November 29, 2010

Really it snowed In lebanon in november? hrmn.... Well we have gotten a little bit of snow lately but not very much but it has been pretty cold. I liked the heat during the summer, and how long it lasted it was kind of nice now that I look back at it. So I dont really appreciate all the coldness. No I didnt get transferred. I stayed in Bible Park ward. And I am glad cause I really like this area, and it has a lot of potential. So Elder Croft, my second son, is doing pretty good. He is new but he has been taught a lot in the mtc and he is a really good missionary. How was thanksgiving with the parmenters? No its the same address, and I will be here for christmas. Thursday was actually our pday last week, it was more convenient that way. And friday there was a few people not home yeah. How was the Turkey Bowl? Our zone of missionaries got together thursday morning to have our own football game it was fun. But not as fun as tackle, I do miss football a little bit. Well Im glad Dad is feeling better. Oh bytheway, do you think you could send me via email your pizza dough recipe? Cause I was thinking of making some Pizza! I would really appreciate it. Good luck with Painting the upstairs and dining room. Yeah Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a really good talk about pride during the priesthood session. it was pretty cool. And yeah I got the Ensigns from Grandma and Grandpa. They are so nice to me. Tell them I really appreciated it! and thank you. THings have been pprogressing here in our area. We have been having some really good lessons with investigators and less actives in which the spirit has really been there. And I am having a lot of fun with Elder Croft in the work. We get a long really well. And he helps me be really positive. Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and Love. And I am so happy to hear that The Lord is blessing you so much. Take care and I will talk to you again soon. (on chirstmas day) Bye.

November 11, 2010

Yes I did get the package. I got it from the Zone Leaders last friday. And the Cinnamon Rolls are really good. Thank you so much! And thank you for the letter and the pictures! I really appreciate it. I really appreciate the Mangoes, and jerky. Kind of funny but Im not in very much of a candy mood it seems like anymore. Every know and then I'll have a little bit, but not very much anymore. Well it is good to hear that Dad is ok and recovering. All he is eating is sweet liquids? Give him some apple sauce. or tomato soup haha. :-D Well thank you for your words Mom, I really really appreciate it. Sounds like a good plan. I usually do pretty well about staying focused and not worrying. So next week is transfers and I would like to stay here another transfer. Elder Nicholls said President pretty much told him he was getting transferred next transfer. And then Elder Steed (my great grandpa in mission prosterity and lingo) who is one of the assistants to the President, said Elder Nicholls is getting transferred. So will probably be getting a new companion next transfer. And I wonder who it will be and if I know them already. We have been trying to do more finding in our proselyting time lately. And we've had some succes in finding more people to teach. It is pretty awesome. Last thursday, we were on companionship exchanges with some other elders in our district and we had a pretty amazing experience. I will have to tell you more about it in the letter I write you next. But it was amazing. And Lately I have been seeing so many prayers answered and God really helping His children so much it has been so amazing and such a testimony grower. I Love Being a missionary so much, it is so wonderful to be an instrument in God's hands in helping his children, and reaching out to them in Love. The Snow has finally came here to denver, it is getting colder now. Luckily I have a lot of clothes to keep me warm!

November 4, 2010

Its good to hear back from you! Sounds like everyone had fun on halloween. It was pretty much just another day to me. I dont need or want money for christmas Mom. But thank you. I think the prayers and support you give me already is more than I deserve. But Some more Music might be nice for christmas. Efy music is approved. All motab is approved. Alex Boye would be awesome. Also there is this Nashville tribute to Joseph Smith Cd that is extremely good. That would be a fantastic choice as well. But thank you so much Mom. So Stephanie is out that is really good. Is Josh anywhere in the picture? I am praying for him that he will turn his life around and do better. Cause i really hope that he does. Oh We went to the temple this morning it was pretty cool, I saw Elder Galenzoski again. And we also stopped by Desret bookstore and I wanted to buy a copy of the last april conference Ensign cause we dont have it in our apartment. And that conference was filled with a ton of good talks and I was wanting to use a bunch of those talks to expand my teaching recources. But they were all out. So a copy of that would be so amazing! I would love to have my own copy, whenever you go to the deseret bookstore or are in the portland area again. I love you so much Mom. Thank you so much for sending me Footprints Mom. I love that story it is so powerful to me. I read a copy in my last area and it just made me start crying and the spirit came over me. It is an amazing story. I love being a missionary so much. I have noticed so much more happiness, peace, joy, and more special spiritual experiences, and times when I have felt the spirit so much stronger since I have been out on my mission, then I ever have b4. And I have become a lot more spiritual my self. And I know it is still quite a ways off. But I am a little worried about when I come home. Cause I have heard a lot that return missionaries decrease a lot in spirituality when they go home than when they were on their mission. And I really dont want to lose this cause it has been beyond descrition for me, such an amazing blessing. I just want to stay a missionary forever. I have been so blessed my comapsnions as well. All of the companions I have had so far have been so good. They have all helped me and I have learned a lot from each of them. And I do miss Elder Rambo, Elder Galenzoski, and Elder Tonga, but still get to see them every now and then. so that is good. The whole concept of time changes so much when you are a missionary. It feels like time as flown by but sometimes it feels like it has been a long time. Its different. It will probably all seem like it has gone by faster and faster near and at the end.

October 27, 2010

Sorry I didnt write very much last week. These computers dont let us have very much time. I did have a good week. We had Zone Conference and leadership trainning last week. It was pretty good. Elder Kent F. Richards came and visited the mission for Zone Conferences and leadership trainning. I believe he is in the first seventy. But he gave some really good trainnings about the Holy Ghost and teaching people not lessons. I learned a lot. We do have winterish weather in Denver right now. Its been like this for two days now where it has gotten a lot colder. It was staying pretty nice up until two days ago. It was like a long summer here in the metro side of the mission. I liked it and I dont like the cold so I am not looking forward to the winter very much. Me and Elder Nicholls get along pretty good. He was sick for a couple days which was a drag but he is feeling much better now. I didnt really like being a district leader ast first, but I have gotten used to it now. We have some really good missionaries in our district so its pretty cool. And District meetings are different when Im running them. But the one we had this week was really good. And I think I am getting the hang of it. Something I've thought about b4 that Ithink would be realyl cool would be teaching at the mtc. But I dont have any other reason to go to Provo except for that. And I dont really want to go to byu. But I will worry about that after the mission and figure it out. Teaching is going better. Lately it seems like its been really hard to get a hold of people. But last week we got two new investigators! WOOT WOOT! and one the week b4 that. So we are going to try and find some more people to teach this week. And tommorrow we are going on splits with the Zone Leaders. That will be interesting because they cover Half of capital hill ward which covers part of downtown Denver. And I've never been to downtown denver b4, but I have heard it is pretty crazy. Crescant Valley is number 2? that is weird. But I am glad we are in 3rd. Hopefully Ben Duerr gets back into the hang of things. Haha they helped you make hte Cinnamon Roles thats awesome. Can't wait til they get here! Bytheway at Zone Conference after Lunch I had an interview with Elder Richards. He said that when he got to the mission he asked president Maynes to set some interviews up with some of the missionaries so he could get to know them. We had a good talk. Elder Richards is really awesome. we talked about how a lot of returned missionaries go less active after they go home. And We talked about how that happens. I told him I wasn't ever going to go less active. And he Told me to tell you Mom that I am the Missionary you think I am. I'm really trying. And I really want to work and help God's Children come to him. Its good to hear that you are all recieving a lot of blessings. Did you guys get all the projects done b4 the rains came? I hope so.Thats good that Ward COnference was good. Pesident Carlyle is still the Stake President Right? Bytheway How are those addresses coming that I asked about? How is Brother Dare doing? Hey good luck with the missionary sunday thing. Let me know how it goes and what all its about. Hey do you remember the talk by Ezra Taft Benson that I used as part of my farewell talk? It was about the law of chastity. It is a really good talk and I was wondering if you could send me a copy of it that I could use for teaching and stuff vie email? Cause I can print it out here at the library. Thank you Mom! Also I was wondering if you could send me a copy of "footprints" to me, Its the story about how this guy had a dream where he was walking on the beach with the Lord. It is really good and it is a great story to share in when teaching and talking about the atonement. Please let me know if you can, thank you so much Mom. Since I have been a missionary I have been praying way way more than I ever have in my life. And it is so good to see and hear Heavenly father answering my prayers, by hearing how many blessings you guys are receiving. It is so amazing and so wonderful. Those topics they talked about at ward Conference are such a huge part of enduring to the End. Really the more we pray (sincerely) the more spiritual strength we recieve, and the more we read the scripture the more we can also have strength. Both of which we recieve revelation through and feel the spirit and can Be filled with God's Great love. There are so many blessings that come from those two things. And we can never do them too much. No I havent gone to the bank yet, but I will go today and talk to them about that.

October 13, 2010

I am now in an area without a car. Iis kind of funny how that works out. But I did get transferred. I am in this ward called Bible Park (its called that because there is a park in the ward boundaries and near the church named after James A. Bible.) And we are on foot cause my companion can't ride a bike due to an injury. We share the ward with two other Elders and it is a pretty big ward area. They have the south half, we have the north half. I guess our area also isn't too far away from downtown Denver also. But I am also a district leader this transfer. It is a lot different. There are two other sets of Elders in the district besides me and Elder Nicholls, and then one set of sisters. we had our first district meeting on monday and the district meetings this transfer are suposed to be all the district leaders teaching. whereas last two transfers it was all the Zone Leaders teaching. But there are a lot of changes going on in the Mission. At transfer meeting President Maynes anounced the new standards of Excellence. And we are no longer going to be keeping track of tracting hours. and qgc's instead we are only going to be keeping track of results. And we arnt suposed to have tracting as our main source of finding. they want us to do a bunch of different things. Which have been proven to be more effective in finding ppl to teach. So it is a little different, and it is hard to make this adjustemnt when we already do so much tracting but I have faith it will work and the results will be amazing. Also did you know that our Mission, the Colorado Denver south Mission has the highest on average, baptism per month ( For an English Speaking mission), but the provo mission have more per year. Or atleast this is what it used to be. With these changes it will be interesting to see how things go.

September 29, 2010

Yes my week was fantastic. Yes we have had some absolutely awesome lessons with Louisa. and yes she has quit smoking and she is doing really really good! she is so awesome. I am really happy for her. She is getting baptized tommorrow night. And it is Elder Tongas first baptism, and it is on his six month mark/mission birthday. We spend time tracting but we spend more time teaching than tracting. We are suposed to go for twenty lessons a week. Elder tonga and I got 25 last week. not all of those were with Investigators, a bunch of them were. We had a lesson with President Maynes yesterday. we had interviews last week with him on thursday. And he told us he wanted to go to a lesson with me and Elder Tonga to go see how we teach. So he went with us to go teach Rodric and he was a half hour late cause he had to drive a ways. But he was with us for two hours. it was pretty cool I'd never gone to a lesson with President before. I was a little nervous but we had a good lesson Rodric asked President the same questions he asks us and everyone we bring with him. And he likes to look stuff up online and stuff but we were telling him and kind of pounded into him that the only way he is going to find out if the Book of mormon is true and if Joseph Smith is a Prophet, is by realy studying and reading the book of mormon and taking the time to pray, and pray with faith and sincereity and real intent. And he wants to get baptized and he wants to believe and Find out he just hasnt made the effort yet. But we arnt going to give up on him. we read with him and we are trying to help him. But that sounds like things are going pretty good. I didnt know that is when everyone was going to be done in school. Wow its crazy. But good to hear the news. I hope you enjoy your weekend. Travel safely! and dont forget to "watch conference." Tell Liz I said to study hard and do good. And tell her I also said to pray for help and Heavenly father will help her. If she really puts in the effort. So did you ever find those addresses? like Jared's address for example? did you get my letter? Thank you Mom I Love you too. And I appreciate the support very much. I am trying to continually improve myself as a servant of the Lord. I am an tool in his hands, but I need to become a precision instrument. In helping to bring His Children closer to Him. I dont think I need anything at the moment. I dont need candy, I dont really like eating that much candy anymore. Every now and then but not too much. But thank you. I Love you Mom, tell everyone I love them too! Take care I will tlak to you later.

September 22, 2010

Oh good news! We have a baptism coming up next week! WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!! Her name is Louisa. Her Husband has been a less active member for years but he had home teachers come by often and they referred us to her. She is Catholic. they are both around their fifties. And she is absolutely awesome. She reads the Book of Mormon everyday for atleast an hour if not two. They gave her the first lesson b4 i came here. And then me and Elder Tonga have tught her the rest. But we have been teaching here all according to her needs and by the spirit at every visit which is really good. Elder Tonga was with His Trainor two transfers now he's with me. His trainor liked to do things a little differently and Elder Tonga really didnt get to teach very much. But I try to always give him plenty of room to teach cause he is really good. But she is quitting smoking and then we are teaching her the rest of the commandments and she is ready! She is so solid. She loves the Book Of Mormon she knows its true, and she really wants to be baptized more than anything. And I am realyl glad I was able to be able to be an Instrument in God's hands in helping his wonderful Daughter. It is so amazing. I feel very blessed. things are going awesome over here Hannah. And I love Elder Tonga and missionary work. I am changing my life forever, while I am in the service of the Lord.

September 1, 2010

Sorry, I didnt find out where I was going until transfer meeting on thursday last week. But I kind of had a feeling that I was going to go out to the other side of the mountains, or go metro. And I did haha. I am in Lafewood Colorado, its basicly a city branch off of Denver. I have an absolutely amazing companion now, his name is Elder Tonga and yep he is from Tonga. We get a long really really good. He has been out two transfers previous and this is his third transfer, and my goal is for him to train next transfer cause he is really good and could totally do it. But Im sorry I didnt talk about training very much, I have been busy, and I started writing you a letter a couple weeks ago but I havent been able to finish it yet cause I've been really busy especially last P-day but I will try and get it done now. Elder Galenzoski is an outstanding Servant of the Lord. He was a mini Missionary back in his home town for about three weeks cause a missionary went home three weeks early to get to school on time or something like that, but he was trained well in the Mtc, I didnt really have to do that much. I mostly just shared a little advice about missionary work and stuff with him that I know works good and yeah. I know he will take care of Fruita and the Investigators we were seeing. I am a little disapointed I didnt get to stay with My Son longer but I didnt need to, he is all trained and learned up, he'll do awesome. So you can just send the driving record to the mission office address and they'll give it to me. The address is 999 E Tufts Ave Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 I think that is right. and yes I did get the package gma and gpa sent me, I am sorry Ididnt get to write them back yet, so busy, and I dont write that fast. But Mom you should'nt be worried cause I am having the time of my life. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it, and I doing fine. Better than fine, Im doing Aweome! I had never ever really thought about or realized how much of an Impact I can have on peoples lives as a missionary, or how much serving a mission can have such a big impact on my life. it is amazing. But i am running out of time to email so I'll see ya later.

August 25, 2010

Transferrs are this week. Tomorrow (thursday) so today is my last full day here in Fruita. But yeah we got the call last night telling us that I was going to be leaving and that Elder Galenzoski was going to be staying. It feels kind of crazy, cause this has been my only area in the Mission so far so it is kind of weird. But I have made some friendships that will last a long long time, I have had more incredible and spiritual experiences here in fruita than I can remember. And I will always remember Fruita and what the Lord has done here using me as an instrument in his hands. And i am totally coming back here to Visit in the future.
Thank you so much for the prayers I really really apreciate it. My Son(Elder Galenzoski) is really really an awesome missionary and servant of the Lord. I havent really done any training, he was already trained and prepared before I got him. And I had an awesome transfer with him, He will do great, He has love for all of the investigators and knows how to teach. It will be awesome to hear about the success I know he will have after I am gone. But I gotta Go I will talk to you later. Love you

August 18, 2010

Hey thanx, glad you like the emails. I absolutely Love being a missionary. Last night we had a baptism! it was pretty awesome. It was the first convert baptism that I had actually gotten to teach the people being baptized and see them get baptized. We had another baptism earlier this transfer but they got baptized in Utah cause they have a bunch of family over there, and then they came back and got confirmed in sacrament meeting. So this was pretty special to me, I have been working for a while here in fruita now and I have finally gotten to see some frutis of our labors which brings huge and incredible Joy and satisfaction.
No I dont think you did tell me about yellowstone, other than that you were going to Yellowstone with Dan and Jen. Oh I was wondering how you were going to go since you were working. How long of days do you work? Well I'm really glad to hear you had such a good time.....
I've found Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you take it. Its true there are people around, that sometimes act unkindly to us or do something offensive (even within our own families). Such is the nature of humans, cause we are all imperfect. But Christ taught us to forgive all men (and women). And also Brigham Young once said a fool takes offense when there is no offense intended (or something to that point, I may have not gotten the wordage right) . I dont mean to preach, rebuke, or offend or anything like that. I am simply trying to share what I know with love to try and help. There has been a couple times where my old companion really got on my nerves and I just had the strongest urge to punch him in the face as hard as I could. But I knew this was not the best thing to do, and also I would get into a lot of trouble. But what I did is I prayed each time with all my Heart to God asking him for help to help me have strength to resist temptation and Love Elder Rambo no matter what, just as God Loves us even when we are stupid, errogant, selfish, wicked, or prideful. And one of the things I learned at these times is how important it is to forgive somebody just as fast as they do something wrong or offensive. Cause when we are angry we do not have the spirit with us. And as missionaries it is extremely important to have the spirit with us always. But I know that this is not a principle that applies only to missionaries but to all of us. In Christ's Sermon on the Mount (both in Matthew 5-7 and 3 Nephi 12-14) part of his sermon he teaches us that we need to Love our Enemies and "turn the other Cheek".
But anyways next week is transfer week so I may be getting transferred. And I think I will get transferred because Ihave been here so long already. But i would really like to stay another transfer but we will see I guess. Also how is the blog going? Has it been working? Does anyone read it? or what? haha let me know, thanx Hannah! I love you! Take care.

August 4, 2010

Haha thanks Hannah, you know I am really glad to have you as a sister, cause you are really spiritually strong and you have awesome faith and trust in God and in Jesus Christ in which you are a great example to everyone around you. As for myself I try to contually remember that I am nothing without God. Only through him have a recieved all of the gifts and blessings that I have and can I do mighty things. And I am Eternally Grateful for everything God blesses me with. And this oppurtunity I have to serve him, and be an instrument in his hands in this great and marvelous work. But thank you Hannah, I appreciate it. And I really appreciate your prayers for me. You're awesome. (high five)...(airmail)....... haha but I'm trying to follow the example of Ammon in Alma 26, its a good one.
Im sorry you're having trouble with your pets in the new home. Hopefully you guys can train them right in the new house pretty easily and soon. Im sorry I forgot your bday, I remembered it was around the same time as Dad's but I am really really bad about remembering dates. But I am glad you had a really great birthday. Shane got you a pot and pan set and you're excited eh? haha that just sounds funny to me but Im glad you are excited. When is your bday? tell me so i can write it down for next year and remember better. But Happy Late Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will try and send you a card! \m/, (rock on)
Well that is good about the radiation. I was just wondering about that. So is it a lot more to the job than you thought or is it more simple or what?
So we had a baptism last saturday it was awesome. Did I tell you about it already? Well his name was Dustin Christenson, and his younger brother got baptized too. And then last sunday My companion Elder Galenzoski confirmed Dustin, and I got to confirm Cody his brother which was awesome! I had never confirmed anyone b4. And I've only given two priesthood blessings so far. So i was pretty nervous, but the spirit took over just as everytime and I was given exactly what i needed to say evertime which is awesome. But the family was so happy and so was Cody and Dustin. It was just so wonderful. I really want to stay in fruita for atleast another transfer so i can help Elder Galenzoski get trained even further, in being an awesome servant of the Lord. And also because there is so much potential in Fruita 1st ward and 4th ward. We got three new investigators last week. Two of which are younger boys but they have both expressed an interest to be baptized before shcool starts. And also there is this lady named Raqelle who we tracted into and have been teaching for a while. And she is probably pretty much one the awesomest people and investigators I have met. She reads the Book of Mormon a lot! and she really notices the peace and comfort that comes from God when she reads it, and she has been sleeping better and dealing with Stress better because of it. And also the other new investigator is an older guy in 1st ward, but he is absolutely awesome! he is pentecaostal, has a really strong faith in God and has been through a lot in his life that has led him to have faith. He really likes talking to us and he really likes me, he says I remind him of himself when he was young. He did concrete work and construction work also. And he had a best friend who was a member and gave him a Book of Mormon right before he lsft on his mission so he would know what he was going to be sharing with ppl for two years. But he unfortunately didnt get the chance to read it before he lost it. He got divorced a while after he got it and hasnt found it since. So I gave him a book of Mormon and I really think he was really glad to get another copy, and I really think he will read it. But Since sunday night I came over to Denver with the Zone leaders for a special trainging by President Maynes and the Assistants. so past couple days ive been in Denver with a all of the ZL's and trainors. And what the training ws about was helping us become better teachers. It was 8 lessons sent from the first presidency and apostles putting a greater emphasis on things out of preach my gospel that if we follow exactly and do all the time, we will have much greater success, and we will be able to help even more children of God come to Christ through the resotred gospel. So i am pretty excited about following these things and seeing the changes that will follow! but You may want to fwd this to mom so she can here all this too. But thanx Hannah! Love you! Take Care!

Your Brother
Elder Benjamin Walker Sherman

July 28, 2010

Yep im a trainor. We've been together for two weeks now, its been pretty awesome. Glad you like your new job. And from what i could tell from the pictures The house looks nice, and pretty big. Glad you guys like it. That is a lot of training. Wow. You learned some classified info eh? hrmn.... like what? So Chelsea and Brandon's wife are both pregnant? haha that is awesome. And you and Shane are going to make sure you have maternity leave first and inurance? Will the radiation do anything weird? or whatever? Yeah Mom told me Daniel has been really busy also. Thats cool he is coming over. Have fun in yellowstone. Im glad you guys have an awesome ward! It is always really nice to have wonderful caring loving members in your ward. How is the missionary work over there in that ward? are the members pretty active in reaching out and sharing the gospel with their friends? (yep Im a missionary) haha But hey guess what............... guesss.................... again?????? maybe...... im not sure what you guessed............ but anyways....... We are having a baptism! Hurray! Ok so we have been teaching this kid named Dustin Christenson, He is ten, his parents were less active but they are getting reactivated! and his younger brother who just turned 8 is getting baptised also! This week. They wanted to do it in Utah because their family lives in Utah, and turns out that is ok, just as long as they are confirmed here in their homeward. So its not an Adult convert baptism, but it counts as a convert baptism because he is over 8. But the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. Im glad we have been able to be intruments in Gods hands in bringing another Child to him. The work is actuially going pretty good over here. We got too new investigators last week. And This really nice lady we have been teaching for a while as been reading the Book of Mormon quite a bit and she knows it is a good book. She says whenever she reads it she feels peace and comfort, and she is sleeping better. And she knows God is giving her this comfort and peace. Cause she has been praying a lot because a lot has been going on iun her life lately, her son got sentenced for three years in prison, and she was realy sick for a week, got burned at her work when a barbiquer leaked gas, and she has been going through quite a bit lately. But she really really likes having us over. And learning more about the Book of Mormon. She has really strong faith in God and in Christ. She is from kansas and she is Southern Baptist, but she is the coolest and nicest southern baptist lady I have ever met. but she is really awesome. She has some very very good potential. But the work is awesome. My companion is a stud. I love the work! Its been the best five months of my life so far here in fruita.

July 14, 2010

Ok I dont think I told you yet but I met our new mission president the second day he was in the mission. He is pretty cool. His name is President Maynes. He was a Stake president in Price Utah, and he used to be a CES director in utah as well. And he has been here for about two weeks now. But big news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
guess what it is?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? its about transfers..........(drum roll)...... hahahahaha
I'm Training this next transfer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha yep i will be getting a new greeny missionary. It is too bad that me and Elder Rambo will no longer be companions but you cant have the same companion your whole mission unless you are a serving a senior mission. But I'm pretty sure we will get to see eachother every now and then during the mission and we are pretty good friends so we will probably for sure see eachother after the mission. He is going to go back to byu Idaho which isnt nearly as far as Pennsylvania. So yeah. but that is the news. Umm we havent gotten any investigators to church lately unfortunately, but we have been teaching this one lady named Raqelle and she has been reading a bunch of the Book of Mormon which is awesome! and there is a lot of potential in fruita 4th ward. But i got to gowrite an email to president so I wil ltalk to you later.

June 29, 2010

Hi Mom, why does it make you feel like crying? I dont get it? its just a picture of me and Elder Rambo. But anyways, I did get the package last week! Thank you so much for the Cinnamon Roles! MANGOES! chocolate, jerky, and letter! I sent you a letter not too long ago, did you get it? How was Dad's father's day? I hope he had an awesome day, and I hope he got the card and letter I sent him. Yes the Cinnamon Roles were delicious. You got the Shop done already? wow that was fast. Ok I can write Bruce. But he can send me a letter too. haha. I enjoyed the letter you sent me. I knew Nick and Bethany were going to get married. Who did Min Phillips get married too? Good news we got a new investigator last night, and we got another investigator to commit to coming to church! Elder Rambo and I also got to give talks in 4th ward sacrament meeting on sunday, and we were the only speakers so we talked for quite a while. I gave a talk about the Atonement, and Elder Rambo gave a talk on obedience. They were pretty good I think. I quoted some of President Monson's talk He is Risen from last General conference (its a really good talk) and I also used a bunch of scriptures talking about the Atonement, and I used 3nephi 11 were Christ Visits the Nephites and They feel the prints in his hand and in his Feet and know that hey suffered those things for them and know that he is the Messiah, and I talked about how Christ did all these things for us because of his great love for us, and that through him we can be healed(spiritually and Physically) and he cleanses us from sin. But it was good. The spirit was definately there. But I got to go. I will write you some more in letters when i get time!

June 16, 2010

THanx I enjoy your emails as well. Yeah The Mission has been awesome so far. I am really really Glad I made the decision to serve. Its been the best most important decision I have made so far in my life. Sorry I havent gotten a letter back to you yet. I will be writing you today for sure. So Meegan probably flew today to go to the mtc? I will pray for her to be less nervous and to have a good experience in the mtc. How was meegans farewell talk? Tell me about it please. Hahaha That is Funny! I knew those two would get married. hahaha I will write Nick and Congratulate him. what does Bruce think. Really? Nick told me the same thing. Tell Bruce He can write me. Bytheway Did Nick Farmer already have the hearing for deciding the custody of his Son? I dont think I need money. I Used my debit card a few times for food, because my Msf Card wasn't working for some reason a couple of times. But There was nothing wrong with it, it wasn't over drafted or anything like that. It just didnt work so I used my atm card to buy food a couple times. But I can take money from the msf card to replace what i used to buy food.
Ok Kool! I will be looking forward to getting the Cinnamon Roles. Dont forget to put them in plastic bag as soon as it has been frosted and just baked. And try not to capture to much air in the bag with them so they keep better. Thank you so much Mom! I love our home cooking. Wow sounds like a lot of Rain.
So we had Zone Conference last week, and it was President Christison's Last Zone Conference. And last time we had to see him before he leaves. It was a really good Zone Conference. They talked about a lot of the things that they did while serving in The Colorado Denver South Mission and many of the Highlights they have had and many of the things they have helped improve in the Mission. It was really cool. I dont know if I told you this already but President Christison was called personally on his Son's cell Phone by President Monson To serve as the Mission President of the CDSM and then I think it was last winter He saw President Monson at a Motab Concert in Denver. And he asked him if he could extend his Service time as Mission President. But President Monson told him he couldn't let him do that. Cause it would cause a bunch of problems all over the church. So He told him he has to let the new Mission President take over when he gets here. And Go home when his time is up. So its sad, but I will totally see President Christison again after the Mission. And the new Mission President we have was called by the first presidency and he is suposed to be here. So it will be awesome to have another oppurtunity to get to know a new President. But I got to get going.

June 23, 2010

Hey Check out this picture this is of me and Elder Rambo. And it was before elder Rambo got his teeth fixed. Things are going great here. We got four new investigators on monday! And two of them are going to be at church on Sunday! They are absolutely awesome! extremely nice, have already learned alot about the church and Joseph Smith, and they are interested in the Book Of Mormon. We are also giving talks on sunday for fourth ward sacramanet, and we are teaching some priests about preparing for a mission. Wish us luck!

June 2, 2010

Its good to hear from you, and thank you for the letters. It was awesome to read them. Im sorry i havent written back yet, but I will soon. OOOh Marionberry season? Awesome, you should send me some berries? Yes? hahaha Cause they are delicious, not sure if they will keep tho haha. I'm glad you had a great anniversary. Wow that dridge sounds like it is pretty awesome. And Dad walked accross it eh? Wow, cool.
well this is transfer week and turns out me and Elder Rambo are going to be staying companions for atleast another transfer. But the wards we cover are going to be changing. We were covering Fruita 1st and Third but we will be covering Fruita 1st and 4th wards. cause there was a Senior couple of Missionaries here covering 4th ward. But they left recently so we will get their ward and the Elders that were covering 2nd ward, will keep second, but also take 3rd. So we get to keep some of our investigators but some of them we wont :-(. And we are teaching a family in third ward tonight. This is the part member family with five kids and he and the kids are all interested in going to church and everything but the Mom is the Less active member that is holding them back. Tonight we are teaching them the Law of Chastity. They arnt Married, so it will be interesting, but they need to know. And they need to get married. I just Hope they understand why they should keep the law of Chastity. Pray for me please. Thank you Mom! All of the other investigators seem like they are never home, so it is hard to get appointments with them but we found some new investigators that are a lot mroe promising. We are pressing forward with Faith. I dont think I need you to send me any gifts for the families we are teaching. But I would love some Mangoes, and Some Cinnamon Rolls. I've had some out here made by a couple different members, but they arnt as good as yours. Send them freshly baked and Frosted and then sealed in a plastic bag with little air, asap, and I think they will make it just fine with spoiling or anything. Thank you so much mom. I love you! And I really really appreciate your support, letters, and prayers. Take care!

May 26, 2010

Its awesome to hear from you. And I'm really sorry I havent finished the letter yet to send it back to you. But i should be able to finish it today. My only excuse is we are only allowed to write letters on p-day. And we have been pretty busy. Im sorry I havent finished the letter sooner but It will be sent soon! I promise. Hey emails are good too, its just only get a half an hour to email on pdays, so I have more time to write letters usually than email. That is why I like letters better.
That is awesome Dan, I am really really glad you are enjoying working at the hospital in Corvallis, That is funny about Naomi. And that is awesome that you have already used your experiece for good at ur new job. That is sad about that girl that is parallised on the left side of her body tho. But that is awesome how you helped her Dan. Nice Job. You're Awesome.
Yeah you were telling me about how you're are getting into mountaineering even more in your letter. That is awesome. I am a little jealous that yu get to mountain climbing and I do not tho. It is an unapproved activity for missionaries, just like swimming, four weeling, skiing etc.
We will have to go mountain climbing when I get back. And after the mission we can come over here and climb a few of the mountains, like The Monument we could Mountain Climb over here. 28,000 feet that is really high up! That is crazy. Fruita is like 4,400 some feet in elevation, and Denver is like 5,000 some feet.
Hi Jenn! Wow sounds liek you are really enjoying your break. Good luck with the Quilt!
I miss you too Jenn! But dont worry I wont be gone forever, I'll see you again in a while. That is a lot of books to read, I wish I had more time to read. We only get about an hour of personal study to read a day. And I just love reading the Scriptures and Preach My Gospel, and I want to read Jesus the Christ and the reast of the missionary approved library but I never have enough time. So you are lucky to have all of that time to read. Enjoy it! haha.
I am having a lot and a lot of fun as a missionary. It is so incredible. I Love it out here In Fruita, the people are so nice. Its crazy that its already been three months since I left. But in Those three months I have learned more and grown more, and come closer to Christ than I ever would've without serving a mission. I miss you both but dont forget I love you too, and I am really happy for you and how awesome things are going for you. Take care! You will get my letter soon!

May 19, 2010

Yeah it is amazing to think how big the universe is and how much stuff is out there. We know that Christ Created this world, and many others like unto it Like it says In Moses Chapter one. All for his own purpose. And they arnt numbered unto us, but they are numbered to him. It makes me think of the song, If you could High To Kolob #284. Its truly amazing too think about how many other worlds there are out there. And how the Universe is always expanding. And there is plenty more room out there for many, many more worlds to be created. God's plan for us is so beautiful, and wonderful, beyond our own mortal comprehension.
Thanx for the Quote. That is a good one. It sounds familialar. We got to have interviews with President Christison Last Saturday. He set these up cause he is leaving soon and wanted to get a chance to meet with all of the missionaries for one last personal interview before he left. So he came to our Zone last saturday. And we also got to have some good trainings from the Assistants. WHo are Elder Forsyth, and Elder Steed. Elder Steed is actually my great Grandad in the mission. In the Mission, your trainor is your dad. So Elder Steed Trained Elder Franklin, Elder Franklin Trained Elder Rambo, and Elder Rambo trained me. So he is my Mission Great Grandad. And he is an Awesome missionary. We went up on top of the Moument (which is a big mountain Plateau nearby) to a place called the Devil's Kitchen, it was a little hike and a cool rock formation. It was awesome while we were up there, President Christison Told us a bunch about the life of Joseph Smith and answered some questions. He said a lot of stuff that I had never heard or known before. He said the church has recently compiled and gathered a whole bunch of Joseph Smith Papers that will be published soon by the church. Which will be cool. President Christison is so awesome. In my interview with him he told me some things that was exactly what i needed to hear. When we were driving to meet that saturday morning, one of the other Elders Said when we get up on the monument President is probably going to call Down Brigham Young to toalk to us about Missionary work. hahaha It was funny, but President Christison is very inspired and very intune with the spirit. He's been an awesome mission president.

May 5, 2010

I'm really not sure what time we will be able to call on sunday. Probably after Church sometime. We cover two wards. and the first ward meets at 9 and the second one meets at 1, but we are an hour ahead over here from you. uhm but we dont stay all three hours of the meeting unless we have an investigator there. Sorry I can't be more specific, my companion doesnt know what time we will be calling either. That's awesome, Daniel is old. haha dont tell him I said that. Im glad he is liking his Job. I dont think there really is a secret to cooking the steaks other than this, watch them carefully and dont overcook them. Rare is the best. You're welcome for the letter. Thats good to hear that you are having a good time teaching. I got you a Mother's Day Card, Hopefully it will make it over b4 mothersday! I hope you have a wonderful Mother's day Mom. Cause you are the best. I remember you wrote to me in a letter, or was it a card?, when I was in the mtc I read it. And i remember you said you Hope I realize the love the lord has for me, and you said it is important that I develop my own relationship with him. And that brings me to me next topic. we had Zone Conference last friday and it was absolutely phenonomal. President Christison is so awesome. I have only known him for a few months, and Ive only seen and talked to him a couple of times but I love him a lot. And I am going to miss him when he is released and we get a new mission president. But the Highlight of Zone Conference was a Silent lesson we had. We all came to the chapel completely quietly with no one talking. And we were instructed from slides on a projector about what we needed to do. The hole thing was all about helping us develop our own personal relationship with the savior and feel his love. It was so amazing. I felt His Love For me more than I ever have b4. It was so beautiful. And I have developed my own relation ship with him. I know Christ and Heavenly Father care about me very very much, and Know me better than I even know myself. I will write more about it in my next letter but it was so wonderful. I know that there is no greater thing, nor more joyful thing I could be doing with my life right now, than serving the Lord.
I too have memorized a few songs. Songs truly do have a great power of inviting the spirit. I think My favorite song, or atleast one of them, I have a lot, that invites the spirit is the Words of Joseph Smith's First Prayer, to the melody of Come Thou Fount(which isnt in the hymnbook). But It has to be sung well, if it sounds bad it wont have the same effect.

April 21, 2010

I finally got the package you sent me! Thank you so much! I am thouroughly enjoying the magoes. They are delicious, and thanx for all the candy, i was expecting a bunch of candy haha. And thanx for the Brownies. I also Got your letters, I have been writing another letter to send you, but I was not able to finish it last pday, there was just a bunch of stuff i want to write about. But i am for sure going to finish it today and send it! Thanx, Fruita is awesome! Very loving and kind members, and a lot of the ppl hear are very friendly and easy to talk to. Elder Rambo got one of his teeth replaced yesterday. They were suposed to put both of his Vineers on, but there was a defect in one of them, so he is getting the other one today. And this week is transfer week. And we are having pday one day early than usual because transferday is on wednesday instead of thursday like they usually are. They are doing this because one of the sister missionaries is going Home and she had to leave a day early for some reason or other. But I found out yesterday whether or not i was getting transferred...............(

Drum roll)..... haha President Christison called Elder Rambo and told him he was going to be the new district leader here in Fruita next transfer........ And that I wasnt going to be transferred. So I we are both staying here for another transfer. there was a chili cookoff put on by first ward the weekend b4 last, and an auction of deserts. The funds raised were for the young women to go to girls camp. And some members decided to buy us Cheese Cake! haha it was good. Cherry Cheescake. Oh we4 had an awesome teaching experience last noght. I will tell you about it More in the letter. But it is a part Member family. And everyone prayed to find out whether or not the book of Mormon was true and whether or not Joseph Smith was a prophet, and they all got a yes. It was awesome. I will tell you about it more in the next letter. But i gotta go type a letter to President Christison now. So i gotta go

April 7, 2010

Im doing good. Wednesdays are my pdays, so u were a day early but it worked haha. This weeks has been pretty good. Last week on thursday we went on splits with the Zone Leaders and it was a pretty good experience. General Conference was awesoome!!!!!!!!! Holy cow!!!!! I don't know why it was so Amazing to me, I think when you are a missionary you pay more attention and it seems better. And hopefully you are more intune with the spirit when you are a missionary haha Im pretty sure that is it too. But Wow Thomas S. Monson said in Priesthood Session that it was the best priesthood session that he has been in. Now that is saying something haha. We also got like three new investigators past couple of days! HOORAY! Thats good Dad took care of the Computer. Yeah we had an Easter dinner. The members are really nice here in Fruita, we are fed at a members home almost every night. Ok kool Thanx for sending me a package! I am looking forward to the letter. I got your letter last week and I really appreciate it. I also got a letter from Grandpa and Hannah and Shane. I heard there was a 7.0 earthquake down in southern california sunday night tho. Im guessing everyone is ok?!?!?!?!?! cause you didnt mention anything about it. I hope everyone is ok. Really Hannah is coiming over just for the weekend? wow, that is cool. Hope you have a good visit.

March 31, 2010

It truly is incredible being a missionary. But really the real teacher is the Holy Ghost, thats who converts and baptises, we are just tools in this marvelous work. I got the email from greg, and it is too long! I dont have enough time to read it all haha, I dont see how he has that much time to email. I guess he just types really really fast. Cause i know i dont type that fast at all really. Thank you so much mom! it was great to hear from you. And i really appreciate you praying for me. I am so glad Im out here. It is so amazing. I also thnk its really cool that you are teaching and studying from out of Preach My Gospel, that book is such an important and helpful tool. I dont remember which Apostle saiod this but they said Preach My Gospel was prepared b4 the foundations of the world. But it has just now been brought forth. I think they had to wait for the worjk to have better missionaries. It is written by the first presidency and the apostles of the church so it really is scripture. Thank you Mom for everything, I love you! Take care!

-Elder Sherman

p.s. I really miss those dried Mangoes you used to buy me from Costco. There is no Costco in Colorado, except for maybe in Denver. :-( haha

March 25, 2010

Likewise it is good to hear fro you as well. Hooray, I havent gotten any letters here yet haha so it will be nice to get some now. Sorri i havent written a letter yet, I did start one last week, but i havent had time to finish it yet. We've been pretty busy and dont really have that much time to write. Yes I smiled haha I was happy to be there. President Christison is so awesome, he is very inspired. I feel very privelaged and blessed to have him as my mission president even if it is just until this summer when we get a new one. there was a little snow in denver not a lot when i got there. But Fruita is a really small town, I think the population is about ten thousand, and its actually a ways away from denver, it is close to the utah border, and its in a valley surrounded by mountains. but its like a thousand feet or so lower in elevation than denver is. Apparently Provo is only like a three hour drive away or something like that haha. But yeah we tract a lot of houses mostly, there are a few apartments, but it really like 98% houses. We actually cover two wards, Fruita First and Third, and there are four wards in this small town haha, its really cool to see how many members there are tho in such a small town. Sounds like u had a pretty full weekend. How did the tiling go? And bytheway Im really sorry I didnt clean my room up all the way b4 I left, but i really appreciate you cleaning it up the rest of the way. THANK YOU! Did u find any of those little plastic inserts that go in the collars of my shirts? cause i only have four, and two of them are bent so i really only use two of them. If u found some please mail them to me, thank you, also I need my dmv driving record if I am to have driving privelages later on during my mission, but right now, the area we cover doesnt have a car for the missionaries, so we just ride bikes or walk everywhere. Yes Its Elder Rambo, and Elder Shwarzenegger haha but no Chuck norris Jokes are always appropriate haha no im just kidding. Hey I got a letter from Hannah about her getting a job offer, that is really cool. How did the interview go for Daniel in Corvallis tho? You should tell daniel to write me please! and a normal letter, because i have even less time to email then write other letters. Yeah I know that scripture, and I fasted last sunday that we might be able to reach our goal that we have for investigators to have six baptisms by next transfer, and we have seceral investigators so it is a very possible goal, but they need to feel the holy Ghost and have a desire to be baptized, but they also need to come to church atleast twice b4 they are baptized, and they seem to have a little trouble coming so far. But we have taught a few this past week. Last thursday was awesome. We were going to teach an investigator named Micky, she is like in her late 30's or early 40's and her busband was going to be at work so we bneeded a member to come with us, and We got sister Hanson to come after Elder Rambo accidently called her instead of another sister he was trying to call but she came with us. And Her and Micky became like instantly friends it was really cool, and Sister Hanson shared her testimony with her about the plan of salvation and it was really cool. Micky had prayed about the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and she said she felt the Holy Ghost. She also told us how she had been doing family history research and was finding out that like all her family was Mormon accept for her and she was wondering why she wasnt Mormon, and she saw the Missionaries walking one day and she wanted to come and ask questions, but she decided she would just pray that The missionaries would come to her house, and a couple days later they did. And It was really awesome to be apart of this, I really felt the spirit when we taught her, and she is really interested, it is so cool, It felt so amazing, I love this work! It is Marvelous. The next challenge tho will be getting her Husband and her Fifteen year old son to hear the gospel. Thank you so much for your support!

March 17, 2010

wow I havent been able to check email for two weeks, sorry I couldn't respond sooner, this is the first pday i've had in two weeks so yeah. Sounds like you had a really good time down in California. that is awesome, I'm glad you had safe flights. How is everyone doing down there? like the Monroes? How is Greg doing? Also I hope you didnt have to deal with bronchitis very long, I remember you said you had it in the letter you sent me. That is a little irronic that I just got the vaccine for bronchitis not that long ago. I'm sorry you caught it tho. I hope you are feeling muh better now. Yeah the Sandiego temple is pretty awesome. And yes I did get to go to the provo temple while in the mtc, twice, its pretty nice. I dont think it is as beautiful as the Portland temple tho. I still think that one is my favorite. And yes the Denver temple is in our Mission but missionaries in the metro area only get to go there. Which bytheway let me tell you about my first area. First we met President Chrisison at the airport along with his wife and the assistant elders. THE DENVER AIRPORT IS HUGE!!!! it only like five years old or something, its really big. and then from there we went to the temple for pictures with President. We took them inside the distrubution center cause that was were that statue is that u will see in the picture that they should've already sent to you. But that was all we got to see of the denver temple. Its kind of simple on the outside, just has one spire with Moroni on top. but then after that the rest of the day was a bunch of orientation and we all went to the Tufts building or the mission office for that. That was a lot of information and sitting down. and we did that all afternoon, then in the evening we all went to The Mission home for dinner and that is were we slept. The next day early in the morning we had a transfer meeting were I found out that out of the eight elders that came in I was the only one being transferred out west. My first area is in this small town called fruita. And it was like a 5 and a half hours of driving but i got to see a lot of the mountains which was cool. My Trainers Name is Elder Rambo haha yeah, but he is a really good Elder and i feel like i am learning a lot from him. We do lots of tracting. And we hardly ever gat any referrals from members. which is not what they said it would be like in the Mtc -_- haha oh well. Looks like i am suposed to get a bike today. I really appreciate the money for buying a bike, and I am going to try and get one for as a cheap as i can. But i gotta go, please write me!