Mom,
Halloween was pretty fun. Had a good time at the trunk or treat. That
was probably our only taste of Halloween. There are trick or treaters
in some towns. It's not as much as back home though. Also some towns
have trick or treating on different days other than Halloween. We
haven't been told whether or not to open the door if we have trick or
treaters. I would love to but since I'm a missionary I probably
wouldn't. Thankfully no one came to the door. There wasn't a lot of
trick or treaters out anyway. Sounds like you guys had a fun
Halloween. Sorry mom those candies are not yucky. I actually think
they are really good. Sounds like some good songs that Sam sang.
Thriller would of been a good one. I would totally work the tickets
for that much money. That's great the team is doing well. The football
team here I hear is doing pretty well. They are undefeated. Wow McCall
is getting married Saturday. that's exciting. Tell her I say Hello
and congratulations, wish I could be there.

Here you hardly ever see an unground pool. They practically don't
exist out here. It pretty funny. We have our primary program coming up
too. Not this Sunday but the next. This Sunday will be stake
conference in Reading. Carson got a ticket? Was it from the accident?

The trunk or treat was a lot of fun. I actually didn't get to eat any
food. I did get to eat some dessert, which was really good. Didn't get
to play musical chairs. For some reason they only did one round of it.
You're right it is fun to dress up like a missionary.

Yep I'm going to be in Pottsville for 6 months! I'm pretty positive
this will be my last transfer here. I'm figuring that I only have
about two areas left in my mission which is pretty scary. Not much is
happening with Mason. We were able to meet with him for a little but
at his home. He said he was going to be at church but he didn't show
up. So yesterday we had someone get in contact with our branch
president saying that she wants to come to church and would like a
ride. She has family who ar E members in New York. Sister Black picked
her up. She was really nice and she is actually interested! She really
enjoyed church too. So that is one way we find new investigators. They
show up to church. Sorry you are struggling with your coworker.
Reminds me of companionships. I agree with what you have said about my
companions. Elder Weisler who was my district leader last transfer was
a former assistant to the president and said some very similar things
to what you've said. I've had the majority of my companions be
missionaries that kind of struggle. I don't know why I'm so special in
being their companion. I just try to be there friend and try and get
along as well as possible. Elder Ostrom and I are still doing great.
Still getting along. This has probably been the best companionship
I've been apart of. So I actually won't be able to be in the mission
home my last day. President Randall if you remember brought his family
with him. He has teenage girls in the mission home which means we are
no longer allowed to go. So all missionaries who are leaving get to
cram into the assistants apartment for one night.

Cindy's food was really interesting. Nothing in it was really good.
The ice cream bars weren't very good. There were some freeze dried
tater tots which were really gross. I can't remember anything else
really cause we threw them away. I didn't let grandpa know that I got
his money. But that money has been spent already. I'll send him a
quick note today saying thank you.

That's right I recall that max is in the Arkansas mission. I'm glad
he's doing well. I wish I could hear from porter some time. I'd like
to catch up with him and see how he's doing. Glad to hear president
Derrick is still playing tennis. Abby is already going into high
school? I would love to teach you how to play tennis. It's super fun.
Haven't heard from Spencer in a while either. I hope he's doing well.
She hasn't read his letters? That's really strange. So the Coon kids
are going to ALA? Just Annie or Hannah too? I definitely remember Greg
Clifford. He's a great guy. He was always so nice to me and we had
great conversations together. That's great that you get to see him at
ALA. If you ever see him tell him I say hello.

Jon is still doing well. Lori can't get a job cause she needs her
birth certificate and she can't find it. I think it's mandatory for
Pennsylvania I think to have your birth certificate if your looking
for a job. Jon has his calling in the young men's presidency. Yep 2017
is getting closer. Daylight saving time just started yesterday.

Happy birthday to Lila. The big 14! She's getting so old. I hope she
will have a fun birthday party.

Yep the election is Tuesday. It hard right now because a lot of
people want to talk about the election but we as missionaries aren't
allowed to. It's just really frustrating. Especially being here where
there a lot of politician people and we are pretty close to Washington
DC. I'm sure we will know how it goes.

1: We are being visited by a general authority, his name is Valerie
Cordon. I think he's pretty new cause there's no talks or articles
from him. He will actually be at our mission conference Thursday
and also our stake conference Sunday.
2: Most of our appointment are with our recent converts and less actives.
3: So right now I am fitting well in a 38x30.
Love Elder Shumway

Hi dad. Today is going well. Hope you're having a great day too. I
feel your pain. People leave things out on the street here too and my
instincts kick in sometimes and I want to grab it, but I can't! I want
to continue doing it when I get home. The weather has been nice here
too. Not much to complain about. It's going to get colder though. I'm
seeing temperatures in the low 40s. Waffle ball sounds like a lot of
fun. I heard the cubs won the World Series. High school football here
I hear is going well. The high school team in Pottsville is
undefeated.

Two weeks from now is going to be our primary program.  Chandler is
leaving pretty soon isn't he. He's going to the Fort Worth mission
right? You guys are going to have some family dinner Sunday huh? I
always enjoyed when the family got together. So you have a part in the
primary program that's great. Don't mess up.

Yep sister Jensen went home last week. I'm not surprised that she did
that. Yeah I only talked to sister Jensen once. Never really served
around her a lot. I have a blog? I didn't know that! I'm looking
forward to Christmas too.

Love Elder Shumway