I feel happy and healthy. We are both working hard and getting along together. Yeah it is pretty funny to tp you companion. I was pretty sneaky with the toilet paper. When he woke up he was very confused and he also thought it was funny. He can take a joke. This isn't the end either I'm definitely going to play more Jokes on him. He hasn't really gotten me back yet. Those sisters the the picture were in my district. I don't think I've ever seen them. And i wouldn't even be able to if they are driving sisters. Cause transfers for elders and sisters are at different times. 

It is really frustrating for people not coming to church. It happened again this past Sunday. There are other ways to get the there but that is pretty much the strongest way for me. Cause I guess sometimes people don't think we are serious. And when I get serious they seem to be more serious too. 

Not a bad subject to talk about in your lesson. That's a really awesome experience at the temple. It's amazing how the Lord knows what's going on in our lives and can comfort us in many ways. Wow Tate is already leaving? That is a great subject to talk the Shumway name for him cause we could go on and on about how awesome our family is. He is giving up a lot of opportunities like playing football. I've already told her and also a few other people in that mission.

Carson will be 16! Wow! That's good that he is trying to work on his behavior. Hopefully his behavior will change for a long time. I think trek will be fun for him. It was really fun for me. That's nice that Danny wants Carson's help over the summer. That will be good for him. That's good he got that award for seminary. And what's up with his hair.

You're welcome for that picture. I'm trying to take more pictures. Also it's easier to take pictures with someone that you have fun with. I will have to email Cindy back cause she emailed me. It does look like G and G are having fun. They sent me a couple of pictures. thanks for all your prayers.

Love Elder Shumway

Hi Lila. My week is going well. I heard that the house is being repainted. I'm sure you did a great job. Send pictures of the paint I want to see it. What kind of dance was it? I can't watch the video because I have a lot of restrictions on my iPad. If you send me the actual video I can watch it. But a link to a website I won't be able to watch it. That's great Colten got his mission call. I'm sure he'll be a great missionary. Congrats on your calling to be the beehive president. I'm sure you will do a great job. Love you too.

Elder Shumway

Hi Lila. Well this week I got a new companion. Wow that must have been a great assembly. Sounds like you all did well at your play. Wow Gecko Grill! lucky! Sounds like you had a good time at the reception and at Kneaders. Well i'll talk to you next week.

Love Elder Shumway

Hello good day everybody. Hope everybody is having an awesome life. I
sure am. I'm still doing great out here in Zion east. This week I got
a new companion. His name is elder Smith. He's from St George, Utah.
He is pretty much a rail! He is really skinny. Hopefully I can help
him get some meat on his bones. He's been out for about 6 months.

Not too much happened this week. Other that getting a new companion.
We were able to teach a few lessons and find a few people. Nothing too
exciting. The best thing that happened this week was I got to pull a
prank on elder Smith, I'll send a video with the email.

It's been raining a lot here and I kind of like it a little bit. It's
so green here. It's going to also get very humid and I am not excited
for that. One thing that did happen today is that Harry Trice the man
who was excommunicated and in the hospital and wanted to be
rebaptized. He went home about two weeks ago and we got a call from
his wife this week telling us that he had passed away on Wednesday
evening. So please keep that family in your prayers. Also Guy who is
one of our investigators, had his grandmother pass away this week as
well. That's why we haven't been able to see them either.

The church is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and we are
definitely in the last days and we need to prepare for the saviors
second coming. Love you all.

Love Elder Shumway

Dad. Hi. Sounds like you had a lot of fun at fathers and sons. Have they started to call it that again? Those sound like fun games. I always enjoyed them when I played them. That's great that Carson was able to beat all the youth. How come he didn't beat brother Lambrigger. He's such a small man.I saw a picture of that fence and it looks really good. Daren and Marla went to Hawaii, that sounds like a lot of fun. That's good that the Dbacks are doing okay. Hopefully they can start pulling of some wins and get on a streak. I wonder who it's going to be in the finals for the nba. I heard about Tom Brady getting a four day suspension. Hopefully Brady won't play in that game so the Cardinals might have a better chance of winning. 

Love Elder Shumway

Mom. 

I'm glad I got the package too. Those pants are a nice but are still a
little small on me. But I'm going to be losing some weight this
transfer. A sister here in the ward who is basically the missionary
mom in this ward made me a Texas sheet cake. And she's actually from
Texas. Do you think you could thank her in some way? There's also a
few others I'd like for you to maybe thank. I have not gotten the
envelope with money and cards yet. I'm really eager and excited for
it. I wonder why the bank wants us to do it a different way.

I did get a new companion. His name is Elder Smith. He is from St
George, Utah. We are getting along. He's really easy to get along
with. Who are the Fletcher's? I don't know them. I'll actually send a
few pictures today even a video of a prank that I pulled in elder
smith.

Elder Gibbons is pretty much healed up by now. He went to center city
Philadelphia. Our lessons went pretty well. But unfortunately nobody
showed up to church like they said they would! I feel like I need to
be more bold and kind of rebuke people for not coming to church. Cause
I am sick and tired of people not keeping those commitments. It
honestly makes me very frustrated! Take a picture of bro finch our
ward mission leader. Well here's a quick description. He's an old man
in his 80s. Has a hard time hearing when he doesn't have his hearing
aids in. He is super healthy. When we are with him and we have the
decision to either take the elevator or the stairs he automatically
starts walking down the stairs. He's a really nice man.

That's crazy that they are both MaKayla and Brendee married now. I'm sure everything went
well with both the weddings. Who won the stick pull at father and sons? Probably dad.
That fence at grandpas  looks pretty good. You guys sure did a good job. Are you
going to recycle the left over metal?

Sounds like you didn't have to do much for your first Sunday as a
teacher. I don't think I know how to play 9 square game. Which naval ship did grandpa and Grandma was on. I was on one in San Diego. It was the USS Maine I believe. It
was pretty sweet. Yeah grandpa probably should be driving. That's a
good idea.

Yeah I have heard that school is almost over. What colors are you
going to paint the house? That's nice that Jill I'll help with that.
Only beans your cannin? Yeah in August it will be a year since I will be out. We are getting quite a
bit of rain. I like it, but that means it's gonna be pretty humid
probably. There are some mosquitos. That's good that it's been a cool
weather in Arizona.

1: Elder Smiths mom doesn't have a Facebook. His dad does though. You can
friend Richard Smith.
2: For the Scarfes we have also been working on the ceiling of his
garage. That's where elder Gibbons hurt his foot.
3: Not really and we don't have any rackets to play tennis. If there were there's
nobody here worthy enough to play me. I would just beat them every
time!

Love Elder Shumway

Good afternoon everybody. Thanks for all the birthday wishes today. For all of those who don't know I am now 19 years old. It's my last teenage year! I don't really feel any different. Many people in the ward wished me a happy birthday. I only told a few people. One was our ward mission leader and he happened to tell everybody in our third hour then everybody knew. After that I was getting a lot of Happy Birthday Elder Shumway. It was kind of weird. I also got to pass the sacrament for the first time in a long time. They didn't have enough deacons this week so they asked if we could help and so we did. 

So this week was another rather slow week. On Wednesday we we're doing service at the scarfes who are members in our ward and bro scarfe has recently returned to activity and we go over there not just to help him but also to make sure that he stays active. Recently they got callings so that was sweet. Anyways we are now working on the ceiling of his garage and there is this portable scaffolding> the platform is only about four feet tall. I am getting on and off of it rather easily, but Elder Gibbons is having trouble because his pants are tight and because he's taller which makes it more hard. On the sides are some ladders to get on and off of it, but one time Elder Gibbons decides to scoot his body on the platform. He unfortunately miss calculates the jump and falls down on the ground and hurts his ankle pretty badly. So after that our week was pretty much shot. We went on exchanges several times with the Spanish elders. 

On Thursday we were able to take Guy and Felicia on a tour of part of the church building. I thought it went really well. Guy's parents who are both members also came with them. They live in the new castle ward which is the ward right below us. Unfortunately they are not active in the church and haven't been for a long time and now are wanting to come back and would like their son to come in as well. They did not however come to church yesterday.

Tomorrow is Transfers and I will be getting a new companion cause Elder Gibbons is leaving and I am staying here in Wilmington!! I'm super stoked to stay.

Anyways love you. The church is true.

Elder Shumway

Hey dad. I did have a good birthday yesterday. I went to church basically to celebrate it. We also went to dinner at a members home and they had made me a cake. I've only gotten my package so far. Both those guys sent me an email wishing me happy birthday. The weather isn't really doing much out here. It's still rather cool and we are still wearing sweaters. Great to hear that Scott and his family are doing well. Sorry to hear about brother Straubs dad passing away. Where is Taylor going? I didn't know she is going on a mission. I heard cami was getting married. Also that Bryndee and micayla are getting married. Wow Michael is in the Army that's pretty cool. I'm sure his eyes are definitely opened. 

The people we are teaching are doing ok. Our investigators didn't come to church when they said they were definitely coming. We also can't seem to get in contact with the less actives we are working with. But we will keep trying. The district is doing good. A sister in our district is going home tomorrow. I already have crossed paths with sister Jensen. I met her when I was in reading for my last transfer there. Wow Tate is already leaving? That went by fast! He does not have a lot of time left. Great to hear that Kenny is doing well. Hopefully he does take school more seriously now. He is a great athlete. Hopefully Carson can get his lose nice for his birthday. Have fun at trek too. I'm sure you will trek is great. 

Love Elder Shumway

Mom

I did have a wonderful birthday. I got to go to church! I have only gotten my package. Thanks for sending it to me. I like these new pants a lot. I will definitely wear them. I have not gotten the debit card yet. I did get a cake for my birthday. Not a Texas sheet cake but it was still good too. I also got some brownies. That belt is really nice. It is a little bit big on me but I'm sure I'll "grow" into it. There is one thing about the package. The drink you gave me, I found this out from Elder Selby, if you ever look at the ingredients there is green tea extract in it! I hope you don't mind that I don't drink it. Cause I want to keep the word of wisdom. There's a goodwill nearby. About three miles away.

Didn't have a lot of spiritual experiences this week. This is because Elder Gibbons sprained his ankle really bad on Wednesday and the rest of our week was shot after that cause it would hurt for him to walk. Haven't heard anything about the Trices. Brother Wright did not make it to church. We had an appointment with him last Tuesday but it fell through and we've been trying to get another one set up but we haven't been able to. He works a lot and is in the process of trying to find a more stable job. We're going to try again though. His heart is in the right place and I'm not giving up on him. Elder Gibbons is being transferred. I am staying in Wilmington and will get a new companion. I'm very glad that o am staying. The best reason is that the ward is awesome and so willing to help us. Also because our ward mission leader is retired and old and rich so he comes out with us a lot and buys us lunch all the time so that another great thing.

Wow Kammi Severtson is getting married! She is a lot like her mom. I guess Bryndee and Micayla are getting married this week too. That's great that Michael is in the army. He'll do great probably. I'm sure he misses his mom doing those things for him. 

Good luck teaching all those youngsters in your class. How come Sam picked Sacajwea? Did he know that you had to dress up like her? That would be pretty funny. Tell Lila to keep going. She's almost done. I remember you told me you were invite to trek a little while ago. What game are you going to do? That is exciting to go. You'll love it.

Sounds like a fun vacation for grandma and grandpa. What are they going to do there? Go sight seeing? 

That darn cow broke the fence? What happened to the cow? Are you going to put up a new fence? 

Taylor is going on a mission? I didn't know that. Where is she going? Sorry to hear about their divorcing. I'm glad she is more healthier now. Hopefully she will stay that way. 

1: I have been taking a few pictures.

2: My new apartment is great.

3: I pretty much just went to church and had dinner with a member.

Love Elder Shumway

 Hi Lila. Wow your own email! That's sweet. Tell all them I say thanks for wishing me a happy birthday. Well this week was pretty slow because on Wednesday Elder Gibbons sprained his ankle pretty bad and couldn't walk hardly at all! We did got to some members homes and they gave me a few treats for my birthday and also sang me happy birthday and got to blow out a candle. Hopefully you can get that technology project done. That sure sounds like a lot. I'm sure you are very anxious for school to be over. You're also most there! 

Love Elder Shumway

Hello grandma. Sorry you weren't able to enjoy the car show as much. That firebird sure is a nice car. That's great that Jacob was able to call home for a little bit. I thought gage has been hurt and wasn't able to play. I guess he got over it. How's everybody else's injuries in that family? Hopefully the Bulldogs can do well in the playoffs. Haha I remember dominoes. That was fun I thought. And I also think that it's an old persons game cause the only people I've played it with were old people. Sounds like James is doing well. I didn't really do anything to receive that sort of calling. I just try and do my best. Carson sure is good at volleyball. I remember he was a really good setter. I'm really excited to be able to skype in next Sunday. I am actually going to Skype in at 2:00 which will be 11:00 there. So if you could make it I'd love to see both you and grandpa. Love you grandma
 

Good afternoon. This week was pretty great. We definitely have Ben put
in places where the Lord needed us to be this week. I had an
experience this week which strengthened my testimony of that
principle. We went to the hospital to visit Brother Trice. He was
asleep and we tried to wake him up but he wouldn't wake up. We figured
he must be pretty drugged up so we left. On our way back to the car we
enter the parking garage and a woman is just about to leave and calls
at us and asks if she can have a blessing. We say of course along with
wondering who this lady is. She explains that she is the sister to
somebody in our ward. She says that she had just been assaulted by
someone on the street and her jaw had been broken and was in a lot of
pain. She also told us that her husband will be filing for divorce
soon. We thought wow when it rains it pours. She explained to us that
she had been contemplating just running her car into a pole or a
building at it would be all over. She cried a lot, we gave her a
blessing of healing. Trying to give her some comfort as well. After
the blessing was over she had ceased crying and gave us all big hugs.
She said that she feels a lot better and will go to the doctors and
have them check our her jaw.

Another thing that happened this week was that we had an investigator
come to church! He also accepted to be baptized this week! His parents
are member in the ward below ours and have not been active for years.
They are now set on coming back and hopefully bring their son along
with them. I am anxious to see how that goes.

Today and tomorrow we will be moving into our new apartment which we
are super excited about. We have not seen or been bitten by any bed
bugs and we are very confident that they are gone. We are just selling
the deal by moving to a new apartment and moving as if we had them
just in case. I will send pictures of it next week.

The priesthood has been restored once again to the earth and it has
real power, I have seen it work this week. God has a plan for each of
us and he needs us in certain places at certain times for a reason.
I've seen that happen many times since I've been on my mission. Love
you all and be safe!

Elder Shumway

Mom
Good morning. I'm really excited forMothers Day too. Christmas was not too
long ago. I was thinking around 2pm for me which would be 11 am for
you, but yes nice weather here too. It's gotten cooler recently and we've had
to break out our sweaters again! Hopefully now that it's May it will
warm up.

Brother Weight did not make it to church unfortunately. That's great
that sister Cathey is coming to church. Yeah it's too bad for brother
Trice, we visited him a few times this week and he gets worse every
time we see him.

We move in Monday and  Tuesday. It is a nice place to live. I'm
actually sitting in it right now. We are very confident that we are
rid of the bed bugs. And hopefully I never have to be involved with
them again.

Haha I thought it would be pretty funnyto trick you into saying I was an AP and you would be fooled.
Usually that's the case of an older more experienced missionary
becoming an assistant. The responsibilities of a district leader have
enhanced from being a district leader in the MTC. There all I really
did was get the mail. Here I have to lead district meeting every week.
I have to keep the district accountable. And make sure they are safe.
Also go on exchanges with the elders and help out the sisters in their
areas. Yeah I know I'm funny.

That's crazy that Brandon Gale and Porter Derrick are already coming home. That's probably the
same for the flygar boys. Also with chance who is now in our ward.
Poor bishop I'm sure he felt that way. We feel the same. Taking our
bishop away from us. But it shows growth in the church in the area. So
Teryn is now an elder. That's awesome! I'm sure proud of him. He will
do great. A mission right now is the best thing for him.

Church is still at 2pm huh? You've had that time for a long time now. Do you
think it will ever change? It's nice to have a lot of time after
church. We have church at 9:30 which I think is a really good time. I
think if you didn't have to wake up at 6:30 everyday you would get
plenty of sleep in order to go to church and if you didn't have to go
out and talk to people like me you would have a relaxing rest of your
day. Has Tate got his call yet? Is there anyone else that you know or
maybe Carson knows who have gotten there call? The primary is fun.

1: I don't remember my skype log in.
2: We don't have any money because we spend it! It's crazy how that
happens. As Steve Martin would say if I don't have the money don't buy
it. And I literally don't have the money. Thanks for all the help. I
hope you sent it to my new address.
3: All I want is pants and new socks. I don't need goodies. I don't
need to gain any more weight. I gain plenty on my own and from what
members feed us.

I'm glad you got those temple names. I'm noticing that a lot of male
names are still up there. I hope some of them can get done. I would
love to do them but I can't. The cheese steak was yummy. When we come
back do you want a cheese steak from Philly or Wilmington? Or both?
Carson kind of told me a little bit about the truck. That's great that
Cherai is doing better. I hope she can make a full recovery.

Your letters are not too long. Make them as long as you want. I will
read them and respond to them.

Love Elder Shumway

Hey Lila. That's okay you didnt write, just don't let it happen again! I'm sorry about
brother trice too. Well we had one of our new investigators at church
which was pretty sweet. Today we are moving into our new apartment.
What kind of dance are you doing? Nice job on being a nerd! Keep it
up! I wish I was as nerdy as you. Yum apricots. Hopefully you got
something to eat yesterday after church. I love getting your letters
too.