April 27, 2015

Hooooola :) yeah so the update on people you wanted: Marta and Roman went to their church yesterday... :( so apparently we just encouraged them to go to church. BUT we're still going to stop by and try and work with them! It's sad, but true when miracles happen for these people and they don't even recognize it or they reject it. Keep praying for them and hopefully that can at least come to church once to give them the desire to come back :) As far as the people from the blitz, that one guy is english so I haven't heard if he did or not, and then that family couldn't go. 

BUT! We had 2 people at church!! Woo woo! Maura came again! Seriously miracles with her! I have seen SUCH a change in her! It's incredible! She still has a loooooong way to go, but she's definitely progressing. She won't accept a date yet because she just wants to make sure she's doing it for the right reasons and doesn't want to be condemned because she gets baptized twice. So we're working on that! But she's great! I love her so much! She's a little punk, but she's the best :) 

Also! HUGE miracle! Diana came to church! We were thinking that she wouldn't come since she's so socially awkward and doesn't leave her house ever. Plus she told us at our appointment with her Friday that she'll try, but she just really feels uncomfortable around strangers, getting a ride from one, and that she'll probably call us on Saturday to cancel so we don't have to find a ride for her. We were like what the? haha But she never called and then Sunday morning when we called her she said she would go! We were shocked! haha and I think she liked it? We have another appointment with her tomorrow, so we'll find out more about that! Her family is really catholic though so it's hard for her!

We've been picking up and dropping a lot of investigators, the cycle of missionary work! But we're having fun and working hard :) This is the best work everrrr. And we don't even get paid for it :) 

We had a our STL meeting this last week which was super good! I love President Mullen! He's so great! He talked about the difference between a weakness and a sin, then that same day, we just happened to read an article about it in the Ensign! Super good! You should read it! I think it's in the April Ensign! 

A sin is using our agency against the teachings of God, and a weakness is something that we can't control, that God specifically gave to us. And both can be overcome through the Atonement! Sins=cleansing power, weakness=enabling power. Hna. Juarez and I talked a lot about how are weaknesses are really actually strengths as well, as long as we balance them, learn how to control them, and rely on the Atonement. I've learned so much about myself on my mission! Lately I've just realized how much of a problem solver I am. My mind is just always trying to find solutions for things. Which is both a strength and and a weakness. I get things done and find different ways of doing things, but I try to fix things that are out of my control which just stresses me out haha So we're working on a lot of strengths and weaknesses that we have :) gooood stuff :) 

We were also able to do a Helping Hands service project for a few hours on Saturday which was a lot of fun! I love doing service! We helped clean up this old park thing, moved the old stuff around sorting it, and tearing down the buildings. Super fun :) my arms are sore though, kind of hurts to type haha. One of the hermanos from our ward was there was like, "wow Hermana Nelson! I thought you were just a city girl, but man, you work like a country gril!" haha everyone is always so shocked that I get dirty and work! So thanks for teaching me how to work hard :) 

Well! That's about it! Hope you have a great week! Good luck on the crazy weekend! Love you!

Hermana Nelson :) 

Twinner PJ's

Ruby the Mini Missionary Heart Attacked Their Door

People Ride Horses Down the Street!

A Mini Horse

April 20, 2015

HEY! Sounds like you had a pretty good week! You were making me hungry talking about all that food! Dang! 1am flight? That's intense! I hope you enjoy yourself in Florida though! Yeah! So actually, the biggest shock of them all, we didn't even consider this, but Hna. Juarez and I are staying together!!! So we started our missions together sitting next to each other on the plane to Mexico, being MTC comps for like 2 days, then the last 2 transfers of our missions we're companions and then we'll fly home together too! So we're super happy :) Especially since we've both put EVERYTHING into this area and it's finally starting to look up! We've had a week full of little miracles! 

So first of all, we had the blitz this week in our area on Saturday! ... actually I don't know if I've ever explained what a blitz is.. haha so every Saturday as a zone we go to one companionship's area, we split up the streets and go with a different companion just to talk to people and try and set up appointments for that area. It's a lot of fun and we've seen a lot of success with it! So this week was our area's turn, and it was AWESOME! Of course we organized it and planned everything beforehand (unlike the elders.. haha) so we really prayed about who should go with who, what streets to send them to, and then we drove those streets seeing how we felt about them. The entire time it was like revelation from heaven! haha We got so many return appointments and referrals! It was a huge success! AND! Here's a couple cool little stories.

While we were waiting at the church building for all the missionaries to meet back up at the end, we're all just sitting on the grass waiting, and a car pulls up and asks if this a christian church. So we started talking to them and turns out they are living here temporarily, but are looking for a house to permanently live in, in the area. So they're also looking for a church to go to IN SPANISH. And we just happened to be there! They said they want to come to church and we're keeping in contact so when they do move here, we can get their address! Super cool!

After that we were all talking about it and I came back to the group telling them what happened and everything, and just joking I said that they asked to get baptized haha but little did we know, like 10 minutes after that, right before we were going to say a prayer to leave, this guy wants into the parking lot. So we started to talk to him and turns out he used to meet with the missionaries in Hemet and loved it, but then because of different circumstances he had to move away and lost contact with everything. He said the reason why he couldn't get baptized before was because he was living with his girlfriend, but now he doesn't so he wants to get baptized! We were shocked! Here I just joked about that happening and then it did! haha! He's actually english though, but the english sisters were super happy! Soooo amazing!

Sorry this is going to be a really long email haha Also! We finally had another lesson with Maura! I thought it was going to be crazy like the other lessons we've had with her, but it was actually really good! She thanked us for not giving up on her yet and said she was going to come to church! Which is a HUGE step for her, cause the whole time I was teaching her with Hna. Santoyo, she didn't want to come. AND SHE ACTUALLY CAME!!!!! We were sooo happy! She was the only that did come... but hey, after 2 weeks of not having anyone at church, we were THRILLED! Heavenly Father has definitely taught us this transfer that we can't do it on our own. Very humbling :) 

Ariel and Lupita have been suuuuper hard to meet with, so they fell off their baptism dates :( we're really sad about that, BUT another miracle :) so on the Blitz, Hna. Vorkink and I got a referral from a nonmember for one of her neighbors that speaks spanish. So we tried them last night and they're AWESOME! It's an older couple, probably in their 60s, Marta and Roman :) They were a little hesitant at first to let us in, but finally did :) We showed them the "Because He Lives" video and they loved it! The spirit was super strong! Marta told us that we just bring the spirit of God so strongly in their home and she can feel it. Uhh... are you a member? haha no one says that! She also said that she feels like her prayers are being answered cause she's been wanting to find a church in spanish, because her husband Roman speaks more spanish then english. AND. She invited herself to come to church this Sunday before we even got the chance too! Suuuuper cool! The whole time I could just feel myself being guided by the spirit! I kept getting the prompting, "put them on date, put them on date!" So I invited them, and they accepted to be baptized on May 17th!!! YAY! :) We're going to have a church tour with them and the Bishop on Wednesday, so we're really excited! They're great! :) 

Sorry this is boook. Almost done :) Yesterday in church we had a homecoming and in her talk she read this scripture in Alma 26 that we were like, "wow, revelation" 

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethern, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

..And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yeah, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethern and also towards us."

We've learned a lot this transfer, and now we're ready to keep up the hard work, kick it into gear, and have the best transfer of our missions :) I love this work and I'm so grateful I still have a whole 6 weeks to share it! (even though I wish it was more) Hope you have a great week! Love yoooou! :)

Hermana Nelson 

our zone :) only 2 people are changing in it, so we're all really happy :) 

April 13, 2015

HEY! Sounds like everyone had a good spring break :) I can't believe school is going to be out so soon! Thanks so much for all yours and Ariel's help with schooling! It makes my mind at ease so I don't have to worry about it :) It's great :) 

Well this week was been a little crazy, but it's good! I've learned a lot! Our area is still struggling getting people progressing, BUT! We were finally able to have a lesson with Ariel again! I asked her when she's getting baptized and she said April 25th! So that was awesome! She really wants to get baptized, it's just still a sticky situation since she wants her dad to baptize her,and he really wants to too, but he can't... so we have to figure that out. And she's only here on the weekends, so we're running out of time to teach her. So we might be moving her date back, but she's awesome! 

We also picked up the Cordova family again! Remember them? I love them :) The kids are so elect and awesome, the mom is just a little slower. But we were super bummed though cause we talked to them Sunday morning and they said they were coming to church, and they didn't :( so we're not sure what happened! BUT. This week is going to be great :) We're going to get EVERYONE to church :)

We also had a service project this week that was at a care center and it totally just reminded me of the seville so it was really fun :) 

Well sorry this one's a little short haha but hope you have a great week! :) Love you :) 

Look who visited Kylee - Luna!

April 6, 2015

HOLA!!!!! :) Hope you had a great Pascua :) But I mean how can you not when it was conference??? IT WAS SOOOO GOOD! I loved all the talks! I love the big focus on keeping your families strong though! It's VERY needed! I've realized that more then ever seeing Satan attacking these cute families I've worked with! It was a little rough though that no one came to conference :( we were SOO bummed. It was like having church 4 times with each session, and being disappointing every time :( Everyone just had Easter plans. BUT! This week will be great! We were able to receive a lot of counsel, comfort and revelation through conference though, so it was awesome! I loved the talk on prayer and answers from Rosemary Wixom! I literally felt that talk was for me! So good! Our investigators are just having the hardest time progressing, that I've been praying A TON lately. That talk helped me so much cause I feel like I've just been giving it everything and not feeling like we were seeing much from it and not knowing exactly what to do with these people. Every night before bed too I've been just opening my scriptures and pointing out a random verse. REVELATION FROM HEAVEN. I'm not making a list of revelation scriptures that have helped me tons! I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES! :) This week is going to be bomb :)

We also had a mini missionary this week! RUBY! From the mission ward! It was sooo fun! We had a great time! She's going to be such a good missionary!... in 3 years... haha it was great! I'll send a picture of us :)

We also picked up 12 NEW INVESTIGATORS THIS WEEK! That's probably my high in one week! They didn't come to conference... but hey! They'll come to church this week :) We're just having a hard time finding people who want to ACT. But They're out there I know it :) 

Well this is going to be a short one this week.. :) but hope you have a great week! Love yoooou! :)

Hermana Nelson

ps the dog pics is this a stray that the Elders found in a field the day of conference, so they brought it to conference... and it chilled in the bathroom... haha but I thought Ariel would be proud

March 30, 2015

HAPPY EASTER/ GENERAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEK! Wooohooo! I'm so excited! It's going to be the best! I'm glad you've been able to watch the Because He Lives video! Keep sharing it with everyone! It's so awesome and is a great, more casual way to share the gospel! We've been working with members with it, and getting referrals from it, it's incredible! 

So Melanie isn't going to get baptized tomorrow :( she's in Palm Springs right now, and it's been SUPER hard meeting with her! I'm really worried for her! So please keep her in your prayers! Yolanda and Bobby are doing really well though! Yolanda came to church again and just loves it! She's the cutest thing! She still won't accept a baptism date quite yet though cause she said she wants to feel more prepared. So we're hoping for sometime in April :) Bobby is a little rascal sometimes haha but I love him! He didn't come to church, but apparently a member saw him outside of the church for a little? We don't really know... but we taught him word of wisdom and setup a plan so he can quit all of his things, and so far so good! He has got to come to church this week though!

We weren't able to meet with the Salazar's at all this week, which was a big bummer! We're not really sure where they're at right now with everything. So many complications that we have to work out with them.... but it will happen :) I love them, and am going to keep working hard for them :)

We had a little miracle this week :) (well and many, but this one I want to share haha) So I don't know if I've mentioned ilayali much, but she's 12 and we haven't really been able to teach her or her brother cause the mom wants to be there when we do, and she's ALWAYS working. BUT! On Saturday we had a lot of things fall through, so the thought came to mind to go and see them, that their mom was home. AND SHE WAS! Woohoo! She invited us in right away even though she was mopping! Which we were surprised! So we had a little lesson with them and invited them to the women's conference that started in 30 mins, and the mom said she had a lot of things to do, but if Ilayali wanted to go with us she could. And she did! So we had to hurry and figure out a ride for her since we can't take her in our car! Which first of all, we were shocked that her mom would let her come with us! Sometimes I take a step back and I'm like wow if some church ladies came to my house and I didn't know them, would I let my daughter go with them to a conference at their church?? uh... probably not! haha so thank you to the spirit she was softened and let her! AND! 2 houses down from them, lives a member, so we ran over there and they let her go with them! MIRACLE! And she loved it all! She said she's thinking about being a missionary! Aw :) I'm so proud :) haha so we were super happy all that fell together so perfectly!

Well hope you enjoy Easter and General Conference! I challenge you to read in all 4 gospels towards the end where it talks about the suffering in Gethsemane and the Resurrection :) It's incredible! And because he was resurrected, he lives and is here with us :) LOVE IT :) Have a great week :) Love you!

Hermana Nelson

p.s. tonight we're getting a mini missionary with us for the week! Ruby from the Mission ward, so I know her! I'm so excited! She's 16 and is super awesome! So we're going to be a trio all week :) woooo! 

March 23, 2015

HOLA :) look who decided to email me this week! Like 10 times! ;) hahaha just kidding no worries I thought it was really funny and enjoyed all your little emails :) It sounds like that event/meeting thing you were act was pretty cool! Hopefully the soreness goes away soon though haha

This week was pretty good! Our investigators are progressing, just slowly :) Once again on Sunday the depression was sinking in when we had no one at church, and I kept having the hope that the Salazar's would be coming since they're always late. So I kept looking back all meeting and never saw them, so I was super disappointed. Then once we stood up, they just happened to be in the only little corner that was barely blocked out of my view haha geez that family causes me so much stress! They're still being stubborn too! Linda still isn't sure about baptism or marriage. BUT! Ariel picked her baptism date! She picked April 25th :) So that's progress! We can only see her on the weekends, so that's perfect :) She's a cutie!

So Melanie! We worked so hard with her this week! She is so fragile! Satan is working SO hard on her right now! She keeps going back and forth with everything! And who knew that a 14 year old would have a coffee problem! But she's been living it and we got her some Pero so it was was good :) But she didn't come to church cause her fellowship was late getting ready for church :( and she was all ready and everything! So we were super bummed! We talked to her about her baptism date, had a really bomb lesson with her last night! She's getting baptized next Tuesday! Yay! PLEASE just keep praying specially for her cause Satan is trying so hard to stop her.

Yolanda was in LA this weekend helping her friend with cancer.. so she didn't come. But she's doing really good! She's reading and praying and LOVED church last week! So she'll be coming this week! Her son Bobby didn't come either cause he thought yesterday was Saturday... haha but he ended up coming to a baptism last night, and we gave him a church tour after! It was really powerful! He loved it! 

I also got to go on exchanges in Riverside again! It was so fun ;) and guess who I saw just by luck when we were teaching the english class? TheSixtos!!!! :) Aw :) they're doing so good! The boys were at the church for scouts. Love them :) 

This week I had my last temple trip as a missionary :( oh man. Talk about hard! Luckily Hna. Juarez knew exactly how I felt, so we had each other :) I just can't even believe it! It really made it start to sink in that the end is coming :( I'm so sad, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had to serve! It's been the hardest and best thing of my life! I wouldn't trade it for anything! I'm going to keep working harder and harder these last 2 months to live up the time I have left :) Hope you have a great week and find ways to serve others! Love you :)

Hermana Nelson 

Last Temple Trip

Beauty P Day

March 16, 2015

Buenas tardes :) Tuvimos una semana tan buena! It was a really good week! We have just been working so hard the minute I hit my pillow at night I'm out! We had a lot of meetings and trainings this week, so it was busy! Not to mention all the work that we're doing with our investigators and members! We were able to kind of figure out some people this week to see if they really want this or not and were able to pick up some new investigators too!

So Yolanda and Melanie were the ones who came to church this week! Yolanda is so awesome! She was sitting outside waiting for us Sunday morning all ready to come when we got there with her ride :) she's doing really good, but we found out she has word of wisdom problems, so we're going to have to work for that... but! All things are possible! 

Melanie is Arely's friend who is a recent convert. She's 14 and she's come to church and mutual activities before and really likes it! She's on date to be baptized next week! Yay! We just have to keep working with her and helping her resolve a couple concerns that she has. Not to mention it's kind of hard to meet with her cause she's always gone! So if you could keep her in your prayers that would be greaaaat :) 

We have no idea why the Salazar's didn't come! Aye. I don't know what to do with them! I love that family so much and I want this so badly for them, but we just keep going in circles with them! They progress, then they don't. SO. Hopefully they start acting more this week, or we might have to drop them :( 

Miracle though! Do you remember April?? We found her again! And we was going to come to church yesterday, but her step-dad left all the kids there so she couldn't leave :( but her baby is doing well, and we are going to start teaching her this week! Yay! We just decided that it was because April needs to get baptized in April ;) 

Beatriz is still MIA :( If we can't contact her this week, we're going to have to drop her. So pray that we find her! 

Good start off to the transfer! We're working hard, having fun, and sharing the most important thing with the best people :) Our leadership in our zone is awesome this transfer that I'm learning a lot and there's just so much missionary fire with great missionaries, and 4 brand new missionaries too, that it's really fun! Well hope you have a great week! Make someones day :) Love you!

Hermanititita Nelson :) 

pics: my daughter and my granddaughter! 3 generations serving in the same ward! Aw it's the best watching my baby train :) She's great :) 

we played soccer on a field today with all the missionaries in our stake! So fun! But I'm super out of shape! 

March 9, 2015

Hellllllloooo :) Sounds like you guys have been having fun! I miss watching sports so bad! You really learn what you really like and what you really don't like on your mission! Speaking of which, I tried sushi again today and still don't like it haha. 

I'm sure you're wondering what happened with transfers! I'm staying here and Hna. Santoyo is going to Moreno Valley! My comp is Hna. Juarez! Do you remember her? We sat by each other on the plane ride to Mexico then ended up being companions in the mtc for like 2 days before they switched her into the advance spanish class! We've been waiting for this day our whole missions! And now we're finally comps! Woo woo! We're super excited! And guess what else! I'm going to be a grandma!! Hna. Carlson is training! Awww I'm so proud! And the best part is that she's staying too so we'll all be in the ward together! I'm so pumped! We got new Zone leaders and a district leader as well that are super good, so it's going to be a great transfer!

SO! This week has been crazy! We had so many meetings and so many service projects and of course they were all so good and so fun, but we just felt like we hardly saw our investigators this week! The Salazar's were the only ones that came to church, and once again they were giving me a heart attack that they weren't going to come, cause they're always late! haha goodness. These people are going to give me so many gray hairs! (good thing I dye my hair haha) They're doing pretty good.. still progressing like a snail (verrrrrry slowly) we had a good lesson with Linda and Jesus about getting married. Jesus realllllly wants to, but Linda says she's still not ready. We really need a miracle with this one. PRAY THAT LINDA WILL MARRY JESUS! (Jesus Salazar haha I just realized that in English it sounds weirder, cause it's like Jesus.. anyway ha) 

Beatriz we weren't able to see at all :( she's moving! Well.. moved! Luckily it's still in our stake, she just moved into her parent's house, but it's in the Elders area :( but we might still be able to teach her, so we'll see! Hopefully!

We had a couple really good lessons with Bobby this week. We had a really powerful lesson about the atonement and the sacrament and he said, "woah, I feel weird. I feel like I'm like floating." "That's called the Holy Ghost Bobby." hahaha love it! That was the first time he has ever felt that before so it was so cool! BUT! The little punk didn't come to church and we don't know why! He was so set to go and he was going to follow us there, then when we got there, he wasn't there! So we have no idea! 

I also had another cool experience this week! I love the mission cause I feel like I'm really getting closer to the spirit and recognizing the promptings I get! We were driving to a potentials house, when the thought came to my mind to go and visit Hna. Pinto first, an inactive member. She just had another chemo therapy treatment and hasn't been doing well. She said she has been feeling really depressed and alone. She said she prayed asking why God abandoned her, and then we showed up. She started crying saying that she know he hasn't and that he sent us to her in the perfect moment. It was such a humbling experience knowing that we can be answers to people's prayers! It's in moments like that when I know that's exactly where I needed to be in that exact time. Man I love the mission. It's the best. Hands down. 

Well that about does it! We've just been cycling through a lot of people lately, dropping and picking up, to see who is elect! Thanks for your prayers :) More are always welcome as well ;) Hope you have a great week! Love you :) 

Hermana Nelson :) 

March 2, 2015

Hey! :) Really?? So you're studying Spanish then? That's fun! You'll have to get good so I'll have someone to talk to when I get home :) Yeah! That baptism was the best ever :) I actually got a letter from the Sixtos this week that just made my cry! Probably the best letter I've ever gotten! Love that family! They're excited to meet you guys too! 

This week was good! We've been working so hard! We had some really good lessons with the Salazar's this week! The spirit is always SO strong in the lessons we have with them! I want this so badly for them! It's still really complicated with the marriage stuff, getting answers and now apparently Ariel's mom (oh yeah one of the girl's name is Ariel! Pretty funny!) doesn't want her getting baptized? So we're working with them. Like I said... it's all reallllly complicated. So please keep them in your prayers :) AND! Oh my word! So Sunday, church had already started and they were no where in sight! I was getting so nervous wondering where they were act and since they haven't come for 2 weeks I was thinking oh no, they have to come! So I was just praying in my head the whole time that they would still come, but once they already passed the sacrament, my hope was getting dim. I wanted to text them so bad seeing where they were, but I told myself not to since we were in sacrament meeting haha so I prayed in my head telling Heavenly Father that I really just wanted to text them, but I knew I shouldn't so I'm just going to leave it in your hands. And guess what! THEY CAME!!!!! Holy cow. MIRACLES. We were so happy! Such a relief! 

Another miracle! So this week when we went to visit Olivia, Beatriz was there who is a referral from their family that we had talked to before, but had never had much luck having an actual lesson with her. So we setup an appointment for Sunday morning and then Olivia invited her to come with them to church! Go Olivia! haha so we went Sunday morning and she was all ready for church! yay! :) we had a really good lesson with her and she accepted baptism for the 22nd of March and she came to church too! AH! She's super cool! She's a young mom with a little girl and she's pregnant! She's really cute and I'm super excited about her! She seems really elect! 

Olivia we're still not sure about.. she's stubborn. But she's been reading, praying, and coming to church, she's just still unsure about baptism! Pray for her too! We have a lot of other people that we're working with, they're all just really hard haha but the gospel changes people, so we can it can change for them too :) 

And! I went on exchanges with Hna. Dulong in Riverside! So fun! It was so weird though! Being in the same area with the same comp! It felt like old times! AND! I got to surprise Jorge so it was fun :) 

Well that about  does it! We're excited for this week, it will be a good one! But it's so crazy cause it's already transfer calls again! But I think I'm staying! Have a good week! Love you :) 

Hermana Nelson

p.s. we went bowling for a zone activity today and it was super fun! And I actually did pretty good hahah

February 23, 2015

Hola :) :) 

Where to begin! This week was so good! We'll start with the best day ever yesterday! The Sixtos got baptized!!!!! AHHHH! It was so fun seeing them! And now they're baptized! I was just sittin there crying haha I love that family so much! I got them a San Diego temple picture so they can put it up in their house to remind them that that's their goal in a year :) I seriously can't even express how happy I was yesterday! AND! Jorge Flores was there too :) He sat next to me, and the Sixtos were in front of me, I was like, "wow this is like heaven!" Jorge is still doing really good too :) And I got to see all the Riverside members too, so it was a lot of fun! It still just amazing me how much you can love people in such a short time! 

Sandra and Mayte got confirmed yesterday too! YAY! :) they're doing really good, and we're working with their whole family so they can all be active and come to church EVERY week :) They're such a great family! 

The Cordova family came to church! Yay! But we're still not so sure on them. The mom works every Sunday and isn't super interested... the kids are awesome, but obviously we need the parent's permission, and it's all kind of complicated... so we'll see what happens! 

Olivia also came to church! Finally! We were on the verge of dropping her! She's the cutest :) She still have a lot of doubts, but we're working on it! We still have a lot of people to teach, but not a lot of solid people... so we're working on that too haha. Story of the mission life though! Finding the people who will actually act! We were super sad too cause the Partida family didn't come :( so we're going to have to drop them :( they're not progressing at all, but they have so much potential that it's sad! And the Salazar's didn't come :( We have no idea why either! We had 2 really good lessons with them this week, they've been reading and praying, and they girls went to mutual this week on their own! So we're not really sure :( 

Also! I have a cool little miracle story to share :) So we were just trying potentials the other day and we were just leaving one part of our area, going to the other side to go visit someone, and I had the thought to go visit someone that was back in the other area, It was super random, and it was this lady that we talked to once like 2 weeks ago! But we were almost to the other appointment, so I decided we could just go back after. All through the lesson I kept getting, "Go see Luz. Go see Luz!" Finally I was like okay we have to go now. So we left and made it to Luz's house. This lady answered the door and said that there isn't any Luz that lives there and had no idea who it was. Which was weird cause we talked to Luz just right outside that house! So we ended up having a lesson with her and she's super cool! Her name is April and that house is actually her mom's house and she just happened to be there at that time! It's amazing how the spirit works! We had a really good lesson with her and she accepted baptism! Talk about miracles!!!! Soo cool! She's having a baby this week though, so that might slow things down a bit, but it was really cool :) we both just like "woooow" haha 

Well I hope you have a great week! Have fun with the snow ;) it's actually been raining a lot here lately, which is good cause we really need it! And yes we have gone on some more exchanges! One I stayed here and the other one I went to Moreno Valley! They're always good! I'm going on exchanges with Hna. Dulong this week so that will be a lot of fun :) Have a good one! Love you :) 

Hermana Nelson :) 

ps guess who I got a letter from! Yarany! From Perris! AH! I was so happy! I haven't heard from her since I left Perris! But she's doing really good :) 

February 17, 2015

HEY :) Oh man where to start! This week has been filled with so much! So! Best news first right?? Sandra and Mayte Gararte got baptized on Sunday! YAY :) I love their family. So awesome! There was a lot of confusion and stuff about timing and where and everything, but everything turned out perfectly! Everyone was there on time, so many members were there, and they had a full on party after, all provided by members! It was super awesome! 

Other great news: so on Wednesday we were at the Riverside church building exchanging with the sisters in Moreno Valley, and the Mission ward was having their activities that night, so I got to see a ton of the members in the Riverside ward! It was so fun! I miss it there so much! AND! Even better, I got to see the Sixtos there too!! Well just the parents! It was so fun! She said she missing me, but they're doing really good and she's going to call me when she gets baptized so I can come back, but that she needed to get married first. In my mind I was thinking, "what the, they're not married?" AND I just got the news yesterday that they're getting married this week and they're all getting baptized on Sunday!!!!!! WOOOO! I'm so excited!!! Aw I seriously can't wait! That family is my favorite! 

We also picked up a really cool investigator this week! Her name is Corina and she's so aweseome! The only thing is that she works on Sundays, so we're going to have a sabbath day lesson with her today, and talk about fasting so we can help her to come! She's on date for March 8th! 

The Salazar family didn't come to church :( (cause of valentine's day) but we had a family home evening with them last night and it was great! They're so cute! They're reading and praying, we just have to get them married too! It will happen :) And their kids are hilarious! I love going over there!

Also we were able to have a lesson with Mia! She's soooo smart! She remembers everything, loves the church, and wants to get baptized so bad! We just have to talk to her mom and she's IMPOSSIBLE to find! So pray that we find her! 

We also had multi-zones this week which was amazing! President and Sister Mullen are incredible! I learned a lot! We also had to do a training that we only had a day to prepare for haha but it went well! 

We also got a surprise visit from my moms! AKA Williams and Graham! So fun :) pics included :) 

Well that about does it! Oh and to answer your question, I don't even know the degree weather here haha I think like 70's though? 80's? I'm not sure. It's perfect though :) Lovin the Cali life :) Have a great week! Love you :) 

Hermana Nelson

ps I ate cow tongue. 

Sandra and Mayte's Baptism!

February 9, 2015

Happy Valentines Day! :) yeah! We are so busy! Coming in here I was so overwhelmed, but this week we got organized, we've gone on splits a lot, and we've dropped a couple of people that weren't progressing. So now I feel like I know people better! Sandra Gararte passed her interview for getting baptized next week! Yay! I'm so excited for her! Super cute family, so now they can all start preparing to go to the temple in a year!Hoorah! AND! The WHOLE Salazar family came to church! They came in late, but when they did we were just jumping for joy! (in our mindshaha) They're really awesome! Their parents have to get married, so we're working with that, but the 2 kids want to get baptized in March! They stayed the whole time at church, the kids loved the classes, and the mom loved relief society! Super good! And we actually have like the exact same situation with the Cordova family! They came to church, and the kids want to get baptized in march! yaaaay! :) then We also had Mia come to church, who is the cutest 8 year old! Her day care teacher is in our ward, so she always brings her! She's so cute and so smart, but it's just sooohard to meet with her! She wants to get baptized too, but we can just never find her and her family home! So we'll figure that out!

Wow there's just been so many miracles lately! It's so amazing to be a part of "The Hastening." And do you want to hear the best news ever??? THE SIXTOS FAMILY IS GETTING BAPTIZED IN 2 WEEKS!!!!!! Ah! I just found out! I'm SO excited! Sis. Dulong said they have just changed so much and they're so ready! YAY! I'm so pumped to go back for that! And she also said that when Jorge got confirmed he wore the tie that I gave him :) such a little cutie :) Lots of good things going on! Honestly I'm not really sure why it's been so hopping lately, but man these last 2 transfers I feel like I've prayed more and harder then in my entire life combined! I know I only have 4 months and I just want to live it up! I love being a missionary. And yes we did have an english class in Perris, but I haven't been a part of one since then! It's fun, I like it a lot :) 

That sounds like a great ward activity! I definitely want to get more into family history work! That's also the work of salvation, so sign me up :) Well I hope you have a great week, and a fun Valentines Day! Love you tons! 

Hermana Nelson

MLC with the sister training leaders

Kylee got to cut a Sister's hair in the ward!

February 2, 2015

Hey! Yeah she told me! Public shout out for ARIEL WHO GOT ACCEPTED INTO VET SCHOOL! WOOO :) Sounds like you all had fun celebrating it :) 

I know right? I feel like last transfer in Riverside didn't even happen cause it was so fast! I'm not sure how everyone is doing over there :( but I know Jorge is good :) But things are good in this area too! We have TONS of work! It's almost a little overwhelming! I don't even know who to tell you about cause we have like 30 investigators. Probably more actually. It's crazy! Our problem is just having time to see all of them! So we're going to be going on a lot of splits so we can make sure we can see everyone! We have like 4 families too, so it's super awesome! Pray for all these great people so they can get baptized :) Sandra is going to be getting baptized on the 15th, so we're really excited for that! We still have quite a bit to teach her though, so hopefully we can see her enough this week! Yeah so I do still live in Riverside, but it's a different apartment! But it's still weird cause I pass the sixto's house every day ha. 

But yeah! We have a lot of people so it's good! We just need to keep working hard so we can help all of them! So little story for you of how nice these people are: The other day we were walking into the church for the English class we were teaching, and our investigator Olivia was walking in at the same time, so we were talking to her, I complimented on her earrings, and she immediately took them off and gave them to me!! I was like, "no, no! They're yours! I have some kind of like them", etc, etc, to try and give them back, but she wouldn't let me. So now I have some new earrings from Mexico! haha I still feel so bad. She's so nice. Everyone here is great! Well not much else to say about the week! We've just been working hard sharing the true gospel of Jesus Christ :) It's the best :) Have an amazing week! Love you :) 

Hermana Santoyo

Kylee and Hermana Santoyo

January 26, 2015

Hooooola! Holy cow! Ready for this? I'm being transferred today!!!! Biggest shock ever! I was completely blindsided! We thought for sure I was staying and Hna. Dulong was leaving, but nope! Dulong is staying here training the new sister that's coming in and I'm leaving to Jurupa to be comps with Hna. Santoyo! I'll still be an STL just in that area! Jurupa used to be a part of Riverside, but in the last like 10 years or so it became it's own city, so it's super close, and I'm actually still going to be living in Riverside. Which will be really weird cause I'll be driving past the Sixto's like everyday! I'm soooo sad to be leaving! Only 6 weeks here! It's crazy! And the area is finally doing so good! :( I'm not ready to leave, but I know the Lord has other plans for me! I just keep thinking of the song, "I'll go where you want me to go." It's been a hard one to swallow saying goodbye to everyone, but I'm excited to go to Jurupa. It's hopping over there right now! There's going to be 6 sister missionaries and 2 elders in the ward!!! Crazy right? It's going to be so weird! But I'm super excited cause Hna. Carlson is coming to this ward too, so we're going to be together like all the time! So we're excited :) And I love Santoyo. She's from Mexico city and she's hilarious! So it will be fun and my spanish will get even better!

BUT! I was able to end on the best note ever yesterday! JORGE GOT BAPTIZED! Aw it was the best :) I love him! He's soooo good. I'm so excited to see all the great things he's going to do in this ward! And it was his birthday yesterday :) He just loved it. He's changed so much! It's so amazing the change that happens through the atonement. It's incredible. And the visible change you can see in their face as these people have made these changes and come closer to their Savior. Jorge's son Angel was able to come to his baptism too, which just made him so happy! It was great :) But oh man! Saying goodbye to him was awfulllllll. We were both crying. He just didn't understand that even though I'm going to be so close I can't come and see him, or even call him. But I told him we can right letters so he's really happy about that! Maaan. Bittersweet moments! But he's excited to come visit us in Utah and he's going to go through the temple in a year so we'll be coming back for that :) 

Everyone else is doing really well too! The Sixtos accpeted a baptism date for the end of Feburary!!! We are so excited for them! The parents are still a little shakey on a couple of things. but the kids are awesome! So I went by last night to say goodbye to them and the same thing that they can't believe we can't really have communication. But I told them I'll be coming back for their baptism :) 

We also picked up a new investigator this week named Benny, who has problems with drugs, but really wants to change. We had a really good church tour with him where the spirit was really strong. He's also on date for the end of February! He needs a lot of work, but he has a good heart and has a lot of potential! 

Sara wasn't able to come to church this week, but will next week! She's also been hard to meet with this week, but this week will be better for them. 

I'm also missing Alexandra's baptism on Saturday :( but I might ask to see if I can come back for that, so we'll see! Maybe! 

Well I think that's about it! Just lots of goodbyes! Another chapter of the mission is ending and another beginning! Have a great week! Love you :) 

Hermana Nelson :) 

Oh and to answer your question, the exchanges that we go on are just 24 hours! We also had another one this week, and an english sister came here with me, and she loved spanish land! But I mean, who wouldn't? It's great :) 

Hermana Cortez

Hermana Barraza and Gabriel

Maria

The Cifuentes

Jorge's Baptism

Jorge's Baptism

The Sixto's

The Gutierrez's (The Ward Mission Leader and His Family)