Kaw River Ward

President and Sister Vest

December 13, 2015 

It is official. We are finally here in Independence.  We left the MTC a week ago early Saturday morning and drove to Ogallala, Nebraska. We timed our arrival in Ogallala to coincide with the SC - Stanford kickoff so we could watch the game at the motel. In hindsight, we probably should have driven another 3 hours. On Sunday we drove the rest of the way to James and Kaui’s, arriving in time for dinner and a fun visit with the kids. 

Monday morning President Randy J. Vest and Sister Kristine Vest welcomed us at the mission home. President Vest assigned us to serve in the Kaw River ward of the Lenexa stake. The Kaw River ward is an English speaking ward that is also the magnet ward in the stake for all those that want to attend a Spanish language unit. The meetings are half and half. Today one of the sacrament prayers was in English and the other was in Spanish - one talk was in English and one in Spanish. Headphones are provided with translation for those that do not understand English and they also project the English translation on the big screen for the talks given in Spanish. It is quite interesting. The current bishop, second counselor, executive secretary, ward clerk, young men's and young woman's president have all been called from their home wards to serve in this ward.  The bishop said that they are all asked to serve for a 'season'. Some 'seasons' are longer than others. Building priesthood leadership will be one of our challenges and assignments. The ward meets on the other side of Kansas City about 35 minutes away from our apartment. I think the Prius will get a good workout over the next 18 months. The name 'Kaw' is the tribal name of the native American people that lived here when Lewis and Clark passed through. The Kansas River was originally called the Kaw River.

We were given the keys to our apartment which is about 10 minutes from the mission home here in Independence. Robyn got all excited when she heard that the name was the Mansion Apartments. The land used to be owned by a rich banker who built a beautiful mansion on the property. Later on the property and mansion were sold on the court house steps for back taxes and 500 apartments were built. The new owners restored the old mansion, which they now use for the property management office. Robyn was so hoping to move into the mansion, but unfortunately it was not to be. 

The mansion, NOT our apartment

Saturday evening was the ward Christmas party. We were introduced to everyone and really felt genuinely at home. Sunday was no different. They have a good size youth group and primary. The ward reminds us a lot like the Gardena ward, very loving and friendly and multicultural. We can already tell that it will be very hard to leave some day.   

young men and young women

primary

We met today with the ward PEC and discussed a number of families that the bishop would like us to work with. Tomorrow evening we are going over to one of these families for Family Home evening. It is a young couple with two young children that would like to be able to go to the temple. The bishop told us that they need a lot of love and encouragement and support to make the needed changes to be sealed as a family. We hope and pray that the over the next 18 months we will be able to go to the temple with many many of these wonderful families.

The weather and the price of gas are another two things we are enjoying so far. I have been praying nonstop for a warm winter since we received our call. So far our prayers have been answered. Everyone we meet tells us that praying for warm weather is useless, and that arctic blizzards are on the way. I'm still going to pray.

70 degrees - Robyn made me turn on the air conditioning

We are loving every minute of our mission. We know that this is where the Lord wants us to be for the next 18 months. We are grateful for the love and support we feel from all of our loved ones and family. Our Father in Heaven lives, Jesus is the Christ and we are blessed to have a living Prophet on the earth today. May the Lord bless and keep you safe.