November 24, 2014
First Letter from Arizona!

Apparently I have just a little bit more time than I thought. The video takes forever to load, so it will probably be like another half hour or hour I think.. Let me know if you can login though. My first area is Glendale! Apparently it is one of the busiest areas! My companions name is Elder Nicholson and he loves to work, so we get lots done! The standard of excellence for the mission for total lessons per week is 20 and we get average 25, which is awesome! Most areas have a hard time reaching the standard of excellence. We are very blessed in our area. We have lots of wonderful ward members who not only love to feed us, but who help with the work. Our ward is the Glen Lakes Ward and the Bishops last name is Simon. 

When it comes to wonderful ward members, the first that comes to mind is the Brewster family. They treat us like family. They remind me of moms house and how often we like to have the missionaries over there. Mom would always say "make yourselves at home" and really meant it too. The Brewster family is the same way. They do a lot for us to help us with our work too. Our investigator Aldo who is getting baptized this Saturday lives with them. He doesn't live with his family because they have had some issues. The Brewsters treat him like family. They have a son named Riley who is about the same age who will probably baptize him as long as the Bishop finds him worthy. That would be so cool! Riley wants to go on a mission but has to get his act together a bit, so this should be good for him. I can't wait to see Also be baptized! It has been such a privelage to be able to help teach hi, the last few principles he needs to know and practice the baptismal interview questions. He passed his real interview Saturday. I love serving a mission. I love "inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." I know it is a blessing to be able to serve. 

I'll just share one more experience. Nikki is another investigator who will be baptized soon. She is black and in her mid 40s and has like 10 kids. She is possibly the coolest person I have ever met. She is so integritable and courageous. Her oldest son is named Azmar and he was baptized recently. He was trying to find a "loophole" in the law of chastity, so we made sure he knew how detrimental that would be, especially now that he has been baptized. He didn't receive it all completely, but at the end of the lesson he was saying he liked my tie, so I pulled it off my neck and gave it to him saying "let it be a reminder of your covenants." It was the blue and black one that sister Nielsen bought for me before the MTC. I hope it helps him. He is a really friendly guy.

Please pray for our all the people we invite to come unto Christ. Not only the investigators, but also the members (and those who we have not met yet). We meet lots of members who have trouble with the word of wisdom and whatnot. Pray for the people in the Glen Lakes area. I love you so much, and I pray for you every day! 

Elder Shaffer


(Side note:  Emily and I (mom) sent him a package that included some silly dino hats from the dollar store.  Austin was under orders to send back pictures with them on.)   :)