August 25, 2014

Buenas tardes! :) I don't even know where to begin! So I guess the best news first! ALEX GOT BAPTIZED YESTERDAY! YAY! It was so great! He had literally been counting down the days, and yesterday morning he said the wait was so long but now it's finally here! He's soo good! And he's already started doing missionary work. Talking with people at his work about everything. Then when we taught him about temples this week, he started tearing up! He's soo excited for everything! It was just a great day yesterday :) And Hna. Dulong came back for the baptism! So that was fun to see her :)

So you're probably wondering about Gloria. Oh Gloria. She has been my stress and trial this week haha but it's okay! Growing week for sure! So Wednesday was probably the most stressful day of my mission. It's a realllllly long story, so I won't get into all of it, but she called us and wanted to cancel everything, then we finally got her to get the baptismal interview since it was with President Plocher, but she was an hour late, then she didn't pass cause she said she can't promise to not drink in the future. She hasn't drank, but the reason she didn't pass is because she still doesn't completely understand obidence. So we're still working with her. And she came to Alex's baptism yesterday to see what a baptism is like, so hopefully that helped! We haven't been able to talk to her about it yet.

Then a number of other things happened Wednesday and I was just so stressed out and overwhelmed, then thinking that it's all on me cause I'm the trainer and yeah it was just a little rough! Lots and lots of prayers! BUT of course we know that Heavenly Father always answers prayers, and I just want to share a little bit about my answer. The next day during personal study I just happened to read this in D&C and it was one of those moments when I felt like it was talking to me. So it was D&C 29:3-7 and here's what it says:

3 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that at this time your sins are forgiven you, therefore ye receive these things; but remember to sin no more, lest perils shall come upon you.4 Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.
5 Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.
6 And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.
7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts
In that moment the burden that I felt was lifted and I was reminded what I was called here to do. I'm set apart to to declare is gospel. Then the reminder to lift up my heart cause I'm not alone and he's always with me doing this work just as hard as I am. And with all these prayers that I've been giving, I will receive when the time is right. To gather the elect at this time. REVELATION to the MAX. And then no joke right then the doorbell rang and I got my package from you guys which just sealed the deal! Heavenly Father answers prayers! And I know we can recieve soo much revelation, comfort, and guidance through the scriptures! Just think, if I didn't read that day, who knows what would have happened! So that's why I challenge everyone to make sure you read at least a little everyday!
Then today as well I went to breakfast at President Mullen's house to say goodbye to Sis. Schmidt who is leaving today. So that was hard, but I'm glad I got to say goodbye to her. She's awesome :) But. The homeshare in Perris is closing down :( only 2 sets of Elders in Menifee/Perris now.
Sorry this email is oooober long. But just a funny tidbit that happened this week. Long story short, misunderstanding, 3 men came into our apartment trying to sell us Kurby vacuums? hahaha soo funny. We were dying laughing after. But I ended up just OYMing them and gave one of the guys a Book of Mormon! So just goes to show you everything happens for a reason!
Have a great week! Love you!
Hermana Nelson

August 18, 2014

Hellooooo:)

Man! What a week! It's been sooo crazy! But so good! I got mi nina :) There were only 2 incoming sisters, and so we had the trainer/trainee meeting on Tuesday, which honestly kind of freaked me out how they kept saying how important it is to be a trainer and that what we do will influence our trainee's entire mission and life. No pressure. haha but it was also really motivating and I really am trying so hard to help her and to have fun at the same time :) Her name is Hna. Carlson, she's from Seattle, WA, she's 19 and went to UVU for a year, is the youngest of 8, she's a super hard worker and very obedient, so we get a long great! And shout out to Nicole Hales cause she reminds me just like you! You have the same voice it's scary haha but I love her to death and it's going to be a great couple of transfers! However, she didn't know any spanish before her mission, so at this point, we're relying on my spanish haha but so far so good! The gift of tongues is real, that's all I can say :)

SO! Alex. Holy cow. I love him. He is the most golden investigator I have ever had! I love teaching him! He accepts everything, he walks to church, he texts us for more chapters to read in the BOM, he's already starting doing missionary work, he tells everyone about his baptism, he is LEGIT. He has his interview on Wednesday for baptism! And is getting baptized on Sunday! Yay! So excited! And the ward as been so great with him! Yesterday he said that everyone was coming up to him and knew his name and said they were coming to his baptism. THANK YOU MEMBERS. (hint hint ;)) I'm for sure going to be more outreaching the rest of my life cause I can really see the big impact it has!

And Gloria! She's been good on living the word of wisdom! She was really bummed that she didn't pass her first interview, but we explained more about it, and she feels more at ease! She also has her interview on Wednesday and is hopefully getting baptized on Sunday as well! She's awesome. I could talk to her forever. She's like 60 and said she wants to go to cosmetology school, and of course I said YES. She's probably one of my favorite people.

Then we had another miracle of Nancy coming to church! She's 14 and she walked to church by herself! Not sure how she liked it... but still! That was a miracle!

Also, quick experience from just barely: so I've really been working on being a better conduit of the spirit and being guided in what I do and say, and while we were at Walmart waiting for the other sisters, there was a guy sitting on this other bench, and I had a prompting to go and talk to him, but we're not really supposed to OYM people in the stores, but I knew I couldn't ignore it, so I just awkwardly got up and sat by him, he only spoke spanish, and turns out this is what he is looking for! So I got his information! Just goes to show that even on p-days in Walmart, we can still be guided by the spirit. There's no time off for missionary work! (members included) Share the gospel with EVERYONE! And EVERYWHERE! They need this :) Well have a great week! Te amo muchisimoooo!

Hermana Nelson

ps one of the names was Junior, and I don't remember the other name, but we have dinner with them again Sunday, so I'll ask. And they're members. It's our 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric. Prob the coolest family here

pss I've played piano a couple of times

August 11, 2014

Hey! :) :)

Alright! I don't even know where to begin today! So I guess I'll start with the big news of transfers! I'm training! So that was a shock! There are so many people that haven't trained yet! So it was super unexpected! And I'm staying here! (yay!) I pick up my greenie tomorrow at the mission office, just like how it was when I got here. (which the APs just told me today that I'm driving to Riverside alone, so that will be suuuuper weird) So next week I'll let you know about mi gringa! This whole time I've just been thinking, why me? There are only 2 spanish sisters coming in and there are so many other people to do it. But I guess the one main lesson I've learned on my mission is that everything happens for a reason and the Lord directs His work! I could NEVER do this on my own, but I know it will be possible with His help. I'll just really be praying for the gift of tongues these next 2 transfers! That's what I'm mostly worried about since I've always been the Junior companion too, that if I had a spanish question I could just ask my comp, but I won't be able to turn to them anymore! So we'll see!

Hna. Dulong is going to Moreno Valley to be an STL. Called it. haha this is my 3rd comp that "I've trained" to be STL. It's like a mission joke now that I train all the STLs haha. She's going to be awesome! But we were super sad to get split! This transfer was the best! We figured Heavenly Father gave us a fun easy transfer before some difficulties up ahead. But we decided we'll be comps again :)

Oh and we're moving into a new apartment, but stil in the same complex, so I had to pack too, we're going to be living with the english sisters, so that will be fun! We still have to get that all situated though.

And! Heavenly Father is just really blessing our area! Sooo many miracles! Alex came to church again, and he is SUPER solid. He's getting baptized the 24th! I don't think I've ever taught anyone that was just so prepared it's awesome! (and so fun ;)) We just talk him word of wisdomyesterday, and he said he'll stop all of it and he just threw everything away right then. He's so cool! And he got Hna. Dulong a little present since she's leaving haha so cute! We were dying! So funny!

Then! I can't remember if I've explained Manuel, Hermana Garcia's son that has downsyndrome. He's so funny! We just love going over there, but he's getting baptized the end of the month! He's the sweetest! Love that family!

Another miracle! WE FOUND GREGORIO! He was just walking on the side of the road!!! So we decided to call him right then to see if he would anser haha and he did!!! WOO! So we have an appointment with him this week!

One more miracle! So the Elders here have been teaching Gloria, she's sooo cool! And she and I have become great little friends :) she was supposed to get baptized yesterday, but then she had a problem in her interview, so now she has to interview with President. But! The Elders are getting doubled out, and so President decided that I'm going to start teaching her, help her with everything and get her baptized in a couple weeks! So that was unexpected! But then it was really cool cause I had a dream about it the day before, and then it all made sense when I found everything out. Then I was talking to Elder Perez about it (my district leader that was teaching her) and he said he thinks they were supposed to come to plant the seed, and then leave cause I was meant to teach her, for whatever reason! It's amazing how the Lord works. Muchos milagros cada dia!

Well lots going on here! I'm super excited about the area, nervous about training, but everything is happening by the Lord's hands so I know it will all work out! Have a great week :) Love you :)

Hermana Nelson

p.s. enjoy the pic dad :) the Ruiz's dogs :)

August 4, 2014

Buenas Tardes! Lo siento de que este mensage es un pocito tarde! (Good afternoon! Sorry that this message is a little late!) And it's because we've had a SUPER fun day today haha probably the most fun p-day I've ever had! So President Mullen challenged the whole mission to do a cross-fit workout with him to see who could keep up with him, so almost everyone in the mission this morning went! It was so fun! And holy cow I'm out of shape! But I did all of it! And Pres. Mullen is in super good shape! But it was fun seeing everyone! I got to say goodbye to Williams! She leaves in a week I can't believe it! And I got to see Graham too! (twice this week actually cause I randomly saw her in the celestial room at the temple this week!) So super fun! Then we went shopping at the mall in Riverside AND went to Cheesecake Factory AND went to Salon Centric! So we've had a fun day! ha :)

But this week was super awesome too! We picked up more people! We were seriously expecting like 20 people to come to church this week! We were so excited. And only one came... BUT his name is Alex and he is super solid! Everything just clicks with him! He accepted a baptism date right away and lets us teach him like everyday! It's awesome! We actually just had a lesson with him last night, outside, and out of no where it just DOWNPOURED! Oh man it was so funny! It hasn't rained for so long! So that was exciting! His baptism date is for the 24th! We're really excited about him! He's elect for sure, so thanks for all the prayers! We also picked up a whole family! 6 people! I've never taught that big of a family before! So I'm excited about that too! We have a lot of potential in our area! But we're so sad that it's the end of the transfer, since we most likely will be split! And Dulong had a dream that we were going to get doubled out, so hopefully that doesn't happen! I want to stay here for at least another 2 transfers :)

We've just been seeing miracles all over the place! Last night, we just randomly found Consuelo again! It's been like a month! She gave us an incomplete address before (we used to teach her at the place where she babysits kids, but now she doesn't work there) and she doesn't have a phone, so we literally had no way to contact her! MIRACLE! But super hard cause we're only going to be able to see her once a week! But, it happened for a reason, so we'll work with it!

Other awesome things that happened this week: we went to the temple! YAY! I'm so grateful we get to go to the temple every other transfer! Such a blessing! An even bigger blessing to live in Utah to have sooo many temple around! Definitely miss that! I'm probably going to be going to the temple like everyday when I get back haha so everyone should take advantage of living in Utah for sure! Also! Luna came and visited me! So fun! We went to Yogurtland :)

I challenge you, and everyone to look for miracles that happen everyday, cause there are always tons! When we look for them, we can see them, and when we can see them, we have more of that spirit of gratitude, and when we have the spirit of gratitude, we are happy :) It's the best! Well have a fabulous week! :) Sure do love ya!

Hermana Nelson

p.s. dad, I really wanted to know about the water heater... hahaha so random