Dear Dad February 18, 2013

February 18, 2013

Dear Dad,

I figured out the whole thing about the address after I had sent that last email, once I checked my email from president. It will be nice to have mail sent directly to us. But it will stink if we get transferred and there is mail on the way to our previous address. So there is both positives and negatives.

The new apartment is good. We are still trying to clean up and organize a little bit more though.I enjoy it though. I feel as if Elder Hayes and I have bonded more in the past week...because we are the only ones we have to talk to. So it is good. But it can be really quiet at times in comparison. Which isn't really a bad thing. I am planning on continuing to keep in touch with Elder Chatterton and Elder Prescott though. I really love those guys.

SO here is the explanation about Burger King. Is there anything closer? A grocery store and Subway. Which we go to quite a bit. So we wanted something else. As far as riding bikes...I want to. But Elder Hayes' bike has been having issues...so we have been walking. Hopefully he will be fixing his bike soon...but I don't think he like riding very much...so...we walk. Not my first choice...but as long as we are working.

I think it is awesome that they changed the youth curriculum. I feel as if it is a lot like how the missionary system works. It is all about teaching people not lessons. So, like you said, just earn their trust and they will be even more interested. Serve them. Get to know each of them as an individual. Some will be receptive and others will not. Just like in missionary work. All that matters is that you are doing your best. Elder Hayes and I were in charge of all the young men yesterday. None of the leaders were there, so they put us in charge of the deacons, teachers, and priests. It was fun. We had a really good lesson. I love working with youth.

I did hear about Duke. Brother Carter likes to keep me updated on things like that. I don't mind at all. I kind of want a bracket to fill out. Maybe you could send a blank one to me when the time comes? I hope they can pick it up before the Madness starts. But Jeri Lin told me that the beat NC, so that is good news.

As far as people dying. We have had a lot in our ward as well within the past few weeks as well. I had to give a prayer at a funeral for one of the young men's great grandma. It was a really small funeral. It was good though, because his family is all part member and less active. The cool thing is that his mom was the one that requested that Elder Hayes and I give the prayers. He is the only one that comes to church in his family. We are really earning trust in that family...and his older brother told bishop afterwards that he wants to closen his relationship with Heavenly Father. So hopefully we can start working with all of them more.

As for Juan, he has a date set. March 2nd. SO...hopefully everything goes through with that. He already has a great relationship with the youth, so we have been blessed in that aspect.

Dad, thank you very much for the email and the advice, stories, etc. I really love and miss you.

Love
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle

Sparky Facial Hair fearTHEfork!

New Address

Hey everyone!

They'd like for you to start sending my mail directly to my apartment.  My address is:

6717 Rolling Meadows Dr.
Appartment #1613
Sparks NV 89436

Write me.  I'm the coolest missionary you know!

Son of Man, Transfers, Baptism, and a big ol' Hot Air balloon

February 11, 2013

Dear Mom, Dad, and Jeri Lin,

Well I am just doing a mass email this week because I have a hair cut appointment with Sister Corbridge in a little bit. So just bear with me.

Dad, that is awesome that you get to teach the 17 year old Sunday school class. I would honestly kill for that calling. Being out on a mission has really helped me realize just how much I love the youth in the church. They are so much fun. I mean...I'm not that far off from youth age, but I have a blast with all the deacons, priests, etc. in the Highland Ranch ward.

Jeri Lin, being exhausted is a good thing. Sometimes it is hard to be able to get things done when you are tired...but that bed feels just that much better at the end of the day. So just keep working hard. I have noticed that you are blessed as long as you get out and work. Just this past week, Elder Hayes and I were out walking and making visits. It was about dinner time, and we didn't have a dinner scheduled that night, so we started the long 8 mile walk up to burger king. On our way there, a member of our ward pulled off and offered us a ride. He was taking one of his little boys to wrestling. After telling him to just drop us off at burger king, he gave us 20 bucks for dinner. That never would have happened if we had just decided to stay inside and not work. So just always get out and work your hardest even when you are exhausted. I thankful to have a mom that has been such a great example of that.

Mom, It is good to hear that everyone is doing well. As far as my adress, it is the same and it will always be the same throughout my mission. They just forward all of our stuff to whatever our address is at the time. It help prevent things from getting lost.

As for transfers, I will not be a six week trainer like everyone was trying to tell me I was going to do. Thank goodness. I am moving appartments though. Elder Hayes and I will now have a one bedroom appartment. No other elders will be living with us. My opinion of tranfers this time around is kind of stinky though. I am losing two of my very favorite elders in my district. Elder Prescott is being sent out to the Elko zone...which is like a 7 hour drive from here. Elder Chatterton is becoming a district leader of himself and his companion out in Lovelock. So...yeah...kinda crazy. But I know everything happens for a reason. So it is probably for the best.

Now to explain the Son of Man...you know the song from Tarzan. Well we were listening to is last night and I just couldn't help but apply the lyrics to my mission. So here are the lyrics.

Oh, the power to be strong
And the wisdom to be wise
All these things will
come to you in time
On this journey that you're making
There'll be answers that you'll seek
And it's you who'll climb the mountain
It's you who'll reach the peak

Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be

Though there's no one there to guide you
No one to take your hand
But with faith and understanding
You will journey from boy to man

Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be

In learning you will teach
And in teaching you will learn
You'll find your place beside the
ones you love
Oh, and all the things you dreamed of
The visions that you saw
Well, the time is drawing near now
It's yours to claim it all

Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be

Son of Man
Son of Man's a man for all to see

Now...to explain the Hot Air balloon. Elder Hayes and I were on our way to chuch and we saw a hot air balloon taking off. Pretty cool. Now we got to church, set up the chairs and we just went outside to catch some fresh air. And what do you know...here comes the hot air balloon to land in the CHURCH Parking lot! like...What the Crap?! pretty cool though. We went and helped them put it down and then we invited them to come attend church. They politely declined...but hey you don't always get a missionary opportunity to drop in on you like that. I wish I could have gotten pictures, but I didn't bring my camera to church.

Now! the most exciting news. Juan's mother has given him permission to be baptized! We took him to a baptism that some of the other Elders were having on Saturday. It really got him even more excited...so we invited him once again to ask his mother. He said that he would Sunday night. So...We fasted for him and his mother all day Sunday. And we got a text from him last night saying that she had said he could. He said she wasn't super stoked about it...but it is probably the best decision he could make. We are meeting with him again Wednesday to talk and probably work out the details, set a date, etc. So yeah! Pretty exciting stuff!

I love and miss you all!
Here are a couple pictures!

Love
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle

Picture Update

February 6, 2013

My bed and wall before my last package.

We had a race against the Young Women in our ward.  We got certificates that said, "Congratulations on winning your race, you beat a 15 year old GIRL, you crushed her hopes and dreams, your mother will be so proud."

We went on splits to Pyramid Lake.

We continue to work with Juan. The lessons we have with him go very well. We continue to try and work with less active families to get them back to church. OH! This week, we went and visited the Fritters again. His mother is now on Hospice in their home and we were able to give her a blessing. A blessing that she would go in peace and in comfort. It was really neat. Even though the work is fairly slow out here, I really feel as if I am making an impact in their lives, through Christ.

Dear Sister January 28, 2013

Jeri Lin!

My mission has truly been a blast thus far. As you can tell. It is pure awesomeness. I can't even imagine what it will be like serving a couple mission. For one, your companion is your best friend and you know you already love them, so that is a bonus. But I am excited for that in the future as well :)

It is also good to hear that baby Brown is doing well. I honestly like the name Trekker for a boy, but if I think of any more or hear some good ones, I will let you know.

Haha I think gardens are just weird in general. From what I have heard and experienced anyways. I am glad work is going well, even though the ER is not your favorite. I could never do that.

Thank you for your anology. I honestly think that is what a lot of the work we do here in Sparks. It is good though. I really enjoy it. As you may see in my pictures. I love and miss ya big sis.

Love
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle

 "Swag Turnt Up" is Elder Chatterton