Doing well and National Day

Well this week has been a party week for the people I am serving and they know how to party.  There are amosads everyday at every house, the parks are always full of people playing soccer and bolantin.  It’s a festive country and I love it.  There is a dance that some how you know or learn called the Cueca and it is really cool.  I would say look it up in YouTube or something.  I am doing well, I love the mission and all the experiences I have.  I honestly think that I have learned a million times more things here than if I would have if I stayed home.  The mission is preparing me and the Lord helps me through trials, but I want them, they make me learn and grow and the more I do that, the more I can do to help and serve others.  So I am having a fun time and don’t worry the Spanish is coming fine, even to the point that I dream a few times in Spanish.  It becomes a part of how I speak, instead of thinking for 10 seconds then talking.  Thanks to all who read my blog and all your support I definitely need it and very much appreciate it. -Elder Shelley

Continued work with Elder Villagran from Guatemala in Renca

Well ok this week has been crazy, I got sick and that put me out for a day.  We had a very bad companion who has now left.  We have lots of visits to make out of our sector for our chuaco elder. This may be a short blog, because not much happened and I don’t want to write sad stuff.  We have had a baptism.  He is a 12 year old named Isaac; he has a strong relationship with God and believes in the church firmly.  He talks of serving a mission, and his baptism has been a catalyst.  We have a friend of his taking lessons named Katy, the sister of his friend.  We have had changes and are now entering a new 6 weeks.  I and my companion, Elder Villagran from Guatemala, are excited and ready to keep working hard.  I am doing great and love how I can actually speak another language and learn so much about our Lord’s church and the truthfulness of it—there just isn’t anyway that it is not true. Thank you all who read and your support, the blogs are short, but they hold a testimony that this work is true and the Lord is watching over us and helping us. Love you all.

-Elder Shelley