Hello everyone
So, the title of this email is referring to the area in which I live: because there really is nothing for as far as the eye can see. It's pretty impressive, but I'm loving it out here. For those who don't know, I'm on a bike, serving in the spanish branch. My area isn't too huge, about 1x3 miles, but it's still got a lot in it. Now, I'm not too sure what to say, so I'll start by giving a summary of the days here:
Monday: I got up here around 5, and got to the house (yes, it's a house, not an apartment), unpacked really quickly, and went straight to dinner. The great thing is that all the elders I live with all serve in the same branch, so we all go to the same dinner appointments, and the other elders have a truck. Huskinson and I generally bike to our appointments, but we almost always have a ride home from them, since the days practically over at that time. Anyways, we went to our ward mission leader's house, the Villareals. They're really cool, and they've got lots of farm animals. But, the geese in the back yard are crazy. They want to kill us, so we stay away from them. It was a good dinner. Tacos. Yummm....
Tuesday: Don't recall.
Wednesday: We went to a recent convert's house called Margarita. She's really nice, and the food was fairly good. However, they're having some problems in the family. It's sad, but it's how it is in spanish work. So much drama.
Thursday: I managed to obtain possession of a boot-legged copy of Hop. We aren't planning on watching it, but I may just send it home to get it out of my hands. Also, we went to a meeting with one of our main investigators. Her name is Margarita, also, and she is super solid. While there, she asked a lot of questions, some of them about really deep doctrine. I won't say what was asked, but I'll reassure you all, it was really deep. At that time, she had a sick dog, and it was only 5 months old. She was wondering if we could heal him with the laying on of hands, like she had read in the bible. Naturally, we can't do that with animals, but we said a prayer, and began a fast the next day. Also, she's been threatened with foreclosure, and so we were fasting for that, too.
Friday: District meeting. We had to go to the church that night for correlation, and while there, Margarita was trying to talk to our branch president about obtaining funds to pay for rent. She told us there, though, that that morning, her dog was better, and she believed it was because we had prayed and fasted, and she said she wants to keep coming to the LDS church. We were calm, but inside, I was jumping for joy. It was really cool.
Saturday: We had an easter activity. That was really fun.
Sunday: My first sacrament meeting in the spanish branch. All I recall about the Van Nuys ward was instantly brought back when I was there: the drama, the fact that I understand so little, and the fact that NOBODY can sing except us. It was painful, to say the least. But, it was still pretty good, especially since the bishop of the english ward said he'd spot Margarita money for the rent. Let's just hope that she doesn't become dependant on it.
I'm running out of time, so I gotta go. Talk to you all later.
Elder Shepherd
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I'm freakin' 20, and my birthday present is a new area and new companion
Hello everyone
For those who don't know, yesterday, April 17th, was my 20th birthday. So, I'm freakin' 20. That's a scary thought to me. First off, it's because I'm officially no longer a teenager. As I put it to a member at church yesterday, "Dang it, I'm 20. Now I have to be responsible. Dang It!" That's essentially what I feel, but I don't really care too much, actually. Even though I now have to take a bit more responsibility, I'll still always have that little kid inside me that I absolutely refuse to let die. It doesn't mean I won't mature, it means I'll just throw in a few immature fun moments to keep life entertaining. Am I brilliant or what?
Okay, anyways, about what happened for my birthday. I wanted to go out to dinner, and my loving parents kindly provided me with money to do so. We went to a burger joint in Encino called the Stand. It is this really good joint that offers MASSIVE burgers. and I mean MASSIVE. I got a bleu cheese and bacon burger. It was really good. I even took my companion, and the Zone Leaders in our apartment with me. It was really good. Also, yesterday, a few things happened.
1. I found out just how much the members of my ward loved me...and how much I loved them. We were all really good friends, and now I'm leaving them. I'm going to miss them so much, but I'm going to enjoy a new ward. I did get pictures, though, so I'll always be able to remember them.
2. We came home from church, and there was a frosted bundt cake on the table that our Zone Leaders made for my birthday. They are so cool sometimes.
3. We went home teaching with our ward mission leader. We went to the Browns, my absolute favorite family in the whole ward. However, my ward mission leader is hard of hearing, so the whole time, he was calling Wesley, the son in the family, Leslie. It got so bad to the point that everyone was cracking up. He thought we were all laughing at Wesley, but he didn't know. I told him, which he was really embarrassed about, but I think he can only look back and laugh at it now. He still, though, calls Elder Newey Elder Newley. It's hilarious, but kinda embarrassing for him. We think it's probably better that we don't tell him that one until he's gone.
4. We had dinner with my brother from another mother. I'm serious about that one. Bro. Magleby and I are so alike that it's freaky. He likes pokemon, I like pokemon. He likes Mega Man, I like mega man. He likes Disney/Pixar movies, I like Disney/Pixar movies. It's freaky how alike we are, but, naturally, we're amazing friends. He's the one I'm going to miss so much. Not to mention, his wife is just the sweetest thing you'll ever meet in your life. He really worked hard on his mission, and he got the most amazing girl ever. We had an awesome dinner there, and they even surprised me with a birthday cake and ice cream. It was cool.
5. We had a missionary musical fireside. It wasn't nearly as good as the one that my ward put on, but it was still good, especially the last singer. He sung Via Dolorosa (The Way of Suffering, from Spanish to English). It was so powerful. I said a lot of good-byes, especially to my one friend who I've had ever since I got here on the mission. He goes home this wednesday, and I'm going to miss him so much.
So that's what happened yesterday. It was awesome.
Also, as I'm sure you guessed by now, I'm getting transferred. It's not exactly a good birthday present, but I'm excited. I'm going to the Lake Los Angeles Spanish branch, and my companion's name is Elder Huskinson. I've heard a lot of good things about him, and I've also heard that they do almost nothing in Lake Los Angeles except for board games and whatnot. That's going to be fun. I'm pretty excited. I'm sad that I'm leaving so many friends here in the valley, but you've gotta do what the president says you gotta do, so I'm peacing out. Here's the address for my new pad:
Elder Marcus Shepherd
41056 168th St. East
Lancaster, CA 93535
Well, I'm running out of time, so I gotta go. Take care, y'all.
Elder Shepherd
For those who don't know, yesterday, April 17th, was my 20th birthday. So, I'm freakin' 20. That's a scary thought to me. First off, it's because I'm officially no longer a teenager. As I put it to a member at church yesterday, "Dang it, I'm 20. Now I have to be responsible. Dang It!" That's essentially what I feel, but I don't really care too much, actually. Even though I now have to take a bit more responsibility, I'll still always have that little kid inside me that I absolutely refuse to let die. It doesn't mean I won't mature, it means I'll just throw in a few immature fun moments to keep life entertaining. Am I brilliant or what?
Okay, anyways, about what happened for my birthday. I wanted to go out to dinner, and my loving parents kindly provided me with money to do so. We went to a burger joint in Encino called the Stand. It is this really good joint that offers MASSIVE burgers. and I mean MASSIVE. I got a bleu cheese and bacon burger. It was really good. I even took my companion, and the Zone Leaders in our apartment with me. It was really good. Also, yesterday, a few things happened.
1. I found out just how much the members of my ward loved me...and how much I loved them. We were all really good friends, and now I'm leaving them. I'm going to miss them so much, but I'm going to enjoy a new ward. I did get pictures, though, so I'll always be able to remember them.
2. We came home from church, and there was a frosted bundt cake on the table that our Zone Leaders made for my birthday. They are so cool sometimes.
3. We went home teaching with our ward mission leader. We went to the Browns, my absolute favorite family in the whole ward. However, my ward mission leader is hard of hearing, so the whole time, he was calling Wesley, the son in the family, Leslie. It got so bad to the point that everyone was cracking up. He thought we were all laughing at Wesley, but he didn't know. I told him, which he was really embarrassed about, but I think he can only look back and laugh at it now. He still, though, calls Elder Newey Elder Newley. It's hilarious, but kinda embarrassing for him. We think it's probably better that we don't tell him that one until he's gone.
4. We had dinner with my brother from another mother. I'm serious about that one. Bro. Magleby and I are so alike that it's freaky. He likes pokemon, I like pokemon. He likes Mega Man, I like mega man. He likes Disney/Pixar movies, I like Disney/Pixar movies. It's freaky how alike we are, but, naturally, we're amazing friends. He's the one I'm going to miss so much. Not to mention, his wife is just the sweetest thing you'll ever meet in your life. He really worked hard on his mission, and he got the most amazing girl ever. We had an awesome dinner there, and they even surprised me with a birthday cake and ice cream. It was cool.
5. We had a missionary musical fireside. It wasn't nearly as good as the one that my ward put on, but it was still good, especially the last singer. He sung Via Dolorosa (The Way of Suffering, from Spanish to English). It was so powerful. I said a lot of good-byes, especially to my one friend who I've had ever since I got here on the mission. He goes home this wednesday, and I'm going to miss him so much.
So that's what happened yesterday. It was awesome.
Also, as I'm sure you guessed by now, I'm getting transferred. It's not exactly a good birthday present, but I'm excited. I'm going to the Lake Los Angeles Spanish branch, and my companion's name is Elder Huskinson. I've heard a lot of good things about him, and I've also heard that they do almost nothing in Lake Los Angeles except for board games and whatnot. That's going to be fun. I'm pretty excited. I'm sad that I'm leaving so many friends here in the valley, but you've gotta do what the president says you gotta do, so I'm peacing out. Here's the address for my new pad:
Elder Marcus Shepherd
41056 168th St. East
Lancaster, CA 93535
Well, I'm running out of time, so I gotta go. Take care, y'all.
Elder Shepherd
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
300 Days Already!?
Yes, folks
As the title of the email says, I've been out on a mission for 300 days, today as a matter of fact. I'm not counting, but before the mission, I went through and marked a few milestones for the mission. Namely every 100 days and every three months. I swear I'm not counting down the days till I come home, I just like to enjoy these little markers.
Anyways, I personally enjoyed General Conference. Can I hear a hallelujah from everyone else who did? My personal favorite talk was President Monson's talk in the Priesthood Session about marriage. It was funny, but also it made me think a lot about what I'm facing when I come home. I'm excited to get married, but I'm also really freaked out about it. Because, when I'm married, I have to take some responsibility. I'll have to get a good job to support ourselves, finish college, have some kids, and begin an adult life. But, then again, that is all based on how I do on the dating scene. For those who don't know yet, I never dated in high school, and frankly never tried to have a girlfriend because I figured that since I was going to go on a mission, I'd have to dump her anyways, since a girlfriend on the mission is nasty business. My last companion, Elder Bills, actually told a lot a story about how a missionary in his branch got Dear John'd, and he hitchhiked to Texas from Michigan in the middle of that very night. That is a bad sign that girls aren't healthy for a missionary. So, I'm going to have some major catching up to do, but I'm going to at least try. Maybe go to a YSA ward, attend the activities, actually ask for numbers, take a few on a date, and who knows, I could be married before I even know it. It's freaky, yes, but I think I'll be ready when the time comes.
As far as the area is going, we tried to have a lesson with our main investigator, but she was busy at the time, and had to reschedule. That's sadly what happens a lot out here. People don't really keep appointments very well, and so we are running all over the place trying to get stuff done, but nothing happens. It's depressing when your investigators don't really keep up with their commitments, but they do this according to their own agency. Not much we can do about that, now is there?
As far as an announcement, the 17th of this month is officially (as if it could ever be unofficial) my 20th birthday. I'm really freaking out about that. If anyone is ever interested in this, you can send me whatever you feel: Money, birthday cards, spam, chain letters, hate mail, whatever you like. If you don't know, here's my address:
Elder Marcus Shepherd
9511 Darby Ave. #105
Northridge, CA 91325
I'll be in there for sure until April 17th. The day after that is transfers, so I don't know what's going to happen. I'd at least appreciate emails wishing me happy birthday.
Thanks everyone for all your support, y que les vaya bien. Vayanse con Dios, tambien.
Elder Shepherd
As the title of the email says, I've been out on a mission for 300 days, today as a matter of fact. I'm not counting, but before the mission, I went through and marked a few milestones for the mission. Namely every 100 days and every three months. I swear I'm not counting down the days till I come home, I just like to enjoy these little markers.
Anyways, I personally enjoyed General Conference. Can I hear a hallelujah from everyone else who did? My personal favorite talk was President Monson's talk in the Priesthood Session about marriage. It was funny, but also it made me think a lot about what I'm facing when I come home. I'm excited to get married, but I'm also really freaked out about it. Because, when I'm married, I have to take some responsibility. I'll have to get a good job to support ourselves, finish college, have some kids, and begin an adult life. But, then again, that is all based on how I do on the dating scene. For those who don't know yet, I never dated in high school, and frankly never tried to have a girlfriend because I figured that since I was going to go on a mission, I'd have to dump her anyways, since a girlfriend on the mission is nasty business. My last companion, Elder Bills, actually told a lot a story about how a missionary in his branch got Dear John'd, and he hitchhiked to Texas from Michigan in the middle of that very night. That is a bad sign that girls aren't healthy for a missionary. So, I'm going to have some major catching up to do, but I'm going to at least try. Maybe go to a YSA ward, attend the activities, actually ask for numbers, take a few on a date, and who knows, I could be married before I even know it. It's freaky, yes, but I think I'll be ready when the time comes.
As far as the area is going, we tried to have a lesson with our main investigator, but she was busy at the time, and had to reschedule. That's sadly what happens a lot out here. People don't really keep appointments very well, and so we are running all over the place trying to get stuff done, but nothing happens. It's depressing when your investigators don't really keep up with their commitments, but they do this according to their own agency. Not much we can do about that, now is there?
As far as an announcement, the 17th of this month is officially (as if it could ever be unofficial) my 20th birthday. I'm really freaking out about that. If anyone is ever interested in this, you can send me whatever you feel: Money, birthday cards, spam, chain letters, hate mail, whatever you like. If you don't know, here's my address:
Elder Marcus Shepherd
9511 Darby Ave. #105
Northridge, CA 91325
I'll be in there for sure until April 17th. The day after that is transfers, so I don't know what's going to happen. I'd at least appreciate emails wishing me happy birthday.
Thanks everyone for all your support, y que les vaya bien. Vayanse con Dios, tambien.
Elder Shepherd
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