M.I.A

ZONE CONF PIC!

2010-05-21T17:34:00.001-06:00

I'm pretty Certain that I'm getting out of the office this transfer

2010-03-04T16:55:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

Life is great!! The Church is true!! The Book of Mormon is where it's at and we are a part of it. Well this last week we had a great lesson with Casha and Vika, They came to Church with their family and Loved it. They are really deveoping a relationship with many members. I will let them to the hard job, I'll just do the teaching. ahahahaha. Anway, our lesson was amazing, vika really understands the restoration and what it means. The work is just seeming to really pick up. We just found another family here in Center and we are teaching them, we hope to see two families be baptized in the next couple of months. It will be amazing!! Right now as I write you, I am also writing the MISSION OFFICE BIBLE :) hahaha well It just has all of the info that I have learned and I'm trying to write it all down so that future Office staff can have a smoother more eaisier time learning. Right now, There is really not much to talk about, but I will hopefully send my package to you this week. I love you tons. I'm sorry it was such a short letter, but I sit in an office all day not much to talk about. . . . .

Elder Shane Davis
P.s. If you write on other days in the week I might reply, I'll keep it short but I'll reply. :)

2010-02-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

Here is a big Hug from your favorite missionary. So I am finally sitting down and writing a letter to you for the fourth time this week and my Companion is making sure that I write my family. So the News is. . . I’m back in the office. It was a huge surprise to me. The Tuesday after I learned that I was getting transferred I had an Interview with President and he asked me to return to the office. I guess some things that I was doing, had been forgotten. Anyway I am now in the Mission Office again and I am with an Amazing missionary, Elder Johnson. My job in the office is to train him to be the best and pass on all the office knowledge I have. Also I am to Separate all Office responsibilities among the office staff, and then make an “Office Bible”. When I was in the office before, Most things were done by me and Elder Kuhre and when I left, a lot of things were forgotten and didn’t get done so president asked me to come back and get them done and make sure it doesn’t happen again. This past week I have been going super fast to get caught up with all the stuff that was hanging and we are almost done. To tell you the truth I feel flattered and kind of intimidated that president trusts me. Well I’ve found that I work well in an office, just counting the blessings.
This last Sunday I came back to the same branch and they were all so happy to have me back it was great, I have really developed good relationships with the members and I really love them. Well this last week I read a wonderful book called “The Day of Defense” If you could send me that in my next package that would be way cool. It is about all the Christian faiths ganging up on two Mormon missionaries in a court of law and the missionaries slay them with the scriptures. It is way awesome!!

Dima is right next to me, He is a stud!! He is the coolest of them all. (He just left)I was so happy and privileged to baptize him. He goes to the center branch so I’ll get to see him and even get to have some lessons with him. He just got the Aaronic priesthood so, he is doing amazing.
What else? I really can’t think of anything. . . I love you tons. I’m having kind of a déjà vu type thing this transfer but President says that it will only be for one transfer then I’m out again. Remember “Walk slow and drink lots of water” :) –Elder Shane Forest Davis

I AM FED UP WITH COMPUTERS

2010-02-10T09:23:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

I just spent an Hour and a Half writing a nice long detailed letter about how the president had called me back in the Office and the reasons, (cause he trusts me, it is kinda scary) and other great stuff. I'm going to be in the office so I'll write you later..

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

WELL IM GLAD YOUR DOING WELL

2010-02-05T16:18:00.001-07:00

family
More or less, snow is everywhere, it's wonderful.The only poblem is the it it slippery and This past week I have slipped and fallen about 12 times. It's kinda ridiculous. Well it is Transfer week and I got a transfer call and the news that they are closing down my area, My area is one that is way out i the outskirts and only one active member and a total of three. So they decided to close it because there will be less missionaries, I think I will stay in the same general area, but I really don't know for sure, but this means I have to close an apartment, which entails cleaning it super neat and having to deal with our psycho landlords antics. I'm excited, well this week we are reall suprised, Victor is doing better in regards to smoking he has only had one this week and hopefully next week he does better, He is understanding the gospel 100 times better, over the course of these past six weeks I have seens enoumous growth as a person and his understanding. He is actually excited to read and talk and teach the gospel now, he has already read through half of the gospel principles book, It's great. I have found that if we have paitence and treat people for their potential and what you want them to become,giving encouragement and hope to them that they can become something great, rather than the sinner that they are, Miracles happen. It can't be about our limitations, it is about his and if we work inside those,the gospel can do anything. I will find out where I will be and who I will be with in a couple of days I will let you know next week. Right now I am Trying to get some jehovah's witnesses to read the book of mormon, They would make a great Mormon family but the devil has them so convinced, That sounds really bad because the beleive in Jesus Christ as well but they just don't understand what they are missing. we Probably will only meet with them for a couple more times and then let the spirit work on them. I finally hit my Year mark, it is very crazy and very scary at the same time, I don't feel like it is halfway done, I feel like it has just started. Well I love you all and hope I wrote well enough for you all this week. Keep reading your scriptures and Praying, because those are the building blocks and the life sustainer of a testimony, once those stop we leave ourselves vunrable to satans temptations and power. It is just down hill , I have seen sad cases of that, please keep doing it even if it is only 10 minutes a day, I promise you will find a happier and better day when you do those things. I love you
P.S. I haven't seen that picture of zone conference yet, hmmm

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

DNEPRZONE CONF 5.

2010-01-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Davis Family,
We are sorry to be late sending this picture out. I'm sure you have been waiting to see what your missionary looked like on that day. I had a very nice conversation with him recently. He and his companion seem to be doing well. (The smile is pretty representative of his present status.)
Thanks again for lending him to us here!
Love,
Sister Nielsen

THANKS FOR ALL YOU GUYS DO!

2010-01-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
How is life? It's great here, My birthday was awesome!!!! I have got to say that it was a little weird, but I might even like it better than a regular birthday. Well we are working with Victor and since I have gotten there we have had our ups and downs, He is really struggling with the quiting smoking but as we discuss the gospel he sees more and more that he needs to be himble and change, before he was just reading the Book of Mormon, but I felt that he wasn't understanding and appling what he read, we now are stuying Gospel principles, He Loves it!!! The gospel is new to him so he gets suprised sometimes , but with explanations and talking it out, in the end he understands it and grows closer to what he needs to do and be. He was already baptized, because missionaries wanted a baptisim but we will get him to where he needs to be.
My companion and I are teaching two families and things are going good, they are slowly progressing which is amazing, one is actually reading and has legitimate questions and the Jehovahs witness family actually listens and doesn't just want to prove us wrong, of course there are the downs but I can't do anything about so I don't worry about it, it is not worth it.It is in the Lords hands. I don't talk in Church much, I really don't want to so I look at it as a blessing, I teach two different english classes, one in the big part of the city, and then one in our area, we are trying to use it as a finding tool, we will see what happens with that, I like teaching it is fun and I always have the oppurtunity to tell stories. Mainly we cantact on the street with a sign that focues on the Book of Mormon, Tracting is useless because the all have a call system to the peoples apartments, we rarely go tracting. I have had a couple of experiences to give blessings they were neat experiences, but not as often as I would like.
I finally got my package on thursday it was great, THANK YOU, i loved the letters and the cake I will make later!! Thanks!!! :)
Funny Story: So on January 7th in ukraine, It is Christmas here, Santa doesn't come on Christmas but it is actually a celebration of Christ, santa comes on New years. Anyway We were having district meeting at my apartment and the door bell rang, I ansewred it kinda confused, wondering who would knock at my door, I opened it and saw a little boy, and his dad sitting in the backround, he said something that I didn't understand and instead of trying to figure it out, I assumed he was like the missinoaries, of trying to sell someting, so I straight up told the Kid "No! Don't Want anything" and shut the door, still wondering wht it was all about, later that night when we were eating dinner, same thing but two little girls, I asked what it was all about and the just giggled and ran away. I finnally got it, they were Trick or treating on Christmas!!!! WHAT!!!??? I DIDN"T KNOW UKRAINIANS TRICK OR TREATED ON CHRISTMAS!!!! I went and bought some candy after I called a couple of missionaries and members to find this out. I was determined to make up for telling a kd flat out NO! that day. More peopl came to our door and I still didn't know what to do so this time I said yes and they sang to me and I gave them alot of candy. anyway that is a funny story about how I almost was the grinch.. . .:)
I love you all and hope you are ok, Be healthy and Choose the Right!!!

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

I SURVIVED WOW!

2010-01-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

Well family,

It doesn't even feel like a birthday is coming up, it's surreal. This week was a good one, we were really busy and got to teach alot of people, but to tell the truth, We as missionaries only teach and talk to 4 types of people. First, Drunk people, second Crazy people, Thrid Religous people, who also can be drunk or crazy or both. Fourth the elect.. haha but it is true and we primarily deal with the first three looking to the fourth. well we are teaching some jehovahs witnesses, the won't read the book of mormon, because their beleifs say if they are not sure if it is "another" gospel they won't read it, I'm pretty sure that if I can get them to read it, they are sincere and when they read it, it will all be apearant.
Anyway Right now we are struggling with Victor, our member who was baptized. He won't quit smoking and I don't know want to do with him. Well we will continue our praying and fasting, pleaxe pray for him and for the people on predenprovsk.
Well i'm glad that you found out all of that information about the asthma before you did the sugery, God really has blessed us. I love you tons, don't have alot of tim this week, but I hope that the letter was good enough, byt the way, the weather is cold but I have everthing to keep myself warm, my companion and I are taking names and kecking butt. . everything is good I'll talk to you later when I'm twenty. .:) hahaha

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water

OK OK

2010-01-04T19:22:00.001-07:00

Everyone,

This was a pretty good week, I came and I don't remember if I said that the area book was a mess, the area book keeps a record of everone we teach, what they have been taught and when, where they live their phone number and information about the area. WEll this book was a mess so the first part of the week we went through the entire thing and sorted them and picked some former investigators that we wanted to follow up on. It's actually kinda cool, we have a bunch of appointments with families this week, on thursday we will meet with two jehovahs witness families, they are quite nice and will feed us borsch. I've learned if you aren't teaching for conversion, teach for understanding, as the understanding comes so will conversion. Right now we are teaching for undrstanding. We also are teaching this family who really wants to learn english and it has really gotten in the way before and have straight out told the missionaries that they only want english but when we stopped by them, I told from personal experience how the book of mormon and the gospel helps, then testified of the blessings, they now read with us constantly at their home so we can help them understand the scriptures, That was one of the reasons they didn't like it, they didn't understand.
IN my new area, we are doing an enlish practice, aside from the one we do in the branch building, our area is about 30 minutes away from the branch by care so we are doing one in our area and we will see how that turns out. Victor is a character, he still smokes and so we tried to get him to quit yesterday and it didn't even get close, he gets mad, but I'm going to keeps pushing the issue. It's one thing that I am good at being blunt and pushing the issue. haha not always a good thing huh?
We have a sweet member in our area who was baptized 8 months ago and he is helping us a ton he is a total stud, his name is Yaraslav, His family isn't members yet but we will see about that. Also when I was in the office, There is a member that works for the church, she will move to my area and we will start trying to covertly teach her husband and slowly convert him, he is a really stand up guy and just needs to get baptized.anyaway we have alot of pontential and just needs to be worked hard, we'll see how it all pans out, with that thing we call agency. .haha Sure is a two sideded sword.I love you tons and thought about you on new years. . .Keep yopu in my heart...

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

AFTER CHRISTMAS LETTERS ARE SO SHORT

2009-12-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I love it here out of the office, It's greatI have only served two days but I already like it alot, In our area we have a member who knows nothing about the gospel, it is quite sad that missionaries baptized him, because he has been baptized for about 9 months now and just barely found out about joseph smith, HIs name is Victor He is crippled and we meet with him three times a week. We try and teach him the octrines of the gospel and he likes to argue but everytime we meet he comes away learning something, so most of the time it helps. Our area is been going kind of slow lately and president asked me to wor the areahard and to tell him if it needs to sit and wait for us tocome back to it. Our mission is shrinking so we need to shut down some areas next transfer, president probably will shut down this one, but we will see. My new companion is a stud, he is a hacker an tells me about stories and stuff it is kinda cool. We went to high school together so we get along pretty well, I have been blessed with good companions on my mission. The new brnch is really nice and they are already warmed up to me, asking me to do things, like teach primary, it was crazy but my companion and I with some members last week taught a couple of litle kids about the sacrement. It was good, although it made me very scared and excited to have my own kids. that is a ways down the road. I'm district leader so it's kinda cool. not alot of responsibility. . .and I really can't think of anything other to say besides that I love you and I pray for you Keep choosing the right!!!

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

IM GETTING TRANSFERED

2009-12-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

I am no longer in the office!!! I'm getting transferred I'm so Excited and I get to find out where I am going tomorrow cause I'm an office elder!! There are some perks. . . .Well anyway I will talk to you in less than two days and I just want to say that I love you tons and I'll probaly call around 8 your time. . . . I'll call your cell phone before to set everthing up. I'm so happy that I'm getting transfered. . It is sad to leave all the wonderful people in the branch. and my great companion but It is definitely time. . Talk to you some time soon :)

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

HEY THE WEATHER IS SO FRIEGHTFUL AND THE MISSIONARY WORK IS SO TIRING

2009-12-20T00:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

Well, This last two weeks have flown by Super Quick, and now I finally have a spare moment to sit and write you. This last week We had a bunch of stuff to get ready for President Schwitzer, he is the first counselor in the Area Presidency. He really is just an amazing guy. In the office it has been way busy, Getting ready for him and still training the new couple. To tell you the truth, There starting to get it but I have to do a lot more work on my end in order to make it easier from them. We had a District conference, which is like a Stake conference and then he came and did a 5 hour Mission Conference. It was great and I got a lot of notes and a lot to work on. Those zone conferences are there to pick you up because being a missionary gets you down, constant rejection gets at everyone. Right now we have one investigator who is a Flake, we set up with him and it's 50% that he'll show up. I really hope to get him serious about this, I don't think he takes it very seriously. His name is leonid, he is a cool guy and last time we meet with him he had a desire to be baptized. We hop to keep that going and everything. My other Investigator that we did have, which I thought and so did president, to be golden. Now no longer answers our phone calls and she was a landlady of one of our apartments, she raised the rent a ridiculous amount, so we are moving. Something or someone must have gotten to her. .(Satan, If he had a body, I'd punch him in the face).
It snowed a lot about 3/4 of a foot in the past couple of days and it is cold, I've got a good jacket, I just need a good hat, then I will be set. How is the weather there?
Just yesterday my companion hit his 1 year mark, it is so weird to think that I am going to hit my one year mark soon. In about a Month and a half. . Wow So every year the missionaries need to renew their visa's so they have to fly to Bulgaria and and stay for three days then return, I do mine in February, It's gonna be a lot of fun, I'm excited!! Can you believe it?, It's almost over, It seems like I just got here. . ha ha but it really does. . .
This past week we stopped by a family and they were active in the church when I got here, well the mother was and she dragged her kids with her, but when we stopped by they told us the were now going to the Russian orthodox church again, All I wanted to do was condemn them to hell and read how that church is the whore of all the earth, fortunately the spirit said show charity because that is what these people need. As we started talking to her, I realized that her (the Mom) was pretty hard-hearted at this point (she was probably offended and she has no support so she feels abandoned, so she has this formed opinion cause she was wronged). In short, she is now very inactive and It's very sad. So please pray for their family. You ask a while ago about how the language is coming, quite well. I can have long in depth conversations and understand pretty much everything, unless this is a Russian who uses big Russian words, I just need to keep working and memorizing words and I will do ok.
I am so very excited to talk to you on Christmas, I hope you have a lot of questions for me, I'm ready to ansewr them. I just want to know how you all are doing. It is kinds sad these next few months, all of those missionaries that I got really close too are now going home, I really am going to miss them, Especially elder Mortensen, he is the man and he actually will go home in a week, he is my best buddy on the mission so far. I really like him, he is from California and will go to BYU. Today we have Elder Winegars parents coming to pick him up, he is really freaking out, it's kinda funny to watch. They actually are from clearfield, So it is kinda neat, They only live about five minutes from us. It is crazy how small of a world it is. Transfers are coming up soon, I probably not going to get transferred, But that is ok, I'll stay another one in the office, I just need to serve where I am called. Well I decided this week that I want to go to BYU after the mission, yes I have been Converted. .Ha ha I'm going to start applying in about March, so I would greatly appreciate your help when that time comes. I love you all so much, Sorry sometimes It takes me a while to write.
Yes writing is like praying in that sense, but I don't have to Get on a computer to pray and have rules and situations the restrict the time and place. I love you, I'll write one more good letter before we talk, on Monday I'll write,it is already planned, nothing will stop it. :) I hope this letter had enough detail, ask questions and I'll be better at answering them. It's easier to respond to questions.

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

PICTURES

2009-12-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

WELL IT ALWAYS TURNS OUT TO BE A ZOO

2009-11-30T11:58:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,

Well I'm glad that you like the pictures on Facebook, the girl that Mom is now friends with thanks that it is so cool, hahaha Well the baptisim was great, and so was to football game. We call it the "Turkey Bowl" We seperated into four teams of 7 and we had a tournement. We won the first game and lost our second. The team that we playe in our second game was stacked, it's kinda ridiculous that way. BYU vs. Utah, oh the memories. . hahaha Well, I'm finally converted, Starting around January I want to apply to go to BYU, I might not get in, It's worth a try, Would you be willing to help me? I know how you feel, Supposed to be on Vacation but never really seem to get a break, This past transfer and a Half, I have felt the same way, I'm supposed to take a P-Day but I never can because something comes up. I can't do my full studies, cause something needs to get done. Hopefully things will start to simmer down and I can get back into the ruotine again. Well, yes I'm co- Senoir in the Office with Elder Kuhre, I really like him, he is really big into sports, he has taught me alot about the jazz and sports. He is a Sports fanatic. Right now the Ap's are Elder Kemp, Winegar, and Mortensen. All three will go home in the course of two transfers. The past three weeks, I realy haven't had the oppurtunity to meet with our investigators. Elder Kuhre has been sick with the flu, he recovered, then the day of "turkey bowl" he got Bronchtis, then he has been sick for a week. But we are gonna get back on that train, unfortunately we have to push the baptisimal date back, we don't know when, we will meet with him and find out I love you tons, I really am tired and i'm gonna take a nap.

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

HEY FAMILY

2009-11-24T00:27:00.002-07:00

Family,

This last two weeks has been really crazy, my companion has gotten the flu, the new couple came and they're quite old (72 and 69), I say that because, they don't know how to use computers. It's kinda hard to train them. Things take five times as long, I'm really trying to be paitent. oh boy. well, I can do it :)

Well this last week was also one of the happiest in my life.Well the Asssistants to the presidents had an Investigator, his name was Dima, He is the man, I got to know him, while he has been their investigator. Well finally he decided to get baptized and I know he his gonna make the best member ever, we because of the swine flu, there was a quarintine in UKraine and all universities closed down for two weeks, so he was going home and was gonna be there for those two weeks untill his baptisim. We were worried because his grandparents told him that they should of killed him, because he was investigating another church. Well everything turned out all right, he stayed strong and when he came back he asked me to baptize him. I was in shock but I couldn't be more happy. Well the next day I baptized him, It was amazing. It was in a basin in a branch, it was quite small so I had to do it twice, then afterwards he bore a sweet testimony of the gospel, it's restoration and a bunch of things. It was amazing!!! I'll send pictures tomorrow, I cannot right now. We stilll have a investigator who has a date of Dec. 5 and Hope to put our other Investigator on date too. Both of them are single, one a man the other woman and both in the late twenties, early thirties. Perfect!!! HAHAHAHA Things are going good, here in the office. Thank you for the books!!! I'm starting to study harder, my russian has really suffered while I have been in the office, I could be a lot better if I had the oppurtunity to speak more and to study better. However I have other things that I need to do. Well that is the Overveiw of how everything was this past week. a little Scattered but I got to do this fast we have an Appointment to teach a family at a Members house, ITS A MIRACLE!!! I love you all!!!

Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

SHORT

2009-11-11T11:31:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,
I love you guys, but this has got to be short. This week is the craziest week ever!! This week is Transfers and I have to do tons to get stuff, get people and boy howdy it's a ZOO!!! Well this next transfer is Thanksgiving which is awesome because we have something called the Turkey bowl. We separate into teams and have an American football tournament.
It is way sweet, well the office is just very stress full but what to do? except just chill out, so I'm just chilling out. Well If I have time this week I'll write more but I wanted to tell you that Elder Kuhre and I put our investigator on date for December 5th. I'm way excited let us hope and pray it will work

PICTURES FROM SHANE

2009-11-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

Well, Elder Davis says. . .. .Stay Away from PIglet!! haha

2009-10-31T10:02:00.001-06:00

Family,

So do you think that Winnie the Pooh has shunned piglet and is now wearing a mask,to keep from getting the Flu? What about eyore? I would, it's called social Distancting. :) hahaha Well Finally the that thing called swine flu has hit Ukraine, not a big deal, I just don't shake hands with pigs and I have stopped hugging bums. Too bad, it was one of my favourite contacting methods.
It is starting to get cold here, and Hopefully I can go and buy some things today, we have been really busy in the office this week. It has been alot of fun, one of the Assistants got Shingles so he stayed with us in the office, we had alot of fun. yeah I hear BYU got totally messed up last week. It's ok, Food does make it better, I miss winger's wings. THAT WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!!! HAHA
Well this week I kinda wanted to talk to you about Service, IT's REALLY IMPORTANT!! Service is one huge way we show our love, Our savoiur showed the ultimate act of service, by atoning for our sins. He has asked us, and we have convanted with him that we will bear one anothers burdens. This week I want to challenge you to serve as much as you can, it should be selfless, but it doesn't even have to be someone you already love. One way i have found to love those I am annoyed with or someone who bugs me is to serve them and I begin to love them more. It works for me and I know that it will work for you. In all actuallity you are really serving our Lord Jesus Christ, and he will show his gratitude in other ways but please do this, I want some stories, If someone shares a Story with me this week about how they have served someone, they get a Letter back, If I don't get one I might forget to write. . .hahaha I just want you to serve!!!! I love you all!!!

Elder Shane Davis (Davy)It is the Nickname I have from some missionaries. . .hmhmhm)
Elder Shane Forest Davis

"Walk Slow, and Drink lots of Water"

OH OKAY

2009-10-24T23:11:00.001-06:00

Hey,

Well it bet it was great to see the Herrons, they are amazing people and I really miss them. I hope the only said nice things about me. . thats what I paid them for. :) haha Well I was thinking about my Christmas list and then I received an email from Sis Herron, and she asked me to tell you, AHHH IT"S COMING FROM ALL SIDES!!!!! :) haha
well here it is Hot Choclate; Socks ( they told you about how mine were pink), I need to buy a new suit, min doesn't fit at all and I look like I'm wearing a Tent ( Reply ASAP to this email to let me know I have permission to go suit Shopping); Mixes (cake, Brownie, and muffins mixes); a Cooking Apron( store bought or Home-made is sweet); New Shoes( i will send some pictures of my old ones so the can replace them but, I'd like some Ukrainian style, If It's not to much to ask, if yes, please just say really just say so); PICTURES AN LETTERS FROM YOU!!!; a sweet Hoody, I bought a peice of crap one here, I really like them and use it a lot; More Garments( 2 or 3 Pairs); Funny stories about the church( J golden Kimball etc....); Those Russian Books (red dictionary by Kennteh Katzner and Modern Russian); LETTERS FROM COUSINS AND FRIENDS!!; (If you want to get something for my companion, or just sends little cool cheap things for investigators or members I wouldn't know what to get.LAst but not least, Testimonies, If you could, Write your Testimonies down in a Book of Mormon and then Hand that to the Missionaries, or Somehow Invite the Missionaries to have a Lesson with an INvestigator in your home. That would be A huge Present. In Eastern European Area, I have noticed, and it is Pretty Noticable, that more than 70% of Converts go inactive, This is HORRIBLE!! makes me want to shake someone. . anyway. . .When you have lessons with incestigators in embers home there is an imediate support system, one that is an awkward young man who has to follow some pretty strange rules according to the world. We are a peculiar people and the missionaries are the worst. Please help them out and you'll find a joy in it and the missionaries will be grateful, even if they might not show it, I will be, Life is good in Ukraine, Same Stuff Different day, Working Hard, trying to live according to the Spirit and when Prmpted acting. Life of a Missionary. I love you all. I'll keep you updated on investigators real quick.
Vika- Nice lady, young and pretty. She has a Daughter about six and does real estate. We met her because we rent an apartment from her.
She is Quite Elect and hope to baptize her withinthe next transfer. We have lessons with president and Sister Nielsen. Going good
lionya- He has read the book of Mormon and is now waiting for an answer, Needs to pray bu very smart and really wants to learn but we need to bring the hunger for knowladge eventually to the feet of our heavenly father and ask him, because he is the source of all knowladge.

These are our two main investigators right now, we have others and many contacts but those are the ones with most pontential and the ones we spend most time planning for and mosttime with.

I love you and hop all is well, Life is Crazythe Lord knows it, it's why he supports us. We couldn't do it on our own.

Elder Davis

P.S. Let me know if I can or cannot get those. I'll understand either way :) Thanks for all you do for me , I probaly don't say it enough, but I am grateful.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

2009-10-18T11:44:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,

What is Crackin? HAHA Well Everything is just great in Ukraine, I have SOOO MUCH to do. Its a full time job in the office from 9-5 then Missionary Work afterwards and that doesn't count the late nights and early mornings taking care of all sorts of stuff. It's for the blessings :) They greatest thing about it is that doing missionary work is like a great welcomed Vacation. so When we get the oppurtunity it's awesome. Right now we are teaching a Female who is about 25 who is a landlord for one of our couples, at first she just talked to us about business, then she wanted to know why we were here. When the Herrons were here we had a lesson with her and it went well, we Then had a lesson on the plan of salvation at presidents house this last week. She seems to me to be elect but we will see. We have an appointment with president, next week and we will be teaching the Gospel of jesus christ. I'm way excited!! Her name is Victoria. She is a really cool person.
My Day in the Office. . . Depends on the day. . .We have traveling petty cash funds that are scattered all over the mission that I periodically balance and replensh. I Organize president's scedule and I am acting right now as the Mission Clerk so this last week I had a Crash course in Excel and I did all the Budget allotments for each individual branch in the mission. Then I make sure all missionary companionships are registered with the government so I cordinate with or lawyer to get passports and contracts with all landlords. along with that I make sure all apartments are functioning, this week Im looking for a new apartment for a senoir couple because the Landlord is being a Jerkface. Also the same with Elders in Center Dnepr, I found a nice one for them, which means I have to close 3 apartments next weeK! WOW! Pretty much I do anything and everything to keep the missionaries from worrying about it and keeping them doing missionary work. It is alot of work, but it is easy sometimes and sometimes a challenge. I'm learning alot, even things that I can and will use after the Mission. I talk and meet often with the president, I cordinate his schedule and have to get constant guidance and what I do, so that I don't screw it all up. haha It is quite likely.
So I want that song for Christmas, the one with Cody and grant. OK?
I want to hear it so send it one way or an other. My favourite hymn has got to be " Brightly beams our fathers mercy" in English but in Rusian I like "Where can I turn for peace?" or " I stand All Amazed"
Budgets eh? Sweet, I'm staring to get a glimpse of how you feel, This past weeks that is exactly what I have been doing, Budgets for all branches and then I have to adjust them according to how the mission president wants. Crazy Stuff!! I'll be doing the Mission Budget in December and January so that will be a fun one.
Well I saw that talk of dalin H. Oaks at BYUI it was great, I get all acsess to LDS.org since I'm in the office. It was quite wonderful.

My Christmas:to tell yout the truth,I need a new russian Dictionary, it is big and Red and it's the guy who wrote it is Kenneth Katzner. It is a very good dictionary,also ther is a Book called Modern Russian, by Derek Offord, I would like to have some money to buy a new suit, mine is way to big, also a better jacket, I had one given to me but it isn't sufficiant. anyway, Could you Take pictures of just regular life and send them to me, of you guys and the time you are doing. It would be cool to see your faces and how you are doing. I'll make a list this wek and let you know next week but right now those are the only things that come to mind.
I LOVED CONFERENCE!!!! IT WAS AMAZING!! you all know that keep reveiwing your notes, those were the things the lord spoke indivadually to you through the holy ghost. And keep reading the word of the Prophets, the are the Words of christ. I hope I ansewred your Questions and that this is a good email.I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!!!

Elder Shane Davis

THINGS HAVE CHANGED

2009-10-04T12:12:00.001-06:00

Family,

This week was crazy!! I thought I was gonna hve a break from office work turns out, it was just the opposite. I was with Elder Fuentes this week while I opoened up a new apartment and Cordinated Transfers. haha Such is life. Well this is a change cause Now I'm taking my P-day on Saturday while I am in the office, since the Herrons are leaving, the office must be open on Mondays, which means that I take my P-day on saturday. Transfers was crazy this time because Our mission president moved into a new Apartment, and I needed to open a new one which we used to store all the bags in while people were being Transfered. Anyway, In short It is the worst day to be the Office slave. .. . lol.
Now I only have one companion, Elder Kuhre and he is a total Stud. From Utah and likes Sports, good at them too. We have alot of fun.
I'm probably going to be in the office for a while, well as long as it takes for the couple to get here and trained enough to fend for themselves. haha. There really isn't much to report this week.
I love you guys and keep choosing the right with hope and Integrity of hope.

Elder Davis

SO I GET A BREAK.......

2009-09-28T11:19:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone,

Well I hit the jackpot this week, It is the week of Transfers and it's the busiest and craziest time for the office. I don't have to be in the office this week. YEAH!! haha So Unfortunately my Favourite missionary, the one I look up to the most is going home. HIs name is Elder Webb, he is from New Mexico and he is leaving today to go home. He was the first missionary I was with in country and I went on my exchanges with him. He the best missionary in this dispensation. I really am going to miss that guy. He is leaving and his companion needs a companion so for about four days I get to do regular missionary things. i'm way excited, for nstance there are a couple of people in this particular area that I just love their guts, so we are gonna go visit them. We also can just work like missionaries all day instead of be in office. So i'm happy. This next week is transfers and I am going to lose a companion( Elder de la Rosa) and I will still have elder Kuhre. My companionship will basically run the office untill the new office couple (elder and sister Hardy from Colorado)comes and then when they come on Nov 14. we will train them. It is sure going to be an adventure. :) We had Rita's baptisim this week it was awesome!!! Elder de la Rosa Babtized her and elder ray( first missionary who taught her, a stud) gave her the holy ghost. I gave a talk and hoped that people understood what I was saying. haha Now it is even more important to keep her active. In ukraine, Things are just tough here in general. This financial thing has hit everywhere but here it is just ridiculous. I was hit with that realazation a couple days ago when I saw a man eating a stolen raw chicken breast and devouring it and just basically trying to survive. These members know this is true but life here tends to be more hard tha those in the states. It is hard to describe in words but, there are many inactive members and less active. I just wnat to testify to you who read this email of the importance of Home teaching. It is the solution to inactivity. When we show our love to our home tesching family, they cane see that through you Jesus christ is reaching to pick them up, from when they fallen. Your members and not awkward missionaries, with bad acne and intimdating. you are on their level, the can realate, and so can you. Invite someone back to church!! If they don't come, still love and show it!! do something for them!! Christ loved you infinitly, and them as well. He atoned, he suffered, He died for all of us.The good news is that he was resurrected! So remember in Mosiah 18 " Mourn, Comfort, and Stand as a Witness" It is what is expected, It is the least we can do. He Suffered for one and for all. Let us help people know that and apply it to their lives. Please share this with peole. This week I challenge you to contact one inactive member and invite them to church and do something for them. and watch the fruit!! they might not come this week but you are nuturing a sick plant. With care and loving dilligence it canbecome a blosoming tree.
I love you tons. If I'm preaching to the choir, then pass i on. Tell others. I Testify with passion of our savoirs love and how we can help people better understand it. exscpesially those who have already felt it once but have forgotten. This is for them because I know that God loves you and if it just a Hope that it is true, there probably will be doubts. Just let that little desire work in your heart, think about it. If it is true that means that you can have endless happiness with God when we live right. If it isn't you will end it is all the same rotting in the ground no matter how you lived or died. But I know that it does matter, that our savoiur suffered and atoned for our sins so that we could return to our Father in heaven and he is waiting once again with open arms for you. Just try it. The two thngs that you could happen is that you could find tue happiness or be the same that you are now. Know that you are loved by me and more importantly Jesus Christ. No matter what you do, we only want your happiness and we know that this is the way to get true happiness that will last for eternity. Think about it. :)

Well Everyone I really got sidetracked in this email but I felt like I should say it. I don't have much more to say just I miss ya and I'm tying to work hard. I'm glad to her you are doing good.

Elder Shane Davis

NOT MUCH TO SAY

2009-09-21T11:52:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,

How is it going? Well Here in Ukraine things are just flowing. I'm Now working hard. Things are going good in the office, just getting pretty crazy with the Herrons leaving and all. Having to learn a bunch and alot of stuff falling on to my shoulders which is crazy. Well this last week was good, we met with rita and her date is still the 26th and is now set for 12:00 and Elder de la Rosa will baptize her and Elder Ray will give her the gift of the holy ghost. I'm so glad to hear about so many things going on at home. Elder Kuhre Told me that BYU lost with a smile on his face while elder de la Rosa shook his head. And that Pharse " I don't mean to be rude" I don't use it cause everytime I do mean to be rude. I'll just let them know it. haha Well this week my districtis doing Shashlik(ukrainian Barb-b-q) And I made all the deliscious Preperation. I have really enjoyed cooking. I will really miss the Herrons they are reallly nice people and do alot for the mission. I'm scared that they are leaving for my sake and sad that they are going because tthey are just the neatest people. This week my email will be short, Don't have much to write. I love you and I will send your things around the beginning of October. I'm waiting for something. I love you guys and Think and pray about you.

Elder Shane Davis

woooooooooooooooow

2009-09-14T10:22:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,

This week was a little slow for me, Rita was out of town and she had to work so she couldn't come to church or meet with us so we had to push her date back one week. I was not happy but it needed to be done. Well I'm happy to here that you guys all got up and gave talks. I gave a talk? There is a phrase in russian, "without me I was married" Well in this case "without me I gave a talk" hahaha I bet it was good. This week we went to Mcdonalds three times!! wow!! I didn't get something everytime, but my companions really like to go there and eat. I really like sushi there is this restraunt, that has it fairly cheap, and it is tasty so for one of my favourite missionaries 2 year mark. we went to this place and it was quite good. I reall like it I think it is one of my mast favourite foods.
My goal is getting contact information from at least one person a day. I almost did it last week, I got 5.. My companions just walk around and wait for me to talk to poeple and then they chime in. It's kinda funny. They just wait for me. haha. Kind of. . . .
Well It's gonna be crazy in the office soon. It will probably be me and Elder Kuhre in the office and thats is it. Elder de la Rosa is leaving, I think he slowly dieing as a missionary, and the office and specifically right because Not only are the Herrons leaving but we are going from a software based missionary managing system to an internet based system. It's gonna be a lot of work and we finally got and Office couple that is coming in December but me and Elder Kuhre will set up the office and make all nessicary changes and run the Office for two months. Which means I'm going to have responsibility, ahhhh MAN!!! that means I'm goning to have to be mean, cause missionaries are still 19-25 yr old men and are gonna try and do stupid crap. Well the WE SERVE WHERE WE ARE CALLED NO MATTER HOW HARD. and like Elder Shurtz told me, I'm going to have a smokin hot wife. hahahahaha. By the way he is leaving in about 8 weeks to go hame and he is now serving in Poltava which is an amazing place and has the biggest branch and he has got a sweet investigator on date.( On of the many privleges that I get, I can call anyone in the mission!!!) hahaha Well once I charged my camera I'll take more pictures to send you and hopefully within the next three weeks I'll send the stuff I bought you and a little something for ludo devadenko who lived with the lindsey's it is from a member in the branch here. I really love the people here, they truly are giants spiritually and I reall don't know how to describe them. Just I love them so much and they are amazing people. I'll tell you about my english classes later. They are alot of fun and I'm the really cray teacher everyone likes. I love you guys and pray for you, I don't have a lot of time but if I find any I will write you indivaidually.

Elder Davis

Старейшина Дейвис

2009-09-08T15:58:00.001-06:00

Everyone,

Well to tell you the truth I totally forgot what I wrote to you guys last week and when I went to go back and read what I had sent I couldn't find it. Blein! ( a word that means pancake but I use it instead of dang, or other words like that) This last week was good, we got a new investigator and had a pretty good lesson with him. We'll see where that takes us. :) Well about our threesome, Both of my companions love to walk fast, I just take it slow and next thing thay know they are halfway up the street without me cause I'm talking to some guy who was on the street. It's pretty funny. Dad, man I know how you feel, Budgets are a pain in the butt, I helped the president do our adjustment for the rest of the year and next year projectioins and I barely know what to do. . .It's kinda funny how everyone except those who deal with money have no cares on how much is spent and the importance of budgets. anyway. . . well I bought a new belt and it is one that now fits. . .haha Well I have been way busy with all of the office work and missionary work this week, hopefully we get an office couple in December so that we don't have just elders in the office. too much responsibility!! I just want to be juniour companion my entire mission, and I already screwed that one up just as soon as I got away from my trainer usually people just go to a regular companion and continue to not have responsibilty. Well Rita's baptisim date is for the 19th and we are just teaching and meeting and making sure all is ok and prepared. She really is a cool girl and quite ready.
There are a couple of things that would be way sweet if you could send them : American cereal like apple jacks or fruit loops or corn puffs, pop tarts are great, any cool church letures or talks, I already have presidents of the church and the meaning of the atonement. a watch; mine was shattered, or just money to buy one. Letters about what is new and I want details and pictures, gravy packets, ranch dressing mix packets, cake and muffin mixes, red vine licoricse, and random stuff that you think I would like.
ONe of my companions is a Die hard utah fan and one is a BYU fan and I don't take side I just laugh. It is not worth it, I just like to watch. haha Tell sister richins and sister Bolson I'm thinking and praying for them, and hope they over come everything. THe lord strengtens and Qualifies us for what we need to be in the next life and to help others in this one. We need to make that choice, to grow closer to him or the suffering and hard times were and will continue to be for nothing, instead of "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" It seems to be a difficult concept to grasp for some but those hard times make us who we are, and if we turn to god during those times, we are becoming more and more like him. Thats why we are here!! " Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you"
He cares, He lives and this is his church and his messageI'm blessed and privilaged to be doing the lords work.
Я люблю вас и хочу, чтобы вы знали, что Я знаю что Бог живет, что Джозеф Смит был пророком .. Спасибо всем, кто помог мне осознать это. У Бога есть план, и мы должны следовать ему, и все будет хорошо.

Доблестью

Старейшина Дейвис

FINALLY A LETTER!

2009-08-31T16:05:00.001-06:00

Well Everyone
I'm sorry I haven't written in a while I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I'm now in the office!! ahhhh!! Why ??? Well my job consists of learning everything that is done in the office and learning to do Elder Herron's Job, Elder herron is one of the office couple, he takes care of the mission finances and anything that deals with it. He will be leaving on October 14 so DOOMS DAY!!!! Anyway, My companions Elder Kuhre and De la Rosa \are kinda in the same boat as well. Yes, i'm in a threesome and it is awkard. My job consists of putting money on cards, Rent, Utilities, Food and Personal. . .etc... I'm in charge of making sure we know where every penny/ kopeck is spent and cataloging it three times in three different places, I am th IT guy who reports all numbers, budgets, and everything else to Salt lake. I help missionaries register in every city they live and find apartments, gather all member records make sure everything is recored and send them to the right people, and the worst is Confidential stuff, that I really don't want ot know but have to deal with. . . .blein Essentially I am the mission Slave. . .In a mission usually you have a chain of comand that leads up to the mission president, I go straight to him. . .It's a lot of responsibility, but whenever I feel overloaded, I always know I got somebody one my side and if I trust in him, I'm unstopable, but wihtout him I am nothing. . . .So yeah. . . Rita is amazing, we have had a couple of lessons with her and she reads what we give her and has good questions about it, we have taught her everything and she has a baptisimal date of September 19, she cames to Church every week and prays like she should.... so cool!!! well We will see how this next transfer goes, right now we do our studies and then come to the office at 11 then work till 5 then we are like regular missionaries, I just want to be a regular missionary, but we serve where we are called right? So I have two companions, Elder Kuhre and Elder de la Rosa, They are really cool guys, very different in personality than me but, we get along pretty well, Elder De la rosa is more than hlfway done on his mission and Elder Kuhre is only one transfer older than me. So we do missionary work after the office, we just tracted into this cool couple yesterday and had a Sweet lesson about the restoration. It went well and we are going back, Every oppurtunity that I get I try to talkt to people, everywhere!! and it's truly amazing God places those needed to hear the message, they might not be baptized and taught by me but I can sure plant a seed that they won't forget!!! " I remember that good looking missionary that first gave me a book of Mormon and testified about Joseph Smith"---And that's what I hope they say. . . . Here are some pictures I'll try and send some more and more recent ones, these are a couple weeks old, but some of the good ones, the baptisim one was in my first six weeks here in Ukraine. Well I'm going to apologize once again, sorry i didn't write, I've been really busy but I will try and write from now on, What else? Ukrainian Culture. . .So In Ukraine they have Man pursees. . .and I use one. . .hahahahaha, And it is so. .Conveinent. I love it!!! Well they are big into fashion here so everyone wears fashion knock-offs and thinks they are styling and all the missionaries love to buy ties and love to diss my stained ones but each stain has a flavour and a story!!! so shove it!!; I tell them hahahaTell grandpa Mckinnion that I love him and that he better get better, And tell him that I tell him that i've walking slow and drinking lots of water. .. that everyone in Ukraine who sees my pictures get's to hear me brag about him and some of them even want to meet him!! A real Cowboy!! Well I am praying for you all and that this life is the trail of our faith, and it is worth more than anything, and when we are at them judgement bar and we have endureed to the End, Christ with tears of joy and empathy in his eyes will embrace and how glad will you be that you kept the fatih, you passed the test!!! It is all about our Perspective!! Well I love you all and hope my letter was sufficant, forgive my Spelling and grammar mistakes, I've been trying to learn russian and wasn't all that good at english to begin with. hahahahaCan't wait to hear from you all , email me whenever, I love hearing from you wonderful people!!!
Elder Davis
P.S. I got nicoles wedding pictures, but tell her to write me, just call her or something, cause yeah. . .thanks if I didn't already say it.. I ove you all I pray for that best

THE NEW OFFICE ELDER

2009-08-15T21:32:00.001-06:00

Hi Mom,
I'm not much of a Writer, I'm Now working in the Mission Office. They are training me to Take the place of Elder Herron when he leaves to go home. Usually Office Elders will only stay up to Four transfers in the office. I might have less or more it just depends on where the lord wants me. I will handle the financial side of the mission, Budgets, Allocations, Work Fund (Petty Cash fund), All money for missionaries and rent, Statistical reports, Transfers, Aranging apartments, whatever the President of the mission needs and everything else that will come up on the business side of the mission...etc.... I will be very busy, along with that, I also have an area to work in, the lord blesses those that work hard. We have someone in our area on date her name is Rita and she will be baptized in two weeks if all goes well, we just have to go over the last couple of comandments and have her interveiw. I'm doing good just staying busy, learning how to do things and just trying to grow up cause this is serioous work, but at the same time enjoying life. The Office Couple is Very important in the office, they take care of everything, Elder Herron controls the money and Reports to president and sister Herron Cordinates the Presidents schedule and inter-Mission communication. I Have the responsibility of learning all Elder Herron knows and what a regular Office Elder does. They are big shoes to fill, the only way it's gonna happen if the lord helps me and I know he will, he always does and I'll always trust in him. I'm sorry if I don't give enough detail, i'll try and be better. I love you and I will send a short regular email on Monday with info about my area and new companion etc.. maybe some pictures because I am emailing now.
Elder Davis

NEWS

2009-08-13T15:16:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Just so everyone knows, I received a transfer and I am now in the Mission Office, I do regular missionary work and I work at the Office. It definitely will be a Challege for me, but with the Lords help I can do Anything. So being an Office Elder entails a lot of work. . I'll explain later I love you all
Elder Davis

I've said it once before

2009-08-11T10:56:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,
It's about Perspective!!! Think about it, not many people do. What is the point to what i'm doing? Is it consistant with what God would want me to do? Well this week was good, I went on splits with the zone leaders and we tore it up!!!! We had three lessons that day and all of them were good, we visited less actives and helped a long time investigator finally realize the importance of the Book of Mormon. We have this couple who lives right next to us that week have been teaching and it really has been going nowhere untill the other day when we went over the The Restoration with them . . Getting down to basics!! We explained that there are fruits of the restoration, he book of Mormon. and in order to know that joseph Smith was a Prophet we need to read and pray about the book of mormon. It finally clicked and he committed to read and then he also came to the baptisim that we had the next day where I think they felt the spirit and even the branch president talk to them and testified it was really neat. Well like I was saying about perspective, don't lose it!! Read your scriptures!!! Pray !!! It will help you keep that perspective that sometimes we all lose. But thanks to the atonement we can all get it back and be better. I will send pictures but unfoutunatly I don't take very amny so when I get some I'll send them!! hahaha Ukraine is great the biggest differance in the culture is that they don't speak english, they speak russian and their signs are in ukrainian, and both of them are just not understandable. .hahaha, I understand russian sometimes. The end of this next transfer is coming up and I think that I'm gonna get a new companion, we'll wait and see . . .Elder Shurtz has less then 100 days on his mission left. I'm doing good in Ukraine and I'm slowly beginning to get this language down, It's definitely a hard one!! Dad, keep working, my prayers are with you, My prayers are with you all, I love you all. I'm not much of a writer, so forgive me.
Elder Davis

HEY EVERYONE

2009-08-03T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Well, I have oppurntunity to teach and testify daily, everyone on the street I talk to I testify that the book of Mormon is the word of god and that we grow closer to god and happier by reading it and living by it's precepts.( I can even say that in Russian) I Tlk to peopl as I walk down the street, on the tram, in the subway. The world is a Stage and I am a "player" and what I mean by "player" is that I talk to people, about everything, then somehow try to relate that to the gospel. it's hard, because the culture here is that you don't come out and just talk about it frankly but I do. Bold but not overbearing, is the key. Well, I just want to remind you all about the Importance of Humilty, I don't have it but I see the importance. We must pray with humility and sincerity in order to receive an answer. The lord looks on our heart, I want all who ead this email to study humilty this week in the scriptures, and pray for it, and work to develop it. Then just watch the lord bless you, the blessings will just pour in. I love you all, keep strong, Keep the faith!!
Elder Shane Forest Davis

EVERYBODY

2009-07-28T11:44:00.001-06:00

Everybody,
So with all these Family reunions, I better be getting some pictures!! haha, It's hot here too, It was 40 Degrees Celsius just the other day (I don't know what that is in Farenheit, it was hot!) The work is going slowly but like a stone it rolls foreward. In my area, all of our progressing investigators quit progressing and the ones that have had pontential have dropped of the map. So this week it's all about finding those new elect that haven't been taught before. The ones that we have been teaching I just hope and pray and check on them every now and again to see if they want to make that step. well here in Ukraine there are a couple of cultral things I can share with you. First of all, Fashion. It's very skanky, not good at all, the women are all wearing see-through shirts, short skirts or short shorts, It's ridiculous. ok thats enough on that . . I want to talk about something uplifting. . Sucess A successful missionary or person does not base their success on others agency, It's about having that faith in Jesus Christ and putting trust in his plan for us. (The Fundamentals), then repentance, we all make mistakes but making that continually effort to go and try to become more like our savoiur. The next one is tricky --Baptisim, , it's about renewing the convanants that you made and keeping them, If you forgotten them, Remind yourself (Mosiah 18:6-10 D&C 20:77-80),then as we go through our lives, we can listen to the spirit, he's our companion, always with us when we are worthy, always there to help, warn, lift, and inspire. As a misssionary I have the wonderful oppurtunity to invite people everyday to particpate in these wonderful steps, not just those who might be doing it the first time but those who sometimes lose their way. But it all starts with the faith. All starts with a desire, Do you want this life to be something more than work? Do you want to be forgiven of your sins through the atonement of Jesus Christ? Do you want Joseph Smith to be a Prophet of God That restore the Gospel, the way to be happy in this life and the next? Let that desire work in you, so that it instills in you the desire to pray, the desire to do those things you know you should do-- read the scriptures, Repent, obey the commandments. Then your faith will grow, you'll receive that wittness, but only untill after you've let that desire work untill you've showed that faith through your works. I love you all, remember that your indavidual sucess shouldn't be based on thers agency but on how obeident, faithful, and dedicated you are. When you begin to base you success on others you begin to infringe on their angency and then you have failed.Well I love you all and I'll think of something about Ukraine to tell you next ime.
Elder Davis

MY AMAZING STORY!

2009-06-29T12:06:00.001-06:00

This Elder Shurtz, your son is too lazy to type out this amazing story and i dont blame him, he types slow haha. But yeah i hope you enjoy, it was a crazy day. P.s. Your son is so amazing and i am so blessed to have him as a companion, thankyou for raising such an amazing son, he already has blessed the lives of so many people.
K last Monday one of the craziest things in my life happened, it was one of the Worste days of my mission but at the same time one of the most blessed days on my mission. K this story is a really long one but i will try and make is shorter. So last Monday i got the email from you telling me you had put money in my account, Thank you so much for doing that by the way. Anyways, so after we had finished doing our emails we were going home and right by the train station i saw a ATM, and i decided i would take the money off and then we could go buy some souvenirs. So Elder Davis and I went and i took off at the beggining 1000 Grieven, which is just over 100 dollars. I grabbed the money out of the slot thingy, and turned around and this guy started talking to me. He seemed pretty nice and was well dressed and all he wanted was to exchange money with me. He had 20, 50 grieven bills, and i had 10, one hundred grieven bills. Now i hate 100 griven bills so i totally wanted to exchange one hundreds for fifties. So this guy starts counting out my money and he got to 950 and then gave me some small bills. a 20 and then some ones. well he handed me the money and i of course recounted it all and noticed that he had only given me 990 griven, so i still needed 10 more. well he took the money back counted it and then put ten more grieven in it and then he did something wierd. he folded the money in a v shape and then started counting it again, but the thing is, is i watched intentively and he counted me out 1000 Griven, and all was honkey Dorey. He gave me the Money and i gave him the 100's and then i went to count the money again, well when i started to count the money again him and his friend who was with him told me to put the money in my pocket cuz there were police and security around, and then pushed my hand down so i couldnt count it. Now i was pretty confused at the beggining so i pulled the money out again to count it and then again forced my hand down making it so i couldnt count the money and they were like, " Hey Dont pull the money out right now, there are Cops around and Security and if they see that we were exchaning money we could get in Trouble. Well then i heard the Holy Ghost Screaming at me tell me to count the money, so i pulled it out and by this time the one guy had already started walking away. Well i counted it and some how i only had 200 Grieven, Somhow they had slipped away 800 Grieven when they were handing me the money. Like i was amazed at how they did it cuz i watched thewhole time and I honestly thought it was all there. Well Now i was Very very mad, like i wanted to hurt a man, and his friend was still with us. So i pulled out my Knight stick and started beating him with it with all my might, broke alot of his bones. haha ok thats a lie, But we didnt let this fat guy outta our sights. He was with the main guy and he had given the main guy money to give to us cuz he didnt have enough to do 1000 Grieven. Well this guy was telling us to leave and run after the main guy who already left, but we of course stayed with him and i yelled at him alot and told him to give me my money back, and he was denying even knowing us or ever talking to us and was trying to get away. Well his wife was also involved, and she came over and grabbed her husband (fat man we will call him) and she was like he we have to go we are late. well we told her to back off and that there werent going anywhere cuz he owed me 800 Grieven which he stole. well She freaked out on us and told us they didnt know us and that we were liars, and it became pretty difficult, and things didnt look good for me. well I told Elder Davis to stay with fat man and wife and i ran to get the police. I grabbed the cops and when i got back my comp was gone, we couldnt find him, like i didnt have any idea where he had gone. well he had just stuck with this guy and they had ran and jumped on a train thing that goes around the city, a tram. well my comp got on the tram with them and held the doors open so the tram wouldnt go anywhere. well the tram started moving anwyays and this lady ended up pulling him off the tram cuz she worked for it or sometihng. So basically fat man and wife where on the tram getting away. well i saw elder Davis and he told me all this and we didnt know what to do now. The cops didnt have a cop car so we couldnt head them off. and we wouldnt make it if we ran to the next tram stop. well The cops were standing by a taxi driver the whole time and i think they are good friends so i told them that i would pay for the taxi if we could hop in it and head off the tram and catch the people at the next stop. Well thats what we did, the cops agreed and so we chased them down haha. We got to the stop and the tram had already arrived and left again, but whilst driving by we saw the Fat man and wife and told the cops. we stopped and the cops got out and went up to them, and then they told me to go ever to them and we explained our situation. Well the fat man and wife Got really angry and of course denied everything. Well good thing i had Elder Davis as a witness, his wife wasnt one cuz she wasnt by us the whole time. Well then these people saw our tags and for the next like hour they mocked us and told us that we were children of satan and devil worshipers, and basically anything you could think. Like Honestly, anything you can think of the called us it. It was forsure hands down the worste hour of my life. I just stood there and did nothing, we had our backs turned to them and they just moccked us. The only thing i said was my testimony. Well the fat man during all of this came up to us and tried to bribe me, tell me he would give me 600 Grieven for my troubles and then we could all go home and not have to deal with the police. well of course i said No and told him he could give me the whole 800. well then they yelled at us more and called us thieves and Murderers and dishonest and everything else, ya know. and we just stood there with the cops trying to figure out what to do, and we were waiting for the police chief. Well about 15 min after this the wife came up to me and handed me 800 Griven, kinda came outta nowhere, i was really surprised. Like it totally just strengthened the fact that they had robbed us and that they were lying the whole time or else they wouldnt have even given me a dime. Like if someone accused me of stealing 800 Griven and i truly hadnt done it, i wouldnt give a penny, and especially not offer 600 grieven haha. it was pretty rediculous. Well then the chief came and i had to go to the police station with the fat man and they wouldnt let my comp come with us so we were split up for like an hour. I got the the station and they took me into a room and for like 20 min they questioned me and i told them the story, and then they took the fat man in and did the same thing probably. and then the cop came out and told me that all was good and i could go home. It was surprising, i didnt think i was ever getting out haha. But the Lord Truly Blessed us throughout this whole situation and we came out on top, he robbed us but we got him back haha. So yeah, thankfully we got all the money back. and we learned that we need to be listening and acting more on the promptings of the Spirit. Both me and my comp had the promptings to not even start exchanging money with tihs man but we both ingnored them, and then we had to go through H and back to get the money back. But the Lord was Merciful and we were blessed.

CRAZY

2009-06-29T10:53:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Well this week was a little crazy too, the Devil is really working hard on the people in Ukraine. We have a cuople Investigatores that have real potential for Baptisim but unfourtunatly the davil takes every thing he has and throws it at those who want to choose the right. Dennis can't quit smoking because he might lose his job and smoking helps him stay calm. Our Investigators sergei has not answered his phone for the past two weeks and other situations. The key to sucess when things get hard is to trust in the lord and his promises and continue to keep the commandments so that he can bless you. We can only receive the blessings God wnats to give us when we are obeidient to his commandments, when we forget that we frustrate ourselves to think he has forgotten us. Jesus Christ will never Forget us, Our challenges are his and our struggles are written in his hands and feet. I want to say to all Turn to him and find comfort in his outstreched arms of eternal love. Remember all he gives us inclding the commandments are for our happiness, follow them and watch how he can bless you. This week in Ukraine I was on exchanges and I did alot of work with in-active or non-active Members. They need help we all know some, we are all their brothers and sisters. Show them God's love for his children through you, reach out and bear testimony, serve them and then show them that wickedness never was happiness that the gospel of Jesus Christ only brings peace and joy. It something that is needed in Ukraine, Member fellowshipping to help in-active members return to the fold, but slowly and surely they are getting better and soon God's love will be apearent through his saints everywhere. Nothing really exciting happning to my this last week, well some stuff but I don't have enogh time to write it, but I will tell you later :) I'm still working with all of our investigators and searching out for the elect. That's about it, trying to use every experience as a teaching oppurtunity. That's why god give us Great experiences, to help and teach others. :) I don't have to leave the Country untill my 1 year in country mark, then I go to Bulgaria, for 2 days, to renew my visa, so only once but it will be an awesome experience. Well on P-days I usually play soccer, with the Natives, the missionaries played a game last week against some natives and won, I am actully getting better, it's exciting. I heard Grant is the MVP!!! WAY TO GO!!!! that is way awesome!!Elder Uctdorf was here a Month ago but we didn't get to see him he was only in Keiv, I'm not sure when the Keiv temple will be finished but hopefully next november.I"m way excited to get that pacakage and I am very grateful for the one already sent by Grandma Davis, thanks I love the pictures, now if you can send those picture files to my email so that I can turn them into photos, I waould appriciate it even more. thanks for all everyone does, you are the best!!!I love you!
Elder Shane Davis
P.S. Happy fathers Day DAD!!!!

SORRY ITS LATE!

2009-06-29T10:52:00.001-06:00

CRAZY WEEK

2009-06-20T09:29:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone, So this week was really awesome but really crazy. So we were teaching this Investigator named sergei, He chased us down and wasnted to know more. We talk him all the lessons this week and challenged him to be baptized, well unfourtunetly we called him and he didn;t ansewr and we kept on calling day after day and his phone is just ringing. and he didn't male it to church, so we are going to have to set a different Baptisimal date to work with when we get ahold of him. We'll starting Tuesday, my companion and Elder Hoffmister were feeling sick, so Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder richardson. We had a lesson with dennis, It started out rough, but I just want to say that without the lords help we cannot do anything. Wel we challenged Dennis to live the Word of Wisdom and to really start keeping his comittments. Well when I first proposed it he laughed and told me straight up "No" I didn't know how to react to that response and didn't expest it and so my mind was Blank, but with a prayer in my heart, and not knowing what to say, The lord put words in my head. I thought of the scripture in Matthew "by their Fruits ye shall Know them" Well At first I opened it and read it with him, then it popped it to my head that the fruits of the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the Book of Mormon and the Revalation from a modern day Prophet, like the Word of wisdom. All the sudden I felt like I should be straight foreward and frank with him and I told him that the only way for him to know was to live the restored goespel with sincerity and fullness of heart and then god can give him that witness and hope he wants, and unless he does everything he supposed, untill he shows God he really wants to know what church was true through Giving all his heart he won't receive anything. Only he can know wether he gave his all, Hopefully he starts Quiting today. Truly the lord works through us and puts words and thoughts into our heads, When we prepare and and try our hardest he fills in for our weaknesses, it a big job for someone like me, only God can help me with my weaknesses and he does.Anyway Elder Hoffmister and shurtz both had a Viral Infection, from drinking milk from a skecthy place, well I was on a four day slpit with elder Richardson and It was Intense covering alot of area and alot of lessons, and finding an apartment for them cause they got kicked out of theirs, because we are missionaries . . .anyway. .God truly Helps those who follw him and want s to help those who don't, Give it a Chance and not just for a week, keep going and look for God's hand in your life, you'll be suprised at the Outcome. We've got a cuople pontential investigators that we are working with to get baptized, just pray for the people of ukraine :) Thanks
MY love to you all and hope that your keeping the commandments even in tough times, thats when it's important, It's the Trial of your faith .1 Peter 1:7 (? I think)
With Valor, Elder Shane Forest Davis

Cool Story

2009-06-08T10:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Everyone,
This week Has been Pretty good in Ukraine. Sounds like it's kinda crazy back home, every week we teach english on wednesdays and tuesdays. afterwards I get a group of people who ask me questions about the financial crisis in the united states, they give me the news about what is going on. It's a good oppurtunity to teach them,a nd use my knowledge. Because I relate it to the gospel, hopefully this next week I can invite someone to be taught. Anyaways life is good in Ukraine, I love it here, I'm where I'm supposed to be. This weeek was Zone Conference and my last Interveiw with this Mission president. I really like President and Sister Abraham, I'll really miss them. Zone conferance was great and gave me an extra boost and inspiration to help my investigators. This week I got to teach dennis ( an Investigator who speaks perfect english) My companion was helping another elder find an apartment and we went on splits, I didn;t think I could do it, but with the lords help it went well. He's reading and praying the next step is him consistantly coming to church. From teaching and just experiencing it for my self I've realized that the only way to know that something will work is to do it! So I tell everyone here, If the hyave questions they need to read the Book of Mormon, get on their knees pray with sincerity and then just follw the commandments and you'll get your answer. Just Do IT!!! Cool story. .Sunday my companion and I were walking and some guy chased us down and just said he wanted to know more about us because there was somthing different about us, we ask him if he wanted to meet with us he wanted to talk right then, we went sat down on a bench and gave him the 1st lesson, well we exchanged numbers and an hour later he called us and said he wanted to meet us because he felt like he should well we did and halfway through our lesson with him, he told us straight out he knew that the Book of Mormon was true and joseph smith was a Prpphet. . .Way cool , we still had him read and pray wether he should be baptized and to know if it all was true. Well We meet him tomorrow, we'll see how all this turns out, he's a strange fellow but we are all Children of our Heavenly father and all can receive ansewrs and miracles from him, even the weirdos!!! well I love you all and hop all is going well, the Church is true so keepdoing whats right to prepare for the time when Jesus will come in all his Glory and then we can say we know him and we can be one big family!!!
Elder Shane Davis

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

2009-06-01T13:25:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Well this last week was transfers and it was fun. I stayed with My trainer and we got a new companionship in our district. They are both really cool Elders. The new Missionaries came in and I got to see them, they are some cool missionaries and the missionary work will accelerate soon ( I hope). Well thats Awesome that Lauren is now on her mission, It's the place were I have grown the most, spiritually and as a person in general finding out things I never knew about myself. Well the past two weeks I haven't really eaten anything, I guess the food really wasn't agreeing with my stomach so I couldn't keep anything down, but now I'm over it and back to eating like normal. hey and guess what I'm now weighing at 170 lbs, thats 20 lbs lighter than when I went into the MTC. . .and It's still going, because I walk everywhere and I watch what I eat ( especially now, so I can make sure I can keep it down) hahahahaha but uyou know me, I was still working regardless of how I felt and we even got in a bunch of lessons etc... This week was too exciting and not much to report, just alot of missionary work, alot of our heavenly fathers children lost and confused by all the things Satan wants them to do. Here in Ukraine, Everyone Drinks, Everyone smokes, THe Imorality is worse than the Swine flu, It's everywhere. and many of them are comfortable in their sins, It is a struggle for the members as well, they feel somtime the sacrifices are too much, they see the easy path that leads to eternal destruction. Elder Shurtz and I are trying to strengthen testimonies of Joseph Smith and use him as a example of sacrifices we all must make. The same is a leaaon for us all. Everywhere!! Sacrifice is centeral to the plan of god. We must Obey the comandments and understand no matter how hard it might get we are in the lords hands. Do not worry about things that seem scary to the world, worry about wether or not you are doing what is right (Matt 6:25-34) Jesus Christ has overcome the worls and through him you can too.(John 16:33) All god wants is us to be happy, and he has the perspective, and the way, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Follow the prophet, read the Scriptures, listen to the spirit. All is well!!I love you all, I can't wait to read your letters and see all the pictures, If you want to send peanut butter, I'd be fine with that. Thanks for all you do. Choose the Right!!!!!
The Church is True
Elder Davis

HEY EVERYONE!

2009-05-27T14:07:00.002-06:00

Hey Everyone,

How are you? Well Things are good in Ukraine, The work is Going slow. Well I'm glad you had a fun time at Campout, even though it rained. Sorry my email last week was a little short, I didn't have as much time as I thought. Well I've got to say i've missed the Davis family campout but what I'm doing is Important. I think I know the family that adopted the little girl that speaks only russian, we might of seen them at church a couple of weeks ago. well this week was great, we taught a couple of lessons and some INvestigators are coming along ok. I'm really excited for this one family, right now they are praying about baptisim. I hope and pray they make the right decision. Some missions like the congo and south american countries baptize many every week, and here they sometimes baptize one maybe two a month. The gospel is true everywhere and the lord loves all his children no matter how ready they might be. The Branches here first must strenghten in the preisthood then we can explode with baptisims. It will happen when the temple opens, it will bring in blessings never before known to Ukraine and the surrounding areas. The language is coming along slowly and I'm slowly getting better, I count on the lords help everyday to make up for my weaknesses. Well send those pictures with details and whatever written on the back so I know what is going on, Rice and noodle mix, is good. Just suprise me. :) I love you all and appreiciate your emails. This is transfer week so it's gonoing to be pretty crazy the knew missonaries are coming in, I'm really excited. They are really cool guys. and I know their trainers, they are going to learn alot and have alot of fun. I love Ukraine the People are great, the food, the culture, the next step for these great people is to except the gospel of jesus christ. Send all my Love to those who ask about about me and tell them to just pray for hearts to be softened and the work to go forth

With Honor,

Elder Davis

A LETTER FINALLY

2009-05-19T11:11:00.001-06:00

Everyone,
Well this week for me was kinda exciting, well the later half. My companion's Birthday was the 14th and he really didn't want to celebrate it or get any presents but I conspired to get him a present!! The week before he lost his backpack on a tram so we bought him a man purse( those are popular here). He was resistant at first but he liked it!! This week we had a couple of new investigators. Things are moving slow in Ukraine right now but they are starting to pick up. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is really a stone rolling forward. Well the car seems really neat!! I'm glad you could talk him down, I always knew we had some jew in us. hahaha Well I'm waiting for those pictures :) It was great talking to you guys last week, I'm glad your doing well, keep busy and keep choosing the right. the only way to find true happiness in this life is to follow the comandments of god(mosiah 2:41) It is not because the Comandment brings us happiness, it's because as we follow the commandments we grow closer to Christ. When we choose to ignore the counsel of the prophets and not live the way we should we deny ourselves the spiritual growth and happiness that brings us the greatest blessings. (Alma 25)
The work is going well Know I love you.

Elder Davis

I LOVE THE UKRAINE

2009-04-28T16:13:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Well this week was pretty exciting, I'm coming along slowly in the language. So now I can understand when they say hello( sometimes)My Companion Elder Shurtz is the District leader so we went on exchanges this week with the zone leaders. It was great, I Anointed oil for a blessing, IN RUSSIAN!! It was crazy, This week i've tried all sorts of ukrainian food, I Love It!! Bortsche (? i don't know how to spell in english) I love kvass, it's a weird drink. anyway, It's all really good.I'm always talking to people, so sometimes my companion comes and rescues me from a conversation i'm lost in hahahahaha, almost every one.There is one thing that I have learned, People of ukraine love pictures, of everything, so If you could send pictures of all of you, grandma and grandpa, of all aunts and uncles, the big family picture at davis family campout, our house, dog's people playing sports. . .etc. . I need pictures of you all. . everyone!!! It helps with teaching the gospel, so I need them ASAP :) I would really appreciate it!!! A package would be so awesome!!!, Send it through priority mail, only write this. .nothing else. ..serious
Shane Daviskarla marksa 27A 5th floorDnepropetrovsk, Ukraine49044
Cool things to send would be gatorade, hamburger helper, things like that and the pictures. . .no meat for some reason it is illeagal.Well I get to call in two weeks, I can use skype which is a program where we can use webcams and microphones etc... I'm not sure on the details right now but i'll give them to you next monday. . .I'm continuing to lose weight and I've lost even more on my waist, I might buy a new suit but they are here for ten dollars for a decent one. . . so don't works about it.Well my companion is doing fine, he is amazing!!! Elder shurtz just an all aroud amazing guy!!!well Ukrainian culture is differet and awesome just hard to explain, when you are not here to see, sorry!! I think that's all. I love you thae church is true and The lord loves us, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!!!!!It is important to recognize the little blessings, tender Mercies in our lives, It keeps us humble and close to him.I love you and can't wait to talk to you!!!
Elder Shane Davis

HEY EVERYONE

2009-04-21T16:00:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone,
I love all your letters, \the really lift me up and give me hope. Ukraine Is amazing, and what is more Amazing is my Companion, Elder Shurtz. He's From Raymond, Alberta Canada, He speaks the language well and really is just a beautiful Missionary. He is really is a really great guy and we get along really well. We are serving in the Area called. . . . ."Red Rock" I love it!!! It\s one of the biggest area's in the mission if not the biggest. We are the missionaries In the Dnepropetrovsk Central Branch!!! The one the Lindsey's are from!! It really is neat!!The plane ride was long long and greusome, and hillarious. The flight from D.C. to austria I had a screaming Baby behind me the entire time, me and my compaion couldn't sleep at all, we'll i could and I did a little bit but my companion elder mcclure couldn't. Well we finnally got to Ukraine and we immediately went contacting, It was awesome. No matter the lanuage I'm not afraid to talk to people. That night night we had a welcome party forthe new missionaries put on by the center branch. It was fun. Well I finnally the next day found out my area and my companion, We got to work!!! We are white-washing this area, If you don't know what that means, It's when knew missionaries who have no experience with a certain area, go and start fresh. It's gonna be a challenge but I know we can do it. My companion is the district leader over our area and Center, Which is the Office elders and Assistants to the presidents area, so we also cover that as well , as needed. I'm loving my mission, I love the people, the are really nice, well some are. .. but I want all to feel the joy and love of god throught the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the one sure thing we all have in this life, and after. It is the only thing that matters. So anyone who have the oppurtunity to read this, take a look at your life. Are your Priorities in the right Order?. .Family night?. . Scripture Study?. . .Prayer?. . .Do not wait!!! Why Wait? You only deny yourself the blessings god wants so bad to give you. It'll take sacrfice and dilligence, thats hard, but the discision is easy, Decide!, and follow through and watch the blessings poor in, It all starts with a desire and then you can have that perfect knowledge that Jesus Christ is our savoir and that this is his one true gospel and all of this is worth it!!!! I hope to get one baptisim this Transfer, and I have faith that it will Happen. I will Work hard,(walk slow) Drink lots of water, And listen to the Holy ghost and the lord will lead me to the elect. Little by little my language will come, I expect alot from myself, but I have been blessed with an increase of patience, while I've been on my mission. It'll come. :) I've Been tracting and contacting, and had a lesson on the Metro (subway). My trainer is really awesome, I'm learning alot from him and continue everdyay. I Love to hear news from home, It's great!!!! keep sending it!! I love you all and Jesus Christ"s Gospel is our anchor in this crazy world!!!
Elder Davis

IM HERE!

2009-04-15T18:05:00.001-06:00

Well i'm here and it sure is diferent, and I can't even understand what anyone says, As I am writing this you are talking with President Abrahams, It was good to talk to you guys, I wish it could of been for longer, but in Washington D.C. We met a guy started talking to him and we even gave him a Book of Mormon, You got to ask all the questions you wanted from My President, My p-days are monday and I don't know my area yet, i'll write you all about it once I know!! I love you guys tons, this week is gonna be crazy but i'll tell you all about it next week!! love you. .the church is true!!!

General Conference

2009-04-07T21:46:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone,
I'm sorry This email is gonna be a bit short this week, I Had alot to do to get ready to leave. It is a little surreal to think that in a weeks time I will be in Ukraine, or at least on my way. Well This week was great, I got my flight plans , I stop in Dulles International Airport and then also in Vienna Austria .. . . .I worked really hard, spoke nothing but russian, sent both my suits to dry cleaning and then realizing I needed them, my friend lent me his jacket that was too big it was hillarious. . .I've got pictures!!! I LOVED GENERAL CONFERANCE!!! it was truly amazing they ansewred all my Questions and more, but I felt they all had a similar theme in mind which is Quite Important. " The Gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us that perspective to see through our Trials" Anyway I'll make this short, Since you already heared about it in general conferance. This is Life, Life is tough trials are invevitable and sometimes from God to help us, but we all know life isn't fair, If life was fair we would pay for our own sins. Jesus Christ Suffered all and went through all, he didn't just pay for our sins, he suffered all so he would know "how to succor his people according to the affirmities" Alma 7:11. .. He understands and he has sent the perfect thing to help you the COmforter, "peace I give unto you, not as the world givith. . . let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:26-27 He Wants so much to help us but we must come unto him through his restored gospel. "Consider on the blessed and happy state of thos that keep the comandments of God" Mosiah 2:41 King Benjiman Said this in his General Conferance to his people. The Message is still the same: The only way to be truly happy, to have the perspective, to find the needed peace to last after death and continue into eternal happiness is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I Know this to be True, This men who spoke are true phrophets of god, they have his message and word, I challange all of you to read The General Conference of King Benjiman to his people Mosiah Chp1-6 and also listen and cherish the words of our modern phrophetsI love you all, Start emialing me. .that is gonna be the best way!!! I miss you all but this is his work and his glary and I am happy to do what I can to at least try to help god, and all the while he is helping me come closer to Christ.--Elder Shane Davis

TWO WEEKS LEFT!

2009-03-31T21:53:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Well How are you all? I'm good here at the Mtc just trainning to do the work of the lord, just something of epic poportions,(exxcuse my grammar and spelling, I'm speaking only russian the past week and only russian for the next two weeks) Sorry to everyone last week, I didn't mail any letters, I wrote htem I just forgot to mail them..hahaha I'll make up for it and try to write you this week or send the letter I wrote last week. This week a couple of cool things happened, I was at a Fireside and I saw my new Mission president who will come in july and serve, he is getting language training. He seems like a spiritual giant, and a really great guy. We had mission conference this last week in was great, I've been to two of them, they are always uplifting and give me awesome study subjects for the next week. The message for this week is about recognizing the spirit, I was reading in 3 Nephi 11 and can a across and awesome scripture. Starting with verse 3 and through 6 It Talks about the people and how they talked with each other, and they heard a voice, it peirced them to the core but they didn't recognize it. It came a second time and yet again they still din not recognize it. And the third time, They opened their ears and their eyes were steadfastly towards heaven. Then they understood the voice, and it testified of Jesus Christ. We can all learn a lesson from these verses. When it talks in V:3 they were conversing with each other, We should not be concerned with the world or with ourselves, when we get caught up in the world and in ourselves we become numb to the promptings of the holy ghost. It might peirce us but will we know it, will we recognize it?. It Came a second time which just shows god's love for us he continues to try and talk to us and make our lives better even though we might not be listening. But Finnally They opened their ears, and like them we must Look for the spirit, listen for it, seek for it, and as they did, look steadfastly towards the heavens, abandoning the world and being selfeless, being as christ would. Looking to God steadfastly, and have a desire to always serve him. Only Then will we understand, But the understanding we gain is monumental and priceless, We as they did hear a testimony of Jesus christ. Later in the chapter, verse 14 the Savoiur talks to the people. He talks about his prints in his hands, feet, and side. As we Follow thos steps and listen to the spirit we can come to know our savouir, we can come to better understand his atonement and love for us, and then we in turn can share that love with others, The happiness can't be discribed, When you feel your savoiurs love and know what he want s you to do. Well, I'm speaking 100% Russain now and it sure coming along, It helps that we have natives to talk to,They are really nice guys, The teach me all sorts of things about the russian language and Ukraine. I truly love my mission and I've learned and grown alot, all in the short time of weeks but the lord knows what needs to happen so I will put my trust in him, I love you all, Read the 3 nephi 11, and pray, the lord will tell you what you need to hear, he loves each one of us and knows what we each need. I miss you all. The church is true and whatever happens the lord is in it.
Elder Shane Davis

HEY EVERYONE

2009-03-24T16:42:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone,
This is gonna be a short email this week, I really don't want to write to much, Not much goes on here at the MTC just a lot of learning and a lot of the spirit it is great!!!! This last week started of great!!! L. Tom Perry came and talked at our tuesday night devotional, He talked about companionships and companionship unity, It was amazing. You truly can feel the spirit when he walked into the room. Umm. . This was a Good week with my new Companion Elder McClure, he is an amazing guy. I taught the 2nd lesson in russian this week, It was great I really feel the spirit, It really humbles me to learn this language, It's one of the hardest and I can barley express myself. I definitley need the lords help if i'm ever goning to speak it normally. Well I Sure do study, pray and sing alot here at the MTC so thats what I do, Sunday I had the privalage of watching the dedication of the Draper temple, It was truly great. I felt the sprit and it strenghtened my testimony. My theme for this week is standing strong and firm in faith, Those who probably read this I have no doubt stand strong and firm, but If you can share this with ohters I beleive it will be for someone the lord intends. Jesus Christ loves us No matter what, He suffered undescirble pain for us. Our father in heaven loves us, he gave us this plan to return to him, to be happy, because the only way to be truly happy is to live the commandments. With the upcoming general Conferance and the opposition of all the gay right activists, I read in John 15:17-21 Jesus Christ talks about Loving one another, He also talks about how we will be purrsecutted and rejected. We have been called to be hated, and love those people who hate us. It is a temporory sidenote to exaltaion, We must have the christlike love, He died for those that crucified him, he suffered for those that mock him, he paid the price of sin and death for those who deny him, yet he did it, because of his love.May we all have that love for everyone, a charity, pure and deep let others feel it as they talk to us, no matter who they are and what they say or do. We are called to be hated and the lord always provides the way and the comfort to get through all things (matthew 11:28-30)
I love you all but I've got to go, Keep writing and sending dearelder.com's I love them. I reply as fast as I can, I'm just a little busy! :) Thank you for all you do!!!!!

PICTURES FROM SHANE

2009-03-21T23:24:00.003-06:00

THE BOOK OF MORMON

2009-03-19T10:07:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone, how are you? Well last weeks email was very brief, sorry about that. Well This week was great I taught the 1st lesson once again in russian, and I switched Companions, My companion is now Elder McClure from Mesa Arizona. He's a really nice guy, and a hard worker, we get alot done.I'm teaching the 2nd lesson this week and my russian is slowly but shurley getting better (I have alot of grammatical errors and spelling errors. . .It's all about the transition to russian :))I speak in russian constantly and I'm always learning new words, Russian is a pretty awesome language, very structured and makes alot of sense, even more than english. It's amazing!!!! Anyway the theme for this week's email is "The Book of Mormon".. .Well a specific aspect of it. I could talk about the Book of Mormon for days and not be tired of it. Today I wnat to talk about the Book of Mormon answers question to our souls, Answers all questions we have in life.That is the miracle of the word of god, It helps us!!!! In 2 Nephi 28:30-31 It talks about the way we are talk "line upon line, Precept on precept" God gives us answers for questions we are looking for and blesses us with his word through the book of mormon and throgh the phrophets. I promise you that if you have a specific question in you life and you need an answer with eternal perspective, Write it Down!!!, Pray to have the spirit, invite the spirit( hymns, temple, etc..) and read your Book of Mormon. No matter where you read you'll find your answer. .. The lord works with us and teaches us with his "precepts. . . .shall learn wisdom'' I know this to be true. . It truly works, The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and Joseph Smith is a Phropet and this is the church of jesus christ. I love you all... thanks for all you do.
Elder Shane Davis

SHORT AND SWEET

2009-03-10T23:14:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone,

I really need to make this quick, I totally forgot about the email untill five minutes before I could not do it anymore. . . I just want to say I love you all and that the church is true. . . .I'm working hard, staying obeidient. I love you all and want to thank you for all you have done

Elder Shane f Davis

THE 5 P'S ~ FROM ELDER DAVIS

2009-03-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone,
How are you? I'm doing awesome here in the MTC. . It's always awesome here, the spirit is here. Well this week wasn't very eventful or exciting, I'm learning alot of russian. I spend at least 12 hours in class each day, learning about the gospel and learnig to speak russian. I can teach the first lesson "The Restoration". I'm really getting the lanuage down!!! Not nessicarily me . . .The lord is definitly helping me. I feel like the gift of tonuges is becoming a reality in my life. Well I'll get right into the theme of this email " Relying on the spirit"I want to share an awesome story from the Book of Mormon, In Alma 43- 45 Moroni is Fighting against the laminites. . .In these chapters he gives us the recipe for success, for relying on the spirit.In Chp 43 :17,19. .. It talks about how they prepared. . .breastplates, arms sheilds. . .We can prepared with the armor of God, Be worthy!! Live God's commandments, strive to be like Jesus Christ. We must plan. . .in 43:23-26. .He set plans and goals and in his goal setting and planning he relied on inspiration. We must do the same, plan make goals and in your planning and goal settin in your life be prayerful. We must preform .. . . 43:49-50 DO IT. .. DO WHAT YOU PLANNED!!! Follow through! Point. . .44:3-4, We must give credit where credit is due, Be grateful to the lord and testify of his works and his help. Pray, 45:1. . .Go to God and thank him, It's about the graditide. . .show him thanks and Rejoice!!!!!
START OVER!! It's a cycle, It's a circle. . ..Do IT over again and again. .what and see how much you can get done you can counqer armies!!! Ask Moroni! hahaha . . . Will you Implement these 5 P's ??I know if you do, you will be blessed, the Book of Mormon was written for our day, we just need to apply it!!!!
Well Sorry, I was going to go into more detail and fix all the mistakes but I'm on a time limit. . :)It's great to hear from you all and I want to hear moe!!!! I love you all :)
--Elder Shane Forest Davis

SEND ME MORE LETTERS~NEW LETTER TODAY!

2009-02-24T21:15:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-02-17T16:36:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-02-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-09T14:23:00.003-07:00

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

2009-02-08T21:31:00.005-07:00

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!