Another great week in the MTC

This week has been great.  It has been the same most everyday, I learn Spanish, better ways to teach and become closer to the spirit each time I fall on my face. We wake up, walk to class eat, class, teach, eat, learn and walk some more.  I feel the spirit with me all the time and know I couldn’t do what I have been doing without it. To scare everyone, in Chile (where I am going) it’s the poorest place in the country and so slightly dangerous. 14 year old kids have guns to "protect" their territory so I might experience that.  I am told to have some cash so when if I get mugged I have something for them. But I know I will be protected and just fine because I have the Lord on my side.  With the strength of our Lord we can do all things. Thank you all for your support and prayers I know I am doing the Lord’s work.  Chao Elder Erik Shelley

3 weeks into the journey

Hello everyone,

I've gone 3 weeks into my journey and I have learned a lot.  Each day is starting to feel the same as we teach and learn.  My language grows little everyday, while my spiritual progress has skyrocketed.  I draw closer and closer to my Heavenly Father everyday and my testimony grows so much.  The second day here we taught an "investigator" in Spanish!  I hardly said anything, but now when I teach I can usually get my point across. My companion is a high school jock.  He is also from Utah and we get along great, we learn together and teach together. I would have to say one thing I struggle with is waking up, everyday at 6:30! but I am getting used to it.  I have learned that everything I need will come in time and I just have to be diligent.  I also have learned that learning Spanish has affected my spelling in English. I am finding that the language is a very personal language and I like it more then English! Lots happens everyday, I'm not sure what to write, but I know who reads this cares for me and know I feel your prayers helping me along with the spirit. Thanks you all and I'll make sure not to wait 3 weeks before my next blog entry.

2 days in

Hola Familiares y amigos,

It is going well and I'm learning a lot; though it is all hard to keep up with.  Yesterday I taught a lesson in Spanish, which did not go so well because I hardly know any at all.  I feel like I want to go home at times but then I think why I'm here or just forget about it because I get to work.  Adjusting to waking up at 6:30 am is proving difficult for me, I'm tired until our gym break, and then I wake up. My companion is great, he is a really good kid, but I'm still shy and need to talk more.  Everyone in my room is an athlete and I'm the nerd, but we get along. The work is hard and the days so far are long, but I have grown so much in these past few days.  Everyone in my district is great people and I really respect them. My p-day is on Fridays, sometime in the morning. So much change in just a couple of days I don’t know what to say. I'm trying to develop good study habits and read my scriptures everyday. I have honestly not prayed as much and as hard ever in my life. But I know the Lord is helping me and He is the only reason I lasted as long as I have. I think the spirit I feel from my companion and district, the teachers, my family and the Holy Ghost are what keep me going.  My testimony grows stronger each minute. The lesson I taught was really humbling, by showing me I have lots to learn. The other elders in my building may be the same age but they are much older in the spirit and help us greenies out a lot.  In our building it is a tradition to give everyone a hug before bed which really brings us together.