Week Fifty One - Lubbock is Great 8/31

Dear Friends and Family,

I love Lubbock.  I love my new companion.  

One year gone. (September 10th so close enough)

Thus far on my mission I have learned so much. I have grown and I have become close to being the man that my father in Heaven wants me to be. I love this Gospel. I know that Jesus is the Christ and He is my Savior. Through Him I have found peace, joy, comfort, and the healing of His Atonement because of repentance. I have found who I am. I love my family, and am willing to do anything to spend eternity with them. I want that for others. I can only imagine the happiness I will one day have with my eternal companion. I am excited to serve the Lord with all I have for the rest of my life. He will know my name.

Love,

Elder Shawn Michael Murray

The first two are in his Midland area and the last one in in his new area in Lubbock.

Week Fifty - Going to the Temple 8/24

Dear Friends and Family, 

Well, six weeks in Midland has come and gone, just like that. Lubbock, you better be ready for Elder Murray.

This week as we got to go up to Lubbock for the Temple, I realized truly the importance of that glorious House of the Lord. I know that the covenants we make there, and the work that we preform is truly of God. He would be the only one that could bring us the opportunity for that much joy. I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven who loves me enough to help me prepare for an eternal family of my own. I am grateful He knows me.

I love y'all. Keep in touch.

Elder Shawn Michael Murray

Here is his new address:

Elder Shawn Murray

5501 Utica #94 

Lubbock, TX 79414

Week Forty Nine - Kind of a Rough Week, But I Smiled 8/17

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was rough. Haha. I smiled most of it, and am happy, but it wasn't easy. To start off, It's been capital H.O.T. Like 105+ in the day, and still 90+ at night. So in turn, nobody is outside, so we walk around aimlessly for hours, trying to find anyone.

Then for a few days one of my two companions and I were sick and didn't even have the strength to get up. That was real rough. Haha. I like moving. Sitting there all day kills me.

But it all turned for the better Sunday! This last week was Stake Conference, and so we didn't have the opportunity to take the Sacrament! Yesterday, when we got to take it, was amazing. I felt the power, literally. I know that we can be cleansed from our Sins through the Atonement and that is a fact. "No if's, and's, or but's." I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is the Son of God. He is my Savior and yours. I urge you all to act upon His request to "Come and See" what He can do with you.

Love - 

Elder Shawn Michael Murray

Week Forty Eight - Service, Service, Service 8/10

Dear Friends and Family,

Well this week we got to help an organization called ChinaAid in painting little red crosses to help keep up the spirits of those Chinese Christians who are being persecuted for the beliefs by the government! We painted hundreds.

We also got to help a family who is trying to come back to church remodel their double wide trailer.  I got to take a sledge hammer through the floor until I had a hole wide enough to dig a two foot deep one foot round hole for new supporting. Lots of fun comes from hitting things. 

Lastly we had Stake Conference this week and Elder Cardon of the quorum of seventy came! It was pretty good! 

Other than that we've done a whole lot of walking and talking to people. It's not been under 100 degrees, so it's pretty hard to find people outside. But we keep the faith and alot of prayers. 

I love you all. 

Elder Shawn Michael Murray

Week Forty Seven - Sweating to Death 8/3

Dear friends and Family,

Other than sweat to death, nothing really happened this week.

I guess this is a cool story!  So the other day we met this nice woman named Algeria Worsham.  She was outside just standing there with her girls.  They are Jaycin (said Jason, age 9) and Keirrah (age 7, almost 8).  Algeria had grown up in the church and then left due to some judgment and comments about her having a child out of marriage.  Anyways we talked to her about the church, and she wants to come back!  She couldn't this week, but her daughters came and LOVED IT.  They're so cute!!

I know that our God is a God of Miracles and he loves us more that we'll ever imagine. Remember that.

I love y'all. Love Elder Shawn Murray.

P.S.  This is the Midland/Odessa Zone Conference

This is the back of Shawn after Zone Conference

Week Forty Six - Zone Conference 7/27

Dear Friends and Family,

So this week was awesome! 

We had a zone conference where we got to teach members the Plan of Salvation while they acted the part of investigators. It was so cool! The spirit was so strong. There is a new fire for member missionary work! I am super excited to see the fruits that come out of this hard working ward family.

We were also able to go to Lubbock this week and learn in a training meeting. It was one of the most inspiring, spiritual environments that I have ever been in. I am so glad for God, the Fathers plan for us and His loving nature.  He is amazing.

I am so happy right now. I hope y'all can catch the happiness this gospel brings. I love y'all.

Elder Shawn Murray

Week Forty Five - Midland 2nd Ward, East Side 7/20

Dear Friends and Family,

MIDLAND 2nd WARD - EAST SIDE.

This past week has been HOT. Like at least 100 EVERY-DAY. But that is

ok. people are good here. Lots of water bottles are given to us.

Oh! And my new companions are Elder Whatcott from Orem (last transfer)

and Elder Banner from Layton (6th transfer)! They are like my new best

friends. We just laugh all day, endlessly. I think I'll have abs of

steel in six weeks. I am so glad to be with these guys. We teach

really well together, and all like to work til the job is done. I have

found a new fire once again.

We have just being trying to find people, and the Lord has prepared so

many of them for us, it is amazing! I am going to work until I drop.

I am so thankful for a living Prophet and the Restored Truths I've

taken for granted my whole life. Out here I have truly found out how

hard life hits some people. I want every single person to hear this

glorious message. As y'all are a part of it, please share it. God has

blessed us so that we can bless one another. Be His instrument in His

work. I hope that each and every one of us can learn how blessed we

are.

I love each of you and pray for your success and your support of this

marvelous Gospel. It is the best news that has ever, and will ever

come.

With a heart full of Love, Elder Shawn Michael Murray.

Once again, Here is my new mailing address:

601 George Ave. #111 Midland TX 79705

And if you want to email me:

shawn.murray@myldsmail.net

Week Forty Four - Moving to Odessa / Midland 7/13

Dear friends and family,

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord in building up His Kingdom. I love that we have a living Prophet to guide Christ's church in His way. Texas and New Mexico have a part of my heart, and that will never change. I am so thankful for these experiences. Please do not take your time here on earth to Serve the Lord for granted. He has done so much for us. Do something for Him today. I love you all and y'all are in my prayers.

Elder Shawn Murray

We had transfers this week and I am leaving Amarillo.  I will be going to Odessa / Midland area.  I have loved Amarillo and will miss so many wonderful people.   I am excited for my new adventure.  

Here is my new mailing address:

601 George Ave. #111 Midland TX 79705

And if you want to email me:

shawn.murray@myldsmail.net

PS - 

A member sent these pictures to me Friday and Sunday of Shawn just out doing great things... mowing lawns and also over to her house for dinner.  

Week Forty Three - Hiking and the Fourth 7/6

Hello Friends and Family,

So this week we went to Palo Duro Canyon and it was so much fun! It's

this huge canyon with red rocks! I wish we could have been there

longer!

Also the Fourth was super fun! All day we went around to members and

just had fun!  Then later that night all of the Missionaries got

together in the stake center and played soccer all night long!

I love this country.  I love the religious freedom we have that

prepared the way for Christ to restore His church on the earth.  I am

so thankful for all of those who will, who are, and have served for my

rights to be protected.

I thank you all for your support at this time. I love you.

Write me if you can.

Elder Shawn Michael Murray

Week Forty Two - On the Bright Side, we Found out the Church is Soundproof 6/29

 Alma 50:1-6 Talks about making preparations for War both by being

defensive and offensive. That is what we talked about with some of the

Families in our ward this week. We should all try and evaluate the

strength of our fortifications keeping us from Satan. They are the

schoolbook answers that we all know; Daily Prayer and Daily Scripture

Study, Church, Etc. It got us in some pretty sticky situations (such

as a Nerf War).

   The we also did a lesson on Faith with some primary Kids and we

planted some seeds (grass) in cups of Dirt (theirs are all growing...

I think we killed ours). It was super cool. They wall are the best

little missionaries ever. A bunch of them brought friends to church.

   Then we got this new investigator named Yisrael. She is an awesome

single mom. She is a Firefighter and has a Heart of a Lion. We are

super excited for her.

   Also had a super spiritual lesson with this Less Active member and

his Non Member wife about being Parents to our children like God is to

Us. We watched the Mormon Message Earthly Father Heavenly Father! It

was awesome!

   Lastly we had some excitement at church. We got to church at

8:30AM and watched one of 1st Wards old Investigators walking out on

the sidewalk in front of the church! We were so excited he was coming

to church.... Until he pulled out a Mega Phone and started Yelling

Anti at everyone coming in... He did that until about 3:30PM. Cool

Move... Right?

On the bright side, we found out the church is soundproof.

  We also had another successful Meet the Mormon's night with the

investigators we had! They loved it. And I only cried once. It was

constant, but it was only once. (Just kidding... But the end gets me

every-time!)

Week Forty One - Finding a Wheelchair to Scare Mom 6/22

Dear Friends & Family,

So this week we had a missionary homecoming in our ward!

  

It was really funny seeing him try to think and speak in English,

and it not working out. He went to Peru, and totally acted and spoke

like it. It was super cool though. It was the first time EVER their

eternal family had been together. It was the Bishops Son. They adopted

a little Girl from China while he was out and She is the Cutest thing

ever. She draws me pictures that are up in our apartment! It was super

cool to see that a family was united, never to be broken apart.

  

We just have been working our butts off, dying in the heat other

than that. We've done a few moves (I am a master Truck packer...

Tetris, you gonna get it when I get home), We have biked ALOT, and I

have been getting eaten alive by all the Mosquitoes. Because we have

had so much rain it is super Humid.

  

ALSO! I found a wheelchair and it's my new study chair. It's the

little things in life that make it worth it.

I love you all. Write me.

Elder Shawn Murray

PS - I figured I'd sent the first picture just to scare my Mom.  

Week Forty - We didn't get a letter 6/15

Week Thirty Nine - Not a lot going on 6/8

This week has been pretty great!

Elder Brown is so funny. He just does Puns all day. And we are working hard!

Everyday this week was 95+. It was hot and the Mosquitoes are out everywhere!!

We have this new Investigator named Johnna! She is a single mom, who

is giving her life to God! She is committing to Baptism, and I am so

excited!!

Not much else this week! As a lot of you probably know, Riley Rugg,

one of my brothers, has gone into the Marines. Please keep him in your

prayers.

I know that our Savior loves us, and will help us, if we only ask. I

testify that we are truly of the most worth of any of God's creations.

We must act like it.

I love you all, and you are in my prayers.

Elder Shawn Murray.

Week Thirty Eight - Waffle Love and Transfers 6/1

This week was crazy!  So we got our transfer calls, and I am staying in Amarillo 3rd ward. I have a new companion named Elder Brown. Elder Lund is our new District Leader this transfer.

So I am pretty sore. We moved two people out of their houses on Friday, and one into their new house on Saturday! It was a lot of Stairs, Boxes, and furniture. A lot.

I also got to do my first Baptismal Interview, which went super well.  It is always so cool to see someone about to Covenant with the Lord testify of Him and His power!

We also got to have some Waffle Love! It is so good. Who new that my first waffle love would be in Texas? Haha. The best was seeing those guys in their shorts and T-shirts walk into Sacrement the next day. It was awesome, when we got our waffles the guy (in front of the food network camera) yelled "Woooo! Go serve the Lord! Best work you could be doing!" (I also heard the guy in the back say 'Hurray for Israel')

This week we had two lessons.  One with the Bishop and Stake President and his Family, to a guy named Todd. It was pretty nerve racking. But the lesson went SUPER well. He even committed to be baptized. We are so excited!  The other lesson was during church. The Vivint guys... are awesome.  The last 3 weeks, they've brought 6 non-members to church! This week we taught them the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was sweet. There were 7 Returned Missionaries and their 2  friends. Phenomenal Lesson.

I know that this is the greatest work that mankind has embarked on. We will not stop until it is finished, or we die trying. The Lord is our leader and we will follow His every command. I testify that He lives.  He will guide us through all things, If we will only let Him.

Love Elder Murray

Week Thirty Seven - Goals and Rowboats 5/25

Dear Family & Friends

So this week was pretty great!

  

I taught a district meeting about Goals. It was about how they

should give us the maximum tension we need to propel ourselves forward

(like the oars of a rowboat), they should have also been easy enough

for us to push through, not making our journey too hard, as if to stop

our progress (like the wedged front of the boat.) We then raced boats

we made. My in the only one that actually floated with an egg. (the

unforeseen obstacles we sometimes face:))

  

We also had Baptist Preacher give us a Pair of Pears, then "Pray

over us" for "our Success and our Safety."

  

This week it rained harder than I have ever seen it rain. Oh my

goodness. The Streets are all flooding. It's AWESOME. LIGHTNING STORMS

ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT.

  

Last 'exciting' thing of the week was Sunday. We got a call at

10:15 Saturday asking if I could give a talk in Sacrament. It was on

Daily Scripture study. It was super good. The ward has pretty much

recommitted themselves to the Standard works, and Four non members

asked us for copies of the Book of Mormon.

  

Then we had to teach the 13 and 14 year olds and It was the most

spiritual lesson ever. It was about the great apostasy and how that

make the Restoration more Glorious.

I love y'all.

Elder Shawn Murray.

"Come Unto Christ, and be perfected in Him."

Week Thirty Six - Zone Conference and Being Sick 5/18

Dear Friends and Family,

This week…

   

So we had a Zone Conference where we got to learn from President Heap and Elder Backus/Elder Spencer (his assistants) a little bit about Accountability, Goal Setting, and Planning. It was very inspired. I loved what they had said. They are such great, inspired guys.

  

Then the next day was rough. Elder Newberry and I both got sick, and had to stay in and rest all day. We also found out that the other two Elders in our district were also sick. Wow!  It was rough. I was out.

  

Thursday we stayed out in one of the outlying towns and knocked and knocked.  The houses are like a good 100-200 yards apart, and there was like 50-60 mile an hour winds the whole day. 

  

All in all it was a super great week! It was Thunderstorms the WHOLE WEEK. I am pretty sure lightning hit our apartment complex.

I love you all and hope its a good week!

Elder Shawn Murray!

p.s. When you are doing an object lesson with 1 Nephi 3:7, Make sure

you don't say 3 nephi 3:7 It brings a whole different impression…

Here is a picture with me in a real gas mask with my favorite member Brother Kenny.  He is awesome!  I love him. He's an old War Vet that just builds things cause he's retired. 

Week Thirty Five - I am a Sith Lord from Star Wars 5/11

Some explanations to the pictures:

First off. I HAVE OCD.

Next Elder Newberry's parents were on a trip to Europe, and heard it was my birthday, so we got some birthday presents. Sweet slippers.

Lastly. I am a Sith Lord. Elder Newberry is a Jedi. You can do this by using the crayola twistable crayons, a little flash photography and a flashlight (for the Handle). It's Hilarious.

Anyways! Well this week was AWESOME.

First off, we got to teach three Restoration lessons! and All three became New Investigators! They're awesome! Ones a mom, who is looking for a church for her family, one is an ex-military man that lives in our apartments, and one is a super cool guy who wants to know

EVERYTHING.

I taught a district meeting this week on being leaders and the role of a good leader. We spoke alot on Christlike Leadership. It was fantastic! We also did an exchange with the Zone leaders who are spanish Elders, so that was interesting to try to teach with a translator!

Lastly, I got to call home!! It was grand!

I wish I had more time to write, but we have an Appointment! Gotta go!

Elder Murray's half of the room.  

Love y'all!

Elder Murray!

More Random Pictures:

Week Thirty Four - Moms are the Best 5/4

Dear Friends and Family,

So this week was fun.

First off. We had a lesson with this guy who said he'd only listen to our message if I won at chess. I didn't know how to play. But apparently the spirit plays a mean game of chess, because we ended in a stalemate. (It probably helped my side that the guy was plastered, But lets just say it's the spirit...) The Restoration went really well with him!

  

Then I taught my first district meeting and it was titled "...Men are, that they might have Joy." (2 Nephi 2:25.) It was all about dealing with stress as a missionary, and choosing to be happy, no matter the circumstances. I had some pretty appreciative feedback. It was super cool! The spirit was so strong!

  

We played speedball this week with a few of the guys in our ward, which is a game just like Frisbee-football but with a Dodge-ball. It was a lot of fun. Then they invited us to the Pacquiao/Mayweather fight at Buffalo Wild Wings... Those turds. But now I also have been told of every movie that's coming out in the next century.

  

I also went down to Lubbock this week for a special leadership meeting which was super cool! We learned all about becoming better leaders and it was all about being a shepherd, not a sheep herder. (Ezekiel 33-34) I got to see Elder Backus (who is seriously just a phenomenal teacher, leader, missionary, and man), my two companions Elder Darby and Mangum (who are now companions), President and Sister Heap, and many other friends.

  

I love this gospel and the joy it brings to my life. I am so thankful for my family, and this week the women in my family are on my mind. Grandma's, Sisters, especially my Mother. I love her with all my heart. She is my most devout, trusted person, who has loved me from the beginning, through thick and thin.

  

I hope y'all are as appreciative as you should be for this wonderful blessing of a Mother in your lives. Please do something nice for her this week. Go out of your way. Take Time.

Sincerely,  

Elder Shawn Michael Murray (the best oldest son ever)

I think we literally chased these guys down for 20 minutes to get pictures!!!

Dad - I thought you'd like this!! It's not me by the way!

 Look Cameron,  Murray Bros Landscaping has gone National!!

Week Thirty Three - Huge Pizza and a Birthday 4/27

Well, This week went by so fast! WE received a HUGE PIZZA Monday from my Mommy!  It was Elder Bladen’s last night before heading home, so we had a little party at 9:45pm and ate and prepared for the next day.  

Then we did service for an older sister named Sister Butler with like 30 little 12-14 year old scouts, which was hilarious teaching them how to Mow, Edge, Rake, Trim, and all the other stuff. We also helped at a women’s center and the Cancer Society.

Then other than that we knock for 6-8 hours a day. My knuckles are getting huge.

Oh, and as most of you know I had a birthday!   We ate dinner at a members home named the Higbies.  Sister Higbie made a cake for me with candles and everything. 

Thank y'all for all the birthday wishes! I ended up getting 56 birthday emails, It made it so much better! I love that the age for this glorious work changed to 18, because It helped me to have the opportunities I've had thus far in this great journey.

I love you all and am so grateful for your support and service!

I love y'all! Elder Shawn Murray!

Week Thirty Two - Those Poor Soles on my Shoes 4/20

Dear Friends and Family,

So this week we knocked so many doors. We just knocked all day. I

have calloused knuckles and blisters on my feet. And there were a few days where we

were literally drenched head to toe from the 45 mile per hour winds

and the rainstorms that never seemed to end. But they ended... So we're all good

now. Haha. We just happened to be on our bikes that day.  We were so soaked and so dirty.  

We were all having trouble with our bikes after that and Brother Turpin helped us tune them up. 

They all worked fine after that.  It was weird that all three of us had the same problem, the same day.  

Then we got our Transfer Calls! Elder Newberry and I are both

staying, and we're going to ROCK Amarillo.  I am so excited!  I love

this place!  Now, Utah is still better, but my heart is being taken

over by these darn Texans and New Mexicans... It's like the Alamo War

all over again.   

Also, this week I was made a district leader.  I really wish that I knew all my responsibilities... 

But I train, teach, and help other missionaries live the rules, and help them

receive more blessings because of their diligence. I get to teach five

other missionaries once a week!

I love Y'all so much!  Keep up the good work, Read your scriptures,

stay in school, don't do drugs...

Love, Elder Shawn Michael Murray!

Week Thirty One - A Week Full of Service 4/13

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was Awesome!! It was a week full of service. We helped

move three Families; One into a house, One out of a house, and One

into a Storage unit. Then also, every week we work with the Salvation

army, so this week we got to go be a part of their Annual Banquet and

we were in second place of being the honorary guests. (Those are the

one's who gave the most service!) Our trio received t-shirts as a reward.  

I love being able to serve others! I love that as you serve them,

you can be God's hands for them!

Love - Elder Shawn Murray

PS - A few days ago, Elder Newberry and I had some fun. We decided to barricade our district leader, Elder Bladen in the bed room because he wouldn't let us listen to his super secret District leader conference call he was making on our phone. (the bedroom door is on the left of the hall way.)

We used all of the furniture in the apartment. We locked all the chairs together in a way that made them very hard to move.

PS - these pictures are from a Presbyterian Church.  Some of the other missionaries don’t have a church house right now because theirs is under construction.  This is where they meet.