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