He's a good kid. Just needs to be humbled. :) Haha. I Love You all and I'll see you all very very soon!!

Love

Elder Keddington

We found these cool Lions. I just couldn't resist!

This is the bed where all the General Authorites sleep when they come to the mission. :)

 Not sure if I sent this already but... Our latest Convert. Linda. :) Chirstmas Eve Baptism. :) :)