June 1, 2015

Hey Everyone,

This week has been pretty good. We went to the Kleinert’s again on Monday and had dinner and family home evening. We talked about preach my gospel and had a good time. We had to do our shopping on Tuesday because all the stores were closed on Monday for a holiday. I don’t remember what holiday it was but like I was telling Megan if something is written on the calendar they celebrate it.

We had our English class again this week, but the guy never showed so we went and tried some contacting. Not much happened while we were out. On Wednesday we had district meeting. It was great. I went on a split to Paderborn.  It’s a two hour train ride just to get there.

Train Ride to Paderborn

We went and did some doors and when we got there and I gave out a Book of Mormon to some people. I hope they call us back.  Thursday we split back and then Elder Frickey and I had an appointment with some members. It took a while to get out to the people but we got there and had a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes and some vegetable soup stuff.  It was really good, even though there were vegetables. It reminded me of moms homemade grannies chicken noodle soup!

Friday we had a meeting in Dortmund. I went and did some contacting with a kid.  We picked a bad route and only saw a few people. We had a lesson with a member that didn’t go so well and then another appointment fall out on us. Not such a great day. After that there was a German boy having a mission going away part. He is leaving on the 11th of June and he is going to the Alpine Germany mission. We got to chill there for a bit and listen to the music they had playing. It was mostly American stuff. On Saturday we went to a town called Wetter. It was a cool place and we met an old companion of Elder Frickey’s who was visiting Germany. We said hi for a few minutes and then they left. After that we went to Brother Kramer’s house and had dinner. He fed us burritos. He is in love with Taco Bell and has a Taco Bell tray. He is a funny guy. On Sunday we went to church and oh yeah some lady from Venezuela stopped us on the street on Tuesday and she only spoke Spanish, so we called a Spanish speaking member and asked her to translate. Turns out she is a member and we gave her the church address. She showed up on Sunday and it was the best. When we first met her she kept pointing to the sky and then grabbing her heart. It was cool. After church we went to a members house and had chili and cornbread for lunch. It was delicious.

That’s pretty much all that happened this week.  Thanks for all the prayers. The couple we had lined up for a baptismal dates are not coming to church and are always too busy to meet. It kind of stinks.

Burgers and Fries at the Crittenden's

 

Well have a good week and I love all of you so much!

Devin

May 25, 2015

Hey guys,

So this week we had cleaning checks. We cleaned our apartment and then the Bench’s came and checked out our place. They said it was all good but Sister Bench started trying to fold my clothes because apparently, I folded my pants wrong and she was trying to get my shirts out so she could iron them. We told her we do that in the mornings before we put the shirt on and she finally gave up. haha

On Tuesday we tried going by to visit less actives but no one answered their doors. After that we had English class and that went well. There is a girl here from Utah that’s going to school and she helped us teach. 

Wednesday we went to Unna because Elder Frickey is a district leader so he had to do a baptismal interview for an Unna's investigator. It went really well and then we went to a member’s house for dinner. They had wraps and it was delicious. We then went to Ward Council. It’s called Geminda rat here. 

On Thursday we went to the soup kitchen and gave out soup, coffee and water. It was a lot of fun. Then we went to Bro Kramer’s house and had lunch with him. He gave us Chinese food and then goulash and hash brown things. He always has a lot of food for us. Then we watched some old Joseph Smith movie with him in German and then shared a thought with him and then we went to Institute. Institute was good but our investigator didn’t show up. He is working three jobs and could not make it.

On Friday Brother Bench came back over and fixed stuff in our apartment. He was there for three hours.  We weekly planned and then went to meet an investigator from a long time ago. We showed up but he was stuck in traffic, so he never showed but we are meeting with him next week. 

On Saturday we went to Unna again because they were having a baptism and we were speaking at it and then doing service with them right afterwards. It was great because their investigator showed up and he got baptized! Afterwards, we went and helped a guy paint his house. It was pretty good but we all kind of sucked at painting. 

Sunday we went to church and afterwards we went to a members house for dinner. She had some meat thing called Rolladen, I think.  It was delicious and we had knodel (dumplings) and gravy and rot kohl (red cabbage)and then had a lesson with them. We also got a referral from them. Her son had some girl over and she said she wanted the lessons. And now it’s Monday and I am at the Church emailing you guys, and there is some guy next door sweeping his porch with no pants on. haha

Pant-less man next door

 I am glad that you guys all had a good week four wheeling. That’s good you had Adam helping get everyone out. He needs to build some muscle for snowmachining when I get back. haha  That’s cool your going on splits with the missionaries dad. Maybe you can go flying with the guy. He can teach you how to use the radio. haha  I don’t have any really cool mission experiences to share this week but I have been reading in the Book of Mormon a lot and I really like it. I used to think it was boring but not anymore. We listened to a talk called 17 Points of the True Church and it is a really cool talk. You should listen to it. I am sure Adam has heard it while on his mission. 

I don’t remember Brother Brown. That is cool he served his mission in Frankfurt.  What cities did he serve in? I am going on another split with Elder Watts in a few weeks, I think. We are working on less actives but they live far away and they are never home. We are meeting with Gerardo still which is good. Our area has Hagen, Ludenscheid and Iserlöhn. Germany is good. It’s a little rainy today but it’s good.

Well have a good week! I love you all! 

Devin

May 18, 2015

Hey guys,

This week was good but a little slow. Not much happened. The weather here is alright. It’s warm some days and then others it’s kind of cold. I went on a split this week to Unna and got to drive around in a car with a friend (Elder Watts) from the MTC. Elder Watts and I grilled some bratwurst and bananas on our split.  We went back to Unna Saturday and did some service for some people who were just moving things up stairs. 

Elder Watts and I driving to Unna

 

Yes, I see the Langner’s at church all the time. I don’t know what he does for work. So I don’t know what else to tell you about the Langner’s.  I don’t really know them too well. I know they have four kids, I think. I met three of them and one is on a mission in England, that’s about all I know.

The week has been good but a little boring. No one new to our English class. The guy we invited never showed up. It’s always disappointing when they talk to you and say they will come and still don't show up. We are teaching a Mexican guy named Gerardo. He is awesome. He is already a member but it’s all good.

Grilling bratwurst and bananas in Unna

The city is good. I am meeting a few new people. The ward is pretty good. They invite us over all the time for dinner and stuff. We have a member Brother Kramer and he is real cool. I think I told you about him last week. We go over every Saturday and he is awesome. Nicest guy ever. I really like meeting people here. Some are okay but others are just amazing and super nice. Transfers are on Wednesday we got the call Saturday and everyone in our district is staying. This transfer is only a five week transfer. 

Well love you guys! 

Devin

 

On our way to Unna

May 11, 2015

Dear Family,

That was awesome yesterday! It was so good to see all of you! I told the German family you guys said thanks and they said it was no problem and we are welcome anytime. Also, Elder Frickey was done Skyping he just never came and got me.

The Langner's

I don’t really know what to say this week! On Saturday we went to a member’s house and he had a missionary and his wife over from about 5 years ago. That was really fun talking with them. Afterwards, the member guy’s wife came home and I introduced myself and she did too and then she just said I am inactive. haha  I didn’t know what to say because she seemed really grumpy, but later she started sword fighting Elder Frickey and told him to kill her husband and they could get married. haha. It was super weird but funny.

The language from Jena and Hagen is not too much different they just pronounce stuff is a little different. I haven’t noticed too big a difference. Well I hope you had a good Mother’s Day mom! Go shoot some bunnies or something with your new gun!

Me writing to you

I put a couple pictures in the drop box. Not too much happened this week so I didn’t get too many pictures.

Love Devin 

May 4, 2015

Hey guys!

This week has been pretty good we went to this overlook with this old member couple in our ward. That is what that horse statue is in the picture I sent. I guess the guys name is Kaiser (A Germany Emperor) and he brought Germany together a long time ago. It used to be 200 separate states or something and now it is 7 or so I think.

 Emperor William I known in German
as Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal

It was cool to see the City from afar. We then had dinner with them and then went to an old lady member who we taught. It was fun. I think I understand a bit more when people talk.   It’s just hard. Their sentence structure is nuts. I was reading the Book of Mormon in German today and could understand what was happening. So that’s good. I also went on another split but I stayed here in Hagen. We had an English class with this kid and I think it went ok. We then had another eating appointment on Wednesday. It was really fun. We played a game like Nertz only it was called Liggereto and you can’t play solitaire on the extra cards. haha.

Thursday we went to the soup kitchen again to do service and give people soup and water and coffee. It was fun. The lady gave us Kräuter Tea which is the nastiest thing on the planet, but after a few spoonfuls of sugar and a few prayers I got it down. hah.

On Saturday we went to a member’s house and he is the coolest guy. He answered the door and pretended to be drunk and had a bottle with some red stuff in it. It was funny and it ended up that his bottle was an alcohol free drink. He fed us dinner and we shared a spiritual thought with him. He fed us some soup called Buffalo Schwanz. That means buffalo tail but I also heard schwanze is slang for something else. haha. So I am not sure what it was. I hope it was tail. Teaching the restoration last week went well. It was the first time I have taught in a while and I still kind of suck at talking, but it was good.

Hagen from the monument

I think we are going to a member’s house on Sunday to Skype. I will try and Skype you around 7:00 PM my time. You may need to make a Skype so I can use my email and password. My name is devin.kenley. Also, I am allowed to check my email anytime during the week. I am not supposed to send any but I think it would be ok for coordination reasons.

I don’t think I have any pictures of me this week but I will try and have my companion take some.

Hagen 

Well I love all of you so much and can’t wait to see you on Skype next week! Email me if you have any questions!!!!

Bye, love Devin

April 27, 2015

Hey Family!

This week was exciting. We went to an old ladies house and gave her a lesson. It was fun. Then I went on a spilt to Dortmond and I got to teach another old lady. That went really well. I got to teach about the Restoration. Then we went to this member’s house and her two twelve year old granddaughters were there. They reminded me of Abby except they both had phones and spoke German. haha. We told them the story of Ether.

Carnival at Erfurt

The next morning we went and helped this guy clean out his house because he is moving and we had to clean out his basement. There was a bunch of old stuff and I found magazines from the 1960's. There was one with the Beattle’s on it. Then I went back to Hagen and we did some finding.

On Friday we got to go to Frankfurt and hear from Elder Bednar! It was awesome. He did a question answer type thing and it was great. I think it was probably the best church meeting I have ever been to. It was about 5 hours long but it was really good. I got some pictures of the ride home but not too many sorry.

On our way home from Frankfurt from hearing Elder Bednar

Well I am glad you all had fun in Valdez! That burger place sounds good. Man I miss burgers. I haven’t had a real burger in a long time. Take some videos if you guys do a polar plunge at the lake! I bet Grandpa Fred will do it! haha

That’s funny that Sara broke through the ice and fell in Long Lake. She should have just gone swimming. I know we are going to be able to Skype on Mother’s Day. I am not sure of the time it is probably going to be after church my time probably around 1 or 2 pm here. I can’t wait!

They do feed us sparkly water here a lot.  A funny story about sparkly water… We went to an Asian restaurant and I ordered water trying to save money and Elder Anderson (this was back in Jena) got a apfelshorle (which is basically apple juice with carbonation) and his glass was bigger.  My glass was sparkly water and it cost almost a euro more. I was so mad.

In Erfurt

Good Job Abby on your basketball game! I am glad you guys did so well! That’s also cool you got a new receiver for the basement. You’re going to need to watch a movie for your birthday mom! Tell Jared he needs to have his lawn finished at least by the time I get home… or else! I have not heard anything about the Earthquake in Napal. That is so sad. I hope they recover okay.  

We haven’t played much soccer here because the zone is so spread out. We never even see other missionaries on P-day. I think there is one castle kind of close. We will have to check it out!

Hey Abby! Germany is good the language is coming along. Funky thing I have eaten lately is sauerkraut.  It was alright but still not my favorite. Haha no you heard right I have been eating lots of vegetables. More than you!

Sounds like you had a good time in Valdez! I am glad you made it on Varsity track team Abby that’s awesome! I did high jump and the 100meter in track.

Well I love you all so much! Can’t wait for Mothers Day! Have a good week!

Devin

 

Panorama of Erfurt

April 20, 2015

Hey Family,

This week was good I had my first member meal. It was good!  We had bratwurst, potatoes and mushroom sauce, and yes I ate the mushroom sauce. I have actually eaten a lot of new stuff. Carol Kenley would be proud, because I have eaten lots of vegetables.

Anyways, the member appointment went well and then the next day we went back to help them do some service. It was good and afterwards she made us lunch. She had these weird little sandwiches. One of the sandwiches I tried was a mett sandwich.  It is basically raw beef with onions and a pickle on top. Yes, it tastes like it sounds.  Actually, all I could taste was the onions.

A little village called Zurstraße

This week, I have also gone out and knocked doors in lots of weird little places. We went out to a dorf (village) called Zurstraße. We doored probably the entire little place. That is where I took all the pictures that I sent you this week. On Wednesday, we had district meetings and I got to meet the Elders in our district. I saw Elder Watts from the MTC. Then after that I went to Padderborn on a split. That was a small town and we just biked around and talked to people. One lady talked to us for a bit and gave us water (Sparkly water) and then said she had no interest. This week was good and we talked to a bunch of people, but not many want to hear what we have to say.

There are about 80 people, I think, in our ward here in Hagen. Yes, the church building is located on Straße. But it is Straße not Strabe. This thing ß is two s's so Strasse. There are only two of us in the Apartment. I don’t know why we have two extra beds. My address is Arndtstrasse 35.  Google maps street view doesn’t work on the street but the thing seems to be on the right building. My apartment is a 2 minute walk from the church again.

Outside Zurstraße

We didn’t have a baptism on Saturday. We still have a lot to teach. We do a lot of doors and a lot of meeting with members.

I didn’t realize Mother’s Day is in 21 days! That’s crazy! I can’t wait to Skype you! I think I liked Jena a little more but that’s probably because I don’t know too many people here yet. I have not met any new Farooq's.   I Hope I do though.  Farooq said he has family in Alaska and will visit when I am home! Hopefully I will have more pictures next week!

Love you all so much!

Devin