QuaRaNTinEd (Week 29)

Yep... I'm quarantined.............. 

So funny story, last week on Wednesday we had service as a District and it was awesome, then like 4 or 5 or maybe 6 hours later we got a phone call (phonecall?). The call was from the mission nurse and she asked us if we were feeling healthy, how nice of her. Then she brought the hammer down and told us we are quarantined... Some of the Elders at our service had tested positive for Covid and basically our whole District is quarantined haha. We are quarantined until the 30th, which is basically the end of the transfer, unless our tests come back as negative. We got tested today and it was a self test, and for those of you who have done it you know how it feels, but for those of you who haven't it is like tickling your brain, haha, and you laugh with tears. Anyway that was fun, and hopefully we get the results back sooner than later. None of us have any symptoms so that is something.

We have made millions of phonecalls, not really but basically haha. Phonecalls are good though and have been the majority of what I have done for finding for my mission. It's awesome though because we are still finding plenty of people to teach over the phone! The work goes on and our mission is seeing a lot of success. The Lord knows better, and this is His work, so there is no point in fighting that. Just trust Him that it WILL work out, because it will. Staying inside all the time does stuff to you...... haha. It's good stuff. Anyway, instead of just bore you all to death talking about all the fun things there are to do inside with two other 19 year old boys, I'll talk about Jesus. Jesus is the best. I love Him. The Book of Mormon truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. His teachings and love so freely fill me every time I read His words. It is absolutely amazing. Set time aside to learn of Him and walk with Him, you WILL not regret it. :) 

Love,

Elder Shockley

Coming up with a subject line takes longer than writing the email (Week 27)

Well this past week was hype. Haha it was pretty good. We started teaching 3 old ladies!!! So that's exciting. Last Monday we had this 1.5 hour phone call with this awesome lady named Jiji (not one of the 3 old ladies)! She had some awesome questions and concerns that took some pondering and flying around the scriptures. The Spirit was awesome (like always! love that guy) and was guiding me to a bunch of different Scriptures and I don't know. It was just a really fun lesson. She came to church yesterday and sadly we'll have to pass her off to the YSA, but she is awesome!

On Tuesday, we were kind of sick of calling people so we thought of something else we could do. We remembered the guy at the Gas station and how he is there literally all the time. So we decided we were going to go and convert him. Sadly, it was about the only day that he wasn't there and out of self pity I bought $20 worth of candy. Why? I don't really know. There are a lot of new flavors with the original stuff so I had to try it. 

Anyway the story is not over. On Saturday we had to fill up gas so, naturally, we went to the gas station. The guy was there this time. I got a Twix ice cream bar (shout out to Grandma Barbs) and when my companions were checking out they baptized him. Haha no, but Elder Ward with no small talk or anything was like, "Have you heard of the Book of Mormon?" . Bold. The guy said he hadn't and without beating around the bush and with a 10 second background of the Book, Elder Ward proceeded to ask him if he wanted to read it. The guy said he would and accepted the Book. Probably the fastest and funniest way I have ever seen a Book of Mormon placed haha. So now we are praying, "Please bless that young man that he may call." (Best Two Years) 

I have been able to go on a couple of exchanges with the Elders in the District and I have been learning a lot from them. On one exchange, we talked some mad Star Wars. It was nice not to talk about cows and horses for a bit haha, but as the conversation kept going it evolved into how almost every story is inspired by Jesus Christ (whether people know it or not). In just about every good story, there is an individual who is kind of the "chosen one" and a good group of people that follow and support him. The chosen one goes through the hardest trials and makes a lot of sacrifices and in the end, defeats the enemy (Satan). They are a selfless hero. This obviously represents Jesus Christ. The group that supports the hero, can represent the Disciples of Jesus Christ and also us, His disciples. Good movies and stories are like this because of the Light of Christ in the world. Everyone has it and it fills all space. There are a lot of ways that we can help people feel of this Light and also of the Love of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. It doesn't have to be throwing scriptures at people's faces, but it can be so small in how we act, what we say, and what we do. Ask Heavenly Father how you can share the Light of the world, which is Jesus Christ, in simple ways.

I love you all!

2021 (Week 26)

It is now 2021. That is crazy. This past week was pretty awesome! I can't remember too much of what happened but the highlight of the week was this past Saturday! Sabina was baptized!!!! It was a powerful experience and we just know she is being cheered on in Heaven and on Earth. The Elders started teaching her at the beginning of December and I got there December 14th. Sabina was just ready for it all and is truly chosen. We honestly didn't do too much, haha; the Spirit truly is the teacher and it really is the work of the Lord. That's about it. We just have to lovingly choose to be obedient and diligent of what he asks of us. 

Not too much more to talk about from this past week, that honestly takes the cake. Who knows what will happen in 2021, but that's okay. It's okay because God is in charge, and it will be more than okay with Him in charge. Things will be unimaginable with God at the helm. Trust Him.

I love you all

Elder Shockley