Letter for the week of December 20, 2010

Hello,

     Lifes been fun we got 3 father led families in our teaching pool now and a couple more families(no babas) and some single adults. its been a much better week. weather is crazy. it will be like hotter than blazes and then 20 min left itll just be intense rain. haha. yea lifes going good. not much to say haha sorry.

sincerly,
elder Shipp
**On a side note Scooter will be able to call home this week for Christmas!  We will hear from him on the night of Christmas Eve...what a great Christmas present!

Elder Shipp with his Mission President in Durban

Dear Shipp family,

                Please find attached a photo of your Elder with Sister Von Stetten and me at the Mission Home in Durban. We want to assure you that Elder Shipp is safe in his first area and appears to be adjusting well.  We are confident that he will be a great asset to the mission and would encourage you to write to him weekly to keep him encouraged and strong.

Thank you for lending this young man to the service of the Lord. May you and your family be blessed for his labor.

Regards,

President James C Von Stetten

He has arrived in his first area...

Sabona,

         Im doing great. my new companion is really awsome. we totally get along. he's like just like me, cept he's got way more experience and he's got cool stuff that i was never taught. he's my baba(means father) and apparently i got the best baba out of all the greenies here. so thats cool. foods good. everyone here eats lots of rice, fruits and they love briers(bbq's). i've been fed everyday that i've been out haha and all the kids love me cuz im white haha. but im in ladysmith district, and my area is the ezikena branch. its really cool. the people here are all about respect and being way freindly. its like a laid back town. we dont leave the apt to tract till like 12 because people arnt up and stuff till like 10 hahaha.

Sincerly elder shipp

Last week in Johannesberg

Sabona everyone,

            The MTC is good and its almost over. i go teaching with the missionaries today and then i leave wednesday. i dont get a phone call till christmas. the food here is just ok. i got a good thanksgiving dinner. nothing like whats at home but it was good. i miss you guys but i am having a good time here haaha. my roommates and i are geting along better.

Sincerly,

Elder Shipp

Here are some pictures:

 The guys playing Thumb board. its like pool

 Joesburg Temple

Me wearing my companions Zambian Scarf and beenie, with my USC shirt.

He arrived safe and sound/ First letter!

Elder Shipp has made it to South Africa!  He left in the early morning of Tuesday, November 9th and arrived November 10th.  Here is an excerpt from his first letter:

i made it. Its a very small mtc. max capacity is 38 and we will be the largest group ever to be in this mtc at one time. Our group is 37. The plane ride was kiiiilllleeerrrrr. i was alone on the flight to long beach but when i got to salt lake and made it to my gate i ran into like 8 other ppl and then in atl we picked up another 3 or 4. I ran into Sister Blum in salt lake and shes in my mtc. my companion is elder Phluffi-Anthony from Zambia. hahaha i meet him tomarrow. Im all safe and doing good. I had a random bloody nose when we landed in atl. but no biggy.

       Its SUPER pretty out here and the mission manager said that this is the non pretty part of africa. they say the coast is really pretty. Johanasburg is the crime capital of RSA(republic of south africa). He said Durban is really laid backa and very care free. but the work is really hard there because of there "laid back"ness. i miss you all and i cant wait to tell you guys more. My email days in the mtc are Saturday(here, so may be friday for you. idk) and once im in the feild it will be mondays(once again idk when that will be for you). As far as letters go unless you send me one with in this next 2 days i wont get it till couple weeks in the feild. And i cant send personal emails so dont expect any personal messages until i get into the feild.

Sincerly,

Elder Shipp.

Here is a picture of Elder Shipp with his MTC companion Elder Phiri from Zambia:

Here is a picture of Elder Phiri, Elder Finn and Elder Shipp:

We received a second letter on Friday.  His p-day is Saturday's (our Friday).  That is when he is able to email us with updates.  Here is his second update:

I miss you guys. we dont have much in common but hes really cool. He's from Zambia. Its getting tougher tho. I hang with the africans for the most part. but everyone is waaay cool. ive been trying to read my scriptures and write in my journal everyday. its alot of fun and games. ive found out that Zulu is gonna be tought to learn and that Durban is a really laid back place. There is a sister Kogo that is from kenye and she knows Elder Bakker. i also found his picture on the wall. Not much else to say. Class started yesterday. this mtc is wayy laid back. Grandpa would be jealous our milk is whole with the cream and our juice is fresh no preservatives. i could prob email everyday if i wanted to, or if i had free time. haha hope all is well at home. anything new? has gerry gotten his call yet? what you all been up to? anyone can email me i just cant email them back personally.

Sincerly elder shipp.

On Sunday, November 7,2010 Scooter was sent apart as a missionary by the Stake President of the Long Beach East Stake, President Tom Ahlstrom.

Grandpa Wright, Ryan, Brad, President Ahlstrom and Bishop Evelyn were all there to stand in the circle and participate. 

A few people gave Scooter some words of advise and Scooter was able to share his testimony.  It was a raw, honest testimony of the Gospel.  He is going to be a great missionary!

One Final Goodbye...

Scooter climed on a plane at the Long Beach airport at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 to start his journey to South Africa.  Here are some of the final good-bye hugs.  Those who came were Grandpa and Grandma Wright, Deeanna, Mackenzie, Madalyn, Shane and a few other buddies.

 Grandpa and Scooter (a proud moment)

 Mackenzie and Scooter

 Madalyn and Scooter (can you tell she was crying...very bittersweet for her)

 Grandma and Scooter

 Shane and Scooter

 All his luggage ready to go!

Scooter with a few of his buddies before they left for the airport.  I know he appreciated all the support!!

Mission Farewell

 Elder Shipp's mission farewell was on October 31, 2010- yes, HALLOWEEN!!!  The morning started with a program at church in the Woodruff Ward.  Elder Shipp and his Grandma Wright spoke.  Both did a great job...this was Pam's first talk in 33 years so she was very nervous, but she survived and had great words of advise for Elder Shipp.  Elder Shipp gave a talk about Joseph Smith's First Vision.  It was a simple talk with a beautiful and innocent testimony. 

Later that same day there was an open house at the LBCC Institute of Religion in honor of Elder Shipp.  So many friends and family came and showed their support for him.  He felt very loved and was so grateful to those who came. 

Here are just a few pictures from the day:

 The buffet...it consisted of pulled pork and beef sandwiches, strawberry/banana spinach salad, fruit and ambrosia- yummy!

 South Africa Flag

 (l-r) Susan Fisher, Larry Fisher, Stan, Great- Grandma Dickison, Debi

 (l-r) Scott Wright, Lisa McComb, Andrew McComb, Laura Beckstrand, Brad Wright and Mark Beckstrand

 (l-r) Seth, Jennifer, Elsie, Wayne and Kya Landes

 (l-r) Evelyn , Darlene Howard, Billy Howard and Bishop Evelyn

 (l-r) Mackenzie, Aubrey, Ariel and Scooter

 Elder Shipp and Zach

 Sandy and Elder Shipp

 The Jones Clan!

A group shot of all siblings and cousins that were there.

Almost Departure

Tomorrow morning 5:50 A.M. I'm gone with the wind.