Febuary 4th, 2013

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Feb 4^th, 2013

Hello family,

I guess you guys heard about the tornado that came through here on Wednesday. Our mission President informed us about it and told us to stay indoors. The tornado didn't hit in my area. There were 60 mph winds mixed with heavy rain. It was still pretty intense for us. I guess the tornado was about 30 miles from us.  We had nothing to worry about. It was crazy.  I woke up Wednesday morning and went out side and it was warmer outside than it was in the apartment. My guess is that it was around 75 degrees and the clouds were orange and purple. We knew that something was going down that day. (ha,ha.)  We sat in the apartment from 2 pm for the rest of the night. It was such a boring day. I don't get how some missionaries can just sit in their apartment all day doing nothing. I guess some missionaries just want the title of serving a full time mission and not serving to their fullest potential.

Sounds like you guys have been having some crazy weather too. I miss the snow. It would be bad for it to snow in Georgia because they don't have very many snow plows.   The whole area, anywhere the snow falls, gets shut down till the sun melts it.  The people that live in Georgia tell me that they don't know how to drive in snow either.

This time of the year is tough for missionary work. Or at least tougher than when I first got to Georgia.  I guess the bad weather puts people in a bad mood and they just don't seem interested in our message.   Once the weather starts to get warmer it will start to pick up.  Elder Rogers and I got here around the same time so we had to figure stuff out on our own. The missionaries before us didn't do too much missionary work so we didn't have any investigators to start out with.   We are slowly starting to find investigators and people to teach. It gets a little discouraging at times knocking on doors and getting rejected but that's really all missionary work is about.   Our only progressing investigator Sal, has been reading the Book of Mormon.  He loves it!  He told us that he loves the index in the back and that there is so much to learn in the book.  The only problem is that he doesn't believe in organized religion. We are working on him.  He just needs to hear the right words at the right time.  I guess we all do. That is why listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost is so important, as a missionary and as children of God.

I don't have any cool stories to tell you this week.  I heard that the Ravens won the Super Bowl.  Missionaries that watched it called us and told us. There are some crazy things that happen on the mission and there are a lot more disobedient missionaries in the mission field than you would think. It is pretty sad. It makes it tough for the obedient missionaries when they get paired up with the disobedient missionaries.  When I was with Elder C,  it was though trying to get him to listen to approved music and do things that are approved by the Apostles and Prophets. You just have to stay strong and fulfill the promise you made on your mission call.  There are still great missionaries too and that is what I want to be,  a great missionary.

It's amazing, all the things that I'm capable of learning as a missionary and you as well as a member of the church. I know my knowledge of the Gospel is growing as well as my Testimony and Conversion. Your conversion to the Gospel is important just your testimony. Only you know how converted you are to the Gospel. The more converted you are the more you enjoy church and the more you enjoy doing service in the church, like callings and visiting/ home teaching. You start to see the Church as a whole and see your purpose as a member to the one and only true church. Remember that there are people out there that are searching for the truth, and searching for a better life. They just don't know where to find it.

Everyone is born with the light of Christ or the knowledge of what is right or wrong, or feeling good for doing good, and feeling bad for doing wrong things. As members of the Church we are all given a gift. That is the Gift of the Holy Ghost, a constant companion to tell us what is right and what’s wrong. The Holy Ghost also comforts and confirms truth when you hear it.

In first Corinthians 2 is says:

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit  which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

We as members of the true Church have the Holy Ghost to teach us, as long as we are worthy of this gift.  Remember that if you ever have a question about the Church whether or not something is true, read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask our Father in Heaven if it is true.  In 1 Nephi 10: 19 it tells us this:

19 For he that diligently ^seeketh shall find; and the ^mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the ^{Holy Ghost}.   In these times as in times of old, and in times to come;  wherefore, the ^course of the Lord is one eternal round.

I know this is true. 

We don't really have anyone that we can teach so I guess this is you guys for now. Haha.

Love you all.  Thank you for all that you have done for me.

 Pictures taken by Kyle's sister, Christa Cox

Love, Elder Kyle Buhler

Jan 29, 2013

Dear Family,

This past week has been fairly slow :). I am at the library right now in Winder.  I am actually living in Winder, GA.  They split the Winder ward a few years ago and called the other ward Fort Yargo. Winder got the better end of the deal, ha-ha. I like this area, there is plenty of work to do. No one is out walking, this time of year.  It is cold here so we have been tracting and using that harvesting tool I was telling you about.

We had some success with the harvesting tool. We knocked on one door and a lady answered. We asked if we could come in and bless her home, she said yes. It turned out that her mother was very sick and her kids were sick also. They actually just got back from the hospital. We were able to bless her home and leave the Savior’s peace and comfort. We also asked to leave a blessing on her mother and kids. She told us that she was happy we came and that she could feel the spirit.  We told her that she could feel the spirit more often in her life by meeting with us and learning how to make covenants with Heavenly Father. She accepted and we have an appointment to see her tomorrow. So we have her as an investigator now. 

We also had a guy named Sal text us and tell us that he found a card in his room that he got from a missionary during the summer.  He had a prompting to text the number on the card. We made an appointment with him and it was a very spiritual experience. He doesn't go to a church but reads from the King James Bible. He doesn't have all the false teachings that come from a preacher, so everything that he believes in about God is true and what we believe in. He loves reading. He has been in and out of prison.  Recently he wanted to put God and Jesus Christ first. We answered his questions and introduced him to the Book of Mormon. He accepted it willingly and is very excited to read it. I showed him a scripture that had to do with his situation and he knew right then and there that it was the word of God. I shared with him. Ether 12: 27-29, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble;

and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."He has been through a lot and knows that he had those weaknesses in the past so he could find God and Jesus and know that They live. He is our top investigator and we are very excited about him. He is a really good person, just hasn't made all the right decisions in his life, just like everybody else, and just wants to put the lord first in his life.

Well I'm getting along well with Elder Rogers and we are starting to get things going again here in Fort Yargo. Good things are starting to come.  We just need to keep our heads up and keep going. Oh and just in case you were wondering I have been taking advantage of the workout time between 6:30 and 7:00 :)Ha-ha.  Well, that's all I for this week. 

You are in my prayers.  Drive safe in the bad weather in Utah and stay in doors. Sounds like the smog is going to kill everyone. Thanks again for all that you do and have done for me.

Love, Elder Kyle Buhler.

Jan 21, 2013

I have edited some names in this post and the last one.

Dear Family,
This past week has been a CRAZY one again.  Elder C. is now home.  He went home this past Friday,  as well as his past companion Elder H.   Elder C. was out for about 16 months and Elder H. for about 9.  Elder H. is being sent home for not being within sight and sound of his companion.  If he was,  he would have been able to stop whatever happened that caused Elder C. to be sent home.  Elder H. can come back to Georgia in 6 months if he chooses to do so.  Elder C. does not have that option.  I'm happy for Elder C. and that he made the right decision.

Okay enough about that.  So I have now been transferred to Fort Yargo in the Athens Zone to replace Elder H.  I'm now serving with Elder Rogers who has been on his mission just over 18 months.  Elder Rogers had only been in Fort Yargo for a week when I got here.  We are doing something called whitewashing.  This is done there isn't an Elder in the area that was previously there.  So, we are here without any investigators because whomever the previous Elders were,  they didn't do very much.  We are basically starting from scratch.  For the past couple of days we have both been trying to get back on our feet, and back to work.  I miss Coal Mountain.  The ward is like a Utah Ward but in Georgia.  It was great while it lasted.  Fort Yargo Ward is more like Covington.  There are only 100 members that attend sacrament meeting and only 8 in gospel doctrine class and in priesthood quorum.  Well, nothing else really happened this week.  We are just looking for some new investigators.

Love, Elder Buhler

Elder Loader and me on transfer day.  He had to step forward so he didn't look so short. 

                                                             Coal Mountain Apartment.

January 17,2013

Hey, Everybody

This past week has been a crazy week! Well, I made it to Coal Mountain okay accept some how my pillow got lost in the mix of all things. Ha, ha I have no clue were it went. Elder C. has many talents. He plays the piano very well. He plays the guitar, sings and many other talents. The Coal Mountain ward is a lot different than Covington. I still miss Covington but there are a lot more people here. There is a member in this ward, Sister Mulbery. She picked us up from the Stake center on transfer day. She took us out to this nice restaurant. It was a Japanese Steakhouse. The first one that I have ever been to. I didn't want her to spend so much money on us but I didn't know what to do. We ate there anyway.  I tried Octopus for the first time and it was nasty chewy, and I will never eat it again. The meal that I got was very good. She stopped at a store on the way home and told us that we could get anything that we needed, I didn't want her to pay for a ton of stuff so I let her get me some laundry detergent. 

The ward is very nice and loves to do missionary work. There are a lot more young couples. 

Here's what has happened this past week. I have been having a hard time with my companion. The problem with Elder C. is that he doesn't like to follow most of the mission rules. For example, internet usage, music, movies, and he has an iPhone. Ha,ha. So to make a long story short, this week has been hard. I guess he hasn't worked very hard in Coal Mountain. I basically told him he couldn’t do anything to get me sent home and he had go out at 10 am and finish at 9 pm, and he accepted. I'm grateful for that. We have been working hard despite the things that he does. Remember the harvesting tool that I was telling you about where we leave the Savior’s peace and blessing on people’s homes. Well, in order for the spirit to be there it is required that you are obedient and this poses a problem doesn't it. Ha, ha. I could sense that Elder C. was not feeling that he deserved to work hard and covert and leave blessings on peoples homes. I could sense it just by being around him. I can’t explain the feeling. It’s almost like a nervous feeling. It eventually led to Elder C. scheduling an appointment with the mission president for an interview. And know that I didn't make him do it, he did it on his own.  He has done some bad things on his mission. Which has resulted in him having to go home this Wednesday. Sad story but it was for the best. He will be missed. We can always be grateful for the Atonement, and it just goes to show that good will always prevail over evil. I don't know if I will be staying here in Coal Mountain or not. The problem is that there are no other missionaries available to be my companion. Well see what happens.

But its funny the way things work. We have been getting in with investigators that missionaries haven't been able to get in for a long time.  I have able to share powerful messages with them. Some have accepted baptismal commitments. Its crazy how being obedient to the commandments and mission rules brings blessings.

Well I hope that you all are doing well. I will be fine and the mission is good. I love the mission. I have learned so much and have had many opportunities to learn. I love you all. And thank you for all of your love and support. 

This Scripture has been in my head the past week.

 30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.

 31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.

 32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and Love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become Holy without spot.

Love, Elder Kyle Buhler

January 7,2013

December 31^st, 2012

Hello

It was good to be able to see and talk you all on Tuesday. I felt like there was so much to talk about, in so little time. Ha-ha, but it was fun. Thank-you all for the gifts and sorry I didn't have the package with the reindeer rapping paper on it till after Christmas to thank you when I face-timed home.

 After the call home we had a big lunch at a members home and then a few hours later we ate dinner at the Payne's. I ate so much that day. I had Cornish Hens for the first time. They were pretty good.

This week was pretty slow though for missionary work, being in between holidays. Basically no one was interested. But there are new ways of tracting that we were just informed about, and about 80 % of the time the families let you in.  Basically, you just bless their home with the Savior’s spirit and comfort. They than feel the spirit very strongly and they invite you to teach them. We tell them that they will be able to feel the spirit more often if they let us teach them and it will bless their family. Because it will!! It works and its pretty legit.

One experience we had, we ended up kneeling and praying with a family of 6 around their sick mother’s bed. It was a pretty spiritual experience.

Another cool experience we had was when we were on a team up with Bro. Montana (the member I called home from) and went to visit a less active the day after Christmas. The family we visited was not in the best living conditions insomuch that we could tell that their children didn't get a Christmas. Well long story short, we ended up going to Wal-Mart and  Brother Montana bought them toys, candy, diapers and a space heater.  Bro. Montana let us take their toys to them. I will always remember the look on their faces it brought me so much joy, seeing them so happy and excited. I will never forget that experience.

Well that's all I have for you this week, sorry so short. Tonight for New Years Eve we are going to the Hiat’s house, an elderly couple and they are making us home made ice cream.

I love you all. Thank you so much for all that you do. And I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Love, Elder Buhler

January 7, 2013

Hello,

Today was transfer day. I'm getting transferred to Coal Mountain ward, and I'm going to be with Elder Beanfield.  He is as tall as I am.  I will still be in a car area. I heard that it is a pretty cool area and it has the Mall of Georgia in it.  There are bigger hills too. So I'm pretty excited. I wanted to stay in Covington unti the next transfer date.  There are a lot of things going on here in Covington. We are teaching a family named the Boles and they are very interested in what we are teaching them. They are good at keeping the commitments that we give them and they actually came to church on Sunday and enjoyed it. They are looking for a good religion for their son to grow up in and our church is perfect. They are pretty sweet. They will most likely be joining the church sometime soon.  There is another young family that is looking for a new church that we have been teaching. The father’s name is Wayne. They are pretty great as well. Wayne has some problems and he wants to overcome those things to live a better life. There are some good things happening here in Covington. I guess I’m being transferred now to learn that you need to work hard all the time. And it doesn't matter if you are there the whole time to see your investigators get baptized as long as you do what you are supposed to do to bring them closer to Christ and the church. I'm going to miss seeing them get baptized.  That doesn't matter as long as I was a part of their conversion.

My health has been good.   There is nothing holding me back from being the missionary I strive to be. Well that is all for this week. Thanks for all that you do.

Love, Elder Kyle Buhler

Mosiah 4:11-12

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

 12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

December 19,2012

December 13,2012

Dear Mom,

Thank-you for all of the gifts that you gave me, that was a good idea using the 12 days of Christmas. Just in case you were wondering I sang the song as I was reading it. I laughed on the first day,($20 from your money tree). Ha Ha.  All the gifts were great. I thought that it was crazy when you sent the chap stick because I was just about to by some the next day. Moms do know what their children need even when they are for away form home.

Last P-day we helped the Paynes (an elderly couple) put up some Christmas lights around their house.  I was happy to do something that I would do back at home. After that they asked us if we had a Christmas tree. We didn’t so they took us to Big Lots and Elder Loader really wanted a light blue Christmas tree with purple ornaments so that’s what we got.  I’ll send some pictures.  They also gave us some extra lights they had to decorate our outside railing.  That was also something that I missed about not being home, decorating the yard.  I’m glad that I got to do that as well.

I’ve been feeling a lot better.  I’m starting to be able to hear out of my left ear again. I know that I probably shouldn’t have gone out tracking while I was sick but I did anyway.  I did a pretty good job at keeping my cold to myself.

Dana sends me multivitamins that I have been taking every day.  Those should help a bit.  I haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, which probably would be a good idea.  I got a letter from Grandma on the 11^th and I’m not sure if it is for Christmas or not so I’ll just wait to open it.

I don’t know if you remember the lady Georgia and her daughter Breanna, but we’ve started to teach them again and they are interested in Baptism this time around.  We will see how they progress.  They should be good.  I’m still out here working hard.

I’ve been a lot more tired lately.  I don’t know if it is because of winter or if it is just my ‘greeeny’ energy has worn out.  Ha Ha.

Well, I love you and I am very grateful for all that you have done and are doing for me.  Everything you do even the little stuff helps a lot.

Love. Elder Kyle Buhler

December 17, 2012

 Dear, Family

  This week has been pretty busy. I guess I don't need to say that but, it makes me feel good. We have been working with a lot of less actives members lately. We figure that their hearts are a little softer around Christmas. It's been fun meeting all of the people that are less active in the ward. They have a lot more jokes to tell than active members. Its funny how people go less active because they are offended in some way. But they are still good people. We had our ward Christmas Party last Friday. It was pretty good. Lots of singing but it wasn't like back at home with the large dinner. We just had some refreshments afterward.

   As for Investigators go we started teaching Georgia and her daughter Breanna again. I don't know if you remember them. Breanna is super excited about Baptism. Georgia knows that this church is true. But isn't sure about joining yet because she is worried about making commitments right now. Sorry I don't have much to talk about right now.  I look forward to seeing and talking to you all at Christmas. I'm not sure what time yet but I'll find out and let you know next Monday.

  Oh and Patricia Sweney has been doing her Genealogy, and she is going to do baptism's for the dead next Saturday for them. That's pretty Awesome!

Love, Elder Buhler 

Elder Buhler's Christmas Tree

Outside of the apartment

Small Tree Elder Buhler has on his desk

I'm guessing a map of their area and homes they have visited.

December 10, 2012

I guess a cold snowy day is a great time to post and share Elder Buhler's mission with you.

November 19th, 2012

Dear Family,

So this last week was a pretty good week. The weather is starting to get colder so hardly anyone is outside.  We can only knock on doors to find new investigators. This makes it harder because people don't usually like it when people knock on their doors.  Its hard to explain but they are just less receptive. 

Patricia Sweney was baptized last Saturday by Elder Loader and I confirmed her a member of the Church the next day during Sacrament Meeting.  It gets me more excited to do the work when you can actually see that your work pays off.  The Fredrick family is progressing good as well. I think that I told you about them last week. Oh and we received a really good referral from a member. Her name is Talisha.  She is twenty years old.  She is very interested in our message.  She told us that she loved reading from the Book of Mormon, and studying it.

It was transfer week this week and I'm staying here in Covington for at least 6 more weeks.  Elder Loader will still be my companion.   Elder Macdonald, the red head, will be going to Shallowford to be a District Leader for the first time.  I know you don't really care but I thought that I would let you know anyway.

Well, I have nothing left to say except that the Baptism went great and the work is still progressing.

I just finished my 12 week training as well, which I'm pretty excited about.

Elder MacDonald, I think.

Love you all, and miss you. 

                                     Elder Kyle Buhler

November 26, 2012

Dear Mom,

I got your Thanksgiving package. Thank you for the goodies and for the gloves and hat as well.  They all fit, and you sent them just in time, too.  I was planing on buying some gloves today because its been getting pretty cold.  So you saved me. Ha-ha.  It was about 70 degrees during the day until the day after Thanksgiving and now its around 50 during the day.  I'm very grateful that you sent me gloves because my hands would have froze. Ha-ha. Oh and I wrote Grandma a letter so I hope she gets it soon.

For Thanksgiving we drove to Conyers to play in the Turkey bowl. The game started at 10 am and we played till about 1 pm, it was a lot of fun.  I had 7 touch downs myself,  the ball was passed to me for only one of them.  Three of the touchdowns were interceptions that a ran in for a touchdown.  The other three were me catching the ball at the kick off and running it back.  I was so sore after the game I could hardly walk the next day. Ha-ha. I guess that's what happens when you play football once a year.

After that we tried to contact some people but no one was in the mood to talk to us.  No one has been really in the mood to talk to us this past week.  The other Elders tell me that that is what happens during the holiday season.  It gets harder to find investigators.  We'll find something to do though.  I can imagine that we will be doing a lot more less active work.

Anyway back to Thanksgiving, we ate at the Payne's house for dinner. They had lots of family over about 17.  It was a lot of fun but I missed being back at home. I know that Christmas is going to be pretty depressing not being at home.  For dinner we had turkey, dressing, corn, rolls, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie for dessert.  I really missed having strawberry pie and the cranberry pie.  It felt like there was a hole in my chest when I realized I wouldn't be eating my favorite pies for dessert. Ha-ha. We were at the Payne's for 5 hours, telling stories and jokes.  It was a lot of fun.

This last Sunday there was hardly anyone at Church. I guess they were all on vacation.  My guess is that were about 100 people there.  This ward seems kind of small when you come from a ward that is huge like ours.  I guess that is why I'm out here, to help the ward grow.

As for missionary work,  this past week it has been pretty hard for Elder Loader and me to find some new investigators, especially around the Holiday, but we keep on pressing forward.  We have a few promising investigators. We'll see how they progress.  I have a companion exchange with the Zone leaders right after our interviews with the president.  So wish em luck.

Well that's all that I have this week.  I hope that your Thanksgiving was as good as mine, and that you are saying warm.

Miss you and Thanks for all that you do.

Elder Kyle Buhler



December 3, 2012

Dear Family,

This week was pretty good for me. We had our interviews by the President last Tuesday.  President Wolfert talked about kneeling down in prayer three times a day with our companions and asking for referrals from everyone that we come in contact with.  We have always asked our dinner appointments if they had referrals and they usually say no.  He told us that if they do that, we are to kneel with them and ask Heavenly Father to have names come to them. Which is pretty intense, but it works.  Our ward members just need to exercise their faith a little bit.  Sister Wolfert interviews you individually first.   Then you get your interview by President Wolfert.  While I was in my interview with Sister Wolfert,  I told her that I had a soar throat.  She put myrrh oil in my hand and had me lick it off.  Its made by Do Terra one of Pres.Wolfert's businesses.  Anyway, it tasted nasty and it didn't help at all. Ha ha.  My throat is still  soar but it is getting better.  This past week has been hard for me health wise, because of my soar throat.  It was very hard for me to talk. And then, I somehow got an ear infection in my left ear.  I hadn't felt it or noticed it until early Sunday morning.  About 12:30 am I had very excruciating pain in my ear.  Then about 3:00 AM,  I heard crackling noises in my ear, then my ear drum finally popped.  It is currently leaking constantly.  I called the mission Doctor and he put me on some antibiotics.  I'm fine though, I'm feeling pretty good today. Other than that I have been doing pretty good as a missionary.

We have been finding a lot of people to teach and share the gospel with.  We have a few baptismal dates for this next upcoming month.  I hope they all hold strong.  We met with Sister Sweney this week and taught her about eternal marriage, temples and service.  She told us ever since she received the Holy Ghost, she has had a strong desire to share the Gospel. That's the funny thing about this Church.  Once you gain the testimony that you know without a doubt that this church is true and you are truly converted, you want to share it with others.  You want everyone to know it as well.  It's great. Ha ha.

It is a lot of fun being able to spread the truth to everyone and watch their faith grow.  With every person that slams the door in my face, or disagrees with what I say,  my testimony grows in knowing that this is the only true church.  It might not make sense,  but it confirms that the second coming is just a little bit closer.  It also confirms the reason why I'm away from my family.  Its hard being away from home.  Its even harder knowing that people are searching for the truth but they don't know how or where to find it.  Heavenly Father sent us here to gain a body and learn to become more like him. Sometimes its hard living Christ teachings but in the end it will be worth it.  No one said it would be easy. They said it would be worth it. There are somethings in life that will bring us short term happiness, but happiness usually doesn't last long with things of this world.  The things  come from Heavenly Father, through his son Jesus Christ, they are the things that bring us lasting Joy.  The knowledge that you have that families can be together for ever.

I find joy in that Heavenly Father knows that I will make mistakes in this life,  but  he sent his Son to suffer for our sins. That is why Christmas is such a joyful time.  I know that I wont be with you this Christmas and I'm saddened by this.  But, I know that during this time our family can and will grow closer together,  this is because of Jesus Christ.  So, I hope that you all remember what Christmas is all about.  I love you all and talk to you next week.

Love, Elder Kyle Buhler


December 10, 2012

Dear Family,

We had a lot of progress with some of our investigators this week. The Frederick family is progressing very well.  They love the Book of Mormon and they love that they are able to do genealogy work.  They are both in their late fifty's and they have a son that is 23ish.  He is very smart and does his research about the Book of Mormon. Good thing we can answer all of his questions or else we would be in trouble.  We also met this guy named Bobby.  He was getting out of his car when we first contacted him.  We ended up sharing the message of the restoration right there on the spot.  He then accepted a copy of The Book of Mormon.  He didn't want to set up a return appointment yet.   We got his number and left.  About a week later we were walking down the street when Bobby yelled out to us.  He told us that he had been reading the Book of Mormon and that he had been blessed for doing so.  He told us that ever since he started reading the Book of Mormon that he has been able to find work to do and that most of the people that paid him to work for them and paid him more than they originality agreed on. We then set up a return appointment and we are going to see him this week.

Other than that, we have been doing good finding people to share the gospel with.  Seems like more people are interested in us sharing more.  This past week we have been mostly focusing on less active members. Most of them seem like they were offended by someone in the ward and that they let it get to them.  Its the main pattern we see. There are about 150 active members and 350 less active members. We have a lot of work to do if we run out of investigators.

My ear has been healing.  I can barely hear out of it now.  Health wise,  I'm feeling great.  I am happy to be out here sharing the gospel. This last Sunday, I gave a talk in sacrament meeting.  It was about  The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Bishop called me the night before so it is short but here it is.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Heavenly Fathers plan for the happiness and salvation of his children.  It is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he (Jesus Christ) is the one that is central to this plan. Heavenly Father sent his son here to show us how to live happy and meaningful lives.  He also made it possible for us to experience eternal joy after this life.

The first step in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is faith.  Faith in him is when we trust him, believe in him and depend on him.  Faith to me is a action word. True faith will lead you to want to be more like our Savior Jesus Christ and live his teachings. We know that Christ is perfect and none of us are perfect.  Our Father in Heaven knows that none of us is perfect. We also know that no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Heavenly Father sent his only begotten Son to atone for our sins.  This makes the Atonement Central to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Faith in him will lead us to repent.  In Alma 34:17 it says, 17: "Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his Holy name, that he would have mercy upon you".  Faith leads us to stop doing wrong and continue to do things that are right.
Once you have repented, in order to fulfill all righteousness, you must be baptized with the proper authority.  When you are baptized you make a sacred covenant with God. You promise to accept Jesus Christ as you savior, to follow him, and to keep his commandments.  Once you have done all you can you can be forgiven of your sins. Daily repentance is very important. In Alma 34: 31-33 it reads,
"31: Yea,  I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.

32: For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed."

The next step in the Gospel is to receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is there to help you recognize and understand truth.  It provides inspiration and spiritual strength. The Holy Ghost is a literal gift form God.  Your ability to enjoy this divine gift depends on your obedience to the commandments.  The Holy Ghost cannot remain with those who do not live according to Christ's teachings.  The Next Step is to endure to the end.  After these first steps Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Confirmation, you must continue to exercise your faith, repent, and renew your baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.  Enduring to the end is the hardest part for members.  In  2 Nephi 31: 20 is says,
20 "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: 'Ye shall have eternal life'."


I would like to leave you with my testimony that I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bring direction, peace and happiness to your life. You will feel the joy of trying to become more like Jesus, while you serve and help those around you.  By doing those things you will better understand your relationship with our Father in Heaven and his perfect love for you. You can find hope and a sense of purpose in an often unhappy and troubled world.  Never forget to show your love for your Father in Heaven. Amen.

Well talk to you next week. Thank You for all that you do for me and have done for me.

Love Always,  Elder Kyle Buhler