Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Creamy Tomatillo Runs through our Veins?
This is a letter I got from Spencer about a week ago. I haven't received one from him this week, or I would have typed that one up also. Our communication is still tricky. We don't seem to get much from his internet time- so we're still getting the bulk of our information from him through letters. And btw, yes, I knew about the earthquakes and have emailed him about them. Not sure how he thought I'd miss that. :)
Dear Family,
Hello!! So how was tour? The greatest? The worst? Did Brig have a good time? How did Kenna like it? Who'd you hang around? Did you spend a lot of time around Erin? I wouldn't mind that. How is Clayton? Did he like my letter? I was so tired, so it probably didn't make any sense. How's his song coming along? Does he sound like a boss? I'm going to record a song for him soon. I still don't know what to sing for him. I'm a little nervous. Honestly, I sound terrible these days. How is dad? How are the boys? How is life going in the Sharp home? Has Brig put in his papers yet? Have any more gotten a call? What about Logan, Max, Jake, Josh, Jordan, Matt, Colten, any of my girl friends? (Kat, Lexi, any others?) I'm dying to know which kids from Herriman are coming to this mission. There are for our five here now. Like 2 from Riverton/Bluffdale. That part of the valley makes people fit for San Fernando. It's odd. anyway, let me know. Are they doing a Herriman mission call video thing this year? I really hope so. I've been wanting them to do that for quite awhile. Loved those.
So I got a letter from Abby, Milo and Pearl this week. It made me SO happy! Oh my goodness! I saw that it said "Sharp" on the corner with an address in Provo and I just about died. SO happy!! It only took them six months. :) Really, it was wonderful. Pearl wrote me this Book of Mormon thing with her testimony in it. So good. Milo wrote me this little note and so did Abby. I miss them a ton. How are they doing? How is James? Is his schooling going well? Is he finished yet? I really have no idea whats going on in their life. I can't wait to see them. Only 18 more months! Goodness. Too soon. I remember being there at the airport when he got back. He was just crying. Super hard. I was so confused. "Isn't he happy to see us?! Why is he so sad?" And you told me he was just crying because he was happy. Half lie!! He probably was happy, but he was torn apart to be done with the mission. He must have been a good missionary. I never understood why he was so sad. I do now. And I don't think it will be any different with me and Preston. Do me a favor and record Preston coming home. Somehow. And film mine. Goodness. My reunion with him will be glorious. I miss him so much. Most of the time that I think of Preston, I picture him at the airport. Standing there. Gosh. Starts bringing me to tears every time. Goodness. It will be amazing. I'm just missing family right now. It won't be too long before I'm numb again. :)
How is the ward? How is Bridger? Is he still at Snow? How is Herriman? Did you know there have been three earthquakes here? I hope you did, but you haven't said anything about it. I'm safe, by the way. How is June? I emailed her, but I haven't heard from her.
I should probably tell you how things are going here. Tuesday we had a good district meeting by Shrum. He's probably leaving. I'll talk about that later. On our way there, another elder's bike broke. I thought I'd pump up my tires while we tried to fix his bike, but my pump wouldn't work. I had already let all the air out of the tires. What a bust. So we had to have the zone leaders come pick us up and take us back to our pad. Then we spent the rest of the day finding. We had dinner with a family. Very cool people. Wednesday we went knocking, all day. Actually, it was a great day. I thought we were going to go to Santa Clarita and I was SOOO excited to get Cafe Rio. Then we found out we didn't need to go all the way up there and we were spending the day in Burbank. "Sucks to be me right now!!" (in my Nacho accent.) No Cafe Rio for us. Too bad. Sharps need their Cafe Rio fix. This fast from Enchilada Style goodness is killing me. We Shire-folk need some sweet pork in us. It's part of us. We've got creamy tomatillo ranch running through our veins. Tis a crime to take that away. Sad day. Enough of my mourning. Thursday: We helped this guy move for six hours. Then we spent the rest of the day finding. Friday- planning day. Then we knocked and found the whole day. We had a lesson with C that night. Good but her daughters weren't there. Saturday was a really good day. We were knocking most of the day. We found a ton of potentials. Sunday wasn't the best. We had so many let-downs and another bike issue. We had to walk to mission prep. We showed up late, but it was a really good class. The sisters did a great job. Then, this morning I woke up at 5:00 to see the bathroom light on. Wondered why- then went back to sleep. Well, you heard about that. NOT FUN. Poor Shrum. Poor me. Stupid plumbing and stupid toilet. (apparently there were issues and they ended up with the toilet overflowing and covering their apartment floor. it was everywhere and they spent hours cleaning 'stuff' up. it was quite a terrible start to their p-day.)
Well, that was my week. I'll talk to you soon on the computer. Hope you're doing great. Keep working hard and following Christ.
Love, Elder Sharp #2
Dear Family,
Hello!! So how was tour? The greatest? The worst? Did Brig have a good time? How did Kenna like it? Who'd you hang around? Did you spend a lot of time around Erin? I wouldn't mind that. How is Clayton? Did he like my letter? I was so tired, so it probably didn't make any sense. How's his song coming along? Does he sound like a boss? I'm going to record a song for him soon. I still don't know what to sing for him. I'm a little nervous. Honestly, I sound terrible these days. How is dad? How are the boys? How is life going in the Sharp home? Has Brig put in his papers yet? Have any more gotten a call? What about Logan, Max, Jake, Josh, Jordan, Matt, Colten, any of my girl friends? (Kat, Lexi, any others?) I'm dying to know which kids from Herriman are coming to this mission. There are for our five here now. Like 2 from Riverton/Bluffdale. That part of the valley makes people fit for San Fernando. It's odd. anyway, let me know. Are they doing a Herriman mission call video thing this year? I really hope so. I've been wanting them to do that for quite awhile. Loved those.
So I got a letter from Abby, Milo and Pearl this week. It made me SO happy! Oh my goodness! I saw that it said "Sharp" on the corner with an address in Provo and I just about died. SO happy!! It only took them six months. :) Really, it was wonderful. Pearl wrote me this Book of Mormon thing with her testimony in it. So good. Milo wrote me this little note and so did Abby. I miss them a ton. How are they doing? How is James? Is his schooling going well? Is he finished yet? I really have no idea whats going on in their life. I can't wait to see them. Only 18 more months! Goodness. Too soon. I remember being there at the airport when he got back. He was just crying. Super hard. I was so confused. "Isn't he happy to see us?! Why is he so sad?" And you told me he was just crying because he was happy. Half lie!! He probably was happy, but he was torn apart to be done with the mission. He must have been a good missionary. I never understood why he was so sad. I do now. And I don't think it will be any different with me and Preston. Do me a favor and record Preston coming home. Somehow. And film mine. Goodness. My reunion with him will be glorious. I miss him so much. Most of the time that I think of Preston, I picture him at the airport. Standing there. Gosh. Starts bringing me to tears every time. Goodness. It will be amazing. I'm just missing family right now. It won't be too long before I'm numb again. :)
How is the ward? How is Bridger? Is he still at Snow? How is Herriman? Did you know there have been three earthquakes here? I hope you did, but you haven't said anything about it. I'm safe, by the way. How is June? I emailed her, but I haven't heard from her.
I should probably tell you how things are going here. Tuesday we had a good district meeting by Shrum. He's probably leaving. I'll talk about that later. On our way there, another elder's bike broke. I thought I'd pump up my tires while we tried to fix his bike, but my pump wouldn't work. I had already let all the air out of the tires. What a bust. So we had to have the zone leaders come pick us up and take us back to our pad. Then we spent the rest of the day finding. We had dinner with a family. Very cool people. Wednesday we went knocking, all day. Actually, it was a great day. I thought we were going to go to Santa Clarita and I was SOOO excited to get Cafe Rio. Then we found out we didn't need to go all the way up there and we were spending the day in Burbank. "Sucks to be me right now!!" (in my Nacho accent.) No Cafe Rio for us. Too bad. Sharps need their Cafe Rio fix. This fast from Enchilada Style goodness is killing me. We Shire-folk need some sweet pork in us. It's part of us. We've got creamy tomatillo ranch running through our veins. Tis a crime to take that away. Sad day. Enough of my mourning. Thursday: We helped this guy move for six hours. Then we spent the rest of the day finding. Friday- planning day. Then we knocked and found the whole day. We had a lesson with C that night. Good but her daughters weren't there. Saturday was a really good day. We were knocking most of the day. We found a ton of potentials. Sunday wasn't the best. We had so many let-downs and another bike issue. We had to walk to mission prep. We showed up late, but it was a really good class. The sisters did a great job. Then, this morning I woke up at 5:00 to see the bathroom light on. Wondered why- then went back to sleep. Well, you heard about that. NOT FUN. Poor Shrum. Poor me. Stupid plumbing and stupid toilet. (apparently there were issues and they ended up with the toilet overflowing and covering their apartment floor. it was everywhere and they spent hours cleaning 'stuff' up. it was quite a terrible start to their p-day.)
Well, that was my week. I'll talk to you soon on the computer. Hope you're doing great. Keep working hard and following Christ.
Love, Elder Sharp #2
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Spencer's bike Accident
This is Spencer's district. That face he's making, his entire pose....all of it. It is soooo Spencer!!
This is the explanation I got for this one: "So there is a very steep road leading up to the church building. We were riding down it after district meeting and I was standing up on my bike with only one hand on the handle bars. (I was trying to fix something on my bag) when one of the other elders came by and spanked me. I went straight over the other side and ground off half of my elbow. It wasn't very pretty, but ya."
I believe this was his first convert baptism. She's 9 or 10, if I remember correctly.
Shrum-Dog Millionaire..... Finally an update!!
I have to apologize- I don't have a good excuse. Spencer's communication has been a bit patchy over the past month. We don't get much information from him through email anymore. Just a quick hello and how are you all type of thing. He is sending weekly letters- I have just neglected to sit down and type them out for the blog. Very pathetic- I know. So here is the last letter we received last Friday. His letters are usually very long. He is doing really well and sounds very happy.
Dear Mother,
So yesterday was the same as any other P day. But we've finally started to get invited to meals from the members. Sweet! So we ate with the A family last night. I really love them. He is so cool. I found out yesterday that he has a flippin bullet bike! So sweet! It just made me remember how badly I want a bike someday. Great stuff. They're a really cool family though. He's from Romania and she's Armenian. Love them!
Today was good. We had district meeting. Then we went to the bike shop to fix some stuff on our bikes. 50 flippin dollars later! I have a got nice hand pump. (My tires get super flat and I haven't had a pump for a Phixie, so I got one.) And I had front brakes put on. I only had a rear break and that wasn't the safest thing. (That's where I'll leave that.) So I thought I'd put on the second for a little more safety. The rest of the day was good. I'm on an exchange with Elder Ballard right now. He's so cool! Different than me, but the most amazing person you'll ever meet. Oh! Fun fact for ya. We got another sister in our ward. She's deaf. So everyone is trying to learn sign, so that they can talk with her. I knew they were coming, so I was really hoping for Sister McNeil. But no. Sister Ingram was her MTC companion though. So that's still cool. But ya, that's all for today.
So yesterday was good. I went out with Elder Ballard that morning and taught a guy the restoration in the park. Kind of cool. We had a good conversation with people everywhere we went, which is the mission goal right now. He is pretty good at that. People just open up to him and talk. I am trying so hard to be like that.
(next day) It has been a super long and short week. Every day has been so very long, but this week has flown by. One of the shortest weeks of my mission. I can hardly remember what happened a few days ago. So the exchange was so super good. We went out and worked the rest of the night. Coolest thing ever. That night we hate dinner with the Flinders (Elder Flinders great aunt and uncle from our ward) and they brought a non-member. This guy is Greek, about 84 years old? But he is a flipping rocket scientist!! And he went to school with NEIL ARMSTRONG!! He knew the guy. Crazy! I love being able to meet all these amazing people. So Cool! The rest of this week was really slow. Elder Shrum has had a sinus infection, so we've been taking it each moment at a time. He's really not feeling well. He has a low tolerance for pain. Ha ha. He is one of my favorite people ever. Truly, I like him so much more than most any of the missionaries I've met, but ya. He doesn't love pain. So this week has been slow. We had a lot of dinners this week though. That was really good. I'm finally starting to love the ward. It helps sooo much when you love the people that you serve. Oh my goodness! It makes this thing worth it. This is an amazing experience, and I so completely and absolutely love life right now. But without a love for the people, I'm not sure it's worth it. Living on my own is a blast, studies are the greatest, I LOVE Burbank!!! But none of that really matters. That wouldn't keep me here. The people really are the best part. I love them so much.
Ha ha. So something I've recently figured out, you know how I used to say that it was hard to love the people because I didn't have a specific culture to learn to love? Well, I was wrong! This place is Little Armenia! So many Armenians living here. Their culture is interesting. I don't know if America has a motto or anything that we go by, but theirs is "We'll mess you up before you have a chance to mess us up." Something to that effect. They are the craziest people ever- ha ha ha- but I love them sooo much!! They are so interesting. Their accent- it's like a mix of Russian and Spanish. It's hard to mimic, but that's what Elder Shrum and I try to do. Walk, and talk like Armenians. I love it!! They think they are the biggest and baddest nation out there. It's so funny to me. We'll knock on a door (the houses all look the same) and some big, yoked man will come out, close the door, fold his arms and say, "What do you want?" Just standing there in his tight black tshirt and gold chain necklace. Armenians are the best!! The Arcadia mission, just next to us, has missionaries that are called and are Armenian speaking. I'm sooo jealous!! But they serve in Glendale, literally Little Armenia. Highest population of Armenians outside the country of Armenia. They're slowly spreading to Burbank- that's why we see so many. So great!!
So, we had a few baptism this weekend. One of the kids from the ward, and another from the Sister Missionaries. A woman named L. They taught her for a month and she was baptized. Such a good experience!! I love convert baptisms. They're the greatest. But we were asked to teach the first lesson at both. Good experience. Having to teach a detailed lesson in less than 10 minutes isn't the easiest- requires a lot of prep.
(next day) So today was so great. We had an absolutely amazing district training by Shrum-dog Millionaire. So good. We all talked about why we are here. We did pretty poorly this week, as a district. So we really needed a booster/pep talk. I hope we see a lot of results soon. Elder Shrum and I are working hard to make things happen. I'm not sure if anything else happened.
Tell Lincoln that I'm super proud of him for the choice he's made to be baptized. Baptism is quite literally the most important thing we will ever do. That sounds wrong, but baptism leads to all other important eternal choices. Isn't it interesting that Father allows people to make that choice at such a young age? Baptism is such a big deal. Taking that first crucial step to becoming like God by following Jesus Christ. Or by making the promise to follow him. Look at the power it gives you. The gift of the Holy Ghost. Probably the most important gift we've been given. The chance to have a member of the Godhead with us at all times. To lead and guide us. To help us make choices that will make us eternal happy. Little things every day that will bless us and everyone around us if we're worthy and if we're paying attention. So easy, and yet is such an enormous blessing. That added with the fact that when we have the Spirit, we are able to brush off any temptation like nothing. Crazy how God has given us all of this and a sure way to get something a million times better. He really loves us.
Okay, I have to get to bed. I'll send this tomorrow in the mail. I wish so badly that I could be there to watch Lincoln get baptized. So badly. I miss him so much. I love him and all of you. I hope you're all doing well and that you're safe. Please be safe!
Love, Elder Sharp #2
P.S. What has the weather been like? Did you get me Mary's address? What else is going on in the younger 2 boys' lives? I never know what to pray for them about specifically at night. Any blessings they need? How is dad? Are you feeling good? What's going on for you? How is the youth conference planning going?
P.P.S. Sorry- yes! I got the package you Saint of a woman! Thank you sooo mcuh. I really loved it. I liked those Kashi bars and the shirt. Thank you so much! I really am so grateful for you.
Dear Mother,
So yesterday was the same as any other P day. But we've finally started to get invited to meals from the members. Sweet! So we ate with the A family last night. I really love them. He is so cool. I found out yesterday that he has a flippin bullet bike! So sweet! It just made me remember how badly I want a bike someday. Great stuff. They're a really cool family though. He's from Romania and she's Armenian. Love them!
Today was good. We had district meeting. Then we went to the bike shop to fix some stuff on our bikes. 50 flippin dollars later! I have a got nice hand pump. (My tires get super flat and I haven't had a pump for a Phixie, so I got one.) And I had front brakes put on. I only had a rear break and that wasn't the safest thing. (That's where I'll leave that.) So I thought I'd put on the second for a little more safety. The rest of the day was good. I'm on an exchange with Elder Ballard right now. He's so cool! Different than me, but the most amazing person you'll ever meet. Oh! Fun fact for ya. We got another sister in our ward. She's deaf. So everyone is trying to learn sign, so that they can talk with her. I knew they were coming, so I was really hoping for Sister McNeil. But no. Sister Ingram was her MTC companion though. So that's still cool. But ya, that's all for today.
So yesterday was good. I went out with Elder Ballard that morning and taught a guy the restoration in the park. Kind of cool. We had a good conversation with people everywhere we went, which is the mission goal right now. He is pretty good at that. People just open up to him and talk. I am trying so hard to be like that.
(next day) It has been a super long and short week. Every day has been so very long, but this week has flown by. One of the shortest weeks of my mission. I can hardly remember what happened a few days ago. So the exchange was so super good. We went out and worked the rest of the night. Coolest thing ever. That night we hate dinner with the Flinders (Elder Flinders great aunt and uncle from our ward) and they brought a non-member. This guy is Greek, about 84 years old? But he is a flipping rocket scientist!! And he went to school with NEIL ARMSTRONG!! He knew the guy. Crazy! I love being able to meet all these amazing people. So Cool! The rest of this week was really slow. Elder Shrum has had a sinus infection, so we've been taking it each moment at a time. He's really not feeling well. He has a low tolerance for pain. Ha ha. He is one of my favorite people ever. Truly, I like him so much more than most any of the missionaries I've met, but ya. He doesn't love pain. So this week has been slow. We had a lot of dinners this week though. That was really good. I'm finally starting to love the ward. It helps sooo much when you love the people that you serve. Oh my goodness! It makes this thing worth it. This is an amazing experience, and I so completely and absolutely love life right now. But without a love for the people, I'm not sure it's worth it. Living on my own is a blast, studies are the greatest, I LOVE Burbank!!! But none of that really matters. That wouldn't keep me here. The people really are the best part. I love them so much.
Ha ha. So something I've recently figured out, you know how I used to say that it was hard to love the people because I didn't have a specific culture to learn to love? Well, I was wrong! This place is Little Armenia! So many Armenians living here. Their culture is interesting. I don't know if America has a motto or anything that we go by, but theirs is "We'll mess you up before you have a chance to mess us up." Something to that effect. They are the craziest people ever- ha ha ha- but I love them sooo much!! They are so interesting. Their accent- it's like a mix of Russian and Spanish. It's hard to mimic, but that's what Elder Shrum and I try to do. Walk, and talk like Armenians. I love it!! They think they are the biggest and baddest nation out there. It's so funny to me. We'll knock on a door (the houses all look the same) and some big, yoked man will come out, close the door, fold his arms and say, "What do you want?" Just standing there in his tight black tshirt and gold chain necklace. Armenians are the best!! The Arcadia mission, just next to us, has missionaries that are called and are Armenian speaking. I'm sooo jealous!! But they serve in Glendale, literally Little Armenia. Highest population of Armenians outside the country of Armenia. They're slowly spreading to Burbank- that's why we see so many. So great!!
So, we had a few baptism this weekend. One of the kids from the ward, and another from the Sister Missionaries. A woman named L. They taught her for a month and she was baptized. Such a good experience!! I love convert baptisms. They're the greatest. But we were asked to teach the first lesson at both. Good experience. Having to teach a detailed lesson in less than 10 minutes isn't the easiest- requires a lot of prep.
(next day) So today was so great. We had an absolutely amazing district training by Shrum-dog Millionaire. So good. We all talked about why we are here. We did pretty poorly this week, as a district. So we really needed a booster/pep talk. I hope we see a lot of results soon. Elder Shrum and I are working hard to make things happen. I'm not sure if anything else happened.
Tell Lincoln that I'm super proud of him for the choice he's made to be baptized. Baptism is quite literally the most important thing we will ever do. That sounds wrong, but baptism leads to all other important eternal choices. Isn't it interesting that Father allows people to make that choice at such a young age? Baptism is such a big deal. Taking that first crucial step to becoming like God by following Jesus Christ. Or by making the promise to follow him. Look at the power it gives you. The gift of the Holy Ghost. Probably the most important gift we've been given. The chance to have a member of the Godhead with us at all times. To lead and guide us. To help us make choices that will make us eternal happy. Little things every day that will bless us and everyone around us if we're worthy and if we're paying attention. So easy, and yet is such an enormous blessing. That added with the fact that when we have the Spirit, we are able to brush off any temptation like nothing. Crazy how God has given us all of this and a sure way to get something a million times better. He really loves us.
Okay, I have to get to bed. I'll send this tomorrow in the mail. I wish so badly that I could be there to watch Lincoln get baptized. So badly. I miss him so much. I love him and all of you. I hope you're all doing well and that you're safe. Please be safe!
Love, Elder Sharp #2
P.S. What has the weather been like? Did you get me Mary's address? What else is going on in the younger 2 boys' lives? I never know what to pray for them about specifically at night. Any blessings they need? How is dad? Are you feeling good? What's going on for you? How is the youth conference planning going?
P.P.S. Sorry- yes! I got the package you Saint of a woman! Thank you sooo mcuh. I really loved it. I liked those Kashi bars and the shirt. Thank you so much! I really am so grateful for you.
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