Becoming a Trainer -

 

     

Dear Family,

 

 Elder Ericson and Elder Shoemaker are doing great in Stephenville. I am super excited for general Conference. We actually talked with a part member couple about how she can know the prophets are really prophets. We invited her and her husband to conference so she can find out for her self and focused on the Book of Mormon too to help her know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. This past week we only had 17 lessons which was discouraging. We are working to to meet the standards of excellence set for us to have at least 20 lessons or more. I personally am beginning to study the doctrine of Christ and how I can continually live it in my life so I can better help the investigators in the Stephenville area. With recent converts we are having them go on exchanges with us so they can see how much their testimony can help others grow. It is really amazing to hear their sincere testimony and how powerfully simple testimony can be.

 

     This past week has been pretty tough with lessons and we have been on bikes a lot. I am super excited though. We are teaching an investigator and his name is Mario. He is a super awesome guy.  He is so ready for baptism and is ready to accept what the Lord has for him.  He committed to live the law of chastity, and understood why he should be married and the lesson just turned out great.

 

     HAHAHA!  I found out on Saturday that I get to TRAIN A NEW MISSIONARY! The Lord and Mission President have entrusted me to train. It is so weird, I have been out only three months and am going to train. Oh my goodness!   It so crazy I have been out more than three months.  Now it feels like it has gone by so fast already but I still feel new! Anyways that means that Elder Ericson will transfer out and I will train in Stephenville. Elder Ericson is going to Arlington and will be the District Leader there and will actually be companions with another Elder Erickson (one of the missionaries that came out with me) I have been laughing at Elder Ericson all day about having a companion with the same name. So... that's the news for this week.  I will sends some pics.  I hope y'all enjoy them.

 

Love,

Your favorite Shoemaker Missionary  in Texas 

Elder Shoemaker.

 

First Baptism

Howdy familia,

Those track pics look awesome.  You're going to State Justin. That sounds awesome to get into Preach my Gospel for your morning family devotionals.  I know it will help in y'alls life and really help to prepare Justin for his mission. 

This past week was awesome and also pretty hard.  We had a lot of punched appointments.  We are setting more solid appointments to help keep that from happening. We had two baptisms on Saturday it was so awesome. I had the opportunity to perform the baptisms - my first ever.  It was a great spiritual experience and I am so happy to see the changes they have made in their lives. 

The first was Daniel.  He had been being visited by the missionaries for 3 years and just never really progressed.  We promised him when he came to church he would get his answer.  So about a month ago he finally came for the first time since the missionaries began teaching him, and  two lessons later,  he held up the BOM and said "IT'S TRUE!" It was so awesome.  He was baptized on Saturday along with Jules.  He was a street contact that just met with us and read the BOM and knew it was true. He has totally turned his life around and is doing awesome. It was a great spiritual experience and I was so happy to perform the baptism. 

Elder Ericson and I are wrapping up the 12 week program and getting me ready to either train or get out and continue working. I really love the 12 week program it has really helped me to work better as a missionary and I know it is inspired of our Heavenly Father. 

In preparation for baptisms, we are working to have support for  investigators from the ward, family or both. We know it will make the conversion process better and help converts stay active! 

Studies are going awesome.  I am getting in the Book of Mormon so much - I love it and sometimes do not want to stop reading. I am super excited for this week and am wanting to finish strong with Elder Ericson (he might be leaving this transfer?) 

We had a Zone Preparation day activity yesterday and got back late.  I will try to write more next week and I will definitely send pics!

Love Elder Nathan Shoemaker

p.s. Mom you will have to knock those missionaries into shape and tell them to have manners -ha ha.

Love Conference - March12, 2012

Dear everyone,

 

Today will be kind of short as I also have to write to President and the library is closing soon because of spring break.

 

Anyways,  it seems like eveyone is doing awsome and feeling a lot better.  The flu is going around down here but as missionaries we are immune.   haha! Just kidding. This week has been super awesome but also really hard.  We have tried to relax a little and relieve stress, so we went and played basketball with some kids from the ward since they are on spring break. We also had Stake Conference this weekend it was awsome and I am super excited for General Conference.  It is like Christmas for missionaries for some because they can sleep,  but I am excited and have learned that I really love Conference.   At Stake Conference,  we got to hear from Elder Lynn G. Robbins.  He is a great speaker and spoke amazingly.  The spirit was super strong there and I learned quite a bit.  It was also really cool to hear Grandma's and Grandpa's conversion story. We have been pretty busy and have a pretty big week ahead of us. Ii love all of you and hope that Justin is not sick.

Love Elder Shoemaker

Let me shine those shoes for you...

Dear Familia,

       Another great week in Stephenville. This past week we worked a lot on finding new people and working to have new investigators. With those that we have begun teaching we are helping them to progress towards baptism by helping them understand the importance that they can only get their answer from God. With investigators with baptismal dates we are helping them get more from reading and helping them apply themselves in it. Daniel, one of the investigators we are teaching this past week, told us he wanted to finish the BOM by his baptism on the 17th.  He is reading so much each day and learning so much. Oh my goodness!  The other day we taught the plan of salvation to the most interesting guy ever and it will probably be one of the best lessons ever. He is this college aged kid and is a super proper guy.  He basically came to our appointment wanting to be baptized. We taught him  and he loved the plan of salvation. He described the fall perfectly. He told us how without the fall there would be no reason for Christ.  That is something that not a lot of people understand and was so awesome to see how much he knows that the Savior is important. The lesson we had with him I cannot describe in writing but it was an amazing lesson and I will probably never have a lesson like it again. In working with our recent converts we actually met at the church with Zach today for a little today and practiced singing hymns so he could sing them at church.  We are also going to meet with him this week to show him how to pass the sacrament. My studies this week were so amazing 

Elder Ericson has really helped me to dig deep and rely on the spirit. I had a great opportunity this week when Elder Ericson told me to come up with our commitment for and investigator. I hated it so much at first but I studied and prayed and prayed and knew exactly what i should commit that investigator to. I have also had the great opportunity to work on clarification in teaching (which Elder Ericson told me to work on). I studied the definitions at the back of the lessons which really helped me to teach clearer and define those words that are so common to me that others may not understand.

      Elder Ericson and I are still working on becoming  a Zion companionship. We have started to make each others meals and we are not allowed to iron our own shirts, shine our own shoes, wash our own dishes, or fold our own laundry. It helps us to love each other more. We also are not opening mail until P day so we can focus more on missionary work. It makes P-day kind of like Christmas - ha, ha. Lastly,  we do not say anything is MINE because it is all the Lord's, and sharing allows us to be more like a Zion people. These things have payed off so well and we can notice a difference. 

    That hike sounds awesome dad we will definitely have to go hike there when I get home and mess around on the sand dunes and we will make sure Justin is there too. I loved the package.  It was really like Christmas opening it. I am wearing the tie now I love ties so much it gives such a variety.  I think I am at 25 ties now and still counting. Y'all can inform  people to not send me candy because I gave it up to help support an investigator in giving up smoking. The women's retreat business card is a great idea Mom. Hey and shout out to Justin   - I want you to take the opportunity to go out with the missionaries as much as you can and don't let things get in the way of doing that,  like girls or other things. It will prepare you so much and you could surprise the missionaries by memorizing the first vision. I am just recommending this, but Preach My Gospel is not just for missionaries, but is for members - especially ch 6.  I would recommend Mom, Dad and Justin to start doing FHE with Preach my Gospel. I love all of you and yes that includes you too Justin. I hope y'all have a great productive week.

Love Elder Shoemaker.

Bear Testimony - February 27th, 2012

Dear to everyone,

     This week was so amazing.  We had a lot of meetings but it worked out that we had more lessons this week than last. The week ended so great with Zone conference that was so spiritually uplifting and really helped me to break out of that shell haha. We also had a baptism that night too making it a great day. I had the wonderful opportunity to confirm Kellie McCormick in church. It was my first ever and I love using the priesthood to bless others lives. We also had a great spiritual lesson with an investigator with a set baptismal date and I bore my testimony at the end crying and made the spirit stronger which was already present because we were able to meet in a members home and have a spiritually guided lesson.
   This week in studying, I practiced with a personal study in preach my gospel helping me to bear my testimony stronger. It has really helped when testifying and showing the sincerity. Also,  in practicing the companion study box on pg 159,  I have realized by preparing a short one minute contact helps me when talking with people to get straight to the restoration, making the contact more effective.

   In preparing our investigators for baptism we are really helping them focus on the analogy from Alma 32 by having the seed grow within them showing them that what we teach is true. We also use action plans to help them prepare for baptismal dates. It is so awesome to see how this helps investigators and we are working on making it more effective. 

   Elder Ericson and I are working on becoming a Zion companionship like we learned in zone conference helping to contribute to a Zion district, zone, and mission. I love the BMW (best mission in the world)

   Yes Elder Ericson is still my companion. He will probably be until the end of March. There are a lot of small towns but we only work in Stephenville and Dublin. My allergies are acting up pretty bad.  I am out of Flonase but I am  doing great with the fact that the weather down here is hot one day, cold the next, rainy then humid, and then cold some more. I did get the garments.  I was so happy when I got them, it was so funny.  Thank y'all so much and they are perfect. I managed to fix my bike with some super glue, tape and part of a hanger and I would easily put a 2 year warranty on it.  haha. We had another meal this past week that I was craving from home- Enchiladas. There is nothing I can think of that I need besides Flonase. To answer the question of how I am doing. I am great!  This past week was awesome with the Zone Conference and baptism.  

   It sounds like yall are staying busy at home. The CEFY sounds like it will be great of course.  I would not be surprised based on who's in charge. Personally I don't mind Justin if you are in my room.  Which ever you would like would be cool and it would be awesome to have the BYU people over. I am sorry if I have repeated anything over the past weeks.  They just kind of blend together and when I write, I try to get as much as possible in. Sorry to hear about the Forte try-outs thing,  and it would be awesome if you could work for Brother Sullivan Justin.

    Anyways Fast Sunday is coming up and I would encourage you if y'all feel impressed to bear your testimony and when you do, like I was kind of saying about when bearing mine this past week, when you say something like "I know the Book of Mormon is true" - expound on what you mean. I willl say goodbye with a short example.

Love Elder Shoemaker

    "I know that the Book of Mormon is true because I have done what I need to say that. I have prayed sincerely with real intent and faith in Christ and the Holy Ghost  has made manifest to me of it truthfulness. I also know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church, again established on the earth by using Moroni's promise, because the Holy Ghost can tell us the truth of all things. In the name on Jesus Christ.  Amen."

The missing letter from January 17th, 2012

I am just going to write one lettter to y'all instead of replying to two emails.

 

Dear family,

 

      I am so excited to hear about Chels and Spence.  That is awesome!   I know they will both do amazing with their studies and be great medical workers. I think we did get that storm with all of the red you were talking about.  It was windy and rainy for about two days.  It is good we have a car to stay out of it and very blessed and also blessed becaues my grip shift for my rear gears broke during shipment,  and makes it hard to ride. I will probably just work with it and build my leg muscles and fix my bike when I get to another area that has a bike shop that is inside my area.  Stephenville is kind of rural and does not have a bike shop. My ward is awesome.  It is small and I get to pass sacrament in the Spanish sacrament meeting. The bisop and the ward members are awesome.  We are trying to teach in members homes because it helps investigators to hear members testimonies. Y'all should go to the missionaries and say our home is open for helping them do that. It would really suprise them and they will appreciate it a lot. If I have anything to say to the kids that are about to get baptized it would be to find a way to remeber it because it is one of their first covenants with God and is the beginning of their eternal progression I have not done any baptisms yet but we have 6 lined up.  

 

     I am adapting, kind of, to living on my own.  The only thing that I really have to do is buy my own food. I do not really have time to worry about too much other stuff than missionary work. I have to get going we have to write really quick today because MLK day was yesterday for preperation day and we could not get in the library. Here is my weekly scripture. It is in Moroni 7:45-48 it talks about charity and in the end it tells us to pray for charity.  It will help you to love everyone because they are our brothers and sisters and want to share the gosple with them. Again I encourage all yalls to get into Preach my Gospel.  Ch. 4 is amazing and just studying it will help to not be afraid to share the gospel. I will send pictures on Monday.  I found my computer  camera cord!

 

 

Love yall,

 

Elder Shoemaker.

100% Missionary - February 20th, 2012

Dear yall,

 

     Elder Shoemaker and Elder Ericson are doing great in Sstephenville. We are working so hard to be 100% obedient. We do really good on all of the rules and are working to manage our time better so we can say we are 100% obedient missionaries. I have already noticed the blessings from obedience but I want 100% so I can experience all of the blessings. I have had a great spiritual experience this whole week from my studies in the Book of Mormon I have really gotten into it and applied my life to it. I see myself waiting to read more. I can say as of 3 days ago that I love the book of mormon and that it is wothout a doubt my favorite book. Specifically I read in Jacob Ch 2: 9-10 in seeing how we are obligated to to teach people the commandments of the lord. Like Jacob it is hard to enlarge wounds or even wound people by teaching commandments, but "I must do according to the strict commands of God."

 

     We have done alot of teaching in Dublin this past week we have two baptismal dates set with investigators there and we are focusing on helping them and other investigators by continuing to read in the Book of Mormon. With our recent converts, we are teachin them the new member lessons and working to have them come out with the missionaries to share their simple but powerful testimonies. I know it will really help our investigators to progress towards baptism when they hear recent converts testimonies.

 

    There are added challenges with Elder Ercison being the district leader now but i know that they are to help me grow because I have to do some on the things that Elder Ericson used to do and work a lot harder. I am greatful for these challenges to help me prepare to be a better missionary. I am also glad to be driving not because of being able to drive but it is helping me know my area better so I will be prepared for when Elder Ericson is on exchanges or if I have the oppotunity to train. Hehe but it is cool that I get to drive a truck. I really love my area and love being a missionary.

 

     So to anwser some of Spencers questions haha by the way thank you so much for writing me Spence. Texas is doing great.  I have seen for myself what the wet side of Washington might look like. We had a huge rain storm the other day and we were out in it.  I was completely soaked but I was laughing the whole time because of how awsome it was. There were rivers running down the streets and we had to jump through a couple to get where we were going. Elder Ericson is doing great.  He is the district leader now so I do have some more responsibilities. He has been sick the past week but we still got out. He has only been out 3 months more than me. Our Mission President and wife are awesome.   They care about all of us and know just what to say. Our apartment is pretty nice and I have not seen any roaches in ours, but the sister missionaries had some in theirs. On preparation day we get alot of stuff done for the week.  We also work out extra and  I have been working on my dream house plan. We teach a lot  and we do not tract too much. Zach our recent convert has been super busy with his play at the university in town but he is planning on coming out with us next week. ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNND I like Nathan.  I do not know why but I just really like it now, I thought I hated it but who knows. haha. 

 

     Anyways this past week was just super busy and we're preparing an investigator for baptism on Friday.

 

Love Elder Shoemaker