July 16, 2012

Dear Family,

I am loving being back in Catalina.  A lot has happened since I've been gone but I still know a lot of the members and many were glad to see me back.  Even one of my recent converts from Monterrey had moved to Catalina (Nancy Zuniga) and it was a really great feeling to see them again.

My new companions are awesome.  Elder Fuentes is such a great missionary and an awesome leader despite being out for only two transfers.  I am learning a lot from him and his great attitude towards everything and everyone.  He is 100% Mexican but didn't speak any Spanish before the mission, but he picks it up fast because he was surrounded by it at home.  Elder Broomhead is a great missionary too.  He is half Dominican and half American, and like most new missionaries, was a little reserved for the first few days but is now taking the initiative to talk with people in the streets and bear his testimony.  He'll be a great missionary.  His Spanish is also really good for someone just leaving the MTC, and he'll pick it up really fast.

We have a lot of investigators who need a lot of teaching and we are working so hard.  I'm so happy to be able to finish my mission in this area.  Sometimes I forget I'm going to be home in about 2 weeks, which is a good thing because I guess it means I'm more focused on the work.  On the other hand, reality is going to hit me hard when I'm on the plane or on
my way for the exit interview!!!  I am trying to make these last weeks of my mission life changing and character building.

Dad, the Spartan race sounded like a really cool race.  It doesn't surprise me you did as well as you did.  You seem to have broadened the amount of physical activities you do since I left.  I think it would be really fun to train and compete in things like that, though I'd probably be one of those kids passing out on the hill with the five-gallon can of rocks.  I've seen similar races advertised here on billboards and street posts.  I hope my school schedule will permit me to work out more while still focusing on grades and studying.  I've lost about 8 pounds recently -- maybe you'll be able to tell in the pictures I sent.

Thanks for the packages, Scout cookies, and pictures.  I would have loved to have been at Matt's Court of Honor.  Looking at his picture and program you sent brought back some good memories that seem so long ago.  Tell Matt congrats and I can't wait to see him soon!!

Love,

Elder Kinney