8-25-12

This will most likely be my last email here in this area. We will not have a p day next week because of zone conference and so the next time I will write I will have probably been transfered to a new area and be with a new comp. I am really looking forward to the switch. I have really, really enjoyed my area and the people that are here but I feel like my time would be better spent in another area! Thank you guys so much for all the prayers that you have said in my behalf! I have felt every single one of them and am so happy and really enjoying my mission! I got a letter from grandma and really enjoyed reading that! I didn't know how awesome it is to get hand written letters! Please keep sending them that way! They may be a little slow and I may not get them every week but for us missionaries they are something that we really look forward to! Please tell Luis how much I love him and that I am thinking about him. I am hoping that next p day I will have some time to get a letter off to him- but things have just been so busy it's not even funny! 

We will be getting to go to the temple some time in September!!!! We only get to go three times a year I think. That is going to be hard since in the Philippineswe got to go like every transfer! But it's ok- that will teach me to not take advantage of the temple and really look forward to getting to go! I cant wait! I know that that is where Bro Clawson went through and he said it is amazing so I am really looking forward to going inside! Everyone tells me how beautiful it is! Cant wait! 

Man it still blows my mind that Kailei is going to be getting home so soon! It has flown by it seems. I sure hope that my time goes fast too because I can't wait to see her! I am really looking forward to the Mothers Day after because skype will be soooo cool! It sure has been hard to be away from her but at the same time we both have grown so much and I know that when we reunite that it will be like Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah! We will still be brothers and sisters in the gospel and will get to share all of our amazing experiences over a bowl of cereal and a penguin!!!!!!!!!! I cant wait to be able to see her again! 

Well family I need to get going. Sorry that there really wasn't much about the area. We have found quite a few new investigators and they are really dong great!!! We are really looking forward to the time that we will get to teach them! I love the gospel so much and everything about it! It has changed my life in so many ways and continues to do so daily! I am so thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us that gives us the chance to repent and to be forgiven! Love you all so much and pray for you daily!

Love, 

Elder Shelley

8-20-12

Dear Family!

 Last P-day we went and played basketball as a zone. We had a good time. That is basically all we have time to do after we email and do our laundry and then shop for the week- we go out and play basketball and just spend time together as a zone. I actually hung out and talked to elder Albretson for quite a while last week. He is the Elder that is dating Carly. He is a great guy and we seemed to get along really well. Ha we laughed and said that it would be pretty crazy if we ever ended up being companions. We would have a lot to talk about. 

My food has been fine. I bought a lot of bananas and then potatoes because they are super cheap. This week  I got some broccoli and green beans and then got some corn that was on sale for 10 cents an ear. I thought that was really good. Then  I got some boneless skinless chicken breast for my meat and protein. I think I am really doing well learning  to spend little but get a lot! I have really been learning a lot of life lessons that are going to come in handy later in life.

This last week has been super busy and crazy hard for us as missionaries. We have not been able to talk to one of our investigators- Kevin for an entire week. We had to drop his date because he hasn't come to church and will not return our calls. We have even gone over and sat in front of his door waiting around for him to come home and we have yet to be able to find home and contact him.  We were teaching a lady named Hope that was progressing so well and then all of a sudden decided that she didn't want to take the lessons anymore and so she dropped us- that was the hardest thing that has happened to me so far.. We were really getting to enjoy teaching her and she was making such good progress and then just all of a sudden nothing.. We don't know exactly what happened and so we are going to continue to try to get her to let us in and maybe we can resolve some of her concerns and get her going again. Noushel our Indian investigator is doing really really well. He just will not for the life of him commit to a date to be baptized because he thinks that if he is baptized that he is going to have to be perfect and is too scared to make that commitment.. We are going to continue to pray for him and we know that he is going to come around one of these days and make the choice.

 We have been really struggling with finding lately too. We have set some awesome goals as companions to find people all the time. We tract over at DVC. It is a college in the area that is kinda like mcc. It is a transfer school over to Berkley and so we have a ton of Asian and Korean people that we knock into. Tracting is super hard for me because in the Philippines I never had to do it. We just worked with members and tried to get them back to church and to feel of the spirit again. It is a completely different experience when they have no idea who God is and doesn't want to forget their heritage. So we have made some news goals and are really going to strive to hit those so that we can help these people come to know who they are and why they are here! We have made some outlines of things that we could bring up to them and strive to help them to understand a little bit. At least enough to spark their interest and get them to let us come back.

 So I finally found my Filipino !!!!!! Her name is Carmalita and she is from Manila. But she is getting married to a man that is from Cebu and is fluent in Cebuano! They will be in the family ward but we got permission to teach them two lessons so that I can try to soften their hearts by speaking to them in theirtongue and by showing them a little bit of Filipino culture! We went by last night and they were super touched by the things that I did. I blessed both of them (the whole put their hand to my forehead) and the sister started crying saying that she has missed that kind of respect so much. They are both 73 and are the sweetest couple ever!!! The sister said that she is going to make us lumpia next Saturday when we go back and brother wants to hear a lesson about Christ in Cebuano. Haha I think he is just trying to test me to see if I can really speak his language. haha I guess I need to go home and sharpen up my teaching skills in Cebuano!! hahahaha I think I will be fine. The Lord has really blessed us. I have taught my companions a few phrases in Tagalag and Cebuano that we have used and really impressed some people and have been able to get into a few homes. One of these days we are going to baptize a Filipino!

Well guys I need to get going. I wish I had more time to write to you but having zone leaders for companions means that they have a lot to do so I need to be on their schedule. That is ok though. I truly have learned sooo much from these two elders and now that I told them how I feel they have opened up and actually learned a few things from me! We are doing so much better and starting to teach with unity again! It is amazing to see the hand of the Lord in our work! He has blessed our lives in more ways then not! We have made a lot of goals and have really been in preach my gospel the last few days as we have studied! I have really come to love that book. It has blessed my life so so much and can't wait to be able to know it even better! I want you to know that I know this gospel is true. It doesn't matter what part of the world you are in or in what language that is being spoken. The gospel is true and it is there to bless each and every one of our lives! My home sickness is basically gone. Sometimes through out the day I get thinking about you guys or about friends and the crazy stuff we used to do but at the end of the day I  know that I am a missionary and I wouldn't want to be anything else! I can give up 18 more months of my life to the Lord because he has blessed me with an amazing family and amazing friends! If it wasn't for Ashley and Luis I never would have gotten through high school- so thank you both for that. And then I wouldn't even know where to start for you mom, dad, Kadon, Kailei! You guys were there through the toughest parts of my life and I know that those were some hard years, but you helped me through it and look and where we are now! We have come so far as a family and I know that we are going to make it even farther. This world is endless in the eye of God! We have eternity to grow and to learn together and I am so thankful for that! I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God, as is the bible. I am so thankful for those books and for the lessons that we can learn from them! I love you guys so much and will talk to you again Saturday!

 

Love,

Elder Shelley

Pictures: 1 & 2- Elders Jones (red head) & Killpack (dark hair)

               3- wild turkeys

8-13-12

Hey Family!

    

So one week in the field and man have I got a lot to learn! I didn't realize how crazy it is to have stopped being a missionary for a few months and then to jump right back into it. Especially in the states. People are for the most part super nice but can be very rude and hard hearted too. I had my first experience tracting the first day that I got here and then from there had my first door slammed in my face and my first guy that literally yelled at me that I didn't believe in god and that I had no idea what I was talking about!.. I miss Filipinos hahahahaha. Over all though I have been doing very very well.

Well a little bit about my mission. I actually was not put in on transfer day. The two elders from the MTC were delayed and so that is why they were coming in with me. So I have been put into a tri companionship with two zone leaders named Elder Jones and Elder Killpack. Both amazing guys that I have learned so much from already and know that even more lessons are going to come my way. The hard part is that I am not a zone leader and so there is a lot of stuff that I can not help with, but we have talked about it and they are going to basically train me as if I was a zone leader! That way as we continue through the next two or three weeks of the transfer I will be a great leader and be able to help out the mission where ever the president may send me. We are assigned in the Walnut Creek area. We have a family ward that we cover and a YSA ward. I love the YSA ward so much. There is a college that we tract all the time and we have found some really great people there that have great testimonies. I have even found a few people from the Philippines!!! They all spoke tagalag and so all I was able to say was like hey and explain to them who we are and our purpose as missionaries! One of these days I know that I am going to find someone who speaks Cebuano! That is going to be such an awesome experience! 

So letter wise please tell everyone to just write to the mission home. They forward all the letters to our apartments that way if we get transferred or something they can get them to us rather then you sending them to the wrong place. I am not sure how fast they send them to us but we usually get them pretty quick. 

      I really need to hurry because we have to get to a zone activity. Sorry that this is so short and not much news about the members or investigators but that info and pictures will be coming soon!

 I just want you all to know that I have a testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I know that he lives and that he loves us! He has a purpose for each of us on this earth and it is our job to figure out what that job is! I love you guys so so much and pray for you every day! Thanks for all the love and support you gave me as I was home! Your the best!!!!

Love,

Elder Shelley

8-1-12

It's official!!!!!! Elder Mackay Dale Shelley will be back in the field Aug 8th. He just got the call this morning. He has been called to the Oakland/San Francisco area. We are so proud of him and know that this time he has been home has strengthened him physically and spiritually. Thank you to everybody that has loved and supported him during this trial (little bump) in his life. Stay tuned for his adventures in California!!!

5-1-12

Dear Family,


Me and Elder Narvasa are ripped and ready to go to work! We have great plans and great goals for the future of this area and we are going to try really hard to make sure that those goals become a reality!  Elder Narvasa Is great. He is so patient and helpful, I am so thankful for him!  We have a lesson with the Borlaus family this evening and this will be the final lesson before Brothers Interview! He has been clean for almost a month now and has a date for the 12th! We are so excited. He has been doing great.  We also had Randy Sanchez's entire family come back to church. We have been teaching them(his RM Brother and his wife. Randys Two sisters and a friend of theirs) all members but none have been active for years. Last Sunday every single one came through the doors with a huge grin on their face for the first time in almost 5 years!  Maluna one of the Sisters said that she had a dream the night before that her and her family were in Hell and that that was because they stopped going to church. Sunday night she had another dream after going to church of them all in white in a big white room full of Gold and Happiness. She said that she is never going to miss another day of church! It is truly amazing the ways that the Lord gives people answers!


   Family, I love you so very much!  The church is true and I am going to be taken care of and the best thing for me is going to happen what ever that may be! I know that God lives and that he loves us.  He gave his son to take away our sins. But not only that, but all of the unfairness of life also!  If we will but Build our foundations on Jesus Christ we can never fall. The world may fall around us but because we are centered on Christ nothing can bring us down! I love you all and pray for you every day all day. Aunt Kim thanks for the letter and scriptures! They really helped!  Jordan hope NY was amazing! It's always been a dream of mine to go there some day and see the Yankees stadium and to see the house of blues. Sounds like the boy from Idaho is living the Dream! Hope all is well with everyone. Grandpa sounds like your health has gotten a little better. Keep that up and keep moving around! Love you all


Love Elder Shelley!

4-24-12

Dear family,

I am finally getting much better and am really really close to full
health. It has been a crazy few months but I am finally full health
and ready to lead this area!!! Yup that is right Elder Garver is
transferring and I am going to be being follow up trained by a new
missionary that is going to be the senior comp and the district
leader. I was told by Elder Banzon that he is known for his
disobedience but that president is going to give him one last chance
to go home on a good note. I was told that pres. has confidence that I
am the missionary that is going to help him get back on track and to
teach him the right way to be a missionary. He is a Filipino and
sounds like he is a great guy. I am really looking forward to meeting
him this Friday and to start working with him!  This has been
something that is very scary but at the same time I feel honored that
president has this much respect and thoughts of me. I have really
worked hard and am not going to stop just because Elder Garver is
leaving. I am going to continue to be the best me I can be and to put
my trust in the Lord!

So great but sad news at the same time... We got 5 baptisms last
Saturday!!! Yes I know we were supposed to have 6 but Brother Borlaus
lied to us and has never quit drinking.. He was so sad when he told us
and said that he promised that he would never drink again and that he
would follow behind in a month after staying clean.  I know that he
will be able to do it! I have faith that he has already been converted
it's just that old scratch has got a pretty good hold on him right
now. It will all work out and he will be getting wet here soon!

So to wrap up this letter real fast before we go to help Elder
Garver pack. I want to talk about one of my personal studies last week.
It was in Alma 5 verse 14. I read that verse and read that verse and I
just realized that I really need to figure out how it is that we
become spiritually born of Christ and how we get his image on our
countiance and how we get this mighty change to come upon us. I
started studying and realized that three days later I was still
studying the same verse! I had been in ensigns and liahonas and cross
referencing things and really just digging down deep. I came to the
realization that to do these things we must sanctify ourselves. ha
then that turned into another few day study and I feel like I am
getting so close to being ready to try to really truly sanctify myself
as a missionary.

Well I need to run but I forgot to tell you that I got to play
tennis with Ranyel Sanchez, Randy's brother and destroyed me!!!
Filipinos are crazy good at tennis and he was even in flip flops! I
guess I need to get to practicing haha.  

But family the church is so true!!!! I love my work and I love the Savior! 

He has truly helped me out and started to open my mouth with the language! 

I have been so blessed the last few days and Elder Garver has even been surprised

about how well I have been doing. This may be the beginning of the end
on my language suffering! I hope so. But please continue to stay close
to the church! We see what can happen with people because of the
gospel through Mr. Quamo! I am still just so proud of him! Tears came
to my eyes as I read dads letter about it! So awesome and also about
Landon and Shawna! Not going to lie still always hoped that Landon
would be my older brother one day, but hey as long as that kids happy!
I love them and please tell him that I am hoping the best! Love you
guys so much and thanks for the prayers! They have been crazy good!

Love
Elder Shelley

4-17-12

Dear Family,

I first off just want to let everyone know that I am alive and doing very well!  Yes I still have worms and actually spent the other day in the hospital getting checked out because of how much pain I was in and the weight that I have lost so quickly.  Come to find out I have worms, amebas, and a parasite... That is why I have dropped so much weight so fast.  But please don't worry about me I just wanted to give up an update. We realized that the filter in our house was over like three years old and so that is where they think I got all these joyful gifts! 

Sister Labigan was supposed to be baptized last Saturday but got called into work and so she couldn't come. But she is on track for this Saturday to join the Borlause family to make it a six person dunk! haha this is going to make our baptism total 8. The coolest part about all these numbers is the fact that this area has been dead and hasn't had a baptism in over a year and a half.  We are about to get 8.  The Lord sure has blessed us as missionaries for our obedience and faith. I love this work so much!

So here is one other real quick, funny story.  So we had my big bug bites checked out at the doctor while we were there and come to find out they were not just mosquito bites... I had bed bugs in my bed and have been getting eaten alive for the past two transfers. Ha lets just say the mission bought me a new mattress that day! haha well I always said that I wanted to be able to tell my kids some crazy mission stories!  And man will I have some! 

So last week we had zone interviews with President Schmutz and he gave me a great blessing to get over all the sickness and in the interview he said how proud he is of me for only missing one day when most missionaries would have just laid in bed for the last few weeks and not worked. He said that he bets I have some amazing parents and an amazing father who taught me to just man up and get to work. I told him that he was so right and that I was always taught that we don't quit anything we start no matter how hard it gets. I'm not a quitter and there is no way in the world that I am going to start now!  I love this work way too much.  President said that because I have showed him how strong I am and how hard I work that he is sorry but I may have a few hard transfers coming up, because both him and the Lord have realized that I am the kind of person that has potential to help not so great elders get back on track. I laughed and said that I will work anyone that needs to be worked hard hard just send them my way!  I realized the other day though how much I am going to need the Christlike attributes while working with harder elders.  This is going to be a great challenge and a great growing experience. I have realized how much better of a husband I am going to be to my wife because I have had to learn how to cope with another person who knows just as much as you do, but still to be able to put your minds together and become great!  I am learning so many things here on this mission it blows my mind the blessings that Christ is sending my way! Just pray for me though please! We all know how my temper can get and how little patience I can have at times! I am going to work really hard though and keep my mindset that there is no such thing as a bad companion!  Ha we will see what I am saying here in two weeks after me and Elder Garver go our separate ways! 

I just finished Jesus the Christ today in part of my personal study and man did I get a lot out of that book!  I have learned more about the life of our Lord and the attributes that he carried with him.  I have learned how to better treat people and how to handle myself when people don't really like us. I had a crazy experience with a drunk guy and how he hates the Mormons and wants nothing to do with us.  That is ok because he wasn't the one that we were teaching but he just came up and started yelling at me! It was really funny.  I have made a lot of progress on the language, but man it sure is getting to be frustrating still not being able to have a normal conversation with people.  If anyone has time in their personal studies to really dig down through the gift of tongues maybe some talks or scriptures and could help me to add to my studies that would be great!  I have really grown to love to read! yes mom and grandma you heard right! Elder Shelley loves to read and may be joining the book club of Jo and Jana! haha I know you guys wouldn't really like the things that I have been studying though at nights. It is a lot of deep doctrine stuff that has just blown me away! I can't wait to be able to come home and to go buy a few of the books that they have at Deseret

Family, I love you so so much! I hope you all feel that through these emails. I live for p-days because I get to read your testimonies and to feel of the joy and love you have for me!  Thank you so much for that. Kadon I am so glad that you found that letter. I remember the night I wrote it to you!  I wish I would have followed through with what I said in it, but hey it's the past and this is now. I did realize though as I read your letter that I have been begging for your forgiveness but never have given you mine. Kadon I forgive you for everything!  You were a kid that loved life and just wanted an older brother. I should never have tried to make you grow up any faster then you wanted to!  I have no bad feelings anymore and I truly look forward to the day that we get to hang out again. Cause bro trust me!  I will have been craving chicken wings for two years! We are going to be hitting up native and catus moon like every day! I have 65 pounds to gain back! haha just kidding I love this weight being gone but we are so going to native! 

So this is my testimony that our Lord Jesus Christ lives!!! He loves us and wants us to come back to him!  Through my personal studies I have come to realize that we all have the ability to see the savior in this life!  There is a process to being able to though!  We first must have the spirit- which we all do. The next step is ministering angels. Then after that the Lord will minister to us himself!  It is all in 3rd Nephi when the Lord comes to those people. To me I hope my ministering angels will be Grandpa Shelley and our other ancestors!!! I pray to be able to talk to Grandpa every night! I know that if I live my life to the fullest extent that is possible it could happen. I don't know about all of you, but I would love to be able to have the savior minister and teach me here in this life!  It is possible, all we have to do is live our lives in a way that is acceptable in his eyes!  Joseph Smith said that everything that he experienced in his life we can experience in ours! I plan on seeing that promise through!  I love you so much and love this work and gospel! Shall we not go on in such a great a cause!?

Love,
Elder Shelley


pictures: 1. sunset in Bogo, Philippines
                2. Mackay with Pres. & Sis. Schmutz
                3. Borlaus family wrote on their walls in permanent marker: we love Elder Shelley 
                     & Elder Garver!