tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19665667612972839892024-03-21T20:47:37.790-07:00Kyle's Mission in IndiaIndia Bangalore Mission<br>
Anjali Plaza, 2nd Floor<br>
493 CMH Road, Indiranagar<br>
Bangalore 560 038<br>
INDIAthe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-19449906982251221512010-07-19T16:20:00.000-07:002010-07-19T16:25:09.033-07:00July 15 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTCTKz3BzGSfgaJqrrvmm0pwkyPsEgXf0riBkrLrIVGUUT7GNgSMPDGCv6WqveotSc5h3l505gUShccoRRjY5xlVIoHM-g8UWDTSQCgWSCR-Js0A6GmppFdb-vtlqHA63KvMueZpioPg/s1600/Kyle+julu+2010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTCTKz3BzGSfgaJqrrvmm0pwkyPsEgXf0riBkrLrIVGUUT7GNgSMPDGCv6WqveotSc5h3l505gUShccoRRjY5xlVIoHM-g8UWDTSQCgWSCR-Js0A6GmppFdb-vtlqHA63KvMueZpioPg/s400/Kyle+julu+2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495762380758817762" /></a><br />Wow!<br /><br />It sounds like everyone has been having an exciting week.<br />I think I would have enjoyed seeing the Falls and Church History sites. <br />You also got to hear the mission president speak, huh? I imagine it may not have been significant or entertaining for my sisters, but I can see myself really enjoying hearing from him.<br />I'm glad that everyone is getting along and enjoying each other!<br /><br />In Chennai we had a baptism! His name is Vikram. He is doing his fourth year of college and has been attending Church on and off since he was in 8th grade. His family is Hindu, and so was he, but his friend invited him to Church activities and he went with him, then Church. He soon became so involved with Church that he was spending his whole weekends there with activities, Church, and friends. His parents did not allow his baptism, but now, 7 years later he was referred over to us and was old enough and separated enough from his parents to decide to be baptized, just as he always wanted.<br /><br />Well, wish granted. His friend couldn't come from Hyderabad to baptize him... so we made Elder Bennett do it! Yay! His first baptism on a mission. It was well done. He was nervous, but he did a great job.<br /><br />We will have baptisms next week and then the next also.<br /><br />Unfortunately....<br /><br />I've been transferred.<br />My new assignment is Visakhapatnam. <br /> <br />I've thoroughly impressed President Funk and promptly been reassigned to Gajuwaka, a new branch on the outskirts of Visak. <br /><br />I will be with Elder Powell, who was previously in my District in Hyderabad, and whose parents are good members of Chennai. I know them well. They are excited for me to go and serve with their son. I will again be the "petty cash custodian" and will be reviving the Branch<br /><br />I'm sad to leave Chennai, but excited to work in Visak. I've visited there a few times before. It should be a fun city. My Zone Leaders are... Elder Mackay and Elder Cranney. I was, of course, Elder Mackay's companion and Elder Cranney's District Leader in Hyderabad. Actually, my District Leader is going to be Elder Lofgran... I was his District Leader in Hyderabad also. So, round circle. Looks like I've been given my opportunities to serve and will be doing my part. Okay. I told the Mission President that he could put me anywhere with anyone doing anything. He did.<br /><br />I love you.<br /><br />Father: I'm waiting on my list of online classes to approve. I've been sending you emails to edwin.shep@hotmail.com, but they aren't reaching you. Where should I send your emails.<br /><br />Mom: Thanks for the thorough play-by-play of the week. People keep asking if your my sister in my family pictures I show them <br /><br />Sisters: I love you<br /><br />Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-84791521834886194502010-07-19T16:11:00.000-07:002010-07-19T16:16:25.924-07:00June 6 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l8aXWYdTRYSg0vjtaXruuIKzPQZuhsME9ZqS-kqlufy6_RdPk-fJhZnM6kJ0YTE9y4zA-gk_xuqy83kJlURjIh-mxJT1ubbCFPrdNLJz4UZsMPJ4re4g26BvIrBXE4NDoK8kRVJ9LhQ/s1600/Last_Zone_Conferences_0010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l8aXWYdTRYSg0vjtaXruuIKzPQZuhsME9ZqS-kqlufy6_RdPk-fJhZnM6kJ0YTE9y4zA-gk_xuqy83kJlURjIh-mxJT1ubbCFPrdNLJz4UZsMPJ4re4g26BvIrBXE4NDoK8kRVJ9LhQ/s400/Last_Zone_Conferences_0010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495759960202152578" /></a><br />Hello!<br /><br />Things are going well in the Zone Leadership. <br /><br />The new District Leaders are doing well. They are new. We are attempting to get 15 baptisms with 5 companionships for the month of June. In May we had 9. We currently have 14 people set with baptism as a Zone, we will need 16 more if we go by the statistics. We can do it. It will take some training for our District Leaders and some loving pushes by us, but we can do it.<br /><br />Our companionship is now the official missionary representatives of Chennai 3rd Branch. We get the whole Branch to ourselves! Our area has gotten larger (though we won't expand our actual proselyting efforts, rather, consolidate.) We picked up an area right behind the rented Church building that will make it very easy for people to get to Church after we find them. Furthermore, our timings have changed to 2-5PM, which removes some of the obstacles that prevented some investigators from attending Church and will prove to unmask false excuses for non-attendance from others. I'm excited. Our new Branch Mission Leader was the Assistant BML before. He's fantastic.<br /><br />I'm sad to lose President Nichols, I respect him and his leadership a lot. I'm excited to get President Funk though. I've noticed that change on the missionary front generally results in getting back to basics and re-evaluating ourselves and leads to more obedience and more solid results. I'm excited for what President Funk has to offer and to be able to counsel with him on the needs of the mission. There has been no update on whether he has a visa or not, but there's no point in asking because the Area Presidency is taking care of it and keeping it under wraps.<br /><br />My companion, Elder Jenks, is from Idaho. He's tall and prefers light fruity-colored ties. I've served near him at all times on my mission. We have attended the same Zone Conferences our whole missions. He goes home in 2 months. He was the District Leader of Hyderabad 1st Branch when I was there in 2nd. Since we met in the same building we often saw and collaborated with each other. I like him, we will get along well.<br /><br />Mom: Good luck on your exam! If you study well like you seem like you would then you shouldn't have a problem. I didn't feel any earthquake. I'm not concerned about any natural disasters, none of the locals have talked about anything dangerous. Good luck through the Hurricanes!<br /><br />Dad: Great! It's exciting to hear that your company is expanding. What part do you play in relation to this new company? They speak Tamil in Chennai. Actually, my companion can understand a lot of Tamil (his previous Branch spoke Tamil for all of their Church meetings.) He picked up a lot, I can understand some, but since the First Presidency approved the English-only policy proposed by President Nichols I have not attempted to learn the languages here. I'll have to do that later. I'll keep Grandpa in my prayers.<br /><br />Sisters: I love you! Write me.<br /><br />Love,<br />Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-23994325682740884282010-07-19T16:01:00.000-07:002010-07-19T16:07:56.839-07:00JUNE 16, 2010Dear Family,<br /><br />Wow. Great responses this week. I'm glad that everyone enjoyed my last email.<br /><br />The last two days have not been the most pleasant for me. I got a sore throat, headache, and body pains. Like a Shepherdson I wend out doing missionary work anyways. Somehow we ended up with really good days too. We had a brother pass his baptism interview, found 5 new investigators, and had some effective member-present lessons too. <br /><br />Kesavan, our baptism candidate, is a 29 year old Hindu man who came to Chennai for his work. He is a software engineer for a company that is trying to analyze a person's eyeball to track early eyesight loss for patients with certain diseases. He ran up to us on the street one night and told us that we need to come over to his home and teach him English for an hour every night. We told him to come to an activity on Saturday and Church on Sunday. He came to both. My recent convert, Suguna, then proceeded to challenge him for baptism. Having done all this, we went to his home for the first time, taught him the Restoration and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and set him for baptism. He had previously recognized that his former religion could not have been true and decided that Christianity was most logical. After our lessons he was convinced. We're happy for him. He will be baptized this Sunday.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the other baptism we had intended to have this Sunday has been postponed because Vikram will be leaving to Hyderabad for a week. We'll just wait until July. <br /><br />Elder Jenks and I are doing well together. The new Branch is doing okay. Attendance has been relatively low, and our investigators aren't coming like they were before. That just means that we'll have to do more and work harder, but the transition is somewhat hard. Fortunately, the leaders in the Branch are doing fantastic. Things are getting far more organized than I have ever before seen in India. Our Branch Mission Leader is on top of his job. He only has 1 companionship to worry about, but he's taking it to the next level. I appreciate him.<br /><br />Congratulations on finishing another year of school, Beth and Marie! Marie is going into highschool... that will be fun. How is the new school coming along? Now that the first year is complete at that new highschool have they got things working better than at first? Marie, you went and burned everything? You're crazy.<br /><br />I have been taking good notes of what President Nichols has told me. I'm pretty good at writing in my Journal daily, though I have to go back through it sometimes and fill in missing days. <br /><br /><br />Mom: Take it easy. If you passed, you passed!<br /><br />I love you all very much,<br />Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-81166526928508247142010-07-19T15:46:00.000-07:002010-07-19T15:49:34.126-07:00April 28 2010Dear Family,<br /><br />I, of course, still love you lots.<br /><br />This week was quite entertaining. We have a new investigator who had shown up to Church all on his own on Sunday and wants to be baptized... <br /><br />On Saturday we had a talent show! Many recent-converts did performances including:<br />1. Varadharajan singing an excellent Tamil song<br />2. Selva Singh singing a song he had made himself ("I believe the Book of Mormon, Doctrine Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. Oooooh.)<br />3. Kalaiselvi bravely singing a Tamil Song<br />4. Dinesh doing a scary mime. His face was painted like the Joker from Batman<br />5. James dancing to Michael Jackson. He was really good<br /><br />We, the Elders, did an interpretive dance reenactment of Alma and sons of Mosiah converting to the cause of righteousness. We danced to Michael Jackson's song "Bad" and "The Way You Make Me Feel." I was the angel that commanded them to repent, then I joined them for the dance. We received wild applause. There will probably be hundreds baptized as a result of our dance.<br /><br />Anyways, on the missionary work front we are doing incredibly well. There are a bunch of people who should have baptism dates pretty soon. Let me tell you about some of them!<br /><br />1. Keerthana, Keerthi, and Logambal.<br />- This family consists of a 50 something year old mother who speaks little English and her son: Keerthi (24) and daughter Keerthana (20.) Their father died a little over a year ago and they were heartbroken from it. They are Hindu converts and were baptized into the Assembly of God church on January 1 2010. They love the Restored Gospel and say they want to be baptized in about 3 months as they give up their current church that they just recently got baptized in. They love the peaceful feelings they get at church.<br /><br />2. Anu and Divya.<br />- Divya is 20 or so. She is in college and has been working hard to study and prepare for her exams. Anu is a mother of a small son (named Nixon) and her husband doesn't speak English. They are the cousins of Varadharajan (the recent-convert) who lives just 5 doors down from them. Their mother gives a beautiful smile (Indians have great teeth) and though she doesn't understand English joins us for the lessons every time. This family actually lives about 7 doors down from Keerthana and family, so they are easy to visit often.<br /><br />Okay.<br /><br />Dad,<br />Mark won't be too far from me will he? I wish that I got to wear a dress and sandals :( It's very popular here also, but the mission president hasn't decided to implement that dress style. We probably wouldn't be respected as much, not disrespected, but a suit sure is impressive isn't it? I will be praying for Grandpa. I can't imagine cancer being very fun.<br /><br />Mom,<br />I don't remember that time when I helped Beth with her homework, but I'm glad I did it! You can rest assured that the Kyle that will be returning from his mission will be much more prone to good works and service than the pre-mission Kyle. Service is incredible. You are right that I love these people, who couldn't?<br /><br />Emily,<br />Happy Birthday again! it sounds like everyone is excited to have you back.<br /><br />Beth,<br />Good luck on the SAT. Go ahead and beat me, then you can get a scholarship.<br /><br />Marie,<br />Sorry about your hand :( Get better soon. Have fun at graduation!<br /><br />Love,<br />Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-18494691197074423492010-07-19T15:41:00.000-07:002010-07-19T15:46:32.262-07:00May 15 2010Oh Family,<br /><br /><br /><br />Missionary work is going really well. <br /><br />We are getting a high number of new Investigators and Member Present Lessons. There are many families preparing for baptism and we extremely excited to help them reach that goal. Elder Mackay and I are still enjoying our work as Zone Leaders. It's fun to help Elders. We also continue to enjoy training Elder Pimsakul. He understands missionary work pretty well and desires to learn more. <br /><br />I don't know if I told you much about our current investigators...<br /><br />Here we Go!<br />1. Rachel (Female, 60?)<br />Here's the story. A man on the street stopped me and told me he did compost. He spoke very poor English and I had absolutely no intention of calling him, but I took his number down when he offered it. I eventually gave the number to Elder Mackay jokingly telling him to call. We set an appointment with him due to his convenient location. Upon our first visit he invited his neighbor to join us, this was Rachel. She listened intently, and apparently understood much more than the compost man. When we finally told her that Jesus Christ's true Church was on the earth she yelled: "where?!" We told her where, she told us she would be there on Sunday. Surprise! She came to Church. There she explained that, though she had attended her previous church for 22 years, she wasn't satisfied. She had begun fasting for the correct Church, a church full of love. We found her on the second day of fasting. She came to Church on the 4th day of her fasting. She asked to be baptized that following Tuesday. She is going to be baptized this Sunday.<br /><br />2. Logambal, Keerthana, Keerthi, and Vignesh (Female, Female, Male, Male)<br />Logambal is the Mother. I found them while knocking doors the same day I found the compost brother from the story above. This family was baptized into a very popular commercial church on the 1st of January this year. Their father died in November of last year. He had converted from Hinduism to Christianity and the family wished to join the same church as him following his death. The are currently being well cared for in their church, though they feel that the pastor and congregation are impersonal and pushy. After our lessons they have agreed to be baptized but with to wait until the 1 year anniversary of their father's death to do it. Keerthana mentioned that it would have been really helpful if we would have just come in December so that they wouldn't have to go through the hassle of changing churches. Haha.<br /><br />3. John and Mary Li (Male, Female, 50s)<br />Completely Chinese, both born and raised in India. John has been addicted to alcohol and cigarettes for 40 years or something and Mary drank 40 cups of tea a day. They both completely left all of the their habits in under 2 weeks. Really an interesting couple. They were referred by Kalaiselvi, the sister we recently baptized. She has helped us keep track of them and strengthen them when we are not there. John attended Church last Sunday and committed himself to continue coming until he becomes a member... OKAY JOHN!<br /><br />4. Tamil Mani (Male, 26?)<br />Works at the same office as a recently baptized Church member. He was found on the bus by some other Elders and referred over to us. After about a month of trying to meet him, we finally succeeded. He was awesome. He grasped the concepts of the Restoration extremely clearly and has begun reading the Book of Mormon with zeal. Unfortunately, he works full time and has college classes all Saturday and Sunday long until July. Well, we challenged him for baptism and he totally accepted. We will have to find a way to get him to Church... but that can be done. <br /><br />And others...<br /><br />I'm currently in Bangalore. We just finished a Zone Leader's Council and received an excellent training on Stewardship. It turns out that we don't own anything and that we'll have to start living the Law of Consecration to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Helpful. I'm excited to keep being excited. I'm confident that we can baptize more people than we ever have before. My testimony stronger, and my knowledge higher than it has ever been before. It's time to work double time.<br /><br />I also enjoyed talking to you all on the phone. You are an awesome family. You are also a lot of fun. President Nichols talked about the greatest gift a parent can receive is kindness shown by children to other children. I think there is a lot of that going on in our family. We love each other a lot.<br /><br />Dad: Good luck on your company acquisition! That's exciting. <br /><br />I'm finding out that all of these things that we believe are more and more true every day. It makes sense, it's confirmed constantly as we live by the laws of God. It really is incredible to see other people and their beliefs. I'm grateful for the sheer level of knowledge that we have as revealed by the modern prophets and apostles. We understand far more than any other people on the Earth.<br /><br />Missions are awesome<br /><br />Love,<br />Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-39742377375792863042010-07-19T15:36:00.000-07:002010-07-19T15:41:11.070-07:00May 26 2010Dear Family,<br /><br />You are the greatest<br />Isn't that the truth?<br /><br />We baptized Suguna (Rachel) this Sunday. She was awesome. Elder Pimsakul performed his first baptism.<br />The service went well. We had an investigating family stay for it too. I played piano for Sacrament and for the baptism service.<br /><br />The news:<br />1. 4 Elders are going home on Friday<br />2. Elder Mackay (my Zone Leader comp) is going to Visak <br />3. Elder Pimsakul is going to another area, but still in my district, so I'll see him often<br />4. Both of the District Leaders in our Zone are changing.<br />5. My new comp, Elder Jenks, … he will be great to work with.<br />6. Our branch is splitting and I'm working with the District Presidency to divide our areas appropriately.<br />7. And I love it!<br /><br />Things are going well. I told President Nichols that being busy is like working out. It hurts sometimes while you're doing it, and you get frustrated sometimes, but the results are great. I'm busy even today.<br /><br />We set goals that are going to send us through the roof as a Zone. I'm on top of, so I am excited!!<br />I love you!<br />Write more,the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-71154555386789544912010-03-07T16:19:00.001-08:002010-03-07T16:22:53.627-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlcf8DCzPkOkA6SuxEjoAY5i-xqCmRZRBIZhd6Iwq-3fgmmJxfEO6kaYfr45AGGXVTIQARUdAhgENoRbulAdSHpU5yo3e6lo1l2YqJFG9jxy4rX24i0LcS7LFL9TvOpcr6ymaNX3GMKQ/s1600-h/Elder+Shep3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051851013755458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlcf8DCzPkOkA6SuxEjoAY5i-xqCmRZRBIZhd6Iwq-3fgmmJxfEO6kaYfr45AGGXVTIQARUdAhgENoRbulAdSHpU5yo3e6lo1l2YqJFG9jxy4rX24i0LcS7LFL9TvOpcr6ymaNX3GMKQ/s400/Elder+Shep3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwQznAaQ52F1jw7CO2vtjuDgZlOf_vuuFfchk6dL9LQH4HSswzk_9dvfnCqF2jUlBPvv-NMCSy1MaCCK0XXt0AbF_1JTmn2eN6Mx_RY6eBynhM6P4RDSPIuErSOSojK7RHGJ97JuR4Ns/s1600-h/Elder+Shep6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051757106972626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwQznAaQ52F1jw7CO2vtjuDgZlOf_vuuFfchk6dL9LQH4HSswzk_9dvfnCqF2jUlBPvv-NMCSy1MaCCK0XXt0AbF_1JTmn2eN6Mx_RY6eBynhM6P4RDSPIuErSOSojK7RHGJ97JuR4Ns/s400/Elder+Shep6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4l92zeVNcb6GWni3M1XbbljCw39wRL4CQzkofDT18jknYx39ct48xRQq1zZuDVOwweD4-EfRHtnFpHc_HC9tqlOhBcBPF1vu9qE0ByJFck0zzOq79C2KgjGuyn733zJVvCEq8M5_QNY/s1600-h/Elder+Shep%5B13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051576750510930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4l92zeVNcb6GWni3M1XbbljCw39wRL4CQzkofDT18jknYx39ct48xRQq1zZuDVOwweD4-EfRHtnFpHc_HC9tqlOhBcBPF1vu9qE0ByJFck0zzOq79C2KgjGuyn733zJVvCEq8M5_QNY/s400/Elder+Shep%5B13.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlK9ZIXhjE47QNWoD5tb33OIyqdbvh1z6lsZWJd2F0fK11hKhQ5G8ze67pEgLAUIl_fnYLBjIVVCYeN1TAb2x-WCLjBvGZ-VA-5vfVt5UNkry1dj00b2IObRHHgqC1770AQ5sKAwgoGpo/s1600-h/Elder+Shep%5B29.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051467861935330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlK9ZIXhjE47QNWoD5tb33OIyqdbvh1z6lsZWJd2F0fK11hKhQ5G8ze67pEgLAUIl_fnYLBjIVVCYeN1TAb2x-WCLjBvGZ-VA-5vfVt5UNkry1dj00b2IObRHHgqC1770AQ5sKAwgoGpo/s400/Elder+Shep%5B29.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek1wu0U1p1mbcbAp5p4XoeFOfLH3QrELhyphenhyphenMGbxl81KSn2JxDCq44rIAH08Juc88a7ZfibNV82i3WyHe2ul-Jr0RCHXztMf8_EXmNk-iKeJLRKAjRyJQaJqayG7OVkMxdOTzWJyKk8uW0/s1600-h/Elder+Shep%5B32.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051372038991906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek1wu0U1p1mbcbAp5p4XoeFOfLH3QrELhyphenhyphenMGbxl81KSn2JxDCq44rIAH08Juc88a7ZfibNV82i3WyHe2ul-Jr0RCHXztMf8_EXmNk-iKeJLRKAjRyJQaJqayG7OVkMxdOTzWJyKk8uW0/s400/Elder+Shep%5B32.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlterh0at4i0A_2xhTp9fMJ8iXeK7RJ1ICSXo7j3Xock7NNwhY1h6uyOeEj_2dc3Wqd9rdrf9W29lagYDoHBEDhKZ69Fms4pwVdZ0-cT9hppzFctiElBPaCxuYDFRN4sBB9kkDdiURFkk/s1600-h/Elder+Shep%5B30.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051251655179762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlterh0at4i0A_2xhTp9fMJ8iXeK7RJ1ICSXo7j3Xock7NNwhY1h6uyOeEj_2dc3Wqd9rdrf9W29lagYDoHBEDhKZ69Fms4pwVdZ0-cT9hppzFctiElBPaCxuYDFRN4sBB9kkDdiURFkk/s400/Elder+Shep%5B30.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx7KBYZ_vP-J2Y0w44scXIKk8X54ufR-ldC7YhDlvShnzNtFfBoEvFUOqZ-xa3hNqa21YDij0cWgzyNF_KZ9iIzzC6SvWt5tIXJcpKTNL6jp2rdlrkmXv9U9ip3AIwlx9wrWg0cH6Og8/s1600-h/Elder+Shep%5B36.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446051100594086050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx7KBYZ_vP-J2Y0w44scXIKk8X54ufR-ldC7YhDlvShnzNtFfBoEvFUOqZ-xa3hNqa21YDij0cWgzyNF_KZ9iIzzC6SvWt5tIXJcpKTNL6jp2rdlrkmXv9U9ip3AIwlx9wrWg0cH6Og8/s400/Elder+Shep%5B36.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-8502366014139336722010-03-07T16:14:00.000-08:002010-03-07T16:16:44.533-08:00ELEPHANT KYLE<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvw9oV0Z8WghydkC92Xu8Z1HKycEZiWL3ba1pMq2qsZBBHBwCn-or3m3fDENeznnQzNsPX1gQtvgo6B5A7mQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-91211310956057924952010-03-07T15:52:00.000-08:002010-03-07T15:55:44.100-08:00zone leaders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvXNK3xiLME3dnq8lgZPemXDXupcqSuWqnQHi6xgYkuIsDBOM49UG2H3H4TIbkKXbnyF1vDtjYmdV4ichOswECPMj81v8igIwILLjv3jglfa7pH3zeuO9TNpfPPus_4MhEWpmHwDAp5A/s1600-h/ZONELE+kyle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446044466997841842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvXNK3xiLME3dnq8lgZPemXDXupcqSuWqnQHi6xgYkuIsDBOM49UG2H3H4TIbkKXbnyF1vDtjYmdV4ichOswECPMj81v8igIwILLjv3jglfa7pH3zeuO9TNpfPPus_4MhEWpmHwDAp5A/s400/ZONELE+kyle.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-24367502645211913752010-02-15T09:14:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:18:20.502-08:00FEB 11 2010Hot dang! Today was awesome (I have the sunburn to prove it.)<br /><br />7:30 met at church in my red sumo wrestler shirt and jeans<br />9:00 arrived at an old Hindu Temple, ran straight for the Elephants (there were three) and begged the caretaker to get us on their backs. I was the first of the 14 of us and was blessed with the longest RIDE!<br />10:30 saw a silk weaving factory and purchased a 100% silk tie of purple and white. It's awesome.<br />12:00 explored a bunch of rocky places. I got some awesome pictures and did some great wall running and climbing.<br />3:30 played some football on the beach.<br />4:30 went to a crocodile farm. They had American Alligators there (haha.) We purchased meat and threw it into a pit with over 100 crocodiles. They went CRAZY. I have a long video of it. That's the big deal.<br /><br />My memory card is now full. Therefore... I'LL BE SENDING A DVD WITH ALL THE PICS!YAY!<br />The missionary work is doing well. Elder Gantyada is a stud. Our work has been far above the standard, so we're setting a good example for the other elders in the district. Also, Elder Gantyada has agreed to keep running with me on tue, thur, and saturdays. We have run twice before. It's so nice to get some good workouts in.<br /><br />Mom: That's awesome that you're giving zone conference talks! I hope it works! What's the mission president's name? What's he like? What are the elders like?<br /><br />Dad: Haha, Elder Sorensen is sooo excited that the Saints won. He can't stop talking about it. He's originally from New Orleans. Are you meeting clients there?<br /><br />Sisters: I love you! Keep studying hard!<br />Oh, here's my new direct address:<br /><br />H/NO 618,<br />11th street<br />Nandanam extension<br />Chennai 600035India<br /><br />Send me a letter to commemorate my new apartment! The sisters are going home on Monday and transfer calls are coming on friday... change is coming. <br /><br />Our mission is doing great, though we REALLY need those visas to come. I'm so glad that I was blessed to come to India. Really. I'm now confident that this is the place for me. My testimony has grown so much. What has started as a hope and built-in way of life has turned into a strong faith proved by answers to prayers and results of trust and obedience. I have learned to love the gospel in a whole new way and to desire making covenants and seeing them through in the correct light. I remember reading something Joseph Smith had said. It went along the lines of: "The prophets of old sacrificed everything and will be rewarded with all that God has. How can we think of obtaining that same glory unless we sacrifice as they did?"And on a separate occasion: "Any religion that does not require the sacrifice of everything cannot produce the faith necessary to reach exaltation." Or something of that nature.<br /><br />I now love service and sacrifice. It's so weird, but it happened. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that God is our Heavenly Father, that they have a plan for us. I know that the Book of Mormon is exactly what it claims to be. I love it. I'm thankful for the priesthood restored today. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet. I fear for the many people who don't know about or listen to his counsel. I'm thankful for a beautiful family. I love you all.<br /><br />Love,Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-42361205764924479982010-02-15T09:03:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:58:40.394-08:00FEB 3 2010First, sorry. This is going to be compact.<br /><br />Beth, the tie is in the mail... as of today. Sorry. I have been extremely busy, I promise.<br /><br />Mom, thanks for the support. I'm glad you like my update.<br /><br />Marie, sorry about the wrong email... what's the right one?<br /><br />Dad, wow. Thanks for the short BMW concept article and picture. BYU basketball sounds like they are amazing. I haven't done the math riddle you sent me, I'll get it done back at the apartment should any free time come along.<br /><br />Here's the deal. Elder Sorensen has some viral fever that has kept him out of commission for a full week. I have been working to balance our area and exchanges with his companion (Elder Elliott) so that the district can keep functioning and investigators get taken care of. This has required much of my time. I have also gone on exchange with Elder Mackay, and enjoyed it thoroughly.<br /><br />Living in the apartment with 3 other people has been tough on me because I have become increasingly more concerned with cleanliness and obedience.<br /><br />It's part of my calling and it's also my desire.... Anyways, the sisters are finishing their missions in 2 weeks and my district will be down to 6. This means that I'll be moving out of my current apartment and into their old one and that we will inherit some of their area and investigators. More things to do. Fortunately, I'm happy. My testimony is being strengthened and my love for missionary work is too. I love you all. I'm so glad to have a fantastic family.<br /><br />Love, kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-73508083425572646292010-02-03T03:07:00.000-08:002010-02-15T09:55:47.039-08:00JAN 27 2010Dear family, Big Papa has instituted a formula for successful emails.I will follow this formula.<br /><br />1. Daily Activities each requires a minimum of 25 words.<br /><br />WED: Elders Gantyada, Sorensen, Elliott, and myself visited a place called Snake Park. It was full of Indian snakes (including water snakes,) crocodiles, and giants lizards (dragons!) I have MANY wonderful pictures, yet don't have a cable to upload them. Sorry. We also visited the zoo beside it. I saw hyenas, giants birds, monkeys, deer (I pet one,) and various other animals. I had salt and vinegar chips for lunch, a delightfully rare treat.<br /><br />THUR: I conducted a district meeting and did my best to get everyone excited. A few were with me, a few seemed to be not to motivated. Our numbers are low (this means that we are not doing all of the things required to result in the desired baptisms,) and I did my best to hold everyone accountable but inspire confidence for the coming days. We visited Reena and Kaleb (amongst others) and helped them receive fellowship from all 3 members of the district presidency, our branch president, and our elders quorum president. They were ready.<br /><br />FRIDAY: We met an Anglo Indian with heritage from Whales and Spain. He's catholic, but was an intelligent person to talk to. He invited us back. We also taught this awesome Telugu speaking girl who has permission to be baptized. We will set her with a date soon.<br /><br />SAT: Someone tried to bible bash us in the morning. He wasn't very willing to listen. So we taught a Hindu instead, he was amazing! He delighted in the pictures we showed him and offered to introduce us to a few of his friends. That's what I'm talking about! We finished the day by visiting a returned missionary sister named Rosie. We talked a bit about Abraham, Ancient Israel, and giving referrals. She gave a referral and also made us dinner. Chipattis and tomato curry. Wow, delicious.<br /><br />SUNDAY: REENA AND KALEB WERE BAPTIZED! It was great. This turned out to be Elder Gantyada's first baptism. Cool huh? I made potato curry for lunch and the 4 of us (apartment-mates) ate it. It was fantastic.<br /><br />MON: We finished our Planning for the week, got haircuts really fast, ate some pancakes, cleaned some of the apartment and headed out to zone conference. We got to the train station in the nick of time. The train pulled away 8 minutes later. On the train I talked about Job with Elder Mackay (remember, I love him. He was with me in Rajahmundry and is now one of my zone leaders. We always talk deeply about the scriptures while we have some time.) I also sang hymns with Sister Bommaji. We arrived in Bangalore around 8:00 and had PAPA JOHNS for dinner. Wow, awesome.<br /><br />TUES: Prepared for, then attended Zone Conference. Elder Watson was NOT there :( We learned about baptism, how to teach it and why we're right. Sister Nichols talked about the Pre-Earth life and the Fall. I had recently read D&C 93 so I basically already knew everything she told us about. It was nice though. I DID learn some great things. After that I went on exchange with Elder Thompson and we visited some of his converts. Biryani for dinner.<br /><br />2: Comments and Question: Please comment on the following questions with nice long answers. a. How many new missionaires are coming into your mission from the United States. We hear .. not many?<br /><br />Only 1 missionary He is from India though. He hails from Orem, UT and will be coming in the next 3 months.<br /><br />b. What is your address in Chennai.. I want to look it up on Google?<br /><br />House of Grace 2nd floorLittle Mount, ChennaiIndia That's all I've got, however, the area is also called chinamalai and is beside the biggest and most popular church in Chennai: the New Life Assembly of God (NLAG) church. Find that, we are across the street.<br /><br />c. Are the building a new chapel in Chennai...if so when will it be done.. is it close to you? It is right next to us. Two minute walk. Literally. It will be finished in a year. It will contend with the two biggest churches in Chennai. The Catholic church which claims to have hosted Thomas the apostle. Also, The AG church which claims to have 21,000 people attend on Sundays over the course of 5 sessions.<br /><br />d. Do you ever hear from Matt or Mark... I got a letter from Mark.. He is sounding mature. He asked about you and said he had not heard from you in a while.<br /><br />No. We don't really write any more. They are going home soon. I expect them to email me at that time.<br /><br /><br />g: Are you picking up any lanaguge? I think you would be since you are smart?<br /><br />Not so much of Tamil. I am now forbidden from learning, we don't teach in it... l still know some Telugu. I will finish learning Hindi upon my return (and Hebrew for that matter...)<br /><br />h: What was the most fun you had this week? When I had a deep doctrine discussion with Elder Mackay about the temple, master Mahan, and the Freemasons last night. Seriously.<br /><br />i: How was you trip to Bangalore? I'm still there!<br /><br />3: FREE FORM Now you can write what ever you want... I have to run and do my interview with the Mission President now! It will be amazing! I hope you liked the information, it was time consuming and exhausting.<br /><br />I love you!<br /><br />Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-38033299795571023692010-01-23T08:17:00.000-08:002010-01-23T08:19:23.607-08:00Jan 20th 2010Hey Family<br /><br />Do you still work for LDS family services? If not, then you should change your footer. It says that you are. Just to let you know...<br /><br />All is going very well. I'm happy, healthy and thankful that you emailed me this week. Dad, your book started really well, I'll finish it later, I'm printing it. Thanks.<br /><br />Sorry that Americans aren't concerned about religion. You can inspire them though. I'll get the Elders some investigators. Don't worry about me returning too soon, I've got, what... 9 months left? Plenty.<br /><br />We'll have two baptisms from our companionship this Sunday. A FANTASTIC COUPLE. The wife read the Book of Mormon in 1 week. They are happy, smiling, participating people. They are going to be a wonderful addition to the branch.<br /><br />I played frisbee this morning, it made me very happy. I made a sliding catch that I really had to run for and barely got. I slid into the fence and have a small bruise, but it feels amazing to have been able to do that again. Today I'm going back to the Import store. I'll be buying stick deodorant and some British cheese... and some salt and vinegar chips. I'm excited.<br /><br />We go to Bangalore next week and get to see Elder Kent D. Watson of the seventy (again.) I'm excited for that too. I love you, I'm healthy, I love to teach people the restored gospel. Kylethe Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-7063812215358764752010-01-19T16:06:00.000-08:002010-01-19T16:13:14.358-08:00JAN 13 LETTER FROM KYLE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTUAnOUcLap-n6JGqbN5btHVoKI6S519B30MerHKIpYzwI2s4wfm-rgp4HTU9kBCfxdSMYLvVUs_bUePNUOJK9PbvXadthukpWLIvJ1fLDp5bUo9hCK8_cCs5FvVKN6B-MKw36-JiHJs/s1600-h/Kyle+jan+12.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428608174219747202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTUAnOUcLap-n6JGqbN5btHVoKI6S519B30MerHKIpYzwI2s4wfm-rgp4HTU9kBCfxdSMYLvVUs_bUePNUOJK9PbvXadthukpWLIvJ1fLDp5bUo9hCK8_cCs5FvVKN6B-MKw36-JiHJs/s400/Kyle+jan+12.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Editor's note: Kyle is not much of a phone talker, nor a letter writer. Below is his complete letter from the week of Jan 6th to Jan 12th. Notice the tons of details, NOT. OH well, I can't say that I am much better at writing him. At least I picture is worth a thousand words, and Kyle is pretty good to send us a picture each week. So here it is.</em></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Dear Family,</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I love you.Thanks for all your love.I care about you.I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve a mission.We currently have 5 people preparing for baptism.2 are young couples, 1 is a bachelor.4 of them I'm pretty sure about.Elder Sorensen is a new addition to our district.He's from Texas and is fun to work with.We have set goals to work much harder this year.I will see more success.I'm excited.I love you.Elder Shep</span></strong></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-72124622029084486322010-01-06T16:32:00.000-08:002010-01-06T16:49:46.872-08:00JAN 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1nlF804OAL0Y52zjozuX-F-605Hwk3HYovzYjldVQHQvIMnXFiQbizm9QIPKgClChNv7-BYd5Pmt8XmH7aZGvDkDoUajiIJNpMfO-Z1w1DM9S7DUQT90xLSdBc7LDe04D5SzOFd-yYU/s1600-h/chennai.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423793514725820674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1nlF804OAL0Y52zjozuX-F-605Hwk3HYovzYjldVQHQvIMnXFiQbizm9QIPKgClChNv7-BYd5Pmt8XmH7aZGvDkDoUajiIJNpMfO-Z1w1DM9S7DUQT90xLSdBc7LDe04D5SzOFd-yYU/s400/chennai.jpg" /></a> HERE IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS SUPPOSE TO LOOK LIKE IN CHENNAI WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRgGKCxoCZX6lLoTZg-8is0LScZqeHBeQPRk26aBUSiZtn5pmueYemxgXh7ak46HBRPypsIsxcpezFikxR7EfieG5k0mO4-QvQajDDxOLLJa1ll5Z-KPJb5XgCP9DOjpEITX62CbMGVM/s1600-h/kyle+jan+2010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423792499015043938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRgGKCxoCZX6lLoTZg-8is0LScZqeHBeQPRk26aBUSiZtn5pmueYemxgXh7ak46HBRPypsIsxcpezFikxR7EfieG5k0mO4-QvQajDDxOLLJa1ll5Z-KPJb5XgCP9DOjpEITX62CbMGVM/s400/kyle+jan+2010.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7S47jJZ8j54ZrwwqMrBqQk_lBiA8jlzESK4qXyy2fyQ8jlPk-BAZn01sIhAmS_rl8T5lSE3rDO90iE5Hz1QzjrMi7Ucp4ZLL67m6l54rclafUSh8H6Y8C3rG3_ujKEPXOOifAi5YXYA/s1600-h/kyle+man+2010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423792338399277650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7S47jJZ8j54ZrwwqMrBqQk_lBiA8jlzESK4qXyy2fyQ8jlPk-BAZn01sIhAmS_rl8T5lSE3rDO90iE5Hz1QzjrMi7Ucp4ZLL67m6l54rclafUSh8H6Y8C3rG3_ujKEPXOOifAi5YXYA/s320/kyle+man+2010.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>JAN 6, 2010 HI,</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I remember talking to him about a mission some months ago. Well, thanks for telling me. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Definitely focus on keeping your self active and in shape. I'm doing more than a few push ups every morning. I'm not where I want to be yet, mostly because my companions won't run with me, but I'm closer than before. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Don't let mom get too carried away with her work. It's important, but all things in moderation. It's amazing, but the time is flying by. John is coming home, then Spencer, Mark and Matt... myself sometime in the future. Haha, it's fun.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Alright!Thanks for sending that info Mom. I care more and more. Personally, you were right about reporting numbers. It's funny, the housing and family situation in Panama and Costa Rica is the same as India. We too have investigators living in 1 or 2 room shacks with extended families. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>People here also walk right through the home like they own it. Very communal living. Then again, there are over a billion people here. If you need personal space.... good luck. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>On that note, I have not completely gotten over my "stop touching me" feelings, but that's by India's standards. I'll probably be considered a touchy feely in America now because of how close I can sit next to a man... and because men hold each others hands to cross the street here in India. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here's an update on some Investigators:1. Anand and Kavitha. They have a daughter in 1st grade and a young son. Anand drives an auto (like a ghetto taxi.) He is very humble and loves to read the Book of Mormon. He is very sincere. His wife speaks very little English, but people are helping her out a lot at church. I'm so excited for them. They are preparing to be baptized on the 7th of February.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>2. Thangu, Ravichendran, Ramya, and Raj Mohan. Great family. They speak *very* little English, but have been reading the Tamil Book of Mormon and attending church AND activities. They intend to be baptized in about a month but are working out some complications. They are very happy and live together with extended family. The other elders really like to talk to them because they smile a lot.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>3. Umm, and lots more.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I love you so very much!Kyle</div></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-12666014813014769182009-12-26T07:19:00.000-08:002009-12-30T11:44:40.833-08:00DEC 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0wZFDOQZADBDPSOleFKHV8ijvXJtxcXnCtDVwBocxqkuhsKW_4F425GBpnKIahKadMwKI6qf8CgbA5AM7tUZtMfSfuXKuGI-cjeJ7_R6vReu4b-uvfA8kw_7rCUxe9Vw3usT-fAnl7M/s1600-h/kyle+hydro+6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 180px; float: left; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419591488015145106" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0wZFDOQZADBDPSOleFKHV8ijvXJtxcXnCtDVwBocxqkuhsKW_4F425GBpnKIahKadMwKI6qf8CgbA5AM7tUZtMfSfuXKuGI-cjeJ7_R6vReu4b-uvfA8kw_7rCUxe9Vw3usT-fAnl7M/s320/kyle+hydro+6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAUzbhpUkwg6ek9Q_NC_vlTbp2YrufvvJXYTv61QMHgHXJ81Z773dAC_FacehGB6CNnVeUzy9XS7FelE58zy2rXOl5SkpVuORQXCVO5R97tlEipXbguN8RXV_4PwnfIx2uBCdG8BaWYg/s1600-h/kyle+chen+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; float: left; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419591265614479026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAUzbhpUkwg6ek9Q_NC_vlTbp2YrufvvJXYTv61QMHgHXJ81Z773dAC_FacehGB6CNnVeUzy9XS7FelE58zy2rXOl5SkpVuORQXCVO5R97tlEipXbguN8RXV_4PwnfIx2uBCdG8BaWYg/s320/kyle+chen+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1B6KpTKaodM8EXdjFQKRTsbU2_vOL7smNM4VdJHouBw5Rj7gUM-o-c6H5k0dOkNMNgVr54zBPhQZwupOGokf6Fb67Gz5EhFaAffwJ-rpP-ieyLOWPhO5QmOQSfQt3GSjLDMrkHpRxjk/s1600-h/kyle+hydro+9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; float: left; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419591043149599618" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1B6KpTKaodM8EXdjFQKRTsbU2_vOL7smNM4VdJHouBw5Rj7gUM-o-c6H5k0dOkNMNgVr54zBPhQZwupOGokf6Fb67Gz5EhFaAffwJ-rpP-ieyLOWPhO5QmOQSfQt3GSjLDMrkHpRxjk/s320/kyle+hydro+9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVLzF7eHmN0YWhaQnflh3D4hJ7VFEwW8rQEXYBs9Da50qzH9N99nXCBWEbbRoSfrk5zPvqX_ssWJS_LGf4fykMYeVjNifV5jzYkpcVUi45l28wT434Ikzh_P2-SkdPaTL9X_v1Pp6dfA/s1600-h/kyle+dec+2009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px; float: left; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419590012832634722" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVLzF7eHmN0YWhaQnflh3D4hJ7VFEwW8rQEXYBs9Da50qzH9N99nXCBWEbbRoSfrk5zPvqX_ssWJS_LGf4fykMYeVjNifV5jzYkpcVUi45l28wT434Ikzh_P2-SkdPaTL9X_v1Pp6dfA/s320/kyle+dec+2009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7kE8VGYeD11HygS7rklTmVADPmEbYwCssM57DJRpM9jpPLgMxbvnYfHT9-R4aPOlazM3pzpJMc1E-F9X6D9UBqRy-PP8LUoPsJgv1omNJvORvk9dPJEkeZ3ncJc7mK3PYpxja4EynoY/s1600-h/kyle+2009+december.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; float: left; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419589852690660690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7kE8VGYeD11HygS7rklTmVADPmEbYwCssM57DJRpM9jpPLgMxbvnYfHT9-R4aPOlazM3pzpJMc1E-F9X6D9UBqRy-PP8LUoPsJgv1omNJvORvk9dPJEkeZ3ncJc7mK3PYpxja4EynoY/s320/kyle+2009+december.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> DEC 30 2009 <br /><br /><br />Thanks for talking with me on Christmas!<br /><br />All is well in Chennai.<br /><br />We set a great family for baptism this week. They have wonderful desires. Furthermore, we're teaching a large joint-family that has the potential of being a giant group baptism. Fingers crossed.<br /><br />My stomach is fine. In fact, today I had barbecue beef strips with french fries, nachos and lemonade. It was fantastic. There is an American restaurant 30 minutes from our home. It has stickers and things from the different states and flags and such hanging around the place. It's owned by an American.<br /><br />Our mission had 565 baptisms in 2009, which is better than our goal of 550! Yay, success. Our goal for next year is 600. Take that India.<br /><br />I'm happy and healthy.<br /><br />I'm very interested in your lives. Please tell me about the mundane things and send pictures!<br /><br />Love, Elder Shep<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>DEC 23rd: Dear Family,I WILL be calling on Friday.Again, somewhere between 7-8 PM my time.8:30-9:30 AM your time.Please be awake and exciting, as I know you will be!Dad, thank you VERY much for that. Will you and mom please write a book about your life? I would read it. Becoming spiritually oriented causes me to become family history-interested. Malachi promised us it would be so.Mom, thanks for the newsletter. I am printing it out. I read Matt's, it doesn't sound anything like him. Thanks!<br /><br />I made the gingerbread house, It was delicious. I also *DID* preserve your sister's stitched baby Jesus. I won't get rid of it, I like it.Emily, wow. Thanks for writing, keep doing so.Beth and Marie, I'll talk to you on Friday. I experienced another sick day yesterday, I'm okay now.<br /><br />I'm going to the McKinley's home (a senior couple) for Christmas with the Elders in the Zone. It should be a lot of fun. Interesting note: I've become better at playing hymns (go figure) and will be playing at the Christmas activity tonight and at the McKinley's.We had a baptism last Sunday. I forgot my camera. I'll get a hold of his picture later. His name is Vimal, Elder Tuscano did the bulk of his teaching.Today we had lunch at the Powell's home today. Their son, Elder Powell was in my district in Hyderabad. Their older son is 1st councilor in the Branch Presidency. President Powell is the 1st councilor in the District Presidency. Great family. Nice people.<br /><br />I'm excited to talk to you on FRIDAY!I would like everyone to do me a special favor in light of Christmas. Ask the Elders for a Restoration (Lesson 1) pamphlet and a visiting card. Introduce the message to a friend. Have the Elders teach the friend in our home. Baptize said friend. Easy, huh? Try your best, it'll be rewarding, I promise.Love,Kyle<br /><br /><br />DEC 16th: Yay! Mom!You were the only one to write to me this week. You care about me.I guess I was really boring in my emails last week.I'm better now. It feels good to be better. Seriously.I wasn't able to enjoy the goodness of Bangalore. Listen, they have:1. a Fudge shop (I saw it with my own eyes)2. the ONLY PLACE (international restaurant)3. a GERMAN BUFFET4. International shopping stripsAnyways, I couldn't go to those places. :(Oh well.We have a baptism this Sunday. His name is Vimal. He's a 28 year old driver.Good things are on the way in Chennai. Our Zone Leaders are fun and good to get along with.About your experience on the first day of work... I laughed a little. It does seem like it would be a little embarrassing (not the flat tire, but the keys,) but you're a professional, that happens I guess. You have a good attitude. I feel like I'm patient here in India (in stark contrast to my younger self.) You're right, I'm learning good, eternal skills here.**********************************************************************Phone call for Christmas:1. I will call AROUND 7 or 8PM MY (INDIA) time, Friday DEC 25.2. I believe this will be AROUND 9 to 10AM CHRISTMAS MORNING in FLORIDA.3. Please be awake, I love you and want to have a lively conversation :)**********************************************************************We are working with some awesome investigators here. Our main challenges are the English language and getting people serious about their beliefs. This isn't like the old days when your word was your life. Now is the time when you finish your sermon on respecting everyone and then punch the next person you see. People just have to see that ETERNAL LIFE IS ON THE LINE. Yay!OH:1. I received two packages.2. I opened one, it was a gingerbread house. (AWESOME!)3. I did not open the second, I'm saving it, I hope it doesn't die/rot.4. Did you say there was a third or am I confused?I ask you:1. What years did you serve your mission?2. What areas did you serve in?3. How many native companions did you have?4. Do you still stay in contact with any converts?5. Throughout your life, where did you live? (in order)I'm interested. I love you!I'm excited to build my Gingerbread House today.Kyle<br /><br /><br /><br />DEC 10th: Thanks for writing!Could you get Emily to write me too?It sounds like you are staying busy and happy.I too am staying busy and happy.Unfortunately, I'm sick now. I've been very very tired and cold. I'm not in pain, I just can't move to much. I'll send some pictures next week.Chennai isn't too hot so far. Actually, at the time I'm in Bangalore for a multi-zone conference. I've been taken care of well by the Nichols.I can't think very well, but I thought I'd do my best to let you know I'm happy and safe.I'll let you know how things progress.I love you!Kyle<br /><br />DEC 2nd: Awww, mom.Your Emails always end with a beautiful testimony. Thank you.You must understand that the righteous example and the testimony of parents have a deep impact on their children. Good job.<br /><br /><br />Here's Chennai (so far):My companion, Elder Gantyada, is great. He's a hard worker. He came on his mission 4 months ago, he has sincere desire to share the gospel. He was baptized 2 years ago. Elder Elliot and Cunha are companions in our same apartment. They came on their missions 3 months before me. They are pretty funny. Elder Sakamaki and Mackay. I could be wrong, but I think they also came at the same time as Elliot and Cunha. Mackay did, definitely. They are the zone leaders. They are hard working and a lot of fun. I knew both of them before. I lived with Elder Mackay for 1 transfer in Rajahmundry when I was first with Elder Shahi. Sister Arza and Bomaji. They finish their missions in January. They live in our old apartment, which is why we're in Elder Elliot and Cunha's now. I'm glad they're serving missions. The area is hot and muggy (like Florida.) It is even more westernized than Hyderabad. There are lots of good roads and highways, lots of cars, and a good bus system. There are lots of Christians. There is a place in town where I can by BEEF HAMBURGERS. I plan on going next week when everything is cleaned and organized. The building is a rented space :( It's not nearly as nice as Hyderabad. On Sunday I found 5 American families at church. They are all church members staying here on business. Some of them work for Bobcat, and 1 of them works as a diplomat for the US government and is now in some middle-eastern country. The branch presidency and the quorum and auxiliary leaders are hard workers. For lunch we eat out because it's far from our apartment. We eat meals: rice and curries, sometimes unlimited. I like it. In fact, I'm cooking potato curry today for Elder Gantyada and I.<br /><br />The appointments are great. People speak English here and, like ANY other place in the world, feel the spirit when they read the Book of Mormon (because it's true.) I'll let you know more when I get organized. I'm still fumbling around with all of the plans and things I need to know as District Leader. I'm not concerned about Christmas. I want anything you send! I was interested in a miniature Preach My Gospel though. If you could look into that... I bet Kinkos could make one. One Elder's mother simply took a new PMG to some place and told them to shrink it but make it exactly the same (page thickness and black spiral binding) and it turned out FANTASTIC. If you want... see what you can do.I love you!Pics are on the way.<br /><br />Love, Elder Shepherdson</div></div></div></div></div></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-45598542301479499152009-12-02T07:52:00.000-08:002009-12-26T09:10:55.511-08:00Dec 2009 new area<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGH2AmiH-DJLJraj8vBDi97P61ri92rG7UE7zIts8-2mPfE4XHKz-k90gfqPer3IvQMPXSnYbKWMtQH_uX9JH4t4P1Ofn8i2G39qFdipHoW-9fpSBkH62KLzv-3GJ4ziAMRrnugJ76OA/s1600-h/untitled.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 429px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419575160415751666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGH2AmiH-DJLJraj8vBDi97P61ri92rG7UE7zIts8-2mPfE4XHKz-k90gfqPer3IvQMPXSnYbKWMtQH_uX9JH4t4P1Ofn8i2G39qFdipHoW-9fpSBkH62KLzv-3GJ4ziAMRrnugJ76OA/s320/untitled.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-80118526169493016282009-11-28T08:43:00.000-08:002009-12-26T09:10:36.862-08:00NOV 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwqablWCGa6UJltQW2YlwD_FbiCW3DLbgIONR3Solq8iEugnIOjKlYGjdkstkFWJLgFP0Ax5-RaVjgDXR14SPrhVNkZJxavOI-nvt-dPf9922dcSDbH337ShAwBcT8OyB1KyYX5BI8j0/s1600-h/kyle+hydro+4.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419589473956461410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwqablWCGa6UJltQW2YlwD_FbiCW3DLbgIONR3Solq8iEugnIOjKlYGjdkstkFWJLgFP0Ax5-RaVjgDXR14SPrhVNkZJxavOI-nvt-dPf9922dcSDbH337ShAwBcT8OyB1KyYX5BI8j0/s320/kyle+hydro+4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhngEips0hCQ4Xd6MVsMQFan0pGM4SXxZYnfFTNPUznVwJNSS1dE9NTfYtbb7gsKPidkt4WEWTfP6bIIgjjR3pJ-dlj5wJG2hzVogRXCs8HwI8OT00nXJfS5rDeqhYFhZ7X5b7IBUtVg/s1600-h/kyle+hydro+5.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419588748805540834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhngEips0hCQ4Xd6MVsMQFan0pGM4SXxZYnfFTNPUznVwJNSS1dE9NTfYtbb7gsKPidkt4WEWTfP6bIIgjjR3pJ-dlj5wJG2hzVogRXCs8HwI8OT00nXJfS5rDeqhYFhZ7X5b7IBUtVg/s320/kyle+hydro+5.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegQNkH0fqyfatUYxbOHn-vSo8nMB_rm-lS9FSNrrxWuFidfi129F-wXvDUxTbR9p-bbYhZgSsTqKHqyP9FQ3N6McB1xskIlO0vpCg0ueCbpyQT-1uwR95aXSYqHq-vfuHyZB1bmogBTM/s1600-h/kyle+hydro+3.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419588540444694050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegQNkH0fqyfatUYxbOHn-vSo8nMB_rm-lS9FSNrrxWuFidfi129F-wXvDUxTbR9p-bbYhZgSsTqKHqyP9FQ3N6McB1xskIlO0vpCg0ueCbpyQT-1uwR95aXSYqHq-vfuHyZB1bmogBTM/s320/kyle+hydro+3.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M2hj8VwPPHRQcQFZ8ItdGWT-Z5a-tuZnA2X2uNv2JGrIaCIFhJQUd6LsqmSaCMF-XBsJHh9lgOrdRPvUDsEFQxpmLpKwf_mdRKlv4Ie1tF2tkO8dvG1ciG_Lihpo3B6xkCbW-nd8Lfs/s1600-h/New+Picture.png"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419588310791874706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M2hj8VwPPHRQcQFZ8ItdGWT-Z5a-tuZnA2X2uNv2JGrIaCIFhJQUd6LsqmSaCMF-XBsJHh9lgOrdRPvUDsEFQxpmLpKwf_mdRKlv4Ie1tF2tkO8dvG1ciG_Lihpo3B6xkCbW-nd8Lfs/s320/New+Picture.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJrMegb00lbcVuvzWp4VQIZCPst9Ms7YRSadIGIi3m2F16ddgZOQ0NANel02EGo7ZR1hcS3z9sCv9tGrKExG25YmTO2iBYkSCOQdj_SKK5evZYwVd1fZMXu-BQIZHMkrNfwcrS8u8SpU/s1600-h/kyle+nov+1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419587885916959586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJrMegb00lbcVuvzWp4VQIZCPst9Ms7YRSadIGIi3m2F16ddgZOQ0NANel02EGo7ZR1hcS3z9sCv9tGrKExG25YmTO2iBYkSCOQdj_SKK5evZYwVd1fZMXu-BQIZHMkrNfwcrS8u8SpU/s320/kyle+nov+1.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJx1qKizZIdKdCjOTsxyyuVc75BKzNUHYn7iyWHuf3cdQyITIgy33lPvIA03lIHg-6DMebUsbcuMhvL-QzDMXTH9KpAlQSKTiQHVcnRx6Qigm7aZHmVA0W6rcPVZHuxWTTmYz4FQZUrg/s1600-h/Kyle+nov+2009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419587608031326466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJx1qKizZIdKdCjOTsxyyuVc75BKzNUHYn7iyWHuf3cdQyITIgy33lPvIA03lIHg-6DMebUsbcuMhvL-QzDMXTH9KpAlQSKTiQHVcnRx6Qigm7aZHmVA0W6rcPVZHuxWTTmYz4FQZUrg/s320/Kyle+nov+2009.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>NOV 25th<br /><br />Sorry Mom, things are just going by so fast.Between the missionary work, petty cash officiating, organization of the exodus of senior couples, and my TRANSFER TO CHENNAI ON FRIDAY I've been very busy. I *hope* that we'll be able to do *something* special for Thanksgiving. I don't know about the food... but I will definitely initiate a giving of thanks ceremony. I AM thankful for many things, especially my wonderful family.I'm very excited about your job. A leather chair? It sounds like you are becoming quite professional. Congratulations.Haha, I heard about Dad's Christmas tree lots. I'm sure there's BIG money to be made there. It should be fun.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Now, I just realized yesterday that Christmas was a month away, and I COMPLETELY forgot that people got things for Christmas. I'm excited to see what mysterious things you sent me (don't tell me, seriously.) Thank you for doing that!I too am looking forward to the phone call we get to have on Christmas! I'll try to start thinking of things to talk about.Now, in answer to your forgotten inquiries:1. The jollyranchers got here fine, though a little melty. They are fantastic. I chose them because they will last a long time. They are lasting a long time.2. The chocolate chips made it to me IN SEPARATED CHIPS! It was a Christmas miracle. They are sooooo good. Haha, I love chocolate.3. The razor replacement is EXACTLY correct. Thank you so very much.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We are now off restrictions, so we're happy. However, all of the work of getting ready to go to Chennai is going to get in the way of undiluted missionary work days.Whatever.I'm happy. Missions are awesome!Love,Kyle<br /><br />NOV 18th<br /><br />Haha, good. Okay, here's my update to you and the family.RACHEL, BLESSY, MERCY, AND ERUSHA GOT BAPTIZED!!!Check the pic.They are awesome, they will be extremely strong members.<br /><br />Actually, here's the update: we are working under restricted conditions. Wednesday evening I got a phone call and was told that due to an upcoming election we were no longer able to talk to people in the streets, or look for people to teach in general, or to go to investigator's homes. This means that we've been confined to our apartment, church, and members homes. We haven't suffered *too* much, but it's extremely hard when a family doesn't live by any members and can't come to church. We simply couldn't visit them. :( Nevertheless, we've been in phone contact.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We also just finished with Zone Conference. Interviews helped me change my perspective on the straight and narrow path, conference helped me shine. I was in charge of the musical number again. I played: I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me, a children's song. I also gave a talk on faith. I also brought the bowls and dishes for our lunch (Chinese food.) I also did the reimbursements during lunch and after the conference. I also brought the ice cream for dessert. I've been put to work here. I enjoyed conference a lot.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>What's exciting is that our branch will finish this month with 8 baptisms. Imagine if our branch was getting 8 baptisms a month. It's a wonderful thing.Other than that... nothing. I'm happy. I also love you a lot!Elder Shep<br /><br /><br />NOV 11th:<br /><br />Lauren should NOT color her hair black, (just an opinion without every seeing her black hair)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Visual Kei? From what I know about it, which isn't much, is that it is all about the image. I'm sure you've met some goths (all black, maybe a trench coat, studs, weird piercings) which is basically focused on death. The music genre is more of a backdrop for a way of life that SEPARATES people from other. They want to be unique by opposing what people feel comfortable with. THE mainstream society cannot respect an artistic movement that downplays the attitudes and appearances that result in a respectable person. They need to respect what others consider appropriate. If they can balance the artistic side and interests with the norms of society they should do just fine. Take me for instance. I like Screamo music. I wear some shirts that support some unconventional bands. I wear bandannas sometimes. I do weird art. But I balance that with a professional attitude towards serious public matters and level-headed approach to situations. I don't want to be the same as other people, but it's useless to resist into obscurity. In fact, it's not fun. If one wants to limit thier friends to an incredible small group of Americans who like Japanese violence rock who express themselves with colors that abuse the eyes, then those are the only friends one is going to have to choose from. I digress.. Be more outgoing and people will be more outgoing to you. Be someone people want to talk to, then they'll talk to you. It's pretty simple,<br /><br />Visual learning sounds nice for Marie. Don't let anyone damage that computer, it is a NICE computer. The resolution on that baby is TOP NOTCH. For real.I remember physics. That was fun. I think we got an A on that project. A bonfire sounds fun.Lloyd Jones? I recognize the name and I *might* recognize the face, but I'm not sure. The 50th anniversary sounds fun!The missionary work is AWESOME!We're doing great with families, 2 families are set for baptism, 1 happening this sunday!!!!Ask dad for the details.Also, I'll be sending pics of the fort that i haven't sent yet. You'll love them.I love you!Kyle<br /><br /><br />NOV 4th:<br /><br />Beth is beautiful!Wow, I bet that play was awesome.Good thing that disaster didn't occur, that wouldn't be fun.I'm especially happy to hear about her friend’s interest in the gospel. Suggestion: invite her parents. Children who convert without their parents have a tough time. I guess she's old enough to drive herself and will move out in a few years. It's different here. But definitely consider staying in communication with the parents, especially the mother because you'll be able to connect to her. The elders may or may not commit you take care of the family's fellowship, but you can commit yourself. It makes a huge difference when normal people, not the Elders, encourage people.This is what happened with my suit. 1. I designed it myself.2. I wasn't really serious about it until I went to a sports store and asked out of curiosity if they could make it and they told me that they could... I got too excited and went for it.3. It's a lot of fun.4. People like it.My new companion, Elder Tucker is a good guy. We have an easy time talking to each other and he teaches well. The investigators love him to death.Tell Dad to definitely start writing me more. It's kind of my fault because I only write lots of stuff to you, but I intend it for everyone.Last week we climbed a fort and checked out some old tomb shrines, but I don't have my camera now, so I'll have to send them next week. Sorry.I LOVE YOU!Kyle</div></div></div></div></div></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-18844247225006955422009-10-17T09:09:00.000-07:002009-12-26T07:52:30.967-08:00OCT 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wv3mDCjKzk3CVuKnGjtTF4PWUKfOiSCWrkY_R8akcPcGkXd7VRrvLzpP8y6ZNd6IApS01Jtmc6sK-nf2r2-sHOD6WgSqIy0fSxFW0PlsP6PCSSZ2TbAJBxAEoRU4m3K4hO_ohSG93b0/s1600-h/kyle.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393624304897706930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wv3mDCjKzk3CVuKnGjtTF4PWUKfOiSCWrkY_R8akcPcGkXd7VRrvLzpP8y6ZNd6IApS01Jtmc6sK-nf2r2-sHOD6WgSqIy0fSxFW0PlsP6PCSSZ2TbAJBxAEoRU4m3K4hO_ohSG93b0/s320/kyle.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_m1LQQTuPigYwjjyg3FYfxWU59TkVGgh6T1OHCkrKK2rPKuRSh0uUap6Lih5sw1fa8X5cVP5Q2XpLueljAraIoSL-EcurrWpbZKrh3ls3OtuGEa-2LtylPAZ66PEqazAIftELqPARC0/s1600-h/DSC00851.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393624294684915154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_m1LQQTuPigYwjjyg3FYfxWU59TkVGgh6T1OHCkrKK2rPKuRSh0uUap6Lih5sw1fa8X5cVP5Q2XpLueljAraIoSL-EcurrWpbZKrh3ls3OtuGEa-2LtylPAZ66PEqazAIftELqPARC0/s320/DSC00851.JPG" /></a><br />OCT 28 Hahahahahahahahahaha.Do all dinosoaurs have tails?What a thoughtful question. I have NEVER been irked that way. As far as I and the Elders around me know, yes. Except for the bugs, if they count as dinosaurs.My stomach is fine now.I do cook for myself as often as possible. I like cultural food, my stomach doesn't sometimes. It is next to impossible to keep from eating at homes sometimes, but I consider myself one of the best at keeping it from happening.I wish I could go to a museum. The trip sounded fun.Babies, babies. SHANE had a baby too! Cannon, what a weird/cool name.I love my sisters. I'll impart some wisdom to them if they ask, but I need the issues to address.THANKS for my packages. I've got Fritos, and chocolate. Awesome, I appreciate it a lot. </div><div></div><div>There is some gospel related allusion here, but when things change slowly for the worse it's sometimes hard to notice until you compare it to something correct. I've also received my new white shirts. I'm looking good. Thanks for sending the razor also. Today I'm going to load up on the pics for you and the fam. Video also. The missionary work is going well. I love being the District Leader and showing my love for each Elder. Our investigators are progressing. We (Elder Tucker and I) had 15 people at church this Sunday and found 16 this week. Out of the 15 were 3 families. Amazing.I love you!Kyle </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>OCT 21<br /></div><div>Your missionary moms activities sound fun. Regarding, the missionary you heard about, I know that we only get the cream of the crop in India, but it's hard for me to really comprehend someone sacrificing 2 years of their life to forsake the Lord through disobedience. I'm a year out now, it feels like it's been 3 months. </div><div> </div><div>Working hard makes it go by fast, almost too fast. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>India is crazy. I'm still amazed at some of the things that I see, especially the sacrifice and faith of the new converts. Hyderabad, the area I'm currently serving in, is well on its way to being a stake. There are 4 branches in the city now, and they are growing rapidly. I've discovered that I really really enjoy working hard and getting things done, especially when it pertains to the eternal salvation of those that I work for. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Mark: You should do a "backflips for baptisms" contest. Your investigators should line up in a row and you get to baptize as many people as backflips you can do in a row. I think your investigators will see the logic in that.</div><div> </div><div>Michael: Lets be serious, you are probably the coolest person in Idaho right now. Rub that obedience/awesomeness off on those companions and investigators of yours. </div><div> </div><div>Matt: Hugs are the very best. That's been stuck in my head recently. Missionary work is also the very best. Any more investigators with mullets? I see a lot of those here, India is soooo 80/90's.</div><div> </div><div>Chad: I have heard NOTHING about what's going on over yonder. Wait a second, do you have a car? I want to hear cool stories about you doing baptisms in the water display in front of the Bellagio. </div><div> </div><div>Kyle: Ummmm, what's going on? How do you feel about all this newfangled missionary work? As far as I see it, the beginning is a wondrous time of new things and exciting adjustments. You will probably feel like you have walked into a waterfall of the spirit, that feeling will stay the whole time. Cool, huh?</div><div> </div><div>Danny: What's the deal, are you Chad's Zone Leader or something? From what I hear you're doing great. Besides that... I know very little. Update us!</div><div></div><div>Okay, that was for the newsletter thing. </div><div> </div><div>Mom, I'm doing fine.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>I had a horrible night though. I had to beg to leave an appointment due to incredible stomach pains. They started in the morning and I endured all the way up to 8:00, but then I couldn't concentrate and was sweating all over my body from PAIN. I didn't sleep last night because it hurt so bad. I'm afraid it's acid reflux. I shouldn't have eaten those taco-powder sandwiches. That's something I'll have to remember for my sons. I've been dumping antacids down my throat and I'm doing okay now, though I'm dehydrated and exhausted. Fortunately, I have a good new companion and he was able to follow up with my district and dictate my directions to other needy people. I've gotten sick sooo much in India, but don't worry. I'm still "healthy."</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Our investigators are progressing well enough. Unfortunately, our baptism dates are slipping through our fingers, but they will be baptized eventually. Our rule is that they have to come to church on time for the full 3 hours for 3 weeks in a row to be be baptized. It's a good way to ensure retention and obedience, you see, none of the MEMBERS do that, and that needs to change. That is, essentially, the reason we don't have more baptisms, but I'm glad that's the case. </div><div></div><div>I work with so much money because that's about how much money I need to reimburse throughout the month. Elders pay their own electricity bills, which are about 60 each month, and there are 10 companionships in Hyderabad. There are zone activities that we need to buy things for, travel for registration, transfers, couriers for district and zone leaders, and repairs and things that Elders go ahead and pay for and then I get them their reimbursements. That's why. We take care of furniture and repairs with my CONNECTIONS and the help of senior couples.</div><div></div><div>I DO enjoy being district leader (haha, some branch members already thought I was the district leader...) My district is amazing, I like all the Elders in it. I like to organize, motivate, and lead.Anger IS an important subject. You probably remember my anger when I was younger. It definitely prevents us from being intelligent. I remember President Hinckley's talk from Oct 2007 was on the same subject. He told a good story and I've still remembered that talk now because it was an important subject. I will continue to teach the Indian people the beautiful truth (it's my job.) I enjoy it too. The thing is: it's true. People like true things. </div><div></div><div>I've been very bold in my teaching. I basically tell them, either we're telling the truth and you need to do something about it, or we're lying and you need to stop us. The only way to find out is through a simple, heartfelt prayer. This prayer will allow you to save a lifetime of scrutinizing every bit of doctrine we reveal and, if it turns out it's true, will bring you happiness and blessings much much sooner. They like that.I'm extremely grateful for our Savior and the opportunity to spend this time sharing the good news with the people in India!I love you!Kyle</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>OCT 14th : I don't think that Stewart is old enough to be on a mission yet. Didn't he just finish his Senior year? Anyways, I hope the shirt cheers him up. I didn't play piano for the whole conference or congregation. The senior couples play better than I. However, the senior couples are leaving and won't be replaced until they can get some more visas for India! The Kaspers (who live a few floors above us) leave today. They gave us TONS of food, expensive, imported, and delicious food. The Ladukes will be leaving in mid November. :( I like the senior couples.<br /><br />I was assigned to choose/direct the musical number after the zone leaders heard me playing Moonlight and decided to spruce up zone conference. I'm getting a lot of special responsibilities dumped on me, which I enjoy. It helps me feel appreciated for my talents. I sent you a package. The flags are both political flags that I snagged during the election. The yellow one is the "Telugu Desam Party." Haha, they promised TVs to everyone who voted for them if they won. They were basically a local party that would have turned their votes over to the BJP (Satan's party) if they got any.The white one is the "People's Party." It is lead by Chirunjivi, a popular actor in the Telugu speaking film industry. They had a good following, but were beat out by the Congress party. The train is supposed to represent the middle/lower class being the focus of their politics.<br /><br />Thanks for sending the packages!Don't worry about them coming late or anything, that's what I told you to do anyways. I will appreciate them all the same!Please make sure that replacement razor comes, I feel like my electric razor is just a paperweight until it arrives.Update:1. I'm staying in Hyderabad, same area.2. Elder Sekar is leaving our companionship but staying in the district (and the branch.)3. My new companion will be Elder Tucker 5. I'm also in charge of the housing, furnishing, and repairs in the Hyderabad Zone. 6. I've been moving Large amounts of money as my "financial custodian" job has required. I have the equivalent of $1,000 in my possession. I'm being safe about it.7. I have NOT purchased a white tuxedo.8. I HAVE purchased and currently have a red superhero costume that I had custom-tailored. I will send a picture next week.9. I will be measured so that I can have 7 or so new white shirts produced. Each shirt will be about 5 dollars and custom fit. I love the textile market in India.10. I'm still working hard and loving it here!I love you a lot!Kyle<br /><br />OCT 7th: It's Thursday now, and I have to be quick.> > We're working hard! Our investigators are getting SO close to baptism!<br /><br />OCT 7th: I AM working hard, though I took a short break yesterday. In fact, our whole zone took a break yesterday and went to RAMOJI FILM STUDIO, the biggest film studio premises in the world (they claim)!It was a lot of fun. I did many many things, like: watch a ridiculous "wild west" stunt show, get lost in a hedge maze, do backflips on a bungie slingshot (like you see at the fair), and ride on a mechanical bull. I'm not sure why I was allowed to do all of those things, but I was, and I enjoyed them. I got some awesome pictures, and an ADORABLE pic of my companion hugging a pole painted like a child's toy. I will have to send it next week.I apologize for not sending any attachments this week, I simply don't have enough time. I'm emailing on Thursday, we got permission because we couldn't get it done yesterday. However, I don't want to waste preaching time. We also had zone conference two days back. I always love zone conference. I learned much about my purpose as a missionary and remembered a whole lot of things that will make me less of a robot and more of a loving, caring, dedicated missionary. I appreciate being able to work with Elder Sekar, though transfers are coming in a week and we'll have to see if I stay in Hyderabad.I'm loving the work and serving the Lord. I've recognized that hard work brings great accomplishment and with it, happiness. The best part is that my work will be eternally long lasting. My art will crumble and music forgotten, but the impact I have on these beautiful (and goofy) Indian people will last with them into the eternities. I CANNOT wait to see these people in the Celestial Kingdom. That will be crazy. I love you and appreciate your work. LOVE YOU!!!!Kyle</div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-27940489575091660032009-09-25T09:19:00.000-07:002009-10-17T10:49:07.460-07:00SEPT 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIziVAGi6YRhIuhnI121GW9rhktdy4oTwpupKfXfXZ6J-MffaQmFvHibEHJGe85rsE_hx-jd3Au0vuRJdFmkek3AR1DjQ0Riao2uSi8uY8eGGcytBXTkGkwtLkBPY8BZ3Vx-z1WMyLs5E/s1600-h/beth+arm.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393620615597926226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIziVAGi6YRhIuhnI121GW9rhktdy4oTwpupKfXfXZ6J-MffaQmFvHibEHJGe85rsE_hx-jd3Au0vuRJdFmkek3AR1DjQ0Riao2uSi8uY8eGGcytBXTkGkwtLkBPY8BZ3Vx-z1WMyLs5E/s320/beth+arm.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Sept 30th: Matt and Mark, 18 months... Crazy. I'm excited for them though. I'm sure they're doing great on their missions. I hear from each occasionally<br />Good work with Bill . He's a great guy. I'm glad that he came and visited me. I DO have a pretty easy time loving investigators and members. I'm not sure why it's easy. I DO have to try harder for some than for others, but that's life. We currently have about 9 coming to sacrament meeting regularly. About 7 of them stay the whole time. We have 8 people still set for October. It's going to be amazing, I hope it turns out like we're hoping. We have some wonderful families and individuals.<br /><br />I'm actually focusing my reading on D&C now, I love it. I DID read Peter, I like Peter. I AM KEEPING HEALTHY. I'm looking better daily. I got an email from Emily, she's doing FANTASTIC. I'm proud of her. She's going to be a bigger name at BYU than I ever was :(But she's awesome. I'm going to have her get me permission to have long hair there ;)Beth is a fun girl, but she sure does sound busy. Now is the time for her to do all of those things. Marie... haha.<br /><br />Here's what happened today. We had two meal appointments back to back. Breakfast at the Laduke's (Senior couple from AZ, funny couple,) then lunch at Mary's (a 1 year convert getting married to the Branch Secretary.) So my stomach is FULLLLL. Now I'm enjoying some emails. Did you know that Alexia is getting married in December? Did you know that Stephanie is going on a mission? I'm not sure about that last one, but Emily told me that was the case.Missionary work:We are teaching this new brother named Robert Richard. He's unemployed, so he has PLENTY of time to meet with us. The first prayer he said before reading the Book of Mormon he felt freed from his burdens, upon finishing he prayed again and felt the same sensation. He's being fellowshipped very well. I'm excited for him. I'm planning on sending you a video weekly, at least I'll try. It's fun<br /><br />More news:1. I talked with Elder Tribbet's friend who is now finishing here in India (Elder Rees.) When I met his father the first thing that he said to me was: "Elder, your shirt is yellow." Doh. I'm planning on buying some new shirts, because he's right.2. A sister from Rajahmundry named Sowjanya is going to TACOMA WASHINGTON on her mission. Cool huh? Where do G+G live? If they happen to get a sister missionary named Sister Sowjanya who looks Indian they may consider asking her about me. I took her on exchange a few times.3. So, I've though about it, and if you're dying to send me anything else in that package I'll give you some good suggestions: 65% cocoa Ghirardelli chocolate chips and a package of jolly ranchers. Wow, that would be cool.4. Yes, I have that DVD of pics that I'm going to send you. No, I haven't sent it yet. I need to do that today. Furthermore, I plan on sending some shirts I bought unnecessarily that I don't need to carry around.5. Don't hate me, but I want to buy a custom-tailored white performance suit like Matthew Bellamy. It's like a tuxedo with coattails. It would probably cost 60 to 70 dollars. Like, 3 times less than it should cost. I'm sure that I shouldn't get one, but it would be fantastic. I'll let you know what I decide.<br /><br />SEPT 23rd: There was a monkey outside of our door, it was fun. The first video that I sent was me eating a bug because I realized that the size of the video was small enough to send through email. Also, it actually featured me. Indian people don't eat bugs.<br /><br />Thank you for your extremely thorough and thoughtful email. I Do remember that Green Eggs and Ham book. I'm not sure where it is now, but I do remember reading it. I promise to marry a wife that will read to my children and get them smart. Don't worry about that. You have a rational and intelligent son. My wife will qualify through personality, qualities, and prayer, and maybe socio-economic background similarities. I'll let you and dad give me an evaluation.<br /><br />Petty Cash Guys basically reimburse elders for all expenses that we aren't expected to take from our regular funds (elec. bills, repairs, apt. furnishing.) I do reports, and receipts, but it's not an overwhelming responsibility.Missions ARE a wonderful time to read the scriptures. I hope to be able to study them as much, if not more when I get home. I figure that once I have this foundation here, my study will reveal incredible things.<br /><br />We gave a blessing to a church member's friend's father who got hurt somehow. He was paralyzed (full body) and was pretty serious. We went and gave a blessing. He's sitting up now and can move half of his body and respond. Anyway, they're really thankful.We dedicated a home yesterday and cast out an evil spirit. In case you didn't know that's the SECOND time I've done that. It was interesting. I just read a section in D&C somewhere in the early 20's that talked about performing such ordinance only at the request of others. Well, they requested, so we performed.It really is nice to use our priesthood.I'm not sure if there's anything really interesting to tell you about this week. We made corndogs last Wednesday and I'm making pork burritos today. Elder Sekar really doesn't have too many desires, so I grace him with foreign foods that he can say that he's tried. I've made cornbread 3 times in the past week. I'm addicted. It's delicious. We found 3 families all around each other just recently. They are somewhat promising.<br /><br />OH!South India is getting reworked. They are creating 3 new districts.Bangalore and Hyderabad are having their boundaries rearranged and new branches created.Historic.We are so excited.This will happen on Oct 11.Transfers are on Oct 16.We'll see.Mmmm, people are noticing the weight that I'm losing and the muscles that I'm gaining. I've been jumping rope a lot to try and lose weight, but I'm not sure it's been doing too much for me.That's about it.<br /><br />SEPT 16th Yeah, sorry about last week.Before I respond I will update you on what's going on:o Elder Sekar and I are getting along very well. Although we run into difficulties we are always able to resolve them and invite the spirit into the lessons that we teach. We had a "branch mission plan coordination meeting" and worked with the branch president, elders quorum president, young men representative, and the clerks to plan out the efforts of the branch. We discussed all of the part member families and worked out goals for baptisms. We planned out 15 individuals that we feel could be baptized before the end of the year and currently we have 8 of those people set for baptism (all in October.) I just found out about 5 minutes ago that I will be the new "petty cash man." This has cast some doubts in my mind about being transferred. In fact, it seems to me that since I'm being trained two weeks into the transfer that it would be improbable that I would be transferred only a month after I assumed this role. Things never happen as I presume...o I did a heavy cleaning of our apartment today. I feel the spirit when things are clean and organized. I'm proud of the organization that I've been able to do so far.<br /><br />We have a very detailed map of the area and most of the investigators marked with little post it notes. We have a bound copy of the branch directory with those people in our area color coded to let the viewer know they are in our area and which general area to find them. We have updated branch member addresses and phone numbers and made a running list of branch member visits to keep up good branch relationships with everyone in our area. The area book is clean and organized, updated and detailed. Seriously, I'm getting a little prideful, but the next elder that comes to this area is going to have no problem picking up the work.o I finished the New Testament and have started working on the Doctrine and Covenants. Currently I've read the Book of Mormon twice, the NT once, the PoGP once, and Jesus the Christ once. I'm in Numbers in the OT and halfway through Jesus the Christ again. I love the scriptures. I've never appreciated them anywhere near this amount before. I read the Book of Mormon twice before my mission and barely understood it (I got a B in Book of Mormon at BYU you might remember.) I feel MUCH more comfortable with them now and love to teach from them.o I've burned all of my pictures and movies onto a DVD and it's ready to send. I just need to get it packaged and send it off.o<br /><br />I also love serving a mission. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve and help express God the Father and the Savior's love to all these people!I'm VERY glad to hear that you and dad are discussing the scriptures. What are you reading now? What are your individual studies like? Does the family read together still?It seems that working in adjacent rooms would be distracting. It was tough enough at Verizon to keep from joining in on a good conversation and focus on the work that was given to me to do. When you are given freedom to do whatever and have to be self-motivated to get things done it would seem harder. I'm glad that you're getting it done though.I don't know how much "often" is to hear from Emily. I forgot, how often did I call you? Twice weekly? I did enjoy talking to you, I imagine I always will (unless you become a cranky old woman (which I'm positive will never happen.)) I'm glad that I have a thoughtful and intelligent mother.<br /><br />Remember how well you encouraged me to read when I was a child? I'm extremely thankful that you got me to do that. The reason that I'm able to wax eloquent now is a result of your efforts to get me involved with good books. Thanks. Also, thanks for getting me to play piano. I made little to no progress when I resisted, but the skills that I somehow retained are still manifest in these last days. I'm enjoying playing Moonlight (and Elder Lofgran loves to hear me play it.) I still remember and can get through many parts of it. When it's perfect I'll make a movie of myself and send it over.Tell father to get healed. I don't want him in pain. On the subject of blessings, I get about a hundred chances to give blessings here. The faith of these recent converts and their friends is amazing.<br /><br />SEPT 9th: I'm frustrated.I just wrote for 15 minutes.I'm using a public computer in not-so-perfect circumstances and unreliable situations. The computer just shut off and now I have to reconstruct my email without spending the same amount of time.I love that Dad is able to start his business and I'm praying for him and the family.I'm excited for Emily.I'm excited for Beth.I love Marie, make her have interesting things to say.I didn't draw the pictures on that shirt, but i bought it because it looks like I drew the pictures on that shirt.Unfortunately we only had 3 investigators at church this Sunday.<br /><br />SEPT 2nd: You're right, the gospel is true!It's nice to hear about the family. Sorry that your kids are gone. You'll be okay.Utah sounds like it was a lot of fun! I miss my family and extended family too! I miss everyone, though I still have yet to get homesick, that's not bad is it? I promise that I was sick once at BYU, if it makes you feel any better. I have amazing parents.News:We had a baptism on Sunday and 14 investigators at church. We had a crazy awesome week. It's still raining like Noah's ark over here and the streets are pretending to be rivers. Silly streets, streams aren't for cities! Elder Sekar are working like well-groomed dogs and seeing the fruits of our labors. I love it when I get things organized and figured out, success quickly follows.Additionally requests:1. Check up on Jeffrey Scott, or have Emy do it on facebook or something. I need to know if he's okay or not. An email address would be nice.2. Please send the sheet music for Sonata Una Fantasia, either a copy of the sheets or a digital version I can print here. I want to play it!I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm serious.This gospel does amazing things to people!The evidences are undeniable.</div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-80118421287479057572009-08-17T10:05:00.000-07:002009-10-17T10:49:26.680-07:00AUG 2009AGU 26th: Wait, did you JUST get that letter that I sent like 1 month ago? I paid extra money to get it to you in a week. Has dad gotten his letter yet? I sent that one 1 week ago and paid extra. Did BETH get her birthday letter? I sent it 1.5 weeks before and paid for 1 week delivery so... I was hoping.Anyway, it's nice to hear how much you mothers care about us missionaries. It must be tough to lose half of your children. It happens, and Emily isn't that far away. The adoption work seems fun.<br /><br />I've been visiting this one family (Vikas) where his sister JUST had a baby. She is tiny. Babies are amazing.Your activity ideas are interesting. We can suggest them!Unfortunately, dances are against the Law of Chastity here though. We've heard daunting stories of people who have been asked not to come back to church because they (a girl) text message boys. There are some problems with boy-girl relationship ideas here. When cultures conflict with the gospel, the cultural traditions should be put aside, but that's tough.Thanks for using the bag! Keep remembering me!There is a baptism this week! Also, zone conference. We have 6 elders staying at our apartment now. As promised here are some pictures from last week, enjoy!I love you!<br /><br />AUG 19th I can record a video of me, but I'd have to upload it on a site that you may have difficulty downloading from... I'll look into it next week. I haven't forgotten that you wanted me to send my memory card with pictures over, but it's still not full and some elders have told me that their memory cards have been empty when they send them in the mail. So... I'm not sure. I can make a cd and send that over. I'm planning on sending some things over in the coming weeks. I've acquired some... unnecessary junk... that I want to keep. Mostly shirts. I AM healthy again. Fully.<br /><br />My weight is still fluctuating like it did in the US. Like 5 pounds a day. Crazy. I'm eating very healthy and working out with my makeshift weights and things.You can tell if someone is Christian if they:1.Have a sticker of Jesus, a cross, or a scripture passage on their door2.Have a cross or sticks, metal, or dried grass by their door3.They name their home "Eden" or "Bethel"4.Their name is John, Peter, Paul, Andrew, etc.<br /><br />Bike riding with Elder Sekar is fun. He's getting MUCH better, and a little more confident.I've seen that error on Windows XP before. I'm positive that it is NOT anything to worry about, though it's annoying. DON'T send the error report, it will waste time and won't help. How often does it come up? I'm not sure of an exact solution.Service brings happiness, that is true. Good work with that family.Haha, Beth would be fun to see behind an American Eagle counter. Tell her not to be scared and see if she can open up and enjoy talking to people. I've opened up a WHOLE lot. It's fun to talk to new people! She should provide for her own gas, definitely. It's crazy to see how much parents provide for the unnecessary desires of their children. I was spoiled, but I still worked for gas and repairs... small sacrifice.<br /><br />I'm SO excited to hear about your 8 o'clock devotionals. I'm glad the girls enjoy it. I'll continue your tradition when I return. Thanks for praying for my companion, we need it. We get along, but I get frustrated, as I would, sometimes. Oh, and Radhika was baptized! Hilkias will be baptized in the week after next. I too am pleased that I chose to come on a mission. I enjoy it!<br /><br />This morning Elder Sekar, Cranney, Lofgran and I went to Charminar. It's an old Muslim tower with a mosque in the upper section. We explored it and took pictures. There are some amazing pictures I want to send... next week. My camera is out of batteries and this facility doesn't have a card reader :(I wanted to let you know that at my year mark I plan on reworking my wardrobe. I'll probably need new white shirts and I'll definitely need new garments. I want to try out a mesh top but would continue drylux bottoms. We DO have a distribution center here, but they only have ridiculous cotton ones. The bottoms are fine, the tops aren't. We'll talk more about it in the coming weeks, but my requests are serious ones for my next package. Additionally, I need a replacement razor for my electric razor. It is a Phillips Norelco type 7310XL and I think the type of replacement blade is type HQ8. Look into that if you could, please. And my selfish request are the Honey Barbecue Twisty Fritos for 99cents at any gas station. Thanks! Keep being amazing<br /><br />AUG 12th MOM!DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME!PLEASE, tell me the GOOD NEWS first before you make me read the whole article and find out that he's NOT dead.WOW that was scary.I'm glad he's okay, that's a story he's going to have for his children.<br /><br />About the IM'ing, you can call president Nichols and ask if you really want, but it hasn't been approved, and I'll call you on Christmas anyways. If you ask questions I'll answer them. It will take a week, but I'll answer them. Now, you haven't answered MY questions, how is your computer?Any problems?It's nice to hear that Beth has a license and that she's got some rules to protect her, don't let her damage your car anymore.<br /><br />I told Dad, I'll tell you also: the missionary work is going fine. We have a baptism this sunday and another one coming up at the end of the month. We have some good investigators that will start paying off with baptisms soon enough. We're also trying to get better relationships with the branch members.Do you have any ideas for activities?We need to get the branch to have more fun together.Our plans for this preparation day are thus:1. To have a delicious lunch prepared by the senior couple that lives in the same apartment as us (the Kaspers)2. To watch the Work and the Glory in their apartment (we got permission from president Nichols)3. To climb an old British water tower and take lots of pictures4.<br /><br />THANKS SO MUCH FOR LECTURES ON FAITH!THANKS FOR THE PICS OF THE TEMPLE AND PRESIDENT MONSON! The investigators love them. And I love my doctrine. This church IS true. I love to live in a time where sooo much knowledge and guidance is given in preparation for the second coming.I LOVE YOU<br /><br />AUG 5th It's much nicer to have a mother that thinks highly of me that it would be otherwise. I love you. I'm going to keep trying to live up to your ideas about me. I DID receive the packages.I DO appreciate them very much.It was exactly what I wanted and needed.The socks are great, the different type of socks are also very nice and snug, just like I like them.I don't remember saying I was planning on having Chinese for my b-day, only Mexican. But that doesn't look like it's going to be the case.<br /><br />I'll have to fill you in on a secret...I got dengue fever.What does that mean?It means I was in bed for 2 full days (sat+sun) and for 2 half days (mon+tue.) It means indescribable weakness, aches, and fluctuating body temperatures. Anyways, I'm mostly better now. Don't worry.The Mexican restaurant is too far for me right now, we'll go across the street and get some KFC. COOL!McDonalds only sells chicken products. But I don't like McDonalds anyways, so I've only been once<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzFLz6vT_AFCWrsRlCYFB-x8AT05RRJDJE5INjOzz-jiDYGTTJxEchT7JtrAlo14_Url8YwafsDI9f1SaaC8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-6159653872405061672009-08-14T12:43:00.000-07:002009-08-14T12:45:11.455-07:00July 8th Vikas Baptism<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, fantasy; ">So, we baptized Vikas last week. (By we, I mean me.) Funny story: So, we realized about 5 minutes before the baptism service started that the baptism font wasn't filled. Well... it fills very slowly. We delayed as we tried to get it filled, but it was tough, people don't want to wait and we didn't really tell anyone what the situation was. We hoped that the introduction and the talk would take some times... but it was really short. When it was time for the baptism the water still wasn't as filled as we had hoped. It looked fine though. Long story short, Vikas and I went into the water and found that it went knee high (wow.) I went ahead and tried it the first time but his KNEE came out of the water (even though his feet were planted on the ground.) I told him to lay his legs out straight, the second time it worked out fine. Well, Elder Ward had a baptism next (his name is Tarrak.) He's not as small as Vikas. As we were changing we heard some loud splashes a few times and then a smack. I figured that they had either succeeded or died trying. It took Elder Ward 4 dunks to get Tarrak fully covered. The last time was a *little* forceful. Haha.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, fantasy; ">Zone conference was amazing, I learned great things about the spirit and how to follow it. I LOVE serving a mission. I LOVE you too!</span></span></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-76979934245193373202009-07-29T14:47:00.000-07:002009-08-12T03:52:11.375-07:00JULY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oQlkKj3X1HjGfZsRlO0s3FYxaZMGbPfB7VhtaDy086tTJ7qujHtTIIfwvHULgCo-96ZQJjuKvnJSNsburM0KyRkoblyeLPfCxl4m0YAu2w7YvC1I_K84-jYyZqRrn2MiHI6uZRndEhc/s1600-h/DSC00767.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364006437605870946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oQlkKj3X1HjGfZsRlO0s3FYxaZMGbPfB7VhtaDy086tTJ7qujHtTIIfwvHULgCo-96ZQJjuKvnJSNsburM0KyRkoblyeLPfCxl4m0YAu2w7YvC1I_K84-jYyZqRrn2MiHI6uZRndEhc/s320/DSC00767.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364005579972035938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FzTgSJp9VlvIuqtiI4L8fszZGZcY1LZyZf7stEncE2nbJZ0rrhCox4OoGTATkxkQIdxYiZpl4afjht3SJ0hNr_-LO4p6FRsKk6AmcsWRDnndHGluiVdkWRM_kQ1BYFaOv-ooiMfrYHg/s320/DSC00784.JPG" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xx9218A_OhoWD0lCVaKy-4j72YSXoPj_MEAGtaQM_721_Hotu3atSANo2uj2TLWMX9O7E5iIIkswATLdIraweq9L_3pRTk00Dl0A-rpMn3N3ePBuT5KNL0WHf0_Px7zJP2m5u2lCDGY/s1600-h/DSC00779.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364005575895564306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xx9218A_OhoWD0lCVaKy-4j72YSXoPj_MEAGtaQM_721_Hotu3atSANo2uj2TLWMX9O7E5iIIkswATLdIraweq9L_3pRTk00Dl0A-rpMn3N3ePBuT5KNL0WHf0_Px7zJP2m5u2lCDGY/s320/DSC00779.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCW-3zwxsmj9ITN7eHNYzYXUsuHsrSv1Qe87s8CoPNkDTQkwTiT0EicJGmFIMyYmsIT2wqxt8Z26r1PfHokoDD53HhqzQKCOme9lmQHH-3A-2IZMPMJHTzOm_-EjHCNvlzk9FZgzKuto/s1600-h/DSC00737.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364005569842382866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCW-3zwxsmj9ITN7eHNYzYXUsuHsrSv1Qe87s8CoPNkDTQkwTiT0EicJGmFIMyYmsIT2wqxt8Z26r1PfHokoDD53HhqzQKCOme9lmQHH-3A-2IZMPMJHTzOm_-EjHCNvlzk9FZgzKuto/s320/DSC00737.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's some awesome news, we had a baptism! That took forever...</span></span> <div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vikas was baptized, he's awesome, I'll attach a pic.<br />Unfortunately I have to keep it short this week, Elder Mickelson is with Elder Sekar and I as a threesome and we have to pick up his new comp at the airport.</span></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If it's possible, I love the Indian people even more than before. I love teaching the people and bringing happiness and understanding into their lives. I love to see the blessings of following the gospel creep up on them and make them better people.<br /><br />Fun things: i made pancakes, syrup, </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902585_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">onion rings</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, and a barbecue chicken sandwich for the 4th of July. GO USA!<br /><br />I love you and wish you the best!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">love,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">kyle</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are some common things that I eat:<br />1. </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902585_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ramen noodles</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />2. Oats (Muesli) </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902585_6" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-: initial initialcolor:transparent;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Breakfast cereal</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> stuff<br />3. </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902585_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Scrambled eggs</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />4. Curd w/ rice (curd=sugarless yogurt, like sour cream)<br />5. CURRY w/ rice (curry=garlic paste, tumeric, onion, chili powder, oil w/ chicken parts or potatos or eggplant, you name it.)<br />6. </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902585_8" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chinese noodles</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> or </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902585_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">fried rice</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />7. Biryani (rice cooked with oil and masala(clumps of spices) and often with chicken in it, it's not wet like curry, but a delicious blend)<br /><br />That's mostly what I eat. Basically if you want to summarize Indian food you can say: curry and rice, sometimes biryani, and north indians like bread items like nan, roti, chipatti (they are all like tortillas.)<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyways, I still love it! Baptisms are really nice. I've noticed that there's been a serious decline of them in our area (I think due to laziness and unorganization) and I've been working to get everything in order and planned so that we can change that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It IS pretty crazy that I'm turning 20. It IS so weird. Sorry. I'll be exactly the same though. Except, when I come home I'll look different. I'll be missing some of my weight and my muscles will be toned and I'll have an impressively white neckline from my shirt.<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yeah... we're on foot, did I forget to mention that 3 months ago? We end up spending plenty of our money on travel, especially since Elder Sekar is not a fan of buses (he's broken his right arm 4 times on a bus.) I don't really blame him, the buses here are notoriously dangerous. They don't stop completely to wait for people, either you push people out of the way and hop on before it speeds up or you don't get to ride... dangerous. So we end up taking tons of autos, which quickly whittle away our funds. No problem.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">love youu!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">kyle</span></span></div></div></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-30033132799357113272009-07-29T14:26:00.000-07:002009-08-12T03:55:28.367-07:00JUNE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoX1VVBsOcAqsRm34iYun7WGJn_NoxG7nlnZ6FoHmiooHXV5pWLdqqvyOByyuUL4F1dl4izelnsdUVvos59Sh67MV141w_JV59Zg2mSXoHZbH9yii2rEsVOp8cMLZX0pdB50VJvO7oW4/s1600-h/DSC00731.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364001468042564722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoX1VVBsOcAqsRm34iYun7WGJn_NoxG7nlnZ6FoHmiooHXV5pWLdqqvyOByyuUL4F1dl4izelnsdUVvos59Sh67MV141w_JV59Zg2mSXoHZbH9yii2rEsVOp8cMLZX0pdB50VJvO7oW4/s320/DSC00731.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_qiyK65L12SVg9DyROzbNfI0e49ejiqFgl75Mb8MyL3qdQ1zuoo4n7ihyoh7yXiUQX57_V1YhaOd3WTfQOeo2JjH5a8KROlyZnDnhk_M5Qkw8paXgbNkda17Zp86kXK6ea4yq7ePmYM/s1600-h/DSC00718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364001458176906866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_qiyK65L12SVg9DyROzbNfI0e49ejiqFgl75Mb8MyL3qdQ1zuoo4n7ihyoh7yXiUQX57_V1YhaOd3WTfQOeo2JjH5a8KROlyZnDnhk_M5Qkw8paXgbNkda17Zp86kXK6ea4yq7ePmYM/s320/DSC00718.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-d80kw72g2FnndHi1MjKHOyGL5aebEkjz93nSFOvwAJCe2tBtPS8-0LZ-mQRtoD-JhZybUPHodSTc6pdeJFuzHtZdvm7hEDk8z8BlvfNqyHHRzcY1TCuo5_edOpUqDpIKZg2gtBG9vc/s1600-h/DSC00677.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364001454026668786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-d80kw72g2FnndHi1MjKHOyGL5aebEkjz93nSFOvwAJCe2tBtPS8-0LZ-mQRtoD-JhZybUPHodSTc6pdeJFuzHtZdvm7hEDk8z8BlvfNqyHHRzcY1TCuo5_edOpUqDpIKZg2gtBG9vc/s320/DSC00677.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXgkXGrSwfWLtbaBEwxS0LBebjfwHL6Mrtryek3PjkYwdAkXaOAKfofTFia6XojHFmUd5sm-P3xvvf3lm8GcoyqD3bzHsCli6LWeOwCO8SuddgMxe1LJxyd4zsQSEDd23MsKGyg-zW9w/s1600-h/DSC00664.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364001447607054130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXgkXGrSwfWLtbaBEwxS0LBebjfwHL6Mrtryek3PjkYwdAkXaOAKfofTFia6XojHFmUd5sm-P3xvvf3lm8GcoyqD3bzHsCli6LWeOwCO8SuddgMxe1LJxyd4zsQSEDd23MsKGyg-zW9w/s320/DSC00664.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We just recently finished our Zone Conference. I absolutely love them. In my interview President Nichols and I discussed the way to quantify unquantifiable goals, like increasing spirituality or (like I asked) increasing the power and authority in my testifying. I was really lucky because he gave a wonderful training just yesterday on testimony and some signs that empower and give credit to our testimonies. The five that he mentioned are:<br />1. The testimony of the brethren and prophets<br />2. The scriptures<br />3. The natural world<br />4. The personal spiritual experiences we have<br />5. The results of living the gospel<br />The first three come from Alma 30, which he quotes from a lot, and the remaining are from D&C though I can't remember where, I think around 66. Anyways, it was really interesting. He also spoke on the importance and sequence of effective goal setting, which I completely agreed with. Sister Nichols spoke of the Reformation and the Restoration. It reviewed a lot of my European history and was taught to help us realize the timeline of the Lord and the perfection of the timing of the restoration. Very enjoyable. I bore my testimony afterwards.<br /><br />I got to be reunited with Elder Shahi for a little, which was sooo great. He brought some baptismal pictures of Sunny, Bunny, Sandeep, and Bhadra Rao. They blew my mind. I also got letters from Soni, Sunny, Bunny, Chaitu, and Prasad. It was a beautiful thing</span></span> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">love you all, </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">kyle</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's what I have to say about this week and Hyderabad:<br />1. Elder DJ is transferred to Kakinada<br />2. My new comp will be Elder Shaker (from </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902720_0" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chennai</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, my 2nd native comp and 3rd foreign one (President Nichols praised my ability to get along with anyone ) <br />3. We are teaching an African from </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902720_1" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cameroon</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. He talks FOREVER, but it's cool that we're teaching him, he came 2 months ago.<br />4. There are tons of Muslims here, they are much nicer than America perceives them to be.<br />5. It rained again and I walked through mid-shin high poop water, soaking wet. Gross.<br />6. I just received an email that says I've got a package waiting for me. Thanks, I'm excited.<br /><br />I love you!<br />EMAIL ME!<br />Kyle<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, this past week we popped out 11 investigators, 9 of which I found with Elder Sekar. Good things are happening with this companionship. I'm improving myself. My ab workouts are still helping me slim and shape my core, though I still have some weight to drop. The total weight dropped since my arrival is 11 pounds. I'm 80.3 kgs, or about 177 pounds. I would be optimistic about weight loss in my future... but I recently ate a whole chicken. Really. I bought a 140 rupee "</span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902604_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">grill chicken</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">" that tasted like a </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902604_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">rotisserie chicken</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and was delicious. It was about 50% bigger than the rotisserie chickens you buy at grocery stores. So... I'm cool.<br /><br />So, I'll tell you about yesterday:<br />1. We got a call early in the morning that Vikas' mother would not let Vikas be baptized. :(<br />2. We met with Vikas and his mother with a Telugu speaker and explained things and she accepted! :)<br />3. We asked Vikas if he was following the </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902604_4" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Word of Wisdom</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> so that he can be baptized </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902604_5" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">on Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (that was the plan.) Nope. :(<br /><br />He'll be waiting another week. Sad, but it's for the best I guess.<br /><br />Furthermore:<br /><br />4. We went to one investigators home for a birthday party! Her daughter Blessy was turning 16. We had a member with us, Elizabeth, a convert of about 2 years. She is probably 45 or something and comes from a strong Christian background and I guess has just brought her old ideas to her current, Mormon, beliefs. She asked if we would give Blessy a priesthood blessing, we said no, it wouldn't be appropriate (she wanted us to give her an OIL blessing!) So, we told her no. She called over Rachel and told her we would give her a blessing. NOOOO! We told the man FILMING the party to turn off the camera and I gave a blessing. THAT WAS AKWARD.<br /><br />So, there's your story. I'm doing good.<br />I want to thank you for the package. I enjoyed it soooo much. I love the summer sausage, those Koalas are definitely delicious and gone, thanks for the extra effort for them! The socks are being put to use and I LOVED the letters. They were great, thanks to everyone. Good humor.<br /><br /><br />The pics are:<br />Unlimited kebabs and such at Barbecue nation<br />Me and Elder Sekar<br />Elder Sekar is cool<br /><br />I love to hear from you!<br />Love, Kyle<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Tell me about some of the missionaries... What kind of background did your companion come from? was he raised in the Church?<br /><br />>Elder Sekar is from Hindu background (early in life,) then his family converted to Roman Catholic, and he was baptized LDS when he was 14, so ten years ago. His parents also, but I think later on. He was basically raised Christian, but only LDS by his two older sisters who were baptized before him and also served missions.<br />>Elder Ward (our district leader) is from </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Idaho</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. His father's professions is raising cattle. He was a wrestler and has large, toned muscles. I'm not as strong as him :( but I could be if I just eat more protien and work out.<br />>Elder Michelsen is from Idaho also. His parents have a giant house and recently remodeled it to include a racquetball court. He has a few snowmobiles . He fancies himself a businessman and a philosopher and wants to go to Harvard...Good luck. <br />>Elder Cranney is from some smaller town in </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Utah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. He won a national shooting competition and is pretty much a country boy. He is a hunter type, I could see him with a full beard, a plaid shirt and jeans. He's cool<br />>Elder Lofgran is from </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">West Jordan, Utah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. He played violin for hundreds of dollars at receptions and weddins around his area. He is paying for his mission completely on his own. We came from the same batch.<br /><br /><br />2. How often does your zone get together?<br /><br />>Every 3 months for Multi-zone conference, that's about it. I have yet to attend a zone activity.<br /><br />3. What did you do this past P-day and </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_3" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">on Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, Monday and Tuesday? I like hearing about your teachings to others.<br /><br />>Last P-day we ate lunch at SUBWAY and then we headed over to the church with monopoly and a ping-pong table. That's it. It was fun, but kind of a waste.<br />>Sunday we went to church. Unfortunately we didn't get to have Vikas' baptism because he wasn't following the</span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_4" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Word of Wisdom</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, but he's good now, his mother agreed and he is being baptized </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_5" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">this Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.<br />>Monday we had Weekly Planning Session until 12:30 or so. I then cooked Dahl. It's like a thick split pea soup that is good on rice. It turned out REALLY thick, too thick. Then we went out and ended up meeting with very few people when they didn't answer their phones and weren't home.<br />>Tues I had an exchange with elder Ward. He was fun to be with, we got two member-present lessons, a new investigator, and helped one awesome member (Michael Moses) prepare his talk on the sacrament.<br />>Today (Wed) we moved from our old junk apartment to an amazing new one. We are not done setting up and unpacking but it's nice to be in a CLEAN apartment, it will help a lot. We had lunch at Paradise, a "fancy" "hotel (it's only a restaraunt but they are confused about the use of that word here)." I had fried rice.<br /><br />4. Is the weather any cooler with the monsoon season?<br /><br />Yes, but only because it's a whole lot windy-er<br /><br />5. Are you being careful to stay healthly... WASH your hands, don't get bit my mesquitos, do you sleep with that mesquito net?.. make sure you drink clean water. Remember and ounce of prevention is worth a ton of medicine.<br /><br />> I'm doing my best to stay healthy. I garuntee that I eat healthier than most of the other elders. I remember my vegetables (carrots, tomatos, potatos, and onions) and I eat oranges and mangos mostly. I DO wash my hands. I avoid mosquitos, I don't sleep with a net though. I take vitamin C every day, multivitamins, and anti-disease medicine.<br /><br />6. Are you able to keep in touch with anyone of your group from the MTC? Do you still have about 80 missionaries in the mission?<br /><br />>We have something like 88 missionaries now, but we will only be losing them throughout this year. Visas aren't coming through, the elders that should be here now are in </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Maryland</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and... somewhere else now as they wait for visas. I only keep in touch with Elder Lofgran and Elder Riley because they are close by in </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902600_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hyderabad</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. I'm not supposed to email other elders.<br /><br />7. Are there any missionaries in Bangalore?<br /><br />> Yes. Elder Addagabottu (my trainer) is serving there as a Zone Leader with his comp and I think there are another 4 there.<br /><br />Kyle<br /></span><br /><br /></span></span></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1966566761297283989.post-50328505679712512292009-07-29T13:57:00.000-07:002009-08-12T03:56:54.043-07:00MAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ4CYXCsvhyphenhyphenDh2qVuFqp_BynBYQTsYBLmKMyTBM9pDz9NE8uYohZVw8CPV-d_FjTBI42Uug7kMuMbQ4PhCyhrZq_Up_sNxCLOZlPjOsQ12vVbLPTlimr7FRUm1UUdZf-7Vql8LsAWL9k/s1600-h/DSC00651.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363995277137600610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ4CYXCsvhyphenhyphenDh2qVuFqp_BynBYQTsYBLmKMyTBM9pDz9NE8uYohZVw8CPV-d_FjTBI42Uug7kMuMbQ4PhCyhrZq_Up_sNxCLOZlPjOsQ12vVbLPTlimr7FRUm1UUdZf-7Vql8LsAWL9k/s320/DSC00651.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro5T82vMOyT6BZGHViVgh5-eLPpCSSNgX3HeLRS7Q27aUbMfPZ2otWZ6TUNEds6E9VI9b4FRD_NOVdWxKF8mRw-0Sz61kf0odS8Wr-8SqgEFldHCzhS4NC7kH5M-uImBUIFDL_UtQj-c/s1600-h/DSC00642.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363995271172748386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro5T82vMOyT6BZGHViVgh5-eLPpCSSNgX3HeLRS7Q27aUbMfPZ2otWZ6TUNEds6E9VI9b4FRD_NOVdWxKF8mRw-0Sz61kf0odS8Wr-8SqgEFldHCzhS4NC7kH5M-uImBUIFDL_UtQj-c/s320/DSC00642.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl4qE8mC-07qNs4lfdLtklrrFguUxT9neX5FXTgsJlU4FTiqW02JWSNCP2SNwOf4RWGIsFQmybMdJuVXHNmcEEG33N9lMHqndH_nO4KbPBNRCOZHeixnE1e1ZIUtUOaKXkuwNZ6R_Juo/s1600-h/DSC00633.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363995262789061890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIl4qE8mC-07qNs4lfdLtklrrFguUxT9neX5FXTgsJlU4FTiqW02JWSNCP2SNwOf4RWGIsFQmybMdJuVXHNmcEEG33N9lMHqndH_nO4KbPBNRCOZHeixnE1e1ZIUtUOaKXkuwNZ6R_Juo/s320/DSC00633.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Okay. I was hearbroken when I heard that I was leaving </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248901059_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rajahmundry</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. They don't speak English, I'd been around the whole area, and the branch wasn't so reverent but I sure loved those people. Now I have to readjust. The people here are good I'm sure. Now I can get rid of old habits and set some new goals.<br /><br />Here's the deal in Hyderabad:<br /><br />Comp- Elder Doss-Johnson (DJ.) He's from nothern </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248901059_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">California</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and has been on his mission for 9 months. He last served in Chennai and his last companion (here in Hyderabad) was elder Tuscano, who he was with for 3 transfers. Ummm, he did Polynesian Dance and kind of wants it to be his career if he can, so... . Anyways, this information is misleading, because we get along great and we are going to work hard and get a lot of baptisms.<br /><br />Apt- GROSS. It is 3 bedroom 3 bathroom, so the size is nice, but it apparently was too much for previous elders to handle. The apt is really dusty, dirty, and messy. It was tons of leftovers from other Elders because they would leave their old things there as they went home and nobody would throw them away. It's the storage location for all of our District's supplies (I'm not sure why) so there are tons of things in our apt. The worse part is that there are tons of ants and TONS OF COCKROACHES. Anyways, I've started cleaning, so I'm getting more comfortable there. It will improve.<br /><br />Area- It's huge. We take buses and autos, so that gets expensive. There are tons of English speakers... but we can't talk to them yet. We have to ONLY knock on blatantly Christian doors. We have some quality investigators though. Also, this is the place for eating GOOOOOD food. There's a </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248901059_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">McDonalds</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, KFC, Subway, Dominos, and assorted other goodies. There are buffets and Pradise Biryani, which is really good Indian food.<br /><br />Branch- Yep, the building is hardcore nice. The members are really nice too. The branch is doing pretty good and should be a nice welcome for the large number of baptisms we're going to get.<br /><br />I love you sooo much!<br />Kyle<br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There was lots of rain here too mom. I got completely soaked and had to cover my bag in a trash bag. It was fun... but the streets aren't exactly sanitary, and when sewers flood it's not very pretty. Nevertheless, I like the rain, I just have to make sure I don't get sick.<br /><br />I remember you telling me about your companions and running around like that. We haven't really done any cardio, but we do walk all day long. A few days ago we ran stairs, that was really fun. I don't have a gym to go to any longer, but I do remain active. I start by doing an </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248901773_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ab workout</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, then pushups, then I curl a gas cylinder (it's heavy) I do a lat workout with it and then get my traps also. Then more pushups and </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248901773_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ab workouts</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.<br />I do some squats and lunges occasionally too. My weight has dropped a little bit more, but I may be gaining some of it back. When I can to Hyderabad I checked my weight after a few days (which included a fast sunday in between) and I had dropped 3 Kgs, which is like 7 pounds. That's drastic. I can see my abs even more now, even though I've maintained a donut around my mid section. I have consistently large love handles.<br /><br />I'm excited for Emily's graduation, and I too am really glad that you have smart and well-behaved children. You absolutely had a large hand in that. You're right that I love these people. I've made wonderful friendships and I've found that they are able to tune themselves into the spirit's frequency. It's crazy how little knowledge of the gospel they have coupled with how strong testimonies they have.<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We are currently hitting the mark pretty well for our 2009 goals. Hyderabad was obviously set back, but </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248902174_4" style="CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,102,204) 1px dashed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rajahmundry</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> was having the greatest results of it's recent history as well with some other places that were picking up the slack, so we're on target though Hyderabad is going to have to get back in the swing of things to keep these 20 something elders busy. Especially now that we know we are relatively safe for a while.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I enjoy it out here and I miss you a lot! Keep up the faith!<br />love, Kyle</span></span></div>the Shepherdson familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01964760608103040255noreply@blogger.com0