(As suggested for privacy, I am taking out the full names of people Kendell is working with.   While we have been counseled to pray for his investigators by name, if you would like to join us in this, please feel free to contact me and I will share them with you privately.  Thank you!!)

Sent: Monday, October 21, 2013 12:48 PM
Subject: Transfer 3!!!

Hey everybody!!!!

 

Holy Moly I can not believe that today is already October 21. That's insane. Well today is transfer day. Our whole zone is having some pretty big changes. And I will get to those when I tell you about my week. I hope you are feeling better about seminary. Something I learned this week when I talked with one of the seminary teachers here was he told me that he doesn't worry about feeling offended or upset about the kids that don't pay attention because he knows that that's the way he was when he was a kid and that stuff just happens. You are a great teacher and I know you are helping those kids out a lot. I'm glad you got some help from the inservice. That is so exciting about nana and papa and the lunch with sister Gray. I'm glad that you have had everyone over so much and had a blast with all of them. 

So this week has been great! We had 22 lessons and saw a ton of people this week. Tuesday we had a district meeting and the big thing that day was that we had dinner with the Williams. This family is awesome. Sister Williams is a pro soccer player and was on the US womens soccer team and also was on Wipeout. Season 4 Episode 7 is named after her: "Some People just don't know when to quit." I love this family. We saw The A's and J and B and T and E almost every day this week and taught them all. They are all doing great. Thursday we taught the N family the first lesson. They are a member family but they wanted to hear the lessons just so they knew what we do. It was really good. Friday we met and taught a 20 year old named J. He was a referral from Salt Lake. He just moved in like two weeks ago and was taking the lessons before he moved. We set him on date to be baptized November 9th. We are so excited for him. he is a great guy.Saturday we got the call from President. My companion, Elder Carbonneau, is leaving for Jarupa as a zone leader. I'm going to miss him but I know he will do good and it will be good for me to learn from others. I am thankfully staying and my new comp will be Elder Kelly. He has been out for about 7 months and I've heard only good things about him so I'm super stoked! I'll let you know more in my letter since I am running out of time but I am glad I'm still here. This ward is just like the one back home. I already have a ton of life long friends here and I can't wait to continue my service here in temescal canyon. Pie night was awesome too. We laughed more than I truly ever have before. We were all literally almost throwing up because of how much we were laughing! It was hilarious! Sunday I sang I know my Redeemer Lives and it was great! I am singing again on the tenth of next week with Brother Grossman as my accompianist. All day we ran around to get pictures with all the members for Elder Carbonneau. It was crazy! I should be getting my new comp at about 2 or 3 today and a member family is taking us out for lunch today! We might be moving to a new homeshare soon and I can't wait! 

I hope you all have a great week. I love you all so much. Don't forget to write. I can't wait to hear from you again.

 

Love,

Elder Bushman

Last week of the second transfer!!!

Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013 10:51 AM
Subject: Last week of the second transfer!!!

Hello everyone!!

 

I hope you all had a great week. It sounds like the party was a blast and had lots of help. I hope Kenzie got my letter. If not, it should be there soon. The cake sounds amazing. I'm glad Kaitlyn got to spend time with you guys. I'm sure she loved it and the kids as well. The Amazing Race sounds like it was a ton of fun also. I am so glad you got to go to the temple. I wish I could have been there. I miss the temple and can't wait to get to go again. So Chanler finally got to play the X box huh? I bet he was so excited! Jessica and Tyson are moving to Midland?!? That's awesome! But now you have to tell them that if they are going to stay for more than a year it has to be at least two years so they will be there when I get back. ;) I'm excited to hear about Nana and Papa coming home. That will be fun. I can't wait to see the picture of everyone sleeping. I can't believe McKenzie is in Young Womens now. CRAZY. So is having only one meeting on Sunday and the rain. The smell must be terrible. Thank you for all of your prayers. The Alvarez's and Toni are doing much better and are still progressing. I swear they are all going to be huge church leaders in the future. They are all so strong. Let me know what the family mission statement is when you decide. Keep inviting everyone. You never know who will say yes.

 

Well this week has been super interesting and a lot busier. Monday was the hike. We ended up not being able to see the ocean like we had hoped but it was still a really fun hike and I really enjoyed it. On Tuesday we got a new investigator. Lauretta and Brian were walking out of the outlet stores and saw this couple and out of the blue asked these strangers if they wanted to come to church with them! Lauretta has no fear and complete pride in her beliefs. We taught Jasmine the first lesson and asked her if she would be baptized. She said yes and the date is November 2! We are so stoked. She is pregnant and is living with her boyfriend in a tent on the side of the outlet stores however so there is a couple things we will have to do to get her ready to be baptized. (they have to be married and stop smoking). We got another referral also. On Wednesday we saw the Alvarez's again. But after our multi zone conference which I got to do a special musical number with Elder Taylor playing piano. My body shook the whole time I sang. I didn't think I was nervous at all but I guess my body did. Oh and before that, we had car inspections. For this we have to wash our cars before we get there. Unfortunetly, Elder Carbonneau and I forgot that we left our backpacks in the truck bed until halfway through the wash. Somehow our backpacks kept most the water out so our scriptures and my conference notes were okay. And now we have clean, waxed, backpacks! Sadly, during that meeting they came out and said that from now on the senior companion is only allowed to drive. :( So I don't get to drive the truck we just got anymore. I'm just a little upset with that rule. But oh well. Now everything that happens to the truck will not be my fault so it's all good. Brother Albert had to reschedule for this coming Wednesday so hopefully that will happen this week. Thursday we taught Jasmine again and then Toni. That was also McKenzie's birthday! Still can't believe she is 12. Friday was pretty slow. It was just one of those days where no one was home. We had dinner with the Alvarez's though which was good. Saturday was a good day. we went to give a church tour to Toni, Ernie (her boyfriend), Jasmine, and Brandon (Jasmine's boyfriend). That went great and they are now all investigators which is super awesome! They had us over for bbq that night too, right before pie night wich was great! Oh, so we have been walking everywhere this week and we probably will for the next couple weeks because we have to stay under miles for the month and we have about 500 left. That's not a whole lot. So I'm getting to work off all the weight that I have gained which is really good. So Sunday we got a ride to church with our Bishop but because of all his meetings we were there super early. That worked out perfectly though because Elder Taylor and I did our song in his ward that morning (Ortega Ward). It was really good. I didn't shake like the first time so I felt great about it. We will probably be doing it again in my ward this Sunday. Especially since it could possibly be my last Sunday in this area. Yeah I know, TRANSFERS calls are this Saturday which means I could be moved on Monday. I really really really do no want to leave. I love this ward and I know there is a ton of work to be done that I can do. My companion feels the same. So next week when I email again I could be somewhere else, most likely with a new companion, and maybe even training. I'm so anxious to see what happens.

 

I hope you guys have a great week. I can't wait to hear from you again. I loved getting the letters from you and the pictures. I'm still trying to catch up on writing everyone back. Good things are happening. The work is real and it is the Lord's. The Gospel is true. I know it. I love it. And I am striving to live it to my fullest potential.

 

I love you,

Elder Bushman

October is already almost halfway over!!!

Sent: Monday, October 7, 2013 10:32 AM
Subject: October is already almost halfway over!!!

Well I don't know what happened but I didn't get to read your email from last week until just now but it's okay. I haven't gotten the package yet and if I don't get it today or tomorrow I know I will Wednesday because we have a multi zone meeting and usually mail from the mission home is brought there. I'm glad you guys got a little bit of a break this week. I can't believe you have already had Region tryouts and Choir orientation. Congrats Logan! That's awesome! Next year you are making State. I know you can. I'm proud of you. I'm glad Tanner also got the chance to have that experience. I know it helped me and Logan out a lot when we did it as Freshmen. Thank you so much for letting me know about the Lee football game. Please keep me updated on the games. (scores and win/loses). It's too bad Jesse roots for the wrong side. Haha the Basketball trailer is always kind of wimpy. But it's fun and I'm glad Tanner got to be in it. I loved Conference. As missionaries we are at the church for all five sessions. And guess what! I stayed awake for all of it!!! I'm so proud of myself. I am so jealous you get to go to the temple with Nana and Papa and McKenzie. That is so cool. Thank you for the scriptures. I'm going to use them for my personal study this week.

 

In response to last weeks email from you I hope McKenzie's foot is doing okay from the nail. I can't believe there are enough kids in Midland to build a new high school. That's crazy. I've only been gone just over two months and it's already changing that much. I'm never going to recognize home when I get there in two years! What I really can't believe is that my baby sister is going to be 12 this week on Thursday. I don't know how that happened. Since my letter to you might not get there in time.... HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY MCKENZIE!!! I hope your day is amazing and I can't wait to hear how the party and the temple experience is for you!

 

Well my week has been super good. Our area is really starting to pick up and after a special something from last night it's going to get even busier! I am so excited to be a missionary right now! So Monday was the usual PDay activities. (ball at the church and then pingpong with Jesse Grossman). Tuesday we had lunch with Brother Albert, an awesome Scottsman, and his daughter asked if we could meet with her this week on Wednesday. We have been waiting so long to be able to teach her so that was a huge step and what was awesome about it is that she asked us first! We are super pumped. Afterwards we met with Brian and Lauretta and Toni except Toni didn't show up. Which for us is scary because we have seen what Satan does to keep people from doing what's right, especially since she doesn't have the Holy Ghost yet. Lauretta explained to us that Toni right now is struggling with something huge, physically and spiritually. She is pregnant. The issue is though that although the baby is fine, it's tearing her body apart and she is falling apart. Although she would never participate in an abortion, her doctor has told her that that might be something that she might need to do in order to save her own life. Wednesday she didn't show up for our lesson again but we found out it was because she was at the hospital both lessons trying to get help for the serious pain she is in. She has told us that after praying, she decided that she is going to go through with the pregnancy and if it kills her it kills her but she wont kill her baby. Please, Please keep her in your prayers. I'm fasting today because of it. Toni is staying strong though and knows that Satan is going to do whatever he can to do something wrong. Wednesday I was also on exchanges with Elder Albright (Zone leader). We had a blast. And got 4 referrals!! That was awesome! We've been getting and giving referrals like crazy this week and I have a feeling it's going to stay this way. Thursday we taught Brother Hill again and I finally got my PVC pipe bow that he made for me. It is so cool. I'm excited to use it on something. Maybe the rabbits or coyotes that are always around our home. ;) On Friday we had diner with the Alvarez's again. It was great. We are really trying to stay in contact with them as much as we can.

 

Saturday started the best General Conference weekend I have had. I loved it! My favorite talks on Saturday were Edward Dube, Dieter Uchtdorf, Elder Holland, and S Gifford Nielson's. I learned so much from these talks. Then the Priesthood session was great too! It was so weird not watching it with dad and the boys though. My favorite speaker then was probably a three way tie between the Presidency. Pie night afterwards was great like usual. I have really come to love Bill. Sunday was just as good. Since more people were there it was a little more distracting with all the kids running around but it was still super spiritual. I think my favorite talks on Sunday were by Elder Oaks, Elder Scott, and President Monson. To top off the week we had a last minute stake meeting at 6 yesterday. President Wilson (stake president) challenged the stake on missionary work. We have had 4 general authorities come to this stake in the past four weeks and it was all for missionary work. He decided to raise the bar and get the members more involved. He challenged each family to bring at least one person to baptism a year and reactivate at least one member a year. And to truly become their friends. I am so excited to see the outcomes of this challenge. It's going to be amazing!

 

Well today is PDay again and instead of playing ball at the church, we are doing something new. We are going for a hike up the mountain to see the ocean. It should be super fun and I'm sure I'll get great pictures!

 

I hope you guys have a great week. I can't wait to hear from you again. Have a great birthday McKenzie. I love you. This is going to be a great week for all of us. Keep the mission in your prayers. Keep up the good work. And don't forget to keep updating me on football and choir.

 

Love,

Elder Blaine Kendell Bushman

Email Policy Change

Hello All!

This is actually Kendell's Mom -

 

As noted by the Mission Secretary below, the email rules have changed and he can receive and send emails from more than just immediate family!   BUT... please be aware (again as noted below) that he has very limited time on the computer, and while I hope many of you write him, mailed letters are still best.

 

Thank you for your love and support of Elder Bushman!  I know he feels and appreciates it, and we do too!

 

Much love,

Elder Bushman's (proud) Mom & Dad

 

-----------------------------

 

The rules over e-mail have changed and Elder Bushman’s e-mail address can be given to friends and family. I would note that he only is allowed 1 hour to e-mail on Mondays so it is difficult for him to respond to everyone. Just so the people you are giving the e-mail address to are aware of his time restrictions, I would hate for anyone to be disappointed. We have actually found that written letters are much better for our missionaries. This gives them something they can read anytime they need a little boost and that can be at anytime. 

Sister Pierce, Secretary

California Riverside Mission

 

 

blaineb@myldsmail.net