This Week in the Bay!

SOOOOOOOOOOO THIS WEEK WAS HOT!!! EISH. AnD HUMID!!! wow. I went from the coldest area in the coldest season to the hottest area in the hottest season in my mission.

But We did the work. Had some trials tho. My area is a biking area and we had tons of bike problems this week. but regardless of the bike problems we continued to work.

So that got me thinking. Why the heck do we face sooo many problems. especially when were doing the right things. Why?? thats like doing what mom says then having her ground you anyways. What the heck! So i started to analyse these trial and figure out what caused them and what was happening casue of them and what the outcome looked like becasue of the trials. And i came to a conclusion. Every trial that we face weather our fault or some other person or things fault is there to help us grow. We walked most of the week but on the days we rode we faced flat tires. and we bonded. i could only pump a tire up so many times till i was finished in the heat. but my companions gladly stepped in and helped with my burden. Instead of getting angry that my bike had problems we worked thru it as a team. and because of it we are alot more like friends then co workers. also the walking this week has helped me bond with them and get to know them. its not easy going into a 3some when the companions your joining have already been together for 2 transfers. eish i was definitly alienated and the bording has been the same for 2 transfers so im the new guy. but now im part of the family. all cause the bikes gave out. But you can apply this principal to all of you life trials. What are we Faceing now in our life? What caused it?? Whats happening cause of it??? These trials could easily be looked at as blessings. and oppertunities to grow.

Thats about all i got for this week.

Love elder shipp

Elder Shipp almost lost it....

I GOT AN EBOOK READER!!!! So i can get rid of all these books i have and just have them digital. sorry haha

Q. Did you get a couple of packages and a letter from us?

A. one from you and one from jenifer! sweet thank you guys.

Q. So, how have you been?

A.  Weelllll ive beeen pretty drained. like the bikes are broke so were walking and its 80 percent humididy soooo im just tan and super spent but enjoying it. im learning the area alot better. soo thats cool.

Q.  How is the weather there?

A.  ummmmm not too hot persay but humidity is pretty bad. haha but yea. like hawaii.

Q.  You said that you have dinner appointments every night, so what have you been eating?

A.  umm the usual foods. chicken beef rice pap. not very crazy cool of a meal plan buuuttt its food.

Q.  Are the people friendly?

A.   yea for the most part. toooonnnssss of drunks and im the only white guy again sooo its a cause of minor bumps in the day but not too bad.

Q.  Had any spiritual experiences this week?

A.  We had 4 baptisms yesterday. that was cool and one of the boys went to bear his testimony and just started crying so i helped him to the side and he said all he could think about was his mom. he said she was smiling down on him. and yea elder shipp almost lost it .... but i was tough and kept a stone face. haha

Q.  Had any fun experiences this week?

A.  Ummm No, we taught a 14 year old pastor.... that was funny.

Q.  How is it being a District Leader?

A.   Hectic. stressful and fun. but yea. its weird being in the decision making process since ive just been a grunt this whole time. kinda have the option to choose my fate.

Q.  Do you drive or walk when you go out?

A.  Walking/ biking. 

Q.   Are you the driver?

A.  i would be tho. neither of them have license.

Q.  How long have your companions been out?

A.  Ummmm one is new on mission 3 months and the other goes home at the end of this month.

Q.  Do you like them?

A.  yea there cool.

Q.  Do you have a new missionary couple there?

A.   ummm yea. hevent seen them much but will tell you when i do.

Q.  Do you have any sister missionaries in your area?

A.  No durban mission doesnt have any cause of a rape thing in like 2000 or something.  

Q.  Are you still eating alot?

A.  Tooo much. but no real weight gain.

Q.  How was your leadership training?

A.  Ummmmmmmm Intresting. but cool to see my old friends.

Q.  Are you closer to the Mission home now?

A.  Yea just about 2 hours. Closest ive been all mission.

Q.  Will you get packages and letters quicker?

A.  Ummmmmmm im not sure. i think the same speed as newcasle my first zone. but well see.

Q.  What are you doing different being a leader, than just being a missionary?

A.  Ummmm alot more stress and responsibility. if some thing goes wrong i get in trouble and have to punish those lower than me.

Q.  Have you noticed a different spirit in the people in this new area?

A.  Ummm back to the zulus. soo little more stubbor group but cool.

Q.  Are  you close to Ladysmith?

A.  about 2 hours.  

Q.  Richards Bay sounds like you are near a beach or harbor, can you see the ocean?

A.  yea on mondays. :( i miss the beach.

Elder shipp

Love you