Welcome Home!

Elder Shipp returned home today after serving an honorable two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Durban, South Africa.  He flew through London and arrived at LAX at 1:30 p.m..  After going through customs he finally made it out to see us around 3:00 p.m.  

We were all so excited!

Here are a few of those anxiously waiting:

Walking out to see us...this was our first view of him.  He is looking as handsome as ever!

Once he cleared the gates the hugs began!

We drove straight to the Stake Center where President Ahlstrom gave Scooter an honorable release as a missionary then headed home for an evening of visitors.

Mackenzie could not be at the airport because of not being able to miss pre calculus, but she was able to make it to Grandpa and Grandma's house before Scooter arrived!  Trevor was away at science camp so he will have to wait until Friday to see him.

Letter from a Visitor!

This is brother Jay Price from Rexburg, Idaho.  I have been working the last few of weeks in Durban, South Africa.  I’ve been attending church in the Phoenix suburb of Durban where your son is assigned along with Elder Logan Bingham.

I wanted to let you know that he appears to be healthy and happy and well fed despite the Indian food with massive amounts of curry.  We had dinner at the Branch President’s house last week.  Your son is obviously well loved by President Ravi and his family including three very nice little girls: Amy, Kelly, and Heather.  The other members of the branch also really enjoy being around your son.

You can be very proud of Clinton.  He’s doing a great job.

Jay Price

Happy Birthday Elder Shipp!

Elder Shipp is 21 years old!  He got to celebrate in style South African style!

He is loving his companion right now!

Looks like they are having too much fun :)!

Homecoming!!

Elder Shipp has gotten his travel plans for returning home!!  He will arrive on Wednesday, November 14th at 1:30 p.m. at LAX.  We are all excited for his arrival!

Latest update

How has your week gone?

 alright.

Any new investigators? 

nope not this week.

When is the baptism? 

sometime. hahaha when he's ready.

Would you like a homemade meal from me when you come home???

 you guys can choose. ill prob have jet lag.

***Have you been taking many pictures?

 yea.... sad story. my camera just broke this afternoon at the end of the bird park. Says lense error and wont work. i think when i get home ill get it fixed... but i think bday present is camera?? is that cool? cause id like to get it before my birthday. so i can take pics at my bday.****

Will you get to go to the Temple before you leave Johannesburg? 

idk it depends on my travel plans. im trying to make arrangements. but i need more details on where and how long.

What is your favorite food from this area? ummmmm kababs and roties.

How much is gas in your area? 

 its about 11 rand a liter. so like 1.5 something a liter. 4 liters a gallon so like 6 bucks.

What are you doing today that is going to be fun?

 we went to the bird park.

Can you write me more detail about the questions???? 

 no. hahaha. man ill talk as much as you want when im home. haha

love 

scooter.

Pheonix, Durban

So my new area is called Pheonix and the climate is alot like Pheonix, Arizona.  I went from living in a mountainous (think Big Bear in November) to hot and humid!  There is a branch here for church so that is nice!

People love to feed them!

Trevor is Surfing???? thats pretty sweet. tell him to hang ten for me. If he gets good he'll have to hit up this beach near me called Balito. its pretty sweet brah.

This new area is cool. 100% different experience then my entire mission. its regular town. its majority english speaking. and christianity is not the majority. Its like starting mission all over again. Im teaching a lady that doesn't even know who heavenly father is and who Jesus Christ is. Didn't realize that people didnt know these things. hahaha we get fed like nuts. litterally the people could care less if your selling salvation or cars, if you knock on the door you'll get in and get juice if not a meal. then they just talk and ask you to go. haha ok, thanks for lunch.

The work is great tho. I really have to be bold. i think i've said things in these past two weeks with people i met the first time in my life. then things that i would have said to people i've known my entire times in areas. just what you have to do. like no this is right and this is how we know. try it if you want to make it to heaven. now you can kick me out your door. haha

My companion is Elder Armstrong and he is pretty cool.  This past week  I gave a talk that lasted like 25 min and i didn't prepare and it was 100 percent by the spirit. i prayed for inspiration and it came. God's real and here to help us.

love you,

Scooter

The building is still standing

Ok, how are you doing?

im doing great. sounds like you are too.

Is church attendence still going up? 

hahaha well last week was an exception but otherwise yes.

You have said that you get along with your companion, but I don't believe that I have heard what his name is or where he's from, so??? 

His name is Elder Gideme from Tanzania. and we are doing good.

 Do you think you will be transferred?

 yea probably. but i dont want to.

Any inspirational thoughts or experiences? 

weeeelllllllll i had to give a talk on sunday at the last second. and i opened my scriptures and read 2 nephi ch: 13-23. and i really enjoyed that scripture. it turned into a lovely talk.

Ice Cold Water

I know how you like bathing in cold water sooo......

..... yesterday I baptized one of our investigators.

hahaha it was cold. The portable font we set up the day before was iced on the top. So I got in the water and broke the thin layer of ice then invited her in and performed the ordinence. Probably my favorite and best baptism on mission.

"onward and upward." The more we look back the less we notice the progress.

Hope it makes you jealous. Love you. The big shipp in cold water.(Like that picture of washington on the delta.)


P.s.- Only 5 months left!

Stop and see the results of priesthood blessings

Many members at Church this week? 37 i think.

The elections are over right? yea, the reigning goverment lost which is what the poeple wanted so thats good.  How did that go? only minimal commotion. so far but people should be happy.  

Did you have to worry about people being so upset they rioted? no cause the bad guys lost. so should be fine.
How is your companion doing? "Ayoba" he says.

Do you have any Scooterisms for us this week? The lord is working miricles for us, but unless we stop and truely look for them we may never see them. Focus on those little blessing and remember that he loves you.

How about any experiences you would like to share? There was this Lady that went to the hospital so we went and helped out and before we left we offered a blessing and we left. The next day at church a member was referring to authority and priesthood and brought up the blessing and said that moments after the blessing the lady was joking around and alot more receptive. She left the hospital today. Was a real eye opener. I didnt even think that I should sit and see the results of the blessing. I just wanted to go eat.(mind you it was 11 and we still had to go home to prepare dinner and eat.) but those results meant soo much to those around us.

 

Love,

The Big Shipp

Alma 36

Any words of wisdom for us? ALMA 36. powerfull scripture. read ponder and apply.
Do you think you will stay in the same area at the next transfers? yup.
How long has your companion been out? ummmmm just like 4 months.

Jedi Power

So, can you telll me how you are and use more than one word? im doing good. nothing big with my health. still having a hot bath once a week and pampering myself, exersisine 4 times a week. and eating food. nothing big. ha

How is your weather now:? getting colder. it should start snowing in the mountains next week. or this week. maybe today its freaking cold this morning. haha

Are you still liking your new companion? for sure. we cook together, we do everything together. probably my most unified companion ive had 

Is your truck running better now that is has been fixed? hahahaha funny thing is we waited till wensday to fix the starter last week and then 3 starts later its broken again sooooooo were back here today fixing it. YAY!!! weve been push starting it all week. im like a pro at starting it now and i should be a lineman. cause pushing a 2.5 deisil truck 5 times a day to a slow jog by myself with my comp in the car is hard work haha 

Cameron wants to know if you are having fun and do you like Star Wars? i always have fun. funs my middle name... Clinton le"fun"e Shipp. notice it says Fun-e. hahahaha and of course, as a missionary i have to use the "force" on a daily baisis. see what they dont tell you in the movie is that the jedis get there power from keeping the commandments and reading there scriptures. 

Do you have any Scooter words for us? The plan of salvation is a power message of hope and a strong sign that our father in heaven loves us. It is outlined in the book of mormon soooo clearly for us to learn and grow from this divine message. It leads us as a lighthouse would a shipp thru our stormy times and our tidalwave trials. There is a quote that our dear presidency says that i use soo often in the lessons im in, "the things that matter most are the things that last the longest". we should remeber these things during times of weakness and travail. we should remember that our heavenly father loves us, and that these "faith trying" events in our lives are just minor bounds that will make us sooo much happier and stronger the next day. We should remeber that family is forever and that we will see those we loose again. soon. and we will be happy as will they as we live the gospel of christ.

 

my condolences to uncle scott and the family.

Love,

Elder shipp

Ice Cream

So if your in a place that's like Big Bear, then it must be pretty.
Will it snow there too? yea. thats what they say.
Are you & Elder Phiri getting along? ummmm yea. its fine. im alot
bigger than him and im doing my best to be nice. so it should al be
fine.
Are you in your own apartment or are you housed with members? own apartment.
So, your driving!  Please be careful!  Is it a truck or car? Truck.
this truck has a new engine because someone baptised it..... hahahaha
Elder thatcher drowned it like 6 months back.
If this area is small, does that make it harder for you to track?
accually its big just not big city. just big rural.
  Not alot of people to reach out to? plenty
  Do you have an actual church bldg to meet in? no just renting.  Are
you guys the main men in the ward? attachment to a branch 90min away.
ohhhh no were just missionaraies,

Words of Wisdom:  Sometimes it feels like an ice cream time, But is it
really time for an ice cream?? as kids we would eat sweets all three
meals of the day. but our parents know best for us and steer us clear
of doing that. But once we grow up we think that now we know when its
time for "ice cream" and when its time for food. We forget to consult
our heavenly parents to see if thats what we need to do.

Well, how have you been this week? Yea members are liking me alot now.
Are your temperatures dipping into the 60's yet? ummmm idk im looking at celcius. but its coooolllddd at night.
What can you do on p-day now that you are so far away from other Elders? Email.... climb mountains..... shop.... bout it.
Are you getting enough food? yea i need to go shopping. i made some videos. hope i can send them.
Any members ever feed you? no. well one fed us chicken one night. but not normal.
Is your boarding like a cabin up in Big Bear? No i live in a White House, In an area called america. Like an apartment.

What kind of food are you learning to cook? Ummm idk. spagettie, mashpotatos, salads, stew, breakfast stuff, mexican, stuff they eat here.
Do you have to go into Ficksburg to use a computer or is there one close to you? one close but it sucks and cost double. hahahahahahaha
Do you have any experiences you would like to share this week? Well I was teaching a lesson with 2 members yesterday. and we were teaching this mme about The Plan Of Salvation. and She had a question about why dont we remeber then, so i related it to a test. i said you study for the test. the teacher takes your notes away and gives you the test. You dont remeber what exactly you were studying but as you look at the test you remeber things. and she thought about it and realized that what i was saying is true. she said like our parents teach us rules buut not all of them. but we know whats right and whats wrong natrually. So she gained a testimony of those things we taught. Its not always about understanding why but its more about knowing if its true.
What positions did you have to fill for Church today? hahahahhaha the least that i had to. i just had my nose in miricle of forgiveness as much as possible.

Latest update

Pride is what keeps us from progressing. If we are to pridefull to reconize or admit defeat. how will our wounds heal??

Q.  Well, how have you been this week? 

 A.  Yea members are liking me alot now.

Q.  Are your temperatures dipping into the 60's yet?

          A. ummmm idk im looking at celcius. but its coooolllddd at night. 

 

Q.  What can you do on p-day now that you are so far away from other Elders?    

A.  Email.... climb mountains..... shop.... bout it.

Q.  Are you getting enough food?  

A.  yea i need to go shopping. i made some videos. hope i can send them.

Q.  Any members ever feed you?

A.  no. well one fed us chicken one night. but not normal.

Q.  Is your boarding like a cabin up in Big Bear?

A. No i live in a White House, In an area called america. Like an apartment.

Q.  What kind of food are you learning to cook?

A.  Ummm idk. spagettie, mashpotatos, salads, stew, breakfast stuff, mexican, stuff they eat here.

Q.  Do you have to go into Ficksburg to use a computer or is there one close to you? A.  one close but it sucks and cost double. hahahahahahaha

Q.  Do you have any experiences you would like to share this week?

A.  Well I was teaching a lesson with 2 members yesterday. and we were teaching this mme about The Plan Of Salvation. and She had a question about why dont we remeber then, so i related it to a test. i said you study for the test. the teacher takes your notes away and gives you the test. You dont remeber what exactly you were studying but as you look at the test you remeber things. and she thought about it and realized that what i was saying is true. she said like our parents teach us rules buut not all of them. but we know whats right and whats wrong natrually. So she gained a testimony of those things we taught. Its not always about understanding why but its more about knowing if its true. 

Q.  What positions did you have to fill for Church today?

A. hahahahhaha the least that i had to. i just had my nose in miricle of forgiveness as much as possible.

Keep moving forward

Everything in order for the next missionaries coming into your territory? Yea. Elder Elise is replacing me. hes a cool guy from Australia. i know that elder jallah and him will do well together.

Where are you going? im going to Lesotho. its a really cold place. but im pretty excited about that.

Do you know your new companion yet? Old companion. Elder Phiri. hes my mtc mate. guess we need to be together again.

Do you like where your going? Ummmmm well see. no one really knows much about it.

What kind of weather? Cold. ice, Snow.

  Mountains, ocean, dessert???? Mountains i believe

Bike or Car? car or truck

Are you feeling better? yea my health is in perfect order. i excersie and i stratch and do cardio and i eat a well balanced diet. im fine. thank you tho. haha

 

Any more of your wonderful words of wisdom? Richard L. Evans... " Life moves in one direction only- and each day we are faced with an actual set of circumstances, not with what might have been, not with what we might have done, but with what is, and with where we are now- and from this point we must proceed: not from where we were, not from where we wish we were- but from where we are." Lets make sure that one direction is toward what matters most. And the things that last longest is what matters most.

Love others, even if you think they don't love you...

Q.  So, how has your week gone?

A.   Its gone by. hahaha to fast.

Q.  Everything in order for the next missionaries coming into your territory? 

A.  Yea. Elder Elise is replacing me. hes a cool guy from Australia. i know that elder jallah and him will do well together.

Q.  Where are you going? 

A.  im going to Lesotho. its a really cold place. but im pretty excited about that.

Q.  Do you know your new companion yet? 

A.  Old companion. Elder Phiri. hes my mtc mate. guess we need to be together again.

Q.  Do you like where your going? 

A.  Ummmmm well see. no one really knows much about it.

Q.  What kind of weather?

A.  Mountains i believe...cold, ice, and snow.

Q.  Bike or Car? 

A.  car or truck

Q.  Are you feeling better? 

A.  yea my health is in perfect order. i excersie and i stratch and do cardio and i eat a well balanced diet. im fine. thank you tho. haha

 

Q.  Any more of your wonderful words of wisdom? 

A.  Richard L. Evans... " Life moves in one direction only- and each day we are faced with an actual set of circumstances, not with what might have been, not with what we might have done, but with what is, and with where we are now- and from this point we must proceed: not from where we were, not from where we wish we were- but from where we are." Lets make sure that one direction is toward what matters most. And the things that last longest is what matters most.

How have you seen the Hand of the Lord touch your life.....

Tender mercies... this week was a terrible week. Progressing investigators moved. A family decided to wait till October to be baptized, and everyone has bunked us. Worst of all on Sunday our branch president offended our investigators..... and at the end of the day the 2 goals me and my companion had set as our focus was what we got. I said i want Pinkie our druggy investigator back on our progressing list. Happened late Sunday we stopped by and she wants to see us tomorrow. And Elder Jallah said that he wanted Nomfundo on progressing with a baptisimal date ready to give her. Sunday after church she set an apointment with us and we explain the restoration with her. which means baptismal date will be set next week.


Elder Shipp

Random thoughts and Messages from Elder Shipp

Remember that when you see something causing a problem, is it a baggage or nesessity? baggage? drop it.

 

 

While digging for diamonds in life, focus on looking at the small diamonds in life rather than the mound of dirt thats piles up. We will go thru so much for a little mercy moment but as we focus on those moments we will find great happiness in life. Those moments are the molecules that make up eternity.

Digging for diamonds takes along time but that small pile of precious stones at the end of the day is far worth it.


Repentence cost afflictions. Afflictions are the demands to meet justice. Justice ensures that there will be a final peace. Final peace will only come as we are patient in our afflictions. so the quicker its done. the quicker we will be happy again.

Foundation

So, have you chased anymore bad guys? NOPE. wait...... no yea no i havent.

Q:  How have you been?

A:   Alright. cant really complain. just truckin along.

Q:  Have you remebered any experiences you can share this week? 

A:  Ummmmmm baptised one of our investigators. that was cool.

Q:  Have you had any baptisms this week? 

A:  Yup one baptism. and i performed it.

Q:  How is your weather?

A:  HOT HOT HOT!

Q:  How are your dinner appointments?

A:   Like always everynight minus monday and tuesday.

Q:  Do you have any words of wisdom for us?

A:   Ummmmmmmmm sucess is taking the rocks people throw at you and making a foundation, but in that process remeber that a person to be loved is always more important that a problem to be solved. so while you build that foundation, lets use it to help others climb up with us and continually look up. ha love you

 

 

love

scooter