The following are excerpts from a letter we received in the mail from Kent. There are personal things he writes to individuals in our family, and answers to questions that we have asked him, so I don't post his entire letters word for word. We are so proud of him and love to see him happily serving and growing.
Something that I have learned is that because the Lord Loves us so much, the things that are important to us, are important to him. Now this doesn't mean that all our desires will come true, but again, all things are possible with God on our side. Something that has stood out to me recently on this subject is that the Lord will help us but not do everything for us.
Right now we are teaching a few people. But one of them I'm thinking might get baptized. I'm kinda nervous though. He baptism date is in April and transfer meeting is coming up. And I'm not sure if I will be able to baptize him or even see him get baptized. This is particularly distressing to me because I have bee the only missionary who has consistently taught him. I feel connected to him because I found him and have taught him and seen him grow. We will see what happens. His name is Otto.
Kent also wrote other things but adds: "sorry if this letter seems jumbled, I'm as the beach right now. Don't worry I'm not swimming or anything. It's just easy to get distracted by the sound of the waves and the warm weather and all the beauty:)"
Elder Masulonis
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Feb 5, 2012
Mom, I love how it doesnt really matter what is going on around you in life you are able to think of things in an eternal perspective. You are able to look forward with optomism. You are a great example to me. I love you. And about being lectured, I dont care, in fact I kinda like it. I know that you are much smarter than me and have much more experience than me, and when you tell me the things that I need to do, you are fullfilling your responsability as a parent, and also in a way, showing your love for me. Which reminds me of something that stood out to me yesterday in fast and testimony meeting. One of the young women got up and shared her experiance of getting her patriarchal blessing. She said it was one of the more powerfull spiritual experiances in her life time. After the blessing was given, her dad recognized that she was feeling the spirit strongly and said to her, "now do you understand why I'm so hard on you? Because I want the best for you?" It touched me. Not her experiance, but the words that her dad said. I know that my heavenly father loves me, but this was an expression of love to me through the holy spirit. It was really easy for this to be applied to me and my heavenly father. I could see him saying the same thing when I meet him again. "now do you understand that I'm so hard on you, because I want the best for you?"
I'm not sure if I have told you about my new companion yet, but he is great, and a great example to me. He has expresed his love to me, he has been teaching me many things. Not by actually sitting down with me and directly telling me, but by what he does and how he does it. He is my best companion. I'm not sure if he knows it or not, but he has taught me that unfortunately, it becomes easier to not show your love from day to day for someone you know well and love deeply. And I have seen the importance of continued expressions of love. Without them, we single ourselves and become self centered and difficulties arise. I have learned the importance of unique, planned, acts of thoughtfull love and service. He has taught me a pricipal form preach my gospel very well that when we are focused on others more than ourselves, we benefit more than if we focused on ourselves. Well, I only have a little bit of time left, but I want you to know that I love you and I pray for you often. I hope that the things that I do will be pleasing to my father in heaven.
Love Elder Masulonis.
I'm not sure if I have told you about my new companion yet, but he is great, and a great example to me. He has expresed his love to me, he has been teaching me many things. Not by actually sitting down with me and directly telling me, but by what he does and how he does it. He is my best companion. I'm not sure if he knows it or not, but he has taught me that unfortunately, it becomes easier to not show your love from day to day for someone you know well and love deeply. And I have seen the importance of continued expressions of love. Without them, we single ourselves and become self centered and difficulties arise. I have learned the importance of unique, planned, acts of thoughtfull love and service. He has taught me a pricipal form preach my gospel very well that when we are focused on others more than ourselves, we benefit more than if we focused on ourselves. Well, I only have a little bit of time left, but I want you to know that I love you and I pray for you often. I hope that the things that I do will be pleasing to my father in heaven.
Love Elder Masulonis.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
January 30, 2012
Dear Mom,
I have new companion. I love him so much. His name is Elder Johnson. He has been out for 20 months and is about to go home. He is amazing. Im not sure if i wrote this in last weeks letter or not, it was one of the more eventful things that happened to me. Last preparation day we were playing basketball and something happened that made it easy for my to react instead of think and act. I said a sarcastic thing to Elder Loftin, and mind you that Elder Loftin is much stronger than I am. Elder Loftin kinda flipped. He grabbed me by the shirt with his fists and pushed me close to the wall and he started forcibly talking at me with a loud hard voice. I didnt really take offense, because I thought about what was happening and stopped my reacting. It wasn't a very good experience because some of the members and an investigator was there and they were a little shocked that a missionary would do something like that. At that point we weren't representing the Lord. afterward we talked about it and forgave each other. Elder Johnson my followup trainer is my best companion so far. He is loving and filled with the spirit. He is helping me be the best I can be. I am loving him. We are friends. And not only that, we are doing allot better in the missionary work also. He is teaching me allot in his example. He is an answer to a prayer. I know that God hears my prayers, no matter how significant they are. I am very grateful for the experiences I am getting. I am nourishing a seed of being less self centered and more focused on others, especially our investigators. And that mind set has seemed to be helping me more than focusing on what I think is best. No matter what we think, God knows more and knows best. He has an eternal perspective. His is infinitely loving and compassionate. I love him. When we rely more on him and focus on others more than ourselves, God is pleased and we are then blessed for our efforts which are then magnified by him.
Love Elder Masulonis
I have new companion. I love him so much. His name is Elder Johnson. He has been out for 20 months and is about to go home. He is amazing. Im not sure if i wrote this in last weeks letter or not, it was one of the more eventful things that happened to me. Last preparation day we were playing basketball and something happened that made it easy for my to react instead of think and act. I said a sarcastic thing to Elder Loftin, and mind you that Elder Loftin is much stronger than I am. Elder Loftin kinda flipped. He grabbed me by the shirt with his fists and pushed me close to the wall and he started forcibly talking at me with a loud hard voice. I didnt really take offense, because I thought about what was happening and stopped my reacting. It wasn't a very good experience because some of the members and an investigator was there and they were a little shocked that a missionary would do something like that. At that point we weren't representing the Lord. afterward we talked about it and forgave each other. Elder Johnson my followup trainer is my best companion so far. He is loving and filled with the spirit. He is helping me be the best I can be. I am loving him. We are friends. And not only that, we are doing allot better in the missionary work also. He is teaching me allot in his example. He is an answer to a prayer. I know that God hears my prayers, no matter how significant they are. I am very grateful for the experiences I am getting. I am nourishing a seed of being less self centered and more focused on others, especially our investigators. And that mind set has seemed to be helping me more than focusing on what I think is best. No matter what we think, God knows more and knows best. He has an eternal perspective. His is infinitely loving and compassionate. I love him. When we rely more on him and focus on others more than ourselves, God is pleased and we are then blessed for our efforts which are then magnified by him.
Love Elder Masulonis
Thursday, January 19, 2012
January 16, 2012
I haven't gotten home sick my entire mission and I'm not sure if I will, but I'll tell you if I do. We played tennis this morning and I aced a few serves.
So Daniel Becks baptism was great! President Crenshaw actually spoke at the baptism. With Daniel its kinda funny/ironic. He has overcame so much to get baptized. Everything from smoking and drinking ice tea, to just reading his scriptures and coming to church. But the funny/ ironic thing is, now that he has been taught and baptized, he wants to move to knoxville tennessee some time soon.
While I've been out here, I have seen something really neat with president Crenshaw. (I call him president because he just became the new elders quorum president last week.) One day, he was coming back home on a motorcycle and by and by he ended up crashing. He wasn't killed or anything, but he was beat up pretty bad. He had road rash pretty bad. Within the next day or two he got a blessing so that he could heal quickly and well. It was important that he got better soon because he basically flips / re-does houses, and in the condition he was in, he couldn't really do a lot of the work he usually did very well. Through his endurance and faith, he was healed and he was able to do his job. Within the past week or two, I've been reminded and learned more that sometimes the reason why we go through really hard things is so we will rely on Christ more. Hard times are learning opportunities. I saw a little girl crying because her feelings were hurt by someone and i thought, " grow up." This is not how our father thinks of us when we go through difficulties and struggles. He loves us. He knows us. He sent his son to live and die for us. He suffered pains and sicknesses of every kind. Surely he was a man aquatinted with grief. He suffered for us so that he would be able to know how to succor his people the best. He doesn't look at us and say " grow up." He KNOWS. He understands. He wants to help us grow. The things that we find of importance are also important to him and the good news is that he provides us with help. If we choose to humble ourselves before him and having faith in him, by reading our scriptures, by praying, by fasting, by going to church, by having faith, by having hope, by living like his son,and by helping others on their way, I know that he will help us. We are in every way, imperfect. This world and life is a time given so that we can become perfectED. So that we can then someday live with our heavenly father. To be able to have him say to us... well done my child. We will know that we messed up alot, but that we also ended up following the path he has provided for us, and thats what really matters.
I really hope that you guys know back at home that I love you and I hope the best for you. I hope that through life we can all rely more upon Jesus Christ who is the only way in order to get to God and happiness and relief. I know that he is the way and the light. I love him and I'm trying my best.
- LOVE Elder Masulonis
So Daniel Becks baptism was great! President Crenshaw actually spoke at the baptism. With Daniel its kinda funny/ironic. He has overcame so much to get baptized. Everything from smoking and drinking ice tea, to just reading his scriptures and coming to church. But the funny/ ironic thing is, now that he has been taught and baptized, he wants to move to knoxville tennessee some time soon.
While I've been out here, I have seen something really neat with president Crenshaw. (I call him president because he just became the new elders quorum president last week.) One day, he was coming back home on a motorcycle and by and by he ended up crashing. He wasn't killed or anything, but he was beat up pretty bad. He had road rash pretty bad. Within the next day or two he got a blessing so that he could heal quickly and well. It was important that he got better soon because he basically flips / re-does houses, and in the condition he was in, he couldn't really do a lot of the work he usually did very well. Through his endurance and faith, he was healed and he was able to do his job. Within the past week or two, I've been reminded and learned more that sometimes the reason why we go through really hard things is so we will rely on Christ more. Hard times are learning opportunities. I saw a little girl crying because her feelings were hurt by someone and i thought, " grow up." This is not how our father thinks of us when we go through difficulties and struggles. He loves us. He knows us. He sent his son to live and die for us. He suffered pains and sicknesses of every kind. Surely he was a man aquatinted with grief. He suffered for us so that he would be able to know how to succor his people the best. He doesn't look at us and say " grow up." He KNOWS. He understands. He wants to help us grow. The things that we find of importance are also important to him and the good news is that he provides us with help. If we choose to humble ourselves before him and having faith in him, by reading our scriptures, by praying, by fasting, by going to church, by having faith, by having hope, by living like his son,and by helping others on their way, I know that he will help us. We are in every way, imperfect. This world and life is a time given so that we can become perfectED. So that we can then someday live with our heavenly father. To be able to have him say to us... well done my child. We will know that we messed up alot, but that we also ended up following the path he has provided for us, and thats what really matters.
I really hope that you guys know back at home that I love you and I hope the best for you. I hope that through life we can all rely more upon Jesus Christ who is the only way in order to get to God and happiness and relief. I know that he is the way and the light. I love him and I'm trying my best.
- LOVE Elder Masulonis
January 9, 2012
So I'm not sure if I've told you this before, but preperation days are awesome. Today was only slightly lest awesome. It rained this morning, which I wouldnt really care if it was any other day because Elder Loftin and I play tennis with someone named Brother Crenshaw on monday mornings. ( and I've heard that when you do missionary work in the rain, your future wife gets hotter ;) ) he is pretty good, and he is teaching me how to play better. Hopefully I can keep this hobby on my mission so when I get back I can waste dad. ;)
Ya so actually I live in the up stairs of some members, and they have a ton of horses. They also have like 4-5 dogs. And I had to learn the hard way that if you leave your bike helmet out, the next day it would be all chewed up.
So this week we went on a blitz with our zone leaders. A blitz in mission terms is when 2 companionships serve in the same area and the companionships are switched for the day. So I was with Elder Pace, and Elder Loftin was with Elder Whitman. (Elder Whitman was one of the Elders from Rexburg ID. I was on the basketball team with him in jr. high. His dad works up at the college.) I learned alot from Elder Pace. He was so considerate and understood my situation so well and could relate to me. He actually reminds me of Jamin a lot. He grew up on a ranch and fixed farm equipment and rode horses and herded cattle and moved pipe growing up. But he helped me be a better missionary by showing me how I can improve and loving me. He is amazing. Anyway, he helped me talk to everyone about the gospel. Like really everyone. Elder Loftin and I got in the rut of going from one appointment to another and not noticing the people on the side of the raod as much. But Elder Pace would help me by encouragement and by example to talk with everyone. As we started to talk with everyone I met up with, I got shut down more and more. Near the end of the blitz, I secretly thought to myself, why can't I talk with the spirit? Why do I always think of what I should say next instead of listening to the spirit? What am i doing wrong that is causing me to get shut down so much by people and on the inside as well. But as we were going to our last place that we were planning on going to, I ended up talking to a man named Otto. At first, I though he was a little slow because when i was explaining the restoration, he just accepted everything we told him. But Elder Pace offered to give him a Book of Mormon, and he showed that he wasn't slow by declining in an intelegent way. Elder Pace then asked him, "what are you feeling right now?" He then said, "warmth and saftey" Elder Pace then taught him that the feelings that he was experiencing were feelings caused by the spirit touching his soul. We then set a return appointment. I took away from that experience that again, it is after, that trial of our faith that we recieve a witness form our Heavenly father. Sometimes we go through things so that we can have a great prize. But when we have faith in our Heavenly Father and in his son Jesus Christ, we are able to obtain that prize. I am very greatful for this blesing in my life. It may seem small to others, but it was from my Heavenly Father and it is important to me.
I'm so grateful for being able to be raised by goodly parents. I often forget how truely blessed I am. Thank you for supporting me and helping me be the person I am today.
love- Elder Masulonis
Ya so actually I live in the up stairs of some members, and they have a ton of horses. They also have like 4-5 dogs. And I had to learn the hard way that if you leave your bike helmet out, the next day it would be all chewed up.
So this week we went on a blitz with our zone leaders. A blitz in mission terms is when 2 companionships serve in the same area and the companionships are switched for the day. So I was with Elder Pace, and Elder Loftin was with Elder Whitman. (Elder Whitman was one of the Elders from Rexburg ID. I was on the basketball team with him in jr. high. His dad works up at the college.) I learned alot from Elder Pace. He was so considerate and understood my situation so well and could relate to me. He actually reminds me of Jamin a lot. He grew up on a ranch and fixed farm equipment and rode horses and herded cattle and moved pipe growing up. But he helped me be a better missionary by showing me how I can improve and loving me. He is amazing. Anyway, he helped me talk to everyone about the gospel. Like really everyone. Elder Loftin and I got in the rut of going from one appointment to another and not noticing the people on the side of the raod as much. But Elder Pace would help me by encouragement and by example to talk with everyone. As we started to talk with everyone I met up with, I got shut down more and more. Near the end of the blitz, I secretly thought to myself, why can't I talk with the spirit? Why do I always think of what I should say next instead of listening to the spirit? What am i doing wrong that is causing me to get shut down so much by people and on the inside as well. But as we were going to our last place that we were planning on going to, I ended up talking to a man named Otto. At first, I though he was a little slow because when i was explaining the restoration, he just accepted everything we told him. But Elder Pace offered to give him a Book of Mormon, and he showed that he wasn't slow by declining in an intelegent way. Elder Pace then asked him, "what are you feeling right now?" He then said, "warmth and saftey" Elder Pace then taught him that the feelings that he was experiencing were feelings caused by the spirit touching his soul. We then set a return appointment. I took away from that experience that again, it is after, that trial of our faith that we recieve a witness form our Heavenly father. Sometimes we go through things so that we can have a great prize. But when we have faith in our Heavenly Father and in his son Jesus Christ, we are able to obtain that prize. I am very greatful for this blesing in my life. It may seem small to others, but it was from my Heavenly Father and it is important to me.
I'm so grateful for being able to be raised by goodly parents. I often forget how truely blessed I am. Thank you for supporting me and helping me be the person I am today.
love- Elder Masulonis
Sunday, January 8, 2012
January 2, 2012
To help a worried mom, I'm fine, I'm eating, I'm not cold. My bike is working great. What happends if my bike helmet gets broken or if I get a flat? I dont have one or anything. One of the dogs bit it though. Not while it was on me or anything but I left it out one time and there are like one or two bite marks on it and it made me wonder.
I'm not gonna lie though, missionary work is real hard. Sometimes I wonder what I can even do when I have a day that is less successful. Being on a mission puts you in a situation that really makes you rely on the Lord. The song I need thee every hour really applies to missionary work. I need him every moment of the day. I'm trying my best, but often it doesnt seem to be enough. When those days happen I find myself at my bedside at night and just praying for help, and somehow, im able to feel or see how things are alright. God does wants us to improve, but its not required to be perfect right now. Thanks for the words in your letters they are really encouraging to me. It helps me see that even though things are hard, God is helping me be better, and he has great plans for me. I often see myself less than what I realy am (which can be a form of pride) but I know that God can give me help. When its hard to see, that is just God asking me to have a little more faith. Anyway, thank you for writing and sending me all the pictures and everything you do for me. You do so much for me. Your the best mom ever. I really mean it. Im glad you are my mom.
Love Kent
Love Kent
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Letter from December 18, 2011
Dear dad
I want you to know of how much I love you. I love you so much for working so hard for me and the rest of the family. I feel like I'm learning a lot. I'm coming to understand the atonement more and more. Even though I'm out on a mission, I dont consider myself the ideal missionary. I want to be able to have more courage and confidence with talking to people. At a recent zone conference, I felt the spirit tell me of things that I need to work on. They are, faith, patience, and humility. They all work together and are connected as im sure you know. I need more faith that even though I dont think I'm very good at speaking to people, the spirit will bring truth to their hearts. An apostle once said, "it doesn't matter who's lips are moving when the spirit is teaching." I need to have patience with many things. Things like, the work im doing, my companion, myself, and others. I need to show constant respect for each of these and more. I need to do as was said in general conference and wait upon the lord. which leads into humility. I need to understand that everything is in the Lords hands while I do my part. I need to be wanting to know what the Lord wants for me as much as I want air. Jesus Christ was and is our perfect example, and he never did anything that was directly for himself. Everything was for us. His humility to our fathers will, makes so that we can eventually live with him and those we love. Anyway, enough about how I need to be better. obviously, there is room for improvement for everyone.
It sounds like things are going somewhat normal around there. So for the christmas call, make sure that people have things to talk about when they talk to me, cuz I've heard that the call can be a little weird seeing that I'm focused on the work and not much else. I'm sending you guys something for christmas and i hope you like each of the things.
Well dad, none of us are perfect, and I know you see yourself of less than what others see in you. You are great. I've seen in my life of how great you can be. I love you. Show mom and Randy individual and tailored gifts of love and time. I know that at times life seems impossible. It seems like sometimes we get overwhelmed and discouraged. There are many books and people that show us the "pill" to fix the next problem, real healing from the trails and hurts that come in our life come from the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know this and have seen it in the relatively short time I have been on this earth. I know it works. It's true, life is not easy at all, and the trials with the atonement make us stronger and more prepared to meet our father. I dont know how much this is making connection in your life or if it is making sense. I know I am weak. I know all of gods children are weak in one way or another. Rely on the Lord, and he will be with thee. He will strengthen thee. and cause thee to stand. Find out what the lord wants you to do, and do it. I love you dad. You are a great example to me.
LOVE
KENT
I want you to know of how much I love you. I love you so much for working so hard for me and the rest of the family. I feel like I'm learning a lot. I'm coming to understand the atonement more and more. Even though I'm out on a mission, I dont consider myself the ideal missionary. I want to be able to have more courage and confidence with talking to people. At a recent zone conference, I felt the spirit tell me of things that I need to work on. They are, faith, patience, and humility. They all work together and are connected as im sure you know. I need more faith that even though I dont think I'm very good at speaking to people, the spirit will bring truth to their hearts. An apostle once said, "it doesn't matter who's lips are moving when the spirit is teaching." I need to have patience with many things. Things like, the work im doing, my companion, myself, and others. I need to show constant respect for each of these and more. I need to do as was said in general conference and wait upon the lord. which leads into humility. I need to understand that everything is in the Lords hands while I do my part. I need to be wanting to know what the Lord wants for me as much as I want air. Jesus Christ was and is our perfect example, and he never did anything that was directly for himself. Everything was for us. His humility to our fathers will, makes so that we can eventually live with him and those we love. Anyway, enough about how I need to be better. obviously, there is room for improvement for everyone.
It sounds like things are going somewhat normal around there. So for the christmas call, make sure that people have things to talk about when they talk to me, cuz I've heard that the call can be a little weird seeing that I'm focused on the work and not much else. I'm sending you guys something for christmas and i hope you like each of the things.
Well dad, none of us are perfect, and I know you see yourself of less than what others see in you. You are great. I've seen in my life of how great you can be. I love you. Show mom and Randy individual and tailored gifts of love and time. I know that at times life seems impossible. It seems like sometimes we get overwhelmed and discouraged. There are many books and people that show us the "pill" to fix the next problem, real healing from the trails and hurts that come in our life come from the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know this and have seen it in the relatively short time I have been on this earth. I know it works. It's true, life is not easy at all, and the trials with the atonement make us stronger and more prepared to meet our father. I dont know how much this is making connection in your life or if it is making sense. I know I am weak. I know all of gods children are weak in one way or another. Rely on the Lord, and he will be with thee. He will strengthen thee. and cause thee to stand. Find out what the lord wants you to do, and do it. I love you dad. You are a great example to me.
LOVE
KENT
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