8/21/2009 Letter from Elder Shelhamer

I am now in my sixth week here at the Missionary Training Center. This past week our class has been speaking 100% Portuguese in class. At night while we are in the residence halls we speak English, but during the day we are doing our best to speak Portuguese.

We have about three weeks left here at the MTC, and we are thinking we might get our flight plans this next week. ( I hope so ) ha ha. The MTC is a great place, and I love it here a lot. We learn so much here, and I enjoy all of it, but I am getting excited now to go to Cape Verde.

Every Thursday night we have 2-3 hours to plan for the next week, and this week I planned a lot to accomplish this next week in my personal study and language study. I am doing my best to learn Portuguese and grasp the grammar concepts the best I can. I will not be 100% perfect in Portuguese by the time I leave for Cape Verde, but I am excited to get there and be surrounded by the language.

One of the great things about teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and being a representative of Christ is that we are entitled to have the spirit with us, and the Holy Spirit really helps us and guides us in our teaching. Because of this great gift, once a week, an Elder has the opportunity to be taught by the district. Our district contains 9 great Elders. We take 15-20 minutes and ask one of us questions about their life such as "What do you fear most in life?" "Why did you choose to serve a mission" and so on... We then are able to think about the answers we receive from them and prayerfully come up with something that we feel can help this Elder out. We use the spirit, and teach to the needs of this person the next day. This past week, I had the opportunity to be taught by my district, and it was amazing how they were able to find out about my needs and teach me according to what the spirit prompted them to teach me.

Allow me to share some of the things I was taught and learned from this experience:

-The first thing shared with me was Mosiah 4:27 which states: "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."

- Next I was referred to 2 Nephi 32:1-6 which reads: "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

- I was then told that most convert missionaries are some of the best and strongest missionaries because they have been "converted" to the gospel of Jesus Christ and realize its blessings.

- I was then instructed that the spirit will always help me, help others.

- They then shared with me Alma 17:11 which reads: "And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."

- The next subject shared with me was 2 Nephi 28:30 which reads: "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

"The wisdom and inspiration that was shared with me from my district really made me think, and was exactly what I needed to hear at that time to strengthen and inspire me to do even better. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit.

This past week seemed to go by pretty fast.

I thank everyone for their letters, thoughts, and prayers. Your concerns and love expressed for me and my work, is needed and used. I compare your encouragement, letters, and prayers to people standing along the streets of a race, or a marathon; yelling and encouraging the runners to keep going, not give up, and do their best. Please support me in the way you feel fit, and know that your love and support is appreciated more than I can express.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom established on the earth preparatory to His second coming. God lives and loves us. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and I am so grateful for his sacrifice for us.

Hope everyone is doing well.

8/14/2009 Letter from Elder Shelhamer

This week has been an exciting week. I have had a few flu-like symptoms and some cold-like symptoms, but I fixed that and I am feeling much better.

On Wednesday, two of my good friends, Elder Taylor Erickson and Elder Nicholas Ottley arrived here at the Provo MTC. Elder Erickson is staying in the room right beside mine. Same building, same floor,...next-door neighbors. How cool is that! I go over and chat with Elder Erickson and his roommates almost every night. They are going to the Phillipines. Elder Ottley is going to Hungary, and I run into him sometimes during meals and in the mail room.

Starting tonight, Friday, August 14th, my district will begin speaking the Portuguese Language 100%. I have been here for five weeks at the Missionary Training Center, arriving with no knowledge of Portuguese at all, and we are speaking it after five weeks. A lot of people when they read this will be shocked and wonder how this is even possible. Well, let me tell you this. Here at the Missionary Training Center, we prepare to go forth throughout the world, and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here at the MTC, we have faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and we are entitled to extra help. We live our lives in a manner that invites the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. I have witnessed miracles here, and I know that Heavenly Father watches over and directs his work. It is amazing.

This week we had one of our district members, Elder Bontorno, leave and head to the Sao Paulo Brazil Missionary Training Center. It was sad to see Elder Bontorno leave us here, but we are glad that he was able to now move on to the Brazil MTC. Elder Bontorno was here in the Provo MTC waiting for his visa to clear in Brazil.

I am around the half-way mark of my time here at the MTC, and I am enjoying every bit of it. The church puts a lot of funds, time, and effort into missionary work, because they know how important it is. I am so thankful for all of the materials that they provide for us here to help us grow and learn. I am serving at a time when there has never been as much resources and materials for missionaries as there are today. I am very grateful.

Here at the MTC, every minute of my day is planned out specifically. This is the Lord's time, and so I am sure to plan to use His time wisely. My day includes, but is not limited to, eating meals, exercising, studying, reading, learning, teaching, and listening to speakers. I enjoy all that I study, and strive to do better every day.

God is our Loving, Heavenly Father. He knows us, loves us, and watches over us. He knows what we want, he knows what we need. Heavenly Father sent us His son, Jesus Christ, to Atone, and take upon Himself the sins of everyone;...he suffered, for us. We are able to repent of our sins, and come closer to our Heavenly Father, and feel His love for us.

If anyone reading this is feeling down or sad, or needs comfort and love in their lives, I would encourage them to go to http://www.mormon.org/, and take a look at what others have found as they have explored and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many great free media items available as well that I would encourage you to check out.

I thank everyone for their prayers and their thoughts. They are felt and greatly appreciated. I also thank everyone for their correspondence, letters, and packages. Your love and care is needed and appreciated.

8/7/09 Letter from Elder Shelhamer

I am now finishing up what is considered my fourth week here at the Missionary Training Center here in Provo, Utah. I love it here, and I am continuing to learn and grow everyday. It is amazing the amount of Portuguese I have learned so far. I have great teachers that are instructing me, and with the help of the spirit and the guidance of Heavenly Father, great things are being accomplished.

At this past weeks Tuesday evening devotional, my companion Elder Taggart and I were asked to provide the opening and closing prayers. This was a great experience. I was blessed with the opportunity to sit on the stage with the presiding authorities and the Mission Presidency. I was sitting on the inside seat on the stage, so I was also seen on camera for most of the devotional as well. It was a great experience. Great things happen here at the MTC. After the devotional, an Elder from the country of Reunion, which is a small country on the eastern side of Africa I believe, came up to me and told me that he really felt the sincerity and the love of God during my prayer. I was thankful for this experience, and humbled at how the Lord can work and touch others through some of the simplest tasks we complete.

This past Sunday, I was asked if I would serve as the district leader for my district here at the MTC. My district consists of 10 Elders. Six of us are going to Cape Verde, three are going to Brazil, and one is going to Portugual. I was happy to take upon the role of leading my district. One of the perks of this position, is that I get to pick up the mail every day now. haha. I love mail. Remember that.

I was pleased to walk into the cafeteria Thursday morning and see Sister Heather Todd sitting with her companion eatting breakfast. For those of you that are not aware, Sister Todd is from my Home Ward in Berwick, Pennsylvania. I found out that I have the same meal times as Sister Todd, and so I now see Sister Todd a few times a day.

One of the things that I have been focusing on this past week is "meeting the needs of my investigators." When teaching people our great message about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how the Church of Jesus Christ that he established has been restored, there are things that we as missionaries can do to best help those who want to learn more. Focusing on the needs, and the desires and questions of my investigators has quickly become one of the most important things while I teach. The Holy Ghost helps me find out what the person I am talking to needs to hear. Some people will need to be reassured that God lives, and that He is our Heavenly Father, while others need to learn that family happiness can last forever.

I am very thankful for everyone who has been writing me letters. Let me assure you that it is greatly appreciated. Letters and packages bring me great joy. Please continue to send me letters and packages as you see fit. Also please continue to keep missionaries in your prayers. As we are out in the world, engaged in one of the hardest tasks there is, we need your prayers.

I love this work, and I have great joy in serving my Heavenly Father. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and that He leads this church. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon can help us overcome temptations and challenges in our lives.

If you want to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, check out http://metromail.pa.metrocast.net/parse.php?redirect=http://www.mormon.org. This website has great information, and also has a 'chat' option where you can chat live on the computer with church representatives.

Elder Joshua Thomas Shelhamer