Tuesday, July 2, 2013

7-1-13



Dear Family,

Well I am about to get another kid! President called last week and told me that he has another Filipino missionary coming in from the MTC and that he would like me to train him. I asked what that meant with Elder Santiago, and he replied, "Oh you'll still be training him, I need you to train them both!" haha I think that I was just kinda in shock for quite some time. I love training, and hope that I train for the rest of my mission, but training two at once? haha I asked President how that was even possible with the two of them being at different parts of the twelve week program. He just said to do what I feel is best and that he knew that I would be able to make it happen. So come Wednesday I will be the only white guy in a group of 4 Filipinos in this ward! I am definitely the minority here! I love it though. It is going to be a huge challenge to keep two missionaries working hard, and have enough appointment to make it affective for them. I know that the Lord is going to really make it possible and is going to make sure that the appointments come and that we will be able to stay productive. I could use your prayers and your advice though if anyone out there has ever done this before!

Sister Amporias, our only investigator, decided to go to Vegas for a three week vacation leaving us investigatorless haha. We have been going crazy with how much time we have on our hands. We have done more tracting then I ever care to do again! But we have faith that the people will come the harder we work and the more that we push ourselves. I was talking to the Assistants the other night about the situation and they were saying that they would divide the lines up differently. They said that they would cut Daly City in half, and that way we would have more of a chance at finding Filipino people. I don't think Elder Peralta was too happy that I took a piece of his area, but honestly if we hadn't we would have continued to roam around down town in vain and never been productive. We really didn't even take that much just a few neighborhoods and so they will be fine with what they have. We all just need to remember that we may be in different areas, but that we are still in the same ward and that we are still on the same team. I think that we are going to be able to be fine.

We sent Sam as a referral to the English elders since he wasn't a Filipino and since he lived like right down the street from the other Elders. From what I heard last, he is really doing well. He is struggling with feeling like he is giving up his American Indian back ground, but the elders said that he is progressing nicely. I am excited for him. I hope that he will be able to go the distance so that he can feel the full benefit of the gospel and the spirit. He is a great man, and he is really fun to talk to. He wants to take us to this huge pow wow coming up here this month. We are not to sure if we are going to be able to go. It is on Monday, but we will still probably have to get permission to go with him. Haha I think it would be way cool to be able to go to one though. We shall see. 

We are headed out to Golden Gate today since we finally have a non foggy Pday. The Fog has been so thick lately that you can honestly feel it sitting on your face like a blanket. Driving in it is super creepy too. I feel like I am driving down Gotham City in Batman! Haha I know I am a nerd! Thats ok though. We have to be really careful on the freeways though cause of how slick the roads are and how often wrecks happen. We are excited to take Elder Pelera and Santiago out to Golden Gate though. That is all that Elder Santiago has talked about since he has gotten here. He wants to do nothing else but go so it should be fun! He received his Patriarchal blessing last night. He had tried to get it before he left, but the Patriarch in his village was in the States for a few months and didn't make it back in time. So we went all the way out to Half Moon Bay to the Patriarch in this stake to get it. It was such a cool drive, and man was the water nice! The whole way there was along high way 1 and so it was basically 45 minutes of driving on the coast. It was a blast. Elder Santiago was like walking on air on the way home and I couldn't get him to stop talking haha. He was so happy that he finally had received his blessing and that he was able to read it now and have it as a guide. It was a beautiful blessing.

I was so glad to hear that Grandpas funeral went so well! I was pretty sure that the Air Force would be there, but didn't want to ask. I was really pleased to hear that they were there and that Grandma was able to receive his flag! What an honor, and what a treasure to be able to have that flag as a memory of him! I can't wait to see it and to see the shells of the Gun salute! I know that it was probably very hard to watch/hear, but what a beautiful service and honor that was able to be shown to Grandpa! I know that he was right there in his own dress Blues and standing proudly in memory of the service that he rendered our country! He truly was a special man through and through! I can't wait to get the cd that was made. I was super nervous when mom said that they messed up and were only able to get half, but I am so glad that the funeral home did a recording also! It's going to be really hard to listen to it, but I am excited to be able to listen to the words spoken, and remember Grandpa and all the memories that I have of him! He would have been very proud of the service and thankful for the celebration of his life! May he always live in our hearts! 

I love this Gospel! I have had a few really scary moments this week out in down town, but am so thankful for the spirit and its protective promptings! I know that the Lord protects his missionaries! He is always watching out for us and he will not let things happen to us as long as we are worthy and working hard. This world is a scary world. Wrong is becoming right, and right is now wrong. We get heckled every day for who we are and what we stand for. But like Grandma always tells me, Remember who you are and what you stand for! Who cares if no one else agrees with what you are doing. We know that we are doing what is right, and that we truly are servants of our Heavenly Father! He loves us and is so proud of us! I send out my love and thanks to everyone that attended Kailei's wedding and Grandpas funeral! We are sure lucky to have friends and loved ones that help and support us through the hard times! I know that the Savior lives! I know he loves us! The coolest part about the broadcast last Sunday was when Elder Packer made this remark! "I know the Lord lives, and I know the Lord!" I have no doubt in my mind that he truly does know the Lord! He has mentioned knowing the Lord quite a but in the last few addresses that he has made. I know that we are lead and guided by the Prophet of God today! I count my blessings every time that I see and hear his words! What an amazing man he truly is! We never have to worry about the way the world is going, because he is in direct contact with our Heavenly Father, and he will lead us through the years to come. I add my testimony to theirs that I do know the Lord lives! I know that I don't know the Lord by any means the way they do, but I do feel like I know the Lord and that he knows me! I have felt his love and his arms around me as I have struggled with Grandpas loss the past few weeks. I know that he truly did perform a perfect and infinite Atonement that allows us all to repent and step closer to him each day! God is the Father! Jesus IS the Christ, and we will be an eternal family one day! I love you all so much and pray for you daily! Thank for all you do and for what you represent!
With much love,
Elder Mackay Shelley    


Picture is of the ocean-driving along Highway 1



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