Transferring to Parkville, MO

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson

Welp, transfer week is here!  I got a call today and will be being transferred to Parkville, MO... Wherever that is haha!  I'm ready to leave this area, but I love it so much!  I'll be transferring this Thursday and my new comp is Elder Jones and I'll be a district leader too.  'Bout all I know about that.

David was ordained a Priest at church on Sunday.  That was so cool!  He didn't even tell us he was meeting with the bishop or anything.  We asked him why and he said it was because he thought he had to keep it a secret. haha!  Merrill, the one who baptized him, did the ordination.

Jdubs... (Jehova Witnesses)  They are swarming around here like flies it seems sometimes.  Saturday morning we were sitting in our apartment in our service clothes getting ready to leave for service when we heard a knock on our door.  We go and answer it and its jdubs!  We didn't have our nametags on as we were still getting ready for the day so they didn't know we were missionaries.  haha!  They gave us their little spiel and asked us what we believed.  WE told them we were missionaries and they continued to degrade our religion.  We bore testimony and taught the restoration in 5 minutes and introduced the BOM.  They ended up walking away with a BOM in their hands and I know the spirit touched their hearts.  Pretty sweet experience to do missionary work.

I did get the package and I really appreciate it!  It was perfect and you always send the best stuff!  They know me around the office because I get so much mail from everyone!  It like Christmas every time you get mail.   Also tell G&G Shoemaker that I've been receiving their letters and packages too...please tell them how much I appreciate them. 

The Cabin looks amazing!  So much nicer than it used to be.  The Walker touch is really what it needed.  Excited to hear that renters are coming in here soon.  

My little though for the week comes from Mark 8:34 and Matthew 16:24.  It talks about taking up your cross and following "Him."  In Mark we read that and so as I read I was wondering, what is our cross??  So if we jump over to Matthew we see in the JST that it is to deny all ungodliness, every worldly lust, and keep the commandments.  So I challenge everyone to figure out what is holding them back, or in other words, what is your favorite sin?  Get rid of it and come unto Christ.  Instead of asking, "Lord, is it I?"  ask,  "Lord, is it this?"  Is this what I need to get rid of in my life to come closer?  I know that as we all strive to come closer to Christ he will bless us immensely in all aspects of our life. 

Love you all!

Elder Shoemaker

Tracting, Tracting and more Tracting

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson


Heya Parents! 

Glad to hear that Zac is getting comfortable and situated at home.  Sounds like he is a whole new man.  Can't wait to see how he has let the Lord change his life.  :)  I heard Boston is the cutest baby there ever was??  Doesn't surprise me, he's pretty cool.

 

Wow!  Going big with the 2015!  I never thought I would see the day when my parents bought a brand new car... 

 

Katherine Hanks and Tyler Orr???  Wow!  Good for them!

 

Sad to hear about Treavor's job.  Especially since he just moved out into his own apartment.  He will find something soon.  Hopefully Tanner will too!!

 

I'm sure you will know what to speak on in Stake Conference here pretty soon.  Whenever I'm in a situation that I don't know what to say or do I always think of the scriptures, D & C 84:85 and D & C 11:21.

 

Well, This week has been a long week.  Slow with the work and we basically have 1 investigator right now.  Which makes it tough!  We have been in finding mode for about 3 weeks straight with what seems to no avail.  Every day all day is finding!  Never tracted so much!  We ended up at an apartment complex that we had partially tracted out and we decided to go back to a potential we had tracted into maybe 6 weeks ago.  He is an atheist and won't budge at all, but we were determined!  We went in and he started going off again so I told him we weren't going to do that again (this is the guy I told to put his laptop away)!  So I pulled out the scriptures and read parts of the story in Alma 30 about Korihor (anti-Christ) and Alma.  Well, it didn't end up how I wanted it too.... haha!  He asked me why he didn't get a sign like Korihor!  I asked him why he would want a sign after reading about how he was struck dumb!  This guy doesn't make much sense to me at all.  We decided to let some other missionaries try him when we aren't in the area. haha!  But, before we walked out on him again, we committed him to read 10 minutes out of the Book of Mormon! 

 

This past week and this week we are supposed to have the car, but about 3 weeks ago the elders that we share the car with wrecked it!  So we have been on foot and bikes for two weeks, which makes it hard because out area is so big!  But, we got word we would be getting a car today!  Yippee!! 

 

That's basically the week! 

 

Love you all so much!

Elder Shoemaker

David was Baptized!!

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson

David was baptized this last Saturday!  What an amazing experience it has been to see his life change and the life of his close relatives change as well.  What an amazing experience it has been to be apart of someone else's conversion and help them change their life.  Confirming him was an amazing experience as well.  I was nervous as expected haha.  But as I began, my mouth was filled with the words and it felt like I was the only one there.  I'm very grateful for that opportunity! 

 

 Thank you for forwarding me that email from the Hawkin's family.  Did they call you??  They are an amazing family as they picked up just what would fit in their van with their 9 kids and moved here from Utah.  With almost nothing.  They said they were called here by the Lord and I have no doubt they were.  They have done so much good for this ward and those investigating the church.  Such an amazing family!  

 

Our mission has just changed so much!  They are calling the younger missionaries to the leadership positions because of the many changes, they are trying to cycle out the old rules basically. 

 

So who is this girl that Tanner is a courtin'??? I'll continue to pray for his employment as well. 

 

It was so great to see Zac made it home safely and had a great welcome party to join him.  He looks so happy and well.  I expect Josh, Treavor, Tanner, and Zac are going to have some get togethers here soon and catch up on movies and games. haha! 

 

Awesome news about Shannon!  Good for her!  I knew she wasn't sure if she would serve or not, happy she chose to!

 

The cabin is looking amazing!  Glad to see you made it to church. :)  Hows the Liberty ward over there in Idaho??  

 

What??  A new car?? !  I knew it was going to happen sooner or later.  So Tanner gets the mommy mobile!

 

Other than David's baptism, nothing else happened much this week.  That consumed a good chunk of it.  As it should!  

 

Love you all so much!

Elder Shoemaker

 

PS:  Elder Tuakalau was able to come down and see Davids baptism.  So great to see him!  

 

 

It can't be compared to anything!

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson

Welp, dee doop!

That about how much my brain has been working these past two days...  I feel like I have the brain of Patrick Star from Spongbob right now.  haha!  There has been a lot of things that we have changed as a companionship and as a mission that have made my brain mush!  But, all is well and P-day seems to come at always the most perfect time.  

Hope all is well for Tanner and hope he gets the job at Lee's!  Hopefully I didn't scar the family name over there...  Sorry!  Haha!

Glad to hear that the family is starting to read the scriptures again!  They are amazing!  

Hows Josh doing??  I haven't herd much about him or what he is doing or his plans?  Is he going to the singles ward?  School?  Girlfriend?? Marriage? :O 

I bet the family is just bustling with joy having two missionaries come home in the same month!  Excited to see pictures!!

Glad to hear that Treavor moved out!  That will be good for him and his family.  

As far as letters, I get Emily's every week by email so no worries there.  But the others would be great!  Thanks so much Mom! 

Just stick it out with "the crackin"! {new puppy Tuna}  She will calm down sooner or later... Sounds like later but that ok!

There is a brother in our ward and we have been going over to his house about two nights a week.  He is amazing and knows so much about the gospel.  His specialty is in Book of Mormon geography.  He has gone through the whole book and mapped everything out down to the T!  He shows us his maps and his studies and every time I go over there  I seem to gain twice as much knowledge that I used to have.  He is writing a bunch of books by hand.  Pretty sweet!

The highlight of this week would have to have been seeing David at church again!  It never gets old!  He is still on track to be baptized this Saturday.  A member will be baptizing him and he asked me to confirm him in sacrament meeting the next day.  This is so cool to see it all come together and how much he has grown.  Being apart of someone else's conversion is like nothing else I have ever done.  It can't be compared to anything.

Have a great week! 

Love you all so much!

Elder Shoemaker

Becoming A Consecrated Missionary

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson

It's weird to see Tanner back home...  Just missed him by five months!  haha  The pictures were great!  Tanner look so happy and like the same old Tanner.  That's pretty sweet that he's playing the uke now!  Bad news... President Vest just banned all musical instruments in missionary apartments :(  That was a sad day to turn in my uke to the mission office for the next year and a half.  That was really my stress relief and the end of the day, so now I have to find something else to do.  Blegh!  It's a bummer.  

 

I didn't know Amy was coming up!  That's pretty nice of her.

 

Boy, I can see how that last meeting went with President Walker.  That's pretty nice of Tanner to let you take off his name badge.  That is going to be a hard day for me, I just love it so much out here!  I don't even really remember what I used to do all the time.  I really just wasted a lot of it.  There is definitely a lot more to life!  

 

The weather has been weird over here!  It's been in the 50's and 60's the past week!  Don't get it...

 

So last week I guess David Archeleta walked into the Independence Visitors Center!  He got a tour by I'm sure all the sister missionaries as they were probably flocking over him. haha!

 

Exciting news!   David is on date to be baptized on the 31st of January!  It was so cool, after we took him to Meet the Mormons we met with him two days later with plans to reteach word of wisdom with hopes that he would now have a new light of things.  When we got there he told us that he was done smoking and drinking coffee!  A true miracle and answer to many prayers.  So excited for this man who has been investigating the church for over a year. 

 

We had an amazing zone training this week.  President has really been stressing becoming a consecrated missionary and how that changes our nature and not just the behavior.  If we change our nature our outlook on things will change.  I'm trying to understand why we can't have musical instruments because that was hard for me, but I've come to the conclusion that it will make me a more consecrated missionary.  Maybe it's time for me to develop my talents in another area.  

 

There is a less active we are working with named Jordan.  The story behind finding his is amazing!  So, we were tracting these apartments and came to his door.  He told us he was a member and that we were welcome back anytime but now wasn't a good time.  Jordan ends us telling us the next time we meet with him that the night before we tracted into him he was praying for a direction to go with his life because he was just going in circles.  Then, we showed up!  I know God puts us in the path of others for a reason and when we are in tune with the spirit we become instruments.  Such a great feeling to know God can trust me.  :) 

 

Thank you so much for the box!  Much Appreciated

 

Oh, by the way, I'm a killer at pool.  We played yesterday and I won 3 out of 4 games.  (pat on the back)  

 

Love you all so much!!!

Elder Shoemaker    

 

US -- At the visitors center!     

 

 

Staying in Independence South Zone....

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson

Howdy yall!  

Ma, that cabin is looking so good!  I feel like a cowboy just looking at the pictures. haha  Giddy up!

Well, I stayed in Independence South Zone!  In the 4th ward.  This place is really awesome, I think I'll survive another 6 weeks here. ;)  But two of my good friends that I made out here got transferred!  Elder Brinkerhoff and Elder Tippetts!  I actually graduated high school with Elder Tippetts!  We used to hang out when we were little, you might remember him or his name.  Cool kid!  We came out on the same day as well.

 I'm set on everything, no worries about me. {winter clothing}

This past week was kind of a weird week.  Tuesday we got a message from the AP's on our phone telling us to stay inside unless we had set appointments because we are on foot this week and they didn't want us to be out in the humid cold for extended periods of time.  Got a lot of reading done that day!  I actually enjoy reading now... I know your wondering if I really am saying that, but I do! 

Meet the Mormons is now in the visitors centers for 6 months which is sweet!  We took David, our investigator, to go and see it and he loved it so much.  He wanted to see it again.  It really made an impact on him.  We took a really cool member with us, Bro. Hawkins.  He is from Utah and has 9 kids!  Awesome family.  But David came to church this week!!!  So awesome and a huge step for him.  He said in church, "I know God is calling me to this church."  Whaaat?!  We are hoping to put him on date on Wednesday, we will see! 

This past Friday and Saturday we had team ups with the ward members all day.  From 12-9pm, it was pretty sweet.  We have a lot of new families to work with.

 

Well, last night we figured out why Dad always says no ball in the house......  I'll send a picture haha!! 

That about all that happened!  

Hope Tanner has a safe arrival and I want pictures!!

 

Love you all so much,

Elder Shoemaker  

WHOOPS!!!!!

 {Before}

WA LA!

 {After}

Elder Brinkerhoff's going away breakfast!  

Me, Elder Brinkerhoff, Elder Thompson, and Elder Vaniman 

Crazy cool sunset right outside the back of our apartment!  

A Game of Hot and Cold with the Spirit

Area:  Independence, Missouri
Companion:  Elder Thompson

Mom and Dad!   Well, it's transfer week!  I really don't know what will happen.  I would assume I will stay and finish training Elder Thompson but it's possible that they will ship me out and bring in a follow-up trainer.  I'm kinda ready to leave this area, I love it here and the people here and the ward members and everything, I just felt like I have done what I can here and am kind of stuck in a rut.  It's hard to think of new things to try and find new people, we just need some new ideas or something!  I want to get off to the boonies or the big city, right now it's kind of the middle of both of them.  I don't know, we will see what happens!  

 

Well, the weather over here is getting cold!  I love it!  It has snowed a little bit, but at least it is staying now.  It mostly just gets really icy here and everything just get a coat of ice over it all.  The other day it was raining but coming down as little pellets of clear ice, it was pretty sweet.  Its been around 5-30 degrees here with a nice humid breeze.  Bites ya!

 

Glad you loved the song!  I really love learning the Uke and being able to create my own music.  I have always loved that.  The mission has really helped me grow in every direction!  Now that I am thinking about it, it's kind of like the taffy puller in willy wonka.  haha!  Yeah, share the song with sister Griggs!  Let me know what she says.  If you can, can you email me that video?  It might be to long, if it doesn't work don't worry about it. 

 

The puppies are the best!  I loved the video of the blow dryer!  Made me laugh :)

 

Glad Autumn liked the sweater and that it fits her, Go Chiefs!

 

Geesh, Tanners almost home!  Kinda weird...

 

Well, this week was somewhat eventful!  As I keep having to remind my companion to back me in the car with comments like, "Whose your favorite Apostle?"  "Mine is Boyde K. Backer!"  and "My favorite football team is the Green Bay Backers!"  We came across some homies fighting on Lynn St., one of the sketchiest parts of the area!  

 

We found a new investigator on Saturday night.  Her name is Danyelle.  The story of how we found her is a miracle.  We just didn't know what to do so we said a prayer to be led to someone who is ready to hear the message of the restoration of the gospel.  When we finished I felt prompted to go to a set of apartments we have been working.  When we got there I felt like I was playing a game of hot or cold with the Spirit!  haha We came to the building and my heart was pounding so we got out.  We then went to the very top floor and knocked!  The very first door it's Danyelle!  Such a miracle!  We have been trying to find new investigators for so long!

 

Well that's about all that happened this week.  

 

Love you all!

Elder Shoemaker