Home After the Mision

I came home from my mission December 1, 2012. My wonderful family and a few friends came to welcome me at the airport. I was so happy to see them =)  It was a sweet reunion. 

The next day I spent with friends just hanging out, resting, and catching up on sleep I lost during the past year and a half. But that lost sleep was so worth it for the wonderful and amazing people that I encountered, met, and was blessed to become friends with. They will be engraved in my heart always. 

On Saturday December 3rd, I had an Open House so that all those who would like to come over could see me at any time of the day =)    I was so excited to see all my friends and family at the house! However... For some reason.... the one male friend I had a big desire to see was David Martinez. I didn't know why, but he was the only guy I had an interest in seeing. Well... for those who don't know the story, David is Juanita's brother, Juanita is a good friend that I've known for a few years, since we were about 18. I didn't know about David's existence until about 4 months before his mission. We dated for about 2 months, then off he went to serve in the Idaho, Boise Mission July 8, 2009. Well, we wrote a little on the mission and then I didn't hear from him my last six months... that's cause he was home and dating someone else. Of course I knew nothing about this until I was home!  

Well, as the people arrived, I anxiously awaited Juanita's arrival, because I hoped David would be with her. She finally arrived and I was so happy! I hugged her and looked right behind her, and there he was!! Yay!! I hugged him, they came inside... and I didn't hear much more from him the rest of the night. In fact, these are the only two pictures from that night that I have of David. He stayed away from me all night long! Even though in the picture with Shirley, David and I it looks as though he's right next to me, he was actually about 2 feet away!!

A beautiful bouquet from my Aunt and uncle.

...It's About Service...

Something I've unfortunately lacked - Service. But not just service in general. In the past few days it's become apparent that I lack giving service to those with whom I'll be with forever - my family. As I've been pondering about this issue lately, I've been receiving confirmation that I really do lack it, and need to do it. I was actually pleasantly surprised today when during Sunday School, the Stake President - President Porter - spoke precisely about that. Holy cow, it's so true what they say, you feel as though they're talking directly to you when you're guilty!!! Haha, well, I felt like a prisoner in front of the judge almost, and was being told what my community service would be to pay my debt!

I appreciated it a lot. I've been trying to have a better frame of mind, trying to be more considerate of my time with them. I've kept myself busy ever since I was in high school. It's just something I've always done. In fact, my parents taught us that we need to keep busy so that we don't get into trouble. Well... sometimes I get into trouble anyway cause I don't always choose to keep myself busy with the right things. But I've gotten better at it! I actually think about things a little more than a split second now!

So my schedule generally looks like this:

• Monday:
  1. Work from 8-5 or 6pm
  2. Drive home (30 min)
  3. Home for about 40 min to an hour
  4. Go to FHE (Family Home Evening) in Duncanville from 7:30 - 9 usually
  5. Drive home (25 min)
  6. Go to sleep eventually somewhere between 10:30 PM and 2 AM
• Tuesday:
  1. Work from 8-5 or 6pm
  2. Go to Institute from 7-8 PM (in Duncanville)
  3. Either chill with the YSA (Young Single Adults) from church, or go home
  4. Drive home and eventually go to sleep
• Wednesday:
  1. Work from 8-5 or 6pm
  2. Go workout either at 7:30 or 8:15 until 9:30-10:30pm (in Lewisville)
  3. Drive home and eventually go to sleep
• Thursday:
  1. Work from 8-5:30 or 6pm
  2. Go workout either at 7:30 or 8:15 until 9:30-10:30pm (in Lewisville)
  3 . Drive home and eventually go to sleep
• Friday:
  1. Work from 8-5 or 5:30pm
  2A. Go workout either at 7:30 or 8:15 until 9:30-10:30pm (in Lewisville)
  2B. Go to a church activity or anything else may be planned
  3. Drive home and eventually go to sleep
• Saturday:
  1. Activity? Go to it.
  2. Dirty clothes? Wash them.
  3. Workout maybe? okay... in Lewisville (30 min drive)
  4. Evening activity? Okay, go to it.
  5. Feeling guilty cause it's about 10 or 11pm? Yup... time to go home if I'm out. Then eventually go to sleep.
• Sunday:
  1. Wake up, get ready for church
  2. Go to church from 1-4pm sometimes stay for chit chat or pot luck on 1st Sunday of the month
  3. Go home, eat dinner, or chill. Sometimes go to brother's house if family went.
  4. Go to sleep eventually and Monday starts all over again.

So I have been doing this on and off for the past 2 years. Oh, and school's not even mentioned!! When I WAS going to school, I'd go straight after work and be there until 9pm usually, so there you go... Oh, and I would go workout afterwards! Yup... I stay busy, or at least, I've tried to stay busy. And now that my time to leave on my mission's getting close, I am getting questioned about my whereabouts. It's understandable. They want to spend time with me at least a little bit before I leave. So I've been trying to reasses my time, schedule and activities to spend a little more time at home.

Service... service... service... umm.... well, what can I do? I don't even want to list the inmense list my mom could bust out with, so I'm just gonna say: Plenty. Too bad these past 4 years I've had such a good job I didn't properly spend my money, I have nothing of real importance to show for it. I wish I could have given more to my family now that I think about it... But when I return from my mission and get another job (hopefully as good as or even better than the one I still currently have until May 4th - my resignation date), I would like to really keep a budget, and give some $$ to my parents, who have given me sooooo much all these years.

There's not enough $$ to pay them back all they've given and all the time they've sacrificed. I definitely can't complain. We've had a really good life. By no means are we rich nor were we ever, but they always tried to get us good stuff, and take us on trips. I'm so glad my mom & dad didn't acustom us to expensive clothing and name brand items/materials. In fact I could care less if I'm wearing all Walmart clothes or Ed Hardy (which btw, why would I want to be full of shiny things created by a man???). I wouldn't dare spend over $25.00 on a shirt!! Unless..... it's for a guy.. hahaha!! But going over $45, even for a gift is not an option for me. Clothes are all about making it look good, regardless of what little name tag or huge print it may have on it to identify its creator.

Purses?? Hahahaha!!!! Silly girls who pay $100 for a bag that does nothing more than hold JUNK. Cause usually that's all we carry - Junk and Necessities. There are no in betweens. Oh hey, did you see there's a HUGE "C" on your bag? Is Coach paying you to advertise them? Because if they are, then $100 is nothing, shoot, even I will get in on that! But they aren't, are they? On the contrary, you're paying $100 to advertise THEM!!! Cute? Pretty? Guess what, there are plenty of purses created by nobody's that are just as pretty, cute, and serve the same purpose.

Anyway, back to Service. I need to do it. That's the end of that story. LOL... the rest... well, I guess I've been wanting to express my view!

Instructions Instructions Instructions!!!

So guess what... I received a letter from my Mission President!!! I was so excited because my brother tells me: "Kenna you got a letter for your mission." yay!!! I opened it quickly. This was at intermission of Saturday's General Conference, so I felt even more blessed!! Wow, how awesome that my mission president wrote me a letter!!

Inside the package were quite a few things. A letter, a missionary checklist, a Stake Boundary printout, and a blank "Tell Us About Yourself" sheet of paper. I read the letter outloud since my parents and brother were all there. I got so pumped to get everything done that they asked!! Now all I need is to make the time to get it all together because the day to leave is coming up quick!!

The California Sacramento Mission - I know in my heart, I still know, and have yet to feel negative about it, but I know it's where I need to be - it's perfect for me.

I'm so grateful.

My Nephew is Born!! His name? Andres Daniel!

So there's a precious little new boy who's joined the family. Parents? My brother Sergio E, and sis-in-law Michelle A. Brother and sister? Sergio A, and Sofia M. Date of birth? April 4th 2010. Time of birth? 3:15 AM. What a beautiful day to be born - General Conference Sunday. He's gorgeous!! And my sis-in-law is doing great.

So we went to go visit her, my bro and the baby at the hospital during the intermission of the conference. We had the other two kids - Sergio A. and Sofia with us. The interraction while there was precious. Sergio A. Loved his little bro from the get go and started giving him all sorts of names: Mario, Luigi, Bowzer, Yoshi, Goku, and I think even Uncle Anni. Sofia on the other hand wasn't as excited. Yes, there was a new baby, but it wasn't the baby that was in mommy's belly just a few hours earlier. The baby now going around in everyone's arms was someone else's. Haha, or so she said. Eventually she got it ;)

Oh, and where was she 90% of the time she was in the hospital or at home? hahaha... no other place than Grandma's arms of course! In fact, if grandma put her down, she'd cry. She's been crying a lot lately, but we feel it's cause she's been dethroned from her "youngest child" position. As of right now, she's the middle child, and therefore she's living up to the middle child syndrome. She's still the princess though!!! And what a beautiful princess indeed!

...Receive the Holy Ghost...

Yesterday a beautiful friend was baptized. Granted I've only known her for approximately a month, but her smile and wonderful spirit radiate. She's a good woman. Something throughout the talk given about the Holy Ghost caught my ear, and although I've thought about this phrase before, it stuck with me a little differently.

When a person is baptized in the Lord's true church, they are immersed completely by water; a symbolic representation of death and resurrection - death of a sinful life, and resurrection meaning a rebirth into a new life. After the baptism is complete, they are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands as in olden times.

The phrase in this ordinance of confirmation into the church that allows the Holy Ghost to enter into the baptized individual if they allow, is: "Receive the Holy Ghost." We don't say "You now have the Holy Ghost," or "The Holy Ghost is now in thee," because we cannot make that happen. The reborn by water individual now has to be reborn by fire - which we know/believe to be the Holy Ghost. This means, we still believe in free agency, even when it comes to obtaining the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. We are the ones to choose whether or not we allow the Holy Ghost to be with us, in us, and help us at all times.

I've felt nearer to my Heavenly Father lately thanks to the more constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as I have strived to live a more Christ-like life, and have worked on pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ with an eye single to His glory. That's a hard thing to accomplish!! I don't know about you, but I've been pretty selfish most of my life no thanks to a thing we call "human nature" or also known as "the natural man." This of course deviates us from the path which we know we must follow which is moving one step at a time behind Jesus Christ's example.

Scripture study, constant prayers, humility, and maintaining a positive attitude have helped me continue moving in the right direction, in His direction. I know with all my heart that I am doing what the Lord would have me do with my life at this point in time. I'm glad that I've listened to the Spirit as I've made many choices lately, and according to my faithfulness the Lord will deliver those blessings that are in store for me and my future. Everything seems to be going perfectly. I know that adversity is all around me, but with the Lord on my side, Satan cannot be there too.

Wounds from my past that were never fully healed, new pains, scrapes, and bruises that I receive from not always making the best decisions, and trials that make an impression of mistakes to never want to be made again are all being remedied one step at a time, one wound at a time, one mistake at a time. But, it's all in the Lord's time. I'm so grateful for the trials I've had in my life because they've made my character strong and my weaknesses visible to me. They have caused me to be a compassionate leader, but an eager student.

President Uchtdorf (2nd counselor of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) said: "It is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny... ...Adversity when confronted with faith, courage, and tenacity, can be overcome." I fully agree.

Free agency is a divine gift given to us by our Heavenly Father. We must not take it for granted, but we must use it wisely. Allow others to make their choices, and don't force your choice of action onto them. Suggestions are always best as advise and simply that: suggestions.

"...And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the commandments which God hath given..."

I know these things to be true, and know that God has granted us the ability to make choices from before the foundation of this world, and will not ever take from us our free agency. And I say these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Amen.

California Sacramento Mission - & I have a Sugar Daddy

Ok,

So I'm sure you're thinking.... What?!?! A Sugar Daddy??? But you're going on a mission!! That's so inappropriate!! Well, I thought so too at first. BUT then I heard what this Sugar Daddy would be providing me with!!

Here's a little bit of background on the subject:

Sugar Daddy's Name: Dallin

Relation to me: Friend... soon to be Missionary Sugar Daddy

Current Location of Sugar Daddy: Sacramento, California

My Mission Call: California Sacramento Mission

See?? It all works out!! Hahaha. Okay, so maybe it still doesn't sound good. Here's how this even happened:

Dallin was here with a group of Security Alarm people from... umm.. Utah? California? I really don't know. Point is they were here selling and setting up alarm systems for Titan Alarms. They ended up joining our branch, the Young Single Adult Branch in Duncanville that I attend (church). We eventually became acquaintances and then finally friends. Or at least, for a few days or weeks before they moved out to California.

Well I didn't know they had moved to SACRAMENTO, Cali. I simply knew they'd gone to Cali. Dallin's originally from Cali anyway, so he was going back home - which is cool for him. He needs to get married to his woman already btw!! ;) Oh!! Did I forget to mention Dallin's got a g/f?? Yup, I think he's gonna get hitched while I'm on my mission! That'd be awesome!

Anyway, back to the story... So yesterday I sent him a Facebook Message saying: "You won't believe it..... Oh my gosh.... You just won't believe it.... LOL!!!!!!" Well, I told him I got my mission call, but didn't say where to - because of course, I wanted to keep everyone in suspense until Sunday afternoon.

So, I posted my mission location at 2PM on Facebook and I got a text from him a little later saying: "Are you freaking kidding me!" hahahaha, it was a perfect response!!!! Loved it!! I replied "No!!! I told you that you wouldn't believe it!!!!! LOL how crazy is that? But all I know is that Sacramento is huge and I hope not to see ya'll at all!! Hahaha jk"

He replied "That is crazy! I hope you get assigned to my ward!" I said "No!!!!! Lol, it would be funny!!!!" He then sent the text that created the reason for this post... lol

"Ya right. You have a sugar daddy in your mission already. Someone to take you to nice food or buy you new clothes and stuff haha"

I replied "Who, YOU???" He said "Yup. Unless you don't want it. I always take care of the lords annointed. Especially when they are working hard" I said "Well then looks like I've got me a sugar daddy on my mission!!!!! Yay!!!! And yes, of course I want it!! Haha"

So there you have it. This is how I got me a Sugar Daddy before I even got to my mission. LOL.

Leave it to me to have an inappropriate sounding great thing happen!! I totally don't think I'll end up in Dallin's area. The Sacramento Mission area is pretty large, and it's possible I don't ever get to see them at all. But it would be great! I hope he's a Sugar Daddy to all the missionaries, just as he said he is!

It Came in Today... A Letter from the Prophet!

Two weeks ago I had my interview with Stake President Porter to put my mission papers in, meaning send them off to Salt Lake City, to the Quorum of the 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Everything went wonderfully. We talked about many things, particularly of what my purpose as a missionary would be, and what I already know to help me start fully preparing for the mission field.

We closed the interview with a prayer said by him, and I couldn't stop smiling. I knew, I just knew that this is what I needed to do. The expected wait time for a mission call is generally anywhere from 3-6 weeks. It wasn't until two days later that I realized the possibility of receiving my letter in the mail on my birthday - March 26, 2010. I started to anticipate that I would wait 3 weeks for my letter, and prayed I'd receive it for a birthday present.


I've been reading the scriptures more and more, and have been reading good books to help me be mentally, and spiritually prepared, and I've felt a different demeanor about myself. I've had several opportunities lately to share the gospel, or to plant a seed in some way. I truly believe that that is my call. I have a feeling that my main purpose will be to plant seeds and help cultivate a seed of the gospel into the hearts and minds of the people I encounter throughout my life - particularly ever since I've gotten my act together and gotten committed into the gospel.

At the start of this week I decided to pray to remain patient of my mission call, but to please prepare me for the location that I'll be serving in; meaning, I wanted to feel in my heart and know in my mind that wherever I were to get sent, that I'd know it's where I must be. I've hoped for some sort of hint of where I'd be going, but never did I expect what I got!

I finished work at about 5:13pm, and headed home to prepare for this evening's Sandwich Contest held at the Grand Prairie building; an activity that's been anticipated and scheduled for a few weeks now, and I was excited to go! I had to make a stop at Kwik Lube because I needed to get my state inspection sticker renewed, but they were closing in 5 minutes and I had to have arrived 30 min before closing time, which was 6pm. So I headed back home again.

I parked my chilli-red colored Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe in front of the house and start walking towards the porch. I happened to think "I bet you no one's gotten the mail yet" so I turn towards the mailbox. Before I open it I thought to myself "Oh my gosh.... What if it came today??!?! Naw... I don't think so. It should be here next week. I hope it comes before my birthday!" As I thought those last few words I had already pulled down the lid of the mailbox. I look inside and see several regular letter envelopes, and underneath them, a larger envelope - white, not too thick but it had a glow to it. I thought "No!!! Could it really be?!?!" All the mail still in the mailbox, I push down/aside the other letters so I could see to whom the larger white glowing envelope belonged to..... Then I see the addressee: Sister Kenna Luisa Betancourt.

My heart started racing... I look further back to see the return address: The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints Office of the First Presidency.... "OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!!! OH WOW!!! IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!" My heart was going a mile a minute, almost wanting to jump out of my chest!! I slowly walked up the porch steps, unlocked the front door, walked in and said hello to my mom, holding all the mail up against my body as if it were regular mail, ordinary, nothing different. I wanted to have this moment all to myself. I said my hello's and walked up the stairs to my room. I put my things down, place the letters down, separate it the only letter for me, and all the others and take the rest downstairs. I walked back upstairs, closed my door, held the letter with both hands still closed in front of me.


I looked at the addressee name again: Sister Kenna Luisa Betancourt, and then back up to the return address: The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints... Office of the First Presidency. This was my letter from the Prophet Thomas S. Monson... This is probably the only time that I will receive a letter from a latter-day prophet addressed to only me. I was ecstatic and humbled. I knelt down beside my bed, placed the letter in front of me, and began to pray. It was a simple prayer: "Heavenly Father, Thank you! Thank you so much for allowing me to receive my mission call so soon. Thank you for allowing me to be able to prepare to be worthy to serve a mission. I'm about to see where you need me. Please, please just let me be happy. Help me feel excited and happy about where you send me, and please help me feel your need of me there at that place. I want to find them. In the name of my Beloved Savior, Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen."

I opened my eyes, turned the letter around, and with my right index finger opened up the seal. I pulled out what was inside... It seemed to only be a handbook type booklet, and a sheet of paper. I move the paper to be in front of the booklet, and it's my letter. I begin to read it:

Dear Sister Betancourt:
You are hereby called to serve....

I stopped. I placed my hand over the rest of the words of that paragraph. I wanted to be surprised. I didn't want to read ahead of myself. So I started again, looking only at each word at a time, reading intently, with all the love of my heart.

Dear Sister Betancourt:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the...(insert location)... Mission. OH MY GOSH!!!!! REALLY?!?!?!? WOW!!!! IT'S PERFECT!!! I continued... You should report to the ...(insert location)... Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the ...(insert language)... language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

It continued with such beautiful words... By this time, I was already screaming of excitement!!!! I, ME!!! I'm going to be a missionary!!!! I started crying I was so happy... The next sentences really got me hard:
"You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the church." Wow! I'm worthy to represent the Lord!!!! what an amazing way to be given such an honorary title!
"As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessing and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place in you our confidence and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president. Please send your written acceptance promptly, endorsed by your brance president."

It was amazing... and that's when I knew. I just knew that where I was called, I was needed. I couldn't stop smiling.