GOD is in Charge! (Week 8)

Well this week has been different than the whole time I have been out here. Last P-day our district leader came into my area with my companion and I went into his area. We did this just for the evening. They went to this lady's house that Elder Webb (our district leader) had taught 1.5 years ago when he was in my area. They found her and she is interested in being taught again. Her name is Alaa Adam. She is from Sudan and has two sons, Taha and Isam. Alaa's first language is Arabic so we got in touch with the Persian Elders in the mission, and one of the Elders is from the Middle East and speaks Arabic. We had an English Class with Alaa and a lesson with her as well. The Elder who speaks Arabic handed the English class over to us, so now we are teaching an English class, haha. 

On Tuesday we had a lesson over the phone with this dude named Ecedro. He is interested and likes what we have to say. We invited him to Zoom church but he was driving home from Utah so we are going to try and get in contact with him again this week. On Wednesday, we had a lesson over Zoom with Francelia. She has been taught for a while now and ghosted us last transfer but we were finally able to set up a lesson with her and find out some of her needs. She says she doesn't really understand the Book of Mormon so we are going to start there with her and do our best to help her. 

Thursday we had our English class with Alaa and that was interesting for sure, haha, but one super cool thing that happened on Thursday was this: We saw these ladies moving stuff out of their apartment so we went and helped them move their stuff. Later, we saw them again and helped again. That night we noticed they were cleaning out their apartment and we decided to go over to see if there was anything we could do to help. The lady who answered the door said they were good but started talking to us and asking us questions. We told her what we believe in. We told her about the Godhead and we helped her understand that Mormons are Christians. She gave us her number and said she wanted to learn more about what we believe. We got back to the apartment and we're like, "We should give her a Book of Mormon." So we did and she was psyched about it and she told us that she wants to take a beginners class, haha. So after they move to wherever they are going, we will probably have a Zoom lesson with her and then pass her off to the missionaries in her area. It was super cool to give out a Book of Mormon during this time where we can't even approach people about the gospel. 

So many things happened this week and honestly it is because of God. He is helping us out so much. This whole past week we had other mini miracles and more contact with nonmembers. It has been super awesome! All of last transfer we had 2 lessons with nonmembers and just in the past week we had 8! God has really been helping us, and it is all on His timing. We were also able to visit and help out some other members in the ward and encourage them. We have been able to find ways to use our time more effectively. GOOD things have happened when we have humbled ourselves before God and prayed. ALL things that happened this past week that were good, happened only after we prayed. Not every time we prayed something good happened, but every time something good happened it was because we prayed.

The weekend was good and full of its own manifestations that God truly is in charge. Sunday was awesome. Brother Gali fed us breakfast. Like legit fed. We ate good, haha. Anyway, we also had a goood dinner from some other members. The coolest and most interesting thing was our lesson with Alaa. We brought one of the Priest's from our ward to the lesson to give him a little experience, haha. We asked Alaa about what she remembers from the missionaries that taught her in the past, and she told us she had previously been getting ready to be baptized but the missionaries stopped teaching her. So I asked her if she still wanted to be baptized, and she said yes. So Alaa is on date for September 27th! But there's more... We read 2 Nephi 31 with her and emphasized that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to be baptized and that Jesus set the perfect example. Alaa understands that baptism makes us clean but I don't think she understands how we can become clean, which is because and through Jesus Christ. If you couldn't guess Alaa is Muslim. So she has some contradicting beliefs, haha. It is pretty funny. To keep it short, we have some things to work on with her and we are having her read the Book of Mormon everyday and will be meeting with her 3-5 times a week. Everyone please pray for Alaa. We are going to do our best to help prepare her for baptism. There is a little bit of a language barrier but that just proves the Spirit is the teacher!

God is in charge! He is in charge of the outcome of His great work, His harvest. He only asks that we labor diligently and He will take care of the rest (Jacob 5).

Elder Shockley

New District (Week 7)

Well this week has been something else for sure. On Monday we drove to the mission office and dropped off Elder Christensen; he got transferred to Carlsbad so that's neat. I think I said that in my last week's email, but anyway, we also had a district activity with the people in our new district. Elder Rose is a new Elder in the district and he is from Texas and was originally called to the London England Mission. Our district leader is Elder Webb and he is super cool. He has been out for a long time and is such a great leader. On Tuesday, Elder Elliott and I went to the mission office at about 5:30 to pick up our new companion. His name is Elder Judd and he is from a small town in Arizona called Pima. He was originally called to the London England mission so that's kinda cool. We are basically the England district in California, haha. Elder Judd was feeling pretty sick the day he got here so he went to bed kind of early when we got back to the apartment later that night.

On Wednesday Elder Judd still wasn't feeling well and at first we thought he was sick and had some kind of virus but it turns out that he ended up telling us that he was having some really bad anxiety. His anxiety was so bad that the first day and a half, everything he ate and drank, he threw it up. He called Sister Reeves that night and also his parents back home and he really felt like he needed to go home. On Thursday, we tried to get him more situated. We helped him unpack and went grocery shopping with him, but he was still super anxious. He called some more later that night. On Friday, we got a text saying that we were going to take Elder Judd back to the mission office and he was going to go home :( It was sad to see him go. He really was a hardworking kid who loves the gospel but the effects of anxiety are physically, mentally, and emotionally just hard to deal with, especially with how bad he had it. We were able to counsel with him, and our district leader and zone leaders were super kind and understanding with him. I feel bad that he had that anxiety and had to go home. We all have our different trials throughout life. 

Saturday we went on exchanges with the district leader. He came to my area and went with me. We were able to help this lady move in to the apartment across the road from us. Brother Yang took us to this place that had really good breakfast food. Then after dinner we went and knocked on this lady's door that Elder Webb (our district leader) knew in this area. She answered and we set a meeting with her for later today. So that's good. We didn't have any lessons set up for Saturday so we ended up just going around to some members in the ward and introducing ourselves. Sunday was good. It's always good to have the Sacrament; it just brings a renewing feeling. Throughout the week I probably drop about 5-7 lbs and then gain it back on the weekends from Brother Yang, the members and all the dessert. It's kinda funny, haha.

Anyway, Ether 12:27 says, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." This has been a scripture that has helped me a lot throughout the week. Not only can Christ help us heal and not only can we be forgiven of our sins, but we can truly overcome everything and, like the scripture says, weak things become strong unto us. For example: we are all susceptible to physical death, we will all die. It is a weakness we all have, but because of Jesus Christ we will all have a body again. Not only that but we will all have immortal bodies; that is a weak thing made strong. The natural man in me was having a hard time with my companion, but when I turned to Jesus Christ I was not only able to tolerate him but to love him. I know that we can all have experiences like this and I know that Elder Judd can and will one day triumph over his anxiety. 

It's been an interesting week for sure, haha. Thanks for all your love and support! 

Elder Shockley 

First Transfer (Week 6)

This past week was the last week of the transfer. I officially have 1 transfer under my belt and have been serving now for 2 months! On Tuesday we had the opportunity to teach a part member family so that was pretty neat. We have this CD by the tabernacle choir and it's the "Night at the Movies" one. On it there is a song from Avengers: Endgame. It is so hype how the tab choir does it. I imagine that will be the song playing during the second coming and it's gonna be hype except for it will be times infinity... haha. 

Anyway, on my first P day out here we taught a guy named Jerry and he wasn't stoked about meeting with us again after we taught him. He has since become more interested and now wants a lesson. Thank you to my mom and everyone else in my family for fasting for him! The power of fasting works! 

We have been trying more ways and coming up with different ideas on things to do as far as finding goes. We are starting to try some more things which we are excited about so I will let you all know how that goes. On Thursday we had District council and I was assigned to give a discussion. It was my first discussion at a district council and it also happens that President and Sister Reeves showed up at our district council. But we had a solid discussion so that was me. Later that night we got a call from the assistants. They told me that Elder Elliott and I are going to be training a new missionary! Haha so that's sweet. I'm halfway through my training and I'm going to help train. Our other companion, Elder Christensen, is going to Carlsbad. We are probably going to be a lot more productive now, haha. I also did a quick exchange with Elder Rawlings, our District leader, and we had a really productive finding time. We called some nonmembers and were able to talk to them. Then we went to one of the people they are teaching. His name is Evan. He is a super cool Christian guy who is going to ministry school or whatever it's called. It was cool to talk to him. 

On Saturday Brother Yang took us to this Italian restaurant and then bought us some more pizza. On Sunday we had dinner at Bishop Port's house. He made us some southern food; I don't even know what it is called but it is absolutely amazing. We went to the Ure's(some awesome members) house afterward and did our finding time with Braden Ure. 

He is the oldest son and just got back from his mission. He drove us to our next place in their Tesla model x sport made or whatever and showed us the 0 to 60. It was insane. Today we dropped Elder Christensen off at the mission home and he went with his new companion. We will be getting our new companion tomorrow and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm excited to see what he's like and excited to try new ideas for missionary work right now. I won't be the newb anymore, Haha.

An awesome thought from the week came from something I was reading on Sunday from the New Testament Institute Student manual. We are all like Barabbas. We are the sinful sons and daughters that were set free in the place of Jesus Christ who eventually died for us. I know that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can do good in this world. None of us can ever become perfect in this life but we can all be made clean through the Atoning Blood of Jesus Christ. He is our Savior. I love you all and hope you have a good week.

Elder Shockley

Go and Do (Week 5)

This week not much happened. We had some good member lessons. We started going to this good sandwich place every Wednesday so that's hype. On Thursday we taught a lesson at these members homes and the Dad guy owns all of the Krispy Kremes in Utah or he at least is part of some ownership position with all of them. He gave us ten free 1 dozen glazed doughnut ticket things. So we went to Krispy Kreme that night and pounded a dozen doughnuts. It was awesome haha. Brother Yang took us to a Mongolian BBQ place on Saturday and it was pretty good. We had a member lesson on Sunday and they had dinner for us as well. That's the food highlights for the week, haha.

Nephi was commanded to build a boat. He wasn't given the instructions or materials, but the Lord guided him as he went forward in faith doing what he was commanded to do. He was also commanded to go get the brass plates. He didn't even know where to go but he knew what the Lord commanded and went forward in faith, listening to the spirit. The same is true for missionary work right now, and honestly for everything else as well. We don't have a guidebook for how to navigate our lives through Covid, but we do have Jesus Christ. God wants us to GO forward AND DO what he has commanded us. He will guide us but we have to DO something about it. It's really fitting that the youth theme for this year is Go and Do. 1 Nephi 3:7

Today we went to Newport Beach. We were able to go to the Deseret Book there and that place is hype. We also went to Balboa Peninsula. We had our first street contact there. This homeless guy came up to us and talked about how we are doing a great work and how he is proud of us. He said that he almost got baptized and we talked to him about that for awhile. We said a prayer with him and gave him our phone number. It was a cool experience. I also saw a load of other homeless people and some dude fishing on the pier for little tiny fish. Newbies, but I guess fishing is still fishing.

The highlight of the week was that on Saturday I got to watch Auston's baptism over zoom. Auston (my cousin for those who don't know) is such a great example to me. He loves Jesus and he loves his neighbor. I want to be like Auston when I grow up.

Here's my favorite quote from Lord of the Rings: 

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.

“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Gandalf is right, we all probably didn't want covid to happen, but it did. We have to decide what we are going to do, be accountable for it, and make the best out of our situation. Luckily we aren't alone and we can rely on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Elder Shockley 

Yee (Week 4)

Well this week was pretty solid. Last P-day we went to the mall in Mission Viejo. It was crazy because 98% of the stores were closed so I have no idea why the mall was even open. It was kinda special. On Tuesday we had exchanges with our District leader. And to be straight up, he's pretty lazy. Anyway, we were going for a walk to get out of the apartment for a bit and this guy stopped us and said, "y'all can have multiple wives right?" And we were like nope, haha, and then he said, " That must be the other Mormons." Haha, it was great. 

On Wednesday this guy pulled over in the middle of the road in this big black truck and said in a deep voice, "Hey come here." We walked over kind of cautiously and then he gave us $40 and told us to go buy lunch. That was probably against mission rules but we got a good meal out of it. 

We have been teaching member lessons throughout the week and it has been awesome! It is good to see some awesome members out here, like really awesome. Thursday we had District council and we helped this family moved into this 4 story house. It was a big house but like it was tall. It was interesting to see the compact housing. Friday was kind of slow. Saturday we played soccer in the morning with the stake and soccer is good for exercise Haha, I scored a goal.... for the other team so that's good. 

We had exchanges with the Zone Leader and that was awesome. We helped a part member family move in so that was cool. Then our Zone Leader showed us how to do a lot of stuff and basically on Saturday I learned more in 1 day from an Elder than I had in 4 weeks with my companions. This zone leader is awesome. On Sunday we had like 7 member lessons and we went to dinner at the Galis house.  We had rice and meat; it was amazing. The guy's name is Setema Gali and he played D end for BYU. 

Thank you everyone for your support! It means a lot!

I know that I am out here for a reason. Jesus Christ is in charge, He is king and will reign forever and ever!

Elder Shockley

Pickleball (Week 3)

Well last P-day was one for the books. These 2 brother RMs and another recent RM invited us over to hangout with them. They had lines of a pickleball court on the street in front of their house. They had put duct tape in the road to make the outline and when they took the tape off the sun had burned in the lines, so that was super sweet.



They had a net as well so we played pickleball right in front of their house. Then we had a cornhole tournament, and ate burgers. It was kind of amazing. 

Then that night we went to have a lesson with the Bishop and his family and they were super awesome! They live in the Covenant Hills gated community and on our way to his house we saw a Bentley, 2 Rolls Royce's, and a McClaren. On that note I have lost count of how many Tesla's I have seen. There are plenty of Mustangs, BMWs, and a lot of Benz s too. We have also seen a good chunk of Corvettes and Porsches along with a handful of Lamborghini's and Maserati's (Mom please correct my spelling of the car names). It's kind of funny because it almost feels like we get shunned when we enter the gated community in our Toyota Corolla (Corrola? I have no idea how to spell the names of cars) haha. Anyway, that is a fun little side not about where I live right now. And to conclude that note, on Wednesday this family dropped dinner off to us in their Porsche. Alec, you would lose your mind with all of these cars here, haha.

This week we met with the ward mission leaders from both of our wards. They are super awesome and helpful. Since we cannot do any street contacting we are trying to schedule at least 12 member lessons a week so that we can help strengthen them and to help them reach out to the people they know who don't know of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A blessing from Covid is that the missionaries are going to have to learn to work with the ward better, which is how missionary work is intended to be in our day. 

On Thursday, we helped the ward mission leader in the Terramor ward move in (he had lived here previously a few years ago). He was up in San Francisco working for Google. So that's kind of cool, haha. On Friday we went to a sand volleyball court and played spikeball with some of the Elders in our district so that was hype. 

On Saturday, the highlight was probably that Brother Yang took us to this Italian place and basically told us we could only order from the expensive menu. It was kind of funny, haha.

Sunday was good, we got to administer the Sacrament to a few people, which was awesome and reminded me of doing Sacrament for the Ward while I was in Priest's Quorum. We had dinner with President Gentry (who is in our mission Presidency) and his family. It was a good week but it has been difficult to get in contact with those we are teaching.

It is only through Christ that we can do all things. Literally, ALL good things come from God. The natural man is an enemy to God. Without Jesus Christ's Atonement, we would be hardened, fallen and lost, we would unavoidably perish. Jesus Christ's Atonement allows us strength to do good, to be cleansed, to be raised from our mortal bodies, and so much more. I know that we need to make the daily effort to always remember him, ask for strength, and to repent. -Alma 34

Elder Shockley