Brasil Stopped!! (STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!)

Happy Monday!!

Well, this has been quite the week!! 

First things first- Brasil has literally stopped. The caminheiros (the people who drive the big trucks... sorry I can't remember how to say that in English right now...) are protesting the price of Gasoline, so they've completely shut down. All of the gas stations are now without gas, the stores aren't receiving new food, and the airport even had to shut down, etc. It's pretty crazy, and we're not sure how long it's going to last, but don't worry! We're all good here! We're prepared with food and water, and we never did have a car to drive anyway. :) The work continues like normal for us. 

Two other big things from this week- 

On Tuesday we had a mission conference with Elder and Sister Clayton in Recife!! (we were really lucky to have had the conference on Tuesday, because on Wednesday is when the strike started!) The conference was INCREDIBLE! Elder and Sister Clayton are really really great, and we all got to shake their hand. I learned so much, and I really left a better missionary! Plus, it was way fun to get to see all of the other missionaries again, and to get to talk to them all!

And finally, we've been teaching a woman named Jessica for a super long time, and this week we finally marked her for baptism! She's been living with a guy, and so wasn't able to get baptized without either getting married, or spliting up, and although it was something sad, they split up this week, making it so she can now get baptized!! She's super excited, and we're preparing to have her baptism this Saturday. :) I'll let you know how it goes!

Well, I guess that's about everything. Love you all!! Pray for Brasil this week!

Love,

Sister Shelton

We had lunch at home one day this week!

Jessica and her family at church!

My sweet Vitoria!

Missionaries with President Houseman after Stake conference

Happy Monday!

Bom Dia!!

This email is going to be super fast today, sorry!! I finally got the virus taken off of my camera, and so I've been trying to upload all of my pictures from the last 4 months onto Google Drive. 

This week has been really good! Nothing super new. We had Stake Conference yesterday, and Elder Aidukaits, the area president of Brasil came to reorganize the stake presidency! It was an incredible conference, and it was super incredible getting to listen to Elder Aidukaits! It was also kind of a crazy conference, because the bishop here in Boa Vista was called to be the new Stake President!! He is super young (more or less 30 years old), but he is incredible!!! Everyone was pretty excited for him!!

Sorry to not say a whole lot more! I'll try to send some pictures today, and they'll help to tell more stories than I can write right now. :)

Have a great week!!

Love,

Sister Shelton

A few pictures from the last few months:

Happy Mother's Day mom!!!

This week has been quite the week!! 

We had interviews with President on Thursday, divisions with the sister training leaders on Friday, and on Sunday we had the first meeting with the new branch, AND we got to Skype with our families!!! You can say that it was a pretty good week!

I feel like I had a whole lot to tell you all about, but now sitting here at the computer, I can't remember anything. hahaha. 

It was super great the first Sunday in the new branch! Everyone was super excited, and anxious to see how everything would work out. All of the new callings were announced, and things are starting to get organized now! I was sitting in the front because I was leading the music, and I counted about 45 people in Sacrament meeting. I think there will normally be more people, but a lot of people weren't there yesterday due to it being Mother's day. Right now we're really trying to use the excitement of the members to help in the missionary work, and it's already starting to show some progress!! I feel really blessed to have been able to be a part of this historical event here in Garanhuns!

Talking with my family was AMAZING! I just want to say that I love you all so much, and I'm grateful to be a forever family with you all. I hope you had a wonderful mother's day mom! I love you!!

I hope you all have a super great week this week!!! Don't forget to do the little things; pray, read the scriptures, and go to church. 

Love,

Sister Shelton 

3 Nephi 23:5 "And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things." 

Pictures: Talking to Sister Shelton on Mother's Day

New Companion. New Branch. Same City.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

This week has been super great! It's always way crazy the week of a transfer, and this week wasn't any different, but it's been good getting to know Sister I. Sousa and learning how to work with her. She has 5 months in the mission, and is super super sweet. She teaches super well, and people love her so easily. I'm grateful to have this transfer with her!

This week has been a week of changes! The ward that I'm serving in right now was split on Sunday, and now my little area of Cohab 2 is a branch. The other sisters that have been serving in this ward will stay in Boa Vista (in the ward) and Sister I. Sousa and I get to be branch sisters!!! So, even though I stayed in the same area for my 5th transfer here, it's like I received a transfer call. hahaha

A lot of people here were super surprised that I stayed in the same area for my 5th transfer. Including me. But I received a special spiritual experience this week that I'd like to share with you.

I had been feeling a little bit discouraged, thinking that my purpose was just to help other people get to know the area, because they needed to be here, and not really feeling like I was supposed to be here. But yesterday during Sacrament meeting, I received such a clear and tender answer from Heavenly Father that he has a purpose for me. As it was announced that the ward would be split, and my area of Cohab 2 will become a branch, I sat thinking about the last 6 months and all that has happened here in this area, I began to realize that the Lord has been preparing this area so much for this change to be able to happen. (People getting baptized, members returning, etc.) I've been able to be a part of this preparation. As I sat thinking about this, it was as if a voice spoke to me, and I heard these words "Oh my dear Sister Shelton, see? I do have a plan for you. I need and I want you here right now. You were sent to help this specific ward in this specific city on the other side of the world prepare for this important change. And I needed to have you here when this change happened. That's why you are still in this area. Keep working hard; I'm here with you." It was such a tender moment, that I started to cry right there in Sacrament meeting. But that wasn't all. During the part of testimonies, my recent convert Cauã bore his testimony, and said that he was so happy to be a member, and that he knew the church was true. After finishing, he came over to me and Sister I. Sousa and told us that he really did know that the church was true; and then he looked at me and said, "It's you I have to thank Sister Shelton. Thank you for being here in this area." Well, let's just say the tears were flowing freely, and people were kind of concernced about me. Haha.

I really am so grateful to have received such a sweet testimony that the Lord knows me. He has a plan specifically for me. I'm grateful to be a missionary, and to be serving here in Garanhuns PE Brasil. 

Have a great week everyone! (I can't wait to see and talk to you on Sunday family!!)

Love,

Sister Shelton

Omni 1:26

"And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

Picture- The two districts of Garanhuns with President Houseman!