I can't wait to go fishing with him...

I sent Elder Shelley and Aargon an Easter package. In it I put 12 eggs with scriptures and an item that represented Christ sufferings for us...Elder Shelley feels like the eggs are a little depressing. I remember when he was a little boy maybe 3 or 4 and saw a photo of Christ on the cross. He was so upset for day and could not believe that anyone could do that to him...He has always had a tender heart. Elder Shelley said he is talking a lot this week about, Jesus Christ and what he did for us. He said that the ward even got a letter from the Prophet to go over Jesus Christ on the 5th Sunday 3rd hour.

I am copying this next part right from Elder Shelley's letter...

We drove up to this one place looking for a name and this huge dog came up to my car door. The dog was taller than the car and it just waited for me to get out of the car, I was a little scared but the dog was nice. But I did get a little dirt on my shoulders because the dog put its paws on my shoulders as he was standing and licked my face. We did talk to the person that lived there and found out the people that we were looking for had moved. People move so much in Oregon.

We helped move this lady that was living in a retirement home. We packed and moved her stuff into a truck for three hours, my back really hurt after that. I also learned the importance of getting rid of things and cleaning things.

We have the baptism coming up this Saturday on the 30th. I am way excited for that.

We play a lot of disk golf, it is like the sport of Oregon.

We also had a funny experience on Friday, a guy stopped and told us how lucky we were to be Mormons because we will be the ones that are saved first and the 2nd coming is going to be on the Summer solstice in 2017. We gave him our phone # and a Mormon.org card, but he was just passing through Grants Pass to go fishing somewhere. I wish we could still go fishing because people talk a lot about fishing here. We will have to do a lot more fishing when I get done with the mission

I can't wait to go fishing with him.

Elder Shelley also said that he is really missing everyone. Both friends and family. He would love to hear from you if you have a minute.

Well everything is going really good.

The naked person count is up to three; this week it was a old white lady. Yes, that means opening up the door with nothing on at all.

In better news, the first scheduled baptism is a 9 year old boy (he's 9 so it counts as a convert) the baptism date was originally set for the 16th but has been moved to the 30th. They have been spending two or more hours a day tracting to find new people to teach, this has led to five new investigators in the past week. Because the Book of Mormon can be a little overwhelming, they have been marking stories before they give the book to investigators to help them have a little area to get started reading on.

Last week he went on exchanges with one of the Zone Leaders, Elder Henrie and said it was way awesome. Elder Henrie was Elder Aragon's Trainer so he learned a lot more about him. Exchanges are from 4:30 the one day until the same time the next day. He also met a family with 8 dogs and a bird, he helped to shingle their roof.

There has also been a world wide mission notice: Anyone can e-mail him! atticus.shelley@myldsmail.net

What a Disappointment

Monday's were my favorite day until I got a letter like this:

I really don't have time today so I will send a big letter next week. I have been doing great. We have a meeting that cuts into our time for the computer lab at the church. I love you soooooo much and read what I sent to Ali to hear a little about this week.
I might have time to write you later tonight. I love you.
Love
Elder Atticus Shelley

Luckily Ali's letter was quite a bit more informative. Though there seems to be a lot of dogs and even a few people not following the Word of Wisdom, he has found that if he turns to the Lord he has found the people's hearts are opened more to listening to the message and willing to let the missionaries come again.

The members have been especially good to him by regularly feeding him dinners and inviting them into their homes. A huge thank you to the members in Oregon; your kindness is greatly appreciated.

Nicest Email

I received the nicest email today.  It came from a mom of a missionary that Elder Shelley meet in the MTC.  This mom is in Grants Pass, OR.  She had Elder Shelley and Elder Aragon come over to her house so she could take a photo of them and send it to me.  Elder Shelley meet her son (Elder Smock) in the MTC playing hacky sack.  Elder Smock is serving in the South Salt Lake Mission.  He is in Sandy right now.

I miss that smile...

First Companion

Sorry I am a couple of week behind. I was out of town and couldn't make changes with my i-pad.

This is Elder Shelley and Elder Aragon...
Elder Aragon is from Boston.  Elder Aragon will be traning Elder Shelley. They will be be companions for the next few months. Elder Shelley's says that he is very nice, loving and definitely goofy.
They are living in a side house of one of the members in their ward.  He said that the house is very nice.  They have a washer and dryer so they don't have to go to the laundry mat.  The members in the area are very helpful.  They have prepared dinner for them every night so he is only cooking breakfast and lunch.  They have a car so he hasn't even unpacked his bike.  He said the weather has been great and that Grant Pass area is awesome.

President Young, Elder Shelley and Sister Young

Welcoming the New Missionaries to Oregon

This photo is of the 35 new missionaries in the Oregon Eugene Mission

Grants Pass, Oregon

I got a phone call from Elder Shelley's Mission President. He said "that Elder Shelley made it to Oregon save and happy...They are loving his positive attitude and his smile" (a couple of the things that we are missing).

Elder Shelley's first area is going to be in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Stan remembers going there as a little boy with his Grandma May to see Aunt Daisy

Me being the mom I am, had to get more information on the area that Elder Shelley will be living.

Grants Pass is 140 miles south of Eugene, Oregon and 60 miles north of the CA boarder. The Population is 34,533 and the Elevation is 948 feet.

I think Atticus is going to love this area.

Grants Pass has its own Stake, 3 Wards...Elder Shelley's will  be in the Murphy Creek Ward and his Bishop will be Bishop Nelson.  His companion will be Elder Aragon (I hope I am spelling that right). His P-days will be on Monday...my new favorite day!!! 

LDS Church in Grants Pass, Oregon