Elder Kennedy departed Lublin... Like I've said before, I love the missionaries in Poland. We get a little attached. They become our boys and its hard to send off your boys. Especially when they really aren't your boys and so you don't know you'll see them again. This is the case for Elder Kennedy. His family doesn't reside in the Western U.S. so meeting up with him again will not be just as easy as going home.

There are many favorites of Elder Kennedy. He is an amazing example of fearless missionary work accompanied by all the bold questions! It is impressive! His mother would be proud! He lived abroad for many years with his family until he was 15 and so he can relate to the situation my children are in. He has stories that bring them peace because he has been there done that and remained not only normal but better for it! Bless him! :) It makes me feel like my own children might not be mental cases for our decision to move from our Comfy Arizona home...

Elder Kennedy works his buns off! Nearly every single Wednesday we fed him while in Lublin... And the cool part of that was that nearly every single Wednesday he brought an investigator to teach with him. We loved it! Marlyna is in our branch and her son, Sabastian is 14. Sabastian hasn't been baptized but after months of studying the gospel with the Elders, he has finally decided to be baptized! We are so excited for Lublin! More priesthood to come!

Top 10 Favorite things about Elder Kennedy: It was hard to limit it to 10... 10) He blushes when you talk to him about Anna. We think Anna is lucky. We only wish we could meet her. His red face and beeming smile are a dead giveaway how he feels. :) 9) He claims his mother and his brother are his best friends. I believe this shows that he came from a loving and very stable home. 8) He has a firm understanding of self worth. Elder Kennedy undoubtedly knows who he is and it is evident by the way that he serves one master (whole heartedly). 7) He sticks up for me. One day the boys thought they would be funny and try to embarass Mr. Mecham and me. They started by sharing a story with the missionaries which ended up backfiring on them thanks to Kennedy. It went like this: "when my dad gets home from work my mom and dad sit and kiss like this... mmmmmmm. mmmmmm.mmmmmm." To which Elder Kennedy said, "its fun! You'll like someday." Since the boys think the world of him they started thinking that maybe mom and dad aren't disgusting beasts afterall. 6) He is passionate about teaching the gospel to the Polish people. NOT a single thing will get in his way... NOTHING! Watch out! 5) He is driven. He has a plan and a purpose... and you better believe that he knows where he will be in a week, a month, a year and a decade. 4) He is talented. He shares that talent unabashadly. Talents range from musically gifted with a beautiful voice to making people feel good. 3) He is grateful. We feed the missionaries every week. They all have been thankful young men. ALL of them! But wouldn't you know it... Elder Kennedy calls me after he gets home and thanks me one last time every.single. time. I love it! 2) The boy can talk. He can talk to anyone! He is never awkward with a single person. Even Bailey can hang with Kennedy because he makes an effort to talk to and make all of us feel like his friend. And he can speak languages beautifully... which probably makes it easier for him to talk. We will ever be thankful for his ability to translate... 1) Follows rules with precision. If Mr. Mecham isn't home then Kennedy will not come in. If it is raining outside and I am the only one to offer a ride, Elder Kennedy will get home drenched walking. If its 8:30 and we aren't finished with our lessons... then we get er done... because President Nielson said, "be home at 9". If he was given 40 minutes to talk he talks 40 not 41. If he is instructed to Not watch movies but there is one on in the family room... then you'll find Elder Kennedy in the kitchen. The list goes on and on. and on. and on. I know for a fact that we can never get ahead of the Lord. Never, not ever. And so it is that Elder Kennedy has a lot of blessings still awaiting him. I am excited for the bright future which awaits this fine young man. Now...excuse me whilest I go and wipe a tear since I am remembering all the reasons why I didn't want him to transfer. Well done Elder Kennedy... Well done.