SEND ME MORE LETTERS~NEW LETTER TODAY!

Hey Everyone,
This week was crazy!!! Every Tuesday we have a general authority speak, this last week was M. Russell Ballard. It was great, you can feel the presence of a apostle. He talked about a positive attitude, being entusiastic about the work so that others can see the light of christ in your eyes. It was really neat and a great spiritual experience to hear him talk. . .that was just tuesday. The theme for my email this week was between two very different things. .I feel like i should talk about this one. I want to talk about. . . .Eternal perspective. We as people only have a limited perspective of things events and feelings, only through the atonement of Jesus Christ can we have a whole new perpective given to us. Our savouir, suffered pains of every kind, sorrows of every kind so he would know how to succor his people. When we abandon the natural man and his perspective of things and gain the perspective the holy ghost can give us. Our eyes are opened. We begin to understand the feelings of others and that petty things do not matter, that in the eternal aspect of things, the only things that matter is having faith in jesus christ and following his example. I challenged all to read Mosiah 2, and pay careful attention to verse 41. .telll us the key to happiness in this life and the next So I'm learnig a lot of russian her in the MTC, It's crazy how much information you absorbed and how hard you work when you've got the spirit. I teach the 1st lesson in russian in a senario next wednesday, I feel comfortable with my language skills I just need to refine them. . .and help my companion study. So I finished the book of mormon this week, I'm restarting it again tomorrow, I challenged all who read this to give me your insights as you do your personal study, because when we read the book of mormon, write down your thoughts, it's the spirit talking to you. and if you want to share those with me. . .do it!!!!!! I would love to continually hear from all of you, your letters brighten my day, and if you put your insights of the book of mormon or even your testimony, we'll both grow as you share it. Letters or dear elders are both amazing ways of getting it too me. I love both of them. Send them as often as you can. . .I love to hear from you all. .. and Tell everyone to write me, I love letters and hopefully today I can catch up and write everyone back. anyway. . .tell everyone to write me or send me messages throgh dearelder.com . . .packages are good to, really good.Thank you all for what you've already done and for what you continue to do.
Elder Shane Forest Davis

NEW LETTER FROM ELDER DAVIS!

Hey everyone,I'll Start of with an apology, I'm not a very eloquent writer so I really don't know what to say in my letters and emails, so I do not write or just write a little bit. Nonetheless I will get on the ball and write you all. It's really busy here at the MTC. Tuesdays are my Prep-Day, so those days are packed laundry and writing letters, along with normal study. I love it here, the enviroment is amazing. The spirit is always here.. ..Wanna know what it's like??? Serve a mission!!! LOL anyway, there is only one way to describe it. .. If everyone in a ward paid 100% tithing an were always striving to do what is right. Thats the feeling. OOh boy!!!! Anyway, I on't have a theme for this weeks email, I've been so busy I totally spaced it but I'm determined to write anyway. . .
In the MTC I am always studying, except when I'm in gym running and working out ( I"ve LOST 7 POUNDS!!!!) and 2 inches . . .I'm eating healthy and running a mile in 8 1/2 minutes, Anyway My companion's name is Elder Heimerdinger, He's the oldest son of the writer for the tennis shoes amoung the nephites. I started out with two compaions and a week later on elder was transferd so the Tripanionship was broken up. . . .anyway. .. I study alot and a work out. . ... .Nothing really exciting happens except on tuesdays a genral authority comes to speak at a fireside, I love it!!!!!!!!!! One of the highlights of the week.Forgive me if this isn't detail enough but I need to go and change my laundry hahahaha. . . If you want a letter. .write me and i'll write you back. . and for those I need to write back. . . .it's in the mail. .hahahahahahaThis church is true, even in Ukraine. I love the russian language, It's beautiful. I love the Book of Mormon, It's the way we find the answers to all of life's question. . ..and I know Jesus christ is our savoir and that he loves us and wants to help us, if only we'll let him.(Matthew 11:28-30)
--Elder Shane ForestDavis

Hello Missionary Families!

I am happy to inform you that your sons are doing fantastic here at the MTC! My name is Brother Nathan Toone, one of their teachers. Brother Tim Stratford and I are really enjoying teaching them and trying to control their great excitement for the Russian language. We began Thursday morning learning the alphabet, and by Thursday night, they were all able to bear their testimony in Russian, and today they began praying in Russian - quite an amazing feat, only possible with the gift of tongues that surely their missionary calling brings.
Thank you for preparing your missionaries so well to enter the MTC - they all have such a wonderful desire to learn and grow. Tonight they all taught their first lesson with their companions, in preparation for Wednesday when they teach volunteers who come into the MTC. We're teaching in English right now, but in a few short weeks, they'll be doing everything in Russian!
I love working with your missionaries and feeling their spirits and learning from their insights and testimony. They all participate so well in class! I am from Pennsylvania, served my mission in Moscow Russia, and am studying Mechanical Engineering at BYU. Brother Stratford is from Orem, served in Saint Petersburg, and is studying Russian and Comparative Literature at BYU. We have both been teaching at the MTC for over a year and a half and simply love every second of it.
The attached picture is the district with all 7 elders in our classroom in front of the wonderful Ukrainian flag. Everyone is with their companions. From left to right: Elder Hess from Alpine, UT and Elder Nersisyan from London; Elder Davis from Syracuse, UT, Elder McClure from Mesa, AZ, and Elder Heimerdinger from Riverton, UT; and Elder Young from O Fallon, IL, and Elder Dietrich from Bluffdale, UT. Tuesday is their preparation day, and they are all so excited to write home after they go to the temple and share their missionary spirit!
Thank you again for all you do to help your Elders. The MTC can certainly be one of the most amazing times of their lives, as it was for me. Just today I received a letter from a missionary in Russia who said, in Russian of course, that the MTC had changed his life. Brother Stratford and I will do our best to create an environment in which the same can happen with these wonderful Elders. Do all you can to uplift and encourage them always, as they need your support. Thank you for your faith and sacrifices to allow your sons to serve the Lord in such an amazing way. Surely you too will be blessed for their efforts! As sure as this is the Lord's mighty work that your sons are taking to the far corners of Ukraine, He will help them and lift them every step of the way! They are in good hands.
Thank you again for your faith and prayers in their behalf.
With gratitude,
Nathan Toone(& Tim Stratford)

First letter from Elder Davis

I love it here in the MTC, the spirit is Amazing!!! Many elders have said that, but It is true just the same. I've Never prayed more in my life!!!!!! I've found myself on my knees for hours, pray is a tool ALL should utilize, it brings our will closer to our fathers. I will give you peace and security found nowwhere else. Prayer is my focus of this weeks email. . .you can read all throughout the scriptures of prayer. . .I challenge all who get to read this to go to the topical guide and read and devour the scriptures, find out all you can about prayer, don't stop untill you have understood it's purpose and it's place in our fathers plan of happiness. THEN APPLY IT!!!! I Testify that through prayer that we can know Our saviour Jesus Christ better, and you will gain a better understanding of god's plan and your own happiness.

I love you all
Elder Shane Forest Davis

Shanes Farewell

hannah and her b/f, michela, uncle shaun

the proud parents!

cousins: sammy,hannah, michela, ryane and justin

aunt melinda,uncle jeff and miley

already eaten cake for shane

**Here are some pictures taken at shanes farwell~ he gave an awsome farwell talk and it was nice seeing family together again! ~ we missed those who couldnt be there!