Up Norrth!

Plattsburgh is fun!  We ride bikes and walk.  Thursday and Friday we was soaked wet (this grammar is correct up in the norrth country [prolong the 'r' sound]). 

Elder Perkins is trunky.  He has been writing out his homecoming talk for the past two weeks.  So it is a struggle to work with him.  But he is still a good guy.  Friday night Elder Checketts joined our companionship.  He is our district leader, but his companion had to go home, so we are now a threesome.  We find out tomorrow if this is for the rest of the transfer or not.  We also work with a Senior couple, the Bradley's.  They are fun couple from Utah.

We just had a baptism on Saturday for Diane and her daughter Eve.  The font is literally a hole in the ground (see pictures).  This is the second time I walked into a baptism.  It was beautiful, but got a little scary, because the person baptizing did not get there till 20 minutes after it started.

The branch has about 60-80 people active.  We have a nice building because it was once a big ward with the now shut-down air-force base. 

I can't believe I have been out about a year.  Time goes by so fast.  Both Elder Checketts and Perkins have been out longer than I, so it is a change to be back being the youngest. 

I love you all, and hope you have a great week.

Love,

Elder Shurtz

Elder Call, Me and Elder Hall

Elder Perkins in the Baptismal Font

Who Ya Gonna Call?  BUG CATCHERS!

Me Cleaning the Baptismal Font

Elder Perkins Catching Bugs

Gotcha!

The World Didn't End, and I Never Killed Anyone Before!

I guess the world did not end on Saturday...  Well that's good news! :)

Last Monday - we started teaching Lawrance, and he wants to be baptized!  Lawrance is a co-worker with a Sister Hooper and Brother Stokes in the Navy.  He has a date for the 25th of June.  Awesome guy, rough past, but desire to receive peace.

Tuesday - we got a car!  We give it up tomorrow.

Thursday - We met with Jerry.  He liked church.  We also talked a lot about baptism.  We should be setting him with a date soon.

Friday - we had a lesson with Lawrance again.  Awesome guy!

Saturday - We found 2 new investigators.  Debbra is a horse trainer.  She is fun, travil a lot, and knows a few mormons.  We also taught Bill and started teaching his 8 year-old daughter.  Took them on a tour of the church building, and then taught them the word of wisdom.  They are already practically living it!

Sunday - Stake Conference with a broadcast from SLC.  Had President Eyring preside.  It was great!  Though no investigators!  Everyone one was working, or out of town with family. 

Transfer calls came.  I am leaving.  Headed up to Plattsburg.  Up North!  Guess president wanted to get me as far away as possible. :)  I believe there are senior missionaries there as well.  My new companion is Elder Perkins.  This is his last transfer, so I am 'killing him.'  Elder Hall's new companion is Elder Neal.  I feel like things are just picking up here, so now I'm sad to leave.  But I guess it is off to my next adventure!

Went to the national museum of dance this morning.  It was awesome!  Got a Micheal Jackson t-shirt.  ;)

I love you all, and wish you the best.

Elder Shurtz

Pictures!

Description:

 

Last District and pictures from the dance Museum!

 

Norm, one of the guys we are teaching and a picture of Ballston Spa.

 

 

Missionaries in my District

Me and Norm

Sunset!

Dance Museum

I Can Dance!

Ballston Spa

Vacuum Cleaner with No Bag

 

What a Great Week!

It has been a good week.

 

Tuesday, we had a lesson with Jerry, which went well.

 

Wednesday, we found a new investigator, Shelly.  We don't know too much about her right now because of the little time we had before catching the bus, but we will see her this Wednesday.

 

Thursday, we underestimated how long it would take to contact a referrals.  So we got on the bus, 40 minutes latter we got off in a town we nether been in before or had a map for.  So finding a map at the post office, we walked for an hour to get to the house.  Brian (the referral) was not home, but setup an appointment that night with the wife.  and just like many missionary miracles, we made the bus, when a neighbor of a Mormon family in another ward stopped and gave us a ride, saving us about another hour of walking and missing the bus.  That night we went back with a member and taught him the first lesson.  He was a good guy.  A friend signed him up when visiting the Hawaii temple.  Said we could come back.

 

Thursday night, the Glenn Falls Elders picked us up, and we stayed the night on their floor so we could take their car for a day to go to Utica for Return and Report (Trainers and Trainees meet after a month of being out).  It was about a 2 & 1/2 hour drive, but it was awesome training that will really help Elder Hall and I.

 

Saturday, we had a lesson with Bill.  He was not able to come to church because of work, but He still has that desire too.  We are going to give him a tour of the building this Saturday.

 

Sunday, Jerry AND his girlfriend came to church.  First time meeting her, but we did not get to talk much.  I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting, and before I could get to them, they darted out!  We called last night, but no answer.

 

The weather has been nice (sunny; 60's & 70's), but now it is raining, and is suppose to ALL WEEK.  But, we might get a car for a week this week, so it might be our lucky week!

I was reading in Alma 26 this week and a scripture stood out to me.  Ammon is celebrating a great mission, and he tells us how WE can have a success with sharing the gospel with everyone, and bringing many to the waters of baptism.  verse 22: he that repenteth and exercise faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing... shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance. 

 

Bringeth forth good works; not bringeth forth good intentions!  It takes thought, work, faith, and action!

 

I love you all.  Hope you have a great week!

 

Love,

Elder Shurtz

This Week's Bike Update

This week's bike update:  1 flat on Friday, 2 flats on Saturday.  And a wipe out Saturday morning.  (wrist and legs are sore, but I'm all good :)  We can now fix flats under 5 minutes!

 

We went on exchange on Tuesday and Friday, I worked with Elder Ivie, my now district leader and past Zone leader.  He is an amazing elder who I learn a lot from.

 

Kevin called on Wednesday, not too sure anymore, and feels more comfortable with his past traditional religion.  We hope to keep in contact and get him to church.

 

Bill, we saw Friday, and he read from the BOM.  a little hard for him to understand, but he really wanted to read about Jesus coming to the Americas, so we gave him some chapters.  He should be coming to church this week.

 

Jerry, we talked a bit about the Plan of Salvation.  should come to church this Sunday as well.

 

We met a new lady, her name is Shanna (not sure on spelling).  She let us in, but was verbally not too receptive, yet her body language seemed otherwise.  We felt we should continue meeting with her, of which she agreed to let us come back.  So we will see her on Wednesday.

 

A member of the church brought a co-worker to work!  He introduced us and we invited him to take the lessons.  He excepted, and we will see him on Saturday.  His name is Lawrence.

 

Elder Hall is doing well.  He is making a lot of progress, and I am excited.

 

I was so happy to talk Dad, Renae, and Katie yesterday.  It is strange that there are only 2 of those left!

 

Love you all!

 

Elder Shurtz

Things are picking up, in spite of these wretched bikes!

This week's bike update:  1 flat on Friday, 2 flats on Saturday.  And a wipe out Saturday morning.  (wrist and legs are sore, but I'm all good :)  We can now fix flats under 5 minutes!

We went on exchange on Tuesday and Friday, I worked with Elder Ivie, my now district leader and past Zone leader.  He is an amazing elder who I learn a lot from.

Kevin called on Wednesday, not too sure anymore, and feels more comfortable with his past traditional religion.  We hope to keep in contact and get him to church.

Bill, we saw Friday, and he read from the BOM.  a little hard for him to understand, but he really wanted to read about Jesus coming to the Americas, so we gave him some chapters.  He should be coming to church this week.

Jerry, we talked a bit about the Plan of Salvation.  should come to church this Sunday as well.

We met a new lady, her name is Shanna (not sure on spelling).  She let us in, but was verbally not too receptive, yet her body language seemed otherwise.  We felt we should continue meeting with her, of which she agreed to let us come back.  So we will see her on Wednesday.

A member of the church brought a co-worker to work!  He introduced us and we invited him to take the lessons.  He excepted, and we will see him on Saturday.  His name is Lawrence.

Elder Hall is doing well.  He is making a lot of progress, and I am excited.

I was so happy to talk Dad, Renae, and Katie yesterday.  It is strange that there are only 2 of those calls left!

Love you all!

Elder Shurtz

What's In a Name?

Tons of emails this week!  Thank you everyone! 

I found another Wenatchee connection!  A YW leader, Megan Peterson, was roommates in college with Summer Lacy.

It is strange to think that it is already time to call home.  I will probably try to call around the same time as last time (9 here, 6 there).  But my companion will have to call both parents, so it might be a little later (like last time).

We found a great investigator.  His name is Jerry.  He actually came to church, but we forgot to tell him about clothing.  So when he showed up and saw everyone was dressed up, he did not want to stand out.  But, when we talked to him last night he said he has never seen people dress up for church before, and thought is was awesome.  We have an appointment with him on Tuesday.

Kevin McHale is ready for baptism.  He will not set a date yet because of fears because he has not told the parents about meeting with us, though he has talked a lot about the church with them.  So we asked him to talk to his parents, or at least let them know, he is meeting with us.  This past week he was randomly reading in Isaiah and came to 29:11-12 and realized immediately it related to Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  He was so excited!  He is super smart and loves the church.

Things are going better.  Not so many bike problems, which is always a plus.

Zone Conference was awesome.  We got new phones, with a keyboard and everything.  President gave an awesome training on the gathering of Israel and our role in it.  I was thinking about the concept of names.  We had a name in the pre-existence, we received a name at birth and baby blessings, we take upon ourselves new names at baptism, and other covenants, etc.  Does it relate to the honor in a name, and when we take a new name we should show more reverence, loyalty, and zeal towards it?  It seems to be a principle or way of life, that is many times not taught (especially in the United States) to respect name, have honor for it, and to 'die' rather than destroy it.  President pulled out a part of Genesis when they would make a covenant they would split a calf in half, and walk in-between it and say let this happen to me, if I do not keep my promise, if I do not live up to my name.

I think it is awesome that missionaries are living at the house.  That will be such a great experience!  Enjoy it!

Well we got to get going.  I love you all.

Love,

Elder Shurtz