Howday! June 16, 2014

June 16, 2014

I am clean cut and ready to email. Now where to go from here. This week has been one that I had to push through physically. Tuesday night, I was awakened by a sore throat...tried to sleep it off, but eventually caved and took some meds. Wednesday and Thursday were rough. I couldn`t breathe hardly and I just felt achy. I was in a "I want my Mom" moment. I kept on doing what my Mom would want me to do. Kept going out and kept working. Hoping that maybe I would sweat it out. Luckily I have some very good friends here in Nevada that are willing to help and take care of me, so now I am back in a more normal working condition. Thank goodness for Pdays in giving me at least a little bit of time to have some time to rest and relax.

Other than being sick, this week hasn`t been too bad at all. It is looking like we are moving the baptism dates again for Kimberly and Tristy. Not too far in the future. I am just hoping that I am able to stick around for them. Transfers will be happening on the 24th. So calls will come on Sunday. It really is a toss up of what will happen. If I do end up being moved, I hope that it is nearby, because Juan is going through the Temple the day after transfers. Some other exciting news happened with Tony yesterday. He came to church! He stayed for all three hours and everyone there already thought he was a member. It was good. We did miss Calvin and Kimberly as well as Tristy this week though. Just trying to get them to keep coming.

What else...we have some potential new investigators. One of which we will be meeting with this coming Saturday. We just decided one afternoon to go down by the river and talk to some people and this group of teenagers on skateboards started talking to us, so I asked them if I could try a trick. So I attempted to do a kickflip a couple times. Couldn't quite get it though...but it got their attention, and like I said, one of them wants to hear us out on Sunday. That was cool. Another cool experience we had happened just before dinner on Friday. We were running just a few minutes ahead on our schedule, and we didn't want to be too early to dinner...so we just decided to walk up the street a little ways and then a little dog was chasing us down, but we chased it back to its owner. Then...standing in the middle of the street, Elder Reynolds suggested the we just knock on the door of the house behind us. So we did. We met the Lady that lived there, and asked her if we could leave a blessing on her home. She agreed and then said we could come back another time, so we are gonna check back this week. :)

Things are continuing to go well for me as a District Leader. I am coming to enjoy it and my District helps me be able to enjoy it. They all are good missionaries and have fun while they do it. I really can't complain :)

Dad- To be honest, I think for the most part, I have felt like my week was pretty similar to your week. Just kinda the same old stuff. A scripture was shared this week that really stuck out to me. "And let us not be weary in well doing: For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" Galatians 6:9. So, I guess that is my advice to you. Keep up the good work! You are such an awesome Dad, and I am truly blessed to have you. You are truly one of my very best friends. The time will soon come when we can hang out again together. :) Have a good week Dad, I love and miss ya!
One more thing....any feelings on the world cup?? I think it will be Germany.

Mom- Well thank you for sharing your experience and insight. The struggle is real, that is all I know...but just like you did, we just got to push through :) I also see a lesson in not having the boat. That is a lesson in attitude. You all kept a good attitude and were still all able to have a good time. :) That was actually what one of the trainings was given on in our zone training. Attitude makes a huge difference. :) I am glad all is well. Tell Brooke that I am sorry, I will be better at responding when she writes and emails. I still love and miss her :) I love and miss you as well Mom. Have another good week!

Jeri Lin- Well I am happy to hear that your trip went well and all. I am glad that Syd enjoyed it as well. Good luck to her if she does end up going there...I could never do that. Too darn cold. Haha. Sounds like everyone is doing well even with peeing pews and not walking...the joys I have to look forward to ;) I am glad you all are staying busy. One of these days we will all have to come up to the Biggest Little City Temple. It is pretty neat. :) Hope you have a good week! I love and miss ya Sis :)

Keila- I am doing good today :) I hope you are doing good. I am glad you had a good week at the lake. That is cool that you know what you are doing for school now. You will have to keep me posted on when you start and how its going and whatnot. I miss ya and love ya too. Have a good week! :)

Sydney- Well it looks like you enjoyed Idaho. That is good to hear. I hope everything else is going well. Love and miss ya! Have a good week :)

Leslie- Hey, I love you! Have a great week :)

Brooke- Well I haven't heard from you in a while. I hope your summer is going well! Sorry that I have been kinda bad at writing back. I hope you can forgive me. Let me know how you are doing! :) I love ya and miss ya!

Hayden- Hey Little Brother. I miss ya man. I hope you are getting tough. I can't wait till I get to see you again. Stay awesome. I love ya and miss ya :)

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

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

Full Week :) June 9, 2014

June 9, 2014

Hello! Since the darn network at our church building has been down, I have been stressing about how and when I would be able to get this sent off to you. I must have figured it out since you have this email now :)

Now what to report on this week? I feel like a lot has happened since last week. On Tuesday, we went on splits for the evening. I was with our ward mission leader, and Elder Reynolds was with one of the newly returned missionaries of the ward. My night was filled with meeting with member families and going over the ward mission plan with them. Elder Reynolds on the other hand was setting our investigator with a baptismal date. It is a 9 year old of a less active family and she is planning on the 21 of this month to get dunked. We may move it, because that is the day our ward will be getting home from the Trek. It also may be the day that Juan goes through the temple. So we will just have to play it by ear and see :)

Let me see...what else. Oh! I got to see my friends on Friday. They were in town for our mission leadership meeting. We had a good time learning and catching up there. The AC in the building was broken though...so you can imagine how nice it was sitting shoulder to shoulder in suits. Haha Other than that, it was good. On Tuesday, I also gave another training at District Meeting about Talking With Everyone and asking everyone for referrals. That was a good time. I also gave the sisters all a copy of a picture I drew of our district. There will be pictures of that sent here pretty shortly. Things as a District Leader are still going well. I am enjoying it. Even if it adds some extra stress.

Funny story of the week. I had a crazy psychic lady feel my energy at Kimberly's house. She grabbed my hand and told me that I was insecure and that I needed a girlfriend. Also I will be, "the husband of all husbands". Hahaha Elder Reynolds and I were laughing so hard along with Kimberly. The lady was insane.

The good news is that we were able to find a new investigator by the name of Tony. The guy has a Ph. D. in Bio Chemistry. He is crazy smart. Before our lesson with him yesterday, he stayed up from 9:30pm till 5am doing research on the church. Who does that?! So we are gonna be plenty busy trying to answer all his questions. Prayers have been answered with him though. We have been trying so hard to find good, new solid investigators, and it happened for us :)

Also! Calvin finally came to church for the first time! The last time he was in any kind of church was when he was 16 years old...that is like...57 years. Super stoked. Kimberly was also there and some of the other less active members we have been working with. So it was a successful week. We are working to have another great week. I can't complain at all :)

So yeah, that was my week!

Dad- I am happy to hear that you were able to get back to working out again :) Sounds like a pretty fancy gym :) To answer your question, the training was good. Also, I didn't think I would ever hit 18 months. Time is just cruising. I will just be happy to be home and hang out for Christmas this year. Whatever we decide on doing :) Thanks for all your support, love and encouragement :) I love and miss ya Dad. Have a great week!

Mom- Hope you are having a great time at the Lake. I love and miss ya! Have a great week :)

Jeri Lin- Well you will have to let me know how your trip to Idaho goes. I am glad to hear that everything else is going well :) Oh, the new investigator, Tony, has a daughter that is 4 days older than Lindi :) Anyways, I love and miss you too and hope you have a great week! :)

Keila- Love and miss you! Have a good week :)

Sydney- Thanks for your email :) I hope you have a great time in Idaho. Flying isn't that bad. You will do fine. I love and miss you Syd. Have a good week! :)

Leslie- Love and miss you! Have a good week! :)

I love and miss you all!

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

Dos de Junio

June 2, 2014

It is dia dos de junio. #TimeFlies
I am also typing you all an email. Should I keep stating obvious facts, or move on withthis email? Alright, I will move on :)

First of all, I need to take the time to apologize for last week. Last Monday was pretty counter productive, because usually it is the day I just get to relieve some stress and relax, but last week I was just stressing out big time. I could see it in my emails. I totally forgot to answer some of your questions...and I felt bad. So that wont happen again.

Anyway, even though I had a bit of a rough start, the rest of the week got better. On Tuesday I went for round two in giving another District Meeting Training. I felt like it went a whole lot smoother than the first. I guess that is why they allow me to give more than just one training...so that I can learn and be better :) The meeting I mentioned last week, the training for all the District Leaders in the mission, is going to be this Friday. I am really looking forward to that. Anyways, all together, my calling as a District Leader has been enjoyable thus far. I really don`t have much to complain about. I mean, I don`t even have to do exchanges or splits with other missionaries in my District like most District Leaders. Having all sisters is a blessing :)

I do, however, have to go on exchanges with one of the Zone Leaders at least once a transfer though. I had the opportunity to do that on Friday. It was enjoyable. It was one of those days where everything just seemed to work out. Also on that day, Juan opened his mission call as I am sure you are aware. The Colorado Denver South Mission, reporting August 13th. I am so stoked for him! It was one of the greatest feelings I ever had when I received that news. There are many experiences that I have been able to have on my mission that make it all worth it. That one is by far one of the best. I am sure hoping that I will also be able to share the Temple experience with him as well. I am so blessed to have Juan as one of my very best friends :)

One of the other highlights, and I guess the final highlight of this week was our Fast and Testimony meeting that we had yesterday. Most often, missionaries are terrified of fast and testimony meetings when they have investigators there. I admit, I have had those moments on my mission. Yesterday was awesome though. The overall them was basically just to keep pushing forward and to become better through living the Gospel. The whole time, I was just thinking, "Yes, This is exactly what Kimberly needs to hear" :) She enjoyed it. As I was sitting there though, I also realized something else. I was thinking of others and not of myself. I was happy. When I was in Spring Creek, my goal was to become more selfless and yesterday helped me realize that I was on the right track still. I also then realized that those testimonies were for me as well. It was perfect :)

Life is good here in Reno. The best kind of Gatorade is Cucumber Lime by the way :) Also known as Limon Pepino :)

Dad- Well I am glad to hear that Vegas was a good time for you. I figured you would be going to the buffets...so I guess it is a good thing that you walked a bunch as well. I have that opportunity each and every day. Minus the buffets...unless the Casinos have a separate entrance to the buffet, we aren't able to go. Maybe one of these days in the future I will experience that part of Reno :) It is definitely nothing compared to Vegas though. I will have to take a look at the Ensign more in detail later. I just skimmed through it this morning and I will look at that article :) As far as Juan and his decision to serve a mission. I know his parents aren't like jumping up and down. The last I checked was that his Mom was more supportive than his Dad. He has a lot of support from his ward family here though and then missionaries families such as ours. That is awesome that you have joined a gym, and yes, that is early. I found that once I get into a routine though, it becomes a lot easier. That is what I have had to do on my mission. Just keep up the good work. I love and miss ya Dad. have a good week! :)

Mom- I, like you, am super excited for Juan. He is amazing :) Thank you for being so willing to help him out. He is gonna be an incredible missionary. It has been wonderful to see the change and progression he has had over the past year and a half. It will be great when you all have the opportunity to meet him in person one day :) I am glad you were able to have a good time in Vegas and it sounds like your birthday was good as well. One of the Sisters in my District has the same birthday as you. I was thinking of you . :) I am grateful to have such a wonderful Mom and I hope you have a good week! I love and miss ya :)

Jeri Lin- Well I hope you have had a good week. I also hope all your kiddos are doing well. I love and miss ya Sis and hope you have a good week this week :)

Keila- Hope you had fun in Vegas! Love and miss ya :)

Sydney- Well thank you for your email! :) I hope you stay safe and have fun with all your activities and turning 16 this year! Just stay awesome and be doing the little things and everything will be ok :) Remember that :) I love and miss you, Have a good week!

Leslie-Thank you for your email...I can't believe you have an iphone. Haha I am quite jealous. Haha I am stuck with a dumb phone for now. Maybe one of these days our mission will get iphones and ipads. Who knows? Or maybe I will just have to wait till I am back home and have money again :) Keep up the good work. Especially in swim. Also, have fun :) I love and miss ya Sles. Have a good week! :)

Well I think that is all I got for now, So I am out! Stay happy :)

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

 My buddy

My district

(no subject) May 25, 2014

May 25, 2014

This week...It has been another busy one. One with new and different responsibilities. On Wednesday I had the opportunity to teach my first relief society...I mean District Meeting. It was complete with a centerpiece of flowers, tablecloth, and treats. The Sisters all seemed to enjoy it, so that was good. It was definitely a learning experience for me...and I hope they were able to learn a little bit from it as well. The problem I had was that it felt like it was a little too lecture-ish. So I have received some input from a few different people and I am looking to apply it. I guess we will just have to see how it goes in round 2 tomorrow. :) I also am looking forward to a mission wide District Leader training that should be coming up here in the very near future, because I need all the help I can get. It also is cool, because lots of my friends will be there :)

I guess I will share one of my cool experiences with you. Yesterday I was able to give service to someone both Spiritually and Physically. We called a Less Active lady yesterday and she didn't want us to come over because she was upset with the state of her house and she was having a hard time, because she had just recently lost someone close in her family. We immediately offered to come and help her clean up the house. So we did, and the Sisters joined us as well. We did her dishes, made her bed, swept her floors. Just kinda helped her get back on her feet. Then we had one of the most spiritual lessons about the Plan of Salvation. It was so cool. She expressed her gratitude and it was definitely an answer to her prayers :) Then I also found out that the experience was an answer to the Sisters prayers as well. That was pretty cool. We also have been able to find a few new solid Less Active Members and a new investigator. So things are continuing to improve. Thank you for all you guys do :)

Dad- Well mine is short this week too. It sounds to me like you are having a pretty good week too :) I mean, except for the whole thing with Grandma. I will definitely keep her in my prayers. I love and miss ya. Have a good one!

Mom- Thank you for your email! And the pictures as always :) I am glad things are going well for you as well. Love and miss ya Mom! Have a good time in Vegas and a good week :)

Jeri Lin- Well I am glad you are doing well in Texas and starting to get a system down. I hope that you receive answers to your prayers and have a good week. I love and miss ya Sis. :)

Keila- Congrats! Have a fun time and good week! :)

Sydney- Love you and miss you!

Leslie- Love you and miss you!

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

Just in Time With 3 Minutes to Spare May 19, 2014

May 19, 2014

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." Alma 37:6

My testimony of the truthfulness of that scripture continues to grow each and every week. A majority of the week goes by it feels like I haven't been able to do as much as I would like. Then Sunday comes and we reflect on the week and just see how much good we have actually been able to accomplish. I recognize the miracles that have taken place. I would like to share one of those miracles with you. It is actually where the title of this email comes from.

I believe I have told a majority of you, if not all of you, about Kimberly. Well this past week has been a rough one for her and which made it a little rough on her. She has been dealing with not so good of people just coming into her home and basically taking over. This meant that we needed to stay clear of the home just for our own safety. We were really bummed though, because we wanted to help her, but there was no way we really could. It was frustrating. I honestly began to think we had lost her. Then, on Saturday we got a call from her neighbor saying that Kimberly was not doing too well and all she wanted was for us to come over. We got there as soon as we could. Talked with her a bit and invited her to a BBQ that we were going to have at one of the members homes. There she was able to relax and was able to make new friends and we had a good gospel conversation about faith. So now fast forward to Sunday. We attempt to pick her up for church, but no answer. Darn it. We decided that we would just stop by sometime after church to make sure she was doing alright. So now it is after church, we just finished eating some lunch, and we are out making our way towards Kimberly`s house. We stopped and talked with a few people. Then we knock on the door of Kimberly`s house. She opens the door in total shock and says, I just had a talk with God and he answered! 7 minutes before we arrived, Kimberly took an act of faith like we had discussed the night before and asked if the Book of Mormon was true. She told Heavenly Father, "if this is all true, you will send the missionaries to me in the next 5-10 minutes". Well we were just in time with 3 minutes to spare. It not only strengthened her testimony, but it strengthened mine as well.

Yesterday at church, we attended the priest quorum during the third hour. There was an awesome lesson given. The talk that was shared was, "Lord, I Believe" that was given by Jeffrey R. Holland a few conferences ago. This week I had been feeling like the man who brought his son to Jesus. "...but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us." Mark 9:22 In fact, I feel like that is what my prayers sounded like. We spent hours trying to find and teach new people. I can tell you that he answered my prayers. I know that he can answer yours. No matter what you may be dealing with right now. He wants to help I know that. Dad, I know he wants to help you through your trials right now. Mom, I know he helped you hike through the canyon with Sherra. Jeri Lin, I know that he can help comfort you and help you through your own calling. Even if you just have a desire to believe that. I highly encourage going and listening or reading that talk. I know that everything does happen for a reason and in the end it will all work out. We just got to do our part and the Lord will make up for the rest. He will help our unbelief. Keep your heads up :)

Dad- Well as far as the District Leader thing goes. So far so good. I have some cool sisters to work with, so it should hopefully continue to be that way. I just had to call them all last night to see how they were doing and see if they needed supplies. Then I have to prepare to teach them all on Wednesday during District Meeting. I was thinking I was gonna get out of it, because it is normally held on Tuesdays and Tuesday is Zone Conference, but they just moved it a day back. That really is a bummer about John. I was really looking forward to possibly working with him and you, but it's like you and I will just have to get me ready for football :) Not a bad thing at all. I want you to know that you are always in my prayers and I hope things work out well. I also hope you have a good time in Vegas. This is a lovely state :) My second home for sure. I love and miss ya Dad. Have a great week!

Mom- I have to thank you for sharing that story with me and for the pictures as well. I had my prayers asking that you and Sherra would be protected on you hike and that you would have the guidance and help as needed. So that was even an answer to my prayers. Thank you for all that you do as my Mom. I sure do love and miss you. Have a great week! :)

Jeri Lin- Honestly, when I read your email, it kinda made me think of you as a missionary. The whole homesickness, self pity stuff. The best way to get rid of it is just, get busy! Don't overwhelm yourself, but go about doing good. I think the feelings you have are similar to the ones I receive after a transfer (luckily, that hasn't happened to often). I know you will be alright. Just keep being the awesome Mom and Sister that you are! I love and miss you! Have a good week!

Keila- Graduation! Crazy! Have a good week. Finish Strong. I love and miss you :)

Sydney- Love and miss ya! Have a good week!

Leslie- Love and miss ya! Have a good week! I am happy for your new eye! :)

I love and miss you all!

Love,
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle

Relief Society President ;) May 12, 2014

May 12, 2014

Well this one is gonna be on the short side as well because of the opportunity that I did have to talk with you all yesterday. As you are all aware, just a little while after I got done skyping with you, I was still just chillin' on Sister Dailey's couch and I got a text from President. I definitely was not expecting the message that came, because the leadership calls usually come out on Saturday mornings. Not this one. There was a wave of emotions and thoughts that came to my head when I read it. I did accept the call of course. Now within the past few hours, I have learned that I will have a District full of sister missionaries. As far as I know, Elder Reynolds and I will be the only Elders. Hence the title of this email. ;) That is unofficial, but that is the news I have received as of now. So don't hold me to that.

As for Sister who has been in this area for nearly a year. She is now out. She will be heading to Ely on Wednesday. Other than that, not too many drastic changes within my zone from the others I have talked to.

As for Lindi, I will keep her in my prayers for sure. That is no fun...I mean not that I can really remember when I was in her position, but I can imagine. I thank you for all the prayers that you all offer in my behalf. I am gonna need them now more than ever as I am taking on this responsibility. It makes me anxious. I also appreciate all the prayers that you offer for my investigators. They are a huge reason why I am more than happy to stay in this area. I love them to death :)

I think that is all I have for now. If you have any more questions. You can shoot them my way. I should be on for a little while longer, so I will try to answer :)

I love and miss you guys like crazy! I hope you all have an awesome week!

Love
Your Son
Your Brother
Elder Bryton Dane Shinkle :)

So this was like...the after after picture of the wing challenge. Wearing my crown. Looking all happy. I have to get the other pictures from the other missionaries in my zone..so they will come at a later date. Stay tuned!

Opposition May 5, 2014

May 5, 2014

Week 6 of transfer number 12 is here. I seriously cannot believe it. Sunday I will have the chance to be able to talk with you all and then we will be getting transfer calls that night. Chances are there won`t be any significant changes, but I do have a slight feeling that I could be moved. If I do end up being moved, I hope it is close by, because Juan should be getting his mission call in the very near future, which also means he will be going through the temple. We will just have to wait see!

As far as this past week goes, it hasn't been too bad. It was another week full of both ups and downs. One fun story happened with a crazy lady yesterday. She was just outside, sitting on her porch, and she started talking to us. Of course we stopped and started talking to her. As we started talking though, I could tell something was different, so I just asked her if we could say a prayer with her. She agrees and lets us in her front gate, but puts a chain and pad lock on the gate behind us. Weird. Then she tried to invite us inside. No, sorry, can`t do that. We just want to say a prayer with you. As I am saying the prayer, she keeps interrupting. At this point, we are just trying to get out of there. She asks me for a kiss. Not a chance. Then she won`t come unlock the gate and we had to hop the fence to get out. After that experience, I was honestly really irritated. I felt like I had just wasted a ton of time. As we went throughout the rest of the day though, we were able to find a potential family of 3 to begin teaching and another lady that would like us to come back this week. I started to wonder why Heavenly Father would have put that one lady in our path for that crazy experience. There must be opposition in all things. We can`t know the good things if we don`t go through the bad. It allowed for me to recognize that Heavenly Father is aware of what we are thinking and feeling. I was so much more happy when we were able to find those people after that experience. And like I have said before, if we continue to be diligent everything seems to eventually work itself out. If I just decided to go to the apartment and just take a nap after an appointment cancelled and my motivation was in the dumps, I would just continue to feel like garbage. One thing that I have also learned for sure in this area is that motivation follows action. If we just do it (Nike) then it becomes a whole lot easier and there will come a point where we may actually enjoy it. I am enjoying my mission. As tough as it is to get people to come to church, to help them change their lives for the better, and to follow the example of Jesus Christ. I love it.

Kimberly is probably gonna have to have her baptismal date changed once again, but that is alright. One of the hardest things is trying to not rush people, but also being able to set it close enough so that they don't get discouraged. It is a good thing that the dates are not do or die. We have a couple people that we still need to meet with a lot more often if they are gonna want to reach their goals.Things are still moving forward. Just trying to keep it that way. Gotta leave the area better than I found it. Which is tough, but also possible :)

Dad- Well I am glad you did all good in your run. I was praying that you would be able to do well and that you wouldn't be too sore afterwards. Thank you for the pictures :) I am glad you were also able to spend that time with Jeri Lin and her kiddos just before they had to head out. It sounds to me like everyone is doing pretty well. Lots of crazy things going on. I am looking forward to closing off a good week this week and transfer with talking to you all this weekend. Time is a cruisin for sure. I love and miss you Dad. I am praying that you have an awesome week! :)

Mom- It looks like I have missed you this week, but I want you to know that I have been thinking of you and that I am looking forward to talking to you on your day this Sunday. I hope you have a good week! I love and miss ya :)

Jeri Lin- Well I hope your flying all works out. I don't blame Hyrum for getting nervous...haha. Flying is definitely something to get used to. I personally like driving, but maybe because it is something I don't get to do all that often. I feel like I am just gonna want to drive around for days after I am finished here on my mission. Thank you for the pictures you sent me. I am glad you like the pictures that people send all of you and tag me on Instagram. I love and miss you Sis. Are we gonna be talking at all on Sunday? I guess I will see what I can do. I hope you have a good week! I love and miss ya!

Keila- Don't you miss it when it was actually fun to miss school? High School was such a pain, but it is definitely worth it. Just finish strong. You can do it :) I also need to wish you good luck on your competition and on your finals. Just keep saying your prayers. It will help. Tons. Then when you get through it all, you will be so much happier :) Just continue to try and stay happy. That is all we can do. I love and miss ya! Have a good week!

Sydney- I love ya! Have a good week!

Leslie- I love ya! Have a good week :)

I think that is all I have for today. I love and miss all of you! We will see each others faces soon enough :)

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