Pongase Las Pilas

This has been a really great week for me. I think my favorite moment was being able to go on exchanges with my dad, or my first trainer who is now the district leader. So basically my responsibility was to go and train my trainer on all the things he trained me on, but it went really well and had a great time. We even made more hot Kool-Aid! I was out in Ottawa with him which is way out in the boonies of Kansas. We taught some great lessons in some run down trailers and drove through miles of fields. As for our own area, we have been working a lot with less active members because the people we were teaching all kind of dropped off the face of the planet.... but we found most of them all again this week which is great! Some of my favorite moments this week were meeting with some of our Spanish members. I don't know if I've said this before, but the Hispanic culture is incredible, and now that I can pretty casually just converse with people,  I love just getting to know people and laughing together. Spanish is definitely a far better language than English, and I feel like it's starting to come really quickly. I know carry around a little notebook to write down vocabulary and phrases I learn or need to learn, and it helps to just love the language and love the people. We also had a great Stake Conference this Sunday, and Elder Sexton of the 70 spoke about avoiding the deception of the world, and to head the guidance of the prophet in order to keep ourselves safe from danger. Afterwards, I was able to have an interview with President Love which always fires me up. The biggest things I've taken away personally is just wanting to increase my joy even more, not to simply be happy myself, but to show that love and light to others. Not to "light a candle, and put it under a bushel," but to "giveth light unto all that are in the house"(Matthew 5:15). Speaking of candles, I recently reread the devotional by Boyd K Packer "The Candle of the Lord," and as a missionary, it seemed to mean even more. Heeding the promptings of the spirit and being led in all that we do is truly what brings the most joy. I'm excited for the week ahead and to see the ways the Lord guides me in order to spread the light of the gospel. Pongase las pilas!

Elder Shepherd 

P.S. This is a picture of me contacting while we waited for a train.

Getting Unstuck

Somehow my emails seem to be continually getting more similar and similar. It'd probably be a good lesson for me to learn and start making these things slightly more interesting. The work is starting to pick up for me. I went on exchanges with the AP's on Saturday, and Elder Clayton and I just got down and got to work. He truly helped me to get unstuck from a rough patch I'd been dealing with, and simply did so by imploring me to yield "to the enticings of the Holy Spirit." Through following his example, and heeding those simple yet powerful promptings, I can't believe some of the things I do as a missionary trying to talk to people; whether it's talking to people between cars at stoplights, stopping cars in the middle of the street, or just normal ole door knocking. One thing is for sure, I won't be having social issues when I get home... at least I think. But here's the beauty of it, the mission isn't just an opportunity to share the joy of the gospel and be able to learn so much about it, it's also an opportunity to learn simply how to live life and build skills and relationships. I'm just learning a lot, loving it, and crossing my fingers I don't get overwhelmed. Last week we had the privilege of having a member of the 70, Elder Ringwood (the son-in-law to the prophet), at our Zone Conference as well as at our MLC. Something he taught that will forever stick with me, is that the mission is preparing us the be able to endure the end and stick to the "strait" and "narrow" (Matthew 7:14). I'm learning simple study habits, how to minister to others, and how to look to Christ's example for all things. Having the opportunity to serve truly is a blessing.

1/4

Isn't it crazy that it's already been six months? I find it even crazier to think about how quickly the rest will go because everyone says it just gets going faster and faster. This has been a bit of a dragging week though. Responsibilities are hefty and the work is not easy. Like a whole 78% of our lessons are straight Spanish, and although I'm learning quickly, that doesn't mean I'm in any way able to perfectly express the intents of my heart. That there is what I'm learning though, and have learned this week. There is a lot we can stress about, get frustrated over, and feel uncomfortable, yet the only way I've been able to avoid those things is by having for love for those around me. Spanish people are incredible. I can go locations around our area and feel as I'm sitting in the middle of a Latino community. Many are kind, receptive, and so much more willing to talk to us. I love coming to a Spanish home, having them excitedly invite us in and then proceed to simply have an enjoyable visit where we are able to teach and share the happiness we enjoy. The same goes for my zone, companion, and ward members. Building loving relationships comes very first in everything. Though I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment, I can only imagine what things will turn out like on the other side. I love this scripture from Mosiah 24:15 which says and "the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." Obviously,

things aren't meant to be easy, but I'm truly learning how to share my burdens with the Lord, yet joyfully hoist the load he has me to carry and learn from.

Elder Shepherd

See Ya Later OP2, I Wont Miss You... Actually, I'll Probably Miss You a Lot

Okay, I'm sure you can tell from the title of this email that I have been transferred. I'm now serving about 20 minutes south in the Olathe 1st ward. Here are a few important notes on this area:

1. It is Spanish. We have a Spanish branch being established next week.

2. It is the ZL's area. Yes, that means I have been called to be a zone leader.

Okay, now that that's aside... well that's just about it really. I'm now serving as a zone leader in a completely new area full of Latinos and I finally get to use Spanish for literally 95% of the work I'm doing here, and I'm going to finally be able to exponentially improve my language skills. My new companion, Elder Fenton, and I are at about the same place with our Spanish skills, meaning we're both going to go through the refiner's fire to get to where we really need to be. Elder Fenton is from North Ogden and we have been getting along well so far, and we're even more excited for the work. I don't really have a whole lot more outside of those things going on, just a whole lot of talking to seemingly endless Spanish people in the streets. If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's the fact that I will be stretched to the absolute limit physically and spiritually. With the Lord's help though, I know that even more important than being stretched, I'll begin to truly be molded into who the Lord needs me to be as a missionary, and fully develop my skills and abilities. Be ready for some exciting updates, I can feel them coming!

Elder Shepherd 

Oh yeah, there was a tornado about 15 minutes from me too

Goodbye Lenexa!

   May 31, 2019

Dear Elder Dean Kendall Shepherd,

After prayerful consideration, I am pleased to extend to you the calling of Zone Leader. This special calling is a position of trust. This calling has come to you because of your faithfulness and diligence in the Lord’s service.

Your actions in word and deed will be followed and emulated by the missionaries in your Zone. Be ever mindful of your influence on the other missionaries.

You will serve on the Mission Leadership Council. You will be responsible to train with exactness that which you are taught at those special meetings.

You become an extension of the Mission President to look after, correct, uplift, teach and love the missionaries in your Zone. You will be required to travel with this assignment. Drive carefully and obey and honor the traffic laws.

To effectively serve in this special calling, you must always be worthy and an example of obedience. Your influence will have a profound effect on the missionaries in your Zone.

Be prayerful and humble. The Lord is mindful of you and will watch over you.

Sister Love and I extend to you our love and trust.

May the Lord be with you always,