12-25-11

Dear Family!

It is Christmas day here in the mtc!  It has been a day to remember, and a day that I will never forget!  Today for sacrament meeting Elder David A. Bednar spoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was absolutely amazing!!!  Never have I felt the spirit so strong before in my life.  It was mind blowing to hear the words that he spoke to us as missionaries!  He talked about putting on the natural man and becoming truly converted to the gospel.  He said how having a testimony is not enough! We need to be fully converted servants of the lord!  I have taken the challenge and am prepared to work hard and never quite! 

 I love you guys so so very much and wish I was there to spend the day with you.  But I know that I am where I need to be and it has actually been a very spiritual day for me.  Thank you guys oh so very much for the thoughtful gifts that you have sent and the letters that have been sent.  They were amazing.  Grandma and Grandpa thank you so much for all the treats! I'm going to get fat- but oh will it be worth it!  Mom and Dad thank you for the razor! It was exactly what I wanted.  The bathroom kit was sweet too. I already have my stuff moved over into it!  Now kadon, wow! That calender was super awesome!  I loved the family pic collection!   Unkey, Aunt Lissa, and kids, thank you so much for the gifts! Spencer your the man! thanks for the money bro. I actually really needed it at that point in time.  Aunt Kim, Shane and family- thank you so much for the stamps! It was an answer to prayers because i was down to three stamps when you sent them! Now I won't have to try to buy them from the crazy busy book store! hahaha you all are so amazing. Mom, Lynett sent me a box with two beautiful ties, a home made snow globe, some gloves and hat! It was so nice and thoughtful! I'm going to try to write to her tonight and thank her. She didn't have to do that!  The Clawson's sent me a box also that was way thoughtful and had a really cool tie in it!  Well I better get going, they gave us a few minutes to send a quick email home.  I love you guys and will send a longer email Tuesday for p day.  Eat a sausage for me this year grandpa! I'll be home soon to eat one myself after I am done serving my amazing God!  I love this work so much and cannot wait to get to the Philippines!  If you get this before you talk to Kailei tell her I say hi and that love her! I think I remember you telling me that you talked to her in the morning.  I'll send her a quick I love ya email before I have to log off.  Love you guys so much!  Have a good time chillin with the family! I'll write to ya Tuesday!

 

Love,

Elder Shelley!