Happy new year to you too. We didn't really have any fireworks. But
there might of been, I'm not sure. Usually I pass out once I go to
bed. I remember those breakfasts sat the Derricks. Those were a lot of
fun. We had to be in at 6 Saturday night. There wasn't many
fireworks.

I can be a crybaby every now and then. My siblings do look a lot
different. They do still act the same though. I hope Teryn is on his
mission by then. Haha porter still looks the same as when he was in
high school! I can believe that.

I don't think that I was his favorite. Things are going ok with Elder
Fifita and I. He has gotten very bossy lately and it bugs me a lot. He
is getting trunky. We do get fed pretty often. It is really nice. We
have church at 9. Church is well. We had more people at church
yesterday, that was nice. We also had two non members come. An
investigator that we've been trying to get ahold of and weren't able
to, so she showed up to church yesterday. The other guy was brought by
a member, which is always the best!

I did get the grey pair. They are really nice, I'm wearing them right
now. So we went to the thrift store Wednesday and we show up and it's
closed. I assume for the holiday season. That was kind of a bummer. We
will probably go for sure this week. It is not owned by members I
think.

Thanks for the update on Sister Whisenant. I pray for her a lot. I
hope things go better for her.

Haha that's funny that everybody was tired yesterday. It will be quite
a change to go to church at  8. It was probably worse being New
Years. We had a pretty good sacrament meeting yesterday. The branch
presidency spoke and they did a great job.

I got all of those pictures. They were awesome. Some were really
funny. Sorry you guys were so hot. Cindy does seem to like you guys.
That's funny about the frozen poop nose.  I'm sure you guys thought it
was really funny when you realized what it was. I will definitely help
with getting Carson back. I do enjoy a good snowball fight.

Wow gecko is really close. That makes me really happy. Maybe we can go
more often now that it's closer. James only wants a plain and boring
bean burrito?! That's great for Andrew! What will he be doing at frys?
Probably not something to physically demanding. Haha church ball. I
remember when he made a couple of threes in a game and we were going
crazy! That was awesome! I miss those times!

I did like my gifts. I will send the Book of today. I had a few things
come in. I got juliets card the other day. Also got a card from the
carpenters. They spelled my name wrong again but that's ok. I sent
them an email saying thank you.  Hold you tell Juliet thank you for
me?  Didn't get too much from the branch. Got some treats from members
and Paul gave us $50. That was really nice of him. Haven't gotten any
new shoes yet.

Our investigators are coming along ok. We got 2 new ones that I just
told you about. Do you know where in Maryland she is from? I think
most sisters feel that way cause they are only 18 months. I probably
won't feel that way. I will probably be ready to go home.

We see many cats walking around and some of them are friendly. My eyes
aren't itching afterwards, I don't know why. Maybe because they are
east coast cats. I don't know who's cat it was. She was just really
friendly so I picked her up. She was purring while I was holding her.
Have fun going back to school and work. I know how much you enjoy it!
I think I'll wait for the oranges. I've been missing orange juice from
grandpas trees.

1: Saw Paul yesterday at church. We are going out to dinner with him
tonight. Have you talked to him recently?
2: Weather is fine. Not too cold. I'm staying warm.
3: It didn't attach? I thought I did attach it.

Love Elder Shumway



Happy new year everybody. I hope everybody had a great new year
celebration! Ours was ok. We had to be in early for new years. We had
to be in by 6:00pm. I think my email that I sent last week didn't
include the Christmas story that my mission president shared. I will
make sure I send it today. Still no snow here. I am ok with that. But
it is raining right now. I'd rather have that than snow. Things are
going pretty well here. Yesterday two non members came to church. One
who's name is Brittany has friends in a ward in Delaware and they said
she should go to church. We've had her information for  a few weeks
now but haven't been able to get in touch with her. And yesterday she
showed up to church which was a pleasant surprise. She cried a lot
during church, she told a member that every speaker that spoke in
church said something that applied to her. It was awesome.  The other
person was brought by a member. His name is John. He's a swell guy.
He's 20 and has grown up catholic and is interested in the church. Wewill teach them in the future.

Other than that not too much has happened. We did got to Seaford, DE
and help some members there move and that was a lot of fun cause they
fed us breakfast, Lunch and dinner. That was a lot of fun.

I'm glad that I can be on a mission. I have seen myself change. I have
a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also have a firm
testimony of the prophet Joseph smith. I have recently been studying
about him and he is amazing. I'm so grateful for him and his
sacrifices.Love Elder Shumway