Elder Shields in Carlsbad, CA

Hey Grandpa Happy Birthday!!!  I am so grateful for you and I love you so much! I have always appreciated the support from you in sports and other hobbies, I don't think I could remember any sporting event or choir performance that you didn't go to. Thank you for being such a huge fan!  Your example in the Gospel has also been inspiring to me. It has helped me become who I am and get me where I am. I am sad not to be at your birthday party, but I know that I am where I need to be. I want to bear my testimony to you first on the importance of family.  This family has meant the world to me and there many (but especially Grandpa Shields) who has set an amazing example for me to follow.  I also have come to know of the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it has been restored to the earth today through a Prophet and I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and the word of God. But, most importantly, I know that Jesus is my Sav...

Happy Thanksgiving!  This week was awesome!! we had Thanksgiving which was obviously a highlight! We only had 5 dinners which was a bummer, just kidding it was awesome!! And all but 1 had non members there that we were able to teach a little. None lived in our area but maybe someone else will be able to benefit from our messages!!  Jacob is doing awesome and is still looking like he will be able to be baptized on Dec 1. He is doing well at reading the Book of Mormon and praying, and he always loves coming to church! The only thing that might hold him back is his mom, we are trying to get her permission to baptize him, we have a meeting with her tonight so be praying for that!!  Jason and Tanya came to church this week! They have spent a lot of time tending to Jasons mother who is in the hospital so we haven't had like any time to meet with them unfortunately. Sandy and Jim are still looking well, they just need to get married and then they can get baptized.  ...

Hey Family!  Another awesome week!!  We got a super solid referral from one of the youth in our ward! We started teaching him on Wednesday and he is already on date for Dec 1. He is awesome!! And he was soo prepared to hear the Gospel. His name is Jacob.  This was the first week doing District councils in Vista. And we have to go to all the councils every week. Going to three a week is kind of a lot haha. I do enjoy getting to know all the missionaries in the zone though.  We had interviews this week also. For interviews President Thomas had us pick our favorite conference talk and share why we like it with him. I chose the talk One in Christ by Elder Soares. I over the analogy he used about the two rivers coming together to become the Amazon and as we as members become united we too can become strong though Jesus Christ.  Love you all so much!   Elder Shields

Hey Everybody!!   Another awesome week in Fallbrook!   This week we had zone conference which was a ton of fun. The main focus of it was on saving lambs and feeding sheep from the story of the lost sheep and also from Jesus' exchange with Peter where Jesus told Peter if he loved Him, he was to feed His lambs and His sheep. We trained a lot on being bold and some other teaching skills, because if we are to feed His sheep we need to teach effectively and boldly.   We had a good lesson with Tanya and Jason this week. Jason has been a little standoffish with us as far as doing lessons because of some previous doubts he has had about the church. he loves having us over but has been sketchy about lessons. But after our lesson this week (which was basically just helping him overcome concerns about the Book of Mormon) he shared with us that his heart has been softened a little bit and he is willing to more seriously investigate the church and look for the tru...

Hey guys what's up!   This week was another good one! We got to go to the temple again this week! I love being able to spend time in the house of the Lord. I also saw one of the members from Oceanside while there so that was a ton of fun!!   Not much to report as far as people we are teaching. Most of them flaked out on us this week. We had an activity on Halloween night because we couldn't be out proselyting. Me and Elder Norman got to plan it.  We had a fire pit and roasted marshmallows and had a little devotional thing. It was way fun!   We did do quite a bit of service this week for people. There is a family in a neighboring ward that had a family get evicted from their house. We have been helping them move a lot of stuff from their old house to their new one. The family is all non members and they expressed to us that us being there had strengthened their faith in Christ. And they told us that when they were done getting their housing s...