You are going to be a little upset for the lack of pictures that I have, and for the lack of email that I will be sending to you. It is just that not too much happened this past week. It was another week of zone conferences. Truly we are blessed that we get to listen to them 8 times in a row and learn something each and every time that we went there. I notice our message alone was almost the same teachings each time, but the Lord would teach us things that we would then teach the elders too and it was so great. I love this work so much just because I have felt the Lord really close to me a lot of times, and it makes me sad that the other distractions will be allowed back into my life now and the promptings of the Lord will still be there but not nearly as strong.
This past week we were outside the capital the whole time. We went to Cuilapa Tuesday, and then we were in Jalapa on Wednesday, and in Zacapa on Thursday, then we were back in town on Friday. We were able to stay in hotels the whole time too, that was the fun part. It was good seeing good friends too, and maybe the last time I would see them in the mission. It was funny because Tuesday night we were coming home to the hotel and we found president and sister stay in the restaurant and they called us over and we talked to them for a little bit, it was a good time we had with them. They truly are great people, as well as the Jensen’s. We were able to ride with them the whole time and Elder Jensen is just so funny. They are just the typical Ray and Donna; I can finally see why dad loved his parents so much. Anyway, I learned so much and I am preparing for my last interview, all the questions I want to ask president and how to go about asking them. Can you think of a couple good questions for me to ask him?
Well onto your email now, the photo attached, I will tell you about that when I get home, it is a really funny story. So you are getting a lot done eh, which is exciting. Will I even recognize the house when I get home?
Yeah, after the zone conferences both Elder Walker and I are exhausted. We had a blast though, it is always fun seeing the elders and help give them ideas on how to have success in their areas. I only have about 2 more weeks to really train him. I need to train him though so he knows how to train his next companion. It will be interesting to see how things get passed on. This last month we hit 109 confirmations and 107 baptisms. When I entered the office the mission was only baptizing around 40 to 50, we have really been seeing a lot of changes here to the new things we are trying. I think what I have learned is that if you can make people happy, then you can inspire good in them and make them really show you who they are. I have been working a lot on making the comfort of living better for the missionaries, making sure they live happily, so that they can get out and feel more confident and have a better attitude. It is working. We do have one family that could be baptized right before I leave, his name is Diego and his daughter might be baptized too. His wife still isn’t converted yet though. Anyway we just need to get them married, make sure they are still not drinking coffee, and then they could be baptized that Tuesday night. The Stays are doing well; they are always busy, running around here and there and just dealing with all the drama everywhere, ha. It is a really tough job that he has, and I bet it is just trying physically and spiritually.
Can you believe that it has been 700 days, wow, that seems like yesterday I was in the airport saying goodbye to you all, and now I will be coming back. Yeah Elder Walker has been a big part of my mission, I am really thankful to be ending with him and to have him as my last companion. Elder Erickson and Elder Doran will be coming home with me too.
That is cool that Craig’s homecoming was good. He set the standard now. I do not know what I will talk about, I was trying to think about it the other night but I cannot get my mind straight, there are just too many stories. I think it is funny because I can talk for what I feel is like 2 mins now and before I know it 25 mins have passed by. It is just so easy for me to talk to people now and really share what I feel. I need to get some sort of a format together though.
Your information questions now:
I really want to give my suit from Pomeroys to a guy in our ward who has helped us out so much. He was called as the 2nd counselor in the ward about 4 months ago, and is the only one in the ward without a suit. I feel so bad for him and I feel like it will be of better use to him instead of me. My new suit is pretty spiffy too; it is like the pomeroy one, but with a tint of a grayish blue to it. The inside is what I like the most, which you will have to wait and see for when I get home. The new suit fits me perfectly. And don’t worry I am getting rid of a ton, I plan on only bringing home like 2 pairs of garments, my shoes, suit, 2 pairs of pants, and 2 shirts. So we will need to go shopping the day after, ha. With the airlines, it is one bag free and the other bag is 50 dollars, but the church pays for my other bag. With Eric, I think whatever he feels comfortable in will be good for him. He will definitely want to have a pair of church clothes, he doesn’t need to worry about bringing ties, I have plenty of those. He can wear whatever though. We have a cell phone here that we use. He really doesn’t need to bring a cell phone down here. I have been trying to barely use my card here so that I can have some money to buy a couple things from here to remember. I have a couple ideas of stuff I want to buy, really small stuff nothing big. Just a question, would you want a picture for the house, there is one that is of a street with the water in the background and with the sunset there. it is a hand painted picture and it is beautiful, but do you think you would like that? Other than that I have some things that I think you will just love. The Pima info sounds great, I really will be happy with those classes. I will love that class swimming; it will help me get back into shape. Also the computer class will be something I would enjoy too. 14 hours sounds great too, what are you thinking for my last class though. Underwater basket weaving would be fun, ha.
With regard to the ending of your letter. That is really cool what you taught me right there. I had an epiphany that other day as Kate and I were driving into town - the lighting was striking like crazy ahead of us - we didn't know if it were a storm or what ahead of us - then I thought of those at the movie theatre - how could they have known what was ahead of them - then the answer came - we don't know, we can prepare as well as we can - have good windshield wipers, tires - etc (do we really need to wear a bullet proof vest to go to the theatre?)- but really we need to be spiritually prepared for whatever may lie ahead of us. Lately I've been getting in the car and I drive a block with the bell ringing for me to put on my safety - why am i so stupid? - be prepared, be protected - repent - pray - get to know God better - it is the ONLY way for us to live. It is so true, we need to be ready all the time, and in all things for whatever may come to pass. The Lord knows what will happen and He has our book written. We need to just go along with the story and remember that the Writer has written us a good ending. No matter how ugly it gets, or how mean someone can be to us, they cannot determine our happiness. We can choose to be happy, or be bums, but I choose to be happy and live a good life.
Hey what time is church at for you guys. Do you meet in the morning or in the afternoon? Anyway, I love you mom and I am so happy that all is going well for you guys. It gives me peace to know that the Lord really does look after you guys as it promises me in Doctrine and Covenants section 100. Well I will talk to you next Saturday. Only 2 more to go, weird huh?
With love,
Elder Daniel W. Shipley
No comments:
Post a Comment