Brownies

Another wonderful week comes to a close... yesterday I suppose. Oh shoot, I didn't even realize that rhymed. Anyways, we've had a great week, and for some reason or another, it has been filled with all kinds of food. For the first time ever, I had pupusas from Iris, one of the people we are teaching. She's from El Salvador, and she and her kids are just the greatest! The pupusas were incredible too. Not only that, by later in the week we had pupusas again from the Lyons in the branch. Sister Lyons is the branch Relief Society President and is a huge help in the missionary work, as well as from El Salvador. We also stopped by a member from Laos who gave us a couple dang hot peppers. He told us not to eat them because they'd send us to the hospital. I don't know if I fully believe that, but I'm also not super interested in finding out. Last but not least, we made brownies and banana blueberry bread for people as well and brought them to a bunch of people that we are teaching. 

Other than all that, we had some great lessons and teaching experiences. We had a member named Brother Chun come with us to a lesson, and I think it was the most powerfully and lovingly way I'd ever heard someone teach. The spirit was so strong and gave us a great example of how we should be teaching others. We were also blessed to have a new couple we've been teaching come to church! Things are going well, and despite getting hit by a hurricane of sorts this morning, the Lord's light is shining down upon little Bendito Olathe.

Elder Shepherd

High Voice "Huge!"

Yet again, it's been another good week here in Bendito Olathe. Elder Thomspon and I have been busy day in and day out. We've even caught each other talking in our sleep. Whenever we catch the other talking we try and write it down for in the morning. There was a big thunderstorm the other night and I woke up only to hear Elder Thompson say "HUGE!" in a really high voice. To say the least, we've been having a good time together as well as in the work. 

While things have been going well especially with the work and my overall enjoyment of my time here, I've definitely had a couple really tough moments. It's hard to get out of a lesson and feel that I didn't contribute what I should've or that in general my level of effort is below my potential. Whether it's smart or not, my general response to these situations is simply to try and work harder and faster. When He says to work with all your "heart, might, mind, and strength," I don't think to take that lightly. Recently we were reading about the faith and obedience of Nephi, and we talked about a phrase that I definitely find inspiring. 2 Nephi 33:15 "The Lord commanded me, and I must obey." There is no simpler way to put it.

This Sunday I had a marvelous experience. Or two, I suppose. One of which was the opportunity to watch the Restoration video with Michael Paynter, one of the people we are teaching. Not only was he physically and spiritually touched by the video, I too received a renewed and reconfirmed testimony of the reality of the prophetic call of Joseph Smith. He was called of God just as prophets of old. Also, an inactive family, the Paisano's (they are a huge Spanish family in Olathe that we're always trying to help get to church) came to church! I watched as this wonderful family came through the doors of our small meeting room and enjoy the spirit of the Sacrament beside them. How great will be your joy doesn't describe the emotion the accompanies helping God's family grow closer to Him. This is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, He is the only one that can make it happen, and by golly, He's doing it.

Elder Shepherd

Here's a picture of Mini, oh... and one of Elder Thompson and I.

Es Mi Pobre Casa

We've had another good week, and we've been tremendously blessed. I think it'd be best to share some of those blessings through the people were teaching. As an update for Mini, she has continued to progress and read in the Book of Mormon. She did tell us that she is too scared to drive on the freeway. We also meet multiple times a week, and she'll even set up lessons with us, as well as always plans on coming to church. She loves the people at church. The other day she was talking about the Book of Mormon and said that "this book is real, it changes people. This isn't just like a Mario game, just words, it actually means something. You don't just put this book in the garage." That was a sweet powerful testimony that came in broken English
. The other day we had a huge miracle after stopping by a member home. After meeting the father briefly, we came back to the car and asked, "what does say spirit we need us to do?" Right after, we hear "Hey!" The spirit was talking to us!!!

Actually, there was a man down the street named Ismael who was waving us down. We introduced ourselves, to which he replied with a desire to change his life and he felt that we could help him. He's made great progress and truly desires to redirect his life towards Christ. We've also been teaching a lady named Iris and her family. They are the sweetest and humblest little family and read the Book of Mormon every day together even though they have a hard time reading. They came this Saturday night to breakfast and movie night and got to meet lots of the wonderful members of the branch. It was wonderful to be able to see them enjoy themselves and see their growth in the gospel.

I love being a missionary. Yes, there are tough days. Yes, the language is tough. Yes, I'm imperfect and always will be. But at the end of the day, when I account for my labors with the Lord, I feel the love of my Heavenly Father. You can never go wrong with falling onto your pillow at night, exhausted from a day of giving the Lord all you've got.

Elder Shepherd

Lo Siento Hermanos

This has been an up and down week for sure. I've had about three meetings and lots of other responsibilities to take care of, so there have some stressful days. That's not too normal for me, but the ways I've gotten through it is by literally talking to everyone. We got someone's number while driving the other day. Not just stopped, but literally out on the road. Through our efforts, the Lord has blessed us with three people who have literally asked us to teach them. The work is great, the Lord loves you, and I'll be back next week!

Elder Shepherd