12/16/2013
Well I am now going to be starting on my last transfer this Wednesday. It is crazy cause I am now considered the oldest missionary in the mission (well one of them). I never thought that this day would get here and in 6 short weeks I will be home to see you all. I hope that you all are doing well and that you all had a great week this week. My week went all right. Sadly we didn’t have a baptism but next week for sure we will have a baptism of a couple which we met this week. This couple went to the church alone trying to see if we could visit them and talk to them about the church. We went there on Thursday night and talked with them about the restoration and then went back on Saturday. They had already read a good piece of the Book of Mormon and already knew that this was the true church. We explained to them the commandments that they needed to be willing to obey after baptism and then asked them if they said they were feeling prepared for baptism. They said yes so we marked them to be baptized next week. They went to church yesterday and really liked it. We are super excited and I am happy that I am going to be starting out my last transfer well with baptisms. We have another couple to baptize the week of Christmas but they live in another area but have been frequenting our church and we have been teaching them cause they do not in any way want to go to church where they live for several reasons. I will talk to my mission president about this on Thursday and the stake president and see what we have to do to get them baptized. Anyways that is about all that has happened this week. It is starting to get super hot cause it is just about to start summer here and I am just glad I only have to live with it for 6 more weeks. I love you all so much and I am excited to see you all next week!!!!
Two Thumbs Up
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
A Decent Week
12/09/2013
So this week was a decent one. We had Interviews with Pres. Martins, which went well. The weather was hot which wasn’t a lot of fun but at least I only have about 7 more weeks of this heat until I go back to the cold. But we also managed to have two baptisms this week as well with two young men we have been working with for the past three weeks. We are happy for their progress especially cause the oldest who is 19 called Marcelo has a very strong testimony of the church. He got a little scared cause his uncle who is from another church said a lot of lies about the church and got a little confused but now he is super strong and has a great testimony of the church. I gave a talk again Sunday, which went well. The bishopric all really liked it and I hope that this will help them grow their confidence in us. But that is about it for this week. Only two more weeks till I get to talk to you all! I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a great week this week!
The baptism of Marcelo and Pablo. The man on the far right is the President of the Elder's Quorum.
So this week was a decent one. We had Interviews with Pres. Martins, which went well. The weather was hot which wasn’t a lot of fun but at least I only have about 7 more weeks of this heat until I go back to the cold. But we also managed to have two baptisms this week as well with two young men we have been working with for the past three weeks. We are happy for their progress especially cause the oldest who is 19 called Marcelo has a very strong testimony of the church. He got a little scared cause his uncle who is from another church said a lot of lies about the church and got a little confused but now he is super strong and has a great testimony of the church. I gave a talk again Sunday, which went well. The bishopric all really liked it and I hope that this will help them grow their confidence in us. But that is about it for this week. Only two more weeks till I get to talk to you all! I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a great week this week!
The baptism of Marcelo and Pablo. The man on the far right is the President of the Elder's Quorum.
A Week Full of Ups and Downs
12/02/2013
Well this week was decent at the start, and then got kind of bad. This week on Thursday (Thanksgiving) we went to the temple of Sao Paulo for my comp to get sealed to his family. It was great to see him do that and while there I got to see the man I first baptized on the mission. He was in the distribution center preparing to enter the temple for the first time with his wife. They are going to get married the 14th of December! Also they informed me that my second area (Jd. Veloso where they live) is being divided and will form ala Jd. Velosos and ala conceição! I am really happy to hear that and so excited for them!
Although due to the fact that we couldn’t work in my area for two days the baptismal dates that we had marked for this weekend fell through cause we couldn’t help them stop drinking coffee. But we re-marked their baptism for this weekend and hopefully everything will work out. I just felt really stressed this weekend cause the zone where I am at has been baptizing a lot recently and the stake and mission president are not wanting that to stop. But since I have gotten here the zone has kind of stopped baptizing, mostly due to the fact that just about the whole zone moved this transfer and we have a bunch of really new inexperienced missionaries here. I just got worried that the stake will lose their trust in us and that I am letting down the Lord with the work giving a stop. But I said a prayer asking the Lord for help and I feel better now. Everything will work out and I will have a great end to my mission. Well I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week this week! Remember that I am planning on calling on Christmas day at 5 my time (2 in SC or 12 in Utah) on Skype so everyone be prepared. Please send me an e-mail confirming this time with me, thanks!
With love,
Elder Shelton
Me at the temple.
My first baptism of the mission irmão Simplicio! Do they look familiar? Yeah, I know they don't seem that happy but they really were!
Well this week was decent at the start, and then got kind of bad. This week on Thursday (Thanksgiving) we went to the temple of Sao Paulo for my comp to get sealed to his family. It was great to see him do that and while there I got to see the man I first baptized on the mission. He was in the distribution center preparing to enter the temple for the first time with his wife. They are going to get married the 14th of December! Also they informed me that my second area (Jd. Veloso where they live) is being divided and will form ala Jd. Velosos and ala conceição! I am really happy to hear that and so excited for them!
Although due to the fact that we couldn’t work in my area for two days the baptismal dates that we had marked for this weekend fell through cause we couldn’t help them stop drinking coffee. But we re-marked their baptism for this weekend and hopefully everything will work out. I just felt really stressed this weekend cause the zone where I am at has been baptizing a lot recently and the stake and mission president are not wanting that to stop. But since I have gotten here the zone has kind of stopped baptizing, mostly due to the fact that just about the whole zone moved this transfer and we have a bunch of really new inexperienced missionaries here. I just got worried that the stake will lose their trust in us and that I am letting down the Lord with the work giving a stop. But I said a prayer asking the Lord for help and I feel better now. Everything will work out and I will have a great end to my mission. Well I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week this week! Remember that I am planning on calling on Christmas day at 5 my time (2 in SC or 12 in Utah) on Skype so everyone be prepared. Please send me an e-mail confirming this time with me, thanks!
With love,
Elder Shelton
Me at the temple.
My first baptism of the mission irmão Simplicio! Do they look familiar? Yeah, I know they don't seem that happy but they really were!
A Decent Week
11/25/2013
So this week was a decent one. It rained a lot, which was kind of bad, but we still managed to get a lot of work done. For this weekend we are preparing two young men to be baptized who are really special. Our only worry is that the mom won’t allow one of the boys to be baptized but we think she will. We also had a woman talk to us on the street this past week asking for us to pass by her house. She received the Sisters in her home when she lived in Sao Paulo but moved to Sorocaba recently. We were able to mark a baptismal date with her in two weeks from now. I am doing fine but a little stressed out as well with the zone. We have a lot of new missionaries that are really under experienced so the work isn’t going the way it should. But oh well we are doing our best to train them and help them be their best. This next week my comp is going to get sealed to him family so I get to go to the temple with him on Thanksgiving and see that happen. It is really rare for a missionary to see their family during the mission so this will be cool. Also I am happy that I only have to wait 9 more weeks till seeing you all! Anyways about Skype. So I think I will only have no more than an hour to talk. President asked us to keep our calls under one hour (actually 40 min) so I wont have a ton of time to talk to all of you. It would be best if y’all were to get together as to make the calling easier. Anyways I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week this week! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
So this week was a decent one. It rained a lot, which was kind of bad, but we still managed to get a lot of work done. For this weekend we are preparing two young men to be baptized who are really special. Our only worry is that the mom won’t allow one of the boys to be baptized but we think she will. We also had a woman talk to us on the street this past week asking for us to pass by her house. She received the Sisters in her home when she lived in Sao Paulo but moved to Sorocaba recently. We were able to mark a baptismal date with her in two weeks from now. I am doing fine but a little stressed out as well with the zone. We have a lot of new missionaries that are really under experienced so the work isn’t going the way it should. But oh well we are doing our best to train them and help them be their best. This next week my comp is going to get sealed to him family so I get to go to the temple with him on Thanksgiving and see that happen. It is really rare for a missionary to see their family during the mission so this will be cool. Also I am happy that I only have to wait 9 more weeks till seeing you all! Anyways about Skype. So I think I will only have no more than an hour to talk. President asked us to keep our calls under one hour (actually 40 min) so I wont have a ton of time to talk to all of you. It would be best if y’all were to get together as to make the calling easier. Anyways I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week this week! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
A Kinda Long Week
11/18/2013
So this week was again nothing special. Now that it is getting near the end of the mission I feel like I have nothing new to talk to you all about. But this week I did get sick with a fever for a day or two followed by congestion but I was still able to work and what not. I am better now; I just have a slight cough but nothing serious. The weather was hot, especially last Monday, I just about melted and some of the following days were hot as well. But now it is not too bad. I am just continuing on and working until the end. I hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving this week and save some turkey for me! I really do miss Thanksgiving and I cannot wait to spend it with you all next year! But have a great week this week! Know I am praying for y’all!
My new companion, Elder Mota
So this week was again nothing special. Now that it is getting near the end of the mission I feel like I have nothing new to talk to you all about. But this week I did get sick with a fever for a day or two followed by congestion but I was still able to work and what not. I am better now; I just have a slight cough but nothing serious. The weather was hot, especially last Monday, I just about melted and some of the following days were hot as well. But now it is not too bad. I am just continuing on and working until the end. I hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving this week and save some turkey for me! I really do miss Thanksgiving and I cannot wait to spend it with you all next year! But have a great week this week! Know I am praying for y’all!
A New Transfer
11/11/2013
Sorocaba
Well I have been transferred. I am in Sorocaba now, which is a city in the interior of Sao Paulo. It is about 2 hours from Sao Paulo itself. It is a nice calm city, which I like. There is less pollution and noise and the people are really receptive. Although it is incredibly hot here. Today is being especially hot and I am just thankful I don’t have to be in the sun the whole day cause I would die. But my new comp is Elder Mota. He is from Fortaleza and has about 1 year on the mission. I am still ZL and this will probably be my last area, which I am grateful for. I am hoping the next time I pack my bags will be the last. But I am doing fine. It is just hot and I am getting to know the area. Last week we had stake conference, which was great. Now they are asking missionaries to attend the Saturday night session for the adults. It was really cool to be a part of this historic event cause never before has this been done. The work really is changing and the Lord is advancing His work of salvation. Remember that we all need to pray for missionary experiences and be constantly searching for them. I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a great week this week! The end is coming soon :)
Well I have been transferred. I am in Sorocaba now, which is a city in the interior of Sao Paulo. It is about 2 hours from Sao Paulo itself. It is a nice calm city, which I like. There is less pollution and noise and the people are really receptive. Although it is incredibly hot here. Today is being especially hot and I am just thankful I don’t have to be in the sun the whole day cause I would die. But my new comp is Elder Mota. He is from Fortaleza and has about 1 year on the mission. I am still ZL and this will probably be my last area, which I am grateful for. I am hoping the next time I pack my bags will be the last. But I am doing fine. It is just hot and I am getting to know the area. Last week we had stake conference, which was great. Now they are asking missionaries to attend the Saturday night session for the adults. It was really cool to be a part of this historic event cause never before has this been done. The work really is changing and the Lord is advancing His work of salvation. Remember that we all need to pray for missionary experiences and be constantly searching for them. I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a great week this week! The end is coming soon :)
14 Down, 2 More To Go (12 Weeks)
11/04/2013
Well so ends another transfer. I don’t know where I will be going or if I am staying and with whom I will be companions with. I am hoping I am going to go to the interior cause it is a lot calmer and peaceful and less polluted. I am also hoping to train these next two transfers cause so far I have not had the opportunity. The only problem with going to the interior is that it will be even hotter than here in the city, and it has already been very, very hot this past week. The sun was out just about everyday and I spent everyday sweating like a pig climbing up the hills. But also I have had a rather humbling experience this week. So we had a guy stop us on the road and asked us to visit his house. We went to his house, which was built behind another house in the favela. It was the size of a small living room but divided into three rooms. The house in front is a point of drugs. Also this man has a son and daughter that live with him. The daughter is 15 and already has a baby and the house is in no condition to really raise a family. It was really humbling to see just what people live in and it made me grateful for all that I have, especially the small things. It was humbling to realize as he explained his difficult situation that the things I worry about are nothing in comparison to the things he worries about. Clearly my worries now are investigators going to church and being baptized but when I get back I am sure that my worries wont be as big as his. Anyways I am glad that the Lord is giving me the chances to learn even so late on my mission and to grow. I am doing all I can to get the most out of my mission. With 12 weeks left I am getting to the end and soon I will be home. I loved seeing the pictures o f the baby blessing and I am so glad to see that you all are doing well and that you all are healthy. Also I loved seeing the kids! How in the world does Bennet have such red hair? Anyway I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week this week!
With love,
Elder Shelton
Well so ends another transfer. I don’t know where I will be going or if I am staying and with whom I will be companions with. I am hoping I am going to go to the interior cause it is a lot calmer and peaceful and less polluted. I am also hoping to train these next two transfers cause so far I have not had the opportunity. The only problem with going to the interior is that it will be even hotter than here in the city, and it has already been very, very hot this past week. The sun was out just about everyday and I spent everyday sweating like a pig climbing up the hills. But also I have had a rather humbling experience this week. So we had a guy stop us on the road and asked us to visit his house. We went to his house, which was built behind another house in the favela. It was the size of a small living room but divided into three rooms. The house in front is a point of drugs. Also this man has a son and daughter that live with him. The daughter is 15 and already has a baby and the house is in no condition to really raise a family. It was really humbling to see just what people live in and it made me grateful for all that I have, especially the small things. It was humbling to realize as he explained his difficult situation that the things I worry about are nothing in comparison to the things he worries about. Clearly my worries now are investigators going to church and being baptized but when I get back I am sure that my worries wont be as big as his. Anyways I am glad that the Lord is giving me the chances to learn even so late on my mission and to grow. I am doing all I can to get the most out of my mission. With 12 weeks left I am getting to the end and soon I will be home. I loved seeing the pictures o f the baby blessing and I am so glad to see that you all are doing well and that you all are healthy. Also I loved seeing the kids! How in the world does Bennet have such red hair? Anyway I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week this week!
With love,
Elder Shelton
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