May 21, 2012

Dear friends and family, This past week was a really hard a rough week. We had been teaching a lot of people the past couple of weeks and did not teach as much. We dropped a couple of investigators that have been hanging by threads this week. I am not going to say it feels good but we needed to do it so we can truly focus on those that are progressing and also working on finding new investigators. There is another new member this week in stephenville and we are super excited for him he was able to receive the priesthood right away because we have been working with him so much through the ward and the Bishop. We are also excited for the baptism of a 16 year old this Wednesday right after mutual as well. He has been fellowshipped amazingly and it will be a great turnout for the baptism with all of the youth and also the leaders that he will be associating with him as a member. We have been really pushing the ward to work with the investigators that we teach because it helps the transition better and also helps them to really stay active and feel welcome even when they may fall or relapse. That is one thing that I really love about this area -the members are so good at helping and especially the Bishop. It allows us to teach more member present lessons and really helps the work to progress in this area. We are helping the recent converts to understand the importance of the holy ghost and if they do not continue to be faithfull members they will not have that companionship to help lead and guide them throughout their lives. Just recently me and elder payne have revamped our studies and they are proving to be way more effective. We have already noticed how well it is helping us to teach in unity and also is contributing to us being able to be more obedient. It sounds like Sunday was amazing. I love the cookie story. I think gossip is on of the main tools that satan uses to work againts good. It tears wards apart. The Stephenville ward has problems with gossip too. A lot of members get offended to the point of not even returning. It is sad to see how it effects the church. We just need to do what President Uctdorf said to do. "STOP IT" haha it is really the only thing that is going to work. One awesome scripture is D&C 64: 9-11 that may helps those who have been offended. It is also cool to look at the numbers in there it was givin on september 11 and it is on page 119 and also verses 9-11. It just screams 9-1-1. I hope that makes sense. That is awesome to hear about bro Yearselys story and also I love the fact of the topic of journals. They are not used enough. I wish I would have understood that sooner. I hope you can get on a bike ride today dad. Me and elder payne might try a mile run today and see how fast we can do it. Haha I am not gonna lie, I am getting pretty good at requetball and might give you a challenge dad. Haha. The temple trip sounds like it was awesome the 16 year old that is getting baptized his name is Jeremy. He might be able to go to the ssephenville wards youth baptism trip on the 9th of june. I am so excited for him he is so awesome and has an amazing testimony. I love seeing how the gospel can change lives and it really helps my testimony to grow. I hope you all have an amazing day. Love, Elder Shoemaker