Missionary Life August 25, 2014

August 25, 2014

Missionary life. What can I say about it? It has been exactly what I needed. I was reflecting on it last night after a lesson we had in which the Assistants to President passed off one of their investigators to us who they felt would benefit from us teaching her. One of the assistants and I were just talking about how great the mission has been up to this point. It is definitely a blessing. One of the things he said was, how foolish it is and would have been to think about possibly not going and taking these two years to learn, progress, and experience miracles. The time is getting shorter and shorter for me. I had a realization this week as to why I am with the companion I have at this point in my mission. His focus and dedication is incredible, which in turn helps me. There is no room for any trunkyness. Too much to get done. Too many hills to ride my bike up. Too many people to talk too. I am grateful for a companion who continues to work hard and strives to improve each and every day.

When we are on the same page, it helps the work increase dramatically and the effectiveness goes up. Then that is the time that we are able to see miracles. There is a little miracle that I would just like to share that I experienced this week. In our companionship studies we are encouraged to role play and practice teaching situations. In all honesty, I hate them. However, I do know the purpose behind them, and they do work. I know that, because I experienced it. A few days ago we were practicing street contacting in our role play and the situation I was presented with was that the man I was talking to had a concern about getting a job. I brought it back to the fact that our Heavenly Father truly does love us, and that he wants to help us. Sometimes, all we have to do is ask through prayer. It was a pretty good role play. Now, fast forward to that night. We were biking up, the biggest hill in our area, and as I get to the top, I see a man, sitting on the sidewalk. I ride over to him and just start talking with him. Then I hop off my bike and my companion and I just start talking with him. He is a super nice guy, which is always a plus. As we talked though, he brought up a similar type of concern as to the one that we had role played for. I was prepared and the spirit was definitely there. It was an awesome experience for myself. In Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 it says "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." I know that is true, because I experienced it this week. I hope the man we talked to was able to feel what I felt. We had to send him off as referral, so I am hoping for the best :)

So yeah, I have had some more good experiences this week. The work continues to progress. Now we just gotta help these people we are working with to commit to a baptismal date. Hopefully we can have some of those in the coming week. I really can't complain though. Missionary life. It is great.

Dad- You are a lucky guy. Haha I miss football. Those sound like some good plans though. I will be looking forward to whatever comes. Keep me posted for sure :) I have definitely become more acclimated with the area. My companion thinks I know it better than him, and he has been here for like 8 months. I also have spent most of my mission in the Reno/Sparks area though, so I know the streets pretty well at this point. Not perfectly, but well enough to know what I am doing and to give people some decent directions :) I am glad that you are getting by at work and that you are also staying busy. I still hope and pray that you can get those positions filled as well. I hope you have another good week! I love and miss you! :)

Mom- Thank you for sending that letter and for the key chain. I like it lots :) On your letters though, you wrote apartment 1625, it is actually 1615. Just for future reference. They still got to me. :) I am glad that you are looking forward to Luna. You will have to be sure to let me know how it all goes this weekend. I am glad you are still doing well and that you were able to receive some awards at work. Keep working hard, but more importantly, work smart. :) I love ya and miss ya Mom. I hope you have a good week! Tell everyone hi for me in Luna!

Jeri Lin- First of all, thanks for all you do to help me out. You are awesome :) Second, of all it seems like you always have some pretty busy, fun filled weeks. It is always fun to hear about what you and the kiddos are up to :) I have to tell you that I think scripture study in the morning is the best. it is definitely a habit that I have built on my mission that I want to continue after. Just gotta know what works for you :) I am glad you are doing well and are enjoying your calling with serving your sunbeams. Keep it up! I love ya and miss ya! :)

Keila- How many days is it?? Haha :) i love ya and miss ya. Hope you have a great week! :)

Syd- Good job on making the swim team, that is way awesome! :) Keep me posted on how it all goes. :) I am glad you are enjoying school so far. I am also glad to hear that you had a good day with Hailey. Did she do a good job with your hair?? :) She is pretty awesome, and I am glad you think so as well :) I hope you have another good week and that you have fun in Luna. I love and miss you :)

Leslie- Thanks for your letter! I am doing my best to get one sent your way as soon as possible :) I love you and miss you! Have a good week :)

Brooke- Mom tells me that you are pretty cool. I am glad you are cool. We can be cool pals when I get home :) I love and miss you! Have a good week!

Hayden- Man, I miss you :) I am so lucky to have you as my brother. Have a good week! I love ya and miss you!

Well it is the last week of August. Make the most of it!

I love and miss you all!

Love,
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)

Improvement August 18, 2014

August 18, 2014

I knew it would come, but it was a relief to have it come this week. Improvement and relief. I know I couldn't have been able to do it one my own though. The Spark came last week in Sacrament meeting when one of the return missionaries of the stake came and shared some of her experiences from her mission. One of them was which was a story about a companion of hers that she was having a little bit of a tough time with. I felt like she was speaking directly to me. Then the emails I received last Monday helped me out. And then just little things here and there throughout the week. Whether it was something another missionary said, reflection on past experiences, a letter with scriptures to look up, and letters I got from you all at the beginning of my mission. All of it played a part in helping me overcome the transfer blues.

One of the things I forgot to mention though is that just working and forgetting myself helped a ton. One experience I had to serve my companion came when he was experiencing some bike troubles and I just put my stuff down and helped him fix it up. He thanked me and said that he wasn't much of a bike person...I told him, neither am I, but I have had to become one since I have had to deal with them for about two years now. It was a good unity building experience. Anyway, this week, we taught two more lessons than we taught last week, we had one more person attend church, we found four new investigators who seem pretty promising. There was just a lot of good that came about this week, and we are looking to keep moving in an upward trend in the coming week.

I don't really have any crazy stories this week...The suburbs are a lot more mellow than the downtown area was haha. I did get my first flat tire. That is always frustrating. The nice thing about here though is that people are all pretty normal. Not many crazies. Just lots of people that speak Spanish, so that makes it a little more difficult, but I am glad to be here working with the people we have to work with. I am still trying to get to know them all to the best of my ability and build good, solid relationships with all those here. Members and non-members. So far so good I believe :)

One thing that I have really come to know this week is just how important prayer is in our conversion to this Gospel and how blessed I am to know that my Heavenly Father loves me. Prayer is a great relationship builder, and I believe has played a key part in helping me see the improvement this week. The Bible Dictionary states, "Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing". I have come to know that prayer helps us through those "many trials and much testing". Hence prayer is a key in conversion. In True to the Faith it says, "If you don't feel like praying, pray until you feel like praying". I love that. I invite you all to continue praying. It really works and our Heavenly Father does hear and answer us. It is a small thing that makes and incredible differences in peoples lives. I see it time and time again :)

Well, speaking of prayer, I also had to give the opening one in Sacrament meeting yesterday. Just in case you wanted to know. Other than that though...I don't think I have much else to tell ya. Other than that I love and miss ya all!! Have a good week :)

Dad- Well shucks. I am looking forward to the real deal though. Then we can talk ;) Well to answer your question about the tough mudder, I don't want to do it if it is gonna be super pricey. I don't think I would have a problem with the physical part of it though...now I am getting arrogant. Haha. Maybe in a year when I will be able to pay for myself?? Your call. That is a pretty crazy week. Hope everything goes well today as well as for the rest of the week. Thanks for the short note! I appreciate all you do Dad. Keep up the good work you do. You make a difference whether you notice it or not. I love ya and miss ya! :)

Mom- Thank you for your short note as well. Your bumper sticker is pretty cool by the way :) It is good to hear that you had a pretty good week. Even if it was busy busy. I am glad to hear that the girls are doing there best and sticking out hard things. I can tell them that it is worth it. Every little bit. :) There is no replacement for good ol' hard work. I appreciate you and Dad teaching us kids that :) I hope that you get a bit more sleep this week and that it is another good one. I love and miss you Mom :)

Jeri Lin- I am happy to report that I did receive Hyrum's letter, and it was a pleasant surprise :) Tell him thank you for me. I am glad to hear that he is doing well, and that you and the rest of your little family is doing well. Thank you for all you do for me and for all the love and support you share. Just know that I love and support your little family as well. :) I hope you have a good week!! :) I miss ya!

Keila- Miss ya Wei. Have a good week :)

Sydney- You are definitely in my prayers for swim. Work hard. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Just remember that. Coaches notice effort. Just give it all you can. It will all work out how it needs to in the end :) I am glad that you are helping out Hailey and that your two get along so well :) I will be looking for your letter. Thank you so much. I love ya and miss ya Syd. Have a good week :)

Leslie- I will be looking for your letter this week! Also, keep up the good work in swim. I am looking forward to hearing all about it. :) Have a good week! I love and miss ya Sles. :)

Brooke- I hope school is going well. I love ya and miss ya :)

Hayden- Has football started yet? Are you liking school? I love ya man and miss ya :)

Well I guess I will close it there. I love you all!

Love,
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)

Transfer Blues August 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

It seems to come every time I am put into a new area and companionship. Yup. The Transfer Blues. This week has kind of been a tough one for me. I have come into the area as a senior companion and I know nothing about this place. Other than that it is in Sparks. My companion has been here for 7 months. So this past week, I have just been sort of tagging along. There is nothing really wrong with that, except I get bored at times when he is on the phone, etc, and then my mind will start to wander a little bit and it is hard to stay focused. It happens every time I have come into a new area, so I know as I continue to get to know more people and everything that I will be ok, and that time will begin to move quickly again.

You all seem to want to know more about my companion. He is a good kid. He is older, upper 20's and he is from Missouri. He was trained by one of my previous companions. Elder Young, but he has a lot of similarities with my good old trusty companion Elder Anderson. Our personalities are much on the opposite sides of the spectrum, however, I have come to find past experience that we can have that work to our advantage. We are looking forward to a good transfer. There has bee some pretty good success here in the past, so we are looking to keep that going. Just trying to get a little bit more unity so that our teaching appointments are more effective.

As for the ward, it isn't too bad at all. There are just no youth, which was a bummer to me. We have a lot of older people in the ward. A majority of the ward lives in neighborhoods that overlook one of the golf courses here in Sparks. They are all very nice though, and I am happy to be here in Sparks again.

I had a neat, and pleasant surprise here at church yesterday. We were walking down the hall, looking for a lady that had come to church so that we could show here where Sunday school was, as I walked around the corner. I see, Juan! It was awesome. Not only did I see Juan, but I also saw some of the other members of the Highland Ranch ward that had taken care of me pretty good while I was there. It was a nice little reunion :) Now back to the lady we were trying to find to take to class. I had actually talked to her downtown once and we had sent her off as a referral. She is less active, but it was still really cool just to be able to see things kind of go full circle.

Other than that, I am just trying to get all reacquainted with the first stomping grounds of my mission. I am more on the South West end of Sparks now, but not much has really changed.

Dad- To answer your question, Maverick and Crissy live up in the Pyramid Lake ward, which was right next door to my first area of Sparks. So...unfortunately, I probably would not have the opportunity to teach them, but I am definitely keeping an eye out for them :) However, if they were to be taught by the other missionaries in their ward, I would have the opportunity to at least go to the baptism. Anyways, I am happy to hear that you got some things at work figured out as far as employees goes. I hope it just continues to get better as well. I am glad also to hear that the Chargers are looking good. It is only Pre-Season, but still :)I will be sure to keep up the hard work. I hope you do as well and have a good week! I love and miss ya Dad :)

Mom- Well thank you for the pictures like always. I really do appreciate them. I really do appreciate you as well. I know you are staying plenty busy with work and with the kiddos and all. Just remember to stay healthy and know that you are in my prayers. I love you and miss you Mom. Have an awesome week :)

Jeri Lin- School. Ok, so I qualify for ASU, but do I have to have taken the ACT or SAT to apply? I would like to go there for sure. That is my first choice without a doubt. I want to stay close to home. So just let me know.

Ok, well I am glad you had a good fun week and that you are staying busy. I am glad also that you and Tony were able to come to a decision on what to do for your kids. :) I personally don't think that is what I will do, but I guess I will cross that bridge when I get there.

I am looking forward to seeing you when that time comes as well. Until then. Stay happy. Have a good week. And just know that I love ya and miss ya :)

Keila- Night Splash, huh? Lucky :) Haha I love and miss ya!

Sydney- I didn't get an email from you today. I am guessing that is probably to blame on school. I hope it is going well! You will have to let me know. Love and miss ya Syd! :)

Leslie- How is school going for you?? Big ol' High Schooler now. That is crazy! Haha I love and miss you Sles :)

Brooke- I hope school is going good. I love ya and miss ya!

Hayden- Nice bow and arrow dude :) I miss ya man. Hope you are liking school :) Love ya! Have a good week!

Well I believe that is all I have for this week. I should hopefully have some more good news next week. :) Oh, by the way, my new address is:

4255 Wedekind Rd.
Apt# 1615
Sparks, NV 89431

I sure do love and miss you all!

Love,
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)

Back to Sparks August 4, 2014

Back to Sparks. To the Wild Creek ward. That is the call. Still on a bike. Senior Companion and I will be with Elder Jacobs. I don`t know much more other than that at the moment. :) I have mixed feelings, but I know I will be going where I need to be.

I guess I should give you some details of this past week that have lead up to the point of transfer calls. I will start with this past Monday after I had got done emailing. We decided to play a game of indoor soccer as a zone. I learned the reason for and purpose of shin guards (pictures to follow). I have been using lots of ice this past week. The good thing is that it didn`t prevent me from working at all.

So yeah, we kept working and we were able to get about 4 of our investigators along with some less active members to our ward BBQ on Wednesday. Which was also Elder Reynolds` 20th birthday. It was a good time, but it made me feel old. Gotta love those 18 year old missionaries. Haha.

Another highlight this week was helping my good friend Calvin to attend and see a baptism on Saturday. He has come a really long way since I have been here. I am sure going to miss him. I met with him yesterday evening and he told me that he is gonna keep an eye out for me on the TV when I am catching game winning touchdown passes for ASU. Haha. He cracks me up. I also found out that he calls me Elder Slankey. I think I should be in the running for the most nicknamed Elder award haha. Anyway, it is gonna be tough to leave that man. I love him to death.

I don`t really know if there is anything else that was a huge highlight or crazy story this week. We just did what we needed to do. Worked hard and finished this transfer strong. Now it is time for me to move on to the next place I am needed and fulfill my purpose there. This week I have gained a lot more understanding of humility. I recognize that being humble is a key to being happy. I could just be questioning why I am not a zone leader or even a District Leader still. Someone else needs that opportunity though. I have different responsibilities now. I did what I needed to do here. I am leaving with no regrets. I am happy. :)

Dad- Well I am sorry that the beans were spilled a little bit early, but yeah, there are the details for you there. As far as I know. I feel as if I am going to die in the Stake I was born in, which is actually something I always said I would like to do. If I do end up staying there the rest of my time, I will have spent about 17 Months total in the Reno/Sparks area. I should qualify for the local prices at all the casino buffets ;) I really hope you can work things out with your job and get things moving in a more positive direction. Whatever you are, be the best. I think Abraham Lincoln said that. SIster Hagler shares that with me often. It is so true though. Just keep doing your part. It will work out. As far as the NFL goes...I had no idea it started until yesterday when Calvin was telling me. He showed me that the Chargers will be playing the Cowgirls on Thursday, but for sure keep me updated :) President Hermansen didn't know who David Schwimmer is either...haha oh well. I am looking forward to this time in Sparks. Gonna kick trash, and keep doing what I do. :) I love and miss ya Dad. Have a great week!

Mom- That is really crazy to hear that school is starting up again so soon. It feels like it just got out. Where does the time go?? Sounds like all the kiddos have some good things going on to keep them busy though, so that should be good. I am glad that you are enjoying your job though. You will have to let me know what you decide and everything. Like I also mentioned to Dad, Whatever you are, be the best. :) Keep going strong. I sure do love and miss ya Mom. Have another great week! :)

Jeri Lin- I like your thoughts on families. Honestly, for thoughts and ideas from me as from what I have experienced on my mission to strengthen them...Just be a missionary. The biggest way to strengthen families is to help them come unto Christ. I have seen it. I witnessed it first hand in Spring Creek. The Gospel brings about miracles and brings families closer than before. Especially if the Priesthood is able to be in the home. I don't know if that was the kind of answer you were looking for, but that is what I have come to know :) Other than that, I am glad to hear that your little family is doing so well. :) And to answer your question, yes I did take to years of Espanol. :) Thank you for all your help! I love you and miss ya much. Have a good week! :)

Keila- Hey. You are a pretty cool sister. Keep working hard. I love ya :) Have a good week!

Syd- Thanks for your email muchacha. I am glad you are keeping busy! Learn to love being busy and working hard. It is most definitely worth it! Good luck in swim and also with starting your Junior Year! That is really crazy. Make the most of it, and let me know how it is going for sure. :) Glad you are home safe and happy! Have a good week! I love ya :)

Leslie- Are you excited for High School? DId you get my letter? I really hope you are doing well. I love and miss you. Have a good week :)

Brooke- Mom sent me a picture of you I think after you did some synchronized swimming. How was that? She also tells me that you might do cheer leading. That is crazy. You will have to let me know :) I love ya and miss ya. :)

Hayden- Mom said you are going to be doing Flag Football. Did you get my letter? Score a touchdown for me. Love ya little man :)

Well that is all I have for this week. I hope you all have a good one. Love ya and miss ya :)

Love,
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)

Beautiful...:)

This was like 24 hours after it happened.

Friends