ELDER SHEPHERD
FIRST DAY IN THE ARIZONA SCOTTSDALE MISSION
Elder Shepherd and Elder Black
Training Meeting
March 4, 2015
So Hey guys,
So
things are good with me. I like it out here way more than the MTC.
President and Sister Sweeney are some of the kindest and most
intelligent people I now know. They preach strict obedience, and can
testify of the blessings if you are. President Sweeney was dying laughing
when we got to Arizona. He said he wont let us live it down. Ohh great!
There is something about President Sweeney though. Spiritually he is the
most in depth person I have ever seen. He knows himself and what it
takes to be a follower of Christ. He knows what makes him mad or sad,
and refuses himself to allow himself to get upset or even show the
slightest irritation. Just seeing him makes me feel like I need to be
Choosing The Right all the time. He served his mission in Japan, and was
a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for Marriot Hotels. He only wishes the
best for us, and I have felt his love ever since I met him. I love them
so so much. Anyway, Arizona has actually been cold since we got here.
They said it hasn't been like this in a long long time. Guess I will
live it up. lol. I have been put into a pure Spanish area, and it is
about half and half of people here who speak English and Spanish. My
companion has 2 transfers left and he is going home. His name is Elder
Black, he is from Chicago, and he speaks perfect Spanish. He is a super
smart and cool dude, so I think Ill be alright. I personally could not
have picked a companion I would have rather have gotten in the group. We
went and contacted my first day (Monday) and we met a few people and
invited them to a Padgent that Arizona Stakes perform. In my first
dinner appointment yesterday, A lady who only speaks Spanish was talking
about how crazy her kids are. She said that we won't want any. I said,
it cant be that bad.... She then said how many kids do I want. I didn't
hear her very well, and I thought she said How old am I . So I answered
with 18. The other missionaries and her then died laughing. I am not
ready to already be saying funny things in Spanish.
Other
than that things are good. We study from 8- 12 each day and then
contact/ go to appointments for the rest. Its only my third day, and I
already see the blessings of referrals. We actually have gotten about
three already since I have been here.
The
Ward I am in is called Camelback 2nd branch. It is a 100 person branch
of pure Hispanic people. It starts at 11 on Sundays. I am nervous,
because they will probably more than likely have me give a 5 minute
intro about my self. Anyway, there is 3 sets of missionaries that go to
that branch. There is also another ward that shares the same building.
They are English and they have 1 set of missionaries.
The photos I am sending are me right now e-mailing in a HUGE library. As well as the last Temple trip.
Last temple trip at the MTC
First Pday emailing from the library
Parent email:
March 4, 2015
So
I am finally here. My normal P-Day is Monday, but President said we
could have one on Wednesday, for new arrivals. Arizona is pretty nice.
There is basically no grass, its just all rock and red dirt and cactus.
It has been around the 60s since I got here. I have been told the nice
whether will not last very long. Ohh well. I still have a lot of work
to do with Spanish. My companion is Awesome. His name is Elder Black. He
leaves in about 12 weeks. He is from Chicago Illinois. He is very smart
and eager to help me out whenever I need him. Here they are all about
strict obedience, and so I don't have as long as I normally do to
e-mail.
I am serving
in the Camelback 2nd Branch with 2 other sets of Spanish missionaries. I
have liked it so far, but I dread when I have to talk.
Below
I will attach the story of Monday, I hope not everyone knows by now,
but ohh well. Ill also add a few pics of me right now and the last day
at the MTC.
So
things are good with me. We got to Arizona on Monday and the craziest
part was that Elder Biddulph and I missed our flight!!! Apparently they
left while we were in the bathroom. Oops. Anyway, we made it on a flight
that was 3 hour later and we finally left Utah around 12:30 instead of
8. Our Mission President was dying laughing when we got to Arizona. He
said he wont let us live it down. Ohh great! Anyway, Arizona has
actually been cold since we got here. They said it hasn't been like this
in a long long time. Guess I will live it up. lol. I have been put into
a pure Spanish area, and it is about half and half of people here who
speak English and Spanish. My companion has 2 transfers left and he is
going home. His name is Elder Black, he is from Chicago, and he speaks
perfect Spanish. HE is a super smart and cool dude, so I think Ill be
alright. We went contact my first day (Monday) and we met a few people
and invited them to a Padgent that Arizona Stakes perform. In my first
dinner appointment yesterday, A lady who only speaks Spanish was talking
about how crazy her kids are. She said we don't want any. I said, it
cant be that bad.... She then said how many kids do I want. I didn't
hear her very well, and I thought she said How old am I . So I answered
with 18. The other missionaries and her then died laughing. I am not
ready to already be saying funny things in Spanish.
2nd Parent email:
March 4, 2015
I have about 3 minutes real quick so I just wanted to say Hi.
I
did make it to Arizona. Yall both saw the pictures, so that's good
news. I love my new companion Elder Black. He is everything I could have
asked for in a companion. I am working with Spanish at all times. It is
a bit different than MTC Spanish. Anyway, It was awesome to talk to
yall on Monday.
Tell
Jaimen, Bryson, Elijah I love them all. Tell Jaimen, that in order to
get to play the Xbox, he must promise to let Bryson and Eli play as
well, and listen. Here in the Hispanic community, listening comes first
and foremost. If a kid doesn't listen, there is very "interesting"
consequences.
Tell
Bryson, I finally got to read his letter. The food at the MTC, was bleh.
It was very cold there, and the main thing I liked were my teachers,
Branch Presidency, and the Temple trips each week.
Tell
Eli, I miss him. One of the kids at our dinner appointment yesterday
was missing both of her front 2 teeth. It reminded me of him.
Alright,
I got to go. I hope everything is great there. Just know I am alright. I
love the Sweenys so much. Yes I did pass my drivers test. I took it
with Brother Allan. He is a hoot. I have me all the people at the
Mission Home., They are all nice, and it really runs like a family
thing.
Anyway
Love you all. We are supposed to get I-Pads in MAy, so I don't know if I
will have to buy one or not. I haven't had to buy a bikew yet, because I
am in a car area. Cant wait till next week and I love you all very
much. Take care of Squashy. Everyone here has a pet, and I miis mine.
Love Yall and talk to yall again next week!!!
On the left is the Riches.
I am in between the Sensons.
And on the far right is Brother Jamison
This is our classroom. Just so you know where I learned a second language at.
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