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Shelby's Return Home Flight Plans!

For all of you who would like to track Shelby's route back to the good 'ol USA :-)
Words can't express how proud and amazed I am of my daughter. She is truly courageous and an inspiration to me. The last 18 months have been hard, happy, exciting, and lonesome. YAY!!! Shelby! YOU DID IT!!!!

Your trip Booking ref: 4IDVJ4 Check My Trip Date: 14 April 2015 Baggage Info . . Traveler Shelby Marie Whipple Agency CHURCH TRAVEL CWT 50 East North Temple St SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150 Telephone 801 240-5111 Fax 801-240-5115 . . . Tuesday 23 June 2015 Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras AD 2605 Departure 23 June 04:55 PM Cuiaba Marechal Rondon Intl (+) Arrival 23 June 08:25 PM Sao Paulo Guarulhos Intl (+) Terminal: 4 Duration 02:30 (Non stop) Booking status Confirmed Class Economy (Y) Equipment EMBRAER 195 No seats are available to pre-assign Please arrive early and request your preferred seats at check-in . Tuesday 23 June 2015 Delta Air Lines DL 058 Departure 23 June 10:40 PM Sao Paulo Guarulhos Intl (+) Terminal: 2 Arrival 24 June 07:28 AM Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Atl (+) Terminal: I Duration 09:48 (Non stop) Booking status Confirmed Class Economy (V) Baggage allowance 2PC Seat 35B confirmed for Shelby Marie Whipple Equipment BOEING 767-300 Meal Dinner . Wednesday 24 June 2015 Delta Air Lines DL 1772 Departure 24 June 11:30 AM Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Atl (+) Terminal: S Arrival 24 June 12:19 PM Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (+) Terminal: 3 Duration 03:49 (Non stop) Booking status Confirmed Class Economy (V) Baggage allowance 2PC Seat 39C confirmed for Shelby Marie Whipple Equipment BOEING 757 Meal Food for purchase Copyright © 2013 Amadeus v1.3.6.10 Page 1 of 2 . Your trip Booking ref: 4IDVJ4 Check My Trip Date: 14 April 2015 Baggage Info . . . Wednesday 24 June 2015 American Airlines AA 2765 Departure 24 June 03:10 PM Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (+) Terminal: 4 Arrival 24 June 03:59 PM Flagstaff Flagstaff Pulliam (+) Duration 00:49 (Non stop) Booking status Confirmed Class Economy (S) Baggage allowance 0PC Seat 03F confirmed for Shelby Marie Whipple Equipment CANADAIR REGIONAL JET Operated by Us Airways, US2765 No seats are available to pre-assign Please arrive early and request your preferred seats at check-in . Ticket details E-ticket DL 006-7618611525 for Shelby Marie Whipple E-ticket AA 001-7618611526 for Shelby Marie Whipple . General Information **IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE CHURCH TRAVEL (801-240-5111 OR 1-800-537-3537) CHURCH TRAVEL IS AVAILABLE 24/7 MISSION PRESIDENT KEITH RAY REBER RII PH B/011 55 65 3642 1056 H/011 55 65 3027 5934 487678@LDSCHURCH.ORG LDSCHURCH@KONTIK.COM.BR **NOTICE** ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT 1 HOUR PRIOR TO DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND 2 HOURS PRIOR TO INT*L FLIGHTS WITH REQUIRED STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO ID AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE, OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800)537-3537 OR (801)240-5111 EMPLOYEE TRAVEL (800)537-1232 OR (801)240-1000 GENERAL AUTHORITY TRAVEL (800)453-3860 OR (801)240-1000 . Airline Booking Reference(s) AA/XVSZMQ DL/F6UFXF

Final Email From Sister Whipple!!

Hello Everyone,

This will be the last email i´ll be sending out because next Monday ill be in Cuiaba and I don't think we will have time to write emails, since we will be in a training. 

I want to use this chance that I have to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve a mission. There are absolutely no words to express my feelings. This email will do no justice to the wonderful year and a half I have spent serving the master Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. 

I have learned so much and have come so much closer to my savior. I still have a very long way to go to become like Him, but I'm farther than I was before. 

Among the many things that I have learned on my mission, I think the thing that stands out the most in my mind is learning to put my trust and faith in Jesus Christ. Trust and faith are such small words and many including myself underestimate the power that they hold. I have learned what it really means to trust in Him. Little by little I have put my life into his perfect hands and have let go of the reins. It takes a lot of courage to let go because He doesn't just take the reins for you, He will never take over and say ``its OK you can let go now``. We have to let go first and trust that he will catch the reins. Its the same principle of stepping into the water before its parted. Its so easy to say just have faith! all you have to do is trust! but when your put before a river full of rushing raging water, knowing that if Heavenly Father doesn't part that water you will be pulled under and drowned, its a little bit harder to have that trust and faith, isn't it. However, I testify that God, our loving father in Heaven will do his part. As we demonstrate courage and step into that raging river, he will demonstrate his power and the water will part. I have seen it, and I have felt it. I know its true. 

I know that to have courage does not in any way mean that we are unafraid. To have courage means that even though we are afraid we stand up, we look fear in the face and we trust. I testify that our test here in life is not something simple nor is it something easy. Our test is the test of faith. Will we remain faithful, despite the influences of the distracting voices of the world? Will we be able to always put God first, despite the opposing opinions of family or friends whom we love? Will we have courage? 

I testify that it is courage not compromise that brings the smile of Gods approval. 

I testify that Heavenly Father loves us more than we can imagine. He loves us with a perfect love. He loves us for who we are but I know that He has established the way for us to return to Him. He cannot lower the expectations. 

I am immensely grateful for repentance. How wonderful it is that we have a way to become clean and to constantly become better. To keep learning and to keep growing. Sometimes its hard to admit we have made a mistake or that we are wrong, but I know that through Jesus Christ all things can be forgiven and made right. If you have a hard time feeling that God loves you, maybe think Little bit about the sacrifice He made for us. He gave his ONLY SON, for us. Those of you who have children can maybe think about how hard that must have been. He gave His son to a world who doesn't even think about him or remember him on a daily basis. A world who sometimes even makes light of his sacrifice. Can we really question that Heavenly Father loves us? 

I testify that Jesus is the Christ. He Lives. 

I testify that His Church, was restored here on the earth once again through a prophet. I know its true, and I cannot deny it. 

These things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I want to thank all of you for writing to me and reading my emails. Thank you for all the prayers, to say that I have felt them wouldn't say the half of what they have done for me. I love you all. See you Soon :)

Love,

Sister Shelby Whipple

Hello! June 8, 2015

Hello everyone,

Heavenly Father is so good to me :) I have seen so many small miracles this week and just little things that helps me to remember that He loves me and is watching over me. I remember when I was in the MTC Sister Barrett told me something that ill never forget she said ``Sister Whipple, I don't know what it is but I just feel like Heavenly Father always takes care of you and watches out for you`` When I first heard that I thought well yeah of course he does, he does that for everyone. And truly he does do that for everyone but I know that its especially true for me. It makes me want to please him and follow him even more. If you really think about all the people in the world, the billions and billions of people sometimes it becomes a little discouraging and it becomes so easy to sink into the thoughts that we don't matter and that Heavenly Father isn't worried about each and everyone of us. But I testify that he is. You matter to him and he is aware of you. 

I'm so thankful for where I am in my mission right now. I'm very excited to go home and see my family but for me it still hasn't sunk in! I'm so grateful to be able to be here in Rondonopolis working along side Sister Andrezzo. Doing the lords work. We have wonderful families that we are teaching. All of them have a strong desire to follow Heavenly Father. I love teaching the gospel and I love the beautiful feeling that comes to my heart as I testify of the truths that are found in the gospel. 

Thank you for all of your prayers and emails! I love you all! 

Love,

Shelby

Hi From Rondonopolis June 1st, 2015

Hello Everyone,

Well this week went by so so fast! We are doing very well and are enjoying being here in Rondonópolis. We are teaching so many wonderful people and we enjoy so much being able to get to know these families and teach them about the gospel. We have been teaching two teenage boys who have already been baptized but never go to church. They are so fun to teach because they are always themselves and always ask so many questions. I love teaching them because they remind me of my brothers. We are also teaching a woman named Adriana. Her husband is a member and she comes to church with him every week and loves it but she has never prayed about being baptized or if its true. We will be fasting with her this week on Saturday to help her receive her answer. Were really excited to be working with her. This transfer we have been going to a neighborhood called Alfredo de castro to work with our recent converts there and it has been quite an adventure. Its a neighborhood really far away that we have to take a bus to get to and its all dirt roads and the houses are really humble but the people are so great to work with. We can only work there one day a week since its so far away but soon they will be opening a group there and missionaries will be called to work in just that area. Its such a great opportunity to be apart of such a wonderful work. and to be so close to God. I'm also so thankful for my companion. She is such a great example to me. She is always so happy and patient! I couldn't have asked for a better companion. I know that how we treat others is so important. Sometimes we teat those outside of our family better than we treat our own family or the people we live with. Everyone deserves to be treated well but I know that the people who deserve the most of us is our own family. It shouldn't matter what they have done, who they are or even how they treat you, What matters is your dedication to demonstrate patience love and kindness. Judging others is Gods business just because others sin differently than us doesn't give us the right to judge them or treat them badly. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to get to know so many different types of people and for the opportunity to feel the powerful love the savior has for each and every one of them. Well I love you all and I hope you have a good week.

Love,

 Shelby 

Shelby's last Zone Conference in Cuiaba

Photos from the field

Shelby at her last Zone Conference in Cuiaba

Hi From Sister Whipple :-)

Hello everyone,

Well I have entered into my last transfer I have a new companion named sister Andrezzo. She is from Santa Catarina in the south part of Brazil and she is really sweet and nice. Her dad is a mission president in one of the other missions in Brazil and he is coming home the same time as me. This week was pretty uneventful. for the first part of the week I stayed with Sister Borges until my companion came on Tuesday. Then Sister Borges and I had to travel to Cuiaba together for the leadership conference. then after the leadership conference I had to travel back to Rondonopolis alone. 

The leadership conference was really fun, like it always is. It was kind of weird because I thought I wouldn't be going to another one of those again and here I am again a sister training leader. Sister Andrezzo and I are doing great we have been working really hard these past couple of days to get to know the rest of our investigators and have been trying to find new ones. 

We also live with two other sisters, sister Campos and sister Rocha. both of them are also from Brazil. so its a lot of Brazilians and me :) but its fun :) 

Sister Andrezzo and I are teaching a lady that's really cool. I think I wrote about her last week, Her name is Paula. We have been teaching her all the lessons and she has been reading the book of mormon :) She just needs to come to church with us now :) She also fed us dinner the other night, which was really nice of her. 

Well im so sorry its so short but not a lot happened this week. But im so thankful for the opportunity that I have to be here on my mission. I cant believe that this is my last transfer, but I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and has work for me to do still! I know that he is working right beside me and that he loves me. Thank you so much for your prayers and emails. I love you all!

 Love,

 Shelby

Happy Mothers Day!

Hello everyone,

It was so great to skype with everyone yesterday! I loved every minuet of it and am so grateful for the time that was taken out of your day to talk to me :) Well this transfer has been a bit of a shock... I'm not going to have much time to write personal emails so I'm so very sorry in advance. Sister Borges has been called as a sister training leader and is being transferred to Sorriso. I have also been called (again) to be a sister training leader here in Rondonopolis. though this time it will just be me, I will just be covering the sisters that I live with. My new companions name is Sister Andreso, shes from Brazil though I'm not sure where. She was Sister Borges companion in the MTC. I have a lot of mixed feelings but mostly I'm just having a hard time because Sister Borges is leaving me! However, I guess you have to accept Heavenly Fathers will... I'm excited to stay here in Rondonopolis, its such a great little city and our branch is wonderful and supportive. I'm excited to continue on with the people we have been working with. Many are progressing and taking steps to come closer to Christ. This really is the best work and I'm so happy to be doing it. I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father is always by my side and is always carrying me. I know this is His work, I know he could do it with out us but He lets us help because he knows the change that will occur in our hearts. It reminds me of a story I once heard this work is like a father painting his front living room. He knows how and what he needs to do in order for the paint to be smooth and look nice. but then along comes his five year old son, wanting to help. recognizing an opportunity to teach his son, the father hands him a paint brush and teaches him the up and downward strokes then lets the child try for himself. The boy only being five years old of course draws lines and squiggles then quickly becomes board and returns to his toys and the father patiently paints over the lines and squiggles leaving smooth, perfect strokes. 

Our Heavenly Father is exactly like that, He knows were going to mess up, he knows that our work will be very imperfect but he just wants us to try, and when we put forth our best effort he will make up the rest. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I've had to work with Him and I know that He loves me and has taught me so many things. I love you all and miss you! thank you so much for the prayers and the emails!

 Love,

 Shelby

Hi From Rondonopolis

Hello Everyone!

Well another week has gone by and its been a good but difficult one :) ha ha. I am loving being here in Rondonopolis with Sister Borges! The only hard thing is we are both very new in the city and have been getting lost everyday! We finally got a little bit fed up with it and we went back to our apartment and organized our area into zones and organized the people we visit, we studied our map and now things are better! :) Heavenly Father is blessing us immensely and we can feel his hand in our work every single day! We have been visiting old people that the other sisters before us were visiting and we have been finding new people as well! We received a referral the other day for a lady named Paula. We went to visit her and she is soooo smart! She speaks English and has about a million books stacked up in her apartment that she has read (all about computers and information and stuff... things I don't understand ha ha) She really liked the lesson we taught her and she is so excited to read the Book of Mormon. She lives about two blocks from the church so were hoping that she goes! I'm so sorry that this week really doesn't have a lot to report on! But know that I love you all and am so grateful for the letters, emails and prayers in my behalf, know that I can feel them in my heart. Mothers day is coming up! and I'm so excited to talk to my family... it will be for the last time before I come home. How weird is that! My stomach is already doing flip flops at the thought of leaving Brazil but I still have one more transfer left! and I'm so excited to keep on a working:) I love Sister Borges, we are already best friends :) she is the exact opposite of me but we make a good team :) I love my mission and I know that Heavenly Father has been with me every step of the way. I love Him and I know that this is his church. I know I am his daughter :) Well I love you all! Sorry again that its so short! 

Love,

 Shelby

Coolest week ever!

Hello Everyone,

Well its been a crazy week! I have a new companion, sister Borges. She is awsome :) She is from Santos, Sao paulo. She has 8 months in the mission. She is very outspoken and crazy but very sweet. She used to be a professional soccor player but moved to become a physical education teacher. Im excited to work with her!  We went to Cuiabá this last week and it was such a cool experience. As many of you may know, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the quorm of the twelve along with seven other general authorities were in cuiaba this past week. We as missionaries wernt going to be able to see him or meet with him. but then at the last minuet they decided it would be good for the missionaries to have a fire side with him and they said we would be comming back to cuiaba on Friday to meet with him on Saturday. But then when we went to our zone conference on Tuesday, president Reber stood up in front and told us that instructions had come from chruch headquarters instructing that only the missionaries serving in cuiaba would be able to go (which is not me), becasue they were worried about us riding the buses so much. My heart sank because I had felt that many of my questions and doubts would be answerd in the fireside with Elder Christofferson, I couldnt keep my tears from comming. It was a hard thing for all of us to accept. After the meeting we all went to take pictures and president Reber took me aside and asked me if I had enough clothes to stay in cuiaba until saturday. I said I could make something work and he said that Me and My new companion (sister Borges) if we wanted to, could stay in cuiaba and work in her old area and be able to go to the fireside on Saturday. I could not wipe the smile off my face! I knew Heavenly Father had answered my prayers and I knew that I would get something amazing out of the meeting and I did :) It was so amazing just to be in his presence and to feel his testimony of our lord and master Jesus Christ. I learned  so much about faith and trust. and I learned who I am. I learned that I am not to back down to anybody or anything. I know the power that I hold as a representative of Jesus Christ. Satan may have power to nip at my heels and it may hurt a little bit but I have the power to crush his head. I know that the faith to move moutains isnt standing in front of a mountain and wishing hard for it to move. Faith to move moutains is grabbing my working boots and my shovel and putting my faith to work. Moving that moutain one shovel full of dirt at a time. I know that when I have the faith to act, things will work out, Heavenly father will give me strenghth and will cheer me on. I know Jesus is the Christ. He leads this chruch personally. I know that with him on my side I can do anything. I love him more than anything else. I will forever be his servent and even when I am forced to take this tag off my chest his name will forever be written on his Heart. I will preach His gospel in all places at all times to all people. I challenge you all to do the same. I love you all and miss you :) Thank you so much for prayers and support! Love Shelby

4/20/2015

Hello Everyone!

Well this week was a better than last week thats for sure! No more throwing up or eating strange things so that was a blessing :) Well I kind of have sad news. My Companion, Sister Taraveira is going home. She has a pretty serious problem with her esophagus so she will be going home, to get better medical help and have the support of her family. We sure will miss her but shell be back in the mission in no time! In the mean time, Im not sure whats going to happen with me. Im pretty sure im staying in Rondonopolis. but ill let ya´ll know next week what happened :) Ill probably get a new companion here in a few days. This week we are all traveling to Cuiabá for a zone conference. We will leave tomorrow afternoon and come back on Wednesday night. So that should be fun :) This last week we had an activitiy in the chruch to invite our investigators and the members, so they could get to know each other. We had America night and of course the other sisters put me in charge of it. So I got to make brownies for everyone! I havnt gotten to bake for so long! it was super fun and turned out really good, everyone loved them and wanted the recipie. We also decorated with Red White and Blue and I felt like I was at a party for the fourth of July! When I went to explain the game, I started to explain in english, joking around and everyone looked at me like I had corn growing out of my ears, others who knew english yelled Keep going! It was fun :) We have been working to find new people to teach and have found a few families who are great. I love doing this work! I love comming closer to my Heavenly Father. Serving a mission has really helped me to under stand how he feels about us. We were all once with him in our home in heaven. We knew him and he knew us perfectly. Then came the call. The call to serve a mission on earth. We would have to leave our beloved home and we would have to leave Him. and im sure the scariest part for Him and for us is that there would be a chance that we wouldnt come back. Can you imagine how heart breaking that is for Him? Im sure he misses us and wants us to come home. Heavenly Father doesnt have email, or even snail mail, he doest have skype all he has to communicate with us is prayer and the prophets. Can you imagine how much it hurts when we choose not to pray or when we dont listen to his prophets? Those of you who have children can probably imagine a small part of how he feels, especially those whose children have served a mission or moved out. You think its not easy for us? Imagine being in Heavenly Fathers shoes. I know that I always want to be one of his children who communicates with him I want to be one of his daughters who will return to live with him. I know at the end of this mission on earth I will be able to run into his arms and tell him how much I missed Him and how thankful I am that he never gave up on me. and that he was always there for me. I testify that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us. He knows you more than you know you. and he wants you to return to live with him. I love you all. thank you for your prayers 

Love shelby

April 13, 2015

Hello Everyone,

Well Here I am in Rondonopolis! Its been an intersting and fun week. My companions name is Sister Taraveira and I think I said this last week but she is from Capo Verde, Africa. Shes super fun and energetic, and Im excited to work with her. Here in Rondonopolis its a branch not a ward but its super strong. We go to chruch in a rented house. However here its not just one branch its three since the city is huge. Its definatley hotter than Campo Grande and Im missing the cool breezes. We had a really quiet but interesting week. We have one lady in our branch that is also from Africa and she fed us lunch the first day. And im proud to say that last Tuesday I ate my first Chicken foot soup. It was actually pretty good, I avoided the chicken feet and went for the more normal looking peices of chicken. Then on Thursday I had a migrane and while we were at the house of one of our members he was showing us this tree bark drink that supposedly helps you digest better (that I think he makes himself... haha) and he let us try a little bit... it was extreemly bitter and I had to down a sleeve of crackers to get the taste out of my mouth. afterward we went to teach a lesson and I took a turn for the worst. I think it was a combination of my migrane and the tree bark drink, but I started to get the cold sweats and my head started to pound harder. When it was my turn to talk, it was supposed to be the most spiritual part of the first lesson, I taught a few sentances then looked at sister Taraveira and said ``I need to go to the bathroom`` then ran. When I got to the bathroom with my hand covering my mouth I searched frantically for the door, but there wasnt one. but I didnt have enough time to be embarresed. I ran to the toilet and tossed my cookies twice. When I was done I searched for the cord to flush and of course like the door, there wasnt one. I ended up having to explain to the poor lady and apoligize but she was very nice about it and assured me that it was ok, for the rest of the evening we went home and I slept it off. But that was the excitment for our week. :)  Im getting to know my investigators and ward members. We have a few cute families that were teaching right now. One is walter and vivianne and their two kids. They are super fun to teach. Their son Victor is 3 years old and during the lessons he runs around talking and yelling then all of a sudden he´ll stop and grab your face with his hands and smile then go back to running and yelling, haha :) its a little hard to get through a lesson but its fun. Their daughter Yasmin is content to have my hymn book and sit on the floor at my feet and sing the hymns, how she thinks they should go. Yasmin loves comming to chruch and loves primary. Their Mom, Vivianne wants to be baptised but Walter still has alot of doubts so she wants to wait for him. We have been teaching them alot about faith and trust in God. We have tons of other people that were teaching I just cant remember! I guess thats how it is being the first week in a new area. Here Im learing alot about enduring to the end. Its kind of funny because I used to think, well if I just make it to my year mark, or when I have a year and three months in the mission everything is just going to be a breeze, smooth sailing! haha :) Im not really sure why I thought that, we all know thats not how things work:) We face different challenges and difficulties in each phase of life and we have to learn how to overcome them. But Heavenly Father promises us that as we become stronger and learn more we will be able to face these challenges with a sound mind and  peace in our hearts. So even though its a little hard being in a new area, starting all over again I have a peace in my heart that everything is going to be alright. Im tough :) Im amazed at how much ive learned so far and how close I am to my Father in Heaven, now instead of depending on me, I depend on him. I know he loves us and wants us to be happy. Im so greatful to be doing this work and to be helping his children come unto Him. Im sorry its a little short but our week wasnt that eventful! I love you all! 

Love, Shelby

Happy Easter! I'm being transferred!

Hello Everyone :)

Well its transfer time again :) I have been released as a sister training leader and have been transfered to Rondonopolis! Its a city about five hours away from Cuiabá. I will be leaving Campo Grande 8:00pm (My Time) and will get there around three in the morning. So Ill be able to sleep a little bit :) I love the bus :) I cant remember the name of my new companion but she is from Africa. She speaks english and is apperantly very loving and nice so im sure we will get along great :) Im excited for my new adventure! Ive loved being here in Campo Grande and Im going to miss it so much! Jardim Irma was by far my favorite ward! I loved getting to know the people here and Ive loved teaching the wonderful people in this area. Im going to miss them! How weird it is so say good bye to people you know you will probably never see again. As I was saying goodbye to One of our recent converts, Valmir he said well sister, I guess ill be seeing you in the next life. I almost cried. but at least we know we will be able to see all these people again someday :) 

Sister Manchego and I had a great transfer together, we had so much sucess and are unable to count how many blessings we recieved. This last week we have been teaching a man who was a referal of Valmir. His name is Joseir. I loved teaching him becuase he was so humble and was so respectful and best of all he truley had an interest in what we were teaching him. He had never learned how to pray so we taught him and we helped him memorize the steps. We also gave him a book of mormon to read. He learned how to read only a few months ago so he still has some difficulties so we gave him a homework assignment with some questions so he could get the most out of what he read. He also came and watched conference with us and loved it! The entire time he made comments about the truthfulness of the words of the prophets to sister manchego and told her he was planning on attending the normal church services this up comming week. :) HOW COOL!!!! Im so thankkful Heavenly Father has blessed me with the opprotunity to teach and get to know these people! Its so amazing to be able to look at them with through his eyes. 

Conference was wonderful, it was all in portugese, but I was able to understand better than I could six months ago so that was exciting :) Easter was good too. We didnt do alot, just watched conference and worked. But feveryone gave us lots of chocolate! lets just say that I wont be looking at chocolate for awhile :) Im so thankful for my many many blessings. For the opprotunity to serve this mission. I know Christ lives I know that this is his church. He died for us and he rose again so that we too will be able to rise again and over come death. I know Heavenly Father loves us and is willing to go father than we can ever imagine to help us but I know that we have to let him in. I love you all and I hope you have a good week :) Thank you for your prayers! 

Love,

Shelby

Crazy Bus Ride!

Hello Everyone :)

Well this, like every other week, went by so fast! 

At the beginning of this week Sister Manchego and I went to Aquidauanna to do divisions with our Sisters there. The trip there was uneventful and we were able to sleep a little bit so that was nice! Aquidauanna is such a fun little town and the members there are so fun to work with. Everyone is so happy and loves the sister missionaries! It was really fun to see Sister Viera and Sister Barrett again! I was able to do my division with Sister Barrett and it was so nice to catch up and to work and learn from her again. All in all we had a great time while we were there. However the trip home was a bit of an adventure! about 20 minuets out of Aquidauanna our bus broke down. we sat there for probably 30 waiting for the bus driver to fix the problem. Another bus pulled up behind us and offered to take the passengers to the post ( a little place with a restaurant and gas station) to wait until the bus could be fixed. So we all hopped aboard the other bus and went to the post to wait. While we were getting off the bus I heard a lady yell in a very thick accent in English ``anybody speaks English?!`` So I yelled back ``I speak English!`` and we waited for her to get off the bus. She came off and apparently didn't know what was going on. She was from Switzerland or something like that and her and her husband were traveling through south America. They knew a little bit of Spanish, a little bit of English but no Portuguese. How courageous! As we were waiting Sister Manchego also found a couple who were from Equador and also didn't speak Portuguese so she spoke to them in Spanish and it was really fun to be able to understand what they were saying, I just couldn't speak anything.... kind of funny how that works out. They were traveling gathering musical instruments for a store that they owned. 

Then our bus came but the bus driver said that the bus was still broken but that another bus would be taking us to campo grande. The only catch was the other bus was completely full and so we all had to pile in. Sister Manchego and I stood in the aisle for a little bit but then a man offered his seat to us. So we sat down, and guess who was in the seat next to us? A lady from France who spoke English,and Spanish! She also didn't know a word of Portuguese but she was traveling through south America by herself. She talked to Sister Manchego and I the whole ride home. We learned some new words in french and we taught her a little bit of Portuguese. Ha ha :) When we got off the bus we were so tired! but we were able to say goodbye to all of them in English, Spanish, french, Portuguese and sister Manchego threw in goodbye in Japanese just to sweeten the deal :) It was a fun trip :)

The rest of the week went by fast and without anything super special. We are working with a less active named Ana Paula and her daughter Nadielly. They came to church this Sunday!  I'm so happy to be on my mission. I know Heavenly Father protects me and loves me. I know that Heavenly Father has a wonderful plan for each of us. I know that most of the time he has things planned that we wouldn't normally choose for ourselves but I know that he has a perfect knowledge of all things and all we need to do is trust him :) Thank you all so much for your prayers and emails. I love you all! 

Love,

 Shelby 

Hello family!

Hello Everyone :)

How are y´all doing? I'm doing so good :) This week was super fun :) and great. Nothing super big happened but I have just been marveling at all the wonderful blessings Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I cant describe the feeling that I have in my heart but its something like peaceful gratitude. Really when we stop and think about all that we have in our lives its hard not to feel that way. Its so easy to feel sorry for ourselves and feel like everything is against you. The adversary wants us to feel that constant pressure, he wants us to feel like we cant do it, he wants us to feel like failures and that God is displeased or even angry with us but I just wanted to testify that its not like that. God Loves Us. Despite all the trials that we face, all the sadness and disappointment's that get put in our way we are supposed to be a happy people. That is our purpose here on this earth, to get closer to God. And God is everything that is good, He is peace, he is love he is HAPPINESS. 

I have learned that Satan really will try to do anything to tear us down but I know that when we build our lives upon the rock which is our Savior Jesus Christ, NOTHING can tear us down. The winds will come, the rains will pour, Hell itself can rage against us but we will stand tall. We will stand tall because we are Gods people and He stands with us. And with this light, which is Jesus Christ in our eyes and souls, Satan will flee from us. I wish everyone could understand the power that they hold inside of them. We are Gods Children and we have the power to cast satan away. we hold the power to be happy. We are all the masters of our lives, we have the power to choose. How wonderful is that?! 

Sister Manchego and I are doing wonderfully :) Missionary work sure is hard, especially since you deal with people who all have their free will but I guess that just gives us a taste of what Heavenly Father goes through in dealing with us! I love what I'm doing! I love feeling Gods hand in my work every single day. I love being here. I testify that God lives, Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer and This is his true church. I know its true. I love all of you! thank you so much for all of your prayers! 

Love Always,

 Shelby

Time is flying by!

Hello everyone,

I just have to say this again.... time is going by so fast! I cant believe this transfer is already half over! I guess it goes by fast when your working hard and having fun :) 

Sister Manchego and I are doing so good :) We are seeing SO MANY miracles! we have three new families that were teaching that are so amazing, we love them so much :)

First is Simone and Wellington. Simone was a contact that we spoke to in the street in front of her house. She told us that we could come back anytime. A week later we felt like we should take her up on her offer so we went to visit her and her husband let us right in. He told us that they had been reading the pamphlet of the plan of salvation that we gave them and that they really wanted to visit the church. Simone was washing clothes when we came in but as soon as she saw us she dropped everything and sat and wanted us to explain everything :) so cool! We taught her the restoration and when we asked her how she felt about after we explained about Joseph Smith and the first vision. With tears in her eyes she told us that while we were speaking she felt like she was there in the sacred grove with Joseph Smith seeing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The spirit was so strong and she wanted so much to learn more and go to Church. Were so excited to teach her more:)

Next is Marcia. She was a referral from a member. She has two sons and a daughter who were baptised but are less active but she was never baptised like she wanted to be. When we went to visit her she cried and told us that she wanted to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ but just didn't know how. She said that she wanted to teach her children good values to combat the teachings of the world. We told her we could help her with that ;) We were going to have a family home evening with them yesterday. but we ended up having to go home and staying home because of the protests that are going on right now. (don't worry were safe ;)) but were hoping that she went anyway. 

and last is Debora and Vinicius. Debora stopped us in the street a few weeks ago and asked if we were Jehovah's witnesses. (we get that a lot) and we told her that no we were missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. and she said REALLY? My Husband was baptised into your church when he was little but he never went back and we said REALLY?? :) ha ha. she told us that she was very curious as to what we believe because she is looking for a religion. She said that her and her son had never been baptised before. So we went back to teach her this week and she is incredible. She told us about her life. She is a very strong and courageous woman let me just say that! and her son Vinicuis is 10 years old but he acts like hes 30. Hes learning english and speaks very well. We invited them to come to church and they invited us to come back and teach them more. 

All in all sister Manchego and I are feeling very blessed for the opportunity to teach these three wonderful families. We kind of had a sad incident with our investigators Luisa and Isadora. They have stopped answering our phone calls and we talked to the couple that gave us their referral to see if they were able to talk to them and they said that Luisa (the mom) probably received some negative information about the church and that shes not interested anymore. They said that Isadora is still interested but were going to have to wait a little bit to see if we can gain their trust back again to see if we can teach her. Other than that our week has been wonderful :) 

We had divisions with two other sets of sisters this week so it was super busy but fun! I had my division with sister Lloyd (shes from Utah :)) and is a new missionary. She is INCREDIBLE! I wish I could go back to the beginning of my mission and be more like her. Well I should probably go. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and thoughts :) I love you all! 

Love,

 Shelby

Mission Trainer's Conference

Shelby and her companion won for submitting their house photo 1st!

Missionary Life in Brazil

Only Three More Months!

Hello Everyone :) 

Well this week has been actually pretty uneventful. We've seen some small miracles so that was cool! :) A lady in our ward is the neighborhood seminary teacher (that's literally her calling title, the other seminary teacher teaches at the church in the city and she teaches here in the neighborhood). She has been visiting all the less actives in the neighborhood that have kids in the seminary age and she's been giving us a bunch of referrals of all these families that shes been visiting. Its awesome! We visited one yesterday. it was a family where the sons were baptised but the parents weren't because they weren't able to get married. We shared a message with them and the mom cried because she said that she wanted to find a way to teach and love her kids and keep them away from the darkness of the world. We shared a scripture about Jesus´ invitation to come unto him. We invited them to come to seminary and church so well see how it goes... i hope that they go!

Luisa and Isadora are doing great but they are so busy its hard to mark a lesson with them! We ended up having to move their baptismal date but The Lord is in charge and he knows what's best for them! We are hoping we can see them this week and hopefully they can be baptised this Saturday. Keep them in your prayers please :) 

This week Sister Manchego and I are starting our divisions with the other sisters. This week we already have two planned out. On Tuesday ill be going with Sister Lloyd, a new American sister from Utah and we will be staying in my area. then we'll do divisions with Sister Andrade and Huallpa (the two sisters that live with us) it should be a fun and busy week. Sister Manchego and I will hardly see each other but it will be OK. President Reber said he might release me after this transfer so I can just be a normal missionary for my last two transfers. I love being a sister training leader and serving the sisters but I know that whatever he asks me to do will be what Heavenly Father wants me to do :) 

I know that the work I'm doing is his work and I know that he has everything under control. I have learned so much to follow the promptings of the spirit and to put Heavenly Father first. Sometimes you can't see the meaning behind something at first or you don't understand a prompting but just by following it you can know everything will turn out alright. I've learned to let Him lead my life instead of trying to take over for myself. I know that he has the grand picture and knows what's going to happen, I know that He loves us beyond measure and understands us completely. I'm so grateful for his patience with me and the love he has for my small insignificant life. I love all of you and miss you! 

Love,

 shelby

Hello Everyone!

Hello Everyone,

Well this week we've been adjusting to a new transfer with new companions and new sisters to take care of . The week flew by! We sent Sister Barrett off to Aquidauanna Monday Night. Her original bus was for 5:30 but we were late and missed it! So she had to catch the 11 pm bus. We were a little irritated until the Elders told us that there were some sketchy guys that were bothering a lot of women that got on the 5:30 bus so they said us being late for the bus was probably Heavenly Father protecting Sister Barrett, so in the end we were pretty grateful.

My new companion, Sister Manchego arrived the next morning around 8 am. Another sister waiting for her new companion and I went and picked them up together. And now were here working together! Sister Manchego is a very sweet missionary from Peru. Shes a hard worker plus we've been having fun together. I appreciated all the hard work shes putting into getting to know our investigators and the members in our ward. They all already love her since shes so up beat and out going. 

Our investigators Luisa and Isadora are doing fantastic! They are preparing for their baptism this Saturday and their super excited! we taught them about the word of wisdom and we were a little nervous about how they would take it since we know they both drink coffee. So we prayed that their hearts would be opened and that they would accept it. When we taught it we asked them if they had any problems with any of the substances on the list and they said ``we drink coffee, but its not a problem, we can stop`` We were a little speechless. It just goes to show how really special they are. Everything that we've taught them so far they have accepted with an open heart and applied it to their lives. Its such a privilege to be able to see their testimonies grow and to be able to help them follow Christ. 

Also this Sunday our stake had stake conference, so all the wards came together in a big meeting were we got to listen to uplifting music and listen to an elder from the quorum of the 70 speak to us. (I cant remember his name, its something long and Brazilian). It was really nice to be able to listen to inspired talks and not only be able to understand them but also to get something out of them. We were also able to see a lot of people we know from other wards. Plus President and Sister Reber came down from Cuiabá to speak in the conference and to do interviews with the missionaries. This was my last interview with president Reber before I go home! Next time ill be interviewed by him it will be my exit interview. How weird is that! Anyway, I really enjoyed my interview, President Reber is always so inspired and always helps me to know that Heavenly Father is proud of me and loves me. He also said that this might be my last transfer as a sister training leader. and that ill probably be transferred to a new area to finish off the last two transfers of my mission. I told him that he knows whats best but that I love being a sister training leader and I love helping and being with the other sisters. But I guess we´ll  see what happens! Well I just want to say that I testify that Christ lives. He lives and he loves us. I know that the crowning characteristic of love is loyalty and if we love God we have to be loyal to him and his commandments. We have to give up our lives to follow him. and when we loose our lives for his sake, that's when well find ourselves, encircled in the arms of his love.  Well I love you all!  Thank you so much for your prayers and love!

Love,

 Shelby

Transfer Time!

Hello Everyone!

Well yesterday was transfer day.... and Sister Barrett is leaving me. Shes being transfered to aquidauana to be a regular missionary. She was released from being a sister training leader. My new companion is comming down from Cuiabà. I cant remember her name but she is Peruvian. She seems like a really sweet person so im not too worried. 

This last week was really fun with Sister Barrett. We kinda figured that she would be transfered so we made the most of our last days together. The cool thing is im still her sister training leader and so Ill get to do divisions with her! Yay :) 

This last week was a week of miracles :) I have been feeling more and more confident in leading the area so thats nice. I know that when Heavenly Father gives you a challenge or responsibility he provides the way for you to overcome or accomplish it. I know I can do this :) We have been teaching Luisa and Isadora this week. Their baptism date is for the 7th of March! They love the chruch and are gaining their testimonies slowly but surley. Isadora has already made so many friends! We have also been finding so many new people to teach! We have a few investigators that are really cool. Three of them live in the same house becuase they attend the police-Military (here if your a police officer your also enlisted in the military) academy across from our appartment building. Its a woman named Talita and two men named Clayilton and Albequerque. They are super cool. Even though they are studying hard and preparing for tests they always want to hear our messages and feed us :) We have fun swaping stories because we both are far away from our families and both deal with all diferent kinds of people (though I think our work is safer). We really enjoy teaching them and we hope that someday they will be able to visit the chruch. 

Im so excited that I get to stay in this area. I love this ward and the members. They are the best :) Im so greatful for my many many blessings and Im so greatful that Heavenly Father has never left my side through all of this. Im sorry its kind of short but not alot happend this week. :) But I love all of you so much! Thank you so much for your support! I can feel your prayers and your spirit all the way down here in the middle of south America :) love you 

Love, 

Shelby

Short and Sweet!

Hello everyone,

sorry this is going to be kind of short because were kind of short on time today! oh well! Well this week has been fun and actually kind of uneventful. Sister Barrett and I taught A LOT of people and we had some pretty high hopes that we would have a lot of people at church but nobody came. Heavenly Father is trying to teach me about rejection ;) Its kind of a hard lesson to learn! but we had some people come to church who are members who haven't come for a while so that was inspirational. One of them was Jessica and her Husband Marcio and their brand new baby Victor Hugo. Jessica is a member but her husband isn't. however this week he surprised us by telling us that he has a goal to get baptised by march! we were so excited! but the bad new is that this week they are moving into the other sisters area so they will take over teaching them :( we were kind of sad but its ok. Were still running everyday and today we actually took it a step further and ran all the way to the bank (its pretty far). and it kind of hurt but felt so great! 

I'm so amazed at the love Heavenly Father has shown to me during this time. Ive taken my goals and my dreams and my wishes to him and he has helped me accomplish them one step at a time. I testify of the love of Jesus Christ and God the Father. I know they live and I know that our purpose here is to become like them. I know this gospel is true and brings true happiness. I'm so thankful for all of my blessings. and I'm so thankful for all of you! thank you for your prayers and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN!!!  :) I love you 

Love, 

Shelby

Another Great Week!

Hello everyone,

Wow what a great week :) I love being a missionary! This week weve been making goals and making plans on how were going to reach them (ive learned that im good at making goals but when it comes to acomplishing them... well thats the hard part ) but this week has been great. I made a goal to control my thoughts better and foucous more on the work and my investigators and its been so amazing. Its wonderful when you make a plan and you take it to Heavenly Father and tell him about it and humbly ask for his help, he helps you! I have felt a new strenghth and foucus for the work. Sister Barrett and I also made the goal to get up a little bit earlier and exercize harder (now that ive lost a little weight, im addicted to loosing the rest)  so weve been running, doing pushups and sit ups and other things like that. We are also giving up sugar and fried things... (unless its at lunch with the members then we have to eat what they give us but thats ok :)) and so weve been doing this for a week now and I feel so great! Ive been able to stay awake during my studies and ive been able to have streghth and a drive all day :) plus Im sleeping better at night too!... sorry this is begining to sound like a testimonial for a weight loss program. Well switch over now. On the spiritual side of things we have been meeting so many new people to teach (thanks for the prayers savanna ;) Heavenly Father is answering them!)  We have alot of new potential families. Nora from last week didnt make it to chruch but were planning a family home evening and were going to invite her to come, so hopefully she coomes to that! Im so thankful for this time that I have to learn more about myself and more importantly to learn more about Heavenly Father and to develop more faith in him and his plan for me. Im so thankful for my companion who is teaching me so much. We are learning so much about releationships! We have learned that good relationships and friendships arnt ever going to be perfect, their are always going to be disagreements and hurt feelings, but whats more important is your dedication to fix it, to work out your challenges together, your commitment to make your relationship strong together. I know I have found a true friend in her, and I know we have grown to love each other more through our disagreements and challenges. Well thank you everyone for everything! I love you all! and I miss you!

 Love,

Shelby

Another Week

Hello Everyone,

Well not a lot has really happened this week, it was the first week of the new transfer so we have just been trying to get to know the new sisters in our area! There is a new American sister that sister pence is training in Coopahradio! Shes from Orem, Utah (I think) and she seems really sweet and ready to learn. I feel for her though, having to learn Portuguese is no picnic! but Her trainer, Sister Pence is one of sweetest missionaries in our mission so she should be ok :) A lot of sisters stayed the same in our area so there's only a few we have to get to know this transfer. Next week we start doing divisions, woohoo! but this week Sister Barrett have been enjoying just being able to spend some time together as companions, plus this week together was really good for our area, and we were able to pick up some new investigators! Two new families to teach and an older couple who are awesome Nora is the name of the wife and she offered to go to church with us! and she said that she could give us a ride! but then Sunday morning came and her husband called and told us she was having some problems with her liver and couldn't go ;( so we had to walk to Church... but its ok :) we've got to loose weight somehow! Nora said she would go to Church with us next week :) I really hope that she can, shes going to love it. Were going to see her tonight to teach her the restoration. 

Also this week we had to go to the eye doctor because Ive been seeing black lines and dots everywhere I look. but we went and he said that everything is normal, my eyes are just aging faster than I am and I'm starting to get little dirty floaters in my eyes which is what Ive been seeing. awesome but he said that I have 20/20 vision and that I'm not going blind. yay :) Nothing to worry about!

Sister Barrett ALSO had to go to the doctor and get a boot for her foot because of over use but its already getting better, she just has to limp around for a week. but we have felt the hand of Heavenly Father in our work, despite all the distractions we were able to have alot of success :) Well I should probably go :) I love you all and thank you for the prayers! 

Love,

Shelby

We've Made It A Year!

Hello Everyone,

Well this week Sister Barrett and I celebrated our year mark on the 8th! wow I cant believe its been a year already! I think that I say this in everysingle one of my emails but time goes by so fast! This week was the last week in the transfer. We got transfer calls yesterday and Sister Barrett and I are staying together (woohoooo!) and were staying as Sister Training Leaders in Jardim Irma. Were very happy and excited to at least have one more transfer together. Next transfer she will proabably be transfered. This week was a good week. We did divisions with the sisters in Cooparadio! which was such a great experience for me because I was able to go back and see alot of people that I worked with but my favorite was LINA :) She was the lady that had chickens living in her trees that ended up getting baptised a week after I left. When she saw me and sister pence she walked up to me and wrapped her arms and hugged me for a really long time then she pulled away and then hugged me again. She is doing so great! she has so many new friends in her ward and her and one of the sisters in that ward have goals and plans to go to the temple in November! She was so happy and excited. shes so strong and it brought tears to my eyes to see how much she has changed and how happy she is. When I left she hugged me two more times and told me thank you. Im so thankful to Heavenly Father for that experience because I was able to walk away knowing that even in just small ways im making a difference out here. I wish I could come back and see her go throuh the temple. 

I also did a division with Sister Tomaz and it was so fun to be able to see her again and work with her a little bit. She is doing very well.  Also this week we had transfer cleaning which was so great :) we threw away piles and piles of stuff  and now our apartment is super clean :) makes me happy :) Sister Barrett and I also tore apart our room and cloroxed it becase weve been finding alot of cockroaches at night in there. I pray everynight to Heavenly Father that he will bless me that the cockroaches will stay away from me. Well I love you all and I miss you! Thank you so much for the prayers :) I feel them everyday. 

Love always, 

Shelby

Christmas in Brazil Photos

Christmas Pictures!

Christmas Conference Lunch

Merry Chirstmas from the Cuiaba Brazil Mission South!

Happy 2015 :-)

Hello everyone :) 

Well this week has gone by so so fast! Just like all of them always do :) This week we celebrated New Years and people get pretty crazy here! but thankfully we stayed away from all the craziness. For New Years eve dinner we went to our stake presidents home and had dinner there. It was really good! we had turkey! but here the word for turkey is Peru... or at least that's how its pronounced, it was funny because the Peruvian that lives with us made a joke that she wasn't going to eat it because she wasn't going to support the eating of her own country. anyway, we stayed at their house until 11:30 talking and laughing and singing. then we went back to our apartment to watch the fireworks. Our president told us that we could stay up and watch them as long as we stayed right outside of our apartment so we all settled ourselves on the curb and waited for midnight to come. when midnight hit all the the people started setting off their own fireworks. These fireworks of theirs were the big giant ones that are illegal for just regular people to set off in the united states. and they of course didn't know how to set them off and were just shooting them an any direction because they were drunk. so fire works started going off right above our heads raining down ashes, some of them even hit our apartment building and shook the glass in the windows so sister Barrett and I decided it would probably be safer to head inside. When the only Brazilian that lives with us shouted,  from the cover of a near by car port, NO stay here because the real ones are going to start in a minuet! We decided not to stay :) but watched the real fire works from the window. then around three o clock in the morning we awoke to gun shots being fired into the sky by all the drunk people. the next day all the missionaries are forbidden to go out and work because its pretty dangerous and people are parting so hard they wouldn't listen to us anyway. So we spent the day inside doing crafty things and hanging out with each other. then we went to a sisters house for lunch and had casserole and salad which was delicious :) We also had a pretty exciting week in the fact that an investigator of the other sisters that live with us had a baptism! it was a girl they had been working with for a really long time, her whole family are members accept her and their working on going to the temple to be sealed as a family, and now their daughter will join them! it was very exciting and emotional! one of our investigators went to the baptism too to see how its done and if its something he wants to do. He still hasn't made the decision of weather he wants to or not but well see how he feels when we see him this week :) well todayI get to go on a division with sister pence which means that Ill get to visit Coopahradio for two days! yay! well I love you all and I miss you!

 Love,

 Shelby

Happy New Year from Brazil! 2015!