Love Thy Neighbor

email dated 11/23/09
My first week with a new companion has been pretty much awesome. Elder Pawlek goes home on December 22nd, which means that he’s on the home stretch, and that I’m going to be stuck into a threesome right before Christmas. It’ll be pretty fun though-not as fun as a foursome, but still pretty awesome. Anyway, Elder Pawlek and I work really well with each other. He served in New Haven 1 year ago at this same time, so he has knowledge of the area and already has a relationship with the ward and some of the recent converts who he baptized a year ago. Our primary focus right now is to build up the attendance of Spanish members at church, and increase the activity of our Spanish members. We can’t baptize someone into the ward when they have no hope for fellowshipping because no one else goes to church that speaks their language-so we’re focusing a lot on the less active and recent converts. Many of the people Elder Pawlek baptized since last year have since gone inactive, so it’s a miracle to have him back because he already knows who they are and their conversion experiences. We’re gonna have such a good transfer.

It’s crazy how warm it has been this November in Connecticut. It hasn’t snowed, it hasn’t been rainy, and it’s averaged in the 60’s and upper 50’s. Everyone says that this is REALLY strange for this time of year, because normally winter begins to hit really hard right now. I’m OK with it, but at the same time I’m ready to embrace winter. I am kind of fearful for the humid cold and the ‘freezing rain’ though. This is absolutely the greatest time of year.

Ok, funny story time. So, last Saturday we had our car parked in front of our apartment, and as the other elders went out to leave for their appointment in the morning they saw it getting towed away, along with all the other cars in the street. With no prior warning, the city decided to clean our street and instituted an ‘emergency cleaning’ or some crap like that, and towed all the cars. It was so bogus, and totally not our fault! At the same time, there was nothing we could do about it, so they landed us with a $77 towing fee and a $50 ticket. Well, missionaries are already broke, and so every last penny of our foursome’s money went into paying for it, because we had to break into our emergency funds, and we had no money left for food for the next 2 weeks. Just great.

Well, just this morning we were racking our brains trying to figure out how we were going to eat for the next 2 weeks when a sister from the ward showed up at our house with a van full of food for us. “Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas Elders!” Sister Thomas exclaimed at our shocked faces at all the food she was bringing us. We were completely blown away at her generosity, and couldn't refuse the offering that she forced upon us. We were more than grateful as we unloaded a van full of food to the rim with enough food and goodies to feed the 4 of us for the next month and a half.

God takes care of His missionaries, I’m convinced of it. I’ve seen and heard some incredible things out here of generosity and kindness. We were visiting with a man in our ward last night who was given a brand new truck, free of charge, from a member of our stake presidency, because he was a distress financially and needed it to get to work. He related this to us with tears in his eyes and said “that’s what this is all about, isn’t it? We have to take care of one another.”

It’s so true. We have to take care of one another. Lift those who droop in sorrow, and offer your services to those who are in need. May we all learn to be more loving and concerned about our neighbors, and be loving to all of God’s children. Be aware of the poor and needy-they are our Father’s children, and He loves them very much. Especially at this time of year, you will have ample opportunity to serve. There are many good things to do and good causes to engage in, but whatever the project and act of love just remember to follow the admonition of the Savior to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. That is how we can serve God and show our love for Him. Our love is a direct measure of our faith.

I am doing very well, and I love the work I’m engaged in. I pray for your safety and continued success in all your endeavors. I love you all.

-Elder Shepherd