The New Missionary Look!

New Missionary Look

 Elder Shelley has had a lot of down time this week because the fires in OR are so bad. They can't even go tracking right now because the smoke is so bad. Most of the days outside it is like the picture.
They can only go outside if we are going to a scheduled appointment. They can't ride bikes and are supposed to wear masks when they go outside, which is really hot. He likes to wear sunglasses to protect his eyes from the ash. He said biggest fire has already burnt 40,000 acres of land. No houses have burnt down yet. There are four fires that are burning and they can't get to them because they are in rural areas. He thinks they have two of them 10% contained and the other two like 2% contained. It is crazy because they don't know what is really happening because they can't watch TV or get the news. He is safe. There is a lot of ground the fire will have to cover before it gets to Elder Shelley and Atwood.
Elder Shelley mentioned that he got letters this week from some of his friends and he really enjoyed hearing from home.  If you have a few minutes I'm sure he would love to hear from you....
In Elder Shelley's down time this week he has been doing so genealogy and has asked that we send him some books on the Shelley history so that he can learn more about his ancestors.

Oregon Caves

This is the District/Zone Elder Shelley is in. The couple is the Watt's they are the Mission Presidents First Counselors. Elder Shelley has really enjoyed the Watt's they have had him over for Mother's Day, Fathers Day and the 4th of July.

The Oregon Caves

Elder Shelley and his district/zone got to take a day trip down to see the Caves.
 The Caves were so cool.  He hope's that one day he has a change to take the family and show us the area.  He has really liked living in Oregon.

Elders having some fun in the caves.

 This week (the week of the 24th of July) there goal was to work really hard for the pioneers that made it to Utah.

Just Chillin

Just Chillin in his apartment.

Testimony is grown.

Elder Shelley is liking Elder Atwood.  Elder Atwood is from Heber City, Utah. He has been on his mission for 15 months.  He is the youngest in his family.  All of Atticus companion have been the baby of their family just like him.
He had a good 4th of July.  He didn't have to work very hard.  They went to a couple of members homes and had to be back home by 7.  Luckily they live on the top of a hug hill so they got to watch the fireworks across the valley.

Elder Shelley and Elder Atwood got to go to the temple with one of the brothers from there ward. He was going to the temple for the first time.  Elder Shelley started working with the brother the second day of his mission. He had not been to church in years.  They got to start teaching him the lessons and got him to start coming back to church.  Elder Shelley said that it was a huge testimony builder for him.  To help someone so that they can return to live with our Heavenly Father.  He said that his testimony has definitely grown.  When you can watch people come from almost nothing to being able to have a home, a job, a live, being baptized and an eternal family.  How can it not grow? He is changing peoples lives for the better.

New Companion

Elder Shelley will be staying in Grants Pass but he did get a new companion. Elder Atwood he will be meeting him today around 1:30 pm.  Elder Shelley really enjoyed his time with Elder Clinkscales.  He can't believe how fast the time went by.

This past week he was with his zone leaders.  He said most of the week was spent doing service projects.  He helped build a house, helped a couple of people build fences, and of course helped some people move.  Moving people happens weekly.

Building a house

Elder Hall, Tidwell and Shelley

599 Days left...

Elder Clinkscales left this morning.  He has been called to serve in the Salem mission. They are just opening the Salem as a new mission.  Elder Shelley doesn't get a new companion until next Monday.  Next Monday is transfer day.  So he is with the Zone Leaders for the week.  Which makes life a little crazy.  He really likes the area so he is hoping to stay, but he won't know until Saturday if he stays of goes.

Zone Conference

So it is going good here. Our apartment is really clean, like aunt Peach and uncle Christopher clean. It is weird to have it so clean because everything is so bright.

Zone Conference 

Zone Conference on Tuesday was really good. He also got to see Elder Riley Johnson(one of Elder Shelley's friends he was the swim team captain at Alta the year before Atticus and played water polo with him) he is a district leader and training is Medford, which is only like a 30 min drive from Grants Pass. He also saw another friend that he didn't even know was out there. His name is Elder Jordan Ayre, he knew him because he played Cello in the orchestra. It was crazy to see them again. Elder Shelley is hoping he can see Elder Tanner Barnhill. It would also be cool if they get to serve with each other or at least in the same district or zone.

Elder Shelley wishes he could have talked to his dad on Father's Day for just like 10 minutes. It was really hard for him not to be around his daddy to celebrate Father's Day. He said that Mother's day was hard also but he got to call and talk to her.

He is really liking Grants Pass and the people in the area. He hopes he gets to stay a little longer.