First Email to Mom & Dad

Here's an excerpt of his email:

Hey everyone! So right off the bat just gonna say I miss everyone so much! I love getting mail from everyone and receiving packages! A small request, bring on the beef jerky! It pretty much doesn't exist in Spain so I wanna stuff myself right now. Also, some hot sauce from taco bell and the chipotle tobasco sauce asap! The food here can get pretty bland...... Pretty much my district is amazing. We have so much fun! Everyone has such an awesome testimony of this amazing gospel. Apredemos espanol muy rapido en el CCM! I think that was right...my grammar is pretty bad still. But, we have learned so much. They really overwhelm you the first few days. Two days in we had to teach someone from Chile in only spanish. Talk about crazy. There are pretty much no naps here in the MTC. Never. If I wasn't a missionary I know wouldn't be able to stay awake during the day but here I have the strength to somehow keep going everyday. For everyone that doesn't know, my district is made up of 12 missionaries. My companion is the only one other than me going to Spain. Elder Tanner (my companion) is going to the Madrid mission. The other missionaries are going to Guatemala, Houston, Calgary Canada, Maryland, Virginia, and San Diego. All of us are speaking spanish of course. The past 5 days have been incredibly insane and tiring, but I love it so much here. My testimony continues to grow everyday. Something I heard from Jeffrey R. Holland really stuck out to me the other day. You cannot teach your Investigators until you learn it yourself. What you want from your investigators, God wants from you. It is very humbling and I am trying to become more Christlike everyday. Some information on our investigator really fast. His name is Jason, he is from Chile and just moved to Utah. Through 3 lessons we have committed him to go to church and he is thinking about baptism. They have changed the way they teach Spanish in the past year here. Instead of waiting until 4-5 weeks in to start teaching, you start right off the bat. I love it so much. The spirit is always there, even with mock investigators.......  We have heard rumors that Spain has stopped giving out visas. It is also rumored that they will start again January 1st. My departure date is still set for the 26th of December so I am not sure. There are some missionaries here that are going to Spain who have been here for 12 weeks and are getting temporarily reassigned to either Provo or the referral center. Hopefully, my visa will come, and I am confident it will. I haven't heard anything from any leaders so I guess we'll have to see. Please pray that it comes! I know whatever happens it is God's will and I will do what I am commanded. I love and miss you all very much. Keep the letters coming please!!!!! They really do brighten my day........

Sincerely,
Elder Sharkey



We found out that Elder Sharkey's P Day is Tuesday. This is also the day he reads and sends emails. He sent several pictures through email.  Enjoy!

Here is Elder Sharkey with the other seven elders from his district.

Here, Elder Tanner (Elder Sharkey's companion) and
Elder Sharkey are pointing to their missions.

I think this is Elder Bosse with Elder Sharkey.

Here is Elder Sharkey with Elder Mason.

Here he is with his district eating popsicles outside in the snow.

Showing his personality!

Here he looks determined to share the gospel with the people of Spain!

Here's Elder Sharkey with a friend, Elder Cody Weaver.

In MTC cafeteria...maybe he's looking for a Taco Bell?