Liberty Jail

It has been another excellent week! I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with two young elders. It's always good to see the growth in other missionaries and help them to develop their abilities. I've felt recently that a large part of my role as a missionary is to help to lead and train the other missionaries around me, and that is definitely where I find the most joy.

This week we were able to take Jerome on a tour of the Liberty Jail. We received a tour from the Sister Training Leaders in our zone, and let me tell you, that was probably the best tour I've had yet. As we heard the history and then made our way into the jail itself, the Spirit was incredibly strong. It felt like the experience was more for me than for Jerome. As I pondered upon the afflictions that the Saints went through, I felt immense respect and gratitude for the example of those witnessing such persecution. My testimony was bolstered in the reality of the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.

Later in the week while in a brief lesson  with Joy, I was able to share a verse from a letter Joseph wrote while in the jail. The verse reads, "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I truly know that as we put forth our efforts to have a positive and joyful attitude, Christ will lift us through the trials we face. He is the life, light, and hope of the world.

Circus Peanuts

Today I had Circus Peanuts for the first time. They are not bad!

Anyways, it has been a busy week running around and meeting all the new members of our new ward. Trying to balance the work between the wards has been a test for sure, but having a nice stretch and change to the schedule is good.

I hung sheetrock for the first time this week too, so that was fun. Oh, and don't forget about teaching early morning Seminary!

Ultimately, this week has been a lot of learning about new members and finding ways to get them excited about missionary work. We've visited all of the organizational leaders and I have 3 pages worth of checkboxes of people to work through. It's incredible the support that members provide, and the success that happens as they are willing to participate in missionary efforts however they can. This transfer is already going by quickly, and by next week I'm sure there'll be some more specific updates for those we are teaching. Until next week!

Daily Activities

Here's the news. I'm still hanging out in Liberty, but Elder James got shipped off to Far West, Far West, and that means a new companion! Elder Andrew has come to fill his place, and oddly enough, we have a lot in common. Here are a few examples:

1. We both are from Washington 

2. We both played in a Jazz Combo Band

3. We both drove 2003 Honda Odysseys

If that's not enough examples, I promise there are more as well. Oh yeah, he also speaks Spanish. Anyways, we've gotten right to work, and with this transfer we are now covering another ward in the area. My workload since I got to Liberty has quadrupled, but it keeps us happy and busy!

Here's a miracle for you. We went to meet with Marcus who has had troubles with the Word of Wisdom his whole life; but, he has been steadily coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. As he opened the door you could see that his countenance was different. Brighter. The first thing he said when we sat down was, "I decided to quit drinking. I just don't have the desire anymore. I lost the taste for it." That truly was a witness to me of the power of the Spirit, for if we truly have it influencing our lives, we will want to improve and become better.

My mom has asked that I share some more about my daily life, so here's a sneak peek of some things that go on daily. Hopefully, I can remember well:

First I wake up and pray. That is essential in the grand scheme. A morning without a prayer just doesn't work. Then I walk out to the couch, sit, and pray again as we open our planning. We then plan our day. After this, we generally drive to the Stake Center and play ball with the APs and another companionship. Once we return home and get ready, we study until we have lunch. Generally we have a lesson with Betty or Jerom in the afternoon, and continue teaching and finding until dinner. We then eat and go back to work until 8:30. That probably isn't exactly what she was hoping for but it gives you an idea.

Here's an actual look at what happens though. We are teaching an African family, and we went over again for a lesson. We brought Brother Litster along with us. All three of us sat on a small little couch and waited patiently as the rummaged about for their Books of Mormon. Fred has loved reading from the Book of Mormon so far, so we opened up to one of my favorites, and one of everyone's favorites, 3 Nephi 11. We read the chapter with them and answered his question about how being baptized as a member of the church would benefit his life. We talked about how adversity comes as we grow closer to the truth and that trials have always faced those who follow God. We bore fervent testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon, especially after the confirmation we'd received earlier when we'd taught Marcus. As the lesson concluded, Fred commented that he simply felt so happy and that he loved to have us there. They always walk as out and wave goodbye as we drive away. They are very happy, courteous people, and it's a privilege to help them feel the Spirit of the Restored Gospel.

-Elder Shepherd

Super Bowl Madness

It has been a miraculous week, that's for sure. Last night was a madhouse when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl! I took a fifteen-minute video of the chaos going on just around our little complex. Luckily I was toasted from the day, so I passed right out. We spent all night taking thank you notes and candy to the members of our ward, which was a great way to spend our time while people were drunk watching the game.

Speaking of notes... there was a family who the missionaries had been teaching about four months ago that was progressing really well until they suddenly dropped off. We felt for a while that we needed to try them, but we wanted to give them some space. Then a couple weeks ago she, the mom, finally texted us back and said she was sick and wouldn't be able to meet for a while.

Just a couple nights ago we felt like we should leave her a get well note, so we did. The next day we get a text from her telling us that she had been thinking about coming to church the next day and talking to her sons about it, so we ended up leaving the note at the exact right time to help her be motivated enough to come. Sunday we ended up having five investigators at church! 1 Nephi 16:29 is certainly true, "And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." 

I truly know that the Lord works through simple means, the weak of the world, to bring souls unto Him.