I love it out here.

Hola

This week has been crazy.  We have 14 investigators and we visit a lot of people as well.  There really is not a whole lot of walking.  I like teaching even though I hardly say anything; but I can talk to someone now and ask if we can share with them for 5 minutes. The other day we knocked on a house and the man came out looking really mad.  He said Elder meant teacher and that teachers are perfect.  I tried talking to him and I am pretty sure he wanted to hit me.  Its great when some people say, “Oh, we’re Christian or Catholic or something and then say we believe in Christ.  I say that’s awesome so do I.”  We have a baptism next Saturday and the woman is super excited.  She is just getting hit with every trial and even had a scary dream about a man in black chasing her.  I know that this is the real church and someone does not want her to be baptized.  I know that I am not perfect but was set apart to go and preach the gospel as a representative of JesuCristo. I love it out here—maybe not all the time—but it’s the best place to be.

Pictures

New friends, people and dogs

Well this week has been full, we teach a lot and visit lots of in-active members, so my feet are just fine.  I always meet new friends whether they are people or dogs—mostly dogs.  Today I helped members with a service project.  I dug holes for a fence and even got to weld.  It was out in the middle of nowhere.  The lunch was good with a lot of meat that was really good. I’ll wake up to a little frost on the window and will slide into my hoody and hat, that I have acquired from the feria.  I am adjusting alright but the stress is there, which leaves during the night, because apparently I talk in my sleep a lot.  I find an interesting spirit here, even though it’s the same probably just a different culture.  I have hard times and great times but always remember the great times, even if it’s just the feelings.  I love serving and working because it brings happiness. This is why I am here to share that with others.  Elder Shelley

I have arrived! Culture shock!

Well, my first week here and it’s been a culture shock.  I saw a man chase someone with a machete and there is a dog per person. I love it though.  It is the best thing I have done in my life; coming on a mission. I struggle with the language, but the people are super patient and friendly. We have a baptism date with an investigator and hope he keeps it. My companion is great at teaching and a great teacher for me.  He is already my friend and I learn a lot from him.  His name is Elder Metcalf and he is from Utah as well as me. I work all day and easily fall asleep at night, we teach a lot and my input grows little by little. I live in the slums—really; every house is little and has a high fence with spikes at the top, no lawns, no trees, just little plants maybe. It gets cold and foggy, but it is winter.  I will see what it’s like in the summer time. Basically I love being on a mission even though it is super hard and frustrating at times. A lot happens each day.  See you next week.
Elder Shelley