Mosiah 2:41

(Click Mosiah 2:41 to read)

First request this morning, Dad, could you please put your conversion story on paper and send it to me. I never fully realized the magnitude of your experience and it's relation to my life until recently! I can't explain how happy I am to have the gospel in my life, and it's all because of you. There are a couple people here that I think could really benefit from hearing our family's story.

Alright, this week was the best week (statistics wise) of my mission. We taught 16 lessons, 11 of which where lessons taught with a member present. Our Mission President has given us a goal to have a member at 60% of all our lessons. We crushed that percentage this week. It was such a good week. Also, we had a Zone Conference on Wednesday which was awesome. Our president told us before that he wants us to never leave a home without reading from the Book of Mormon. So I have made it my own personal goal to never leave a home that I am invited in to, without reading something from the Book of Mormon. So far so good ;)

Alright you guys asked me to answer some more questions...

Did you ever meet Sister XXXX’s brother who is serving in your mission?

Not yet! But I've met a few people that do know him.

Do you drive or does your companion?

I'm driving now.

What do most people do there, professionally?

construction (framers, roofers etc.), farmers. That’s pretty much it.

Have you spoken in church or taught a lesson?

Yes I have spoken in church twice. No I haven't taught any lessons in church yet.

Do you have a cell phone, can you text members?

Yes we have a cell phone, yes we can text anyone in our area.

Are there sister missionaries in your neck of the woods?

nope.

How is the contacting of inactives going? Are you still using the survey idea?

It’s going better. It helps immensely to have a member with you. Because instead of getting a visit from the missionaries, they are getting a visit from their friend!

When you have dinner with ward members do you share a message? What is your favorite message?

Yes I always share a message. My favorite one is Alma 17:37, then Alma 26:11-12, then D&C 35:13-14 (Nutshell: Ammon is able to smite off the arms of those that attack him, because of his strength; but in Alma 26, we see that Ammon calls himself weak! And he gives God all the honor; then D&C is awesome because it makes reference to His arm becoming our arm, and I like to relate that back to Ammon and "by the strength of his arm")

John 15:15

Good Morning!  

(John 15:15)

This week was better! The last couple weeks were a bit of a bummer,

but it has been much better this week. On Tuesday last week we got 7

inches of snow. We were stuck for most of the day until they got

the roads cleared. Then we went around town asking people if we could

shovel their driveways. It was fun! I have never shoveled snow like

that before. We did a little more shoveling on Wednesday and then the

rest of the week we went back to good old proselyting.

On Friday, we knocked on the door of this RLDS (Community of Christ)

family. We talked with them for almost 2 hours. It amazed me how

strong their faith was. But it was also a bit disheartening. They left

the RLDS church in the 80's when that church renounced use of the Book

of Mormon as scripture, and gave women the priesthood. Now they

worship in their home. They told us that they are waiting for God to

give them direction on where to go next. We just knocked on his door,

and he is telling us he is waiting for a sign from God on what to do

next. Signs don't get much more obvious than that in my opinion.

Servants of the Lord knocking on your door. But, there's only so much

we can do. People have their agency. We had a really good experience

with them and we will visit them later this week probably.

XXXXX, the daughter of the family we live next to, has been

preparing to go on a mission. It has been awesome to see her go through

the whole process from deciding to serve, to submitting papers, to

receiving her call and now she leaves on March 20th! It has been so

awesome to help her through the whole process too. On Saturday we sat

down with her and taught her all about missionary work. We helped her

understand our purpose and tried our best to calm her nerves about

serving. I feel honored to help her prepare for her mission and I hope

she can take some of the things I have taught her into the mission

field.

My companion and I are still doing great. Trying our best to work hard

and stay busy. I'm so grateful to be a part of this work. I love being

a missionary. And I love you all.

Elder Sherwood

Photos!

Matthew 16:25

I never know what to put for the subject, so I have resolved to put favorite scriptures of mine as the subject. (Matthew 16:25)

So this week was slow. Thursday and Friday we were iced in. When there is ice around here, nobody drives. We were told by our Vehicle Coordinator not to drive unless it was absolutely necessary. So we were stuck at home for two days. It wasn't so bad because we have the XXXXXs right next door, so we spent a lot of time with them. It may have actually been a blessing in disguise because we are ridiculously low on miles this month. So two days of not driving really helped us out. Nonetheless, it was a bummer not getting out and working for two days. It's good to be back in action.

On Saturday night we had transfer calls again! Can you believe how fast that transfer went! We got the call and found out that we are both staying here in Stockton for another transfer. I've already been here for almost 4 months and I get to be here for 6 more weeks, at least!

Ok here ya go, Q and A time:  (we sent Elder Sherwood questions to answer)

Do you ever teach Gospel Principles?

No we haven't taught yet. I would like to though. I'm much more qualified now than I was when I taught before.

How has the weather been, when I look at the temps it doesn’t look too cold. Never mind, we just got your pictures of the snow!!Yyikes!!

The weather has been brutal recently, with the ice storms and today there is supposed to be a snowstorm

What was your favorite toy as a child (I want to verify this is really you)?

Well the one I was most heartbroken over was Woody. Worst day of my life.

Did you get Dad’s postcard?

I did. Been craving a hot pretzel ever since. And I'm jealous you went to Fanfest.

What kind of meals are you making for yourself? How are the meals with members?

Eat cheerios and toast with jam and an orange every day for breakfast. Usually a sandwich or Bertolli frozen meals for lunch (super good by the way). A recipe book with simple recipes that you make (Mom) would be so awesome! The meals with members are always great. People always make their best for the missionaries.

How often do you meet with your zone?

Twice a transfer usually

How long does it take our mail to get to you? I usually mail my letter on Tuesday. What day do you get my (mom) letter?

I usually get your letters on Thursday or Friday, sometimes later, like not until the next Monday or Tuesday.

Have you been back to see XXXXX’s family?

Not yet! I have been wanting to. I see them in the store sometimes and we talk for a little bit. XXXXX's mom calls me her grandson haha! They are awesome.

Have you started to see many of the new, younger missionaries in the field? It sounds like there are just sooo many new missionaries!

We have one 18 year old missionary in our zone. But he's the only one I know of. To be completely honest, we are totally isolated out here so I haven't really seen with my own eyes much change. I've heard a lot about it, and I feel the Spirit of the work hastening.

Happy Monday!!

So today was interesting haha. On Friday, I was flossing (proud?) and the filling that filled in the chip in my front tooth came out! I freaked out for a second cause I thought my teeth were falling apart. Then I realized that it was just that filling. So I called Sister Shumway and she said that missionary medical doesn't cover dental work. So obviously I couldn't call home and get my social security number or insurance information or anything. So I had to go through Sister Shumway to get my social security number from mom. Thanks by the way, not sure how you swung that so fast. So anyways they fixed my tooth and I'm good to go now. It looks better than it did before ;)

So this past week was a pretty good week actually! We had 12 lessons! Not bad at all. On Wednesday we had a really good District Meeting where we were all given time to talk about our experience on a mission so far and how it's blessed our life. I talked about you guys! My family! Especially Alex, I loved hearing about her little missionary opportunity that she wrote me about a few weeks ago. That kind of stuff makes me so happy you don't even know. So keep searching for them!

This week we got a new investigator named XXXXX! He's a great guy. He has grown up in the RLDS church. Ya know the one where they don't believe in parts of the Book of Mormon and parts of Doctrine and Covenants. Well XXXXX is in his 50's now I think, and he is finally realizing what he has been missing.  He is tired of the contention and the unorganized nature of the religion, and the way they keep changing the fundamental beliefs. And he has decided to go back to what he knows is true. So we are teaching him and he is really enjoying it so far.

We also got another investigator named XXXXX.  She is also a fundamentalist. She's XXXXX's grandma. She was born in polygamy, raised in polygamy, married into polygamy, and had kids in polygamy. But she got out a long time ago and has completely forsaken the practice and all the people that she was affiliated with. She's extremely knowledgeable about the gospel so it's going to be fun teaching her.

Yep, Valentine’s Day. Not the most exciting holiday for a missionary. It's alright though. Thanks for the package and all the love.

Sometimes I feel really overwhelmed with all that has to get done and I feel a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. But I just keep going. Take every day as it comes. I can't believe that I'm actually able to do all this stuff. Like you said, the boy that never made phone calls or ordered my food alone. Look at me now haha. It's not my strength. That's for sure. Like Ammon, I know that I am weak, but my God is strong and through him I receive my strength. I am living proof of the Lords hand in this work. 

I'm so grateful to be a part of this work. I love being a full time servant of the Lord. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing in this life that can bring true happiness. And I love sharing what has made me so happy with others. And I love you all!

Good Morning!!

(Oops, I didn't get this posted last Tuesday!! Mandy)

Good Morning!

How are you all!? I love coming to the library every monday and
writing you guys a letter. I love telling you all about what I've been
up to and hearing from you all a little bit too. This week was not
bad. Better than last week I'd say. I'm slowly improving and becoming
more comfortable with planning and leading everything. It's
ridiculously difficult. But rewarding and fun. I would never have
imagined myself a year ago with the same abilities I have now.
Knocking on doors, talking with strangers, most of which want nothing
to do with you, trying to share something with them that has changed
my life and has helped me more than I can even put into words.
Planning a full day of meaningful work (or at least doing my best to
accomplish that). Teaching lessons about the Gospel, about Christ,
about the Plan of Salvation, about the scriptures. I love teaching and
I love this work. My companion and I still get along really well. And
we work well together in lessons and finding people to teach.

XXXXX's dad, XXXXX, was sick this Sunday, so it's been a while
since we've seen him. It made me sad, but I'm still so excited to help
him through this process, and to receive the same joy and happiness
that our family has experienced.

You guys asked a lot of questions in your letters this past week, and I
was going to answer them all, but I forgot to bring the letters :/
...... sorry.

Scripture:
John 9:1-3
This man was not blind for any wrong he or his parents committed. He
was blind so that the God could be glorified through this miracle. So
that Christ could heal him. We must live our lives in a way that
glorifies God. Live our lives so that we can be a vessel for miracles.
So that the works of God may be made manifest in our works.

D&C 35:13-14
13 Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are
unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of the
Spirit;
14 And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their
buckler; and will gird up the loins, and they shall fight manfully for
me: and their enemies shall be under their feet: and I will let fall
the sword in their behalf,  and by the fire of mine indignation will I
preserve them.

I found this scripture in a time of much needed guidance and support.
As a missionary, many times you feel unlearned and despised, but if
you are obedient and diligent, God will be your strength.

Being a missionary is awesome. So hard. But so fun.