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!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
New Transfers, better relations, and an awesome resolution to lose weight
Hello everyone
As I'm sure you've guessed, this week starts a new transfer for me. We got the calls last Saturday, and Me and Elder Bills are both staying in Northridge. As for the missionaries in our apartment, or our ZLs, one of them, Elder Saena, is staying, while the other one, Elder Tafur, is going back home to Colombia. The new ZL is Elder Chamberlain (We affectionately call him Chamba), and he's a really legit elder. We're betting that this transfer is going to be awesome. Although I'm sad that Elder Tafur has left, because he was a really great friend to me, we're going to have new relations to build, especially with Chamba. That is one of the best benefits of being a missionary. You get to make so many more new friends, and you get to learn so much about the Gospel that you often wonder why your head hasn't exploded before it's all ended.
I'm out of time, so I'll really finish. Elder Bills and I are doing good, and I'm going to start a workout program called P90X. If you want to know what that is, look it up. It's extremely intense.
Gotta go. Lunch awaits.
Love
Elder Shepherd
As I'm sure you've guessed, this week starts a new transfer for me. We got the calls last Saturday, and Me and Elder Bills are both staying in Northridge. As for the missionaries in our apartment, or our ZLs, one of them, Elder Saena, is staying, while the other one, Elder Tafur, is going back home to Colombia. The new ZL is Elder Chamberlain (We affectionately call him Chamba), and he's a really legit elder. We're betting that this transfer is going to be awesome. Although I'm sad that Elder Tafur has left, because he was a really great friend to me, we're going to have new relations to build, especially with Chamba. That is one of the best benefits of being a missionary. You get to make so many more new friends, and you get to learn so much about the Gospel that you often wonder why your head hasn't exploded before it's all ended.
I'm out of time, so I'll really finish. Elder Bills and I are doing good, and I'm going to start a workout program called P90X. If you want to know what that is, look it up. It's extremely intense.
Gotta go. Lunch awaits.
Love
Elder Shepherd
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Seven Months?
Have seven months really passed?
I can't believe I'm already through the greater portion of a year. This is really freaky how fast time flies. But, thinking on time doesn't help, so here's really what happened this week.
The only real things I can think of is on Sunday, when we went to a member's house. They put on a movie about J. Golden Kimball, the swearing apostle. He lived around the 1920-1930's time as an apostle, and the stories that were being told about him in that movie were hilarious. He would often swear and use vulgar language, even in church and conference talks. I couldn't help but laugh.
Yesterday, we were at a member's house, and they asked me to set up their Wii. So, that was very interesting. I did it, and they played a game afterwards, but the odd thing was that the parents in this family got up and started arguing over the dumbest thing, mainly that they were arguing over who lost the Wii Sports game. This family is quite dysfunctional, and these stupid little arguments aren't helping. We're planning a really awesome lesson that hopefully will unite them a bit more, but we don't know how it'll be received.
That's about it for what's happened. I love you all, and sorry for the shortness of the email. I'm about out of time.
Love
Elder Shepherd
I can't believe I'm already through the greater portion of a year. This is really freaky how fast time flies. But, thinking on time doesn't help, so here's really what happened this week.
The only real things I can think of is on Sunday, when we went to a member's house. They put on a movie about J. Golden Kimball, the swearing apostle. He lived around the 1920-1930's time as an apostle, and the stories that were being told about him in that movie were hilarious. He would often swear and use vulgar language, even in church and conference talks. I couldn't help but laugh.
Yesterday, we were at a member's house, and they asked me to set up their Wii. So, that was very interesting. I did it, and they played a game afterwards, but the odd thing was that the parents in this family got up and started arguing over the dumbest thing, mainly that they were arguing over who lost the Wii Sports game. This family is quite dysfunctional, and these stupid little arguments aren't helping. We're planning a really awesome lesson that hopefully will unite them a bit more, but we don't know how it'll be received.
That's about it for what's happened. I love you all, and sorry for the shortness of the email. I'm about out of time.
Love
Elder Shepherd
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Hello 2011!
Well, hello to all
So, this last week was the last week of 2010, and this Saturday, we welcomed in the new year of 2011. We've got some great things coming up for 2011 in the mission, as last weeks Zone Conference made apparent, but here's the weekly overview.
Monday, we did nothing. It was honestly the lamest P-Day I've ever had. Even the ones in the MTC weren't nearly as terrible. We could go to the temple then. But now, we have so many other options, and none of them are taken. It was really depressing, actually. I tried to start up a game of Settlers of Catan, except by the time I had finished explaining it to Elder Saena, no one else would play, so he went back to bed. It sucked.
On Tuesday, we tried by a few people. We met someone named Ria, who has lately been suffering from an ulcer on her leg. As we were sitting with her, I couldn't help but keep looking at her leg. It was wrapped in a cast, and the parts that weren't wrapped were red, swollen around the cast, and just looking awful. I was feeling really sorry for her. We gave her a blessing after that. Then, we tried to find a referral. Not home. We did email, and that was about it.
On Wednesday, I can't really remember what we did, but it was probably the night that we went to the Ingram's house. They're an awesome member family. What was really awesome was that the daughter there has a baby chick, two newborn bunnies, and a hedgehog that she's watching over temporarily right now. Luckily, I had my camera on me, so I got some really good pictures of all of them. It was lots of fun.
On Thursday, we had Zone Conference from about 9:00 AM to 4:50 PM. Long, but worth it. One of the things my mission president has brought up is that we set a goal of 500 baptisms this year. Although we came short, it was by about 30. So, this year, he's set the bar even higher, and made the goal 654 baptisms. It sounds way up there, but there is a talk from Pres. Hinckley, where he said that, although the missionary effort is increasing due to Preach my Gospel, he had a vision in which the number of baptisms each year could double. Pres. Martin wants to help make this possible. Although 654 isn't the required number to reach our part in that goal, it is a huge step towards what next years goal will likely be, namely in the 750's to 800's. It'll be huge, and it'll be hard, but it can be done. Also, he stressed safety, and used the example of how my last companion, Elder Adamovich, was hit by a car on his bike last week. I freaked out, and wanted to know immediately if he was fine. Thankfully, nothing really happened, but that was because he was wearing his helmet. Those things are really useful. I haven't really passed a day yet where I don't wear one. I don't like wearing them, but it's a rule, and it's only for our safety. He also stressed that if we wanted a sure-fire way to stay junior companion, we didn't need to wear our seat-belts in cars, and to, as it's called, "6-man it." 6-manning is when we put 6 missionaries into a five-seatbelt car. I am ashamed to say that I did it regularly in Van Nuys, but it's been changed lately. They have been trying really hard to avoid doing it. I hope that they keep up that good work.
On Friday, it was District Meeting. Our DL didn't really show up, because he lives about 3 to 5 miles from the chapel we meet at, and he's on bike. I pity him. We had a lesson from a good friend of mine, Elder Jeffrey, and we used a demonstration to show how important it is to follow the spirit. Namely, we put Elder Bills in a blindfold, rearranged the room, and made him wander through blindfolded, with the Spirit, me, as his whispering guide. It was really funny to watch, especially since I had to back off at one point, to simulate how hard it is sometimes to feel the Spirit. Then, lunch. I went to In-N-Out, and had a Double-Double protein style. Protein Style is really where they just wrap the burger in lettuce instead of buns. It was interesting, but still really good. I love In-N-Out. Then, later that night, I finally convinced the elders into playing Settlers of Catan, although I'm sure I annoyed them so much that they decided to do it. It took way too long, due to a terrible set-up, and Elder Saena and Elder Bills, who played it for the first time that night, didn't seem to have too much fun, even though Elder Saena won. Then, we downed a bottle of Martinelli's, and went to bed.
On Saturday, we went to the Buterbaugh's for dinner. While over there, the father made the world's most amazing home-made pizza. He's really got a knack for that. It was awesome. Then, we and some of their children, all grown-up, went to the other room and played Signs for a good 2 hours. It was SO FUN! Then, we toyed around with their Nerf guns. They spent too much time with them as kids, and so they have monstrous Nerf guns, and do battle with them frequently. It was so much fun. That was that night.
On Sunday, we went to church. I was feeling particularly lonely, because the other elders in our apartment and myself don't really connect. So, I was feeling lonely. At Sacrament meeting, the time came to bear testimonies. A tradition in our ward holds that incoming and outgoing missionaries bear their testimonies. Elder Bills told me that I had to go, and I was feeling pretty ticked. I, for some reason, have this mental block on me for bearing testimony. I don't know why, but I just don't like it. So, I told him no, and that the bishop had forgotten. We then had a silent argument, back there on the pew. He said, "You'll be the first missionary who hasn't done it here." I shut up at that point, because I wanted to punch him, and any furthur provocation would've made me punch him, probably. Then, out of feeling lonely, I said a silent prayer, asking for spiritual strength. I got the thought that if I got up there and bore my testimony, it would help the ward know me a bit better. That invigorated me, and I got up and did it. I could literally feel a welcoming spirit in the room when I finished. I feel so much more welcome, and I got a small mental victory over Elder Bills. I know that it's bad to want to have that, since the spirit of contention is of the devil, but he and I just don't connect very well. I'm trying to change that, but it's not going very well. Anyways, later that night, after we were done for the evening, I asked if they wanted to play a game. Although I mentioned Settlers of Catan last, they said that they'd play that. So, I set up another variant. It didn't go well. Elder Tafur and Elder Bills were working together to mess me up, and Elder Saena didn't want to play. Elder Tafur wanted to win, but Elder Bills said that he was never trying to win. That bugged me. I can't stand people who get fun out of board games not from winning, but from messing others up. I go into a board game to have fun, all the time, but I don't go in not intending to win. It went so bad, actually, that Elder Bills said no more Settlers of Catan for the apartment, and that it was causing too much contention. It's as if I lost an arm when he said that.
Anyways, yesterday, we did almost nothing until 2. Elder Bills, Saena, and Tafur went to the Canoga Park Stake Center to play basketball, and I went to Elder Ball's and Hansen's apartment to play Settlers of Catan with them. Although that game was long, we all had fun, because Elder Ball and Elder Hansen play more like me. They always play games to have fun, but they always have the intention to win. I was a lot more pleasant with that game. Then, later that night, we were in a rush to get to dinner, so the ZLs let us use their car. Elder Bills is a danger on the road in a hurry. Anyways, we ate dinner, hurried over to a lesson at Brother Wendt's condo, and came back. It was an okay P-day. The best one I've had since getting here to Northridge.
Well, that's about it. I pray that you all are doing well, and I hope that things are going fine.
Love
Elder Shepherd
So, this last week was the last week of 2010, and this Saturday, we welcomed in the new year of 2011. We've got some great things coming up for 2011 in the mission, as last weeks Zone Conference made apparent, but here's the weekly overview.
Monday, we did nothing. It was honestly the lamest P-Day I've ever had. Even the ones in the MTC weren't nearly as terrible. We could go to the temple then. But now, we have so many other options, and none of them are taken. It was really depressing, actually. I tried to start up a game of Settlers of Catan, except by the time I had finished explaining it to Elder Saena, no one else would play, so he went back to bed. It sucked.
On Tuesday, we tried by a few people. We met someone named Ria, who has lately been suffering from an ulcer on her leg. As we were sitting with her, I couldn't help but keep looking at her leg. It was wrapped in a cast, and the parts that weren't wrapped were red, swollen around the cast, and just looking awful. I was feeling really sorry for her. We gave her a blessing after that. Then, we tried to find a referral. Not home. We did email, and that was about it.
On Wednesday, I can't really remember what we did, but it was probably the night that we went to the Ingram's house. They're an awesome member family. What was really awesome was that the daughter there has a baby chick, two newborn bunnies, and a hedgehog that she's watching over temporarily right now. Luckily, I had my camera on me, so I got some really good pictures of all of them. It was lots of fun.
On Thursday, we had Zone Conference from about 9:00 AM to 4:50 PM. Long, but worth it. One of the things my mission president has brought up is that we set a goal of 500 baptisms this year. Although we came short, it was by about 30. So, this year, he's set the bar even higher, and made the goal 654 baptisms. It sounds way up there, but there is a talk from Pres. Hinckley, where he said that, although the missionary effort is increasing due to Preach my Gospel, he had a vision in which the number of baptisms each year could double. Pres. Martin wants to help make this possible. Although 654 isn't the required number to reach our part in that goal, it is a huge step towards what next years goal will likely be, namely in the 750's to 800's. It'll be huge, and it'll be hard, but it can be done. Also, he stressed safety, and used the example of how my last companion, Elder Adamovich, was hit by a car on his bike last week. I freaked out, and wanted to know immediately if he was fine. Thankfully, nothing really happened, but that was because he was wearing his helmet. Those things are really useful. I haven't really passed a day yet where I don't wear one. I don't like wearing them, but it's a rule, and it's only for our safety. He also stressed that if we wanted a sure-fire way to stay junior companion, we didn't need to wear our seat-belts in cars, and to, as it's called, "6-man it." 6-manning is when we put 6 missionaries into a five-seatbelt car. I am ashamed to say that I did it regularly in Van Nuys, but it's been changed lately. They have been trying really hard to avoid doing it. I hope that they keep up that good work.
On Friday, it was District Meeting. Our DL didn't really show up, because he lives about 3 to 5 miles from the chapel we meet at, and he's on bike. I pity him. We had a lesson from a good friend of mine, Elder Jeffrey, and we used a demonstration to show how important it is to follow the spirit. Namely, we put Elder Bills in a blindfold, rearranged the room, and made him wander through blindfolded, with the Spirit, me, as his whispering guide. It was really funny to watch, especially since I had to back off at one point, to simulate how hard it is sometimes to feel the Spirit. Then, lunch. I went to In-N-Out, and had a Double-Double protein style. Protein Style is really where they just wrap the burger in lettuce instead of buns. It was interesting, but still really good. I love In-N-Out. Then, later that night, I finally convinced the elders into playing Settlers of Catan, although I'm sure I annoyed them so much that they decided to do it. It took way too long, due to a terrible set-up, and Elder Saena and Elder Bills, who played it for the first time that night, didn't seem to have too much fun, even though Elder Saena won. Then, we downed a bottle of Martinelli's, and went to bed.
On Saturday, we went to the Buterbaugh's for dinner. While over there, the father made the world's most amazing home-made pizza. He's really got a knack for that. It was awesome. Then, we and some of their children, all grown-up, went to the other room and played Signs for a good 2 hours. It was SO FUN! Then, we toyed around with their Nerf guns. They spent too much time with them as kids, and so they have monstrous Nerf guns, and do battle with them frequently. It was so much fun. That was that night.
On Sunday, we went to church. I was feeling particularly lonely, because the other elders in our apartment and myself don't really connect. So, I was feeling lonely. At Sacrament meeting, the time came to bear testimonies. A tradition in our ward holds that incoming and outgoing missionaries bear their testimonies. Elder Bills told me that I had to go, and I was feeling pretty ticked. I, for some reason, have this mental block on me for bearing testimony. I don't know why, but I just don't like it. So, I told him no, and that the bishop had forgotten. We then had a silent argument, back there on the pew. He said, "You'll be the first missionary who hasn't done it here." I shut up at that point, because I wanted to punch him, and any furthur provocation would've made me punch him, probably. Then, out of feeling lonely, I said a silent prayer, asking for spiritual strength. I got the thought that if I got up there and bore my testimony, it would help the ward know me a bit better. That invigorated me, and I got up and did it. I could literally feel a welcoming spirit in the room when I finished. I feel so much more welcome, and I got a small mental victory over Elder Bills. I know that it's bad to want to have that, since the spirit of contention is of the devil, but he and I just don't connect very well. I'm trying to change that, but it's not going very well. Anyways, later that night, after we were done for the evening, I asked if they wanted to play a game. Although I mentioned Settlers of Catan last, they said that they'd play that. So, I set up another variant. It didn't go well. Elder Tafur and Elder Bills were working together to mess me up, and Elder Saena didn't want to play. Elder Tafur wanted to win, but Elder Bills said that he was never trying to win. That bugged me. I can't stand people who get fun out of board games not from winning, but from messing others up. I go into a board game to have fun, all the time, but I don't go in not intending to win. It went so bad, actually, that Elder Bills said no more Settlers of Catan for the apartment, and that it was causing too much contention. It's as if I lost an arm when he said that.
Anyways, yesterday, we did almost nothing until 2. Elder Bills, Saena, and Tafur went to the Canoga Park Stake Center to play basketball, and I went to Elder Ball's and Hansen's apartment to play Settlers of Catan with them. Although that game was long, we all had fun, because Elder Ball and Elder Hansen play more like me. They always play games to have fun, but they always have the intention to win. I was a lot more pleasant with that game. Then, later that night, we were in a rush to get to dinner, so the ZLs let us use their car. Elder Bills is a danger on the road in a hurry. Anyways, we ate dinner, hurried over to a lesson at Brother Wendt's condo, and came back. It was an okay P-day. The best one I've had since getting here to Northridge.
Well, that's about it. I pray that you all are doing well, and I hope that things are going fine.
Love
Elder Shepherd
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