Email dated 10.31.07
While I'm not really in week 4, my planner says that this is week 4, and so I'm counting it. Today is a good happy Halloween, and tonight I'm thinking about going "Scrupt-Ure Treating" and see how people react to my brilliant sense of humor. They can give me candy or the eternally hated by all primary children, "Spiritual treats" and read me a scripture. I probably wont do it to too many doors, but I wanted you all to know how funny I am.
The MTC is a really repetitive place. It's weird to think that I've been here for a full 3 weeks already. In some ways it feels like I've been here forever, and in other ways it seems like the time is just flying by. The missionaries going to the Dominican Republic from my district leave tomorrow because there's an MTC in the DR. I'm really sad to lose them. It was nice having a district with the 10 of us Elders. It's gonna feel somewhat lonely without them, because they are funny guys and they're the only Elders who aren't tone deaf, and so I always stand by them when we sing. Both the Elders that are going to Uruguay with me can't carry a tune to save their life. At least they sing, that's what counts. I try to make myself believe that. I'm gonna need to pray about the issue further...just kidding, but really i will. I do need to be patient and not let things get to me, and it sometimes gets to me. My companion and I get along just peachy. I live in the room with the Argentina missionaries, including my comp. So we'll all part ways and I'll be with Elder McLellan and Elder Tyler for our flight to Uruguay, but after that we'll all be greenies and have our separate directions.
So last night for our MTC Devotional we had David A. Bednar come and teach us. It was a really great talk. He talked about how the Articles of Faith are more than just a statement of our beliefs, but that they are inspired scripture. They are in perfect divine order, and the points they hit are the true basics we need to remember to focus on as missionaries. He taught from the Articles of Faith in a way I've never seen before. I learned something totally new. For instance: Satan and Jesus did not both present plans and Jesus won. That's not true. God had a plan, and Jesus volunteered "Here am I send me" and Satan volunteered, but he wanted to tweak it to take out agency. Yet he still said "Here am I send me". Satan didn't just lose a campaign. He rebelled against the Father's plan. It was the biggest "Get Something for Nothing" scam ever conceived. He wanted to remove agency and still receive the glory. Without agency there is no fall or sin and therefore no need for an atonement. So he was essentially volunteering to do nothing because he was a sissy pants, and he wanted all the glory for it. Bednar didn't really say all that, but that's what I got out of part of what he was saying. Anyway, Bednar's points were amazing and he used the Articles of Faith to say anything. I was on the 3rd row and it scared the crap out of me when he looked right at me at one point. I was so scared I looked down immediately, like a first grade boy when the girl he was looking at glanced in his direction. He was an amazing speaker, and the light and WITNESS he carried with him were apparent to me, and I know that he is an apostle of the Lord.
His wife said something that really struck a chord in me. She said that we "need to be the kind of missionaries that our moms think we are". I thought about that for a second. I can't think of a better way to be. I like the thought because it's so tangible. We always say "Be the Missionary that the Lord wants you to be" and that SHOULD be a more powerful statement, but so often we brush that off or convince ourselves that we are doing what we need to. But when I think of mom, someone who I know...There can be no denying what it is I need to do if I knew she were watching. I really am doing my best. And, sorry Dad, but I'm sure to your great dismay: I do obey the rules/guidelines. It's not because I feel like that is making me the best missionary or because they are making us, because I know a hundred good missionaries who break rules every day...but it's my choice. You see, I really am still learning independent thought and choice out here. I'm given a choice whether or not to obey the rules. They don't send guys home for not studying when they're supposed to or for staying up late...but I feel like it's an outward sign from me to the Lord that I am innerly committed to doing my best to serve.
Anyway, my time is almost up. I have plenty of candy from Janice, Mom, and Ashley sent me a package for Halloween from the Great Pumpkin. So my Halloween is fine. I love you all. I Have to go!!! I love you!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Email Dated 10-23-07
Week 3
I'm most distressed this week that my good friends will leave my district to go to the Dominican Republic MTC this next week. Elder Adair is among them, and he is my Democrat from California who is a Shepherd at heart and he also likes the X-Files. He called me Fox Mulder this morning when we went to the Temple because of my trench coat, and that just shows that not only is he cool, but I look awesome! It's okay that he is going, because my companion Elder Braithwaite is also a sane Democrat and I know we were supposed to be companions. So the point is, Dad, there is still hope for the world.
Spanish is coming better now. We are officially in practice of "Habla su idioma" which means speak your language. In order to speak english, I have to ask permission in Spanish. "Me permite habla en Ingles?" But we're discouraged from making that our excuse to talk english a lot. I try to speak Spanish all day, and it's getting easier now that I've learned preterite(past), future, imperfect, and of course present tenses, and have mastered with my companion over 200 verbs. We're on a roll trying to learn Spanish. It's amazing how quickly you can learn a language if you're immersed in it and you HAVE to speak it. Even so, there are Elders that are really struggling. It's typically the ones who don't practice "Habla Su Idioma". If you don't speak it, you can't learn it. I feel especially bad for an Elder in my district who was home schooled all his life, and he's not used to the school-like environment ALL DAY. He has to go to the Dominican next week and he is really struggling. I pray for him and try to help him as much as I possibly can. Yesterday somebody stole my jacket. I went to the bathroom before lunch and hung my jacket up on the coat rack. Someone else who was going grabbed mine when he left. I don't know how long it took him to realize that he was Elder Shepherd, but I knew his name cause it was on the jacket that was left for me. So I went into the cafeteria just praying he'd be there and screamed his name out. His head popped up, startled that someone was calling for him, and I went to him and showed him that he had my jacket. He thought they looked the same, but I must disagree. Mine is brown with blue and grey pin stripes, and his is brown with only blue pin stripes. I don't know what he was thinking. But I was glad to get it resolved for a few reasons: firstly I wanted my wallet back and I still wonder how he got into the lunch room with my wallet and card without noticing, and secondly: his jacket had dandruff all over the shoulders. SICK!
I'm gonna start taking some pictures with my camera this week so I can get you some pics of my MTC experience. I can get them burned onto a CD in the bookstore and mailed home. The computers here are so restricted. It's pretty rough stuff.
I learned something this week. Even though they have all these rules, we still are free to choose. It just so happens that I choose to obey the rules/guidelines set out for missionaries. But there are plenty of Elders who can listen to inappropriate music (I've heard some music that I wouldn't have listened to BEFORE coming to the MTC), and they can stay up til' midnight if they want, etc... And they aren't getting in trouble. But they're also tired the next day, they're the missionaries who are struggling the most with Spanish and teaching the gospel, and it's because they don't have the spirit as much. If you don't buy that theory, than it's because they have the kind of personality that they aren't taking this as seriously and so therefore they aren't as focused. Either way, it's all my choice. I still have agency here. There is a letter and the spirit of the law. I follow the Lord to the best of my abilities and the way I choose to use my time is the way I feel inclined to. I just pray, and it's interesting to say pray because prayer really is the way by which we bring our will in accordance to the will of the Father's, anyway: I just pray I'm using my time the way He would want me to. The Savior said "I would that thou would remove this cup from me...Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." He brought his will in accordance to the the will of the Father, and that's my perfect example and I strive to be like that. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much for his teachings, his example, but most importantly for his Atoning sacrifice that I may be forgiven of my sins.
I am still here in Provo until December 10th. At first time was going SO slow, but that lasted only a few days. The last 2 weeks have flown by as I've gotten into a rhythm and learned the meaning of losing myself in the work. I've really focused on what I'm doing, making myself study, and thereby time has seemed to just pass me by without notice. My companion and I both have a healthy study plan. When we study Spanish, we have flashcards and we walk laps up and down and around the floors of the building while quizzing each other until we know the verbs and their conjugations. We can do this for 4 hours, and did so last Saturday night. Good advice from Matt, "don't waste time on the computers, just study with your companion and you'll learn more". I've done that and it works. That gives us both good exercise and we learn a ton. That is how we know over 200 verbs right now and a lot of vocab. That is how we are able to practice "Habla Su Idioma". I'm getting used to the fact that when I say "Me llamo" I am supposed to say "Me zshamo". In Uruguay they have a weird accent like that. I'm sure Matt will make fun of me when I get home for it.
I'm running out of time. The clock is flashing 1 minute. I love you all so much. I pray for you every day. I love the work and I'm grateful for all your support and letters/email. Please write back. Proverbs 25:25. It helps, it really does! Adios! I love you!!
Sincerely,
Andy
I'm most distressed this week that my good friends will leave my district to go to the Dominican Republic MTC this next week. Elder Adair is among them, and he is my Democrat from California who is a Shepherd at heart and he also likes the X-Files. He called me Fox Mulder this morning when we went to the Temple because of my trench coat, and that just shows that not only is he cool, but I look awesome! It's okay that he is going, because my companion Elder Braithwaite is also a sane Democrat and I know we were supposed to be companions. So the point is, Dad, there is still hope for the world.
Spanish is coming better now. We are officially in practice of "Habla su idioma" which means speak your language. In order to speak english, I have to ask permission in Spanish. "Me permite habla en Ingles?" But we're discouraged from making that our excuse to talk english a lot. I try to speak Spanish all day, and it's getting easier now that I've learned preterite(past), future, imperfect, and of course present tenses, and have mastered with my companion over 200 verbs. We're on a roll trying to learn Spanish. It's amazing how quickly you can learn a language if you're immersed in it and you HAVE to speak it. Even so, there are Elders that are really struggling. It's typically the ones who don't practice "Habla Su Idioma". If you don't speak it, you can't learn it. I feel especially bad for an Elder in my district who was home schooled all his life, and he's not used to the school-like environment ALL DAY. He has to go to the Dominican next week and he is really struggling. I pray for him and try to help him as much as I possibly can. Yesterday somebody stole my jacket. I went to the bathroom before lunch and hung my jacket up on the coat rack. Someone else who was going grabbed mine when he left. I don't know how long it took him to realize that he was Elder Shepherd, but I knew his name cause it was on the jacket that was left for me. So I went into the cafeteria just praying he'd be there and screamed his name out. His head popped up, startled that someone was calling for him, and I went to him and showed him that he had my jacket. He thought they looked the same, but I must disagree. Mine is brown with blue and grey pin stripes, and his is brown with only blue pin stripes. I don't know what he was thinking. But I was glad to get it resolved for a few reasons: firstly I wanted my wallet back and I still wonder how he got into the lunch room with my wallet and card without noticing, and secondly: his jacket had dandruff all over the shoulders. SICK!
I'm gonna start taking some pictures with my camera this week so I can get you some pics of my MTC experience. I can get them burned onto a CD in the bookstore and mailed home. The computers here are so restricted. It's pretty rough stuff.
I learned something this week. Even though they have all these rules, we still are free to choose. It just so happens that I choose to obey the rules/guidelines set out for missionaries. But there are plenty of Elders who can listen to inappropriate music (I've heard some music that I wouldn't have listened to BEFORE coming to the MTC), and they can stay up til' midnight if they want, etc... And they aren't getting in trouble. But they're also tired the next day, they're the missionaries who are struggling the most with Spanish and teaching the gospel, and it's because they don't have the spirit as much. If you don't buy that theory, than it's because they have the kind of personality that they aren't taking this as seriously and so therefore they aren't as focused. Either way, it's all my choice. I still have agency here. There is a letter and the spirit of the law. I follow the Lord to the best of my abilities and the way I choose to use my time is the way I feel inclined to. I just pray, and it's interesting to say pray because prayer really is the way by which we bring our will in accordance to the will of the Father's, anyway: I just pray I'm using my time the way He would want me to. The Savior said "I would that thou would remove this cup from me...Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." He brought his will in accordance to the the will of the Father, and that's my perfect example and I strive to be like that. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much for his teachings, his example, but most importantly for his Atoning sacrifice that I may be forgiven of my sins.
I am still here in Provo until December 10th. At first time was going SO slow, but that lasted only a few days. The last 2 weeks have flown by as I've gotten into a rhythm and learned the meaning of losing myself in the work. I've really focused on what I'm doing, making myself study, and thereby time has seemed to just pass me by without notice. My companion and I both have a healthy study plan. When we study Spanish, we have flashcards and we walk laps up and down and around the floors of the building while quizzing each other until we know the verbs and their conjugations. We can do this for 4 hours, and did so last Saturday night. Good advice from Matt, "don't waste time on the computers, just study with your companion and you'll learn more". I've done that and it works. That gives us both good exercise and we learn a ton. That is how we know over 200 verbs right now and a lot of vocab. That is how we are able to practice "Habla Su Idioma". I'm getting used to the fact that when I say "Me llamo" I am supposed to say "Me zshamo". In Uruguay they have a weird accent like that. I'm sure Matt will make fun of me when I get home for it.
I'm running out of time. The clock is flashing 1 minute. I love you all so much. I pray for you every day. I love the work and I'm grateful for all your support and letters/email. Please write back. Proverbs 25:25. It helps, it really does! Adios! I love you!!
Sincerely,
Andy
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Letter Dated 10-17-07
Querido Familia,
I have an email address but I can't find/forgot my email list. I wrote an email today and tried guessing a bunch of email addresses. If you aren't dad, you aren't allowed to read this letter because he's the only one who wrote me. Just kidding.
One good way I've found to keep my weight down and system moving is drinking a lot of water. I always have water at every meal and salads and the wraps, and I carry a water bottle all day. Some of the Elders I've talked to have gained 20 lbs since they've been here.
It has felt a lot longer than a week here. Hey, just think, in only 103 weeks I'll be coming home. I don't think it sounds very long when you put it that way.
One thing I am complimented for by my "fake investigators" is that I take my first couple of minutes of the lesson getting to know them and talking casually. That way I know what direction to go. My companion and I do pretty okay for newbies. I think the "fake investigators" like it because it gives them a chance to do some acting and they feel all cool because of it. A lot of the newbies start out "God is our Father and our church will bless your family." We're all learning from mistakes and growing. It's a good thing we do get to practice our lessons here.
My suit smells okay now that it's not wet. But it really did smell bad wet. It still looks perfect and I didn't dry clean it. No problem.
Please continue to send me encouragement AND real stories, sport news, etc . . . It doesn't hurt. I'm still waiting for my absentee ballot.
Oh yeah! My companion is a Democrat and feels the same way I do about all the big issues. Good kid. And Elder Adair in my district went to BYU and is also a Democrat. He even protested Dick Cheney speaking at their graduation. He was out there with a sign. He's one of my favorite Elders. He works SO hard! Anyway, I'm in good company. I thought that would do Dad's heart good.
Adios! Take care. I love y'all!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Andy Shepherd
I have an email address but I can't find/forgot my email list. I wrote an email today and tried guessing a bunch of email addresses. If you aren't dad, you aren't allowed to read this letter because he's the only one who wrote me. Just kidding.
One good way I've found to keep my weight down and system moving is drinking a lot of water. I always have water at every meal and salads and the wraps, and I carry a water bottle all day. Some of the Elders I've talked to have gained 20 lbs since they've been here.
It has felt a lot longer than a week here. Hey, just think, in only 103 weeks I'll be coming home. I don't think it sounds very long when you put it that way.
One thing I am complimented for by my "fake investigators" is that I take my first couple of minutes of the lesson getting to know them and talking casually. That way I know what direction to go. My companion and I do pretty okay for newbies. I think the "fake investigators" like it because it gives them a chance to do some acting and they feel all cool because of it. A lot of the newbies start out "God is our Father and our church will bless your family." We're all learning from mistakes and growing. It's a good thing we do get to practice our lessons here.
My suit smells okay now that it's not wet. But it really did smell bad wet. It still looks perfect and I didn't dry clean it. No problem.
Please continue to send me encouragement AND real stories, sport news, etc . . . It doesn't hurt. I'm still waiting for my absentee ballot.
Oh yeah! My companion is a Democrat and feels the same way I do about all the big issues. Good kid. And Elder Adair in my district went to BYU and is also a Democrat. He even protested Dick Cheney speaking at their graduation. He was out there with a sign. He's one of my favorite Elders. He works SO hard! Anyway, I'm in good company. I thought that would do Dad's heart good.
Adios! Take care. I love y'all!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Andy Shepherd
Email from October 17,2007
It rained today after we went to the temple and I didn't have my raincoat. It rained hard on us as we ran back to the MTC from the temple and now my suit smells like a bad sleeping bag. Will dry cleaning get that out? I sure hope so because it reeks!
The MTC is a very intense place. I love it very much . . . and I can't wait to get out of here. Yo se que el don de lenguas es . . . real? Maybe it's realizar? Okay, so I don't speak full Spanish yet. I've been here 6 days. But I have learned more and remembered more than I did in years of Spanish at school. I'm not scared of the language in the slightest. I know that I will learn it and I know I will be able to teach in time. I have no doubt.
My companion is Elder Braithwaite. He's from Sunset, Utah. I always tell him he should just tell people he's from Ogden, because nobody knows where Sunset is. Every time he says "I'm from Sunset, UT!" And then, without fail, "Where's that?" followed immediately by "Oh, it's Ogden, Clearfield Area. He's a good worker and he is out here for the right reasons. He has a good heart and a desire to learn. We teach well together, for the most part, and we're practicing and getting better. We have to teach the 1st lesson on Friday to the "fake investigators" and they always scare you by saying that they sometimes have real investigators in there. I'm sure that's happened before, but I sincerely doubt that I'll run into real investigators. We really need to work on our transitions. We're not quite of "one mind" yet and I find myself taking over sometimes. But it's always when he doesn't know what to say and he gives me the scared look - I don't just beat him to saying it. We'll be ready by Friday because we practice it at least an hour a day.
I really wish my suit didn't smell so bad. I'm really glad that even though it got a little wet on the shoulders, it doesn't appear spotty or anything. I was freaking out that it was raining cause I know the suit is dry clean only. Either way, my suit reeks and everyone around me can smell it. I smell like wet sleeping bag. It reminds me of camping trips when we were kids and I always got stuck sleeping in the sleeping bags that Luke or Christian had peed in before they were out of pull-ups. I always hated that, by the way. I never peed the bed and I didn't deserve to sleep in the gross bags.
P-Days aren't really any different. The only difference is that you go to the Temple in the morning and have to do your laundry throughout the day. Other than that, the whole day is pretty much planned out for us. It makes our required half-hour of planning at the end of the day difficult. All we really do is say "what do you want to do during companion study?" And then we're done and we have to still stay in the classroom for a half-hour before we can go back to our residence halls. So at times like that I just study Spanish.
Okay, the smell is going away as it is drying more. Even so, I'm still getting it dry cleaned today. It only costs a few bucks. Oh guess what!? I accidentally swiped my debit at lunch instead of my MTC card once. That sucks. I don't care enough to do anything, because it's only a few dollars. But just so you know, I put my debit deeper into my wallet so that I can't just grab it without looking to swipe it. I have to fight with my temple recommend to get out my debit card now. That tragic loss of money will not happen again.
Okay, the food is killing me now. It tastes good, but since I am sitting all day it is making me sick. I never have physical out, except for the hour of gym. That's a lot less than I'm used to. All the Elders here have a distinct gas smell because of the food and lack of moving and recreation. I always get only water to help me digest better and keep hydrated. I know you all wanted to know.
Well, my time is almost up and my timer is blinking at me. I hope you're all doing well and wish you the best. Take care! The Church really is true. Adios!
Sincerely,
Elder Andrew Shepherd
The MTC is a very intense place. I love it very much . . . and I can't wait to get out of here. Yo se que el don de lenguas es . . . real? Maybe it's realizar? Okay, so I don't speak full Spanish yet. I've been here 6 days. But I have learned more and remembered more than I did in years of Spanish at school. I'm not scared of the language in the slightest. I know that I will learn it and I know I will be able to teach in time. I have no doubt.
My companion is Elder Braithwaite. He's from Sunset, Utah. I always tell him he should just tell people he's from Ogden, because nobody knows where Sunset is. Every time he says "I'm from Sunset, UT!" And then, without fail, "Where's that?" followed immediately by "Oh, it's Ogden, Clearfield Area. He's a good worker and he is out here for the right reasons. He has a good heart and a desire to learn. We teach well together, for the most part, and we're practicing and getting better. We have to teach the 1st lesson on Friday to the "fake investigators" and they always scare you by saying that they sometimes have real investigators in there. I'm sure that's happened before, but I sincerely doubt that I'll run into real investigators. We really need to work on our transitions. We're not quite of "one mind" yet and I find myself taking over sometimes. But it's always when he doesn't know what to say and he gives me the scared look - I don't just beat him to saying it. We'll be ready by Friday because we practice it at least an hour a day.
I really wish my suit didn't smell so bad. I'm really glad that even though it got a little wet on the shoulders, it doesn't appear spotty or anything. I was freaking out that it was raining cause I know the suit is dry clean only. Either way, my suit reeks and everyone around me can smell it. I smell like wet sleeping bag. It reminds me of camping trips when we were kids and I always got stuck sleeping in the sleeping bags that Luke or Christian had peed in before they were out of pull-ups. I always hated that, by the way. I never peed the bed and I didn't deserve to sleep in the gross bags.
P-Days aren't really any different. The only difference is that you go to the Temple in the morning and have to do your laundry throughout the day. Other than that, the whole day is pretty much planned out for us. It makes our required half-hour of planning at the end of the day difficult. All we really do is say "what do you want to do during companion study?" And then we're done and we have to still stay in the classroom for a half-hour before we can go back to our residence halls. So at times like that I just study Spanish.
Okay, the smell is going away as it is drying more. Even so, I'm still getting it dry cleaned today. It only costs a few bucks. Oh guess what!? I accidentally swiped my debit at lunch instead of my MTC card once. That sucks. I don't care enough to do anything, because it's only a few dollars. But just so you know, I put my debit deeper into my wallet so that I can't just grab it without looking to swipe it. I have to fight with my temple recommend to get out my debit card now. That tragic loss of money will not happen again.
Okay, the food is killing me now. It tastes good, but since I am sitting all day it is making me sick. I never have physical out, except for the hour of gym. That's a lot less than I'm used to. All the Elders here have a distinct gas smell because of the food and lack of moving and recreation. I always get only water to help me digest better and keep hydrated. I know you all wanted to know.
Well, my time is almost up and my timer is blinking at me. I hope you're all doing well and wish you the best. Take care! The Church really is true. Adios!
Sincerely,
Elder Andrew Shepherd
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Reporting to the MTC
Elder Shepherd and parents in front of MTC. 
Elder Shepherd putting on his name tag for the first time.
"The Dot Dork"
a nickname for all brand new missionaries at the MTC, according to older brother.
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