It's almost Christmas!

Sent: Monday, December 9, 2013 4:09 PM
Subject: It's almost Christmas!

Hello everyone!!

I got a package with gloves and my jacket. I hope that's the one you are talking about. I loved it! thank you so much. I'm loving the weather out here. It's getting colder but it only gets to the 30s at night and during the day it's around the 50s. I love it! i'm glad you guys are doing well and the Nativity went well. Our Christmas party is this Saturday and should be great! Thank you for your prayers. Let me think about my favorite scripture and I'll let you know.

This week has been interesting. Basically every appointment we had every day this week fell through and we had to find a lot of other people to see. Tuesday we did pick up two investigators for after Christmas. Wednesday we got two more for the next two weeks  as well. Thursday we had a lesson with R and were able to talk with him more. I hope he comes along quickly. Saturday morning we had a lesson with B C, a 70 year old black guy, that really gave us a boost and was great! He was super funny and I can't wait to continue teaching him. that night we went over to Bishop's and discussed our ward list and what we needed to do for each person. then we went to a lesson with C and his mom and they agreed to start taking the lessons! I'm so excited!! Even Pie Night was cancelled that night. This was just one of those weeks. Thankfully it got rescheduled for last night so we got to end our week with Pie Night which was great.

I hope you guys have a great week. I can't wait to hear from you guys again and for Christmas. Let me know if you got my letter. 

Love,

Elder Bushman

Last Week of the 3rd Transfer!! -- oops! apparently I didn't finish posting this! - it is now out of order!

Sent: Monday, November 25, 2013 4:32 PM
Subject: Last Week of the 3rd Transfer!!
 

Helloooooo!!

You have no idea how jealous I am that you got some snow and ice. It's been pretty cold out here lately also but nothing like that. Which reminds me I need those jackets sent to me soon please. I can't believe the other wards cancelled church because of a little ice. Tell Bishop thank you for being so diligent and making sure everyone had the chance to partake of the sacred ordinance of the sacrament. There have been some things that we found out about T and E this last week (that I can't talk about over email) that we need to keep in our prayers. Please pray for them. And J and R as well. They need help as well. But R and J are doing great and we've picked up a couple new investigators this week that I am super excited to work with.

I hope that you and dad are okay. That's a little worrying. I'm keeping you in my prayers. I am soooooooo missing choir and Broadway Revue right now. I miss the practices and concerts so much. I've actually joined the ward choir here to have a little bit of that feeling from Mrs. Edwards and Blackstone's choir. I loved it so much. I'm so glad that they were able to pull it off. Don't worry about the Catching fire movie. My homeshare went to the movie the same time you guys did so I was already thinking about it. I admit I'm pretty jealous. Don't worry it wont distract me anymore. I'm glad you were able to find your SD card and start cleaning the desk. I miss Jessica and Tyson. Say hi to them for me. I'm glad you get to take Kaitlyn to lunch. I know how much she will appreciate that. I know she's excited.

It's going to be so wierd not being home for Thanksgiving. My first real holiday away from home and on my mission. Thankfully it's in an awesome area. I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving day. Know that I am going to miss you and will be thinking of you.

So this last week was another slow week. I've been struggling to work my best and find more investigators. Every now and then it feels like I'm the only one. But our district meetings and PDay's and Pie Night always give me the extra boost I need. I'm so sorry I haven't sent any letters lately. I've been trying to make the time for it. So after we finished emailing last Monday we went to LA Fitness to play raquetball and basketball with Kyle and Jesse. Raquetball turned into "lets see who we can hit with the ball" since I'm the only one that really knows how to play and I ended up with a nice welt on my shoulder. It was definetly worth it though. We went out to eat afterwards. We've been having a problem with investigators cancelling daily on appointments so it's been hard to find things to fill in those spaces in the day were weren't expecting to be there. But hey, that is missionary work. The life of a missionary if hard work but rewarding. I've seen both ends of it already. We had a lesson with the A's everyday as usual and R on Thursday. Please keep the A's in your prayers as well. They've been having a rough time. Dinner on Thursday was with the Freemans and they brought us Wings and Things. It was DELICIOUS! We had the leftovers for lunch the next day. Friday Elder Albright and I were together for exchanges in my area and we picked up this awesome 70 year old black guy that is part of the Free Masons and will talk your ear off for hours if you let him. He was a super funny guy and I'm looking forward to working with him more in the following weeks. It was nice to have a break and be with Allbright that day and talk about whatever. He is the best zone leader. It also rained that day and was super cold. I can tell it's going to be harder to get our contacts soon as the weather changes and less people will be out. Saturday we picked up D as an investigator and Pie Night went great as well. I love Pie night. It's sad to think that next Saturday could be my last one. Sunday no one came to church. Not one of our investigators. So that is my new focus this week. Today has been great so far. We've had some good ball. Bill (Pie night guy) actually came to watch. It was a lot of fun. Later we are going over to the Grossman's to play some pool and ping pong. I finally beat Jesse again the other day!!! It was so great! haha

Well I hope that you guys are doing well. I miss y'all. Stay safe. I can't wait to hear from you again. I love you.

Love from Lake Elsinore, Cali,

Elder Bushman

Another Transfer! Another Month!

Sent: Monday, December 2, 2013 4:30 PM
Subject: Another Transfer! Another Month!

Hello everyone!!!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I missed you all. I hope you are all doing well. I haven't gotten an email from you today yet but hopefully it comes before I get off. Well this week was pretty slow again. Mostly because it was the last week of the transfer and Thanksgiving as well. I don't have my planner with me right now to tell me exactly what we did this week so I'm gonna have to go off memory. Little scary. ;)

But Monday was another good PDay. Kyle Freeman and Chad Holmes came to play ball with us since they didn't have school for the week so that was a lot of fun. Tuesday was another district meeting. which is always good. It's nice to spend time with the other missionaries in the zone. Lunch that day was a blast! All the Elders went to Wendy's and just had a great time! We were laughing the whole time as we got to enjoy some man to man talk. It was great! We've had a couple lessons flake out on us like usual. Nothing to different. Thanksgiving was amazing! The only thing we had to do that day was to get our 20 contacts, so that morning at 7 we got dressed went to get our contacts and then for the rest of the day including dinners we were able to were normal clothes. You have no idea how nice it was to spend all day in my jeans and boots. I felt amazing! I even slept in my jeans that night because I missed them so much. We went to the A's and hung out with them for a few hours. They taught us how to play dominoes and it's intense. We basically have to play at least once every time we go over now. I love it! After the A's we went to the S's (recent converts of one year from the Ortega ward) for our first dinner. They fed all the elders in our zone. It was super good. Turkey and steak! As soon as we left that dinner stuffed we remembered we had another dinner appointment in our area at the Cranes. Turkey and Fish. It was super good but I was so full and exhausted I didn't want to do anything the rest of the day but just sit on the couch back home and sleep. It was an awesome Thanksgiving! Friday we met with the G family. They are a part member family and after our meeting with them they agreed to take the lessons so we are super stoked to teach them! Saturday was the day that I have dreaded all transfer long. Transfer calls. I really really did not want to have to leave this area. I love the people here and there is so much work that is about to happen. We did a ton of service Saturday as we anxiously waited for the call to come. It wasn't until after another awesome night at Bill's Pie Night that we finally got the call at 10:30 that night. Elder Kelley and I are both staying for at least one more transfer!! I am so excited to spend Christmas and New Years here!!! It's going to be amazing!!! Sunday was another good day with the ward. and now today we are getting the couple new elders in the area within the next couple hours and I'm stoked. It's going to be a great transfer!

So Saturday night once we found out that we're both staying, Elder Kelley and I decided that we are going to change up our missionary work a lot. And work our hardest to succeed. A few months ago our Stake President told us at ward council that there are 20 people waiting and ready to be baptized by the end of the year. So far we've only had three (B, L, and T). So Kelley and I decided that we are going to make a miracle happen and get the rest of the 17 baptisms this month before New Years. I know how crazy that sounds, but I also know that President Wilson knew what he was saying and was led by the Spirit to do so which means that it is possible. We will be doing a lot of hard work, fasting, and praying to make this happen. Please keep us in your prayers this month so that we can make this miracle happen. I know that with God anything is possible. I am so excited to help make the work of the Lord roll forward. 

I hope to hear from you soon. I also hope youre doing okay. I miss and love you. Be safe and have a wonderful week. 

Love,

Elder Bushman

Time Change

Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: Hello from Texas

Hello everyone!!

 

It's been a weird week for me too. But at the same time it's been amazing! The time change is messing with me so much. It's tough for a missionary to try and talk to people when they all feel like it's time to go to bed by 6 o clock and they don't want to talk to anyone. That's cool that you have the Bodily's living at the house right now. I'm sorry that you are feeling bad. I'll definitely keep you in my prayers. I hope you get feeling better soon. I wish I could go to Texas Roadhouse so bad. There is one here but it's just outside of my area so I can't. I've also been craving whataburger a lot lately. Hope your fall party is a blast. They always are.  If I think of anything else I need I will let you know. As of right now I think I'm good. The weather has been amazing this past week. It's been in the low 80's with a great breeze all day. Can you believe that I've been out for three and a half months already!?!? That is so CRAZY.

 

Well this week has been interesting. Monday was a good PDay. we've been meeting with the A's everyday. The problem is that T and E haven't been showing up for the lessons or church for the past two weeks and I'm getting worried that there are going to be some things that hold E back from getting baptized this Saturday. Hopefully we can get a hold of him tomorrow. Please keep them in your prayers. We need it. a lot. Tuesday we had a good district meeting. I got to train again and I trained on helping people make and keep commitments. It was good for me because I need help on that particular topic when teaching my investigators. It all comes from truly understanding the Atonement of Christ and loving the people you are teaching like Christ does. Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder T from the Ortega Ward. He is my district leader right now. It was a slow day up until about 2 when we finally got into Brother Hill's house for a lesson and then everyone started opening their doors for us. We had a great lesson about the Plan of Salvation with Brother Hill's nephew R that day. He is a really cool guy and I am excited to be able to work with him. That night Kyle Freeman and his brothers took us out to Chiles for dinner. It was great! We got some awesome pictures in a little old cop car outside the restaurant which I will be sending soon. Thursday we did some service for L and one of her friends and then we got a call that we had to turn in our truck. We now have a 2013 Ford Fusion with about 6,000 miles. I was a little sad at first but now I really like our car. It's pretty sick. Friday was the best day of the week. We got to go to the temple!!! It was probably the best session I have been to so far. Our bishop went with us and it was super cool to be able to share ideas and questions with each other in the Celestial room. I love the temple. I love the peace that is inside. The Spirit is so strong there. Saturday was a slow day for me. I was just exhausted all day, more than I usually am. After another great pie night I went to bed as soon as we got home. I think I'm going to be trying to get some more sleep in. Sunday R came to church which was awesome! He seemed to like it. We haven't been able to talk with him since but we are planning on it tomorrow. I also sang in sacrament on Sunday with Brother Grossman playing the piano for a really cool arrangement of I Stand All Amazed. It is a beautiful song. I love the power and spirit that music can bring. 

 

Well that is all for this week. Hopefully I will have something crazy happen this week for me to tell you about. Please pray for the area and our investigators. Say hi to everyone for me. I miss you and love you. I can't wait to hear from you again. 

Love,

Elder Bushman

Oops - A late post again. Sorry Everyone . . . Elder B's Mom

Monday, November 4, 2013 5:04 PM

Hey everyone!!!

 

I can't believe it is already November! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then it's Christmas!! I'm glad Chanler is still wanting to do what is right on Sundays. Sounds like I did more for Halloween than you guys did. I'll try and get a picture to you. But it sounds like it was a lot of fun. The new theatre sounds like a blast. I miss choir a lot. I'm actually working on another song for this Sunday for sacrament. I'm glad you are going out with the missionaries. They need members a lot more than you realize. And I'm glad seminary is turning out well. Sounds like an awesome week!

 

So this week has been super slow. Monday was awesome! we moved in with the Freeman's and it's the best! I absolutely love it there. This is probably going to be a short email because nothing really happened. Wednesday we committed Z and C to live the word of wisdom which was awesome! They basically told themselves that they needed to and they've already been working on quitting. We were planning on teaching the Plan of Salvation that lesson but the Spirit lead us in the middle of it to the word of wisdom and now I know why. The Spirit is so powerful. B and L are thinking about moving and have even thought about going out of state and I keep telling them Texas is the best place for them. They've actually been thinking about it. I would love it if they moved to Texas! That would be so awesome! We taught J again on Thursday but he didn't go to church so we are going to have to move back his baptism date again. We did have K (the priest that we live with) come for that lesson which was really good. Thursday was Halloween and I had a sweet costume that the Freeman's gave me. Saturday we saw the Roadshow that our stake puts on every couple years that was all about missionary work. Then pie night was awesome as usual!

 

Well that is about it. Nothing too crazy. Oh I passed out on the couch downstairs last night and woke up around 2 am and sister Freeman had put a blanket on me. I absolutely love this family. They are so amazing. Well I can't wait to hear from you again. Hope you have a great week. 

 

Love,

Elder Bushman

Sorry about the late post - watch for another one tomorrow!!

Sent: Monday, October 28, 2013 2:55 PM
Subject: Re: Dallas or Bust!

Hello Everyone!!!

It was great to hear from you! I'm so glad that you got to go to Dallas and see Taylor before he leaves. Send me his email address please so that I can stay in contact with him. I'm so excited for him! I miss everyone. The dance sounds like fun. It brings me back to the tooth fairy costume. I'm so glad you got to go to Kaitlyn's concert. Thank you so much for the pictures. J is doing good. My feet are getting tired but nothing too bad. Actually haven't gotten as many blisters as I thought I would. 

So my new companion, Elder Kelley, is pretty chill. He is from Atlanta, Georgia and has been out for about 7 and a half months. I'm having to show him the ropes around the area since his last couple areas have been somewhat lacking and I'm going to be doing a lot of teaching. I'm excited though. It should be a great transfer. Monday we had a great lesson with J and he is doing great. Tuesday we had 5 lessons and I introduced Elder Kelley to the Alvarez's! That was fun. haha E is doing great! (T's boyfriend) We taught him the Word of Wisdom and he is getting super close to being ready for baptism. After the lesson he asked for a blessing to help him stop smoking and drinking. We are getting closer with C. Wednesday we had dinner with him and his mom and we talked a little about baptism and it was a good step for him. Wednesday we also talked with T and she said that that night she talked with E for a long time and they want to get married after he is baptized and then he told her that he wants to be sealed to her in the temple!! They've been looking at rings and dresses! We are SO STOKED!!! We also taught Brother A (Scottish man) and his daughter and she is now an investigator and taking the lessons from us! Friday we got to go to the Ward Trunk or Treat! It was awesome! we met a lot of non members and hope to be able to teach some of them soon. Saturday was super slow and we have been walking everywhere so that we can save on miles for the car. Pie night was interesting since it was a bunch of new elders there. Oh! We got a call from the housing coordinators and we are moving to a new homeshare more central to our area with an awesome family later today.! I'm so excited to live at the Fr's! Sunday was good until about 5:30 and then it got amazing. We had a lesson with the H's and their two friends that they had brought to the Trunk or Treat and they agreed to be baptized at the end of November! We are so excited. Z and C are awesome people. Please keep them and all our other investigators in your prayers. That all happened after a day of fasting which really built my testimony. I'm so excited for this week. It's gong to be great!

I can't wait to hear from you guys again. Have a great week! Miss and love you all.

Love,

Elder Bushman

(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