Dear Dad May 28, 2013

May 28, 2013

Dear Dad,

Well you were right, I wasn't able to email yesterday. So here I am today :) Did you guys have good memorial day? Anything exciting? Our ward had a big bbq...so we went to that. In our pdays, haha people kept thinking I was just a teenager. Which I am, but they didnt recognize me at first. We played volleyball, basketball, soccer, and football. I was a little bit tired and beat up by the end of the day, but it was good. Also, Bro. Jimenez was coaching me up in football. He was helping me with my throwing form. It helped a lot. I miss being coached up like that. It was a good day.

I am sure everyone is excited for summer to be here. I know all the kids here are pretty anxious to be out. They don't get out till about the beginning of June. It sounds like you guys have some good plans though. And I am glad that you and Mom were able to have a good anniversary, even if it was pretty simple. New pillows are always nice :)

I am also glad that you guys had a good time at Kortni's wedding. That is unfortunate that it isn't a temple wedding. Being out here on a mission has just affirmed to me that I will not settle for anything less than a temple wedding. It is cool that you guys got to see all those old friends as well.

That is awesome that Melissa is doing that. Definitely intense. Wouldn't be on my first list of things to do though. I guess that is why there are people like her. That is way cool.

It is crazy to think that I am about 25% of the way done. When I think about it, it feels like it has gone by pretty fast. Other times I think about it, and it feels like it is never gonna end. Especially when I look at people such as Elder Shamanis. Just gotta keep working all the time though.

I still am not a fan of this trio thing. I hope I am not in one for very much longer. I guess we will see though. I don't want to leave this area. I feel like I have made it better than I found it though. So if the call does come to leave, I will leave with no regrets. This week we have an appointment with a previous investigator and his two kids. I have developed a relationship with the less actives, and allowed them to really open up with me. It is amazing. 5 months ago, we were just strangers meeting each other. I know I am here in Sparks for a reason. I have spent a lot of time this week looking at my patriarchal blessing. It awesome to realize those things that are coming about that it mentions. Also, Elder Shamanis has a young man that is going to be baptized this weekend. He is 18 years old and has a very dark past. He has come played football with us a couple times on Monday.Him and I really hit it off...I am not sure why...but it was really cool. He has requested that I say the prayer at his baptism this week. I am excited to be able to do that...and very humbled. This week has just been...spiritually filled. I hope to have many more of these weeks in the near future. I will let you know what happens.

Thank you for all you do Dad. I hope you have an awesome week! I love and miss ya mucho!

Your Son,
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle