WELCOME HOME!!

 

Going Home !!

Good evening Friends and Family!

Today has been an incredibly busy day driving to North Carolina to pick up all the missionaries. Right now I am in the mission home borrowing Sis. Weeds computer to check in with ya'll. I guess there is little need to write a lot in this email because I will see ya'll tomorrow.

Love ya'll,

-Elder Shill

Week 105

Hello Friends and Family!

This has been quite a busy week. We went on 3 exchanges, and I was out of town on all three. Yesterday was my first full proselyting day in Portsmouth. Luckily, since we are in a trio we were able to keep Elder Gibbons here to man the area. My second exchange was in the Greenville 2nd ward, which was my second area on my mission. It was so much fun visiting old friends and seeing how the work has progressed there. I'm grateful for all the hard working missionaries that have helped take care of that area.

As for the work it Portsmouth, it is going well. Between less-actives and investigators, there were several people that came to church yesterday. We have been doing lots of trackting to find more people to teach. The whole mission has moved away from tracking because of how seemingly unproductive it is. I happen to really enjoy it and it has produced many fruits in Portsmouth.

Love yall,

-Elder Shill

Week 104

Hello Friends and Family,

This week has been pretty good and super busy. I finished my last round of Zone Conferences, which is a little weird. I'm grateful that I was able to be apart of all the various training's. I needed the extra instruction. We also went on several exchanges. I think in total we only spent 2 full days in Portsmouth. Even though we were not in our area we had some great lessons and the work is still rolling forward. 

 

We had another incredible lesson yesterday with some investigators we haven't seen in a while. The whole lesson was centered on The Book of Mormon being the Keystone of our religion. Recently we have been reading Preach My Gospel as a mission and we had been reading about the Book of Mormon in our personal studies that morning. I was quite grateful for the reminder before we walked into that lesson.

I went back and visited New Bern again. Its a little surreal being in an old area and seeing my name on old teaching records. It has helped me understand how real the people are in our area book. They are much more than a name on a page. 

I know that this church is true. I am grateful for the chance that I have to be apart of this marvelous work. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. Most importantly, I know that Jesus is the Christ.

Love yall

-Elder Shill

Week 103

Hello Friends and Family!

This has been an incredible week! First and foremost Thank you to everyone who sent me a package and birthday wishes. I really appreciate it. This has been one of the best birthdays I have had.

This week was transfers. Starting on Monday we picked up all the departing missionaries and then dropped them off at the airport on Tuesday. Right before we left to go to the airport we were quietly eating breakfast at the hotel. Then all of a sudden all of the missionaries burst into song and sang happy birthday.  They hotel front desk then ran around the corner and dropped off a copious amount of succors and 2 icecream cones. Later that night after we had picked up the new missionaries some members came by and delivered an ice cream cake with a small gift. There were also some cool experiences we had that night. 

There is a ton of work happening in this area. The members are doing such a great job inviting people to church. It has been really neat seeing the members see so much success. We also did a little trackting this week. We were able to find 2 families that we are going to start working with. They look like they might be fairly solid families too. 

We also have been over eating. I don't know how, but we have successfully brought home food every night this week. We made a tres leche, tortillas, ate adobo and brisket, Sis. Weed's Roast, and a plethera of other foods. 

Also, we carved some pretty cool pumpkins.

Thank you so much for your love and support,

-Elder Shill

 

A couple of pictures :)

Week 98

Hey Mom, my week has been pretty good. We have been super busy on exchanges. I actually got to visit Downtown Newport News, which is where I started my mission. It was fun seeing some familiar faces. I also was able to be with Elder Vranes on that exchange. On a different exchange I was with Elder Davis in Sandbridge. Needless to say, it has been a pretty nostalgic week.

Week 97

Hello Friends and Family

This has been a wonderful week. Here is how it went

Monday - Drive to NC

Tuesday - Kinston Zone Conference

Wednesday - Exchanges in NC

Thursday - Denbigh Zone Conference and Splits with the Elders Quorum President

Friday - Princess Anne Zone Conference

Saturday - General Conference

Sunday - General Conference 

Despite the limited amount of time we had to proselyte we were able to have a couple really good lessons. For the last session we watched conference with some members and their friends. That was probably the highlight of my week.

I think that my favorite talk was Elder Anderson's talk. It was neat to see him take notes and recount the promises that had been extended during the conference. I also really appreciated Elder Hail's couple of lines. I know what he said was true. Faith prepares us to meet God. Im grateful for the opportunity I have to regularly hear from Prophets and Apostles. I have come to understand how these ordinary men have such extraordinary callings. I know that they are inspired by God.

Love y'all,

-Elder Shill

Week 96

Hello Family,

I apologize again for the lack of time I have to email. This week was wonderful. Sis. C was Baptized and Confirmed!!! I have loved watching her countenance change as she has approached baptism. Our Non-Member Sunday was a huge success. There was about 16-20 non-members at church that day, which raised the ward attendance by ~10%. I can see several of them becoming new investigators.

 

Also, I will be praying about where I should go to college.

Love y'all,

-Elder Shill

Week 94 & 95

Hello Friends and Family,

This has been a beautiful week! So much has happened.

On Sunday we had a pleasant surprise when a lady and her daughter came to church. Earlier that week we had so many appointments scheduled that we had to go on splits to get to them all. I went with a recently returned missionary and later our recent convert. Elder Rogers went with another member of the ward. As we were trying to meet back up at the end of the night, we noticed a car had pulled off right next to the church with its hazards on. We decided to pull over and see if there is anything we could do to help. Long story short, a lady had run out of gas and needed help getting to a gas station. While we were helping her we told her that the church she stopped at was the church we belonged too. She quickly realized that there was no coincidence, but that God had brought her to us. We invited her to church and she came. Even better was the ward embraced her and she said she would come back next week with all 8 of her kids who still live at home.

Our investigator with a baptismal date is doing wonderful. She was able to meet with the bishop to get to know him a little bit and is going to go to Family Home Evening with some members. She is quite excited for her Baptism on the 23rd of September.

Planning transfers also went smoothly. The mission had sufficient trainers and the storms have rerouted enough to enable to missionaries to get to the mission. 

Our ward is also planning a non-members Sunday. Every person we seem to talk to brings up the event without our asking and talks about the people they want to invite. Having it just be announced, I am quite impressed with the amount of invitations that have been extended already. It is absolutely thrilling to see the members feel the joy of sharing the gospel. I'm grateful for our ward mission leader who has really taken this idea and is bringing into reality.

I am so grateful for the chance that I have to serve a mission. I am grateful for the testimony that I am developing. I know that this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that there are living Prophets and Apostles.

Love y'all,

-Elder Shill

Week 93

Dear Friends and Family!

This has been such a busy week. We were able to go on 3 exchanges, which was a blast. During zone conferences we gave a training about maintaining a model area, which includes having a model apartment. It has been really fun then going on exchanges and seeing spotless apartments when we walk in. The first exchange was with the Newport News North Elders. I got to be with Elder Collier again, which was absolutely awesome. The second one was with Kilmarnock and the third one was with the Newport News South Zone Leaders. All of these missionaries were absolutely fantastic. I was so impressed by the level of their dedication to the work. 

This week was much better for proselyting in Portsmouth for us. We were able to meet with several of our investigators and we even set a baptismal date. Hopefully she is able to progress in the gospel to baptism. 

Sorry about the short email again. 

Love yall,

-Elder Shill

 

P.S. I should have a couple pictures on Google Drive soon. 

 

 

Week 92

Hello Friends and Family,

This week has been a blur. Walking into church on Sunday I felt like I had returned from a 1 month vacation. We had 3 zone conferences and two exchanges, all of which went extremely well. 

Zone Conferences were fantastic. The topics were PMG Chapters 8,9, and 10. In each conference we had two trainings. The first training was in a District Leader Training Meeting. This meeting is for all the Zone Leaders, District Leaders and Sister Training Leaders in the region. Our training was about cleanliness and raising the culture of the mission. We committed the whole body of leadership to hold a model of cleanliness for the rest of the mission. It was neat to see how all of the missionaries quickly jumped on board and chose to raise the standards of the mission. Our second training was about becoming a successful missionary. I love how PMG defines a successful missionary. I know that a successful missionary is only a missionary who has become converted to Jesus Christ.

Our investigators are doing well. We haven't been able to meet with many of them because we have been out of town all week; However, the ward is doing a great job of fellow shipping our investigators while we have been gone. 

Love yall,

-Elder Shill

Week 91

Hello Friends and Family!

I am sorry this is going to be a short email. Today we have to drive to North Carolina to pick up some departing missionaries. Anyways, life is great. We finished a fantastic week of exchanges, MLC, and proselyting. We met a great new family that came to church this week. Its always special seeing people come back to church for the fist time in many years. It was especially neat to see several other investigators be at church. Yesterday we also had a dinner appointment with some members and their friend happened to stop by and we were able to teach her the restoration. 

I am so grateful to be apart of this church. This week I went through the whole Book or Mormon quickly highlighting the prophet's testimonies of the savior. It was like reading only the best parts of the book. I see more clearly how that book will bring someone closer to God  than any other book. I know that it is the word of God. 

This week is going to be busy. We have 3 exchanges and 3 zone conferences in different parts of our mission. We are going to be in our area on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday. I am excited to go explore other parts of the mission. 

I know that this church is true. Jesus is the Christ. There is a living prophet on the earth today.

Love yall,

-Elder Shill

Week 89, 90

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGES! It was perfect and the pens were exactly what I wanted! I really appreciate it! Sorry I wasn't able to email last week. We were running around finishing all of the transfer logistics. Transfers are a miracle. All 30 new missionaries got to their areas safely and with all their belongings. I was absolutely astonished by how well everything went. Its neat to create a plan and then watch it unfold.

 

Everything is going really well. We haven't had a lot of time proselyte so we haven't been able to find any new investigators. We are getting back into finding mode though. We thought a couple investigators were going to be at church, but they weren't able to come. I am just grateful for how much the ward loves the missionaries. Yesterday one of the councilors in the Primary Presidency asked us to teach the 10 year olds because all of the adults were out of town. That was probably one of the funniest things I have ever done. Those kids were so smart and absolutely hilarious. 

Sorry I can send a longer email. I am trying to fill out college applications. 

Love you,

-Elder Shill

Week 88

Hello Friends and Family

This has been a busy week. All of the members are realizing how soon Elder Snow is leaving so people have been trying to schedule appointments with us for a final goodbye dinner. My new companion was called this morning. I am incredibly excited to serve with him. We actually sat by each other on the plane ride out, so it will be interesting when we both leave.

 

I have accidentally started a tradition of making bread every p-day. I found a bread maker in the apartment and several months ago Sister Weed gave the entire mission a bread recipe. Now every Monday morning both sets of Deep Creek Elder come over to have fresh Mediterranean bread.

Transfers are still hectic. Its pretty fun trying to figure out how every missionary is going to get from point A to point B along with deciding were they are going in the first place.

We committed one on our investigators to live the word of wisdom and the lesson went extremely well. I was really excited to see how well they accepted it and promised they would try it for a little while.

Tonight is actually going to be a really fun night because we are going to do some more service for a family we are trying to work with. I am so excited because I think they are not only interested in our free labor, but they might be a little interested in our message. Hopefully everything goes well tonight.

I love yall,

-Elder Shill

Week 87

Hello Friends and Family!

I apologize for how short this email is going to be. We went to the Zoo this morning and then ate all you can eat sushi as a full zone and in about 4 min we are going to meet with President Weed to begin planning transfers. I love ya'll. This week has been amazing. The family that was baptized now has callings so they are doing such a fantastic job. 

I love ya'll!

-Elder Shill

Week 86

Dear Family!

So this week has been absolutely incredible. 

On Friday the entire "E" family was baptized. Because so many people came Bishop had to have everyone move to the chapel so there would be enough seats. It was such a beautiful service! To make it even better several missionaries were their because they had investigators come to the baptism as well. It was awesome to see so many peoples lives being touched. 

Saturday the "E" Family requested that we come over so they could have added protection from the adversary. In accommodation with their request, and because we love going to their house, first thing in the morning we went to their house for breakfast. After breakfast we did our companionship study with them and they helped us plan for our investigators. Later that day Bro. "E" actually came with us to teach a couple people. He did such an amazing job! I was blown away by how many PMG skills he had. 

Sunday the entire family was confirmed. I had the opportunity to Confirm their son "K". It was amazing. Later during priesthood opening exercises, Bro. "E" was given the Aaronic priesthood and then he gave his son the Aaronic priesthood. A tender moment to say the least. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn from the "E" family. They are rock stars who just love the Gospel. 

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were zone conferences. The theme for these conference was, "Preparing the Mission to Train." On Aug 1, approximately 30 missionaries go home and just over 30 come out. The logistics for this are impressively complex. President Weed gave a great talk about obedience and corrected our understanding of the phrase "Obedience brings blessings, and exact obedience brings miracles".  I will share the talk with y'all when I get it. President typed it out because he wanted to give it to missionaries in the future. 

During the zone conference we gave a training about Amalackiah, which is one of the best planners in the Book of Mormon. When I get home, remind me to give this training to y'all because it is the best. 

I love y'all,

-Elder Shill

P.S. Thanks for the Dum-dums! I literally jumped on the couch and started feasting as I explained to everyone why my family sent a box of dum-dums.

 

Week 85

Hello Friends and Family!

This week has been such a great week. I feel like I am officially moved into the Portsmouth area because I finally attended church their. My first Sunday I had to go to New Bern and the second Sunday was Stake Conference.

 

For a couple of weeks we have been working with this family that Elder Snow and Elder Richins found. This family was 110% prepared to hear the Gospel. Sunday night they all had their Baptismal interviews and passed, which means that this Friday that entire family is going to be baptized.

We also had an incredible time yesterday doing service for some potential investigators. They have so much faith in Jesus Christ! The missionaries ran into them back in January and we got back in contact with them a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday we helped them clear some vines from their yard and then they fed us some eggplant lasagna and muscles. I loved it.

Wednesday we had a Mission Leadership Council and we finished planning all of Zone Conference. Within 2 transfers pretty much they entire mission will be participating with Training new missionaries. Therefore, our focus this transfer is to train the trainers.

We also went on 3 exchanges this week. For 2 of them we split our tiny area and both proselyted here. For the last one I went to the Tidewater YSA area. Our focus for the exchange was working with members. After doing a little bit of studying we said a prayer and walked out the door. I kid you not, 3 seconds later a lady turned around and asked us if we were the Mormon missionaries. We learned that she had just moved in and was a member herself. She also told us that she had several friends she wanted to share the gospel with.

Love y'all

-Elder Shill

A pic from that Elder Snow's mom posted :)

Week 84

Hello Friends and Family!

Good gravy it is busy! I'm grateful that there is so much to do in this area. At first I was a bit nervous because the area is so small, but there are definitely people who are prepared to hear the gospel. The beginning of the week I felt more like an office missionary because Elder Snow and I were always in the mission office working out logistics for transfers. Monday we picked up the departing missionaries and Tuesday morning we sent them home. That afternoon we picked up 4 new sisters from the MTC and introduced them to the mission. Wednesday was busy with Training meetings and driving to and from Greenville NC. On Thursday we skipped weekly planning and had a meeting with President Weed about the upcoming MLC and Zone Conferences. Since Thursday we hopped back into "regular missionary" schedule. This week we have 2 exchanges set up and several appointments with the people we teach. 

 

As far as missionary work goes this area is on fire. I guess that's what happens when there is a long history of excellent missionaries that have served here. Members are inviting their friends, a family is progressing towards baptism and we are working with several recent converts. I also see the Ward Council diligently reaching out to those who are struggling. 

I'm a bit nervous for how quickly I have to learn this area. Elder Snow goes home at the end of this transfer. Normally when you take over an area you have ample time to learn the members and your investigators. Now I have to keep track of all the missionaries... Members+Non-Members+Missionaries = a whole lot of headache to memorize. Its fun though. I actually really enjoy the quick pace. 

Yesterday we ran into some former investigators that seemed excited to have us come back. They look like a nice family. I heard that they used to feed the missionaries but for what ever reason they were never baptized. Actually, I hear that there are many former investigators that used to frequently feed the missionaries but chose not to get baptized. 

I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I am so grateful I get to be out hear sharing the gospel. 

Love y'all

-Elder Shill