No, I was not waiting at my computer for his email to come in.  Well, maybe I was.  Actually, I most definitely was. And it paid off.  When Aldste Kilton emailed, I saw it immediately and replied.  He saw it and we "chatted" via email for a few minutes until the laundry was done.  He is finding some hard things, comparing himself to other missionaries for example. And he is finding joy.  He got to sing in the MTC choir this week and they sang Jesus Once of Hunble Birth by James C Kasen.  He felt close to home.  Thank you to each of you for sharing your own special gifts in your own special way.  Comparing yourself to another is unfair and unproductive.  If we are given to His work in His way all will be well.

Here is his post for this week.

Hey Ni (y'all)
Another week has passed and i am really getting excited!
we are currently teaching 4 undersokare (investigators) through our
district their names are
Stale. (stol-e) Marc, Boakai, Leo. I am teaching Marc and Boakai after
getting Stale to commit to baptism it is only practice investigators
but still!!!
Friends i have learned alot in two weeks. mostly about the Saviors
love for his children. This last Tuesday we sang in the MTC choir.
(did any of you do that?) our director said something to the effect of
"the war is happening and you have been called to the Battlefront.
This is a war over people. you are the army of the Lord Jesus Christ
and you will not fail Him. so when i sing BEHOLD a royal army. I See
you. The more than 1000 missionaries sitting in front of me. "
Friends this has been the coolest thing for me. one of my favorite
hymns is onward christian soldiers one of the verses reads "Like a
royal army moves the church of God onward then ye people join our
happy throng we are not divided all one body we. one in HOPE and
DOCTRINE, one in Charity. onward christian soldiers marching as to war
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ leads this work. He leads all of us. His light and love is what
i am here to share with the people in sweden but also with me. I am
more firm in my belief in my faith in Jesus Christ and of His
Atonement. I love my Savior. I know he Loves all of you. seek his
light and love in your life by seeking to help those around you and i
promise you feel see a change i know i have. In the name of my eternal
Savior,Lord and King Jesus Christ Amen.
Watch and Pray
Aldste Kilton

Aldste Kilton Sighting!

Our dear friend, Janna Claessens, happened to see our sweet missionary this morning.  I'm copying her comments here.  Thanks to all who have emailed, written, and sent packages.  He received cupcakes this morning for his entire district.  Your love, support, and prayers are felt and appreciated.

Janna Claessens

Was feeling frustrated and irritated this morning as Nick missed the bus again. Then we are driving and who do we see as we pass the light on the mtg/temple corner light?? Aldste Kilton !!!!! Wearing a grey sweatshirt.

Aldste Kilton was waiting at the light to cross from the temple side back to the mtc. We waved and honked he waved and jumped then we did sign for love you out the window. We drove back around and yelled out we love you Elder Kilton as Nick waved!!!

Instant calm and happiness came over me and excitement!! Oh such tender mercies our father has for us.

Rich and Andrea thank you for raising such a wonderful man and sharing him with our family and now the world.

How Firm a Foundation

The Lord is blessing us daily.  Many spoke to us of the joy and blessing of someone in your family serving a mission.  We could never have understood or comprehended the ways and extent of these blessings.  Even in just one week we are seeing the hand of the Lord in every turn.  We are grateful to Aldste Kilton for choosing to serve.  But most of all we are grateful to the Lord for these blessings.  First and foremost of which is having the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have Trace's email for this week.  Please remember to pray for him and email or send letters as often as you can.  (I am not editing at all, just copying and pasting exactly what he asked me to send.)  We love you so much and appreciate your love and support.

Hey NI. (y'all) The MTC was cool this week and really hard. i tought Stale (Stol-a) as close in pronunciation in english (pa Angelska) well we had an amazing video we watched here called the Charecter of christ. WoW. My mission has been changed by the words of Eldar Bednar in this Talk he gave acouple years ago here on a christmas morning. He said many things about Christ but the one that hit me most was he Spoke of christ after his fast of 40 days. afterword the bible says angels administerd to him. The footnotes in the Joseph Smith Translation. say he knew his friend John was in prison. After not eating for 40 days and denying the devil. which isnt easy as we well know. he sent Gods angel to help his friend instead of him. Let us keep his love for everyone in our hearts and actions. Have the Charecter of Christ with us always. Gud Alskar Alla Dig. 

Aldste Kilton 

Watch and Pray!

First email home

We were so excited to get Aldste Kilton's first email home.  A few days ago, I reached out on Facebook to other missionary moms to find some who were taking their sons into the MTC on Wednesday.  I connected with Jill Mason from Roseville, CA (near Sacramento). We chatted a couple times and I let her know we live in Provo and if her son needed anything, just reach out to us and we could get him things same day.  You'll see here in Aldste Kilton's email that her son is his companion.  Small world full of tender mercies.  I sure love how the Lord knows each of us, what we need, and provides for us individually.  I'm pasting his email here.  Please notice that his p-day is on Wednesdays.  He will receive and send emails on that day each week while in the MTC.  Thank you again for all of your love and support.

Hej, (hello)

Mom my companion is Elder Mason! cool right?! he seems pretty smart. I am the shortest missionary in our district :( lol also Elder Mason is my District Leader although i am his Senior Komrat. Everyone here says hello. My District is 6 missionaries big. sorry to keep it short. Send pictures soon. Jag Alskar dig. (i love you) 

P.S 

I Am Loving the MTC. 

My P-day is Wednesday.

Family Farewells

Today is the last Sunday before Elder Kilton reports to the Provo Missionary Training Center for training prior to leaving for the Sweden Stockholm Mission.  We celebrated his choice to serve with many friends and family yesterday.  Thank you to all who were able to come.  Thank you to all who offered gifts.  We appreciate your love, support, and sacrifice on his behalf.  Today has been spent at a regional conference presided over by Elder M. Russell Ballard, dinner at Grandma Kilton's home, and just enjoying the love of family.  As a family, we'd like to post together.


Taylor White, Cousin:
Bye Felicia. I love that you have decided to serve the Lord, and have set an amazing example for me and many others. I love the gospel that you are about to go and teach to the people of Sweden, and with your sweet spirit I know that they won't be able to help but love it, too. Love you!

Heather Larsen, Aunt:
We are excited for you. You will learn a lot. You will grow a lot. We will miss you but wouldn't want you anywhere else. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be with you. Love You

Spencer Larsen, Uncle:
I decided to quote from one of the church videos I saw a lot on my mission: Chance of a lifetime.  That is what is before you.  I could give you a lot of advice, but I'll stick to three things.  Be Obedient, Work Hard, and Be Yourself.

Steve White, Papa:
Many ways to serve.  Glad you chose the path you are on.  This can be the beginning of a never ending wonderful story to all you teach and bare your testimony. Best wishes to a good and faithful servant.

Rebecca White, Nana:
Ok, so no more sword fights and video games. Keep focused and work hard and the Lord will bless you.
Can"t wait to hear from you and find out how everything is going. Love you and know you are doing the right thing. I know the gospel is true and that we have a prophet to lead, guide, and direct our paths. I know Heavenly Father loves you and will take care of you.

 Ruth Kilton, Grandmother:
."..and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."  Luke 10:1.  I Hope They Call Me On a Mission.  Now you've grown a foot or two and your mission begins.  For the next two years you and your future companions will go out and share the joy the Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought to you.  I will miss you my precious Grandson but I am so thankful that you have chosen to serve Our Heavenly Father at this time in your life.  Grandparents beyond the veil are also rejoicing in your decision.  In 1907, two missionaries took the same message to Alabama and in 1960 two missionaries took the message to Massachusetts and blessed the lives of your ancestors. Now you are taking this message to Sweden to bless others.  Be prayerful and obedient and the Lord will be with you always.  My prayers are with you always.

Danielle Mahoney, Aunt:
Good Luck! We love you.  Work hard but enjoy it.  Learn from every experience.  The girls are sure gonna miss you but will be ready to play with you when you get home.

Barrett Kilton, Brother:
Trace I love you I won't see you possibly for 4 years and I don't know how that will change our relationship but I want you to know that I love you and will miss you while you are gone. I wish you luck and hope that the people of Sweden see how amazing you are and how much fun you can be. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Richard Kilton, Dad:
God is good my wonderful son. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to learn from you, learn with you, and walk the journey we have together. Study the amazing address of King Benjamin in Mosiah 3 and 4. You have fought the good fight, you have kept the faith, walk now with eyes open as you take the knowledge and power of your relationship with your Savior to a foreign land and learn to love a new people, sons and daughters of our Father. Learn from them, love them, serve them, and you will find joy. Humbly serve your companion, listen to your leaders counsel and "...Remember who you are...Remember what you stand for...Return with Honor!" You are loved!

Andrea Kilton, Mom:
Your whole life I have told you each time you have walked out the front door to remember who you are.  Today, I tell you to remember Whose you are.  You are bought with a price.  The blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May His love and sacrifice shine through your own.  Till we meet again, God be with you and us all.  All my love, truly all.