I don't have much time, but I think it's about time I raised a final warning. I will NOT be able to check my emails on Tuesdays anymore. I'm only going to be able to do it on Mondays. Odds are, too, that I'll be doing it early in the morning, around 10:00-11:00 AM California time. So, if you want me to respond to your emails, you should at least submit them before 10 AM on Monday. Sunday evening is probably the best time for sending me an email. I'll still be sending out a weekly email, but I'm only going to be able to do it on Mondays. Emails on other days are going to be prohibited. So, that's just a final warning.
In other news, I don't know yet, but I think there should be some pictures on my blog going up soon. To Emily: If you haven't posted those yet, they're at the house. Stay tuned for those. There's bound to be some really interesting ones.
Elder Shepherd
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Down with the sickness otra vez...
Hey everyone
So, as I'm sure you all can guess, I was sick just recently. On thursday last week, I started getting some nasal drainage, and with it, the accompanying sore throat. I didn't feel too bad at the end of the day, but on Friday, I was floored. I was so out of it that I couldn't do practically anything. I slept all the way after district meeting. That was about a time span of 3 hours. It was a pain. Also, the fact that I had to go out to dinner that night didn't help out. I wouldn't have gone, but since there were no other replacement missionaries available in the area, and the fact that this member drove down for an hour to take us out, both compelled me to go. It was mexican food. Not what I would've chosen, but it wasn't awful. I certainly wouldn't have gotten sick for it again, though. Anyways, I was fine on Saturday, better on Sunday, and Monday, I'm completely better. It wasn't a very fun weekend for me.
However, Monday was a good day for me, because I got to see my MTC companion, Elder Grandy, again. We haven't seen or been in contact with each other for about 6 months now, so it was a good reunion. Combined with Elder Lyman, the other elder who came out with us from our MTC District, it was an essential MTC Reunion. It was pretty fun. He's actually a lot cooler than what I remember. We were able to talk about a lot more stuff then, and we caught up, essentially. He was evidently in Lake L.A. in the desert for four transfers, and this is his first transfer into the valley. He's been doing fine, though, and he is enjoying being around his trainer, his MTC buds, as well as others. I'm also happy to see him again.
As for what made monday special, it was an event called Tri-Zone, where all the zones in the valley gather together for socializing, sports, and good times. It's generally lots of fun. I played a bit of Ultimate Frisbee, but a lot of my ocarina. I don't really dig sports that much, so I just kinda spent my time socializing. It was fun, though. However, something interesting happened. A man came up, with a Bible in his hand, and tried proselyting among us missionaries. He had no idea we were LDS Missionaries, but he had a good conversation with my trainer, Elder Houghton. He kinda had conflicting opinions, but Elder Houghton was able to handle him so professionally. He was able to combat his points, but also able to teach. Bashing is something we missionaries generally don't engage in, but he was teaching at the same time, so he kept it from the point of bashing. We actually managed to give him a Book of Mormon, and he said he was fairly interested in learning more, since some of the stuff he knew about Mormons were anti stuff, anyways. It was a good experience. It also made me realize, even more, just how kick-butt my trainer is. I love my daddy!
That's about it for what's happened. Elder Bills and I haven't been finding anyone new to teach, really, although we did get a less-active member interested in taking the lessons. She hasn't been to church in forever, and said she'd be interesting in hearing what we have to say. Other than that, ther hasn't been much of anything. So, that's about it. Tengan cuidado, mis amigos, y que les vaya bien!
Love
Elder Pastor
So, as I'm sure you all can guess, I was sick just recently. On thursday last week, I started getting some nasal drainage, and with it, the accompanying sore throat. I didn't feel too bad at the end of the day, but on Friday, I was floored. I was so out of it that I couldn't do practically anything. I slept all the way after district meeting. That was about a time span of 3 hours. It was a pain. Also, the fact that I had to go out to dinner that night didn't help out. I wouldn't have gone, but since there were no other replacement missionaries available in the area, and the fact that this member drove down for an hour to take us out, both compelled me to go. It was mexican food. Not what I would've chosen, but it wasn't awful. I certainly wouldn't have gotten sick for it again, though. Anyways, I was fine on Saturday, better on Sunday, and Monday, I'm completely better. It wasn't a very fun weekend for me.
However, Monday was a good day for me, because I got to see my MTC companion, Elder Grandy, again. We haven't seen or been in contact with each other for about 6 months now, so it was a good reunion. Combined with Elder Lyman, the other elder who came out with us from our MTC District, it was an essential MTC Reunion. It was pretty fun. He's actually a lot cooler than what I remember. We were able to talk about a lot more stuff then, and we caught up, essentially. He was evidently in Lake L.A. in the desert for four transfers, and this is his first transfer into the valley. He's been doing fine, though, and he is enjoying being around his trainer, his MTC buds, as well as others. I'm also happy to see him again.
As for what made monday special, it was an event called Tri-Zone, where all the zones in the valley gather together for socializing, sports, and good times. It's generally lots of fun. I played a bit of Ultimate Frisbee, but a lot of my ocarina. I don't really dig sports that much, so I just kinda spent my time socializing. It was fun, though. However, something interesting happened. A man came up, with a Bible in his hand, and tried proselyting among us missionaries. He had no idea we were LDS Missionaries, but he had a good conversation with my trainer, Elder Houghton. He kinda had conflicting opinions, but Elder Houghton was able to handle him so professionally. He was able to combat his points, but also able to teach. Bashing is something we missionaries generally don't engage in, but he was teaching at the same time, so he kept it from the point of bashing. We actually managed to give him a Book of Mormon, and he said he was fairly interested in learning more, since some of the stuff he knew about Mormons were anti stuff, anyways. It was a good experience. It also made me realize, even more, just how kick-butt my trainer is. I love my daddy!
That's about it for what's happened. Elder Bills and I haven't been finding anyone new to teach, really, although we did get a less-active member interested in taking the lessons. She hasn't been to church in forever, and said she'd be interesting in hearing what we have to say. Other than that, ther hasn't been much of anything. So, that's about it. Tengan cuidado, mis amigos, y que les vaya bien!
Love
Elder Pastor
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Lots of Moving
Hello Everyone
I decided this week that I needed to make this email kinda short, sweet, and to the point.
Basically, I'm sure you're all wondering why it's taken me up to today (Thursday) to email, when I normally do it on Tuesday? BTW, quick note, I'm going to soon be doing my emails on MONDAYS. It's a new policy that I have to adapt to, so I hope that you guys make the adjustments accordingly. Anways, back to what I was originally talking about.
The reason why I'm emailing today is that we've been doing a lot of moving. On Tuesday, we got a call that one of our members need TONS of help moving out, because they had to be out of their house by 5 on Wednesday. We showed up, and TONS of help was an understatement. They hadn't taken anything at all to their new house. Thankfully, we had about 15 missionaries there to help, so things went good, which was a real blessing because the elders quorum flaked out on us. Then again, with that many missionaries, we still hadn't finished. Anyways, we were there from 1 to 5, and so we had no time to go do emails.
Yesterday, another member was in desperate need of getting out that day, so we helped him. We had planned on helping him, then going back to the other member's house to help them finish at 1. But, he kept piling stuff in the pile for us to move, and we didn't get done with him until 2. The sad thing is that he kept putting stuff into the truck that would all have had to fit into a 2 room apartment. Not 2 bedroom, 2 room! I'm surprised if he manages that. Anyways, we got to the other house, and helped for an hour, then Elder Bills and his former companion, Elder Johnson, had to prepare to go to the temple with their recent converts. Since I wasn't part of their baptism process, I wasn't privilieged to go to the temple. I really REALLY wanted to, though. Anyways, me and Elder Johnson's companion, Elder Zayas, helped out at the house until about 5:15, and then we went to dinner at T.G.I. Fridays with an awesome member family. It was a really awesome dinner, but I was exhausted after that.
Anyways, I need to go right now, so I'll talk to you all later. I just sent an SD card with pictures home, so keep an eye out for that!
Love
Elder Shepherd
I decided this week that I needed to make this email kinda short, sweet, and to the point.
Basically, I'm sure you're all wondering why it's taken me up to today (Thursday) to email, when I normally do it on Tuesday? BTW, quick note, I'm going to soon be doing my emails on MONDAYS. It's a new policy that I have to adapt to, so I hope that you guys make the adjustments accordingly. Anways, back to what I was originally talking about.
The reason why I'm emailing today is that we've been doing a lot of moving. On Tuesday, we got a call that one of our members need TONS of help moving out, because they had to be out of their house by 5 on Wednesday. We showed up, and TONS of help was an understatement. They hadn't taken anything at all to their new house. Thankfully, we had about 15 missionaries there to help, so things went good, which was a real blessing because the elders quorum flaked out on us. Then again, with that many missionaries, we still hadn't finished. Anyways, we were there from 1 to 5, and so we had no time to go do emails.
Yesterday, another member was in desperate need of getting out that day, so we helped him. We had planned on helping him, then going back to the other member's house to help them finish at 1. But, he kept piling stuff in the pile for us to move, and we didn't get done with him until 2. The sad thing is that he kept putting stuff into the truck that would all have had to fit into a 2 room apartment. Not 2 bedroom, 2 room! I'm surprised if he manages that. Anyways, we got to the other house, and helped for an hour, then Elder Bills and his former companion, Elder Johnson, had to prepare to go to the temple with their recent converts. Since I wasn't part of their baptism process, I wasn't privilieged to go to the temple. I really REALLY wanted to, though. Anyways, me and Elder Johnson's companion, Elder Zayas, helped out at the house until about 5:15, and then we went to dinner at T.G.I. Fridays with an awesome member family. It was a really awesome dinner, but I was exhausted after that.
Anyways, I need to go right now, so I'll talk to you all later. I just sent an SD card with pictures home, so keep an eye out for that!
Love
Elder Shepherd
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Where does my time go?
I just realized something
I rarely get around to writing these emails. These are supposed to be my link for others to see a little bit of what my mission life is like. Not to mention, since I send them to myself, they're kinda like a journal. I really need to step it up more. I seem to not have a lot of time left over at the end of an email session to send it. I gotta get more vigilant in this. As Mad Eye Moody once said, "Constant Vigilance!"
Anyways, this last week has been a bit of a roller coaster. Our main investigadora will likely not be able to be baptized. She has been living in a bad situation for a long time, and one that won't allow her to be baptized. We've been working hard to get her out of it, but the member who was offering her a room has retracted her offer. The reason for this is that our investigator has essentially been babied her whole life. She hasn't really ever had to take care of herself, and she doesn't know how. So, moving out for her is something that is really hard. The member said that she wasn't ready to move out. Although she would've, she probably would've crashed and burn or something. So, that was a bit of bad news for me and Elder Bills. However, I did get two upsides.
Magic: The Gathering has gotten some sort of surge amongst the missionaries here, and I inherited a ton of cards from missionaries who didn't want them or were leaving. So, I had a small collection. I played it a lot in Van Nuys, but no one here knows how to play, so I decided to find a game store, take them in, and sell them. I got 25 dollars for all of them, and I got an awesome copy of Carcassonne. Although I have a travel sized copy of it (Thanks mom and dad), I've been wanting a full-size version for future expansions. The travel one can't play with expansions. I'm happy about that.
Also, yesterday, we biked from our apartment all the way to Universal Studios, and hung out at the outdoor strip mall, Citywalk, while there. It was lots of fun. Although it was hard, and I've got a bit of a sunburn from it, it was lots of fun, and it helped me and Elder Bills bond more, which is good because our companionship, although stronger than before, is still a bit fragile. We're both actively working on making it better, though. So, that was fun.
Well, that's about it for what has been going on. I hope that everyone is doing well, and I hope that you guys have a good day.
Elder Shepherd
P.S. Our apartment is at 9511 Darby Ave. Northridge, CA. Mapquest the route to Universal Studios to see just how much we biked. It was LONG!
I rarely get around to writing these emails. These are supposed to be my link for others to see a little bit of what my mission life is like. Not to mention, since I send them to myself, they're kinda like a journal. I really need to step it up more. I seem to not have a lot of time left over at the end of an email session to send it. I gotta get more vigilant in this. As Mad Eye Moody once said, "Constant Vigilance!"
Anyways, this last week has been a bit of a roller coaster. Our main investigadora will likely not be able to be baptized. She has been living in a bad situation for a long time, and one that won't allow her to be baptized. We've been working hard to get her out of it, but the member who was offering her a room has retracted her offer. The reason for this is that our investigator has essentially been babied her whole life. She hasn't really ever had to take care of herself, and she doesn't know how. So, moving out for her is something that is really hard. The member said that she wasn't ready to move out. Although she would've, she probably would've crashed and burn or something. So, that was a bit of bad news for me and Elder Bills. However, I did get two upsides.
Magic: The Gathering has gotten some sort of surge amongst the missionaries here, and I inherited a ton of cards from missionaries who didn't want them or were leaving. So, I had a small collection. I played it a lot in Van Nuys, but no one here knows how to play, so I decided to find a game store, take them in, and sell them. I got 25 dollars for all of them, and I got an awesome copy of Carcassonne. Although I have a travel sized copy of it (Thanks mom and dad), I've been wanting a full-size version for future expansions. The travel one can't play with expansions. I'm happy about that.
Also, yesterday, we biked from our apartment all the way to Universal Studios, and hung out at the outdoor strip mall, Citywalk, while there. It was lots of fun. Although it was hard, and I've got a bit of a sunburn from it, it was lots of fun, and it helped me and Elder Bills bond more, which is good because our companionship, although stronger than before, is still a bit fragile. We're both actively working on making it better, though. So, that was fun.
Well, that's about it for what has been going on. I hope that everyone is doing well, and I hope that you guys have a good day.
Elder Shepherd
P.S. Our apartment is at 9511 Darby Ave. Northridge, CA. Mapquest the route to Universal Studios to see just how much we biked. It was LONG!
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