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. 

Week Thirty - The Restored Gospel 4/6

Hey!

Did y'all Realize that One-Hundred and Eighty Five years ago today,

The Lords Church was restored to the Earth? Did you realized that

because of His holy Prophets in whom he has called, we can all

eternally live with our families? Do you realize how much your Father

in Heaven loves you!?

I bear testimony that He has given us the means to find true

happiness. He has given us a modern day prophet, and modern day

scripture to help us become happier and closer to our Savior. I know

Our Savior lives. I know Father wants you and me back safely. I know

the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, And each person in Jesus Christ's

church, has been called by His holy name. I love the Book of Mormon

and Bible with all of my heart. I say these things, I the name of our

Risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, Amen.

Love Elder Shawn Michael Murray