Dear Family!
This has been without a doubt the most stressful last 2 weeks of my life! This area has almost killed me! haha last week I wrecked my bike when a car tried to cut me off but timed it wrong and almost hit me. Thankfully the brakes on my bike were great. I rashed up my knee and right leg a bit, but honestly was nothing like it should have been. The Lord really does take care of his missionaries! The people here in this area do not like the missionaries at all. I have been sworn at and yelled at from cars more then I would ever care to be for the rest of my life! I have even had twice this week a full cup of soda thrown out the window and hit me while I have been riding! WHAT A WASTE OF A PERFECTLY GOOD DP!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, my thoughts on it all is that the Savior was spit on and beat for teaching the gospel and so I can deal with a cup of soda here and there. The worst part though is that I ripped my favorite pair of pants when I wrecked my bike!!!! They were the only ones that still actually fit me! I have been waking up with Elder Makaya every morning at 5:30 to work out since we have a really nice gym in our complex. I have been really slimming down the healthy way and it has been great, all except for the fact that my pants are loose and I had to cut another hole in my belt this morning. haha I love it though- I am really getting healthy and feeling great. My cramps are only happening on a day or two a week basis now because I am healthier and so I am really enjoying that!
Thanks for all the letters today by the way! Kinzi- I will try to hand write a letter to you this afternoon because I am running low on minutes today on the computer. Aunt Kim keep it up!
The big news for today is that in less then a week I will be returning back to Freemont to baptize Marlin Jefferson. We found a member who was more then willing to drive us out there and so that is going to be going through on Saturday! Pictures will be there next Monday for sure! I don't think I have been so excited about a baptism since the Borlause family! He is such a great man and has really done wonders in his life and in the life of his family! Thank you all for the prayers and the support that you have given me and for the prayers his way! I know that he has really been thankful for them and has felt every single one of them!
The work here in Brentwood is going great! We just finished a week with 12 lessons and so that was a HUGE jump from last weeks 4.. haha Me and Elder Makaya have really set some good goals and are just trying to learn to work together to be able to teach in unity. We don't get along as well as I would like because we are so different and he doesn't pride himself in being exactly obedient but we had a good talk last night and he is willing to try to change. I have a lot of things I need to change about myself too. I have been working on my humility and my patience! He is a great guy, he just needs an example so that is what I am trying to do! We had a ward trunk or treat this past week and it turned out great. We have found 3 new investigators since I have been here and all three of them were there with their families! It was such a blessing from the Lord and our ward is really great with befriending them and helping them to feel comfortable with being at the church.
Now about my bike... I have popped 5 tubes in 2 weeks which should not be happening, but the people I bought it from refuse to say that there is anything wrong with it. I have been on a members bike the last 2 days so that I can get around till I could buy 2 more tubes today! It has been so frustrating. Plus with it only being a 7 speed I can't keep up with Elder worth anything. The store doesn't allow refunds either so I have to make the best of it. I wish I would have just had you send me my bike from home. It would have been cheaper and wouldn't have had as many problems with it as I have. I can't keep spending this much of your money on tubes. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do, but I need to think of something or we are going to be broke hahaha. Sorry for spending so much, if you have any ideas for me please let me know. I should have just gone to sports authority. They were having a deal I didn't know about- I could have gotten a 27 speed for like $380... Wish I would have just gone there instead of where the church said to look. Its ok though it will all work out.
Well the computer says I am out of time so I love you all and please know that I know the church is soo true! I have loved my studies the last few days. I have had a lot of questions out of the bible and I don't know the bible at all so I have been doing the Book of Mormon and the bible right next to each other and cross referencing them back and forth and actually found some really cool facts that I didn't know before that I have applied to my tracting speech haha. I love this work and I love the hard times. They are not fun while they are going on but they truly do build us up and make us stronger and learn more! Thanks for the prayers still and for all the emails and letters! Haha I didn't know that there was anything but granola bars in that box mom until I opened it to get one out this morning! It sat closed for two days hahahaha. I guess you tricked me! Love you all so much!
Love,
Elder Shelley
picture-Elder Shelley and his bike
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