Week 7-ish and I'm ready to leave for sure. The food just isn't doing the trick any more. And I'm tired of having the same smell as every other missionary. It's just not all that it's cracked up to be. The stinking English speaking missionaries: "Oh! I Love the food!! It's so good!!" Well I challenge them to eat it for 7 weeks and still say that.
Besides the food getting on my nerves, particularly the bland hamburgers every day, I'm doing good. And I'm really popular at lunch because I remember everything Jim Gaffigan has ever said and so I can quote all of his food jokes. It helps me forget about what I'm eating.
Anyway, I wont talk about the food anymore.
I taught in Spanish last week in the TRC with my companions Elder Bodily and Archibald. I felt it went really well. I found myself speaking better than I knew I could. My teacher thought that it seemed I talked the most, but he had to go between rooms with the other Elders in the district. I only taught one principle out of 8 in our lesson!! I say it's just because I actually expounded on what I said in Spanish, rather than just say "Joseph Smith was called as a prophet. He restored the church. Now we have the Book of Mormon." I can do way better than that and so I do. It is hard when teaching in a new language, and when you first start that's how it comes out. Very simple and plain. And the words of the gospel are simple and plain, but now that I'm getting better I can actually expound on it, ask questions and check for understanding, and just make sure that the investigator gets what's being taught. I'm super excited to get out of Provo and be humbled to find that I really can't speak Spanish at all. I'm praying for an awesome first companion that will show me the ropes and really knows his Spanish.
I'm really sad that at the bookstore that they are out of the canned cheese and Ritz that Elder Bodily and I have been having for our Cheese/Chess parties at night!!! They're all out!! And have been so for 7 days, and there's none in there right now and the store is going to be closed for 3 days because of Thanksgiving. I suffer for my service. In fact, they ran out of Ritz at the store first, and Elder Bodily and I made a deal with Hermano LeSeuer, our teacher, that if we spoke perfect Spanish for 24 hours he would buy us some Ritz. We did it and got a 10 bag box!!! We already ate them all. I truly am suffering here.
I am really looking forward to getting my flight plans on Monday. It has passed me by so fast!! But soon enough I will be out of Provo and finally doing what I came here to do, and what I've dreamt of doing since I was a little boy. I'm supposed to be leaving on the 10th! I hope that doesn't change. Some people get VISA problems. I sincerely hope that's not me.
I'm working as hard as I know how. I try not to waste any time. It helps to know that I'm paying for this . . . and that [mom and dad] are helping me pay for this . . . but mostly it just helps to know that this is the Lord's work for me. He wants me to be doing this and He wants me to do my best. The Savior is my motivation. He is my all. I spoke the other night with Elder Archibald about my philosophies on life. Everything I believe, all ties back to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We spoke of political ignorance, how sad it is that if people would just care and help each other then the WHOLE world would be a better place, etc. . . We talked about everything. But the last thing I said was "I love that the Atonement is infinite. The Atonement makes up for everything in life that isn't fair. The Lord is our judge. He doesn't compare us. He judges each and every one of us individually, based on who we are and what we did with what He gave us." If you don't believe me, see one of my favorite parables in Matthew 20. It's about the Labourers in the Vineyard. No matter when you end up working for the Lord, doesn't matter if I worked all day and someone else never came around until the last second of the Spirit Prison, we BOTH will receive the same "penny" from the Lord. And that penny is Eternal Life. God is fair. He loves us. He is just. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much. I am doing my best to devote my life to serving Him. I bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. That we are truly children of a God who loves us. If we have faith and do our best with what we have, all will be okay.
Take care! I love you all very much!!!
Sincerely,
Andy
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Email dated 11-14-07
I will be very happy to leave Provo next month. I’m glad today is the 14th because that means Jeffrey Goodrich is coming in today. Perhaps he’ll be in my zone, cause he’s speaking Spanish too. The odds are slim, but I can still hope.
This last week has been much better. I’m working well in the trio. We get along just great and we work hard together. Surprisingly we teach with unity better than when we were in 2’s. We’ve practiced a lot. The best part is that they are both willing to speak Spanish all day. It is our goal. We try “Speak Your Language” all day. We practice it as a religion. It has improved our language skills ten fold.
Oh yeah, I’m the district leader now. So this last week I’ve challenged my whole district to “Speak Your Language” with perfection. If you want to speak english you HAVE to ask permission and then look it up in Spanish right after so you learn how to say it. And I don’t have to be a Nazi about it because we all agreed to the challenge because we all want to get better. It amazes me how much Spanish we can speak. I love my district so much!!! They are so hard working. I’m glad we have the goal to “Speak Your Language” all the time. There are districts that have been here for 8 and 9 weeks that don’t speak as well as our district. And I’m not trying to minimize them, but I want to lift ourselves up because we really worked hard. We speak Spanish all day and it pays off. It is the gift of tongues. It is thanks to the Lord. I do not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God. See Alma something or other, Ammon says it. We really can go all day without English. Nowhere else in the world do people learn languages this fast.
And... There isn’t much more great to tell. Oh yeah, we did have Russell M. Nelson and his new wife speak last night. That was pretty amazing. It’s always nice to hear from the Brethren. I was again on the 3rd row. This time I didn’t have to look down because his eyes were much older and you couldn’t tell if he was looking at you or not.
Elder Bodily and I are going to try out with our “If You Could Hie To Kolob” that I arranged for us. He brought his recorder from 4th grade with him. He didn’t even remember how to play. He asked to learn and I taught him that song. What started as a joke is a serious song now. We really are going to try out and we want to play it in the MTC fireside in front of the whole MTC. It’s a really good arrangement and it sounds good. The recorder really can be beautiful like a flute with enough practice. I’m excited.
We just got 700 new missionaries in here today. The place is packed. It’s the biggest load ever to come in at once I think they said.
I suppose I have a minute to tell my story: So we had branch council on Sunday morning and talked about “residence hall behavior”. They talked about how when we’re home at night for that hour between 9:30-10:30 we should use that time wisely, to reflect on the day in companionships(which we already did in planning from 9-9:30 by the way) and to review notes and prepare spiritually for the next day. So that kind of went in one ear and out the other for me. Which is bad because I’m a district leader and I SHOULD be better. But I thought that last hour is for getting ready for bed. Read your scriptures before bed and whatever else. So ANYWAY, last night one of the branch presidency was in the residence halls saying goodbye to a departing district and he came by my room, where I had some chairs set up in the middle of the room for Elder Bodily and I to have our chess/cheese party. We spoke in Spanish for 24 straight hours with no English for any reason. The decided reward was a chess/cheese party with ritz crackers. He asked what the chairs were for and my immediate and enthusiastic response was “QUESO FIESTA!”. I don’t think he thought it was as great as I did. He gave me a stern look and left. He just didn’t understand. It was part of the deal for “Speak Your Language”. Furthermore, the cheese chess party was educational. I learned how to say “who will draw first blood” and all sorts of bloody and killing phrases that we looked up in Spanish while we played chess. Sometimes they just don’t understand. I’m glad it happened that way because maybe this will ensure that I’ll never have to be zone leader. I’m trying to dodge that at all costs. I don’t want to be a ZL. Especialmente in the MTC.
Anyway, that’s my story. I have to go now. No tengo much tiempo. Man, the Spanish is messing up my English. I can’t think straight these days. It’s an awkward phase. Anyway...I love you all and I hope you are well. I’m doing just peachy and I am having a good time.
I’d like to bear my testimony of this work. I do know that it is true. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. I don’t need to say any more than that. Adios!!
Sincerely,
Andy
This last week has been much better. I’m working well in the trio. We get along just great and we work hard together. Surprisingly we teach with unity better than when we were in 2’s. We’ve practiced a lot. The best part is that they are both willing to speak Spanish all day. It is our goal. We try “Speak Your Language” all day. We practice it as a religion. It has improved our language skills ten fold.
Oh yeah, I’m the district leader now. So this last week I’ve challenged my whole district to “Speak Your Language” with perfection. If you want to speak english you HAVE to ask permission and then look it up in Spanish right after so you learn how to say it. And I don’t have to be a Nazi about it because we all agreed to the challenge because we all want to get better. It amazes me how much Spanish we can speak. I love my district so much!!! They are so hard working. I’m glad we have the goal to “Speak Your Language” all the time. There are districts that have been here for 8 and 9 weeks that don’t speak as well as our district. And I’m not trying to minimize them, but I want to lift ourselves up because we really worked hard. We speak Spanish all day and it pays off. It is the gift of tongues. It is thanks to the Lord. I do not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God. See Alma something or other, Ammon says it. We really can go all day without English. Nowhere else in the world do people learn languages this fast.
And... There isn’t much more great to tell. Oh yeah, we did have Russell M. Nelson and his new wife speak last night. That was pretty amazing. It’s always nice to hear from the Brethren. I was again on the 3rd row. This time I didn’t have to look down because his eyes were much older and you couldn’t tell if he was looking at you or not.
Elder Bodily and I are going to try out with our “If You Could Hie To Kolob” that I arranged for us. He brought his recorder from 4th grade with him. He didn’t even remember how to play. He asked to learn and I taught him that song. What started as a joke is a serious song now. We really are going to try out and we want to play it in the MTC fireside in front of the whole MTC. It’s a really good arrangement and it sounds good. The recorder really can be beautiful like a flute with enough practice. I’m excited.
We just got 700 new missionaries in here today. The place is packed. It’s the biggest load ever to come in at once I think they said.
I suppose I have a minute to tell my story: So we had branch council on Sunday morning and talked about “residence hall behavior”. They talked about how when we’re home at night for that hour between 9:30-10:30 we should use that time wisely, to reflect on the day in companionships(which we already did in planning from 9-9:30 by the way) and to review notes and prepare spiritually for the next day. So that kind of went in one ear and out the other for me. Which is bad because I’m a district leader and I SHOULD be better. But I thought that last hour is for getting ready for bed. Read your scriptures before bed and whatever else. So ANYWAY, last night one of the branch presidency was in the residence halls saying goodbye to a departing district and he came by my room, where I had some chairs set up in the middle of the room for Elder Bodily and I to have our chess/cheese party. We spoke in Spanish for 24 straight hours with no English for any reason. The decided reward was a chess/cheese party with ritz crackers. He asked what the chairs were for and my immediate and enthusiastic response was “QUESO FIESTA!”. I don’t think he thought it was as great as I did. He gave me a stern look and left. He just didn’t understand. It was part of the deal for “Speak Your Language”. Furthermore, the cheese chess party was educational. I learned how to say “who will draw first blood” and all sorts of bloody and killing phrases that we looked up in Spanish while we played chess. Sometimes they just don’t understand. I’m glad it happened that way because maybe this will ensure that I’ll never have to be zone leader. I’m trying to dodge that at all costs. I don’t want to be a ZL. Especialmente in the MTC.
Anyway, that’s my story. I have to go now. No tengo much tiempo. Man, the Spanish is messing up my English. I can’t think straight these days. It’s an awkward phase. Anyway...I love you all and I hope you are well. I’m doing just peachy and I am having a good time.
I’d like to bear my testimony of this work. I do know that it is true. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. I don’t need to say any more than that. Adios!!
Sincerely,
Andy
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Email Dated 11-7-2007
Week 4 again, going on 5-ish
This has been my worst week at the MTC. I saw this coming, and I did my best, but I couldn't stop it. My companion Elder Braithwaite went home on Monday. He's been really homesick most of the time here, but for the most part he was able to shrug it off and keep busy. His girlfriend sending him a letter a day didn't really help. She actually sent him a total of 4 packages while we were here, and some days he'd get 3 letters from her. But she can't be blamed, I just wish she didn't make it harder for him. On Friday night we went to the TRC, practice teaching, and had to teach in Spanish. My companion got really scared and stopped talking. I led us through the lesson and kept giving him the chance to testify at least in Spanish, because that's really it. He did it fine. All in all, our lesson actually went fine. But I could tell he was disappointed in himself because he forgot a few words, and got discouraged. He combined his feelings of being overwhelmed with homesickness and he had a severe stomach ache that he couldn't/wouldn't shake. I could see something was wrong. I tried to be sensitive, encouraging, helpful, etc... I eventually asked if he wanted to talk about it, because I knew his "feeling sick", which is all he said it was, was really a lot more. I saw in his eyes defeat. He had truly given up. It came out of nowhere because he was actually one of the best at Spanish in our district. He had no need to be discouraged. I'd ask how he felt and he'd say "fine" or "just a little sick", but he insisted that he needed to speak with President Eddy, our Branch President. I accompanied him to a number of interviews over a few days this last weekend, and President Eddy had me in another room telling me that none of it was my fault. That he was going to be okay, that he would see some counselors here and etc... I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. I offered him a blessing, but he said he didn't want one. That was a bad sign to me because I knew he didn't want to feel better. He needed his sick feeling in order to go home, which he had resolved to do. I could see that clearly in his countenance. He wouldn't talk about it, and he'd lie and say he was fine. I saw right through him, but I didn't know how to handle that. Well, randomly on Monday morning, before he ever made it to a counselor, he said he had an interview with one of the Mission Presidency. He didn't, but we went anyway. He demanded to be let in, to be able to call home, and he did just that. 10 minutes later, President Garrett came out and said "go help him pack his things."
I was crushed. I didn't know what to do. But it was over. He said he was done. Knowing I couldn't talk him out of it, I did the next best thing.
Now I'm companioned with Elders Bodily and Archibald. They have been my roommates anyway, and so I'm close to them. It's harder in a trio to study. I've only been doing it for 2 days, but it is harder. Even so, we have a good time. I love them both. Elder Bodily is hilarious and Elder Archibald is really hard working. They're both going to Argentina when I go to Uruguay.
There isn't really much more to tell about this week, because for the past week my focus has been on Ryan Braithwaite and less on the rest of the work. I feel kind of like I failed. But I've been reassured that it wasn't my fault over and over. I really wish I had seen it coming sooner and done something. But I know I can't blame myself. We all have our own agency. I'm just sad for him. He really was capable of this work. My least favorite thing is everyone else who talks like they know him and want to know why he didn't stay.
I'm still trying to be the best missionary I can be. I want to be as fluent in Spanish as I can before I get out there. I really really really do.
I have been having fun, as well, just so you all know. My companion Elder Bodily and I have both bought canned cheese and Ritz and we have cheese/chess parties before bed sometimes. He has won 5/6, but I won the most recent one so that means I'm technically the best at it currently. Oh and how could i forget!!? Elder Bodily and I are going to try out for a musical number...we'll see. He has a recorder. He didn't even know how to play it. I taught him "If You Could Hie To Kolob" and he's been practicing. I'm gonna play some accompaniment and we're gonna try out. If we make it, I don't know if we'll be able to keep a straight face. But it really does sound pretty good. I arranged it this week and I kinda like it. If we make it, I'll have to find some way of getting a video of it. I'll let you know. It could be something pretty special. It's so funny that he's playing on that 4th grade recorder. It's fun. I play it sometimes and do Lord of the Rings music for everyone on the district. They enjoy that.
Well anyway, I have to go before my time expires. Adios!!! I love you all!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Andy Shepherd
This has been my worst week at the MTC. I saw this coming, and I did my best, but I couldn't stop it. My companion Elder Braithwaite went home on Monday. He's been really homesick most of the time here, but for the most part he was able to shrug it off and keep busy. His girlfriend sending him a letter a day didn't really help. She actually sent him a total of 4 packages while we were here, and some days he'd get 3 letters from her. But she can't be blamed, I just wish she didn't make it harder for him. On Friday night we went to the TRC, practice teaching, and had to teach in Spanish. My companion got really scared and stopped talking. I led us through the lesson and kept giving him the chance to testify at least in Spanish, because that's really it. He did it fine. All in all, our lesson actually went fine. But I could tell he was disappointed in himself because he forgot a few words, and got discouraged. He combined his feelings of being overwhelmed with homesickness and he had a severe stomach ache that he couldn't/wouldn't shake. I could see something was wrong. I tried to be sensitive, encouraging, helpful, etc... I eventually asked if he wanted to talk about it, because I knew his "feeling sick", which is all he said it was, was really a lot more. I saw in his eyes defeat. He had truly given up. It came out of nowhere because he was actually one of the best at Spanish in our district. He had no need to be discouraged. I'd ask how he felt and he'd say "fine" or "just a little sick", but he insisted that he needed to speak with President Eddy, our Branch President. I accompanied him to a number of interviews over a few days this last weekend, and President Eddy had me in another room telling me that none of it was my fault. That he was going to be okay, that he would see some counselors here and etc... I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. I offered him a blessing, but he said he didn't want one. That was a bad sign to me because I knew he didn't want to feel better. He needed his sick feeling in order to go home, which he had resolved to do. I could see that clearly in his countenance. He wouldn't talk about it, and he'd lie and say he was fine. I saw right through him, but I didn't know how to handle that. Well, randomly on Monday morning, before he ever made it to a counselor, he said he had an interview with one of the Mission Presidency. He didn't, but we went anyway. He demanded to be let in, to be able to call home, and he did just that. 10 minutes later, President Garrett came out and said "go help him pack his things."
I was crushed. I didn't know what to do. But it was over. He said he was done. Knowing I couldn't talk him out of it, I did the next best thing.
Now I'm companioned with Elders Bodily and Archibald. They have been my roommates anyway, and so I'm close to them. It's harder in a trio to study. I've only been doing it for 2 days, but it is harder. Even so, we have a good time. I love them both. Elder Bodily is hilarious and Elder Archibald is really hard working. They're both going to Argentina when I go to Uruguay.
There isn't really much more to tell about this week, because for the past week my focus has been on Ryan Braithwaite and less on the rest of the work. I feel kind of like I failed. But I've been reassured that it wasn't my fault over and over. I really wish I had seen it coming sooner and done something. But I know I can't blame myself. We all have our own agency. I'm just sad for him. He really was capable of this work. My least favorite thing is everyone else who talks like they know him and want to know why he didn't stay.
I'm still trying to be the best missionary I can be. I want to be as fluent in Spanish as I can before I get out there. I really really really do.
I have been having fun, as well, just so you all know. My companion Elder Bodily and I have both bought canned cheese and Ritz and we have cheese/chess parties before bed sometimes. He has won 5/6, but I won the most recent one so that means I'm technically the best at it currently. Oh and how could i forget!!? Elder Bodily and I are going to try out for a musical number...we'll see. He has a recorder. He didn't even know how to play it. I taught him "If You Could Hie To Kolob" and he's been practicing. I'm gonna play some accompaniment and we're gonna try out. If we make it, I don't know if we'll be able to keep a straight face. But it really does sound pretty good. I arranged it this week and I kinda like it. If we make it, I'll have to find some way of getting a video of it. I'll let you know. It could be something pretty special. It's so funny that he's playing on that 4th grade recorder. It's fun. I play it sometimes and do Lord of the Rings music for everyone on the district. They enjoy that.
Well anyway, I have to go before my time expires. Adios!!! I love you all!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Andy Shepherd
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