See you on Wednesday!!!

September 5, 2011

Mom,
Yeah Sunday was hard but really good. Well it was hard to say bye but I have many email and have to create a msn account. Well had last interview with President that was really good. He gave me some good advice about always pay tithing, respect my future wife and never fall away from the church. Well I am really excited because tonight has a dinner and I will see you guys Wednesday.
Elder Shelley

Jani,
Yea I would love to go to the choir thing with you. Yep last p-day and tomorrow go to the temple and plane. I am so excited. Will have a good one. Have a good one.
Elder Shelley

Juli,
Hope you had a good week. See you Wednesday. Thanks for everything. I love you and see you hear in a little.
Elder Shelley

Matt
That is good that your week went well. Well I will get the plane tomorrow. I am so excited. Well have a good week and see you in a couple days.
Elder Shelley

You are invited....

Greg will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting on September 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the Larsen Park Church. The address is 9621 N. 6050 W. in Highland. (The easiest way is to drive north on 1oo West in American Fork. Go through the 4 way stops until you get to the 4 way stop that has Merlin Larson Park on the right side of the road and a church on the left side. That's the one.) We will see you there! You are also invited to lunch at our home after.

5 Baptisms!!!!!

Mom,
Me and my comp were blessed with 5 baptisms yesterday. Katia, Carol, Giovanni--family were baptized and Bruno and Lucas some young men that was a reference from a member. Mom it was a really special day. I have really seen many blessings. I am so excited to come home, but I will really miss the many people that I have loved and served. I can’t believe that my time is just about up. I will not leave to go to the airport until Tuesday. Wow, that is just all I can say. Well this week was a little with teaching and finding people, but in the end WATER!!! Me and my comp are doing a lot better, yep you can’t hide from the difficulties you just have to face them. Well my week was really good. Mom I love being a missionary and I will really miss wearing the plaque that has my name, the church and most of all The Savior. My testimony has grown tremendously. Thanks for letting me know about the topic. Thanks Have a good week. Thanks for all the prayers.
Elder Shelley

Thanks dad,
The topic is about the mission and Patriotism. Well I will try and pull that off, LOL. Thanks for everything. We are going to go to an all you can eat meat place and after we are going to watch a movie. We had 5 baptisms yesterday!!!!!! Have a good one.
Elder Shelley

Mom,
Well this week is doing better. That is good about Matt and ATEC. Mom I still don’t know what I want to do when I get home. Well this week was a little better. Things really changed. He still goes off on subjects so it makes the lessons longer but I am trying to really help him. Well we don’t fight anymore so that is really good. We should have a few baptisms this next week. I bought everyone jerseys, from different teams I am sending them in a package. I can’t believe how fast the time is flying by. 2 WEEKS WOW!!!! We are finding many new people to teach. We have a few baptisms set for some young men. I am so excited. I finished Jesus the Christ. Mom, that is a really good book. Thanks for all the prayers. They sure have helped a lot. This week has been a little cold and I got sick for a few days, but I am doing good now. Have a good week. Jani is working where? Thanks for everything that you do.
Elder Shelley

Yep things are going good. Elder Vitor really wants to marry Jani. I think it is funny. Well how has your day been? Mine has been okay. This morning our shower burned, so had to shower with cold water. Then I went to buy some CDs and jerseys for you guys. Then we can home and had lunch, I finished Jesus the Christ and then I slept and woke up kind of late. Now I am here. Nothing really cool. Well that is good that Juli survived 7th grade. Mom that is one thing that I miss is a good American Pizza.

Well Vitor is a funny kid. I really like him a lot. What is your plan for the week? Well the bishop just called and said that tomorrow there is a person wanting to take the lessons in another city so we are going to go. Other than that tomorrow, district meeting and finding new people to teach. Well boring and exciting for us too. Well sorry have to go. Have a good week. Tell Jani good luck.
Elder Shelley

Dad,
Well I am so excited but sad at the same time. I will really miss this "life" that I am in. There are some people that are really sad that I will be leaving. Well my comp asked if there was any way that I can return to the mission in less than 2 years because he wants to see me again. Dad we are doing a whole lot better. Do you know what my talk will be on? Well I am really going to work hard these next two weeks that I have left. Well have a good week and I will do the same. Thanks
Elder Shelley

Mom
It is crazy at how fast time is flying by. Well things are going a little better. I have just decided to not let things bug me because when I let things bug me we lose the spirit and it is hard to teach. Well no baptism this week all of them fell, but we have many possibles for this next week. We found some good people to teach this week. I got really trunky yesterday. For lunch we had a barbeque and there were many people it reminded me of the family parties we had on holidays. Yesterday was Father's Day here. Matt, I can’t wait to play basketball with you when I get home. I have sure missed that since we don’t do much for p-day. I have had a hard time finding cool things to send home for gifts. I am thinking about sending home jerseys of the different teams. Sorry there just is not many cool things. Well it will be very nice to be home and relax. These last few months have been really stressful for me. I am super excited to come home. Well it sounds like you are doing really good. I think the sweeper job is good for Jani, not stressful and easy good pay too. That's funny because I read my patriarchal blessing a just couple days ago. Mom I am really excited to see what happens and what callings I will receive and things I'll do in the future. Mom I love reading that blessing. I have really seen some blessings come true. Mom, have a good week. I am excited to see the downstairs when I come home. I love you.
Elder Shelley

2 Baptisms!!

Baptism of Gabriel and Bia!

Mom,
Well this week was a little rough with the comp. I am really trying my best. We had 2 baptisms Bia and Gabriel. It was the highlight of the week. Other than that, nothing really cool. My comp ticked me off today. I asked if we could email earlier but he complained about the sun and how hot it was. He wanted to stay in all day. I read in Jesus the Christ and then slept. I am towards the end of the book. At the part when they are crucifying Christ. I have like 157 pages left. I really like the book. It really helps me understand Christ a little better. Thanks I need all the prayers I can get. Well things are going, just have 4 weeks left with him. Sorry about no cool experiences.

On the baptism, the water was cold, but the cool thing was when Bia went under the water the water was warm. MOM I LOVE BAPTISMS!!!! It reminded me of Juli's baptism. We had an investigator that really loved church and watched the baptisms. It was really cool. We are going to try and baptize him Saturday. He absolutely loves the Book of Mormon. He has been reading like crazy. Well, mom have a good week. That is really funny about anesthesia, Jani and wisdom teeth. Well I am really excited to come home and see you guys again. Well have a good week. This week we will work on finding new people to teach and baptize. We have District meeting on Wednesday with all the Elders in Birigui (another city). And hopefully have many more baptisms this next week. I love you so much. Thanks for everything. This will get better.
Elder Shelley

Mom,
This week was really good as far as the work goes. This week was a little hard with my comp. He has different ideas on the work and it was hard. We argued a little, but things will go better. He told me that I was a man of little faith and that I did not love the people. That really hurt me because he does not even know me. I need your prayers I am trying my hardest to be kind and patient with him so we can have the spirit with us because as the scriptures say if you don’t have the spirit you can’t teach. He teaches in a weird way that I am not liking. He has a different mind set and tries to twist my words around to make everything thing I say bad or negative. I found out that he and his last comp fought quite a bit and that is why he got transferred. Well keep praying for us. We had a lot of new people to teach. No the family fell, they had something going this weekend so they weren’t baptized, but an investigator that we were working on for a long time yesterday said she wants to be baptized next Sunday and wants me to baptize her. I am so excited. I can see the many blessing of working hard, when you work hard the Lord really blesses you. We also have marked for some other people to get baptized this next Sunday: Geovanni, Carol, Bia, Vagner, Maisa, and Leiticia. Please pray for them that they can get baptized and keep their commitments. Thanks mom for everything. I know that everything will work out. I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!! The work is really going here in Lins. Mom I will really miss the people but I will have a way to keep in contact with them. Thanks for everything. Can you send me a cookie recipe, I can’t find mine because some members wants me to make them. I love you and thanks for everything.

That is good to hear that Trek went well. Well I will keep Jani in my prayers. Have a good week. I love you and thanks for everything.
Um grande abraço de seu filho!!!
Elder Shelley

Staying in Lins--New Comp!

July 25, 2011

Mom,
Well I stayed here in Lins, but I have a new comp Elder Hanison. He is from Belem, he is really new on the mission his second transfer. Well the family fell that was supposed to be baptized this last week. Well this week they should be baptized. I am really excited as it is my last transfer. It was weird saying bye to Menezes today. It does not seem like it is my last transfer.

I am really going to focus hard this transfer and there will be many miracles in Lins. That is about the most exciting thing that happened this week. Elder Vitor did not want to leave. President just switched comps with Elder Heiner and me, I think it was pretty funny. I will definitely miss Elder Vitor. By the way he really likes Jani and wants to marry her when he comes to the US in 2014. It was really funny at how many times he talked about her last week. Well he had a few dreams that he said he was at our home during the snow time and he dreamed about Jani. Well he is just a funny missionary.
Mom this last week I kept having dreams about people here in Lins. Well things are going well. I am so excited that it is my last transfer and that I will be home soon. I really miss you guys, but I am really going to miss many people here. I think it would be awesome to go on a cruise to Brazil sometime. Mom I am going to save money up so I can return back and visit some people.

Grandpa G was right I am going to miss the people here more than when I was leaving you at the beginning on the mission. That is crazy that Chase is coming home. Well Ryan comes home too next month and then ME!!! Have a good week. I love you and thanks for everything.

Elder Shelley

Mom,
It is so true. I remember a training that I had at a district meeting at the beginning of the mission. The elder said a mission is divided into three sections. First part is learning, second developing, and last miracles. Mom I am seeing miracles everyday. It is just a special thing. Mom I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. I talked about Missionary Work and a talk that President Hinckley gave call Missionary Work. I did really good until the end when I shared my testimony. I got really emotional. I told the ward that I have 2 months left and I am excited to go home and see my family, but I don’t want to leave the mission. Mom I told them that one of the special things about a mission is seeing the lives of people change as they gain a testimony. I love teaching people. I made many people cry, it was awesome, the spirit was just really strong, and I touched many members. It is true, I am so excited to see you guys, but I love the mission life. That is one thing I am really going to miss. Well I have a little bit of road left. We should have a family to baptize this Sunday. Please keep Vagner, Maisa, and Leiticia in your prayers that they can stop drinking coffee and that they can get baptized. Mom it was a reference from a member. The mom and dad were interviewed this last week. LD said that Vagner said he really liked the Priesthood part of church and said that when he talked about having the Priesthood to bless his family, Vagner got emotional. I am so grateful that our family has the Priesthood. I am so grateful that I hold that Power of God to bless not only our family but the lives of others. Mom I love being a missionary. That is cool about Nate Olson’s call, tell him congrats.

Mom this last week we had a ward activity and they had a mechanical bull, it was fun, too bad we could not ride the bull. My comp really wanted to and he tried to go and I told him we could not, he was really mad at me. I think we should have one for a ward activity or family party, what do you think? Thing are a little hard with my comp. He is really lazy and I have to drag him to places. He is cool but I am tired of his attitude. Well things are going okay with us. I am just praying that I get a new comp. He still is not agreeing with some things on the mission and it is really hard. Well things will work out, Grandma G sent me a letter that had a scripture in D&C 67:1-2. It was what I have been needing. It talks about how the Lord knows we are here and hears our prayers. Mom it was what I needed because lately I have felt alone with planning, with the work. I have not been sleeping very well because I have been preoccupied with the Work. I talked to the President for an interview this week. I will just do what is the Lord's will. I really love President Preito. Today, we played basketball since it is Menezes last P-day. I really need to practice. Well have a good week. I love you and thanks for everything, I know things will work out. Have a good week.
Elder Shelley

Mom,
My week was a lot better. Well I had a pepperoni pizza on the fourth. I got really trunky because we had nothing to do and I remembered a lot of home all the barbeques, fireworks but that is okay now. Hey trunky moment-- 58 days until I will be home. This week was the best yet here. We did not baptize but we have a family that we are trying and preparing for this Sunday. That is really cool that you gave dinner to the missionaries. Well with Josi we marked for the 24th. Well I can see the blessing of having members work. When we have a member we find many good people to teach. It makes the work much easier. I had a pretty cool experience last night. We went with a member and his son. We taught everyone we had marked. I asked if they had a friend that we could visit. The member said the mom is annoying and the dad too. I asked if we could visit them. I really insisted on going there and I was persistent. Well we got to the house and the mom said sure you can leave a message. We found out that her husband is a less active member and that she almost baptized. The reason why not was because when they were going through a rough time and asked for a health blessing the members did not help them. So she was really hurt by that. The lesson was really good. We are going to baptize her and her son and reactivate the family. It was a testimony to me that the Lord is aware of his children and that sometimes we think the person may not receive the message well things change. It was good because I hope the member realized that sometimes we think people won’t receive the message well but it turned out to be a very good lesson and it was just really good. Tomorrow we have interviews with President. I am going to ask him if I can train. I really want to and being my last transfer, I hope it works out. Well this last week almost every night I had some part of my dreams in Portuguese. It was really funny. Wednesday my dream was almost all in Portuguese, there was just a small part that was in English.

Well I am doing well. This week was very good and my comp was a little more excited too. Mom one thing that I have learned is just do the will of the Lord. There have been times when I have tried to push and I have just learned let the Lord do what he wants. Mom I don’t know I want a new comp and I don’t at the same time. I will just keep praying and put this decision in the Lord’s hands because he knows best. One thing is that we had a zone fast this Saturday and Sunday and my comp did not want to do it. I asked him why he did not want to and he was just tired of what the ZLs have said and he does not like fasting. It was kind of sad, he just does not understand some things and I am trying to help him it is just hard. I have also thought about asking President to put me with Elder Heiner. He is another missionary that when we did divisions we did really good together. I might ask president for that too. Well we will see what happens. Well this week was just really good, it made my comp a little more excited. President has changed things again. We don’t have a knock doors or do contacts. He wants us to find 5 families- this includes people to go to church or accept baptism date. Well I will see what happens. This reminds me of a district meeting I had. The elder said that the mission is divided into 3 sections first part learning, 2nd putting those things into practice and the 3rd part miracles. I am seeing many miracles. Mom I am seeing many miracles everyday. Well it will be challenging but I can do hard things. I may just wait and see what the Lord wants about the comp. Well please just pray that everything will work out for the best. What are you guys going to do today? Well if you need anything just let me know. Thanks for everything,
Elder Shelley

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Mom,
This week was a little slow. Not very many people to teach. Mom one of our investigators fell on us. Aurea(the old lady) she said that she wanted to stop taking the lessons and going to church and really think what she wants. She is going through some tough times and says it is the best. We just really shared the importance of going to church and just shared our testimony. Mom I really have grown to love this woman. Mom it is sad sometimes when they stop. Mom I almost cried because I had really grown to love this lady and seeing her progress. Oh well, we gave her our number and said to have her call when ever she wanted. Well we found some new people. My testimony on prayer was strengthened yesterday. Well all of our appointments were falling and we had to knock doors. Well no one wanted to listen to us. It was about 6:30 at night and we were knocking and I said a prayer to have Heavenly Father guide us to a family because we needed a few more new people. I knocked this one door and this lady came out. She invited us in and we shared the message of the Restoration with her. We taught her sister and her nephew. It was really good. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers. I was just so glad to teach this new family. I just want to help many people get baptized and realize the blessings of the Gospel.

Josi is having a hard time with coffee. She is a really cool investigator we have taught her everything but she just is not progressing. We have her baptismal date set for Sunday. We are going back tonight and just really going to help her. Mom it really makes a difference when you go to help the people out of love. I am really going to miss all the friends that I have made here. Mom is Payson part of our mission back home? Because the Branch Presidents wife’s sister is serving in Payson right now just wondering.

The other day it was like 53 degrees and I was freezing. Well I will definitely freeze when I get home. Well I just thought it was funny. It is really cloudy and is like when we go to Disneyland. It is really nice outside. It is probably 60´s. People here put on like snow coats to go outside. That is crazy that it is really hot in Utah. Well we are going to go home and watch some church films because we can’t watch Disney unless our zone reaches its goal and we did not this week so. We are watching the Testaments and Together Forever. Not too much and later tonight--we are going to teach Josi. What about you guys? Will you do Fireworks this year? Well have you guys bought any fireworks? I get really trunky because there are 3 firework stores close to our house and I can’t buy any. Here you can buy fireworks whenever you want. They are really good ones and some really have power.

Well I will try my best with the souvenirs. I will try my best here. Well things are going okay. My comp still does not agree with some things of the mission. I have to really push him to work. Oh well what can you do. Well I am good. I have really been stressed out lately with investigators and our area. I have not slept very well these last few nights, but things are going good. Well things will go better. Have a good one and if you need anything just let me know and please pray for our investigators especially Bia, Josi and Leiticia that they can get baptized this week. Well have a good one. Have a good week and Fourth Of July. Tell Grandma G. I say Feliz Aniversario(Happy Birthday)
Elder Shelley

Hey,
Conference was awesome. President spoke about references and how the members can help more. It was really good. We were really blessed this last week with 5 people at church. So we have 4 possible for this week to be baptized. I am so excited and hope everything goes well. Well thanks for everything. My week was a little better. My comp is a little hard though. He does not agree with some things that we do on the mission and so that is really hard. Well things will work out.
Mom,
Well that is good that camp went well. My week was okay not the best. We were definitely blessed to have 5 people at church and we have 4 possible to be baptized this week. Please keep in your prayers Josi, Aurea, Leiticia, and Bia so that they can be baptized on Sunday. I am so excited I really hope they get baptized because it has been a long time since I have had WATER. Well my comp is okay. He does not agree with some things that we are suppose to do on the mission and so that is hard. I have to really push him to work. Well the next transfer is July 24ish. I just want to help many people be baptized and receive the blessings of the Gospel. I just hope things go better with my comp. Well I kind of hope I get a new comp for Transfers because it is my last and I want someone that will work. Well our week was good. I am still plugging until the end. Well can you have the guys start thinking of what they want as a souvenir because here in a couple weeks I will be sending a package home of stuff. That would really help´. Is there anything I can do for you guys? If so just let me know.
Elder Shelley

Thanks mom,
It is true a whole lot of work. BUT IT IS WORTH IT. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!! It will be sad to take off the name tag. Mom I am really trying my best and I hope the Lord can see that. I am trying to finish strong. Well I have seen many blessing come from being a missionary. I can’t wait to hear the new missionary cd. Well thanks for all the prayers, it helps. I love you and thanks for everything.

Dad,
Matt is a funny kid. I love him. I wish I could have seen the smile. Hope he had a good birthday. My comp is a little quiet but good. He is helping a little bit. He is still getting used to the mission. Today is Menezes birthday. We are going to have a barbeque for him. Well did not do much for the birthday. It was kind of lame. My comp bought a chocolate pudding cake but that was about the highlight. Well, things will go better and keep our investigators in your prayers. We have many good people that are preparing for baptism. Boy, I was mad at the ward here. We have an investigator, Josi, she is really interested in the church. We talked with her and she wanted to go to Stake Conference, but she was not able to because there was only one bus to go to Birigui. Dad there was supposed to be 2 buses but because the members put their names at the last minute there was only one bus so we had to tell our investigator that she could not, I was so mad because she really wanted to go. Well sometimes that happens. Well Stake Conference was good. Well it is a ton easier having the language down. Things are going a little better. Well please keep praying that our investigators will progress and will be able to go to church. Well I hope things are going well for you. Have a good week and I will try and do the same.
Elder Shelley

New Comp--Elder Vitor

June 13, 2011

Mom,
Thank you very much to Grandma and Grandpa G and Grandma Shelley for the money in my account. I really appreciate it. Well I got a new comp Elder Vitor from Recife. It is his second transfer. We will see how it goes. Yea I’m a little happy to stay in Lins. I just hope that we can baptize and really help the area. Peterson is in a city call Sao Jose da Bonifacio. He is training but not very excited about it.

That is really good about Matt. He is just awesome. That is really good that he can go and teach. I think that is just what he needed. Mom I will really miss being a missionary. I love being about to share my Testimony everyday. Mom our mission president challenged all the missionaries to read the Book of Mormon in a transfer. I took that challenge and finished, I read it all in Portuguese. Mom that was one of the best experiences that I have had. President promised really good blessings if we did that, so I really hope. Please pray for my new comp and especially the area that we can find really good people to teach. Good luck placing the Book of Mormon I will definitely pray for you guys. Mom that is one of the hardest things is getting people to go to church. We had one come yesterday, Bia, she has been taught by the missionaries, she is 16 and she is deciding between the Catholic and ours. She really likes ours. Well we are going to have the DL interview her. Well this last week was slow and we did not do as good as we should of. Mom the people here are kind of weird, they let you in to teach one lesson and after don’t want anything to do with it. They hate keeping commitments. Well keep praying and hope that many miracles can happen this next transfer. Have a good week and I will try and have the same.
Elder Shelley

June 6, 2011

Mom,
Don’t worry about the trip. That is just one thing that I really miss. I love the family trips that we go on. You know being here I have really gained a testimony on have strong family relationships. I can’t wait to go on some fun adventures here in a couple months. Mom things will work out.

Friday we had a mission tour with Elder Godoy. Mom, the mission conference was just what I needed!!!!!. It was really good. Very Spiritual. I really loved listening to him. He spoke a lot on our names and how they have a heritage. Mom the spirit was so strong and just an awesome time. It was just what I needed. He talked a lot about our purpose for being missionaries. To save others, to built the kingdom of God, and to save ourselves. It was just a really good meeting. He also shared a couple experiences on how a mission president is called and some personal experiences when his son got his mission call to serve in the south part of Brazil.

Mom could you get me Brian’s, Janice’s, and Mike’s house address? That would be great. I can’t believe how fast the time is flying by. It is crazy before you know it I will be home. Well I am really trying my best and trying to have no regrets. Mom this area is hard because people don’t want to make commitments. It is hard but we are doing our best.

Oh when we were coming home from the thing with Godoy the bus broke down and so we had to wait for a new one and that wasted the rest of the day. That was a bummer. Well things are going well. I sure hope that Jani and Juli can be safe with Joc and Jaq. Mom I know that Heavenly Father will watch after them and keep them safe. Mom I just don’t want anything bad to happen to them because I am getting close to come home and I can’t wait to see them.

Have a good one. Thanks for letting me know about the money and I finally got the package. Thanks!!!!

Elder Shelley

Elder Godoy visits on Thursday!

Thanks mom,
Nothing really new here. Just another week. I sure hope that Jani can do the best for math. That is good that Dave is good and safe. Well that is too bad about their stake center. Today, we will play basketball and I don’t know what else. Well it was cold this morning too. It was like around 60ish and I got really cold. I know I will freeze when I come home. Well that should be good. Tell everyone I say hi. I love you and if you need anything just let me know. Oh there is a really rich member in Lins. My comp had his b-day and she said for us to pass by there and she gave us both presents, me this kit.spray deodorant, after shave stuff and some cologne. Well that was cool. Sorry not much time. I have only about 5 minutes left. Have a good week and day. Oh and Feliz Aniversario (Happy B-day) on the third. Well I really can’t wait to get a new comp. I really hope that I get a new one this next transfer. I love Elder Peterson but it is just really hard with him. It is just time for a change. Well I can’t believe that I only have 2 transfers left. Well this week Elder Godoy will speak on Thursday. I am really excited. Well there was a member that said that the Prophet and some of the 12 Apostles are going to visit every mission here in Brazil. I think that would be really cool to see the Prophet and meet more of the 12 Apostles. But this member, her husband was in Belem I think and said he saw the Prophet and some apostles so we will see. Well things will go better. I love you and if you need anything just let me know.
Elder Shelley

Cool Experience Last Week...

Mom,
My week was pretty slow. We had a seminary thing with President and the Assistants. That was really good. Well we are trying to get people baptized. They just won’t go to church and when they do it is hard to find them home to teach. Well please keep praying that we can baptize someone this week. Well things will go better. I am just ready for a little change here if you know what I mean.

I had a cool experience this last week. Well a member gave me an address of a less active to visit. Well I did not plan a specific day. So Wednesday night we were knocking doors and I knock on a door. I felt really happy inside and I could not figure out why. Well this lady came out and I asked if we could leave a message with you guys. She said are you guys Mormons, yes. My husband used to be. Well we were able to go in and share the first lesson. It was really good the spirit was strong and we asked the guy to say a pray at the end he did not want to, but he finally did. The spirit was so strong. He was a member for 8 years and even had a mission call to serve in Fortaleza, but he got married. He said he really misses the church, he wants to go back but she is scared I think. He gave us the address and it was the same as the member had given me. It was a really big testimony builder for me that Heavenly Father is aware of his children. He used me in his arms even when I did not notice. That was the really exciting thing that happened. Well the 2nd of June we will have a mission tour and Elder Godoy will speak. I really like listening to Elder Godoy. Well things will go better this week. We tried marking dates but they fell. Well keep praying for me and my comp and that I can have the best for me. I love you and thanks for everything.
Elder Shelley

Mom, (For Sister Reid’s Lesson thing)
I have seem many blessings that have come from being obedient to the mission rules. I have had more influence of the Holy Ghost in my life. I have also been able to listen for the whispers of the Holy Ghost. It is such a pleasure to see many people gain a testimony about the church. As I work hard everyday, the Lord helps put people in my path who are ready to hear the Gospel. When you work hard the Lord is more willing to help you find the elect ones to teach and also you are able to really help people gain a testimony and have the desire to be baptized. As I have been obedient, I have been able to know what people need to hear to stop drinking or smoking so they can be baptized. I have seen a big difference when during a week I give it my all and try my best and work hard the Lord helps. I have also seen what happens when you don’t and your work does not go very well.

I really love my sisters Jani and Juli. I want them to know they are special to me. Being here on the mission I have really gained to testimony that this church is true and that Families can be together forever. I love my family and I am so grateful that we can be together. I know that this church is true. I want them to know that. I know that Joseph Smith really was called as a Prophet to Restore the Church of Jesus Christ. I know that the Priesthood Power has been restored too. I am so grateful that I am a worthy Priesthood Holder. I know that we have a true Prophet on the Earth today and that he guides the church. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that he lives and loves us. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve many people each day and share my testimony and help them gain a testimony. I know that obedience is important.
Elder Shelley

May 16, 2011

Mom,
My week was okay too. We actually did the best for our numbers and we are helping many people. Please include in your prayers Elizabete, Rubins, Larissa, Patricia, Pricielle that we can mark Baptismal Interviews with them this week. Well tomorrow we have a small meeting with President and the Assistants it should be really good.

Well it is just a great blessing that Matt can see. You know the Lord is aware of Matt. He will help you and him. I know this. Just hearing about Matt I have seen many blessings that have come to him. Mom, maybe right now is not the right time for Matt’s eye thing. Maybe he needs to wait a little longer. Mom, you know I thank the Lord for him and all the work that he has done for the family. I have seen many blessings come to our family because I am here serving. Mom don’t worry the Lord is aware. I know things will work out it is like the scriptures say everything has its time. Good Luck with Trek stuff. Well I hope you have a good week and things will go well. I love you and if you need anything just let me know.
Elder Shelley

Pictures of Franca!

Area in Franca

This is how the houses are in Franca

Field in Franca

My District: Elder Peterson, me, Elder Hepworth, and Elder Mccleland

On the day of the Baptism, My Zone and a member

Baptism of Lucinete with Elder Peterson in Sao Joaquim da Barra

Expedito and Amanda (daughter) and his wife that we were teaching in Franca

**We got to skype Greg yesterday and it was awesome! Can't believe it is less than 4 months before he'll come home. He said that time is flying by too fast and he isn't ready to come home yet. That's good but he better get working to get all he wants done because time is moving fast! He thought that Juli has changed the most and is even sounding different than he remembers. The other thing I thought was cool is that he told us his big heavy shoes that look like mega hiking boots on the soles now have a hole. That means he's really been walking and hopefully a sign of a good missionary. Anyway, it was so good to see him yesterday. Instead of just posting a quick note he wrote today, I thought I'd post some really cool pictures he sent of Franca (His last area before this transfer).
Signed,

Proud Missionary Mom

Transferred!!! Lins--Birigui

Mom,
That is really cool about Matt getting the job. Well I got transferred to Lins it is a city just out of Birigui. I am still with Elder Peterson. I am really surprised that I am still with him and I got transferred. It is in the hot part of the mission. Well things will go good. Yes I know that times can be rough, heck a mission is not always easy. Well Menezes is in the same zone and I am really excited to see him again. I really like him. We will try and do a division or two. Well we did not baptize anyone this last transfer but we planted a lot of good seeds. There is a blind man that we were teaching Expedito, he will be baptized here in 2 weeks with his family. We also got someone that was falling away from the church come back and is strong. Well we may of not baptized but we sure saved someone from going away from the church. Mom I love being a missionary and sharing my testimony everyday to everyone. Yes a mission is hard but WORTH IT. I can’t believe that I only have a few months left that is so crazy. Well I am not sure about the mothers day call. I will probably call on Friday or Saturday to set the stuff up because it is a new area and we know no one. Well yes we are going to skype president said that he wants all the missionaries to use skype. I am so excited. No problem for the letter. I really hope it helps the Priest. Wow you did get a lot of snow. That is good about Matt. That is really exciting, you see the Lord really is looking out for Matt. I have really gained a strong testimony about relying on the Lord. He is definitely aware of all of our needs. I hope Jani does good on her tests. It sounds like she is ready for, summer me too, oh wait I am in summer, LOL. Well it sounds like Juli is doing good. I hope dad can be safe. Well have a good week and if you need anything just let me know. Thanks for everything. Oh this morning I heard that Osama Bid laden is dead. Well I love you and thanks for taking care of Sid tell him I say hi. Oh Luiz for Bebedouro just sent his paper yesterday so I am just waiting to hear where he goes. Love you.
Elder Shelley

We Got Mail!!

March 29, 2011

Dear Mom,
Thanks for the letter you sent me. Tell President Scoresby that I say hi. I hope that Trek goes well for you guys this year. Tell Scott Hansen that I say Hi.

Mom, I would tell the Priest to go on a mission. It is the best thing for a young man to do. It has really changed my life. What you said is very true. If the Lord wants you in a certain part of the world then he will help you. He surely has helped me with the Portuguese language. I thought the same way about the language, but Heavenly Father has helped me a lot. One thing I would tell him is to do the same thing I did before the mission. I went to a quiet place and prayed and asked Heavenly Father if I should serve a mission. He answered my prayer. I felt a desire that I should serve. I also prayed to know if this church is true and what I learned was true. Mom, I know that this is the only true church on the face of the Earth. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity every day to serve and help the people know that Christ’s church has been restored through Joseph Smith. My favorite lesson to teach is the Restoration because the spirit is so strong. I know that President Monson is a true prophet and that he guides the church. Mom, I too, at the beginning of my mission asked Why am I here? Will I ever learn this language? Is this church really true? Is the Book of Mormon true? I felt unsure of many things but now I can say I am here to serve and help others know that this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book written by prophets that lived here in the Americas. Mom I know that Heavenly Father is aware of my needs. He is always there to help. I am so grateful to be here in Brasil serving and loving the people. I can’t believe that here in a few months I will not be a missionary anymore. It is just an awesome calling that I have.

Every young man should serve a mission. It is the best 2 years of your life. I have learned so much in the last year and six months. I would say the one thing to do is pray. It is the way we communicate with Heavenly Father. Like we teach people when Joseph read James 1:5—“If any of ye lack wisdom let him ask of God.” If he really is wondering tell him to pray and ask Heavenly Father if he should serve a mission. I do not regret going on a mission. I felt the same way as he does especially about a new language, but Heavenly Father will help.

I hope that this letter helps. I love you and thanks for everything. Mom, my testimony about the Savior and his atonement has sure grown over the past year and six months. I am so grateful that Christ suffered for my sins, and everyone’s sins so that we can live with him again. I am so grateful I made the choice to serve a mission. I love you!!
Elder Shelley

Have the priest study:
D&C 4—especially verses 3 and 7
D&C 11:21
D&C 14:3
D&C 50: 22
D&C 68:5-6
D&C 84:88
These are just a few scriptures that might help.

Dear Dad,
How are you doing? I am just fine. It really does not seem like I have been out for 18 months. I love being a missionary. I am so glad that I made the decision to serve the Lord. It has sure not been the easiest year and six months but I have sure learned a lot. I have learned how to be a good leader. I know I have always had leadership positions in the church, but as a missionary you have a vision with the members and leaders. Well, I am just going to keep doing my best. I love reading the scriptures. I just made it through the "war chapters" in Alma. The mission has 106 missionaries. I sure hope that more missionaries can get their visas.

I can't wait to go hunting again. I love the outdoors and really just appreciating all of God's creations. I also can't wait to go to Disneyland. You won't believe it but here in this area and in other areas, there are smells that remind me of different parts of Disneyland. Well, I hope you have a good time at work and that things go well. Thanks for everything. I love you.
Elder Shelley

Dear Jani,
How are you doing? I am just doing great. I am trying to work hard every day. I love being able to share the gospel with everyone. It is one of the best things every. I will tell you it is hard work. It is not very easy to baptize people. We did teach a guy yesterday that was very receptive and it was probably the best lesson that me and Elder Peterson have given together. I am really excited for General Conference. The last one on my mission. I can't wait for the next one in October--No Suit!! :) I hope things are going good for you...

Dear Juli,
How are you doing? I can't believe you are almost done with 6th grade. That is really cool. You will love junior high. Well, thing are going good here. I am teaching and working hard every day. Are you loving the temple? I sure miss going to the temple. I wish it was in our mission boundaries. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. It seems like yesterday I said good-bye to you at the airport. I love the mission and the people here, but I also miss you a whole bunch. I can't wait to get home and we can do stuff together. I will definitely miss the people of Brasil. They are just a loving people. Well I love you and thanks for everything. Thanks for taking care of Sid...

Dear Matt,
My mission is going just great. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. I have had about 18 baptisms. It is hard to get people to be baptized. Hopefully, this young woman named Jessica will be baptized soon. Well I hope the baptisms will come. The weirdest thing I have eaten were pig's feet, ear and tail. They were weird. Right now it is usually between 90-100 degrees but sometimes it gets even hotter. That is good that your mission is doing good. It is way fun going and teaching people about the gospel. That is one of my favorite things I love is sharing my testimony with others every day. I can't wait to play basketball with you also. Just to let you know I really stink at it now. Keep practicing and September we will play some ball. Remember that I love you and go to the temple as often as you can...

Love,
Elder Shelley

Oi,
Zone Conference was really good this week. We learned how to set a baptismal date with the Book of Mormon. That was cool. Well things are going good. President has really changed the mission. We have to knock 12 doors, teach 6 Introductory Class, do 2 contacts 10 with men and 10 others, and visit one less active. I have really seen the blessings of these new things. Well that sounds like you had a good Easter. Mine was kind of boring. We had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader. Then we picked up Expedito and Amanda. They are a dad and daughter that we are teaching. She is 8 and really loved church, he also. He is blind but really good and really liked church. We visited a few families but that was about it for the day. I really miss making the marshmallow thing we did every Easter. I really missed being home and doing traditions. That is one thing I can’t wait for. We have some other people that are really good investigators too. Eduardo is one. He is dating a member and he wants to be baptized but we can’t find him home that is the only bad part. We found this guy that studied English for 15 years and he has stopped for 6 so we are going to teach him and help with the English. Things are going really good. I am really excited for transfers on Monday. I really hope that transfers will be good. I know that the best will come out of it. What ever happens happens, just have to put a smile on the face and deal with it. Elio should be baptized on Sunday. He will leave to another city this week and returns Saturday. Keep in your prayers for him that he can get baptized. Well we have many good people to teach and are working with. I really love this area. Well I know if I get transferred I will have a leadership position and if not I will still be Senior. Well keep praying that things will work out. Have a good week and be safe. Well have a good one. Thanks again for everything.
Elder Shelley

Mom,
Interviews with President was really good. Well I don’t know what will happen with transfers but I know that the Lord is aware of my needs and will help me. I have just really prayed to gain patience. I am just wishing the best for my comp. He needs to go to a different zone, so he can be happy. Well things will all work out. That is good that you guys had a good time at St. George. Well that is really cool about the 24th on the 24th. Happy Anniversary. That is really cool. We have an investigator, Elio, he has a baptismal date set for Sunday and his interview Tuesday. Please keep him in your prayers that he can pass. We had a lady in the church yesterday. She really liked it a lot. Well I gave a talk yesterday also about Service. The bishop stopped us on Friday and asked if one of us could speak and I said yeah. Well I decided to speak. Well that is about what is going on here. We have Zone Conference on Wednesday. I am so excited. Transfers are May 2nd. Just keep praying for me and my comp that everything will work out and that President and the Assistants will be able to put me and my comp in the best places where the Lord wants us. For P-day, we are going to go home and sleep for a little bit and then play soccer at 2 at our church. That is about it. Well have a good one. If you need anything just let me know. I love you and I am just going to do my best. Jani, (HAPPY BIRHTDAY) FELIZ ANIVERSARIO!
Elder Shelley

Mom,
Well Franco has both farming and city part. This week was pretty good. We taught some really good lessons. We found a couple families to teach. Well we had a man come to church yesterday. We taught him Saturday and the guy wanted to visit the church. He is an older man and has a problem with his foot. He is an older man in his 60´s. He has some problems with one of his toes. He was not feeling so good so me and my comp gave him a blessing. It is so good to be able to use the Priesthood to bless others. Well he really liked the church. I really hope that he will come next week too. The area here is kind of hard because some people just don’t want anything to do with the church. Well this week we met 2 guys that don’t believe in God or Jesus Christ. I think that is just really weird and how can they think that?! Well things are going well. I am trying my best to do what I am supposed to do. We have interviews with President on Thursday. I am really excited. Well that is about it for the updates. That is good that Matt is doing well. Yep there is a big difference with him when he feels like he has an assignment or job to do. That is really good because I have really been thinking about him lately. Well it sounds like things are working out.

That is good that there will be a break from school. I hope you guys have a good time on the trip. Let me know what you guys do. I hope Jani has a good time on the trip. Well if you need anything just let me know. I love you and thanks for everything. I know don’t have much time left and I want to finish with honor and excitement that my mission was good. I want to finish well. Please could you include these things in your prayers that would help a lot. I love you and thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Shelley

Gotta Love Conference!

Dad,
I loved listening to conference. I loved hearing from Old Stake President Gibson. I loved the talk about knowing what your Priesthood responsibilities are. I loved all the talks. I liked Elder Scotts about not doing enamel water coloring on the fridge. It is so good to hear it in English. It is such an enormous blessing because you can hear the speakers and their emotions. I loved the talk about families and it reminded me of our family and how united and how much fun we have together. I am so grateful for our family and all the things that we do together. I can’t wait to do more stuff here in 5 months. Well I can’t wait to read the talks. There were a few talks on marriage. I don’t have to worry about that for at least 5 more months :-) I hope you guys have a good Spring Break. Yep that was crazy when we saw snow on the TV screen. Well only in Utah, LOL. We did have a baptism yesterday. It was Salatiel´s niece from Sao Joaquim, the area that I was in. The person wanted my comp to baptize her so he did. The new area that I am in is very hilly. UPS AND DOWNS, but very good and cool. It is not as hot as Sao Joaquim. Well things are going much better with the comp and area. WE are finding many people to teach. Keep praying that our investigators will pray and read the Book of Mormon and go to church and will have the desire to be baptized. Have a good week and hope work is going good. I am excited to see the basement and what you guys have done. That is cool that Matt will work at the Temple. I think that is a very good job for him to do at the Temple. I really thought about him during conference. Well he will do good and I know that Heavenly Father is aware of his needs. Don’t worry too much, the Lord will help you guys. I really felt that during this conference. I loved President Monson’s talk about going to the Temple. Go to the Temple as often as you can. That is really one blessing that I miss. I love the Temple and I am glad that we are sealed as a family and that we can live together forever. I am so grateful that we have a temple so close to our house I can’t wait to go back in 5 months. Well have a good week and I will definitely pray for Matt and the Temple. I love you and thanks for everything.
Elder Shelley

Oi,
Well things are going. This week I got sick and had to stay in the house for a couple days. I found out I have some problems with my intestines but I am taking medicine so things will be good. It is still a little hard with my comp. There are times when he will just throw my ideas down the drain, puts a cold bucket of water. It is kind of frustrating at times. I am still trying to love him and help him. It is really hard. The only thing he is excited for is P-Day. I am trying to stay excited but it is hard because he is not and I don’t know how to explain it. Well things will go better, I know they will. I can’t wait for Conference. It is the last on the mission. I can’t wait to get home and be able to watch it at home in regular clothes. LOL.

Well things are going okay. It is like starting over with Investigators and trying to teach people. It is hard in the new area to teach people. They just don’t want to hear the message and when they do they don’t want us to come back. Well that sounds like things are going well for you guys. Well I am trying my best to do my best. This morning we played soccer and basketball. Boy I really stink at basketball. The ward here is really good. The members help a lot more. Well nothing really new. The members from my old area are taking care of the mother and daughter. Here this week, we are going to send to LZ´s to do an interview and hopefully she will be baptized.

I hope you have a good week. I am feeling a whole lot better. Well have a good one.
Elder Shelley

Transferred to Franca!

Oi,
Well I got transferred with Elder Peterson to Franca. It is where we would go for district meeting. Well I hope that it will make him a little more excited to do the work. Well my week was okay. There were a few birthday parties we went to here. Well I am really going to miss the people in Sao Joaquim. Well things are going for me. Saturday and Sunday I got sick. It started Saturday after lunch. I started to get a headache and then my back ached. Then it was like my whole body was aching also. I felt really sick. Well that night I could not sleep and I threw up at 2 in the morning and I felt a little better. Then yesterday I felt a little sick also. I am doing much better now. I hope things are going well for you guys. That is good that BYU is going to the sweet 16. Man I really miss watching basketball, it is all soccer here. I celebrated 1 year and 6. I bought some fireworks and they were pretty cool. I have some videos of me burning my pants. Well that was a fun day. I hope things are going well for you guys. I love you and thanks for everything. Well Sao Joaquim closed for one transfer. Have a good week and if you need anything just let me know.

Elder Shelley

A Year and 6 Months!!

Mom,
This week, I went to a birthday party for Salatiel, he is a member here. He is really cool, he helps us out a lot. Me and my comp bought fireworks and I did not get trunky.

Well this week was a little rough. It is hard to keep my comp excited about the work, he just wants to leave. Well then yesterday we tried getting people to church and no one came. We tried picking up 5 young women that we taught earlier and they were still asleep and that was rough because we had two members helping. Well this is the second week that we have had no one at church.

Wednesday I hit a year and 6, I can’t believe it. Well it has rained everyday this past week. Yep it is normal here. Well I hope you guys have a good day and week. If you need anything just let me know. That is good that you guys did good on the talks, the thing that matters is that it is over. Well, I am excited to see Matt’s room and the basement when I get home. He sounds excited. Thanks for everything.

Oh Salatiel wants to meet Matt. He asked me if you guys are coming to pick me up and I said I don’t know because I told him that if yes it would only be you and dad. I kind of want to do something as a family. It would be a lot of money if all of you guys came to Brazil. I think it would be fun, but it would be a lot of money. This family really wants to meet you guys someday. Well we will see what happens. Well have a good one. I love you a whole bunch.
Elder Shelley

Email from Presidente

September 7, 2011

This was what presidente said in last week’s email. I thought you would like to read it. Sorry don’t have much time to translate. Well hope you like.
Elder Shelley

Caro amigo Elder Shelley
Estou muito contente pelo seu desempenho, é isso aí vamos trabalhar
duro e batizar muito, focalize o seu trabalho em buscar homens e
família, ao sair para fazer contato procure falar com homens, ao bater
portas pergunte a senhora quando o seu esposo estará em casa para
ensinar a familia, Elder Shelley eu quero ver o seu progresso, quero
ver voce fazendo milagres na missão, batizando até o pó, voce irá
embora na transferencia de 6 de Setembro, até lá quero que seus pais
tenham orgulho de ver seu filho voltar da missão com honra e
completamente desenvolvido, acredite em mim e faça o que eu lhe pedir,
o Pai Celestial vai te abençoar com as mudanças, acredite e
trabalhe.Um abraço de seu amigo Pres. Prieto.


We had Miss Anderson (Juli’s teacher) translate for us:

Dear Friend Elder Shelley,
I am very happy with your performance. This is how we can work hard and baptize much. Focus your work on finding men and families. When you leave to make contacts, seek to talk with men. When tracting, ask the wife when her husband will be home so you can teach the family. Elder Shelley, I want to see your progress, I want to see you doing miracles on the mission, baptizing more than ever. You will go home on the September 6th transfer. Until then, I want your parents to be proud to see their son return from the mission with honor and completely grown up (developed). Believe me and do what I have asked of you. Heavenly Father will bless you with changes. Believe and work.
A hug from your friend,
Pres. Prieto

I love the city here and I love the members...

Mom,
Well this week was definitely better. Well I don’t have pics because it rained a whole bunch this last week about every morning and night. Well it is one of the smaller cities. It is very green as in trees and fields. I will try and take some photos this next week. There are about 70,000 people that live in the city. My comp has about 7 months on the mission. He is from Manti. He is ready to leave, it is hard to be in an area for a long time because it really is tiring with doing contacts and you know the problems with the ward and it is just not fun. Well this week was good because he actually taught people and really worked. Well Tuesday President and the Assistants came to Franca (Where we go and have district meeting, it is another city) and did a training about working more with men and families. That was really good it gave a little "gas" so that was really good. Well I love the city here and I love the members. They are really good.

Well please keep Paula and Giovanna in you prayers. Please especially pray that Giovanna will heal quick so that they can visit the church. They are really doing well, they are keeping their commitments and really progressing. They only problem is that Giovanna suffered a bike accident a while ago and can’t really move her legs. They went to Ribeirão last week but the docs have not okayed her yet so please pray for them.

Well things are going good. I am trying to keep Peterson excited and I think that is why we did so good this week we were focused on the important things. Well we watched Toy Story 3 last week. It was different than I expected but good. Andy reminded me of me and when you made me pack up my toys too. That was really funny. Well I hope that things will go well. If you need anything just let me know. Time is sure flying by. In 6 months I will be home, wow time sure flies by. Well that is good that everything went well at Parkers baptism and tell him congrats for me. Well have a good week and I will try and have the same. I love you and thanks for everything.

Matt, I hope that things are going good for your mission. That is really cool that you helped with Parkers Baptism. That reminded me of when I was able to stand in the circle at Brandon’s Baptism. Well here there is a big holiday called Carnival. Well no one was at church, we had 24 people, normally it is like in the 35-40. We woke up early to get investigators but no one was home it was a bummer. Well that is okay this week will be good. Well I love you and wish you the best this week.
Elder Shelley

Oi

Mom,
Well the area is great. My comp is tired of the area because he has been here for almost 5 months. He is just not that excited so that is really hard. This week was a little slow and difficult. Not many people home and my comp is just not very excited, but it will go better this week.

Well we are teaching Paula and Giovanna. They are a mom and daughter. The daughter a little while ago suffered a bike accident and has been in a wheel chair. But they are going to Ribeirao to see if she can walk. I hope so because we have a date set for the 13th. Please pray for them to go to church and that they will be ready for their baptism. I am trying my best but it is hard.

Well tell everyone that I say hi. I received a letter from President and said that I will go home the transfer of the 6th of Sept. So I will be home that Wed. Just to let you guys know. Well I love the new area. It is really good for some change. Well I hope that everything will go better this week, because the last couple have been hard. I love being a missionary and being able to teach many people. It is really good to see people progressing and finding what the Gospel has for them.

I hope that Jani has a good time too. That is really good for her. Well things are going here. Well I hope that you guys have a good week and if you need anything just let me know. Oh one more thing don’t send things like Jolly Ranchers unless they have a bag, because I got the package, but it was all sticky inside because the Jolly Ranchers got wet, so just to let you know. Thanks for all that you are doing for me, I really appreciate it a lot. Have a good week and I will too.
Elder Shelley

Members and Missionary Work!

Foto da Conferência
Mom,
Well that is good that you had a good week. Mom, well that is good that Sid is still alive. Yea I knew that molting is a painful part for him. There is a thing that you can buy that helps with molting for him and I think it is pretty cheap. Well I sure hope that things work out for Matt. I don’t know why but I can’t stop thinking about him and work stuff. Well the Lord has a purpose for Matt, I don’t know what it is but he has plans for him. Well just keep praying and fasting. I just want him to be safe and that things will work out for him.

I love my new area. My comp. has actually been in the area for four months. This is his fourth here and he wants to leave. It really is not much different than when I was with Menezes. Well, Menezes got transferred to a city about 2 hours away from Sao Carlos.

This week was really good. We taught this mom and daughter the Introductory Class that we learned. Well we asked them if they accept being baptized when they know that these things are true and both accepted. ,Well pray that everything will work out. Yesterday we taught some lessons with members. IT IS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD!!!! Finally I have been able to teach with members. It is really good to teach with members because they put in personal stories and the spirit is so strong. YES FINALLY AFTER 6 MONTHS.

Well things are going well for me. I can’t believe how fast the time is flying by. Well I hope that things are going well for you guys and that this week will be good. Yep mom I know that Heavenly Father is aware of Matt very much. I know that he has a purpose for him. I have learned that when we pray don’t just say help with this, but give some solutions to Him and he will help you. Mom and one other thing just let things work and run as they need to. Well I love you and thanks for all that you have done for me. Well if you guys are wanting things from Brazil start letting me know so I can start looking for things. Well if you need anything just let me know. Obrigado por tudo!! TE AMO!! Até mais!!
Elder Shelley

Transferred to Sao Joaquim da Barra!

Mom,
This week was okay. Well I got transferred to Sao Joaquim da Barra. I am so excited for a little change. Well things are going well for me. I am senior and my comp is Elder Peterson from Manti Utah. Well this transfer is only 5 weeks this time. The last package I received was Christmas. That is too bad about Jani and Ava. I hope that things go well and that this week goes well. Hey this week, we went to a TAM Museum. It is an airplane company. It was really cool, it is the only one here in Brazil. I will send pictures. Well have a good week and I hope that things go well. Have a good one and I love you.
Elder Shelley

Great Goals!

I didn't realize I haven't posted this letter. My dad (Grandpa G.)wrote to Greg at his year mark and asked him what goals he had for the final year of his mission (I think the Mission President was coming out in him!) Anyway this was Greg's response and I think the goals he has are terrific and if he is able to achieve them he will be able to see his mission as a great success.

Dear Grandpa,
Right now I have mixed feelings. I want the mission to fly by fast so I can share the experiences that I am having with you and my family. I also don’t want the mission to end because I love teaching about the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people. I have 10 months until I come home, I know it seems like a lot but I know it will fly.

Goals that I have during the next 10 months:
1. Keep Progressing in the language—study and speaking.
2. Not having any regrets—Every day giving it my best. Working my hardest at finding people to teach and also teach them everything they need to know to make the covenant of Baptism and persevering until the end. Grandpa, it is easy to baptize here but it hard for the people to stay firm in the gospel.
3. Help my recent converts understand the blessings of the temple and help them receive those blessings.—This is one of my big goals because I have realized the blessings of the Temple and how families can be together forever. It is exciting when the other missionaries hear that their recent converts made it to the Temple. I think President Hinckley said that this is our goal as missionaries to help our recent converts receive the blessing of the temple.
4. Be the best comp that I can be—I will include my comp with planning. Help my comp with any difficulties and mainly just be a great example for him.
5. Help each ward that I pass in be strengthened –Be an awesome example so that they can have my trust and I can have theirs. I have gained a testimony of the importance of a ward’s help in missionary work. When a ward helps it strengthens the recent convert and even the investigator. There have been areas where the ward did not even talk with our investigators and it was sad. I also want to help the ward feel more united. When the members help it is easier for the recent convert to stay firm in the Gospel.
6. Strengthen my knowledge with the scriptures. Right now I am marking in the Book of Mormon how many times it talks about Christ. I am also marking words that He says. I am also marking the attributes of Christ. It is helping me understand more about the Book and the importance of it.
7. Having my mission be a success in the Eyes of the Lord and Heavenly Father—Working hard and doing my best every day. Being a good example to everyone I meet. Doing my best, keeping the commandments and the mission rules.

These are just some of the Goals that I have. I just want to have no regrets. I also want to bless the lives of people. Grandpa, there is one thing I miss is the TEMPLE. I miss going there. I am so grateful for a temple so close to home. I love the spirit there. I am doing just fine. I love each day to share my testimony with many people. I love the spirit I feel each time I give the First Vision. I know I have 10 months left and I will give it my all until the end. Thanks for all that you do for me. I love you too.
Um grande abraso (A big hug)
Elder Shelley

YES ICE IN SAO CARLOS!!

February 7, 2011
Mom,
Well my week was really slow. Last week was kind of cool. It rained a bunch I think Saturday night. It even had hail, YES ICE IN SAO CARLOS. It was pretty cool. Tuesday we were able to teach a few lessons. Wednesday we did not do much. We did an Baptismal interview for Ala 4, the person passed and got baptized on Sunday. Then we went to Hot Tiger( Rodizio de pizza) It was really good. Then we slept at Ala 3. Think 12 Missionaries in a house made for 4. Yep it was crowded. Then Thursday we had Conference. That was really good. They talked a lot about how to work with the members and just more about the introductory class that we learned a while ago. Then Friday we worked a little bit. Then Saturday we taught our Investigators Lucia and Andresa. We were kind of sad because by the way the lesson went it does not sound like they want to change. They still want us to teach them so we will see what happens. Then Sunday we had church me and me comp went to Ibaté to wake everyone up to go to church because there is a van that will go and pick them up. Well only 4 people came, that stunk. Well then me and Menzes had a division with Ala 1 We slept over at Ala 4 with Samuel and Heiner. That was a lot of fun.

Well as you can see we had a slow week. Our numbers were not that good, but this week will be better. Well I am really excited to get a new comp. We will see next week if I got transferred or not. Well that is really good about Cami. I AM SO EXCITED FOR HER TOO!!!!!!! I hope that everything goes well with the stuff. That is really cool with Savanna. Well I liked the picture of the Ruins. I hope that we can go when I get back. I am really excited if we can go to Disneyland in October to Celebrate. Well thanks for all that you do for me. If you need anything just let me know.
Um abraço e beijo na bunda!! Te amo!!!!

Elder Shelley

No Accent with the Language!

Dad,
Well this week was awesome. We had interviews with President. I explained to him that my comp is helping me prepare to become a leader and that I really want to stay for one more transfer. I really hope that I can. One thing that made me feel good was that President said that I have no accent with the language. I almost leaped out of my seat when I heard that. Well I thought that was really cool. I made a really good contact with a woman the other day and we are going to teach her on Thursday. Well it was good to talk with President. I really love him. He said that we are using Skype to communicate with our families instead of calling, because he wants us to see our families and for you guys to see us. I am so excited for the next phone call. I am so excited to go hunting with you this year. Things are going very well. I think that I will stay and my comp will leave. We will see here in a couple weeks. Well I love you and hope that work is going well for you. I love you and thanks for all that you do for me. If you need anything just let me know. Um grande abraço pai!!!!!!
Elder Shelley

Mom,
Well it sounds like you are doing well. I can’t believe Rowena will be in Young Womens, boy am I old. Well this week was very good. We had Interviews with President. I really love this President. I expressed many things to him, one in staying one more here in Sao Carlos. I hope that I can. I love it here in this city. One thing that President said is that I don’t have an accent in Portugese. When I heard that I was really excited and I almost leáped out of the chair. Mom I really love this president he is really kind and patient to listen and get to know the Missionaries. I am so grateful that I have more time to get to know him. Well we found a couple more people to find and teach. We got a new Ward Mission Leader yesterday, so things will go well. I am really excited. I am not District Leader yet, but I am doing some responsibilities that District Leader has. Well things are going great. We learned a new thing for teaching and I am so excited. It is like a design outline thing. It is really good, when I get home I will show you guys. Well I really love this area, I hope I get to stay one more. Well keep praying for me, my comp, and the investigators. I really am working towards the goals that I sent to grandpa. Well thanks for all that you do for me. I really appreciate it a lot. Well if there is anything that I can do for you just let me know. Um grande abraço mãe!! Eu te amo!!!!
Elder Shelley

16th Months Out!!

Mom,
Well I hit a year and 4 yesterday. I am so excited. No interview with President because there were things in Ribeirao that they needed to do. So it should be here in a couple weeks. Well tell Grandma G. sorry for not writing her a letter. Tell her I will write one for her to make her feel better, LOL. Next transfers are like the 14 or 15 of February. I will see what happens. Well this week was really crazy, we had many baptismal interviews to do, it was good. Well yesterday we had a family night at a member's house it was really good. I gave the lesson about Matthew 14:22-30 when it talks about when Jesus walked on water and how Peter’s faith was shaken. It was really good everyone participated and the spirit was just so strong. Earlier in the day, I felt that I needed to share that message. I have really gained a testimony about listening to the spirit and the importance of Family Nights. I am so grateful that we did Family Nights every week when I was home. My testimony about following the promptings of the spirit. It was just a really good day. There is a new family that moved in on Saturday. They have 5 girls all in Young Women’s. Boy that day was crazy. Well me and my comp went to the church and cleaned the bottom part. I cleaned the bathrooms in the Primary room. Then we cleaned where we have Sacrament Meeting. Then we ran home and changed clothes to help the family move. Well we moved a piano(boy that was heavy) and a Rock table top. It was really good. Then we got a ride to Lunch. Then we ate in 50 minutes and grabbed a bus to ALa 4. Then did some interviews. Then got the bus to Ala 3 because there was a Priesthood meeting. Then grabbed a bus to our area to have a family night. Well the family night fell because the people showed up too late. Then went home and I got the numbers from Ala 4 and took a shower and went to bed. It was a good and crazy day.
Well have a good week and I love you. If you need anything just let me know.
Love,
Elder Shelley

Oi

Matt,
Well that is good that you had a good time at Los Hermanos. Well hopefully that the Jazz can keep on a winning streak. That is good that AF won. Well keep doing good with the mission. Well this week was pretty good. We taught quite a few lessons with member this week. Well Thursday we have interviews with President. I am really excited to share my feelings with him. I just got done playing soccer and basketball. I did make a goal in soccer, but nothing in Basketball. Well you know what that means I will need to practice a lot when I get home. I am just really horrible, and plus there is no net. Well hope you have a good week at ATEC and mission stuff. Well I love you and hope you have a good day and week. Um grande abraço meu amigo!!!
Elder Shelley

Mom,
Well I hope that you guys have a good time at Soldier Hollow. Yep be the guard of the Hot Chocolate. Well I hope that things work out for Matt. Well we are teaching a mom and daughter. The daughter is 26 and is in a wheel chair and suffered an motor accident a few years ago. Well they are very receptive and we are having dinner with them. Tell Grandpa Happy Birthday(Feliz Anniversario). Well yesterday we had a meeting that was too close to 3 hours. It was all the presidents YW, Elders, High Priest, RS, Primary. It was okay but long.

I am so grateful for Preach My Gospel. I wish that I could have started learning from it earlier than I did. I think that one of the best things that the Young men could do is dig into Preach My Gospel. I did not really study it until I got into the field. It would be a very good idea for them to know the manual before they leave. That is my opinion because it took me a while to really dig into that book. I think that the best would be an evening thing. I hated getting up early in the morning when we had 1:00 church. I think it will motivate people more. I think during priesthood class they share about a part that they read and kind of do a mini lesson. For example have the leader pick a section for the young man to read, and have him prepare a short 5 minute lesson about it. The reason I say that is sometimes you get called on the spot, and it will be easier to form a talk if you know a little of the material. Plus it helps them get into that wonderful manual. I hope that helped. That is really funny about Juli and the room, yep she is a very creative girl. Well I hope I answered your questions. Have a good one and if you need anything just let me know. I love you and thanks for everything.
Elder Shelley

Ano Novo!

Our Zone at New Year's Eve

Mom,
Well I am still here and with Menezes. Well things are going well. Well that is good that you guys had a good Ano Novo. Yeah I can’t believe that I have a little more that 8 months. Well I will let you guys know when I get the package. That is too bad that they canceled Mission Prep. Well I hope that you have a good week and if you need anything just let me know. Well nothing really new. My comp is a little sick right now. Last night we ate at a member’s house and the food made our stomachs sick, well he is doing okay. Well that is funny that it was 1 degree on 1-1-11. Well I did not go to bed until 3 in the morning because we helped cleaned up and the stake president gave us a ride home. Well nothing really cool to report. That is good that Urban Myer won the bowl game. Well have a good one and tell everyone I say hi. Well take care and if you need anything just let me know.

Elder Shelley