Found a new investigator...

Hey Momma!

So things went alright this week, we had an actual good conversation with a JW, that never happens!  Learned a lot about their faith and it is the closest thing to being a Mormon without being a Mormon that I've seen in all the religions out here.  We found a great new investigator, james oxen dine, he had really good question and who qualifies a s a king and ruler as mentioned in D&C 1:23.  But, the biggest struggle we face here is getting the second appointment to not fall through.

I will be mailing my back pack back and also the Christmas hearts will be inside it (the tree was killed in action).  Hope all goes well, and as far as the package, hmmmmm, surprise me, it's always better that way!

Roaches...

Tell me about your week:
It was good we were able to get out and do some good work, and find a lot of people, it is hard finding people who are willing to keep commitments, that's one of the problems with this area; people aren't willing to keep commitments, that tends to go in hand with the poverty around us.

Did the bug bomb work?
Yes, but we still have traps up and everything, they're not totally gone but the vast majority are.

How about some roach stories:
Roaches, hundreds of them.  Took forever to finally get them taken care of.  They were a wonderful present Elder Tyler and I received from the previous missionaries.  You know, we torched some of them with hair spray and a lighter.

Did you get your shoulder bag?
The bag is great!  Thanks

Do you have everything you need?
Yep

How often are the member feeding you?
Once every other week or so.  It's been brought up to the ward multiple times.

How are your stress levels?
Fine

Bug Bombs...

Hey our week was pretty good, we bug bombed our apartment with foggers to get rid of all the roaches, we were able to find some good people this week as well.  The biggest problem we are facing is that God doesn't really trust the ward right now.  This area has had lots of baptisms in the past but all of them are less active now because nobody does their home teaching.  It's her to find people when the ward won't do their part with retention and home teaching.  The biggest thing we have been working on is building the ward.  We lost our ward mission leader a little bit ago so we had to get the Bishop on board to get a new one; we finally got one.  we are plugging along here.  Here are some pictures, I'm trying to repent of the not sending pictures thing!

Love Y'all

Elder Bush and Elder Shields

Bug Bombs!!!

Things you learn in primary...

Hey!

Luckily kids are more durable than they seem, haha.  The parents here must whoop their kids, we were at a member dinner and I asked one of the kids what he learned in primary and he said, "I learned our parents don't whoop us for no reason." Haha, that was funny!

With my mission, we find a descent amount of people, but it's real tough to get anyone to progress, so I will keep you posted on those as they progress.  I miss all of you as well, to be honest, I've missed home more this past month than any other time on my mission.  I love y'all!

Love,
Elder Shields

Introducing Elder Bush...

Tell us about your new companionship and how it is going:
Good, Elder Bush and i get along alright and he's a hard worker so we will get some good things done.

Where is Elder Bush from?
Magna, Utah

What does he like to do?
His words, bum around, work on his truck, and unlock cars with coat hangers.

How is the work going in Pembroke?
Good, we found a lot of new investigators this week that we will be seeing again, we just have to help the ward step it up and be better with fellowshipping and retention.

Did you get the Valentine Pizza?
Yes

Investigator/Finding:  Anthony is doing alright, KJ is well, we see him this Thursday, Gator (William) is a cool guy and we see him again today, Ronnie came to the door with a gun, but we chatted for a bit and we will be seeing him later today.

Funny Story:
Nothing to funny, just lots of hard work.

Is your suit going to make it?
So far, yes

Is there anything you need?
Nope

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Did your district get changed up much?
Yes, Laurinburg got whit washed and a new Sister so Sister Olson and I are the only veterans.

How do you like not being a trainer?
I love training, but it is so good to be with another veteran

What are your thoughts about being a missionary?
I love being a missionary.

Transfer News...

Transfer news!?
So I will be staying and Elder Tyler will be leaving.

Do you know anything about your new comp?
Elder Bush is a missionary that I came out with, and i will be grooming him to be a District Leader here.

Investigator/Finding update:
We found Anthony the cigarette guy, and another college kid.  Most people dropped us this week, good ole anti info from preachers is a doozy.

Funny Story:
We taught a man who rolled cigarettes with the pages of a JW Bible, sweet justice.

Scripture:
1 Nephi 2:16

Another week in Pembroke...

Hey Mom,

The pants fit great, and we won't know any transfer news until Saturday or Sunday.  Things are still fine with Elder Tyler.  Robert and Jasmine were out of town this week so we will be seeing them next weekend.  Finding was tougher this week, but we were able to find a few more kids at the college, Dennis and Demarco, also a single mother named Shannon.   I think the thing I have learned the most while living in Pembroke is patience.

Elder Shields