Week 22 - (12/22/2014) - Merry Christmas Everyone

Elder McSheehy sounds great again this week! He was able to email me a little bit more this week.  We are sooooooo excited to be able to Skype with him on Christmas Day!  Here is a quote from his email and a few pictures for the week.

"Christmas is so close!  WOW!  We are going to enjoy our first Christmas in the mission field.  It feels different as a missionary but I guess that's a good thing!  So here is a cool miracle that happened this week.  Last Monday we had our dinner appointment cancel on us because of the snow.   (yes this is a miracle I promise)  So we

received a text from one of our investigators that we haven't yet gotten our head in the door with at his house.  So he asks us if we have any plans.  We tell him not yet due to our dinner just being canceled.  So he invited us over for dinner.  WoW - how did he know our dinner appointment just got canceled?  HaHa So not only that but he invited us over again for Friday.  That wasn't a problem because we didn't have a dinner set with a member yet.  It was just going to be Elder Fordham and I.  So we go over there and talk a bit about the church with him.  We then find out Sunday that there was a mix up with the Sister Missionary's dinner calender.  We were all supposed to have dinner at the exact time.  wow  I think Heavenly Father is trying to tell us something!"






Once again Elder McSheehy wanted to thank everyone for all of your love and support.  He loves getting letters from family and friends.

"Merry Christmas Everyone"

Week 21 - (12/15/2014) - "I am Loving missionary work more and more everyday!"

 

Elder McSheehy is once again doing GREAT!! He told me in his email this week - "I am Loving missionary work more and more everyday!"

He is very excited to be getting a car this week. It should be ready by Wednesday or Thursday. They will still be biking and walking quite a bit but this way they won't have to ask for rides everywhere.  Watch out Reno, Elder McSheehy will be learning how to drive in the snow.  His companion Elder Fordham is from Wisconsin so I think he will be a good teacher.

Elder McSheehy reports they are teaching more and more each week and really enjoying the people of Reno. 

As you can see, Noah is still enjoying the special effects on his camera.  Their are 2 other missionaries that live in the same apartment complex.  Together the 4 of them appear to have a lot of fun as they work.

Elder McSheehy has officially started his 3rd transfer in Reno.  Which means he starts another planner book.  Look how he decorated the front page.  I do think he loves his little sister a little bit.









Elder McSheehy is so thankful for all of the love and support from friends and family back home.  He wants to thank everyone for all the letters, packages, cards, love, thoughts and prayers.  He does feel very supported and loved.

Week 20 - (12/08/2014) - It's Snowing

Elder McSheehy is doing wonderful this week!  Him and his companion, Elder Fordham, report working really hard to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.

Bike followup.  Elder McSheehy's bike is okay, Elder Fordham's bike is okay, and they had  their first successful ride on them this week after making repairs. 

  As you can see, Elder McSheehy found his old friend again this week.  This has got to be the neatest cat alive.  It appears that he enjoys climbing all over Noah.

Here is a clip from Elder Fordham's weekly email - "I have horrible karma. So you all have been made aware of how joyously snow-free it's been here...well...Tuesday it started snowing as we were leaving our apartment after eating dinner.  We got a ride over to the area we were seeing people that night, but after that we were on foot. The snow was fairly wet, but for the first hour, hour and a half it was fine. Then as the night rolled on it started to rain and the snow started to melt. By the end of the night, one of us (not the one from Florida) had slipped multiple times and fallen twice, both of us were soaked, and neither of us were warm. On a positive note, we made several mini snowmen on people's trashcans." HaHaHa - my favorite part "not the one from Florida"  Elder Fordham seems like so much fun!  

Week 19 - (12/01/2014) - He is the Gift

This week Elder McSheehy was very brief in his emails.  He said their Thanksgiving dinner went well at the Calkin's home.  They had lots of "yummy food."

Noah did ask that I put this video on his blog.  He mentioned posting it on his FB page as well.  He said "It's just really awesome Mom.  You need to watch it.  You will love it."  He was right.  I loved it.  What a beautiful message of the importance of a Christ centered Christmas.

Elder McSheehy said - "I love being a missionary mom.  There is nothing better then being able to focus my full attention to serving others.  When we serve others, we are serving God."  "It is an honor to be a missionary and be able to teach people about our Savior Jesus Christ."

Week 18 - (11/24/2014) - Happy Thanksgiving

  

Hello from Elder McSheehy for the week.  He is doing GREAT!!  "Missionary life is the best."

Temperature remain cold for Elder McSheehy. Here is a picture of the first snow flakes for the season.  His companion Elder Fordham is from Wisconsin so I don't think he is as excited about seeing snow.    

They had zone conference this past week.  "It was really awesome."  Sadly they did not get their iPad yet.  They are supposed to receive them some time before the beginning of next year. Needless to say Noah is very excited to get an iPad.

Here is a piece of Elder Fordham's email this week - "Here is a kinda funny story.  I think about two weeks ago Elder McSheehy and I were walking, doing our regular thing, when we walled past these two ladies cleaning out a garage.  We stopped to talk to them.  One of them was on the phone (she lived there) and her friend started talking to us.  She was nice and said they couldn't talk then because they wanted to get the garage done before it got dark, but to come back later.  So we came back a couple of days later.  We knocked on the door and the lady that was on the phone previously opened the door.  We had a pleasant conversation.  At first she was kinda confused as to why we were there.  It turns out that the friend doesn't live there and set her friend up as a joke for us to come back."  Noah said "She was a really nice lady and we talked for a while.  She didn't have anything for us to help her with so we went about our business."
This week they biked out the farthest they have gone to find a referral and deliver a letter from our Missionary President to someone.  Unable to find these homes, they headed back on their lengthy journey back home.  Elder Fordham says "Elder McSheehy then realizes that his front tire was getting low.  Out here they have these things called goatheads.  If you don't know what it is, put plainly, a goathead is the bane of every biker.  They are small balls of thorns from one of the many bushy plants here.  So that ended our biking.  We walked an hour and a half back to the apartment so we could catch a ride to a dinner appointment.  On the bright side, we ran into a less active member that we would have missed on bikes and got to answer some of his questions.
This Thursday is Thanksgiving and they have been invited to a families home.  It is this families first time making a Thanksgiving dinner and there will be lots of family around.  I look forward to hearing about this adventure.

Week 17 - (11/17/2014) - It's Getting Chilly Over There

Elder McSheehy says Hello to everyone this week.  He is LOVING the missionary life.  He is really enjoying this training opportunity with Elder Fordham.  Is seems like they are both learning a lot from each other.  As you can see Elder McSheehy has not changed a bit. He still enjoys his lights, lasers, and special effects photography.

The weather is getting colder staying in the low 30's but no snow yet.

They have been improving on the number of lessons being taught each week.  "Last Sunday we has a lesson where our investigator invited two of his friends over.  We were a little nervous about the lesson just because of how things had been going with this person lately, but it turned out to be a really good discussion."

Elder Fordham is "a great cook".  Together they have decided to start doing a weekly theme for meals. This week we are having Italian food.  Next week they are doing French.  I am hoping Elder McSheehy will send home some yummy recipes.  On one of the videos he sent home, he mentioned that the following week they would be eating food from Latin America.  It was so funny, Noah looked into the camera and whispered "I have no idea what people in Latin America eat.  This should be interesting."  

The weather is getting colder.  The temperatures have gone down to the 30's this week.  Looks like Elder McSheehy is prepared and staying warm.

They do not have a car this 6 weeks.  They are the only set of missionaries that are on full time biking.  They were kind enough to allow the Sister Missionaries to have the car while it was so cold out.

Week 16 - (11/10/14) - "Hey Prophecy Men"

Once again, Elder McSheehy is doing GREAT!! He is really enjoying his new companion Elder Fordham.  Here are a few pictures he sent me for the week.  These two crazy looking guys are also serving in the Reno area.  Noah seems to really enjoy their company as well.  They are serving the people that speak Spanish in the local area.

 So her is one of the better pictures I got of Elder Fordham.  He actually added me to his email list that he sends home each week.  He has given me a little more detail on their adventures that I will share with you.  "Funny moment of the week.  Elder McSheehy and I were riding down the street on our bikes to visit an investigator when we passed a group of kids.  According to Elder McSheehy, these kids really like the missionaries and will periodically tag along (follow us) when we visit people.  Here's the funny part (at least to missionaries).  So as we past the kids one of them shouts out, "Hey prophecy men" and waved."  

Noah was telling me they have been teaching one gentleman for quite a while now and he as decided that he has gotten his questions answered and would now like to be baptized.  He is so excited for this man.  He will keep me posted on his progress.

Elder McSheehy's creation this week.  Kinda neat huh?  He said it was made out of an index card.

.     Her are a few of the other missionaries serving in the same area.  The interesting things they do on their down time.  

Week 15 - (11/03/14) - Meet Elder Fordham

Hello Everyone from Elder McSheehy!!

So this week was pretty exciting for Elder McSheehy.  He received numerous cards and treats from so many people for Halloween.  He appreciates your love and support so much.  Here is one of the pictures he sent me of a Halloween card sent from the youth group in FWB.  He was telling me how much he missed his friends back home and loved hearing from them.

So as you can see, this Florida boy is getting a little cold out west.  I laughed so hard - he was wearing his PJs under his suit pants - hahaha  He said in general he stays pretty warm but out biking in the cool wind gets pretty cool.

Elder McSheehy was very excited to be training a new missionary coming into Reno last week.  Here is a video of him meeting his new companion for the next 6-12 weeks.  The first missionary you see meeting his companion is Elder Fisher - this was Noah's companion while he was in the MTC.  After him you will see Noah meeting Elder Fordham for the first time.  They do seem very excited.  The sweet lady you see taking pictures of each pair is the "Mission Mom" - wife of the Mission President.

Here is a bit of Elder Fordham's email for the week - "We were walking down the street on our way to an investigator's (people looking into the church) home.  When out of nowhere, this truck swings around the corner in front of us, we keep walking, and this lady gets out of the truck calling out, "Hey are you Mormons?  Do you have a Book of Mormon with you?  (Side note.  While this is happening Elder McSheehy is on the phone with an investigator we haven't been able to get in contact with for a few weeks.)  I give her a Book of Mormon and she starts talking about how she's engaged to a Mormon and wants to learn more about the church.  Down side to the story, she does not live in our area so another group of missionaries will be teaching her."

Elder McSheehy's emails are very brief at this point.  He talks about being so busy and helping so many people.  Noah said "Mom, I LOVE being a missionary.  I don't want to ever leave."  He is so happy and enjoys serving these wonderful people in Reno.

Week 14 - (10/27/2014) - It Is A Honor

Elder McSheehy sounded GREAT today on his brief email.  He is still teaching a lot!  He was a bit concerned about getting transferred this week.  I don't think he wanted to leave these kind people he has been teaching so often.  

Every 6 weeks his mission president decides which missionary is assigned to which area.  So Elder McSheehy could be relocated every 6 weeks if his Mission President feels that is where he should serve.  He will not be transferred this week.  He was very happy about that.  He was not only happy about staying where he is located now but he was SUPER happy that he will now be a trainer to a new missionary coming in Tuesday.  "I'm am super excited to be training a new missionary.  It is honor."  "I am a much better leader then I am a follower.  Even when I don't know what I am doing."

 Anyone that knows Noah, knows how much he loves animals.  He said "Hey Mom, I found Toe Tiger a girlfriend."  HaHa  (Toe Tiger is Noah's cat that looks just like this one in the picture.)



"Tell everyone to have a great week.  I am doing fine and having fun.  Thank you so much for all the love and support you send my way.  I love you all!  Elder McSheehy "

        

Week 13 - (10/20/2014) - Happy Halloween

    

  Hello Everyone.  Once again Elder McSheehy has been so busy that he didn't have time to write a formal blog entry.  He did send some interesting pictures with a few captions.





"Who knew that whoopee cushions could pop?" "That is what happens to them when my companion sits on them.  Hahahaha"

Elder McSheehy received some great Halloween pictures to decorate his room from the primary children here in Fort Walton Beach.  "Thank You FWB Primary!"

"Just a quick update on the man we met a few weeks ago.  The one that was having a pretty bad day and asked us who Nephi was.  Well, we went by to see him this week.  He is still reading everyday and very interested in learning about the Gospel.  He just wants some time to think and pray about things.  But he is doing much better then when we first met him."

"Thank you to everyone that has been writing me this week.  I got tons of mail from so many people.  I a great colorful letter from Jackie too."  "I hope you all have a wonderful week!"  Elder McSheehy

Week 12 - (10/13/2014) - Super Busy

Hello Everyone - I received several pictures and a few short emails from Elder McSheehy this week  However, he has been so busy that he did not have a chance to write an official blog entry.  He said that he has "been teaching a lot and been super busy".  He sent the picture below of a group.  He promised me he was in the picture but challenged me to find him.  Can you find him?  Hint - he is holding bush clippers.  After a while I finally found him.  Good Luck.  I promise, he is really there.

 

Pretty funny huh?

Noah sent me this image.  Isn't that the truth?  We can become anything we want with His help.

 "Hope you all have a great week!  I love you All!"

Elder McSheehy

Week 11 - (10/06/2014) - I Love Watching General Conference

Hey Everyone,

I have had an awesome week!  I love being out here with all of these great missionaries.  I haven't met a missionary I wouldn't love to be companions with.  I love these guys.  Our district is so much fun to be around.

I have heard from so many people this week.  Brother Wagner A.K.A Brother Swagner or Superman - so good to hear from you - I love you man.  Mrs Peters - one of my all time favorite teachers!  Thanks!  That is just to mention a few.  Thank you so much Mom, Granny, Sister Tammy, Skyler, Ashlyn, and Sister Wright.  (Sister Wright sent me this awesome popcorn bowl - thank you).  A big thank you to the Christopherson Family too.  To ALL of my friends and family - Thank you so much!  I love you all!

This week was really amazing!  I love watching General Conference!  The prophets that live on the earth today speak 2 times a year in what we call general conference.  It is really cool to get to hear the modern day revelation.  A lot of times it is about simple things we need to do.  Like loving and keeping our families together & missionary work.

If we all think about it, those are the things we need to work on first.  Lately you can see in the world how Satan has been attacking the family.  We need to focus on the revelations given to us and strengthen these family bonds.  If this doesn't make since, just ask a missionary near you :D

Sometimes there are things you want that you just can't have.  But there are also things you have that you could never want more.  I have a perfect family.  A Mom and Dad who love me, along side of a little sister who loves me just as much.  I see people walking around with their little siblings and I just think about how much I would pay to be with my little sister for one more day before I left.  But no matter what comes, I know we will be with each other for eternity.  I wish everyone had a family like mine.  Or even an understanding of there heavenly family.  I guess that is one of the reasons I decided to leave and serve a mission.  I left my family for 2 years so that others can be with their families for eternity.

I love you guys.  Have a nice week!

Elder Noah McSheehy

Week 10 - (09/29/2014) - It Makes Serving a Mission Worth It

Hi Everyone!  

I hope you all have had a good week.  My week has been GREAT!!  I am super happy!  I might be freezing cold on the outside but my heart is warm!

So this week went from a nice sunny day to a rainstorm from Satan!  It was soooo cold and the wind was the coldest part. THEN IT RAINED! wow. Everyone here thought that yesterday was so HOT! But it was pretty cool to me! hahaha I guess that tells you what it is like for a Florida kid  living in Nevada. BTW say nev-ada not Nev-aduh they hate that xD.

Hehe Don't tell my companion that I wrote this but he almost cut the mission presidents' finger off this week xD. We were at a service project with 170 missionaries and we were pulling up weeds and trees.  So my companion is chopping weeds and the president comes over and starts pulling out the small trees and he accidentally slices his finger open D: ouch! haha

SHHHH you never heard that from me!

So the week before we had a really cool experience. I wasn't going to share it because it was really personal but my companion told everyone so I might as well share it with you.  I just won't include names.

So last week I left my bag in the Zone Leaders car.  My companion and I went to get my bag.  On the way back we were talking with everyone we saw.  "HEY!"  "How's it going!"  "Hey! Beautiful morning!"  We didn't get much of a response from anyone.  Most people are a bit busy or not very interested in what we have to say.  "Having a nice day?"  Then we got a response from someone. 

"I've seen better days.."

"Is there something wrong?"

"Well its been this way for the past couple months.."

"Is there anything we can do to help you out?"

"uhm.."

He then goes on to tell some personal stories that happened to him.  He tells us about the hardships he's been going through.  And then he starts to cry a little :(.

So he then asks...

"Am I doing the right thing?  It seems like every time I try to come closer to God I get smacked down."

It was quiet for about 7 seconds then I almost cried myself and said...

"I can tell you, you are going on the right path. Heavenly Father loves you more than you could ever imagine.  He wants the best for you. The only reason it's this hard is because Satan will do anything and everything in his power to destroy you.  I've seen him mess up lives, and he wants to do the same for you. It will never be an easy path but it will definitely be worth it."

He asked us who Nephi was.

(background info)

Nephi is one of the first prophets that write in the Book of Mormon.

There is no way he could know about Nephi unless,

A] He's read the Book of Mormon and he's just messing with us.

B] He's had Mormon friends who told him about the prophet Nephi.

None of the above are true.

He told us he woke up this  morning and he heard in clear words...

"NEPHI."

"NEPHI 11 & 12"

So this kind of confused him until he met with us.  He said he knew that he needed to ask us.  So we were really shocked by this.  I almost felt like he was mocking me.  But i knew he was being honest and sincere.

So in the Book of Mormon, the book of Nephi (knee- FY) the 11th and 12th chapter talk about a dream/vision that his father Lehi had about The Tree of Life.

If you would like to know more about this story ask your local missionaries :D  They would LOVE to tell you all about it.  It is a really awesome story about coming unto Christ and living forever with our Heavenly Father and our families.

So my companion described the story of the tree of life to him.  Brief over view, The Tree of Life represents the love of God.  There is a long iron rod that leads to this tree.   The iron rod goes through a field of darkness.  Next to this field of darkness, there is a large tower full of people that are basically partying it up.  And doing all kinds of "worldly" things that people feel will bring them happiness.  So the people in the tower are mocking the people that are trying to get to The Tree of Life.  There is so much more to this story I would like to share with you but I am running short on time. 

As I was talking to this poor man, I was imagining him trying to get through this "field of darkness".   Right now he is trying to find the iron rod(the word of God) and has such a desire to reach The Tree of Life.  

I told him "Heavenly Father sees you trying.  He wants you to know that He is there for you.  Just keep trying."

It doesn't seem that cool as I am writing it but these moments are very exciting to me.  I had a small taste of being one of the Lords tools that day.  It makes serving a mission worth it!

Well, my time is up.  Please know that I love you All so much.  Thank you for all that you do for me each day.
Elder McSheehy

Week 9 - (09/22/2014) - I Love and Miss You ALL

 Hello Everyone,

I have had a GREAT week!  I am doing AWESOME!  Like I said last week, things are really picking up here and I am staying really busy.  We were able to teach quite a few people this week.

We actually had one of our investigators come to church this past Sunday.  That is a huge progress.

We are also teaching a really nice lady and her son.  They love having us over and love learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so much fun when you can spend the majority of your time really helping other people.

Something that I thought was REALLY WIERD this week - I now like the smell of cigarettes.  WHAT?  well, it reminds me of several really awesome people we are teaching.  The smell still stinks but the thought of these kind people get me really excited about sharing the Gospel.  It is just awesome when people really want your help.  It makes spending 2 years of my life here in Nevada really worth it.  I like to know that I am really helping someone.  

We did have a few miracles happen this week as well.  They are very personal stories that concern other people so I won't share the details. However, it is just an amazing feeling when the Lord uses you to complete his work here on earth :D  It is such an honor and it makes me feel really great inside :D

In my spare time, I have learned how to solve a Rubik's Cube.  It is pretty awesome!  

Well, again, I don't have a lot of time.  Thank you to EVERYONE who has been sending me letters, emails, packages, and prayers. They really help more then you know.  It gives me a boost to keep working hard.  I love and miss you ALL so much!

Elder McSheehy

Week 8 - (09/15/2014) - Things Are Picking Up

Hello Everyone,

Things are really starting to pick up this week.  We are meeting some really amazing people and starting to really teach some great lessons about our Savior Jesus Christ.  I have been super busy though and don't have a lot of time to write today.

I have spent a little time in the car this week.  I was able to go on exchanges with other missionaries. It was a lot of fun getting to know some of the other Elders in our area.  The sign reads - Welcome to California.  

I am beginning to really enjoy this beautiful area here in Reno.  The pictures don't do it justice.











Sorry I don't have a lot of time this week.  I want to thank ALL of you for sending me cards, letters, packages, love, and prayers.  I hope you have a wonderful week.

Elder McSheehy