My Death Sentence October 27, 2014

October 27, 2014

As a missionary, missionary life is related to an actual life. You go to the MTC which is like the Pre Earth Life. Then you are born into the mission field to your trainer who is now known as your Father. You go throughout this mission life and continue to change and learn and grow. Eventually you begin to grow old and eventually you die. Last night I received my death sentence call. I am sure you all have been anticipating to hear just what that entails. The words I received on the other line were, "No Change". How is that for a last transfer call? Haha. It really was what I was expecting, but they could have made it at least a little more dramatic, right? Haha. I am excited though. It is good to be here in Sparks. It is good to be here with Elder Katoa. I am looking forward to finishing as strong as possible here.

We have some good things going that are really helping me in that area as well. These peeps are keeping me pretty busy. As for an update from last week, our investigator, Steve, did end up going to Arizona. Which is a bummer, but there were some things going on there that we weren't aware about before, so it might be for the best. We have some others though that took some steps forward. We have one lady who is set to be baptized December 27th. She has been so prepared, it is incredible. She has come to church the past two weeks, and she attended a missionary fireside with us last night. It was awesome because they have recent converts talk about their conversion stories and share their testimonies. The Spirit was definitely there, and I just kept thinking, "I hope she can feel this". I believe she did. :) Then we have a single Mom who we are teaching that was passed off to us from the Singles Ward Missionaries because she didn't have a good experience in that ward. She also happens to be legally blind, so for the past couple weeks we have been going over and have just been reading the Book of Mormon to her and her daughter. She was nervous to try coming to church again, so we were just taking it slow. We decided to invite her to the ward Halloween Party on Saturday night and she was super excited. She had a good experience and our ward mission leader invited her to church that night as he drove them home. They came and enjoyed it. I am so grateful to be working with such a supportive ward. It is a huge help and things are continuing to progress :)

I am trying to think if I have had any funny stories this week. I did forget to mention that I did crash on my bike two weeks ago. Haha. It was my fault as well as Elder Katoa's. He ran into the side of me as we were messing around. He managed to stay upright, but I took a tumble. The palms of my hands were scraped up, but nothing more. I tried rubbing some blood on my face as we were going to one of the part member families homes and we told them that we got in a fight. Haha good times :)

Missionary life is good. Thank you for all your love and support! :)

Dad- Well the transfer was not in the cards as you have now probably read. It is in my cards to stay on a bike my entire mission.Mission record holder right here. :) Haha. I must say that it sounds like Hell week, is good, but tough for sure. We played football a couple mornings ago and I had three dropped passes. I have a deal with myself that I have to do 25 push ups for every drop. I am still sore. My upper body isn't as good as my legs these days. Just as a side note, I may have a way to get into cross fit for cheaper when I am home. One of the sisters from Mesa that I am going home with may help us out. We shall see. Just keep working hard :) Thank you again for all the updates. I love and miss you Dad and I hope you have a good week! :)

Mom- Thank you for your heartfelt email and for your testimony. I just have to let you know that I am definitely and absolutely sure that everything happens for a reason. I also want you to know that I love you amidst any flaws that you may have. You are one of my greatest heros. You and Dad are my top two. I had someone recently ask me that question actually, who is your biggest hero? I immediately responded with My parents. No doubt. Thank you for being you. I love and miss you greatly and I hope that you have a good week this week :)

Jeri Lin- I am so happy to hear that everything is continuing to go well with the Brown family :) Thank you for sharing your camping stories and I am glad to hear that baby Brown is coming along. It is always good to hear that Hyrum remembers who I am even if he thinks other people look like me ;) I sure do love and miss you guys! I hope you have another good week! :)

Keila- Hey! I love and miss you :)

Sydney- Hey! I love and miss you too!

Leslie- Hey! I am sorry I have been slacking and haven't got your letter in the mail yet. Just know that I also love and miss you!

Brooke- I love and miss you :)

Hayden- Good job in your football game! Keep it up :) I love and miss you Man :)

That is all I have for now!

Love
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)

Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow October 20, 2014

I am here to witness to you that there truly is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Even though we may not see it right at the start. :)

This week we had the opportunity to attend the Reno Temple. It was a cloudy morning as we rode up the hills of Reno. While driving a magnificent, bright rainbow appeared and we all viewed it in awe (myself, Elder Katoa, and the Senior couple we were riding with). As we were driving I kept my eyes on the rainbow. Soon enough, the temple also came into view. Where did the rainbow lead to? Right to the temple. :)

Now let me relate that story to the rest of my week and to life :)

This week was another that was full of ups and downs. I believe on Thursday night, I was feeling a bit down and discouraged. After we had planned, I sat and contemplated,I finally decided to ask my companion for a blessing. After eating his second dinner, he agreed to do it. In Tongan. It was an interesting experience because I have no idea still what was said in the blessing. He wouldn't tell me. All I know is that I felt good afterwards my attitude and mood changed :) Priesthood power is real. No doubt.

On Saturday night, we were headed over to one of the part member families that we are working with. The husband who is not a member, is set with a baptismal date and we have developed a good relationship with them. However on the way over there, we got a text saying that the husband was going to be heading back down to Arizona and that he probably wouldn't be coming back. We were extremely bummed. We got over there and they told us he was getting on the bus in the morning. We still taught them, and then exchanged goodbyes. He had been so excited for baptism and as we left I just couldn't help but feel disappointed and ask Heavenly Father why this was happening. I also asked in my nightly prayer if there was anything he could do to change his mind. His wife and kids were still planning on coming to church and I was just happy about that. Told myself that I just needed to keep moving forward. Now it is Sunday and we are standing at the doors greeting people. Then who walks in? The whole family including Steve. He then explained to me that he was at the bus station that morning and something just told him he couldn't leave. So he called his wife and asked her to come pick him up. He stayed for all three hours of church. Sometimes we just need to keep moving forward. Keep your eyes on the rainbow or Heavenly Father. It will work out and you will be able to find that pot of gold. Whatever it may be.

Just keep a positive attitude, and when you need help, don't be afraid to ask. Those are the lessons that I learned this week and have been being taught to me my entire mission.

I am truly grateful for this opportunity and experience :)

Things are continuing to get better. Steve is staying. We also found two new investigators this week that both seem to be pretty solid. The ward is becoming more and more supportive each week. Transfer calls will be coming this week and I imagine I will be staying here for my last six weeks :)

Dad- Well I don't currently have an email from you. Sydney did send a picture of you at the Phoenix temple though, and you look good. :) I hope your week was as good as you look. Haha I love and miss ya Dad :) Have a good week this week! So...I just got your email. Thank you for your input and thoughts. I really do appreciate it. Thanks also for all the updates. Just remember that you are always in my prayers and that I appreciate you dearly. :) Thank you for being my Dad.

Mom- I dunno if I was "graceful like a gazelle" back then. I have had a lot of improvement since I was on the Tigers soccer team haha. That is pretty funny. Thank you for sharing that and for sharing the story about the Mormon Crickets. It seems to me that Hayden may be as funny as me someday ;) Haha I love that kid. Congratulations on your new calling! And I am glad you all were able to enjoy time at the Phoenix temple as a family :) It sounds to me like things continue to go well and thank you for all the pictures :) And that scripture. :) Isaac told me that you sent him a huge thank you for the pictures and the video. :) I hope you have another good week Mom. I love and miss ya!

Jeri Lin- Well it looks like I don't have much news on the Browns this week either. Just know that I love and miss you too and hope that you have a good week! :)

Keila- Taking naps in the school parking lot. Nice ;) Haha I love and miss ya Wei! Have a good week :)

Sydney- Thank you for your email and for the pictures :) Just remember to keep your eyes on the rainbow, there is a pot of gold at the end :) Good luck in your meet. Just keep working hard to the very end :) I love and miss ya Syd. Thank you for being my Sister :) Have a good week!

Leslie- I got your letter and I am gonna try sending you one this week! I hope you have a good week. Just remember to smile :) Love and miss ya!

Brooke and Hayden- Keep being awesome :) I love and miss you two :)

I love and miss you all!

Love
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle

Never Stop Improving October 13, 2014

October 13, 2014

Did you all have a good week this past week? I had a pretty good week. As far as the work goes, it was a bit slow. Just with appointments falling through and all that fun stuff, but we have some good things going on here in the Wild Creek ward.

So, good thing number one is that we had a baptism on Saturday. Hooray! The whole thing happening the way it did was a miracle. I will send the picture and I am sure the faces will look familiar to most of you. That is because just a month ago, we baptized the husband. The night of his baptism, his wife was admitted to the hospital as she had caught Pneumonia. Things were not looking good for her, which was not good news, because she had been wanting to be baptized on the same day, but had some things to work through, and then this trial arose. However, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. Like I mentioned, the wife had some things that she had to work through, but being in the hospital for so long allowed her the time to be able to do that and she kept up after she was discharged from the rehab center. So, with her husband being a newly ordained Priest, he was able to baptize her. I was asked to be in the font as well just as assistance with lowering her into the water,etc. It was a neat experience. Then Elder Katoa had the opportunity to be the voice in the confirmation yesterday. It was just good all around. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings that night with our neighbor, who is less active member of our ward who we are working with, to celebrate :)

That was the big story. Another neat experience we had this week was that we were able to get special permission to go to one of the hospitals in Reno and give Elder Katoa's aunt a blessing. The reason it was so cool was that he gave the blessing in Tongan. I have no clue what was said, but the Spirit was definitely there :)

Good things are happening. We are starting to get member trust back, which was really starting to dissipate with the previous missionaries. It is always so nice when members of the ward council come up and thank you for the good work we do and tell us that it appears as if we have some good things going. Which we do, we just need to keep it going in an upward trend so that I am able to leave this area better than I found it. That is my goal. Never Stop Improving.

Dad- Thank you for letting me know about the homecoming talk. That will be fun. I am looking forward to it. It will be a busy Sunday for sure :) I must say that I wish it wasn't so late for my release time, but I have been doing this for 2 years. What will a few hours matter? :) I am sorry to hear the news about your team, but once again, thank you for letting me know about the Chargers. I am happy with the team we have this year. Even though I don't know all the dynamics. We have Weddle, Rivers, Allen, Gates, and the rest. We are set :) As for the pictures, those come from Isaac. He is the Stake Executive Secretary here and I became very good friends with him my first go round here in Sparks. He just likes to take care of missionaries :) Also, thanks for helping take care of me wit the package. I received it last Monday evening and it has been a huge help and blessing :) I love and miss you Dad. Have a great week!

Mom- Thank you for the encouraging pep talk! It is very appreciated. :) Good luck with all you are trying to accomplish and do. Especially in finding goggles. You are in my prayers as well. I also would like to thank you for the package and your prayers in my behalf. I love and miss you Mom. I hope you have a good day and week!

Jeri Lin- I am sorry to hear that the sickness has been going around. Hopefully it only goes up from here. Which I have no doubt that it will because it seems to me that you are all continue to do well despite the sickness. It is good to hear that your kiddos are growing and learning :) I pray and hope that you all will have another good week. I sure do love and miss you all :)

Keila- I know you are counting...but 8 weeks. How crazy is that?! I love and miss ya :) Have a good week!

Sydney- Thank You for your email and for telling Cody to stop and talk to me next time. That little punk haha! I am bummed I didn't see him. Oh, and by the way good luck in you 500. I am sure you will do great. I love challenges like that. Just push yourself. It will definitely be worth it. I am glad you are doing well. I love and miss ya :)

Leslie- Hey, Mom tells me that you have some adventures to tell me about. I would love to hear about them when you get the chance. :) I hope you have a good week. I love and miss ya Sles :)

Brooke and Hayden- I will see you two yahoos soon! Just remember to smile and have a good week :) I love and miss you two!

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

Dear Family October 6, 2014

This week sure has been a busy one. Which is good. Do not think for one minute that I am complaining :) So, lets get down to why it was so busy. On Wednesday we were able to meet at the church building as a group of missionaries and watch the new movie that is coming out, "Meet The Mormons". Holy smokes. It is an awesome movie. If you have the chance. I highly encourage you to go and see it. It follows the lives of six different LDS people from around the world and just has them share their beliefs and why they do what they do. I am not a very emotional person, but I even got teary eyes. I sat next to Elder Flake and when the lights came on after it was over, he looked at me and was like..."did you cry?". I responded that I did a little bit. He said, "me too". Haha. I love that guy :) But for real. Good movie. Well worth the time and money :)

Also on Wednesday, we had our quarterly interviews with President. We don't have a whole lot of time with him, because there are so many to do. I had a good interview with him though. He asked me if I had any questions, and I told him that I know I asked him like a year ago if I could have a car, and I was asking him now. Just as a joke of course. He was actually surprised that I have been on a bike this whole mission experience. I told him that I don't even want a car any more. Just keep me on my bike :) He also asked me if I was happy with my mission. I told him that I don't think I could be any happier.This has been so great. I love it. :)

Now, going off that. I think I have shared some of the ups and downs of my mission. Probably more of the ups. Something that stuck out to me in conference this weekend though was the talk from...I believe it was Quentin L Cook in the Priesthood session. Don't quote me, because I don't have my notes with me. He said something along the lines of not being "fake"with our lives on social media,etc. So I am going to be real with you for a second here. Believe it or not, I have not been a perfect missionary. Surprise! I have made my fair share of mistakes. However, I have been able to overcome those mistakes and have come to develop a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father through the Atonement. Doing so has brought greater peace into my life. Which makes me happy and at peace with my mission. There is nothing better :)

Conference kept us busy this week as well. We had some investigators watch it with us. Like I said, I forgot my notes, but I will be sure to share more in the coming weeks. I think one of my favorite talks was Dieter F. Uchdorf's during the Priesthood session. I can tell you though that I had my testimony strengthened of those men being truly inspired, servants of our Heavenly Father once again. The questions I have been having and the council I needed were addressed and I am very grateful for General Conference :)

We also stayed busy with setting new baptismal dates for one of our investigators and then planning out the baptism for this coming Saturday. Things are continuing to move on forward here in Sparks. :)

Dad- Well I will definitely be sending pictures today. Lucky you ;) Haha I am glad you enjoyed conference. I also always enjoy the Priesthood Session. Good to hear that my teams did good this week. Good luck to your team tonight! Glad to hear that you are doing well this week. Crazy that Skyler is now home. I am happy for him. Let him know I say hi if you see him again. Speaking of which. Do you have any idea of when my home coming talk will be given? I have people planning on being there and I would like to let them know as soon as possible. Thank you for all your love and support Dad. I sure do love and support you :) I hope you have another good week!

Mom- I appreciate the pictures :) Just know that I also love and miss you and pray that you have a good week this week as well :)

Jeri Lin- Well I hope you are still happy and healthy and the rest of the Browns as well. I love and miss you guys! Have a good week :)

Keila- Hey.Smile.:) Haha I love ya Keila :) Have a good week!

Sydney-Thanks for your quick email :) I love and miss you as well! Have a good week off of school! :)

Leslie- Don't worry, be happy! :) Classic song. Haha I love and miss ya Sles! Have a good week :)

Brooke and Hayden- I love you too. Always :)

I love and miss you all! Have a good week!

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

Nearer My God to Thee - September 29, 2014

September 29, 2014

Hymn on page 100. It is my absolute favorite by far. Come Thou Fount of Every blessing is also a close favorite, but it isn't in the hymn book, so I guess I can't count it. Wow...I just tried to use this computer as if it had a touch screen...the heck. Haha anyways...now I am way off topic. So, Nearer My God to Thee. I feel like that is how I can describe my entire mission, but this past week has been no exception.

On Wednesday we had an awesome opportunity. All the missionaries from Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fallon, and Quincy got together here in my area with yellow "Helping Hands" vests and we cleaned up a park for the city of Sparks. I was out snipping down willows the entire time. The force of 170 missionaries was able to knock the project out pretty quickly. It not only was exciting to see so many of my good missionary friends, but it was nice to be able to do that service. I truly have a testimony of service. It brings us closer to our Heavenly Father. Mosiah 2:17 "And behold I tell you these things that you may learn wisdom; that you may learn that when you are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God". Doing that service brought me nearer to God this week.

I bet you can guess what else brought me nearer to God this week. Yep. My bike. It is the most frustrating thing I think I have ever had to deal with. However, it causes me to pray a lot. So, yes my bike has brought me nearer to God this week.

Singing has brought me nearer to God this week. There is a Less Active lady that we visit here, and we always start our lessons with her with a song. I enjoy it. This week we actually sang, "Nearer My God to Thee". I love singing. Even though I am not too good at it.

There are so many things that are able to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. I mention a lot of them each and every week. This week we have the opportunity to be able to listen to our Prophet and Apostles in General Conference. I know that is definitely a way that we are able to come nearer to our Heavenly Father, because as we listen, there will be something said that will touch us. We will be able to recognize that Heavenly Father really is talking to us. I encourage you all to be prepared for it :)

So, to give you a little update on those we are teaching. Things are actually going pretty well. My companion is a crazy Tongan, and just when I think I can't take it any more, we start a new day, and things are good. We have to use team work to not only teach, but to break into our own bathroom. Funny story. For some reason all of a sudden, we can no longer open the bathroom door from the outside, even if it is unlocked. Super weird. We had a great time breaking in though. Good bonding experiences. The late night talks also help a lot. My companion is crazy, but I love him :)

Now...that had nothing to do with those we are teaching. We have two people set with a baptismal date for October 11th. One is pretty solid, the other will probably have to be moved, but we will see. We have others that are progressing, but it is relatively slowly. We actually have started working with an awesome part member family this past week and so far, things are looking promising there. They came to church yesterday. I really feel like things are picking up here,and it is exciting, and definitely helpful. As it helps me remain focused. So yeah, things are going well for me and September is already basically done. Woah. It is going quickly!

Dad- Thanks for all the news. It is definitely appreciated. I figured my team would have a W this week. I am happy :) That is a bummer about ASU though. Shucks. Did they drop in their ranking?? The Tongan is going good. I know how to say yes and liar. haha. The important stuff ;) Let's just say, I have had quite a few of the interesting guys as companions. Haha. Jeri Lin did give me the exciting news :) As for conference. I am gonna see if we can watch it in members or less active or even investigators homes. If we can't find anyone then we will be headed up the road to the church building. I hope that answers your questions. I also hope that you have a good week this week. I love and miss you Dad :)

Mom- Thanks for sharing haha :) I was actually talking about that ambulance to someone...it might have been a while ago. I don't remember haha. Anyways I hope you have had a good week Mom and I hope you have another good one this week. I sure do love and miss you :)

Jeri Lin- Thank you for the loves from Texas :) Well that is no fun about the sickness. I am glad that the excitement is there for the new baby though :) I am glad you continue to see the good in all the little things. Continue to do that this week and have another good one :) I love and miss ya!

Keila- I hear you got to go to the ASU game. Lucky. Even though they lost. I hope you have had a good week. I love and miss ya :)

Sydney- Thanks for your email :) It has been kinda cold, just rainy. The fall is coming for sure. I am gonna be happy to miss the real cold here. I will probably get a little of it, but not the whole thing. Thank goodness :) Good job on your swimming! That is awesome. Keep it up :) I love and miss you :)

Leslie- Thank you for sharing with me what you shared in your devotional. That is awesome :) I really do love and miss you too. Keep being awesome and have a good week :)

Brooke and Hayden- I love you two! :) Smile :)

Well that is all I have for today and this week. Keep being awesome!
I love and miss you all!

Love
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)