I don't have a whole lot of time, but I'd just like to say that my companion is awesome, and that we're going to have an awesome transfer or two together. I gotta get going, but nonetheless, have a good day, y que se vayan con Dios.
Con Amor
Elder Shepherd
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
New Transfer and New Comp
Hello everyone.
This week begins a new transfer. Like the title page says, Elder Bills has been transferred out. He's going back to Lancaster. Although I didn't really get along with him, we were able to depart on good terms, and he and I are still going to stay in contact for the most part. My new companion's name is Elder Newey. He seems really cool from what I can see thus far. I don't really know, though, what he's like, so I'll talk more next week about how he is. Hopefully, this next transfer will be better with him.
I'm still in Northridge, though, and so my address is still good for sending me stuff. In case you don't know my address, here it is:
Elder Marcus Keith Shepherd
9511 Darby Ave. #105
Northridge, CA 91325
I look forward to a new transfer, and thanks everyone for all your support. It really makes a huge difference for me. Thanks, and take care.
Love
Elder Shepherd
This week begins a new transfer. Like the title page says, Elder Bills has been transferred out. He's going back to Lancaster. Although I didn't really get along with him, we were able to depart on good terms, and he and I are still going to stay in contact for the most part. My new companion's name is Elder Newey. He seems really cool from what I can see thus far. I don't really know, though, what he's like, so I'll talk more next week about how he is. Hopefully, this next transfer will be better with him.
I'm still in Northridge, though, and so my address is still good for sending me stuff. In case you don't know my address, here it is:
Elder Marcus Keith Shepherd
9511 Darby Ave. #105
Northridge, CA 91325
I look forward to a new transfer, and thanks everyone for all your support. It really makes a huge difference for me. Thanks, and take care.
Love
Elder Shepherd
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
It's all gone to pots...
My companionship, that is.
The reason for that is as follows. I recently got sent my "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot" game from my parents, and talking about how awesome it is to my companion, he says, "No, I've already played it. I don't really like it." I wasn't content to let it slide, though, and so I just kept telling him how awesome it was to have all the booster packs. I've had the game for a little over a week now. We, as an apartment, have come to an agreement. If we all participate in a wrestling match, then we will all have to play a board/card game of my choice. I was getting psyched on Sunday night to wrestle, so we could play Killer Bunnies. Then, Elder Bills said something about Killer Bunnies rules that didn't make sense, since he had played it before. I asked him, "What do you mean? You've played it before." He said, "Actually, I was BSing that. I've never played it." And, laughing, he says, "I'm just sick of having to learn new games." That really made me mad. First off, why would he lie to me about something as trivial as knowing how to play a game? Second, how can he know it's a bad game if he's never played it.? One of my biggest pet peeves is when people rag on something they don't know about, without even finding out if it's good or bad. (Kind of an interesting analogy to the Gospel, huh? Many people know nothing about it, yet they put it down without knowing how much it can bless them.) So, I've lost a lot of respect for Elder Bills, and have started caring just a little less. I've tried hard these last 12 weeks to make it work with him, and it's not been happening. If he finds it necessary to lie to me about something as trivial as a card game, then he and I have a serious problem. So yeah, things aren't looking up.
But, at least I can say that transfer calls are this weekend. With any luck, one of us will be transferred, and we'll never have to deal with each other ever again. Odds are that he'll be transferred, since he's been in this area for 24 weeks, and I've only been here for 12, but since I'm supposedly only a spanish-speaking missionary, I may get sent out. I did, however, express my desire to my mission president to no longer be with him. I'll report next Monday about how the transfers go. With luck, we're no longer together, but if we are together, I may need intervention to prevent myself from pegging him in the face a few times.
That's really about all that's happened. We've found an awesome investigator and her daughter, and they're both looking for a good church. So, if they want a good church, why not present them with one of the best, right?
Take care
Elder Shepherd
P.S. Starting next week, for sure, I'm no longer able to do emails on Tuesdays. Only Mondays. and I mean it this time. ONLY MONDAYS!!! If you want me to receive your emails, I suggest you send them to me on Sunday evenings. Those are the best times to write, anyways.
The reason for that is as follows. I recently got sent my "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot" game from my parents, and talking about how awesome it is to my companion, he says, "No, I've already played it. I don't really like it." I wasn't content to let it slide, though, and so I just kept telling him how awesome it was to have all the booster packs. I've had the game for a little over a week now. We, as an apartment, have come to an agreement. If we all participate in a wrestling match, then we will all have to play a board/card game of my choice. I was getting psyched on Sunday night to wrestle, so we could play Killer Bunnies. Then, Elder Bills said something about Killer Bunnies rules that didn't make sense, since he had played it before. I asked him, "What do you mean? You've played it before." He said, "Actually, I was BSing that. I've never played it." And, laughing, he says, "I'm just sick of having to learn new games." That really made me mad. First off, why would he lie to me about something as trivial as knowing how to play a game? Second, how can he know it's a bad game if he's never played it.? One of my biggest pet peeves is when people rag on something they don't know about, without even finding out if it's good or bad. (Kind of an interesting analogy to the Gospel, huh? Many people know nothing about it, yet they put it down without knowing how much it can bless them.) So, I've lost a lot of respect for Elder Bills, and have started caring just a little less. I've tried hard these last 12 weeks to make it work with him, and it's not been happening. If he finds it necessary to lie to me about something as trivial as a card game, then he and I have a serious problem. So yeah, things aren't looking up.
But, at least I can say that transfer calls are this weekend. With any luck, one of us will be transferred, and we'll never have to deal with each other ever again. Odds are that he'll be transferred, since he's been in this area for 24 weeks, and I've only been here for 12, but since I'm supposedly only a spanish-speaking missionary, I may get sent out. I did, however, express my desire to my mission president to no longer be with him. I'll report next Monday about how the transfers go. With luck, we're no longer together, but if we are together, I may need intervention to prevent myself from pegging him in the face a few times.
That's really about all that's happened. We've found an awesome investigator and her daughter, and they're both looking for a good church. So, if they want a good church, why not present them with one of the best, right?
Take care
Elder Shepherd
P.S. Starting next week, for sure, I'm no longer able to do emails on Tuesdays. Only Mondays. and I mean it this time. ONLY MONDAYS!!! If you want me to receive your emails, I suggest you send them to me on Sunday evenings. Those are the best times to write, anyways.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Hello Everyone, but this is the last warning
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
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
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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