email dated 12/21/09
Well, I just said goodbye to my companion, Elder Pawlak. He left for the mission home in Bloomfield, CT about an hour ago, and his flight leaves tomorrow morning at 4AM for Arizona, where he’ll be for about a week before he starts schooling and football practice at BYU in January. It feels really strange to see a companion go home. It's even more strange to have a companion leave and then not get a new one for a week. I'm in a threesome with the 2 English elders here in New Haven for a week. This will be interesting. We will be getting 5 new Spanish speaking missionaries on December 29th, and we had 12 leave today. We're really short on Spanish missionaries-I sure hope I don't have to train a new missionary this transfer. I can barely scrape by with my own Spanish.
This last week was really different, because my companion was gone for 3 days of it. He spent 1 day at the Boston Temple, 1 day on exchanges, and yesterday he had to pack all day, so I split with an English missionary to do work. I have loved living in a 'foursome' (2 companionships in the same apartment). It's so exciting!
It snowed hardcore yesterday, and almost no one came to church. There was only 3 or 4 Spanish people there, and then there were only 15 or so English members. It made for an interesting day.
It really doesn't feel like Christmas is already here. For a missionary, stuff doesn't change too much for us at this time of year. We keep on working, proselyting and tracting, teaching investigators and members, etc. The temperature isn't too bad, but the humidity in the air coupled with a 30 degree wind chill makes everything much colder. It doesn't matter how you bundle up, the wind and humidity cut right through every layer you have on.
I love life as a missionary! This is going to be a really special Christmas for me. I get to spend all my time serving others. I don't have to worry about myself at all, but I get to make others happy. Yesterday, a couple of people from the ward, along with Elder Janssen and I, went caroling at an 'old folks' home for Spanish people. I was the only Spanish speaker there, so I got to be the translator. It was lots of fun, and I got to talk to some really neat people. We're gonna go back there on Christmas to spend some time with them.
Don't forget what the reason for the season really is. Have fun with all the usual Christmas traditions, games, and celebrations, but take the time to remember your Savior and what He did for you. Reflect on His suffering, His infinite atonement, that encircles us in the 'arms of mercy' (Alma 34). The Savior said, "He who loses his life for my sake will find it..." The only true and lasting happiness we experience is in serving others, which love is most often experienced within families. Happiness doesn't come from self-gratification, but in those closest to you, those around you. Tell them that you love them, and do something nice for them. Always remember what is most important.
I love you all, and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
-Elder Shepherd
Monday, January 4, 2010
Preaching in the pouring rain
email dated 12/14/09
The work is going super well! We had a ton of Less-actives at church again this Sunday, and we're watching as the Spanish members are beginning to come together as a whole and help each other learn and progress. It's a really cool thing to see. When I first got here, we only had 3 or 4 Spanish members who came to church every week (besides our investigators). Yesterday we had 20 (again, not including our investigators)! I can hardly believe the miracles that are happening all around me. The Lord really does work through His servants to accomplish works and wonders.
This is my companions last week in the mission field (he flies home December 22nd). He's trying super hard not to be trunky and talk about going home for Christmas all the time, but he does anyway. I can't blame him. He's going home to play linebacker for BYU football. I can't wait to see him on ESPN! "That's my companion! woo!"
It got cold really fast this week. It went from being in the 50's a week ago, to having a brutal storm last weekend, and this whole week has now been in the 20's and low 30's.
Awesome experience from last night: Ok, so last night around 8PM we were checking out our weekly goals, and noticed that we were going to either meet or exceed all of our goals except for 2: we needed to place 2 more copies of the Book of Mormon and challenge 3 more people to baptism. My companion said to me "Well Elder, we got really close. It was a good week." I said back to him,"No! We're not done yet! We're gonna walk down this street, and we're gonna place 2 copies of the Book of Mormon, and challenge 3 people to be baptized in the next 20 minutes!" My companion retorted,"It's 8PM at night, it's 35 degrees out, it's raining, it's windy, and there is NO ONE in sight!". I persisted, "The Lord will place people on this street in the next 20 minutes who have been waiting to hear from us. I know He will." So, reluctantly, my companion followed me down the street in the pouring rain... and then a miracle occurred. All of the sudden, a couple came out of nowhere, and we challenged them both to be baptized and gave them a Book of Mormon. Then another young lady appeared, and we gave her a Book of Mormon and challenged her to be baptized as well. 20 minutes later, we had completed all of our weekly goals, and both of our testimonies had been strengthened. It was amazing how the Lord placed people right in our path who were waiting to hear from us. The Lord answers our prayers, and grants unto us the righteous desires of our hearts. I have a sure testimony of that.
The Lord saw it fit to try my faith even in the most adverse of weather conditions. I have a testimony of "preaching in the pouring rain". No matter the circumstance in our life, we must remember that God has a plan for us, that He loves us, and that we are where we are for a reason. Perhaps you need to learn to pick yourself up when you fall, or perhaps you need to have your faith tried in a particular way so you can be strengthened, or perhaps you need to lift the heavy heart of another... Whatever the case, God blesses those who are faithful enough to 'preach, even in the pouring rain'.
I challenge all of you to find those opportunities in your everyday lives, and thank God for each and every one of them. Persevere when the going gets tough, and when you reach the point where you feel that you can't take one more step, that's the point when God will try you the most, and when you're only just beginning to realize your potential. Have the faith to do what you need to do and do what's right and 'preach, even in the pouring rain'.
Well, that's my special message for the week.
I love you all, and I pray that you're having a wonderful Christmas season! God bless!
-Elder Shepherd
The work is going super well! We had a ton of Less-actives at church again this Sunday, and we're watching as the Spanish members are beginning to come together as a whole and help each other learn and progress. It's a really cool thing to see. When I first got here, we only had 3 or 4 Spanish members who came to church every week (besides our investigators). Yesterday we had 20 (again, not including our investigators)! I can hardly believe the miracles that are happening all around me. The Lord really does work through His servants to accomplish works and wonders.
This is my companions last week in the mission field (he flies home December 22nd). He's trying super hard not to be trunky and talk about going home for Christmas all the time, but he does anyway. I can't blame him. He's going home to play linebacker for BYU football. I can't wait to see him on ESPN! "That's my companion! woo!"
It got cold really fast this week. It went from being in the 50's a week ago, to having a brutal storm last weekend, and this whole week has now been in the 20's and low 30's.
Awesome experience from last night: Ok, so last night around 8PM we were checking out our weekly goals, and noticed that we were going to either meet or exceed all of our goals except for 2: we needed to place 2 more copies of the Book of Mormon and challenge 3 more people to baptism. My companion said to me "Well Elder, we got really close. It was a good week." I said back to him,"No! We're not done yet! We're gonna walk down this street, and we're gonna place 2 copies of the Book of Mormon, and challenge 3 people to be baptized in the next 20 minutes!" My companion retorted,"It's 8PM at night, it's 35 degrees out, it's raining, it's windy, and there is NO ONE in sight!". I persisted, "The Lord will place people on this street in the next 20 minutes who have been waiting to hear from us. I know He will." So, reluctantly, my companion followed me down the street in the pouring rain... and then a miracle occurred. All of the sudden, a couple came out of nowhere, and we challenged them both to be baptized and gave them a Book of Mormon. Then another young lady appeared, and we gave her a Book of Mormon and challenged her to be baptized as well. 20 minutes later, we had completed all of our weekly goals, and both of our testimonies had been strengthened. It was amazing how the Lord placed people right in our path who were waiting to hear from us. The Lord answers our prayers, and grants unto us the righteous desires of our hearts. I have a sure testimony of that.
The Lord saw it fit to try my faith even in the most adverse of weather conditions. I have a testimony of "preaching in the pouring rain". No matter the circumstance in our life, we must remember that God has a plan for us, that He loves us, and that we are where we are for a reason. Perhaps you need to learn to pick yourself up when you fall, or perhaps you need to have your faith tried in a particular way so you can be strengthened, or perhaps you need to lift the heavy heart of another... Whatever the case, God blesses those who are faithful enough to 'preach, even in the pouring rain'.
I challenge all of you to find those opportunities in your everyday lives, and thank God for each and every one of them. Persevere when the going gets tough, and when you reach the point where you feel that you can't take one more step, that's the point when God will try you the most, and when you're only just beginning to realize your potential. Have the faith to do what you need to do and do what's right and 'preach, even in the pouring rain'.
Well, that's my special message for the week.
I love you all, and I pray that you're having a wonderful Christmas season! God bless!
-Elder Shepherd
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Faith in the midst of the Fire
email dated 12/7/09
It finally snowed in New Haven! YAY! But none of it stuck, and the weathers fine again. All the missionaries here hate the snow and complain about it slowly becoming winter-I think that’s a really lame attitude to have, seeing as it WILL snow and you WILL have to work in it whether you like it or not, so you might as well try and look on the bright side. I guess I’m just weird-I love the rain and snow.
So, things were pretty crazy weekend. I’m hesitant to tell my parents about this, seeing as parents worry too much, but it’s a really great story, so I’m gonna tell it anyway. So, yesterday morning (Sunday) at 3 AM, we woke up as we heard 2 gunshots and a loud CRASH in front of our house. We ran to our front window to see what was going on. Apparently, 2 cars were driving side by side down our road, and, right in front of our house, the driver of one car shot the driver of the other car in the back of the head which caused him to crash into our neighbors car (We pulled out our cameras of course so that we could catch this exciting scene all on video, I’ll show you when I get home…) So, the car that crashed started sparking and then lit on fire, right as about 30 police cars came zooming into our neighborhood. We watched as a fireman yanked the dead body out of the car as it was being consumed by flames. Anyway, we spent all morning talking with police detectives, and our video footage ended up getting used by the police as evidence. Our house and our car were part of the crime scene, so we couldn't leave. We pleaded with them to let us go to church, so they let us walk at about 9:30 AM (Church starts at 9:30). So we all had to walk in about 30 minutes late. We had a great story for the ward though about why we were late. Oh yeah, we’re totally fine, no one got hurt except the guy who got shot in the back of the head.
So, later on that day, we decided to treat ourselves to a special ‘break the fast’, so we grilled hamburgers on the balcony in our house. Unfortunately, it was only about 30 degrees outside, and we didn’t know that the door to the balcony was locked from the inside, so we got locked out of our house, 2 stories up, and no one in sight. We couldn’t get the door open, but we were finally able to reach a window with some golf clubs, and we wedged it open. We were only locked out of the house for about 20 minutes. It’s an exciting life.
Oh yeah, so we had 4 investigators at church yesterday, and we had a LOT of less active members attend who haven’t come in a long time. All of this less-active work my companion and I are doing is finally yielding some fruits. We’ll be able to start baptizing again once we have a strong Spanish program here.
We taught the word of wisdom to ‘Olga’ this week. She talked about how she’s had coffee every day for the past 40 years, and how she’s recognized it as an addiction. She said she’s ready to quit, and that she knows God will help her. Keep her in your prayers-she wants to be baptized SO MUCH, she just needs to quit coffee first.
I’ve learned a lot about faith this past week. I was studying the story about Abinadi in El Libro de Mormon. He calls the wicked King Noah out and calls him to repentance. King Noah, of course, hardens his heart and tortures Abinadi to try to force him to deny God. Abinadi had done the work he was required to do, and he was ready to embrace death rather than deny God. Finally, the king orders Abinadi’s death. It says that when Abinadi ‘had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.’ Again, in Alma 14, Alma and Amulek are forced to watch the women and children burned, and Amulek turns to Alma in fear saying “Behold, perhaps they burn us also.” Alma gives a response that, at first, probably scares the heck out of Amulek: “Be it according to the will of the Lord…” He then says “But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.”
Shadrac, Meshac, and Abed-nego give a similar response as Nebuchadnezzar threatens to throw them into the fiery furnace if they do not worship his idols. O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” (But then here is the interesting part in the next verse) “BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy Gods…” They are saying “I know God will deliver us if it is His will. But if it isn’t, I still know He loves me and that He is God.”
It’s that “Be it according to the will of the Lord” and “But if not” in the face of peril and tough times that shows if we have faith or not.
It’s so easy to be happy and faithful when things are good, and your temporal and spiritual blessings are very easy to see, but what about when times are hard? What about the times when things go sour, when times are tough, when money is tight, when people hate you and scorn you? What about these times? Do you remain just as faithful to God during these times, even in the face of death? Do we forsake when that things get hard, cursing God for our sorrows? If we do, what’s the measure of our faith? Be honest.In Mosiah 23:21 we read “Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.” “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7)
Our trials are the very evidence of God’s love for us. It is only through the hard times that we grow and learn to appreciate the good. If you have faith that He will deliver you in all things, than no trial is too hard, no suffering too severe.
Before we discount God’s hand in our lives, remember that He has promised to try you in all things, even until death, and that He will NEVER let you take on a trial that is too much for you to bear. Whatever you are dealing with at this stage in your life, do not forsake! Do not stray! Have the faith in the face of adversity that God will try you, but He will also deliver you. Read these 3 accounts in the scriptures that I have related unto you, and ponder them in your heart. Pray, and ask God if He is there, and you will receive an answer in the affirmative. That is my faith and knowledge.
This church is the one true church on the Earth today and the Kingdom of God restored to the earth. We have the fullness of the everlasting gospel, and the keys to the kingdom of heaven. God loves you, and He will never forsake you. Just hold on!
I love you!
-Elder Shepherd
It finally snowed in New Haven! YAY! But none of it stuck, and the weathers fine again. All the missionaries here hate the snow and complain about it slowly becoming winter-I think that’s a really lame attitude to have, seeing as it WILL snow and you WILL have to work in it whether you like it or not, so you might as well try and look on the bright side. I guess I’m just weird-I love the rain and snow.
So, things were pretty crazy weekend. I’m hesitant to tell my parents about this, seeing as parents worry too much, but it’s a really great story, so I’m gonna tell it anyway. So, yesterday morning (Sunday) at 3 AM, we woke up as we heard 2 gunshots and a loud CRASH in front of our house. We ran to our front window to see what was going on. Apparently, 2 cars were driving side by side down our road, and, right in front of our house, the driver of one car shot the driver of the other car in the back of the head which caused him to crash into our neighbors car (We pulled out our cameras of course so that we could catch this exciting scene all on video, I’ll show you when I get home…) So, the car that crashed started sparking and then lit on fire, right as about 30 police cars came zooming into our neighborhood. We watched as a fireman yanked the dead body out of the car as it was being consumed by flames. Anyway, we spent all morning talking with police detectives, and our video footage ended up getting used by the police as evidence. Our house and our car were part of the crime scene, so we couldn't leave. We pleaded with them to let us go to church, so they let us walk at about 9:30 AM (Church starts at 9:30). So we all had to walk in about 30 minutes late. We had a great story for the ward though about why we were late. Oh yeah, we’re totally fine, no one got hurt except the guy who got shot in the back of the head.
So, later on that day, we decided to treat ourselves to a special ‘break the fast’, so we grilled hamburgers on the balcony in our house. Unfortunately, it was only about 30 degrees outside, and we didn’t know that the door to the balcony was locked from the inside, so we got locked out of our house, 2 stories up, and no one in sight. We couldn’t get the door open, but we were finally able to reach a window with some golf clubs, and we wedged it open. We were only locked out of the house for about 20 minutes. It’s an exciting life.
Oh yeah, so we had 4 investigators at church yesterday, and we had a LOT of less active members attend who haven’t come in a long time. All of this less-active work my companion and I are doing is finally yielding some fruits. We’ll be able to start baptizing again once we have a strong Spanish program here.
We taught the word of wisdom to ‘Olga’ this week. She talked about how she’s had coffee every day for the past 40 years, and how she’s recognized it as an addiction. She said she’s ready to quit, and that she knows God will help her. Keep her in your prayers-she wants to be baptized SO MUCH, she just needs to quit coffee first.
I’ve learned a lot about faith this past week. I was studying the story about Abinadi in El Libro de Mormon. He calls the wicked King Noah out and calls him to repentance. King Noah, of course, hardens his heart and tortures Abinadi to try to force him to deny God. Abinadi had done the work he was required to do, and he was ready to embrace death rather than deny God. Finally, the king orders Abinadi’s death. It says that when Abinadi ‘had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.’ Again, in Alma 14, Alma and Amulek are forced to watch the women and children burned, and Amulek turns to Alma in fear saying “Behold, perhaps they burn us also.” Alma gives a response that, at first, probably scares the heck out of Amulek: “Be it according to the will of the Lord…” He then says “But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.”
Shadrac, Meshac, and Abed-nego give a similar response as Nebuchadnezzar threatens to throw them into the fiery furnace if they do not worship his idols. O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” (But then here is the interesting part in the next verse) “BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy Gods…” They are saying “I know God will deliver us if it is His will. But if it isn’t, I still know He loves me and that He is God.”
It’s that “Be it according to the will of the Lord” and “But if not” in the face of peril and tough times that shows if we have faith or not.
It’s so easy to be happy and faithful when things are good, and your temporal and spiritual blessings are very easy to see, but what about when times are hard? What about the times when things go sour, when times are tough, when money is tight, when people hate you and scorn you? What about these times? Do you remain just as faithful to God during these times, even in the face of death? Do we forsake when that things get hard, cursing God for our sorrows? If we do, what’s the measure of our faith? Be honest.In Mosiah 23:21 we read “Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.” “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7)
Our trials are the very evidence of God’s love for us. It is only through the hard times that we grow and learn to appreciate the good. If you have faith that He will deliver you in all things, than no trial is too hard, no suffering too severe.
Before we discount God’s hand in our lives, remember that He has promised to try you in all things, even until death, and that He will NEVER let you take on a trial that is too much for you to bear. Whatever you are dealing with at this stage in your life, do not forsake! Do not stray! Have the faith in the face of adversity that God will try you, but He will also deliver you. Read these 3 accounts in the scriptures that I have related unto you, and ponder them in your heart. Pray, and ask God if He is there, and you will receive an answer in the affirmative. That is my faith and knowledge.
This church is the one true church on the Earth today and the Kingdom of God restored to the earth. We have the fullness of the everlasting gospel, and the keys to the kingdom of heaven. God loves you, and He will never forsake you. Just hold on!
I love you!
-Elder Shepherd
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
It's getting cold
email dated 11/30/09
Ok, so this last weekend, an Elder who lived in our apartment previously broke into our apartment while we weren't there and left a goodie for us... When we cam back into our apartment, I opened to door to my bedroom to find a half-naked black man (not wearing pants) holding a baseball bat standing there. I started screaming. I turned on the light only to find that it was a very realistic mannequin that I had been punked. The other elders in the apartment had a really good laugh about it. It scared the heck out of me at the time, but now I can look back and laugh about it. I have great pictures to show you...
Yesterday was another crazy Sunday, and we had 13 less-active Spanish members at church! It was totally awesome! Many of them hadn't been to church in a long time, but Elder Pawlak and I are spending the bulk of our time reactivating the Spanish population here so that we can begin baptizing again. We're crazy busy with appointments for the upcoming week already, and we will continue to see more success. We have an investigator, Olga, who is moving towards baptism in the next couple of weeks. She is a superstar! She loves the Book of Mormon, and she loves going to church. She just has to quit her coffee. It's a hard addiction for many people to break, but we keep praying that she will find the strength to overcome it, and I hope you're all praying for her too.
It's beginning to get colder here. We've had abnormally warm weather for November (50's and 60's with sun), but this last week the wind started to blow really hard, and regardless of the 55 degree weather, the humid wind off of the ocean penetrates all your clothing, and it feels more like its 10 degrees. It's intense! I just can't wait until it snows! I'm eagerly awaiting the winters first snowfall here in New England.
I had a great thanksgiving. We went to our wards 'Turkey Bowl' and got to play some 2-hand touch football. Is was pretty sweet. I'm still really sore, but it was worth it. We spent all afternoon celebrating thanksgiving at a members home: the Bonneys. They have 14 children, all between the ages of 2 and 16 years old. It was crazy fun! We played board games and entertained them while the oldest daughters helped the parents prepare for dinner. After feasting, and a long day of thanksgiving day traditions with their family, we went to the church at about 6:30PM, and watched Ice Age 3. It was awesome.
Well, I'm running out of time, but I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Take some time to ponder about what matters most, and the things that you are truly grateful for.
Mucho Amor,
-Elder Shepherd
Ok, so this last weekend, an Elder who lived in our apartment previously broke into our apartment while we weren't there and left a goodie for us... When we cam back into our apartment, I opened to door to my bedroom to find a half-naked black man (not wearing pants) holding a baseball bat standing there. I started screaming. I turned on the light only to find that it was a very realistic mannequin that I had been punked. The other elders in the apartment had a really good laugh about it. It scared the heck out of me at the time, but now I can look back and laugh about it. I have great pictures to show you...
Yesterday was another crazy Sunday, and we had 13 less-active Spanish members at church! It was totally awesome! Many of them hadn't been to church in a long time, but Elder Pawlak and I are spending the bulk of our time reactivating the Spanish population here so that we can begin baptizing again. We're crazy busy with appointments for the upcoming week already, and we will continue to see more success. We have an investigator, Olga, who is moving towards baptism in the next couple of weeks. She is a superstar! She loves the Book of Mormon, and she loves going to church. She just has to quit her coffee. It's a hard addiction for many people to break, but we keep praying that she will find the strength to overcome it, and I hope you're all praying for her too.
It's beginning to get colder here. We've had abnormally warm weather for November (50's and 60's with sun), but this last week the wind started to blow really hard, and regardless of the 55 degree weather, the humid wind off of the ocean penetrates all your clothing, and it feels more like its 10 degrees. It's intense! I just can't wait until it snows! I'm eagerly awaiting the winters first snowfall here in New England.
I had a great thanksgiving. We went to our wards 'Turkey Bowl' and got to play some 2-hand touch football. Is was pretty sweet. I'm still really sore, but it was worth it. We spent all afternoon celebrating thanksgiving at a members home: the Bonneys. They have 14 children, all between the ages of 2 and 16 years old. It was crazy fun! We played board games and entertained them while the oldest daughters helped the parents prepare for dinner. After feasting, and a long day of thanksgiving day traditions with their family, we went to the church at about 6:30PM, and watched Ice Age 3. It was awesome.
Well, I'm running out of time, but I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Take some time to ponder about what matters most, and the things that you are truly grateful for.
Mucho Amor,
-Elder Shepherd
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
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
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Baptism #1
email dated 11/16/09
Elder Shepherd had his very first baptism yesterday, and it was totally awesome! I really can't take much credit at all for it, but it was a lot of fun teaching her, and she will be a great member of the church here.
Yesterday was a crazy Sunday! We had our "Invite a friend to church day" yesterday, and it went really well. All of the members were really excited, especially those who actually got friends to come. We had 22 at church to talk with, all of them with an immediate support system because a friend brought them to church. The ward here is really catching fire, and we have a great follow up planned to keep their momentum and enthusiasm rolling. Even those who didn't get friends to church learned a lot by breaking out of their shell a bit and extending the invitation. Our success isn't really measured by how many people get baptized or come to church-it will be measured in the invitations that were extended and how we each learned and grew from the experience. Of course, it does always feel even better to see people get baptized and make those changes in their life.
Our mission president came to the baptism, and was taking pictures with us after when he told us that my companion, Elder Taylor, was being transferred. It kind of ruined my happy feeling at the time. I'm way bummed that I've only gotten to spend 1 transfer with my trainer, but I am excited for change and for new opportunities to learn and grow. Transfer meeting is on Tuesday, and I'll be getting a new companion who I'll be 'killing off' (He has 23 months and I'll be his last companion). He's actually an Assistant to the President right now, and he was with the President to greet me when I got off the plane. He'll be on the defensive line for BYU's football team when he goes home (He's huge!). I'm looking forward to serving with him, and at the same time I'm really sad to lose my trainer. However, he just got transferred to a city bordering New Haven, and he'll be my zone leader, so he won't be far and I'll still see him a lot.
So, transfers this week. It's pretty crazy. We're getting 2 more Spanish missionaries in the mission, which will be fun for me because I won't be the ONLY new missionary. The next closest Spanish-speaking missionary to me in 'age' has been out for 8 months already, so I'm the newbie by a long shot. Our mission (All of Rhode Island and Connecticut) had 146 Elders in it at the beginning of this year, and by the end of December we'll only have 72, which is the complement for this mission. It's pretty crazy-they're closing areas and apartments left and right, but my area is pretty safe. I'll probably stay right where I am for a little while longer. I guess the church is just sending fewer missionaries out here for one reason or another. Sad.
"Well, that's what's going in (Connecticut), let's see what's happening in your neck of the woods." Kudos to whomever can guess that quote from a very famous weatherperson...
I'm doing well, and excited for this next transfer which will encompass both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope all is well in your lives, and remember to trust in the Lord and lean on Him for all your support.
With much love,
-Elder Shepherd
Elder Shepherd had his very first baptism yesterday, and it was totally awesome! I really can't take much credit at all for it, but it was a lot of fun teaching her, and she will be a great member of the church here.
Yesterday was a crazy Sunday! We had our "Invite a friend to church day" yesterday, and it went really well. All of the members were really excited, especially those who actually got friends to come. We had 22 at church to talk with, all of them with an immediate support system because a friend brought them to church. The ward here is really catching fire, and we have a great follow up planned to keep their momentum and enthusiasm rolling. Even those who didn't get friends to church learned a lot by breaking out of their shell a bit and extending the invitation. Our success isn't really measured by how many people get baptized or come to church-it will be measured in the invitations that were extended and how we each learned and grew from the experience. Of course, it does always feel even better to see people get baptized and make those changes in their life.
Our mission president came to the baptism, and was taking pictures with us after when he told us that my companion, Elder Taylor, was being transferred. It kind of ruined my happy feeling at the time. I'm way bummed that I've only gotten to spend 1 transfer with my trainer, but I am excited for change and for new opportunities to learn and grow. Transfer meeting is on Tuesday, and I'll be getting a new companion who I'll be 'killing off' (He has 23 months and I'll be his last companion). He's actually an Assistant to the President right now, and he was with the President to greet me when I got off the plane. He'll be on the defensive line for BYU's football team when he goes home (He's huge!). I'm looking forward to serving with him, and at the same time I'm really sad to lose my trainer. However, he just got transferred to a city bordering New Haven, and he'll be my zone leader, so he won't be far and I'll still see him a lot.
So, transfers this week. It's pretty crazy. We're getting 2 more Spanish missionaries in the mission, which will be fun for me because I won't be the ONLY new missionary. The next closest Spanish-speaking missionary to me in 'age' has been out for 8 months already, so I'm the newbie by a long shot. Our mission (All of Rhode Island and Connecticut) had 146 Elders in it at the beginning of this year, and by the end of December we'll only have 72, which is the complement for this mission. It's pretty crazy-they're closing areas and apartments left and right, but my area is pretty safe. I'll probably stay right where I am for a little while longer. I guess the church is just sending fewer missionaries out here for one reason or another. Sad.
"Well, that's what's going in (Connecticut), let's see what's happening in your neck of the woods." Kudos to whomever can guess that quote from a very famous weatherperson...
I'm doing well, and excited for this next transfer which will encompass both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope all is well in your lives, and remember to trust in the Lord and lean on Him for all your support.
With much love,
-Elder Shepherd
Monday, November 9, 2009
It's that time of year
All of the fall leaves are falling off of the trees now, and there are leaves EVERYWHERE! So many leaves! It gives us great service opportunities because everyone has a ton of leaves to clean up. I dream of how much fun it would be to pile up all of the leaves and jump in them, like the old days. But then I would get my nice clothes all nasty and dirty...
The humidity is an interesting thing for me to experience. Last night it wasn't too cold but I could see my breath against the humidity in the air. I'm SO excited for this winter season. All the other missionaries are dreading it every second as it gets colder and closer to snow, but nothing is going to get me down! I LOVE snow way too much! Sure, it makes it hard to do missionary work-but in no way does that dampen my spirits or make me love it any less. It's gonna be sooo cold... I can't wait. We're planning Christmas programs for December now, and I've begun listening to Christmas music. It makes me so happy!
We have a baptism this upcoming Sunday! Yay! It's very exciting for us and especially for this ward. The whole ward has really rallied together and is beginning to catch fire with missionary effort. This Sunday we're having a really special 'invite a friend to church day'. The members are all really excited, and they've all been inviting their friends and associates. Please pray for the success of this event that we've put so much time and effort into. This should really get the work moving in this area, and we hope to see a lot of success from this event.
I love you all, and I hope that you are enjoying life!
-Elder Luke Shepherd
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