Christmas Conference Pictures!

There are 130 something Missionaries!

Photo da Conferencia de Natal

Yesterday, we had lunch at the Bishop's house
(He is the one in the white shirt)

Merry Christmas!

Mom,
Well that was one of my favorite Christmases yet. Well I am not sure what DVDs the lady wants. She just said whatever would be fine. I tried asking her to be specific but just said any church dvd´s. Sorry not much help. Well that is good that everyone had fun. Yes I can’t wait until the Mothers Day call. That is good that everyone is doing good back at home and on the missions. Well I hope that I stay and get a new comp. My comp is tired of the area so he wants to get transferred. Well we will see what happens. Well have a good one and if you need anything just let me know. I love you and thanks for everything.
Elder Shelley

An Awesome Experience...

Mom,
Well this week was fast and slow. We had a few divisions this week so I was not in the house for a long time. I did go on a division with the LZ´s and had a cool experience. Well we went to visit the Recent Convert. We got there and he said he did not want to go to church anymore because his mom is not going. We bore our testimonies about the importance of going to church. The spirit was so strong. Well Elder Novaes asked if he knew the Book of Mormon is true. The RC said that yes I guess. Well Elder Novaes said to go and pray right then and ask God if the Book was true. Well the RC came back and said that when he started to pray words came into his mind and said that the book is true. The spirit was so strong. IT was an awesome experience. Well I am excited to see all the missionaries tomorrow. Well I will definitely take a picture of Flat Stanley and I will write to Cade. Tell them I am so sorry but I really have not had much time lately, things are just busy and also I was not in my house for a good part of the week.

Well Christmas call is Saturday. I am thinking about having you guys call at 8 Utah, 1 here like last time. I will probably call Friday night and confirm with you guys. I am so excited to talk with you guys. Well yesterday the choir sang in Sacrament Meeting. Me and my comp were in the choir. There were many practices and we were the only men. If you thought Sis. Eccles was bad, hey here was worse, they wanted me so sing alone, I did not. Well there were 4 men that sang yesterday. Well things are going well. Have a good week and I will talk to you on Friday.

(A counselor in the Bishopric asked we write to Greg and ask him what he likes about being a missionary—this was his response) Just that I love being about the share what I know with everyone. Everyday my testimony grows. I love giving the First Vision because the spirit is so strong. I have had small lessons that the spirit is just so strong. It is really important to have the Ward members help in Missionary work especially with Recent Converts. I have seen the consequences that happen when the members don’t help. It is really sad, I have seen many RC fall away because their only friends were the Elders and they got transferred. I have gained a testimony on having members help in Missionary Work. Tell the YOUNG MEN GO ON A MISSION IT IS THE BEST THING EVER!!!!!! I love just bearing my testimony to people, it helps strengthen my testimony and helps others.
I hope this helps.
Elder Shelley

15 Months Out!

Mom,
Well there are times here that we forget stuff too. Also things are really busy. We have to think about many things, like numbers, visiting less actives, members, activities we are going, meetings that we have, Investigators, other missionaries in our zone. Things are busy here.

Well this last week I had a couple divisions. I stayed in my area and worked. We found many people that would be good to teach. I am really excited. I really want to stay at least one more transfer here. I know it will be 4 but I really want to stay here. Well as far as the activity goes. There were 4 people that showed up and me and my comp. Well one of the members brought 2 names so it worked. I just hope that this activity will work out. I get to go fishing in a little bit. I am really excited.

Tell everyone I send them a big hug. Well I can’t wait to talk with you guys on the 25th. We are still trying to find a place to call, I will let you guys know when we are sure. I can’t believe that I only have 9 months left. Time is just flying by so fast. Well I hit a year and 3 on the 16th. Well Thanks for all that you do for me. If you need anything just let me know. I love you mom.
Elder Shelley

Can you send snow to Brazil?! It is HOT here!!

Mom,
Well can I tell you that I really want snow?! I am so sick of the heat. That is cool that everyone enjoyed the Nativity thing and it is good that Matt had a good time with Jess. I hope that things will go well with Juli. I really feel bad that I am not sending a present for her, but there is nothing really cool to buy. Well I will just make it up when I get back. I am sure grateful for the packages you guys send. I really love the candy. Well the 21 we will have a conference with the whole mission. I am really excited. Things are going okay. This week we had a few days that we wasted some time because the slacker elder wanted to do some stuff. Well I sat my comp down after and talked with him. It was good I just hope that we can just be able to teach people.

Well last night a cat went through our garbage and spread it everywhere. Well to make it worse it rained. I wanted to skin it. Oh well. Saturday we will be doing an activity that each member will bring the address and name of a friend. Then they will trade with someone else. Then they will make a visit and leave a Book of Mormon with them. They will also set up another appointment for the friend to come back with the missionaries. I really hope that it works. I will remember Jani in my prayers. Well it sounds like you guys are doing good. Well in 12 days I will be 20 and 1/2 and Juli will be 12, wow I still remember when I was 12. If you need anything just let me know. I don’t think I am sending a package this time for you guys, sorry I feel bad, but there is nothing here that is cool. Well have a good week, I love you and hope things go well.
Elder Shelley

King of the Chocolate Bar!

Oi,
Tell Grandpa and Grandma thanks. Well this week was okay. Hey I received a letter from Cade and it talks about Flat Stanley. I have no clue what to do, if you have any suggestions that would be great. We cleaned the church this last week. That was fun. I had the job to fill some buckets full of water. Well I decided to play a joke on my comp. Well I had an empty bucket and my comp was cleaning the bathroom. I decided to run in and act like I was going to dump it on him. It made him jump really big, it was funny.

I am really hoping that we can get people to teach here in Santa Felicia. Please could you include that in your prayers that we can find people in our area. I did not have to teach in Sacrament Meeting. Well we are teaching a family in Ibaté. The mom and son are not members. The Daughter and daughter-in-law are less active and the brother is a returned missionary from this mission.

Well that is good that you had a good time at Mike’s. Well nothing really new this week. Oh Friday they had a Church Activity. Only 11 people showed up. They had a question answer thing which was fun. Then they had a game that had to do with chocolate. You have 4 people in a circle and each has a knife and fork and there is a chocolate bar in the middle. Well you roll a die and you pick a number if the die lands on that number you go and open the chocolate bar and start eating. Then everyone else rolls the die and if it lands on that number then the other person eats. Well guess who won, ME!!!!!!!!!! It was a good activity.

WOW everyone is having a baby soon. It is like having a baby boom. Tell them congrats. I will probably be here for Christmas. The next transfer is the 3rd of January. I don’t know because I received an email that shows how much money we have in the account for the church and I have like 130 Reis and I don’t know why. Well things are going here. It is really hot, but good. I am still not sure when I want to come home. Well have a good one. I am not sure about sending you guys presents because there really is nothing and things are really expensive. I hope that that is okay. Well if you need anything just let me know.
Elder Shelley

Still in Sao Carlos

Mom,
Well I am still here in Sao Carlos and I am still with Menezes. I am not really excited, but what can you do? Well this week I have been with another missionary because his comp really hates him and so he called president and asked for a division. It is okay but now that Elder hates me too. The reason is that the assistants called and asked if this Elder had a cell phone chip. I told them the honest truth and said yes he did, and thus this one elder hates me too. It is really going to be an interesting transfer. Well, we will just see how things play out.

Well Thursday me and Elder Rich had a really good day. Well, we did not really have anything planned out so we just walked and made contacts. Well he made a contact with this older lady. We found out that her brother died and she thought that God was punishing her because her brother died. He taught a few quick lessons. And here is the cool part, well then towards the end this guy on a motor scooter asked if we teach the word and I said yes we do. Well he said his mother in law has cancer and he wanted us to teach her. So we went right to this place. Well I forgot to ask the guys name and so this guy answered the door and we told him that his son in law said for us to come here, well it was a little awkward. Then they let us come in. Well my comp Elder Rich asked if we could give her a blessing. Well I have the blessing. Then we asked if we could share our message. They said yes. Well there were 3 people when we started and then at the end we had 9 people just listening to us. It was really good. The spirit was so strong and it was just what both of us needed.

That is about what is new and cool. Well thanks for the info about college. I will pray and still find out what to do about school. Well things are still going here. I really hope that this will go well. Well have a good week and Happy THANKSGIVING. Well there is an Elder that is coming that I am really good friends with him, so I am excited. I know that this transfer will be a struggle but it will work out. I love you and thanks for all that you do for me. As for Trek I don’t know what I would do if I were you. I can see your concern with the kids and leaving them home. I would just consider praying again and ask for a specific thing. I will pray for you guys too. Well I hope that the IEP for Matt goes well. Well have a good week.

Elder Shelley

14 Months!!

November 15, 2010
Dad,
Well how are you doing? My week was really slow, we did not get much done. Did you ever have those types of weeks? Well my week was okay. I am excited that it is the last week before transfers. I kind of hope that I stay but we will see. Well I hope that work is doing good. Thanks for all that you do for me. Oh I shared the cinnamon Devils with my comp and it about killed him. He thought it was really spicy, it made me laugh. Well I hope you have a good week. Wednesday we will have Zone Conference. Well have a good one and if you need any thing just let me know.
Elder Shelley

Mom,
Well I hope you guys can get stuff worked out for Matt. I really don’t see anything good with ATEC of whereever he is now. Well I will remember this in my prayers. Yes I agree that Jani should not drive during these snowy times. The students there do not know how to drive. I have almost got hit many times. I think it will be safer for her and plus the bus is not bad either. That is too bad about Juli and the contest, that is funny that she spent so much time on the painting and so little on the poem and she won for the poem. That is funny about Spencer wanting a football. Well that is cool for Jan and Scott. Tell them congrats. That will be awesome for Cami to be done in February. I will definitely remember her in my prayers. Oh yesterday we had the Primary Program here in our Ward. It was funny because the Primary President is the bishop’s wife and she asked me and my comp to sing with them the song I hope they call me on a mission. Well they ran out of time so we did not have to sing. The funny part was there was a girl that did a solo and the president pushed the microphone down but the girl pushed it out of the way, it was really funny. Well I am excited that this is the last week of this transfer. I hope that I stay but I think I will be transferred. Well we will find out. I just hope I get a good comp that will want to work and not be a slacker. Well tomorrow I hit 1 year and 2 months. I can’t wait to get home and share all my experiences that I am having. Well I hope that things go well for you this week. I love you and thanks for all that you do for me.

Hey I forgot to tell you guys that I almost had to give a talk yesterday. We showed up in Ibaté and the ward that was supposed to be there was not there. Well my comp said to prepare a talk because we are going to have a meeting anyways. So I prepared a talk with scriptures about the Atonement. Well before it started our Ward Mission Leader came over to us and asked if my comp would be able speak for a few minutes, I was glad that he did not pick me.

Here we are working with the ward list of member active and less active. It is going okay, but not great. Well we went on a division with some young men in the ward and found a few people to teach here in Santa Felicia. Well keep praying that this area will be able to find people to teach and be willing to accept our message. We are trying our hardest but things just keep falling and my comp also likes to waste time at members houses, this bugs me and I have talked with him about it. I love visiting the members, but they don’t care about our time and I just hate wasting time. I am here to share the Gospel not to sit on my butt and do nothing. Well that is just the culture here, not to be rude but that is true.

Well I am so grateful that you guys have taught me to work hard and do my best. It is funny because I was talking with Elder Rich ( He the other LD) yesterday and he said that the Brazilians like Americans because we know how to work. I am just so grateful for everything that you guys have taught me. I know that I was a pain about doing work, but now I realize the blessings about work.

Oh I was also talking with Elder Rich yesterday and he was talking about a family business they have. It is down at Jacobs Lake. He told me that I would love to work there. So I am wondering if you guys have time to research more about this place. If you could that would be great. He said that it would be fun and that I would love it there. He said it pays pretty good too.

Well thanks for everything that you both have done for me. I love being a missionary. I have mixed feelings right now. I want to mission to fly by so I can come home and tell all about my adventures and experiences. And at the same time I don’t want it to fly by because I just love being a missionary and sharing my testimony with everyone about the True Gospel on the Face of the Earth. My testimony about everything has grown tremendously since I have been here for a Year and 2 months. I still can’t believe that I only have like 10 months left. Well have a good week and be safe. If you need anything just let me know. Hey thanks for the packages, I love the candy. Thanks for everything. Um grande abraço, amo voces muito.

Oh, I think that I will be coming home the first part of September, like the 7th. President said that we can come home early but it is for school. I have to let him know 5 months before I go home. I am not positive yet. When do I have to let you know? What would you guys think? I was thinking about coming home and work a little to get money and spend some time with you guys. If I did decide to go home early it would be like the 27 of Julyish. Well just let me know what you guys think. Love you and have a good day. AND PARTY ON DUDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Shelley

Pictures!

Sao Carlos at Dusk


Boy, did we get surprised with a storm!

Confirmed My First Person Sunday...

Mom,
Well this week was okay. I confirmed my first person yesterday so that is cool and exciting. Other then that it is just hot and hotter. Yep that is exactly how I feel about Sundays. That is too bad about Bro Merkley. Thanks for letting me know, hey and tell him I say hi. Me too, I wish that there could be something better for Matt. Yesterday since it was fast Sunday, I fasted so that you guys could find the best for Matt. I have been thinking about that quite a bit this past week. I just want the best for him and I just hope that things and the IEP will go well.

I will try and look for something for you guys for Christmas, I will probably wait to send it until after the 22 because of transfers. I am probably going to be transferred and turn senior or LD, I don't know what Presidente will decide. I am not sure, if not LD then Senior, either way I will be turning senior. I am excited and scared at the same time, so please include this part in your prayers. Just load the package with candy. Just put in what ever you want.

I hope that there are no Beehives with bloody noses either, LOL. Well that is funny with Juli and hunters safety. Well I just can’t wait until September. Oh, I have until April to decide what I am going to do about going home. If I go home a transfer early it will be July 26ish, or if I stay it will be about Sept. 7ish what ever the Wednesday is. I don’t know what to do yet. Right now I think stay until Sept.

Well things are going good. My comp is in Ribeirao for the next few days. There is a seminary for all LD´s and LZ´s. He will get back on Thursday night. So I will be with another Elder. I hope things go well. If you need anything just let me know. I love you and thanks for all that you do.

Elder Shelley

It is Hot and Hotter

Rich, Menezes, Medoca, Lopes, Nolte and me eating Popcicles
Did I tell you it is getting Hot?!

This is the first time I have been on it and there is a minimum you have to do. Thought you'd like to see it.

These are the 3 girls we baptized. (I baptized the one 3 from me)

Toucan out of a cage. A couple flew by me. It was really cool.

Dad,
Well how are you? I am doing just fine. Hey well this week was ok, but dragged on forever. Did you ever have those days? Well did you have a good Halloween? They don’t really celebrate it down here. Well I can’t wait for when I get home and will be able to see seasons change. Here it is just hot and hotter. It also rains but then gets really hot again. Well mom said that you are probably might go hunting with Paul, well have a good time and tell them hi for me. Well have a good one and if you need anything just let me know. Saturday it rained almost the entire day. I got soaked. Well that is one thing that I am learning everyday is patience. Well at least today is P-Day. We had two baptisms fall on Saturday. They said that they want more time and I think that they are having trouble with Law of Chastity. We will see what happens this week. We did play basketball this morning, that was fun but I really stink. I miss playing with a net too. Well have you sent a package recently? If so when? Well nothing really has happened this week besides the same old. Me and my comp are doing well. We did have a barbeque at a member’s house yesterday for lunch, that was really good. Well can I tell you that I miss cold weather. I love you and thanks for all that you do. I hope that your week goes well.

Elder Shelley

3 Baptisms!

October 25, 2010
Mom,
Yesterday was Stake Conference here. It was really good. The stake president said that all the talks were what the person wanted, the theme was open. Well it ended up that many of the talks talked about missionary work. Our mission president and sister talked also. It was a very good meeting. Well things are going well. We did have our baptisms, it was a really good experience.

Well I hope that they also send TJ out and give him a boot in the pants. Well that is what I have noticed about the missionaries too. There are some that are like dad and just dig in and do it and do a good job, and there are others that are really slackers. Well things are going good with my comp. We are teaching and doing well.

Dang now I can’t make faces at Juli anymore, oh well. That is funny and I was excited when I did my last Primary Program. Well hopefully things will go better this week. Yep I really do miss snow. I even miss rain too, but it stinks when it rains because after it gets really hot. That is one thing that I miss especially when it is really hot. Well thanks for all that you do for me. Well things are going good. Time is just flying by so fast now. It seems like yesterday that I emailed you guys. I really like this stake. We had a good meeting with the Stake President. Well there is one problem with the area that I am in. The members just don’t want to help the missionaries. It is hard to do lessons with members. We tried having people sign up and that failed. Well we talked with the stake president. Well I really hope that this area closes soon so that the members can get a little boot in the pants and “Wise up”. Well president said that by the end of the year he will have to close 12 areas. I also heard that each stake in Brazil needs to receive 5 missionaries, if not some of the missions are going to shut down. There is a big shortage. And our mission is not doing very well right now. I hope that they can get the missionaries that they need because I would hate for the missions to close. I don't want to think about that but all over there is a missing of missionaries.
Well I love you and thanks for all that you do for me. Well have a good week.
Um grande abraço mãe.

Elder Shelley

Still in São Carlos!

(We were slackers and didn't get a letter posted last week because we were out of town. Here is most recent letter and then a little note he sent last week.)

Mom,
Well this week was okay. Well it is hard because the members really don’t want to help the missionaries. When we need their help they just give excuses. It is kind of disappointing. Oh well. We will have 3 baptisms on Wednesday. I am hoping it will be good. They are 3 girls we are teaching Bruna, Cliesa, and Lilia.

Well yesterday morning my comp laughed and said we are going to speak in sacrament meeting. Well I thought he was joking. Well we got there and right before the sacrament the 1st counselor called my comp up and said that we both had 5 minutes to speak. Well I got really nervous because I had nothing prepared. Well I spoke on D&C 18:43 about keeping the commandments. Well it went well. Then after we went to Ibaté(a small city outside of São Carlos) and had a small sacrament meeting and Gospel Principles class. Well the bishop of the 1st ward in Sao Carlos said that he was missing speakers. Well yep you guessed it he called on us again right on the spot. Well this one I was not as nervous because I found a scripture on 3 Nephi 12:16 when it talks about letting you light shine before men, something like that. Well then it was over and I felt better.

Well it was funny this last week I saw a guy that looked exactly like Frank on Everybody loves Raymond. And I saw a guy that looked like Kevin from the Backstreet Boys. It is funny looking at people and seeing look a likes down here.

Hey I have a question. I have about 40 ish pages left in my journal and then it will be filled. Should I just use a notebook down here or have you send me a journal in a package? If you send me a journal could you make sure it is the hard back and not with the clip things like I have. There is no more room for paper.

Well I have made a year and a month on the mish. Well time is flying by. I can’t wait to get home and tell you guys all about my adventures and experiences. Well hope you have a good week. I love you and thanks for everything. That is too bad about Matt and the free throw contest. Well maybe the next cruise. Well I love you and if you need anything just let me know. Oh and have the kids start thinking about things they want for Christmas so I can start looking.

Um Grande Abraço e Beijo
Elder Shelley

October 11, 2010
Mom,
I am still here. I did not turn senior yet. Well things are going good. I am excited to stay. Well I hope that things go well with Jani. Well that is funny about Juli getting into the Harry Potter books. Well I hope that you guys have a good trip.

Well I hope that things go well with dad in DC next week. Well I hope the best for Matt. To be totally honest I really don’t see any value in ATEC, to me it is a waste of time. Well I hope that you guys will come across something for him. Well nothing really has happened this week. Well yesterday 2 baptisms fell, oh well what can you do. Well I am excited because on of the sisters that my comp talks on the phone with is going home! Well there are still sisters and the one that is coming, he really likes too, so I hope it goes well. If he does what he did this last transfer I will tell Pres. Well have a good week.

Well nothing really is new. I am just doing my best. I can’t believe that here in 11 months I will be home, wow time is flying by. Well I love you and thanks for everything.

Elder Shelley

Conference was Awesome!

Mom,
Well this week was kind of a bummer. Almost all of our appointments fell and it was really tough. Well Conference was awesome. I really loved President Monson’s about Gratitude also. I really liked Elder Uchtdorf’s talk yesterday. I loved Elder Eyrings yesterday. I really liked all the talks. I was able to watch the sessions in English. There was a room for English. Well that is funny about Cade, he really talking really well.

Well that is good that Dad got a buck. That is a true beauty. I can’t wait until next year. It sounds like Trek will be busy. Well I was not able to go to the Priesthood Session. We had appointments Saturday night, they had a retransmission Sunday morning, but the bus took forever and it was too late. I was really disappointed. I am listening to it right now as I am emailing.

We had interviews with President this past week. I think that I am going to turn Senior. He kind of hinted to me. Well whatever happens I will do my best. President said to just learn to be a leader, just keep doing the best that you are doing. I really love this President. He asked me if I had to turn Senior tomorrow if I would be able to do it, I told him I think so. I will accept what ever he wants me to do. Well I hope you guys have a good week and good time in Mexico. Well I wish I could be there but you know I love it down here too.

Thanks Dad for the advice. I will do the best that I can. Well something funny happened this past week. I had a dream that I finished my mission and I was telling you guys about my stories. Well I had a hard time not saying the things in Portugese. It made me laugh that I had a hard time explaining in English. I have had some dream recently in Portugese. Well have a good one at work. I love you and thanks for all you do for me.

I just love Conference. I love the spirit that is felt. I love hearing the words of the prophet and the apostles. Well I hope you guys have a good week. Well hopefully you guys have a good safe week and good trip.

Hey I just got done listening to the Priesthood Session on the computer, it is really good. When you guys have time I encourage you guys to listen or watch it. I really liked Nelson, Uchtdorf’s, Eyring’s and Monson’s talks especially. They all were really good, but these I really liked them. I love conference so much. It is such a blessing that we have to be able to hear the words and especially hear the voices and expressions of the Apostles. Well have a good week and I love you and thanks for all that you do for me.
Um grande abraço.
Elder Shelley

Pictures from Zone Conference

Pirassununga
I am in the back and my comp is just right below me.

Tug of War

Who won?! Greg is in the back--
we found him because of his tongue

Baptism This Week!

Hey,
Well things are going well. There are still some things with the language that I have a hard time with, but for the most part it is good. We did have a baptism on Saturday. His name is Fransisco of Ibaté(a small city outside of São Carlos). Well that was good. Well we did not get home until 10:45 because there were 2 baptisms and it took a long time. Well I could not fall asleep until 12 and had to get up early to go to another ward because there was an open house. Well at 5 I woke up to a huge rain storm and dogs barking. I could not get back to sleep, oh well. Well yesterday it rained all day.

We are teaching a family of 9 (Mom dad, and 6 girls) Well it is going, they finally read the Book of Mormon. Well we are concerned about the dad because he said he did not join the Congregation church because they did not accept baptisms from other churches. Well it was a miracle he and his wife and 1 daughter came to the baptism on Saturday. It was really good to see them. We are helping them gain testimonies and hopefully they will be baptized and stay firm. Well have a good week and I love you so much. If you need anything just let me know. Oh and Wed. we have interviews with president.

Well things are going well. Well this last week I ate cow liver. It was really gross. Well I think I know Sis. Jolley, if it is the one that leads music. Well I hope that things will go well with the changes. Well that is good that you guys talked with the people about Matt. I don’t know what you guys can do. Well just keep praying and fasting and all things will work out. Well I am excited that Saturday and Sunday is Conference. I am really excited, it does not seem like 6 months have almost gone by. Wow time is flying by. I love you and thanks for all that you do. Take care.
Elder Shelley

Hump Day Pictures!!

Hump Day Celebration

Me and Elder Jeppson on our Hump Day

My Companion, Elder Menezes

I know it doesn't look that cool--forgot about polyester--
But what can you do!


It's not Sid...but it will have to do--bird I met at lunch

Um Ano Da Missão

MOM,
Well that is good that Matt was safe. I really worried about him this last week with ATEC. I don’t know why but I really worry about what they are having him do. I just want him to be safe and protected, well that is good that he is doing better, please keep him safe.

Well on HUMP Day when I hit a year. We went and had pizza with the sisters, it was Me, Menezes(my comp), Jeppson, Liljenquist, Sister Sousa and Lobato. It was really good. Then that night me and Jeppson burned our shirts. Well mine was pretty funny. Well a while ago I received a shirt that was really light, I liked it so one of the missionaries gave it to me. I thought that since it was light and had a hole in it, it would be perfect to burn. Well it ended up melting the shirt because it was made out of plastic. I was kind of upset because I was expecting a cool big fire thing, but that was not what happened, oh well. I had a great time celebrating with all the other missionaries. I have it all on tape it is pretty funny. I look at it after and it is funny, but in the moment it was not.

Well we just finished playing basketball. I really stunk it up but I had a good time. Well we had zone conference this last week also. President is really changing the mission and some rules, but it is going good.

Well it sounds like you guys had a good week. Well have a good one and keep safe. Oh this week I studied in 2 Timothy 4:7. It is small but really powerful. I really liked this.

Well we are starting to find some people to teach. Me and my comp are having to work in 3 areas-Ala 1, Ala 5 and Ibaté. It is kind of stressful but we are starting to do it. Well it is still hot, but the last few days we have had a wind at night that is a little cold.

Well have a good week. I love you and thanks for all that you do to help me. Well take care.

Elder Shelley

Hump Day This Week!!

Mom,
Well that is good that Busico is doing better. I really miss being with him. I hope that I helped him enough. Well how was the car show, was it good or so-so? Yep they cook with a lot of oil down here, practically everything is deep fried. My body can’t handle all the grease anymore. Well at the beginning of the mission my metabolism was really good and my body would digest the food fast. But here on the mission my metabolism has changed because my body is used to taking a longer time to break down the food. I really can’t eat a lot of food anymore. I can make 2 plates full, but that is it. It is starting to annoy the sisters but I really don’t care. I am trying to eat healthier. It is just really greasy foods down here. I really like Salgados, but they are really greasy.

I hope that things will go well for dad. Hey I still have the brown spots on my white shirts, I don’t know how to get rid of them, if you have any more suggestions let me know. Well Wednesday we have Zone Conference. I hope that it will be good. Well I finally got an email from Freddie. He is doing well, but very busy.

Well it is really hot but good. Last week my comp went to Ribeirao for a training. It was Tuesday-Friday. I worked in another area. It was hard because people we just not home. It was just a really weird week. Well this week will hopefully be better. Well I hope you guys have a good day and week. I love you and if you need anything just let me know.
Elder Shelley

Dad,
Well how are things going at work? Mom said that they are thinking of moving the office down to American Fork, I hope that happens. Well it sounds like you guys had a pretty crazy week. Well on Wednesday we have zone conference. Well how was the car show this year? Well this week was okay, my comp went to Ribeirao for 4 days for a training for the district and zone leaders. I worked in another area but it was hard because there was almost no one at home. It was a tough week. Well this next one should be better. Well have a good one. Well that is funny that Jani liked the Corvettes. I really miss seeing cool cars. Well did you like the Salgados? Well I can’t believe that in three days I will hit HUMP DAY. There are 2 other elders in my group in the area so I am really excited to celebrate with them. Man time is sure flying by. Well I got an email from Busico and it sounds like he is doing better. I really miss being with him, but I am glad that he will get really good treatment.

Well there was a funny experience that happened on Saturday. Our lunch fell so we ate at a restaurant that a member owns. Well we went to the sisters’ area to do interviews. Then it was night time and we waited for the bus, and the sisters asked me how I would propose to a girl to marry me, man was that awkward. Then we got the bus and went home. When we got home, my comp left the keys at the member’s house, so we had to jump over this wall and open the windows to get into the house, it was pretty funny. This was the first time I have had to do that.
Elder Shelley

Brownies instead of Basketball?!

Hey
Well we are not playing basketball because the sisters bailed on us. They decided to make brownies at this lady's house so that is what we are going to do. They are the ones that have a court and a ball so what do you do. I am really mad at the sisters right now because I was looking forward to it because I have not played basketball for like 9 months. Well things are going good. I am really liking my comp Elder Menezes. He is really cool. Well nothing really has happened this week. That is too bad about dad having to work. Well I hope that you guys have a good week and a good labor day.

We are not teaching much right now because the other Elders that were here worked in a small town, but since they don’t have a branch there the area 70 said that we are not allowed to go there. All of the addresses were from there. The city is called Ibate. Well we have done a few contacts but nothing really good. We are going to work quite a bit with the members. The brownies better taste good because my basketball time got cancelled because of the sisters. I am really mad at them, you know. Well Elder Jeppson from my group is a District Leader so I will be with his comp for 4 days and I am really excited. Elder Jeppson and my comp are going to Ribierao for 4 days for a training.

Hey here is Cida's address. If you would not mind sometime could you send her a small package that has M&Ms in it, I will pay for. I just think that it would be very good. Thanks

Well I hope you have a good day. Have a good time at the bees game.
Elder Shelley

We heard from Greg--Finally!! Transferred to São Carlos

Greg has a new address. Please contact his parents if you would like it.
Hey,
Well we found out that the lady, Lourdes, had some coffee so she could not get baptized this week, but hopefully she will this Sunday. I got the package. Well I got transferred today to São Carlos. I am with a Brazilian Elder Menezes. He is from the north. Elder Busico is going home today at 4. Sorry about not emailing on Monday. There was not much time. President had me and him staying in Ribeirao but a city that is pretty far away and is not very safe, so Busico decided to just go home. Well he told me that he will email me some of the photos and I will give them to you guys. It was very hard for me to leave that Area. It felt a little like leaving home to come here to Brazil. I really got attached to Cida and her family. They helped me and Busico a lot. Well I told them that I am coming back in 2014 to watch the Cup. I am definitely coming back. Cida’s sister wants you and dad to come pick me up, But I don’t know.

Well things are going really good. The language is really starting to come, there are some things that I am having a hard time with but it is going very well. Well I did catch the flu Elder Busico had. I am doing better. Well I hope you have a good week and sorry for the short email. I had sushi with him and Dinah on Monday and we were just really busy helping Cida and Bob. Well hope you guys have a good week.


I don’t know much of the area because I just got here but what I have seen I really like it. I think my comp will be a combo between Almeida and Barbosa. I don’t know. I am in a district with an Elder in my group Elder Wiggins. I am really excited. I wish I could have celebrated a year with Busico but I think it will be good. The house was a little messy but we are starting to clean it up. It will be a great place. Busico was telling me before that all the missionaries want to pass in this city and he served in the area that I am going to Ala 5 (5th Ward). Well I hope things go well. Just make sure that people know about the new office address change. I love you. If there is anything you need let me know.


I will probably celebrate on the 16th for my 1 year, I not really sure. Well I hope things work out for him. Yeah I was thinking that it is probably the best he went home because his dad especially worried, and it did not help that he is a non member. I was thinking that he needs to get home and start to get some weight and train because he wants to play baseball for the U. He will go to Salt Lake Community College to finish generals and then transfer to the U. Well I just hope things go well for him. You know he did not seem like a friend but he felt like a member of the family. Saying bye to him was just like saying bye to Matt. I really miss him but I know that he is in a good place. He said he will return in a month to visit and pick up the rest of his stuff. I am having him email me the photos from his camera and some from Cida’s so it may take a little time. We really did not have much time to get ready, it was kind of a surprise transfer, but I know it will be very good.

Elder Shelley

Bombed by a Bird! Not Me, My Comp! Funny!!

My Zone at Zone Conference
My Companion is on the end back row and
yep, I am short!

Baptism of Luiz. (I talked with a member from Bebedouro, Yesterday.
He said the Luiz is firm in the Gospel. That is really good. The guy is a
Member of the High Council. That just made me very happy to hear.)

August 23, 2010
Hey,
Well that sounds like you guys have had a good and busy week. Well I hope Matt will do well at ATEC. I know how it feels to do things you don´t want to, but you just have to be patient and put a smile on. The next transfers are next Monday. I am really hoping to stay with Busico. Well he is not doing so well. He caught a cold this past week so is just feels gross.

We are teaching a old lady about 70 years old Lourdes. We have taught her the first and second lessons and we have set a baptism date for next Sunday after Sacrament meeting. She wants to be baptized, so we are really helping her. Hopefully that will work out.

Quick question are there M&M´s in my next package? Cida wants to know. She is addicted with them. Well I hope that everything goes well for you this week.

Hey Matt have you played basketball a lot. I have not because not many people like basketball, they just like their soccer, there is something wrong with that. Well what are you guys doing for the last few days of freedom?

Well I really like my President. I talked with him last week because Busico needed to talk with him. President asked me what I wanted to be as a profession. I said I don’t know. He suggested that I go into medicine, because I have had experience with Elder Busico. It made me laugh. I forgot to tell you that my comp got bombed by a bird. We were walking and a bird nailed him on the shirt. It was pretty funny because he had just washed that shirt.

Jani, well how are you doing? I hope you had a good week. Well it is weird that you will be in school in a couple days. Well just enjoy the last couple days of freedom. We are teaching some good people. Well nothing really has happened, besides me still having diarrhea, I haven’t had a lot this week but I am so sick of that. I can’t wait until I get to come back and eat food and not have diarrhea. Well I am starting to get old. I have had some pain in my left knee, it comes for a day and leaves and comes back, I have also had some back pain, it stinks being old. Well have a good one. I love you.

Juli, well that is good that you had fun at Trafalga. Wow that is a lot of tickets for so little tokens. Ya time sure is passing fast. Well enjoy 6th grade, and especially enjoy these last couple days of summer. Well I am doing well. Thanks for taking care of Sid. Well have a good day. I love you a whole bunch.

Elder Shelley

11 Months! Time is flying by!!

Hey,
Well this week was okay. Well we had a mission conference and it was 9 hours long. From 8:30am to 5:30 PM. Elder Tobias from the 70 was there. He spoke forever. He even wanted to cut out lunch to keep talking but I knew that there would be many hungry angry missionaries after him, LOL. I almost fell asleep many times. I have never been so tired in my life. It just drained the energy from me. I will put it in perspective for you guys. I have walked 20 miles in the heat and I still was not as tired as I was that day. It was a good conference but it was way too long. I did not have time to take pics because it was so long. Well it was supposed to end at 4 so there was no time to take pics, I am mad because one of my missionary friends is going home and I could not get a pic with him because he had to leave quick for the busses, oh well.

Things are going well. I have had diarrhea for the past 5 days, it really stinks.
Well today I hit 11 months. I can’t believe it already. Well time is just flying by so fast. Well my comp is doing a little better than before, so that is good. Well we are teaching some good people so the work is still going. Not too much teaching today but tomorrow we are going to try and teach a couple teenagers, and an older lady. Then we have a meeting with our LMA(Ward Mission Leader). Wednesday we are teaching a couple at night. She is a member and we are trying to get the husband to get baptized, but first we are trying to get them married. Well they go to Jobaticabal every Sunday because he has family there. And we try everyday the others that we have. That is about it. Well got to go. Write to you next week. I love you so much.

Well have a good day and week.

Elder Shelley

Just Going Great

Hey Everyone,
Things are just going great here. It is really hot but what can you do about it. My comp is doing better we are able to work more. He is doing better. This last week his stomach was hurting him even more, but now it is doing okay. Well I got a hair cut today. I don´t know what else we are going to do. We are really starting to reactivate the less actives. I found a really good scripture during my personal study this week in Alma 34:41. It is a really good one on patience. Me and Elder Busico were talking the other day about how everyday you are tried with patience. Well things are going well here. It is like 90 before 10 am so during the day it is really hot, but things are going really good. Thanks for all that you do for me. Matt, that is really cool that you took out your Endowments. That is just an awesome experience. Hey when you get the chance keep going as often as you can. That is just one thing that I loved doing too. Hey that is one thing that I miss is going to the temple. Well hopefully you can get out and shoot some hoops. I love you and parabens(congrats) on going through the Temple. Have a good week. I hope things are going well back at home. I love you all.

Elder Shelley

Hey

Hey everyone,
Well this week was really good. My comp is getting better. We are able to work more, which is good. Well we taught a really good lesson about the Restoration yesterday. It is a 16 year old kid which is a friend of a member. I love it when we get references, it is like the best thing ever. Well things are just going good. It is really hot, I don’t understand it is supposed to be winter down here but it is in the 90´s everyday. Well we are preping some people to get married or at least think about getting married soon. Well that is about it that has happened this week. I miss the cheap fruit back in the states. Tell Jani that peaches down here are about $10-13 a kilo(2 pounds) and canned are even more. I just really miss eating healthy, that is one thing that is hard for me right now. But things are going well. Yep, I am glad that Juli is taking care of Sid. They have Parakeets down here and every time I see one that looks like Sid I really miss him, but it is good though. Thanks for everything that you do for me. Well tell Ava and Parker I say hi. Well tell Matt that rejection is all part of the work. I get so many people that aren’t home or they give an excuse to get rid of us. Like this week everyday our appointments fell. We were able to teach 1 person each day. Oh well that is just part of the work. Well it is good that the teaching thing went well for them. Thanks for everything that you do for me. Love you guys.
Elder Shelley

Is it really winter if it is over 90 degrees outside all the time?!

Zone Conference Picture in June

Mom,
Well tell everyone that I am still confused that it is supposed to be winter here and it is still always over 90 degrees! Well right now we are teaching a couple people. She is a member and the man is not. They want to get married in the temple and he wants to get baptized, but they need to get married first. We are thinking about having them get married at the church. We don’t know when but hopefully soon. Their names are Cibele and Rafael.

Well yesterday in church there was another man named Rafael. He lived in Vancouver for four years. He is a member but has not gone to church for a while, but he is returning. He is also a twin but not identical. It was really cool to talk with him and I told him about institute. Well he is really cool. I am excited to get to know him more.

Well interviews went very well. I really like this president. He really wanted to get to know me and it was just a really good interview. He said if I needed anything or need help with a goal that I have just email him. He is really going to be a great president. He is focusing on reactivating members and recent converts.

Well I found out yesterday that I am really allergic to cats. Well yesterday’s lunch was a two twin’s house. They have 17 cats and 5 dogs. Well my throat started to feel like it was swelling up and closing in. My eyes started to be all puffy. It was not very good. Well my comp is really allergic also and he had the same reactions that I had. Well we both are doing better. Well have a good time in Yellowstone.

Elder Shelley

Letter from Greg delievered from Cida

Hey guys,
Well how are things going? I hope you guys are having a fun summer. I hope you guys liked the visit from Cida, Dinah, and friend.

Well things are going good here. As you know my comp. is not doing well. I am trying my best to take care of him the best I can.

I am just loving it here. You know it is hard work, but I love being able to share what I know with the people and bless their lives. My testimony has grown a lot since I have been here out on the mission. I think one of the most important things I have learned is to be patient. It has been a different one then I already had. I have also learned to love everyone, even when you don't get along or when things don't go the way you want.

One of the best things that I have seen here is when our recent converts are really converted to the gospel and really want to reap the blessing of the Gospel. I am also so happy when I get to talk about the temple to our recent converts and share my testimony with them.

Well, nothing really is new. I am just loving it here, yep it is hard, but way worth it. Well, I love you guys so much. Thanks so much for everything!! Love ya. Um grande Abraso e Beijo!!

Elder Shelley

Our visit with Cida, Dinah and Natalia

Our family at the Busico Home with
Aparecida and Dinah Ivey and their friend Natalia


A fun picture with Aparecida as we shared some M&Ms.

Yesterday, our family was able to run up to the Busico home (Greg's companion's home in Salt Lake) and meet Aparecida and her daughter Dinah (17 years old) and their friend Natalia. They were so kind and fun. They are members in Greg's ward right now in Iraja, Ribeirao Preto. Greg loves to visit with her husband Bob. He is an American that keeps up on the sports scores. She loves cooking for Shelley because he loves her food especially her chocolate cake. She make him chocolate cake for his birthday and he had to have an extra piece. She said that he is a very good missionary and will try anything she fixes for him. She says he is a good eater. They were so fun to visit with. She told us that he shared with her some M&Ms we had sent him and loved them. I had brought a package of M&Ms and Skittles to give to them for their ride back down to California. She loved them. I am so impressed with how loving and caring the Brazilian people are and how blessed we are to have Greg serving with them. The first thing she did as we walked in was to give Matt a huge hug and said he looked just like Shelley. She said that Greg talks about him all the time and loves his brother. She gave us all big hugs and told us stories about Greg and his companion. She said that he is speaking Portuguese very well. It was a wonderful afternoon. What terrific people!

Pictures!!

This is how fast Greg's shoes have worn out! That's a lot of walking!!

Jussara and her kids. (See funny story below.)

New Haircut. I am with Elder Barros

Elder Laxton and me

We were visiting the Branch President in Bebedouro and Elder Almeida found this and stuck it on me. Can you clown around on a mission?

Funny Story

Hey guys,
Well me and Elder Busico are staying here for at least one more transfer. I am really excited. Well something funny happened yesterday. Well my comp went to get our investigators before church, well the member went the wrong way on a street. There was a cop behind them and he pulled them over. Well the cops did a body search with him. Well that was a pretty funny story. Well things are going well.

(It was the comp and the member that got searched. And we did not get any investigators to church. It was a bummer.)

Well I hope everything is going well back at home. Well things are just going good here. It is really hot but good.

--We got to meet a member from Greg's ward right now and she was laughing and telling us a story about Greg hitting a girl with a newspaper. She was laughing so hard it was hard to understand it all but said he is a very good missionary so we asked Greg about it--

Yeah the story is back in Bebedouro with Elder Almeida. Well before Jussara got baptized(I will send a photo) we would teach her on the couch. Well it was me then my comp and her next to him. Well she is a big "snake" and she stared poking my comp in the side and trying to hold his hand. Well I grabbed a newspaper and started whacking her. She said stop, but I said no and kept it up. Even Almeida was laughing and that is that story. I am not sure about the hugging one. I will ask her. Well that is the story. Well that is good that you had a good time with the family. Yep I really love these people.

Well I love you so much. Oh I did get the package last Monday. It was really good. I liked it. Well have a good week.

Elder Shelley

Almost 10 months!

Hey guys,
Well how are things going? Well you guys won’t believe it but they have a Burger King down here. I ate at it a little while ago. It was really good but way expensive. Well my comp is not doing too well. He thinks he caught strep this a couple days ago. His tonsils are swollen and his throat hurts. Well I am helping him the best that I can. Well I am really liking our new president. Well nothing really big that happened this week. Well Spain won the World Cup. Well it is the last week of the transfer. I will know Saturday if I will be transferred or not. I really don’t want to. Well here in a few days I will have 10 months here on the mish. Time is really flying by. Well I love you guys so much. Oh we did teach a family about the Temple, it was really good the spirit was so strong and it was just really good. Well have a good week. Love you guys.

Elder Shelley

Happy 4th of July!

Hey fam,
Well this week was pretty good. Yesterday was the 4th and it was different but very good. My comp is doing better. Well the family that is going to visit is really excited. Well once in a while at nights I will have a part of a dream in Portugese, it is kind of cool. Well it stinks that Brasil lost but I think that Germany will win the Cup this year.

I met my new mission president yesterday at church. He seems like he is going to really be a good president. I was really excited to remember our nations b-day yesterday. I thought I would be a little patriotic. I wore a striped red and white tie with my navy blue suit.(RED, WHITE, and BLUE). Well I hope that everything went well for you guys. Well want to know something cool, on next Sunday me and Matt will have been baptized for 12 years, cool!!!!!

Well I miss you guys, but love you guys even more. Um grande abraço.

Elder Shelley

Little Rough to Say Good-bye

Hey Guys,
Well this last week was a little rough. We had our last Zone Conference with President and Sister Vieira. It was really good. He told us to just welcome the new President with Open Arms.

After we went up and gave them a hug and talked to them. President told me to just take good care of my comp. Then I told him how grateful I was to him. Then he gave me a huge hug, it was like ten times a Brother Norton hug, it was the best. I will really miss President. I then talked with Sister. She told me about how proud she was to have known me. She said something that really made me feel good. She said that when she looks at me she sees a light. She says it is the best thing ever. She told me to share this light with everyone. I am really going to miss sister also. They were just the best. I am so grateful that I had 7 months to get to know them and just how warm and I don´t know how I can explain how they are, they are just the BEST!!!!!!!

Well the lady that sent Matt the Email, well she is coming out to Utah next month like the 23ish. Well she wants to visit you guys. I gave her the address and phone number. I hope that is okay. She just really wants to see you guys. I thought that is really cool. Hey I have a question how much is a 2 day and 3 day Disneyland pass? They are going to LA when they come up, so I told them I would ask the Experts how much.

Well nothing really has happened. Well I love you guys, and could you include my comp Elder Busico in your prayers to help him get better, that would be great. Love you all!!

Elder Shelley

Last Conference this week with Presidente Viera

Sent: Mon, Jun 21, 2010 05:02 PM
Hey guys,
I had an awesome birthday. We had a party at a members home. That was so much fun. Well my comp is doing a little better. He has an ulcer in his stomach and has gastric problems. Well he is taking medicine for that. I am really sad because on Wednesday is our last Conference with President. Well I have some news for you guys. Aaron is going to get a new mission President too, and he is in the Omaha Nebraska mission. I don’t know if you knew that, but I thought that was cool.

Well things are going great. I am doing what President told me in an interview 2 weeks ago and that was to take good care of my comp. Well it sounds like you guys have had a good week. Hey and how is Toy Story 3? Well I love you guys so much thanks for everything that you do. Um grande abraço e beijo.

Elder Shelley

Jani,
Well my comp was not feeling good so that is why I am emailing later. Ya I watched the World Cup and Portugal beat North Coreia 7 to 0. Well things are going good. Tell Matt to check his email. A member sent him a Birthday email. Hey and what wii game and Jersey did he get?

Well we are teaching some people. There is a kid about 18 that we are teaching and some others. Nope not yet, some we need to get them to stop smoking and have them get married, but things are going good.
Um grande abraço e beijo.

Elder Shelley

Feliz Anniversario!!

Hey everyone,
Well today we decided to go to the New Mall here in Ribeirão. It is really cool. They have a Walmart and I bought a doughnut, it was a chocolate creme filled. Hey and guess what they also have a Cinemark here. It is really big.

Hey that was a crazy US game. Well I am hoping that the US wins on Friday. Well the games are pretty exciting. The Germany and Australia was a blow out. That was crazy I really wanted Australia to win, but I knew Germany would take it. Oh well...
Well I think I am going to use the money for my B-day and buy some World Cup Jerseys. I am thinking about buying a US and Brazil one. So I will be using my card here soon.

Well I am loving my new comp Elder Busico. Guess what he is a twin too. His twin is in Italy right now. Hey loves to travel all over. His dad works for the Airport so he gets free flights, lucky. Well he loves D-land too. We just really click together. Well he is doing better.

Oh guess what on Friday I had a dream in Portugese. It was pretty cool. It is my second one here on the mish. The first in the CTM and now. It was pretty cool

Hey the computer that I am using does not have a USB port available so no pics this week, sorry.

Well the interview with President was really good. I found out why he is going home. He said that he has a problem with his stomach, like it is eating itself, he does not sleep and he is just really home sick. I thought that is just too bad. Well I am hoping that he can just get better, because I really love President Vieira. He is just so awesome. I am really going to miss him, and sister.

Well the family that I met this past week. Well the dad is from the US. His name is Bob. He is really funny. Hey reminds me a lot of Grandpa Shelley, stories and joking around. Well he is not a member, but he has been going to church for a while, so we will see. Well he lived in Indiana then moved to Louisiana working on a farm. Then he moved to Italy for 20 years doing farming and pigs. Then he moved to Brazil and has been here for 20 years. It is pretty cool. Hey tells us all about the basketball and is just fun talking with him. Well things are going really well here. My area is a little hard because it is the richest in the mission. Well we are trying our best. Well have a good time at the concert and have a good week. Oh and Matt HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Feliz Anniversario!!!!!!!!!! Well love you guys. Um grande abraço e beijo.

Elder Shelley

Transferred to Ribeirao!

Hey guys how is it going? Well it sounds like you had a good time at D-Land. Well I got transferred to Ribeirão. I am so excited because I got an American Comp. Well guess what the last month our zone was the one that baptized the most with 16 baptisms. Our district baptized 9. Well things are going well.
Well I am a little sad because one of our baptisms is falling away from the church. She is going to a different and she is getting back with her Ex. Well her ex is awful. Hey is very mean to their children and he is making the children go to the other church. Well what can you do? Well things are going very well. Well this transfer will be very good. I am excited. Well have a good one. Love you guys.

Mom,
WOW that is really cool about the score. Well I got transferred to Ribeirão. I can’t remember what part, but I will tell you next week. Well my new comp is American!!! He is Elder Busico, he is from Salt Lake. I am so excited. Yeah I will definitely miss Elder Almeida. We had such a great time. I will also miss Bebedouro. Well I will definitely return there after the mission.
Well I am a little sad, one of our baptisms is falling away from the church. She is getting back with her Ex, And She is going to do different church. It is really sad, well what can you do.

Well things are going great. Wow here in 11 days I will be 20. Hey and America plays in the World Cup that day. I am excited to watch the World Cup. President gave us permission. I thought that was cool. Well I hope that everything is going well. Things are just going great.

We had a zone conference yesterday. It was really cool Elder Zurich of the 70 conducted. Elder Arnold of the 70 spoke. Sister Beck spoke too, and the final was Elder Christofferson of the 12. They all spoke Portueges and it was really good. Well I can’t believe that I have almost 9 months under my belt. Well things are just going really well. I love you guys and hope you had a great time at Disneyland. Um grande abraço.

Elder Shelley

Mom,
Sorry it was a big stake conference being televised from Salt lake to the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Well it is a bite about the RC, but things will go well. Hey I did not bring my camera because I did not know if the computers had USB drives. Well they do and next week I will send you pics for sure. Well have a good one. Hey are the kids there. If so tell them I say hi!!

Elder Shelley

Zone Conference

Top Row, Seventh from the Right

Everyone in our District baptized this week!!!

Dear Mom,

Conference was awesome. President did a training about not procrasinating and always look at what you can do better. It was just like a regular conference. Well things are going great, we had a baptism yesterday. Luiz baptized his sister Jessica. It was really good it reminded me of when I baptized Juli 3 years ago. Well the members are starting to work more with the missionaries, so that is really good. Things here are starting to get colder, which I like. We are teaching a few people right now. Well things are going good. Well have a good first week of Summer, and party hard. Oh and Mom had a Happy Birthday on Thursday. I love you a whole bunch.

Hey Fam,
Well we had a baptism this week. Remember Luiz that we baptized two weeks ago well he got to baptize his sister Jessica. It went very well. Guess what everyone in our District baptized this week. YEAH!!!!!!!!!! Hey guess what yesterday when me and my comp went to get investigators to go to church we were walking by a tree and we saw a tucan. It was very beautiful, it had a yellow, orange and red beak. It was really cool, I wish I had my camera to take a pic, oh well.

Well on Wednesday I made a contact with this guy in a Square and it went well. He said that he has been to church once in Ribeirão. We asked him if he has read the Book of Mormon, he said no. So we taught him a little about that and he are going to visit him this week.

Well we have another investagator João. He is about 50 years old. He has been to church 5 times, is reading to BoM, he is keeping his commitments, but he won´t be baptized. He says that he is too old and to wait a little more time. Well I hope we can baptized him.

Well we had zone conference. It was really good. Me and Elder Laxton even did a practice infront of everyone. That is cool to do that with Laxton. Oh he said that during the summer he is going to visit you guys. I thought that was really cool. Well I know that I will not be with Elder Almeida next transfer. President sent him an email last week that said we won´t be comps. Well Saturday I will know if I will stay or go.

Hey I did not bring my camera this week. Sorry I remembered when I sat down. I will send a pic of my new hair do and our baptisms. Well I hope everything goes well this week. I love you guys and thanks for all that you do. Well HAVE AN AWESOME FIRST WEEK OF SUMMER!!!!!!!!!! Tell me what you guys have planned!!!
Love you tons.

Elder Shelley

I can see the blessing of a mission already....

Hey Fam,
This week was pretty good. We did not have a baptism this week. Well hopefully this next week Luiz can receive the Priesthood and baptize Jessica. Wednesday I have Zone Conference. I hope it will be good. People are now starting to say that I am starting to speak pretty good. That makes me feel a whole lot better. Nothing really has happened this week. Well that is crazy that the school year is winding down, Yeah SUMMER!!!!! Things are starting to get colder here. Well I hope everything goes well this week. That is cool about Bro. Smith, I hope that everything works out for Matt. Well I am excited to get those new shoes. Well I can’t believe that it has snowed there. Yep only in Utah. Well everything is going well here. I love you guys and thanks for all the prayers. Hey I can see the blessing of the mission already, it is pretty cool. Well have a good one.

Wow that is weird that you have snow right now. Well the mornings are pretty cold and the nights also. I agree with Sis. Paxman, anyone but the Lakers. Well have a good one. We taught many people. We did an interview for the sisters. That is just about it. Well nothing really new. Have a good week and stay warm.
Love ya.

Well my hair is starting to turn blonde, because of the sun. I hope that it will go back to brown. Matt, yeah that is a good tradition. Hey when I get back I want to be in on the tradition. Hey where in Lehi is the Jack and Jill Bowling? Great Father and Sons Activity. Well I think that the Celtics will take it this year. Wow that is cool that you got such a high score. Hey I love you man.

Take care. I love you guys so much. Um grande abraço.

Elder Shelley

8 Months Out

Mom,
Yeah it is crazy at how fast the time is flying by. Well this week we had two baptisms mother and daughter. It was really good. Well next week we will have another baptism. Remember Luiz that we baptized last week, well we are trying to get him the priesthood so he can baptize his sister this week, we hope everything works out. Well my talk went very well this week. I had many members come up to me and say how well I did.

Well that is cool that you had a good time at Searles. Hey how is Trent doing? Well nothing really is going on, same old stuff. Well transfers are in 3 weeks. I am hoping to be transferred to another Area, but we will see.

Hey I forgot to get my camera so no pics this week sorry. Well I hope everything is going well with you guys. Wow 2 weeks and then school is out, and guess what--8 months on my mission. Well have a good week. Take care.

Hey guys,
Hey did you send the package yet? Just wondering. Hey it is crazy at how fast time is flying by. I am really hoping to be transferred. I love the area but, it is just getting hard. It is harder to get the number of contacts that I need, but I am trying. Well I hope everything is going well with you guys. Well have an awesome week.

Elder Shelley

Great to hear your voice!

Hey Guys,

Well that was just awesome talking with you guys. Today me and my comp played basketball and he beat me. I was not good, because I haven’t played for a long time. It is hard to believe that time is flying by so fast. Hey I forgot my camera in the house, sorry I will email the pictures next week. Well nothing is really new. I hope that I do well on my talk on Sunday. Well good luck with everything you guys are doing this week. I love you guys. Thanks for all the prayers, and keep praying. It was just really good to hear all of your voices. Well have a good week and be safe and I will do the same. Love you guys. Well tell everyone I say hi. Hey I was going to tell you and dad that I am really impressed by how well Matt is speaking. When I talked with him on Friday and yesterday he did not stutter. I just think that is way cool. Well I hope you have a good week and get everything you need to get done. Well take care and I love you, thanks for all that you do for me!!!!

Elder Shelley

Soccer--You gotta love it!

Hey guys,
This week was pretty good. We will have a baptism next week. Guys what we had a ward party today. It was so much fun. They had different games and activities. I am actually starting to like playing soccer. As you guys know that before the mish I thought soccer was a girl sport, but now after playing with some of the young men I LOVE IT. Well guess what our investigator John he came to the activity and had a great time. That was really cool. We are still working with him. After I am done emailing I am going to play more soccer with the young men.

Hey mom in a future package can you send me a new pair of basketball shorts. Hey guess what yesterday I almost got ran over by a truck. We were crossing a cross walk when this truck instead of going behind us he turned right in front of me. Well he stopped and cussed in Portuguese and drove off. Well after that my heart was pounding. I am doing good now.

Well things are going great here. The reason they don’t have 4 missionaries here in Bebedouro because we don’t have as many missionaries. It is okay, we are having to run all over the place. Well Sunday is the MOTHERS DAY CALL. I am so excited. I will call you guys on Friday and give you the info like I did last time.

Well take care and GO JAZZ CREAM THE LAKERS. Love you guys have a good week and talk to you on Friday.
Elder Shelley

Hey Mom,
I have one shoe that is really close to making a hole in the sole. The other pair I think will last a month. But that will be great to have you guys send me some new. I was thinking about that this week. I talked with Laxton and he says that the shoes last maybe 3 months and it is about 50 dollars. Well I will be grateful to get them. Guess what I get to give another talk in church. On the 16th about Called to Serve. I hope that it will go good. Well that is crazy about Sandro. WOW. Tell him congrats and that I say hi. Tell Randy and Chinzia that I say hi. Well hope you get all the things done that you can. Well I love you. Well have a good week. Tell everyone I say hi and I miss you guys so much and play hard. A great big hug.

All Sisters--Ugh!!!!

Hey Fam,

Hey this week was pretty good. Yesterday Elder Thornley and Elder De Melo left Bebedouro. Elder De Melo left to go home because he finished his mission. Elder Thornley left to go to Araçatuba-Paraiso. Well I am still here in Bebedouro with Elder Almeida. Well it is just us for this transfer. Guess what he is the district leader and our district is all Sisters. And to make it worse I am the only American in the district. Well I hope everything goes well. Well on Wednesday we have Interviews with President.

Hey I looked at the shoes here and I think I want you guys to send me some Rock Ports. They will be more comfortable. I hope that it will be okay to do that. I just don’t like the feel of the shoes and Elder Almeida bought some and they only lasted a transfer. Let me know what you think. Well nothing really cool this week. Well keep praying for me. I really need help right now because I am struggling with the language. Well have a good week and take care of yourselves. Love you tons. Hey tell the kids that the mission is not all fun. For example learning a language, and being the only American among Brazilians. ALL the other joys of a mission. Ask grandpa all about it. Well could you guys print out a new Quadro da missão for me. Well have a good one. Have a good week. Love you guys.

Elder Shelley

Zone Conference

Here is a picture from our last zone conference
I can't believe I've been out 7 months!

Calling all Scriptorians!!

Hey, this is Matt. I need your help. Greg called me a stinker but he is the real stink pot. I need a really good scripture to send back to him because I really didn't like the one he chose for me. Can anyone help me out and find some good ones for me? Let me know what you find.
Thanks,
Elder Shelley--Matt

Short Letter because of a Cheesecake--Hey!!

Hey Guys,

How are things going? Well this morning me and Elder Thornley made pancakes and they were really good. We also made Cheese Cake. After the emailing we are going to eat it. I am so excited.

Well another week has gone by. Guess what I have 7 months here on the mish. Hey guys did you know that the scriptures talk about Matt. Pretty cool. In Ether 14:23

Well I gave my talk yesterday. I did very well. I even had some of the members tell me that I did a good job. I thought that was cool. Well nothing is really new. Same old stuff.

Well last week we had zone conference. It was really good, the only problem was that half way to Ribeirão. I remembered that I left the camera in the house. Luckily Elder Thornley had his and I took some pics. I will get them from him and I will send them to you guys next week. President finally announced that he is going home on June 30th. I really am going to miss him and especially Sister Vieira. Because when ever she sees me she yells Elder Shelley. I am going to really miss that. Well it is the last week of the transfer. Saturday I will know who is transferred.

Oh Mom can you go to the mission blog and get some pics for me and safe them at home. And also print off the thing that tell where everyone is. I want to save these things and keep them safe. I know that you can save them at home. missaoribpreto.blogspot.com Well have a good one. Love ya all.

Elder Shelley

Hey mom,
Things went very well for the talk. I had some members come up to me and say how good of a job I did. I thought that was cool. It is a little bit different working with about 35 less people each week. I liked it because there were not many people when I did my talk. That is really good that Jani got her camera back. Yep I hope she learned a good lesson from that. Ya it is nice to have a comp that I can connect with. Man I wish I could of seen Bro. Paxman dance. I bet it would of been quite a sight. WOW 23 years, you guys are ancient! lol. That is really cool. Happy Anniversary on the 24th. Nope it is still hot here in Bebedouro, but it is good. Well tell the girls good luck for the Recital. Wow it is starting to get to summer soon. Well have a good one. I love you a whole bunch.

Elder Shelley

101 Contacts!

Hey Fam,

Hey this week was really good. I made 101 contacts this week. It is the most that I have done on the mission so far. Hey guess what I have to give a talk on Sunday. It is out of the teaching of the prophets Harold B. Lee chapter 17. I am really nervous because it is the first talk I will give. I hope I do well, and pray for me.

Hey tell Austin Rich that I say congrats on the mission call. Wow all the way to Africa. Well we did not have a baptism, but I think we will this week because we finally had investigators go to church. Yesterday we had one man, so we will work with him this week and hopefully baptism this next week.

That is way cool about the Candy Factory. Hey what outlet store did you guys go to? Well I really love my new comp Elder Almeida. He is just really awesome. I can’t believe that a this transfer ends in two weeks, and then only one more transfer with President Viera. I am excited and not to get a new president. Well nothing really had happened this week, same old stuff, over and over and over again. I figured that the mission is like the Energizer bunny keeps going and going and going. Well Wednesday we have Zone Conference. I am so excited. Well in about four days I will have been on the mish for 7 months. Well time is really flying by. Well I hope everything is going well for you guys back in Utah. Well at least it will start to get warmer there, here it is starting to get colder. The mornings are freezing, it feels like 40 degrees, but it is all good. Well have a good week. Keep working and playing hard. Oh one more thing Mom I saw a little girl with Head Gear on. It reminded me of when you said when you were little you had that, boy did it not look fun. You have my sympathy. Well love you guys.

Elder Shelley

Homemade Rootbeer, Scones and Conference

Sent: Mon, Apr 05, 2010 10:45 AM
Hey mom,
Hey guess what on Saturday night we made homemade rootbeer and scones. It was really good. I missed the Priesthood session because we had to be in the house at 9:30. And the session stared at 9. Well it was really strange not hearing the words in English. I heard the first part of the talks, like first 3 words in English. I have to tell you something funny that happened. The translator for Elder Christofferson´s talk and Uchtdorfs on Sunday finished early before they were done. It was really funny. I could tell that Elder Holland was burning the people, but the translator had no expression. It really bugged me. I really took hearing conference for granted in English. But it was really good. I missed the first half of the 2nd session on Sunday because me and my comp were making contacts. Hey I did not take any money out yet. Hey have a good one.

Hey Fam,
Hey conference was sure great. Guess what Elder Scott and Anderson gave their talks in Portuguese. Hey there was something that bugged me was not being able to hear how the felt. For example Elder Holland I could tell he was buring the people, but the translator had no emotion. It also bugged me not hearing their voices. Hey I have to tell you something funny on both Elder Christorffersons and Uchtdorfs Sunday talk the translator finished early. It was really funny. Hey I saw Mrs. McMurry and Ruth.

Hey for shoes I think I will email you guys when I need you to send me a new pair.
Hey on Saturday night we had a couple guys over from the Branch and we made rootbeer and scones. It was really good. Today me and Elder Thornley are going to make brownies. I am so excited. Things are going great, it has been really rainy the past few days. It is a lot cooler here than in Araçatuba. Hey Jani is lucky to go to San Francisco. Tell her to be careful. Nothing really has happened besides conference. It was a pretty good week. Well have a good Spring Break. Take care.

Hey I got a letter from Kyler and he GOT HIS CALL. He is going to Charlotte, North Carolina. He leaves May 19 to the MTC. Guess what my dad Elder Laxton is from Charlotte. Elder Laxton goes home the first part of June so Kyler will probably see my dad. I think that that is cool. Hey I got an email from Aaron. He is doing good. Guess what, I am in a Branch. Well I loved conference. It was stinky to watch it with a translator, but at least I was able to watch it. I really liked the talks especially the one Eyring on Saturday morning. I also liked the one who talked about Kyle and I forgot the other name. It was hard seeing their expressions and not being able to hear them in that expression, if that makes sense. Well that is good that Easter was good.

Hey my blisters are gone, they went away after like 2 days. I don´t know much more. I just know that he leaves June 30. Elder Laxton is coming to our area this week, I will ask him if he knows more info. YES DUKE ALL THE WAY. Oh one of the guys in the Branch has it. A missionary gave it to him. That is why we had rootbeer. Have a good one. Hey did Matt tell you that Kyler got his call?

Elder Shelley