Geneology in the Mission Field...

Kyler sent a "family picture" of his companions. I guess your trainer (Elder Hamilton) is known as your "Dad" and the "Dad's" trainer (Elder Mace) is known as your "Mom". So...once again...I am left with no grandchildren...sigh!

1st Baptism of Kyler's mission - Jan 16, 2011

Kyler is so excited to see the fruits of his and Elder Hamilton's labors in the mission field. Thanks to a member referral from Maria Jose--her friend, Lilian will be his first baptism since arriving in Uruguay. This baptism ends an 18-month-convert-baptism drought in this branch and they are very excited to receive a gospel infusion to their numbers. When she was deciding who would baptize her, she asked Elder Hamilton if he had already baptized someone. He said yes. So she asked Kyler if he had been able to baptize anyone...and, of course, he said no. So Lilian asked Kyler to do the honors. Kyler was indeed honored and excited to comply. He said all went well at the baptism and Lilian has turned out to be a wonderful addition to the branch. It was strange, but it took 3 weeks to finally confirm her because they do that in the Sunday meetings and not immediately after the baptismal services. Each week there was something that prevented it from happening...strange. We encouraged Kyler to be especially aware of her until this happened since the Holy Ghost is so important to remaining strong and making righteous choices. They confirmed her on the same day as two new babies were blessed. Kyler jokes that the branch doubled that day!

First Companion - First Apartment

Elder Hamilton has been a great trainer for Kyler. That was one of my sincerest prayers--that he would get a great trainer--and he is from Utah, so the connection will most likely continue when their missions are over. The city of Montevideo hasn't seen a baptism in over 1-1/2 years and Kyler is determined to be involved in breaking that curse. The picture of Elder Hamilton and Elder Hendrickson are just after they got the first official missionary haircut--shaving their heads. They think there will be a transfer this next week. Thanks for the great beginning to Kyler's "Best Two Years."


I see the pictures of their first apartment, and I am thankful that he is not suffering--at all! I'm sure it won't be quite this good for all of his mission. There are probably some missionary-life-lessons still to come. I mean, a bidee' in a missionary apartment? (That's something he will have to learn on his own--I potty trained him, but have no idea how to use one of those things!) His apartment is the first balcony on the right--just behind the tree!

Missionaries are soooooooo cool!!!

The art of living in the world and not of the world can sometimes be a little challenging when you are a missionary and just sooo cool at the same time. It just takes practice to keep it all in perspective! Here is the GQ missionary pose. (And by the way...GQ stands for "great qualities"...just in case you didn't know!)

That arms length rule....

We are very glad that Elder Hendrickson is learning and abiding by the arms length rule while on his mission. Here he demonstrates his complete adherence to the rules!

The CCM...Now just a memory...

Kyler left for the mission field on Oct 22nd, about 4 days earlier than he should have, but he sure loved his CCM (MTC) experience. They left early from the CCM because all the mission presidents from the area were having their annual meeting the same day Kyler would have arrived in Montevideo; so, they transferred the missionaries a little early. We were so glad to finally get some pictures that showed us where he was and the people he was with. In one of the pictures, you can see the Buenos Aires Argentina temple in the background (bottom picture). He was definitely disappointed that is was under reconstruction so he wasn't able to go through while he was there. Looks like there was a lot of great friendships formed during his time there.

It's A Small World Afterall...

New missionaries arrived at the CCM(which, by the way stands for:Centro de Capatacion Missional) last week just like they do every couple of weeks. However, in this week's arrivals was someone from Peru who knew Kyler--or at least knew about him!

Of course, this really threw Kyler for a loop since he has never been to Peru. This new missionary, Elder Monzon, handed Kyler a card that had two names on it. One was Kyler's and the other one didn't click in his head because he was trying so hard to understand what Elder Monzon was saying to him. He finally called another Elder over to translate (yes, translate--a sign of fun times ahead) what he was saying. It turns out that Kyler's cousin, McKay Westbrook, had taught and baptized Elder Monzon a year earlier. When Kyler looked down at the card again, he couldn't believe that he hadn't recognized the name--McKay Westbrook.

McKay told Elder Monzon that when he reported to the CCM in Buenos Aires, he had to find a Kyler Hendrickson. I was so touched that McKay had been so thoughtful. And...what a wonderful testimony of the fruits of his labor! What a wonderful note for Kyler to end his CCM experience on!! McKay returns home next month (November 2010) and Kyler set off for Uruguay on Friday, October 22nd to follow in his footsteps. Such a special send-off! Both are in our prayers!

The pictures with this post (both a little fuzzy) is of Elder Monzon and Kyler. And a picture of the picture that Kyler is holding is of McKay shaking hands with a dog in Peru and teaching it from the Book of Mormon. Go Get 'em, Elder Westbrook!