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
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 18, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 4, 2011
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
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
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