The Adventures of Elder Nelson

Last Letter from the Mission Field

2011-09-17T16:12:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 17, 2011:

Hey:

Well, this is going to be my last email to all of you from the mission. I am going to be home on the 26th of September. I just wanted to thank all of you for the love and support throughout the length of my mission. I thank you for helping me through the good times and the bad. I will forever be grateful for the love that you all have shown me. I love you all.

Les Quiero Mucho,
Elder Nelson

The Reality of Coming Home Hits

2011-09-12T15:56:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 12, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

So this is really weird to hear and think that Tyson is on his way home right now. That kinda really does set it in that I am going home. It was kinda the same thing when I left because it was like it was Tyson's farewell then it was mine and that is really what set it in for me. Not only that, but to think that you guys are going to have to get ready for me to come home is weird to think. Right now it just kinda seems like I am just having a new transfer.

I asked the missionaries in my Zone that are in the internet place that i am in and they would all like some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. So, if you could bring down a box and maybe a bottle of amazing sauce for Elder Flores because I know that he loves that stuff.

This week went well because Gabriel finally went to church and we are starting to find people. Me and my comp are getting along well. I do think that he is kinda waiting for me to be done because he is really focused and, I am not going to lie, it is hard not to really talk about home. He doesn't want to talk about like anything at home. I think that this last week is going to be a good one because we have a conference and it is the 18th of September and what not. Plus its like a cool time to finish the mission. I don't really have all that much to tell you. I will just see you all next week anyway, ha, ha, ha. I am still staying focused for my last week.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Oh yeah, Dad you need to have Kat help you to memorize how to say this in Spanish: Habiendo sido comisionado por Jesu Cristo. Yo te bautiso en el nombre del padre y del hijo y del espiritu santo. Amen.

A Quick Note

2011-09-05T15:53:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 5, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

Sorry I don't have time today. I am running super late but everything is going well. Nothing new here. I am here in Parral visiting people. I am doing well. I love you all. I will have more time this next week. I love you all. My kid is doing well.

Elder Nelson

Luisa is Confirmed

2011-08-29T15:44:00.000-06:00

Letter Received August 29, 2011:

Well, again this letter, I think, is going to be a little short because I am in Concepcion to say hey to people so that I can set up for when Mom and Dad come. But, there isn't really much to tell anyway. Same old business. We did have the confirmation though this week of Luisa. It was cool! My kid did it. It made me so proud, ha, ha, ha! We have been workingand it seems like time is going by so fast. We are pretty much just doing contacts because we only really have like 1 investigator, his name is Gabriel and he is really good. It just seems like he has a lot of opposition. I think that I might be able to baptize him the last day of the mission. That would be so awesome. Sorry that this is so incredibly short but not much to say and little time also.

Elder Nelson

Working With a New Investigator

2011-08-28T22:22:00.000-06:00

Letter Received August 22, 2011:

A Baptizing Celebrity!

Hey:

So, this week was a good and a bad one because we baptized and we had horrible numbers. That is two weeks with bad numbers. But, this week is going to be better. We are teaching a guy named Gabriel and he is really good. We just have to help him quit smoking because he smokes like twenty a day so we're going to have to help him a lot. I think that he is going to be baptized my last day in the mission.

Me, Elder White, and Luisa

Sorry this is so short but I was visiting people to set up for when you are coming. I am doing well. Other than Gabriel and the baptism, there is not much new I am enjoying the last parts of my mission. My kid is awesome and he is helping me focus really well and he is really excited for the work.

Last Pic With Elder Flores

Something I was thinking about is that it is going to be a really good idea if you bring a GPS so that we can navigate well. I heard that here in Chillan the hotels aren't that good. I am not sure where the kid's parents stayed but I heard that it wasn't very nice. Sorry this is so short, I still have to travel back to Bulnes. I love you all. Time is getting short and I am running out of new things to tell you.

Elder Nelson

Time is Flying By

2011-08-22T21:47:00.001-06:00

Letter Received August 15, 2011:

Me and my son in Conce just after we met . Cool, huh?

Hey:

Well, this week was a pretty good one. Me and my companion get a long really well. He is from Salt Lake City and his name is Elder White. Wow! Time as a trainer goes even faster and the time is going by so stinking fast. I feel like I just barely put my head down at night and it is already time for another day.

Everything is going well and we are going to have another baptism on Sunday, so that should be really awesome. Our first week together didn't really go all that well and I am kinda nervous because tomorrow we have interviews with President and I am pretty sure that he is going to give me a pretty good lecture. So we will have to see how that is going to go.

Time is going fast and we are seeing miracles. I am hoping that we find some more people to teach because we are starting to get a little low again and I don't want to leave the Sector without people. That would suck. Me and companion are getting along really well. I am going to send a picture of us. I have three suitcases mom and a backpack. So, whatever you guys think about the car. Sorry this one is kinda short. I am running a little short on time and I want to show a good example to my companion. I love you glad to hear everything is going good.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Who's Your Daddy? That's Right, Me!

2011-08-14T19:33:00.000-06:00

Letter Received August 8, 2011:

Me and Maria

Hey:

So, I guess I will start off with the really big news! So, yes I have had a transfer but they threw something that I really didn't expect. Out of the 27 trainers in the mission, I am now going to have a son and train and I also am going to keep being Counselor. So, my last transfer in the mission I am going to be training but I don't know who yet. They are going to tell us tomorrow. Elder Haws also is going to be training and so is everyone else in my District. That is nuts! Not only that but all the missionaries in the world are going to be doing a new training program. It is weird but it is going to be cool.

I am kinda having some mixed feelings about training. I didn't really have the desires to train but I also am excited to teach someone all the things that I know and help someone start out. I am hoping that I get a gringo. We will have to see tomorrow.

Maria and Family and Friends

I am really focused and happy with how my mission is going. I just know that these last six weeks are going to go so fast. I just have always felt that the time goes so fast when you first get a comp and your first cambio always goes so fast. It is so nuts. I don't feel that I am dying off. That is so weird to me.

We had a baptism this week and a confirmation. It was really awesome! Not only that, but she also bore her testimony in church by herself, so that was really awesome! I have realized that all of my converts here are so solid and it makes me so happy to see that they are really converted to the gospel and that they aren't just going to go inactive after I leave.

Maria Irene Ceballos Rossi

I was thinking about when you guys come that I would love to do some baptisms for the dead here with some of my converts and have them meet up with us in Santiago. I invited them. I hope that is okay. Nothing is for sure that my converts would be able to meet up with us but I would love to do that.

Also, I have confirmed we are all good for somewhere to stay in Santiago. I have talked to the member that was talking to her friends in Santiago, so its good. I was also thinking about General Conference. I would really like for you guys to get some tickets so that we could go to a session, especially the priesthood session. Just something to think about.

Me, Maris and Flores

This is going to be a good change for me because I know that being a trainer is going to be something that is going to make me stay focused. I am hoping that the package will be here tomorrow cause I don't know when I will get if I don't get it tomorrow. Well, I don't really have all that much more to tell. Glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Got to go. I love you all so much. Talk to you all later.

Elder Nelson

The Spirit Touches Hearts at Baptism

2011-08-03T23:22:00.002-06:00

Letter Received August 1, 2011:

Hey Hey Everyone:

I had a pretty interesting week but I am going to try and put this all in words ha, ha, ha. First off, we had Conference with the President. I don't know if they did this with other missions but they always have all the old dying missionaries and the newbie’s share their testimonies. It was time for me to share my last testimony with the mission and it made me really trunky and it was really hard to share because to tell you the truth it still seems like I have an eternity before I come home. But I also, at other times, am like, I only have like a month and a half left! That is so weird to me.

For the last couple of weeks we have been teaching this girl named Maria. She is really good but she had some problems and she didn't want to get baptized. She also told us from the beginning that she didn't want to get baptized, but we kept teaching her anyway and this week she accepted a date for baptism. It is for this Saturday.

Last week, my best friend in the mission had 4 baptisms on Saturday and I thought that it would be a good idea to take Maria to the baptism. So, we traveled the forty minutes to get to the baptism and she said that she had something that she would like to talk to us about. We were really worried about what she was going to want to say. But we went to the baptism anyway and she saw the baptisms. I looked over at her during the first baptism and she was fine, then I looked over during the second baptism and she was just bawling and crying her eyes out. You could tell that it was the spirit testifying to her that it is what she needs to do. After that we did a special musical number where I and 4 other elders sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". It was awesome because you just looked at Maria and I could tell that she had made her decision that she is going to be baptized this week.

The problem that she has been having is that she wants to share this with her parents but they don't want anything to do with it. It bothers her a lot. After the baptism, we were on the bus and we talked out all of her doubts and she is going to have her interview tomorrow and it is going to be bomb.

It has been a lot better with this new Branch President. This week I had a good idea that I gave to President to think about my transfer. I asked him if I could finish my mission with one of my old comps, Elder Haws. I think that he would be a bomb counselor and I would love to finish my mission with him. I think that it would be awesome because we wouldn't have to do all the getting to know you stuff and we could just work and I know that he could make sure to make me work hard. But we are going to have to see.

I know that my companion is now officially ready to leave. Not that anything is going bad just like you can tell that he is kinda zoning out of the area and is really wanting to go to another place. At the conference, President told him that he is going to be changed and someone else is going to kill me off.

I am super pumped for this week because we are going to baptize and confirm. Man I have missed baptizing, ha, ha, ha. I hope that everything goes good with the trip and miss you all. Time is going quick so got to go. Love you all and miss you a bunch.

Elder Nelson

Ready for Zone Conference

2011-07-25T22:45:00.003-06:00

Letter Received July 25, 2011:

Hey:

I know that this email is going to be really really short. It is because we are really running late and we still have to go back to Bulnes and change because we are here in Chillan. Not only that but I really don’t have a whole lot of news.

It went pretty well this week. My new Branch President is bomb, and this week the Assistants to the President came out and did a mini transfer and one of my best buddies from the mission is Assistant and he came and taught me some things. So, it really helped me out a ton. We also have Conference with President tomorrow and it is going to be really cool. I am really excited.

I also have some bad news. I am completely out of money and I have to go to Concepcion tomorrow and I have to pay with my card because I don’t really have any choice. Sorry. Everything is good with me and my companion. We are working hard and doing well. Our time is getting short together, so we are enjoying it to the max. I love you all, sorry this is so short, love you all, ciao!

Elder Nelson

God Does Exist and He Loves Me!

2011-07-18T22:26:00.007-06:00

Letter Received July 18, 2011:

This week, I have absolutely amazing news! Ha, ha, ha! Are you ready yet? Are you sure? Yeah? Okay, I will tell you, ha, ha!! Well, they have now decided to change the Branch President and the Stake Presidency came last week and changed him out for a member of the High Counsel and it is going to be awesome! The guy is super excited and willing to help and I know that everything is going to turn around. He lives in Chillan but he has a car. It is like a twenty minute drive, if that. He is going to help so much and now I won't have to be babysitting anymore.

Not only that, but this week we found 10 new investigators! A lot of them are really good and some aren't so good, but God has all power and can do miracles and you never know.

I don't know why but I really do feel like a new man and feel like renewed and I feel a lot more happy. I think that it is because I have been worried about the Branch and now I don't have that because the new Branch President is going to take care of everything and now I don't really have act as the Branch President but without a title. Now I am a counselor and I can help really how I should. Not only that but me and my comp have been able to make up a new program on how we are going to work and we are going to start on it this week. So, we are going to have a really good week, I know it. My comp is a lot happier but I know that he feels that he is ready to leave Bulnes. He is still working hard and it seems that he has loosened up a little bit.

Today we had a really good p-day. We went and played soccer and had a BBQ. It was awesome and I played well. I put in 8 goals so I was content.

Time is going quick and it seems that no matter what I do it doesn't slow down but goes faster. I know that the time is going to go by quick, but that is the mission. I feel bad for Lyndsay, I hope that she is okay! I am praying for you all all of the time. Some ideas for packages are some Snickers, Fastbreaks, Recess, Amazing Sauce (ha, ha, love it), the Bible and D&C stickers for the scriptures, zingers (the red ones), jerky, whatchamacallit bars, cliff bars (Lexie knows what they are), any kind of candy. I would really love to have the scripture mastery scripture stickers. Yeah, thank you all, I love you so much.

Elder Nelson

Visiting Less Actives Is Bringing People Back to Church

2011-07-12T22:09:00.001-06:00

Letter Received July 11, 2011:

Hey:

This week went by really fast even though we didn't get a whole lot of things done. It seemed that everywhere that I turned, I had something else that I had to do. Something cool is that we are now teaching a professional soccer player. She is so tight! She is in the minor leagues for her age still. She is really cool!

We are not really making all that much progress with the Branch President because he doesn't really have the desire at all to change, so I am thinking that soon they are going to change him out (or at least I am hoping).

Me and my companion are getting along, but I am not going to lie, my comp has been a little bit on edge lately. I think that he is getting bummed about the work a little bit because it is especially hard to be patient in the first part of you mission. Today is his birthday, so I would like to buy him a cake and a little something to cheer him up. We were going to go to the snow in the mountains today but the activity got cancelled because the car was being dumb, so yeah, here we are.

This week was okay but this coming one hopefully will be better. Sorry that I don't really have all that much to tell. This week I was able to have 41 people in church, That is really good for the Branch these days. I know that is thanks to visiting the less actives because they are now coming slowly back to church. That is about it for this week. I love you all, take care. Talk to you all next week.

Elder Nelson

Tough Times, Short Letter

2011-07-04T21:56:00.003-06:00

Letter Received July 4, 2011:

Hey:

So, this week went okay but it didn't go the way that I planned. Me and my companion have come up with a new program to work with the less active members, so we are going to see how that works out for us. Me and my companion are happy to still be together. I know that he is going to be changed soon. If he stays this next transfer he would be with me till I die and then he would have to stay for one more after I leave. I know that the President wouldn't leave someone in the Sector for that long. Especially here in Bulnes, he wouldn't chastise someone for that long, ha, ha, ha.

This week, once again, the President of the Branch did not show up for anything so I am going to have to talk to the Stake because things aren't working and I don't know what to do. We were blessed with some people to teach. That makes me happy! Sorry, once again time is short. I love you all. I promise next week that I will write a lot but there is not a whole lot of news either. I love you and hope that you had a good 4th of July.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Short Note

2011-06-29T21:52:00.002-06:00

Letter Received June 28, 2011:

Hey, just a quick note because here it is a holiday and there aren't any places open to do Internet. I am doing good. We did some good work with the Branch and me and my companion are going to be together for another transfer. I am happy with that, we get along really well.

I love you all. I am doing well. Sorry that this is so short and that I have no time to write. Glad to hear that everything is going well. Also, glad to hear that Mom for sure has got the time off to come to Chile. I love you all, keep up the good works.

Elder Nelson

Love you all. Talk to you next week!

250 Contacts and Not Much Success

2011-06-21T21:18:00.062-06:00

Letter Received June 20, 2011:

Well this week went pretty slow, I am not going to lie. Because for me and companion it was nothing but a week of contacts. It was a real bummer because we did 250 contacts and like two people let us through the door and they were people that aren't really going to progress, you can tell. They are people that were, more than anything, letting us in because it was raining all week and they felt bad that we were so wet. But, what can you do? Just got to keep going till that person that is really going to progress comes along and gets baptized. Nothing like Tyson, who is baptizing 15 people in two weeks.

We did make some progress, though, with the Branch. The Stake came and dropped the stick on the Branch President and gave some goals to us as a Presidency. I am really hoping that they will really make a difference because this Branch is really disanimated. Everyone in the Stake knows it so they are going to be coming to help the Branch more. I am praying hard for everything to work out. I am going to focus a little bit more on the Branch because if I focus more on the Branch, the Lord will bless me with people to baptize.

The thing is that we have transfers next week and I think that my comp is going to change and I will really have to take up the slack by myself because my new comp will not know the Sector at all. But, just got to keep on the knees.

It has now officially started raining and being really cold here. It makes the work a little harder because everyone goes to sleep and is not all that happy to let people that are dripping from head to toe in there house ha, ha, ha, think about it a little. Me and my comp try to have fun with the rain because it is never fun to be in the rain if the whole time you talk about how wet you are and all that good jazz. So, we just have sword fights with our umbrellas and what not ha, ha, ha. We have been working hard to keep up the animo.

The more and more I am talking with my companion the more I find that in my life I have had a lot of funny experiences and good times with Tyson. I know that me being friends with Tyson really have prepared me to be on a mission and to be with a companion. That is something that I never really had to get used to, ha, ha, ha. But, this week I know is going to be better. Glad to hear that everything is going good for everyone. I love and miss you all.

Elder Nelson

P.S.- Happy late Anniversary, Mom and Dad, and Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Cynthia Got Baptized!

2011-06-13T16:46:00.031-06:00

Letter Received June 13, 2011:

Me and Cynthia

Hey:

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I have been having people from my other sectors that have come to see me for my birthday and they took me out to lunch, so my time is a little shorter. This week we had some really interesting events happen. This week I baptized Cynthia and it was really awesome! She is so awesome!

I am happy and having a good time. We had interviews with our President this week. I think that he is trying to make me trunky. I don't know why. But, I am trying to stay focused.

Hey, I forgot to tell you guys that I have been going to physical therapy because I sprained my ankle really bad and tore one of the muscles in my ankle so I might have to use some of the money for my trips to Chillan. For some reason I could only could pull out $160.00, I don't know why. I hurt it playing paint ball. It is like what I did right before the mission but worse and my other ankle tomorrow I have an appointment with the doctor.

Well, I found out that they are probably going to change the Branch President. It is a bummer that he is not meeting his obligations and that we need this change but it will be better for the branch and I will actually be able to get some stuff done. I talked to the Stake president and laid it down thick so that he really could get how it has been. The Stake President is 30 minutes away and he rarely comes nor even one of his counselors or anybody. But now they are going to come. The Branch President doesn't go to the meetings that he has with the Stake, so they can't even teach him anything.

Me, Cynthia, and Flores

Thanks Dad for the money for my birthday. Please tell Mom that I am very grateful to you both. I can't imagine the sacrifices that you both make for me. I love you both so much.

I can't wait to ride again, that is one thing that makes me trunky. My dreams are about riding and being home, it is weird. I think that when things pick up here, I won't really feel that way. When things don't go as well as they should, it is easy to think about home.

Just Dunked!

The food that me and my comp make is good but the food from the sector is kind of boring. I have not gone hungry though, that is for sure. I can't wait to eat like some Wingers. If you send a package make sure that there is a lot of Amazing Sauce in there, ha, ha, ha. I want some steak, some Subway, enchiladas. . . oh, what don't I want to eat! I would kill for some Cafe Rio but just without rice! Ha, ha, ha.

Thank you all for all you do and the birthday wishes. I am now old, ha, ha, ha, in two different ways, the mission and in life. Tell Matt that I wish him luck and that I am proud of him and pray for him daily for his preparation. Love you all. Talk to you next week.

Elder Nelson

Me, Cynthia, and Flores 2

Seeing a Little Progress

2011-06-06T12:46:00.006-06:00

Letter Received June 6, 2011:

Like Bullet Proof Vests

Hey:

This week this letter is going to be short, sorry. We went with our zone to an activity and we are running a little late. Also, I don't really have that much to tell. We went paintballing. I will send some pics.

So yeah, this week went really fast. This week we had Cynthia in church for the second time and so that means that she can be baptized any week now because she has all the lessons that she needs and everything. She is so awesome! I have not seen anyone convert so fast and easy in such a hard time of her life and place that she lives. That is the really good news for the week.

Lone Soldier

Its weird, I have been having weird dreams about home and the mission. I think that means that I am old here now, ha, ha, ha. It is weird that I am going to be turning 21 this next Monday. That to me is really weird.

Everything is good here. It is getting cold but I am trying to stay warm. I am hoping that it doesn't rain to much here in Bulnes. We are starting to find people to teach. I am starting to see a little progression here in my branch. We have interviews tomorrow with our President and I'm kinda wondering what he is going to ask me. Being a counselor, I think that he is going ask about the branch more than about me. Time is going by fast and I am starting to realize it. But I am enjoying my mission to the fullest still. Although, I do kinda wish that I was in a different sector to finish because Bulnes isn't all that awesome but I know that the Lord has put me here for a reason and that we are going to baptize maybe this week makes me even more sure.

Me and My Partner

I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well and that the shed is almost done is tight. That means less lawn to mow when I get home, ha, ha, ha. I've got to go. Thanks for everything. Let me know as soon as possible if Mom gets the time off please because the mission has called me today and I told them that I would let them know as soon as possible. I love you all. Sorry that this one is so short.

Elder Nelson

There Were Really Cereal Boxes in Those Vests

Just Horsin' Around

2011-06-05T15:47:00.000-06:00

Try and Find Me

Letter Received May 30, 2011:

Wow! It really looks like the garage is going to be huge. I looks like it is going to be about the same size as the house. That is nuts! I am really doubting that I am going to recognize anything about the house when I get there. Yeah, so I am down for staying in Chillan, too. I just have heard that the best place to stay is probably going to be in Concepcion but I am down for staying in Chillan. Nothing is going to be that bad about the hotel. I am sure that they're going to be a lot nicer than the houses that the missionaries live in! I think that there should be a pretty nice place to stay here in Chillan. Other than Concepecion, Chillan is the nicest city that I have been in.

Hanging in Bulnes

This week we had a really awesome conference with our President and he showed us a talk from Elder Holland and it was amazing. It seemed that the whole mission was really affected by what he said. I know that everything that Elder Hollland said was exactly what I needed to hear to rededicate myself to the work. I am doing well with my companion. I don't think that I am going to be with him till I die. I think that he is going to be here for this transfer and then he is going to head out. I think that he is going to baptize a ton when he leaves this sector because Bulnes is a hard sector to start in. He is going to be such a bomb comp mayor when he leaves. I now have some new ideas on how to do my work and to help the Branch President progress.

Me and the Fishbecks, they are going home soon.

Time is going so fast I can't even believe it. It is already June! Man, that is a real bummer about the weather there. Hope that everything clears up really soon. Here it is getting colder than ever. Ha, ha, ha. So, I guess I know how you are feeling right now. Last night we had a really random thing happen. we were walking donw the street last night and all the sudden we see a horse come running by on the street by itself. It had a rope around its neck and we were like, "What the heck!" There was no one that was chasing it or anything, so we did, ha, ha, ha. We got a hold of the rope and we didn't find the owner so we took it to the police, ha, ha, ha. It was a really cool experience. I mean, how often do you run to catch a horse as a missionary, ha, ha, ha. Everyone was looking at us like, "What in the heck are you doing with a horse?" But, it was a good deed because what if this thing got hit by a car or something? It almoust got hit by a semi when we were chasing it. So yeah, that is the cool story for the week, ha, ha.

Hanging Close in Bulnes

I need some info because I got the email from the office of the mission that I am going to be dying soon. Sad!! I need the following info: I need the name of our Stake and the ward. It is Poplar still, right? I need a phone number that they can call, but I doubt it that they are going to call. They are asking if you guys are going to come, but I will call the sister that does that information.

Me and Yeakley

Oh yeah, are you going to leave the shed that we built in the yard? Okay, well I think that is about it for me this week. Love you, miss you all a ton, but time is going fast.

Love,
Elder Nelson

P.S.- Mom, what did you serve the missionaries when they came to the house?

Thumbs Up Bulnes

Learning from My Companion

2011-05-27T11:10:00.003-06:00

Letter Received May 23, 2011:

Hey,

First off, I want to wish Lyndsay a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Well, this week didn't really go so hot but all you can do is go on with the next week. It just seems that nobody cares any more in the branch. I am just going to have to keep working with it because there is nothing else that you can do.

This week I have really learned a lot from my companion and I have really realized how strong of a person that he is. I really have realized that I can rely on him and that he is a great missionary and he is such a great teacher. I can imagine the kind of missionary that he is going to be when he gets to a sector that helps him. He is going to baptize a ton, I know it. This week, the girl that we found, Cynthia, wasn't able to come to church because her family had some problems and she couldn't come. She is really cool, she is making a lot of progress and she is just awesome!

I really don't have much to tell. It kinda seems like just another week in the mission, all the same buisness. I have been working hard trying to get some stuff going, but now I know why everyone thinks that Bulnes is so hard. That's because it is, ha, ha, ha, ha! But, for some reason, I am here and I am learning a lot.

Sorry for the kinda short letters but not much new. I love you all so much, that is a bummer about the garage that it has been delayed so much. Glad to hear that everthing went well for Lyndsay's b-day and that everything is good.

This is what I am thinking for the schedule for when you come:

20 Tuesday: Go see the people that I have in Concepecion in the morning till like two. Then go to Chillan and see some people there and come back to Concepecion to stay for the night.

21 Wednesday: See the rest of the people from Chillan in the morning, head to Parral and spend the day there and go and I think stay in Talca for the night.

22 Thursday: See the people from Talca in the morning then off too Santiago in the afternoon around 4-ish then spend the rest of the time in Santiago.

That is what I have been thinking but you will have to keep thinking about it but that is what I would like to do. The place that I want to spend the most time is in my sectors in the Parral/Retiro area. We could easily do Chillan and Bulnes quickly. Are we thinking that I am going to be able to be released when you come? That is something that we need to look into.

Sorry that this is so short, not much to say. Love you all.

Elder Nelson

Working with the Branch President

2011-05-17T11:02:00.000-06:00

Letter Received May 16, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

So, I think that this letter is going to be rather short because I don't really have all that much time to write today and not only that but there really isn't that much to tell. This week was okay, better because we had some investigators in church, but if you were to look at my numbers you would say, "What the heck?!" I am thinking that here that things are going to be picking up.

I have been struggling and working hard to help my Branch President understand his role, but I feel that I have found the way to help him read the manuals. That way is by me sitting down with him in his house once a week and reading with him. I think that way, he will recognize that it is important to be where he is supposed to be when he says that he is going to be there.

This week we have found a girl that is 17 and she is really interested. She is really smart and I really feel that she is going to progress really fast but I need to have patience.

That would be really cool for Dad if he could just stay the time after the trip, if he comes. Don't worry about the message, Lexie, he is a convert that misses me is all and I think that he thinks that we can look at our Facebook. If you do rent a car, we would definitely get around a lot faster but that is something that you will have to look at. Glad to hear about Wyatt and that he is doing well. It was really good to hear from you all last week. I miss you and love you all. That is a bummer about the garage, that it got delayed. But, that is how it goes. Well, I will talk to you all later. I love you.

P.S.- Do we know if Mom is going to be able to change her time of vacation at work?

Oh yeah, well this month I didn't do so well with my money, so I may need to take some out this week for the month, sorry. I will try and do better.

Love you so much.

Love,
Your son and brother Austin

Adjusting to Life in Bulnes

2011-04-26T11:26:00.001-06:00

Letter Received April 25, 2011:

Good to hear from you all. Sorry that my letter was so short last week. For some reason I just was kinda drawing blanks and I didn't really know what to write. This week isn't really going to be a whole lot different because this week not a whole lot of things have happened.

Me and my companion are getting along really well. We don't really want to do mini cambios because our Zone is kinda not all that great and our Zone Leaders aren't cool at all. All they care about is numbers. I am kinda stressed out with the President of the Branch a little but I know that I just have to have patience with him because he needs to mature spiritually and I am going to be the person that helps him along with that. I have been talking to President and he has been giving me some advice so that I can help him but know that I have to have patience.

We have to find some people. This week I made like a million phone calls. I organized so that we could go to Chillan and play soccer so that we all could relax and get out of our sector for a little bit of time.

We do have some good news. We went with some of our investigators so that they could get a date for them to get married and they are going to get married on the 19 of May. So, it is going to be tight. We have been having some opposition with them but we are going to beat it.

I don't have any info about the phone call but I am going to see what I can do. It is going be kinda hard because like no one here has internet in Bulnes because it is in the country but I am working on it. What I might end up doing is getting the keys to the Secretary's office and have to buy a camera for the computer so that we can see each other. I will work with that a little and see what I can do.

That is cool for Craig that he is done with school for good. Man, I wish I could go to the Supercross. I am craving riding so much. I feel so lazy for not being able to do practically any sports. I feel fat! Glad to hear that everyone had a good Easter. I completely forgot that it was Easter. Here everyone is Catholic and they have a whole week called the Semana Santa which is the Passover. Such apostacy! But, what can you do. They don't know any better. Here we have been working really hard to find new people because we really don't have that many people to teach. We just have to be patient and the Lord will bless us. I am doing fine, don't worry about me. Love you guys. Glad to hear that everything is good. Love you guys. Talk to you next week.

Love,
Elder Nelson

A Baptism and a New Family Investigating the Church

2011-04-19T10:58:00.007-06:00

Letter Received April 18, 2011:

Me, Boris, and Elder Flores

This week went okay. I wish that it would have gone a little better, but what can you do? You have good weeks and bad ones. We had a decent week. We saw some good things happen but we also saw some things that we can do better with. We had the baptism of Boris. He was kinda tough to start with when we shared with him before. But, he started to go to Seminary and it made all the difference and he finally made the decision that he was going to be baptized.

Before the Cake

This week we are going to be going with a new family that we found to take out a date that they are going to be married so that they can be baptized. How exciting, huh! They might even think about doing the wedding in the church. They are really excited about the gospel.

After I Pushed Him In

I never really knew how stressful it is to be in a bishopric. I know that Dad knows how that feels. There is so much to do and I don't really know where to start. But, I am working hard and trying to get this branch moving better. I feel that I have started on a good foot though. Me and my companion are getting along really well. It is good because he is helping my Spanish really well.

We are in the process of finding a lot more people to teach. A lot of people have said that this is kind of a dead sector but I think that is a lie because I can see a lot of potential here.

Me and Boris

I did get my package. Thank you, Mom and Dad. This week, I am looking forward to the work. It seems that every Monday I am able to start new and work harder the next week. This week we also had a Conference with the President and it seemed that I got a lot out of it and truly enjoyed it. The Spirit was so strong there. Sorry this letter is kinda short. I am doing good. I love you all. For some reason I am trying to think about what to write but I am kinda drawing a blank.

Sincerely,

Elder Nelson

More on the Move to Bulnes ... A Great New Challenge

2011-04-14T09:21:00.001-06:00

Letter Received April 11, 2011:

Sorry that I wasn't able to talk a ton last week. I was saying goodbye to people and we were running really late, so I wasn't able to tell you all about what is going on. I really liked Conference. It seemed that I felt like a lot of things were aimed towards me. I really liked Priesthood. The First Presidency was like just laying it down. It was awesome! Conference is like the vacation for missionaries here because you really can't work all that much. You can invite people to come to Conference and it is really easy to invite people because there are four different sessions that you can invite people to. Not only that but we baptized that day so it made it even better.

I was really sad to come to find that it was my turn to leave Parral, but I was kinda expecting it. What can you do? The thing is that President invited me to the Zone Leader Conference because he had decided that he was going to make me the Second Counslor of the branch here in Bulnes. Bulnes is known in the mission for being a hard sector and not functioning very well. It is about forty minutes away from everything. I am excited but nervous all at the same time because there is a lot of work to do and not only that but I also have the Zone Leaders breathing down my neck.

Me, Elder Wilhelm, Franchesca, and Pati

There is a lot of work to do. I am going to be here till the end of my mission because I have 4 transfers left including the one that I am in right now. and he said being a counslor makes sure that I am going to be here for at least three and he isn't going to send me somewhere for one cambio especially because afterward I would be leaving and that wouldn't let me get used to the sector and what not. So yeah, I am going to die in Bulnes.

Once again I am finishing training, but this time I don't have to teach Spanish but English to my companion and he is teaching me Spanish. Ha, ha, ha, win-win situation. We get along really well. I'm not going to lie, I don't really get along with my Zone Leaders all that much because they are 100% focused on numbers and not the people. That isn't the way that it should be.

I am going to do my best and my goal is to baptize ten people here in my new sector. I already have baptized two and I know that this sector has some potential. It just needs a lot of work and that I know I can do. Me and Elder Flores get along really well. He is from Santiago. I am the counslor of the branch and I have a lot of things to teach him so that this branch can progress. It is weird because we had forty-seven people in church and that is really high for this ward. My goal coming into the branch was to have more than fifty so that means that we are close to getting that. The baptism goal for the branch for the year is to baptize six and now the branch has baptized five, so we're going really really good there. I really think that if you took the missionaries out of the branch that they would have to close it. So, there is Bulnes. I am excited. It means that we are going to be very busy and that I like.

Me, Elder Flores, Digna, Barbara at the Baptism

I do know that my package is here and I am going to be getting it on Wednesday, so yeah. Did you end up sending one box or two? Well, I guess I will kinda find out on Wednesday, huh? Oh well, ha, ha. Glad to hear that everything is good at home. Kinda sad that it is still snowing at all. It is still really nice here. Some days are warmer than others but it is starting to get cold.

Well, I love you all. I especially wanted to wish Dad a very Happy Birthday! I love you so much Dad! I pray and think about you everyday. Now you're over the hill but still young at heart and that is what's important! I love you so much Papi. Hope that you have a very good b-day. I am doing good. I miss you all a lot.

Elder Nelson

Transferred, New Calling

2011-04-04T20:04:00.001-06:00

Letter Received on April 4, 2011:

Bulnes (Map by Google)

I thank all of you guys for writing this week. I have some big news! I am being changed to a little country sector. It is even more country than the one that I am in right now. I am going to be with an elder named Elder Flores. He is Chileno again! Ha, ha, another one, can you believe it. Not only that, but I am going to be a 2nd Counselor in the branch. I have a lot to tell you guys but I am going to have to do it next week because I have to go and say goodbye to people. Thank you for everything and I am sorry that I am making you wait to hear all that has happened but I don't have any time. I love you all and will talk next week. My next sector is called Bulnes. I will be finishing my mission there because I only have five months left. I am going to be the shadow leader of the ward by being a counselor. I will tell you all a whole lot more next week. I love you. Sorry.

Elder Nelson

Another Great Baptism!

2011-03-29T10:55:00.000-06:00

Letter Received March 28, 2011:

Funny Pic With Pati

Hey:

Glad to hear that everyone is doing good. That is cool to hear that the trip down to Vegas went well. Something that I don't understand is where all this success is coming from. This week went so well at church I couldn't believe it. We obviously had some people that didn't come that we were counting on come to church. That is the mission, having some upsets but also having blessings on another end. Well we definitely had some blessings that came from no where. We have Patricia that made the decision on Thursday that she wanted to be baptized on Sunday. So we did it. It was awesome! She was so golden and her dautghter is hopefully getting baptized in between conference sessions. That would be so awesome, huh?

Me, Elder Wilhelm, and Patricia Monica Llonton Carrion

Me and my companion once again weren't together all that much but we had a decent week If you looked at our numbers you would say that we had a really crappy week but then you can then see that we baptized. So, I am happy and she is going to be such a awesome member of the Church. She just loves to learn about the gospel. She just seemed to catch everything so quickly. When you teach some things, you would think that she would be like, why? But, she just didn't. She is so interested in the temple and an eternal family. Her husband is coming along. He is going to be a little bit more of a task, but it will be good. I can already tell that she is going to be a powerhouse member in this ward.

Full Body Pic With Pati

I am doing well but it is weird. I don't know what to think about what is going to happen with cambios this time. I am like 90% sure that I am going to be changed from this sector but something else is telling me that I might stay. I am okay with either one. I think that I will miss this sector a lot becaue this is the place that I have had more success. Not only that, but I just love the feel of Parral. I am in another way going to be bummed when I leave because I am living with a really good friend named Elder Isom. He is really cool and is from Bear Lake. He has made me feel so at home so I will be sad to see him go when I leave.

Me, Elder Wilhelm, and Patricia Family Tambien

I just thought that I would inform you guys that there is a convert that is coming to Utah in September right after I come home. I have invited him to be able to come to the house and possibly stay at our house for a couple days. I hope that is okay but nothing is sure. It is something that he is looking at but he is really serious. He is a good guy and I've never met anyone that is so interested in the gospel. I thought that I would let you know.

Zone Activity in Parral

I was also thinking, what is the thought on if you guys are coming in September. The sister that organizes our flights is going to be calling me any day now and asking about where I want to sit and what not. I don't want to preassure you guys but yeah. I am doing well. I have been missing you all very much. There isn't a day that I don't think about you all. I am really excited about Conference. I feel that Conference is a way that I connect with home because it is all so close to home, the Conference Center and all. I am also really excited for what the prophet has to say to us. I miss Priesthood Session with Dad so much, too! I miss and love you all so much. Talk next week.

Love You,

Elder Nelson

The Mission's Best Kept Secret

2011-03-22T21:36:00.001-06:00

Letter Received March 21, 2011:

Alarcon Lopes Familia

Hey Everyone:

Well its kinda weird this week. I was ready for p-day to come. I feel like this week was a long one, but in another way I also feel like this week went a lot faster than I thought. It was not a great week but not that much of a bad one either. Something that was kind of a bummer, is that we lost some investigators, but what can you do? I realized that we really don't have that many investigators to teach. That just means that we need to find but I don't really know where to start or how to do it.

Me, Luz, and Her Husband Jorge (New Convert)

Something of great news! One of my investigators got baptized from Retiro and so I was able to be there so there is another awesome convert. It was kind of a fight with her but she finally pulled through. I am so glad to be where I am and see success where I am from some of my efforts. Here the baptisms come constantly but we don't know where from. Something about Parral is that it is the mission's best kept secret. Nobody really looks at Parral but we are constantly baptizing in this zone. We're not not like every other zone where it is like baptisms only at the end of the month. I love it here.

Me and Luz's Family

We also had some good success we this week. We had three investigators in church. Two of them being from the same family. Their names are Patricia and Franchesca. They are awesome! They know that the church is true but they just have some things that they have to work on. Before they met us they were planning to bless the baby that they have in their family in the Catholic church. But, then we dropped the stick on that and gave her Moroni 8 that talks how baptizing little kids is an abomination in God's eyes! She really caught that and she was like, I can't get baptized correctly and then baptize my son in the Catholic church, that would be controdicting myself, huh? We were like, yes it would be. She was like, my husband wants to have him be baptized because we already have the Godparents and everything. All we have to do is pick the date. We were like, we want to share with your husband, too. So, we started to share with him and he is coming around. He hasn't come to church yet but he will get there.

Luz, Jorge, and Elder Palta Haws

It was awesome to have them in church. I think that they will be baptized the first or second week of April. They are so fun to share with because they love the gospel and they are progressing so well. We have so much confidence with them and we can tell them straight up how stuff is. They accept it and will just apply it in their lives and progress. I love it.

To answer Mom, on the card that says how long my mission lasts, it says the 20th of September 2011. So, I am pretty sure that would be the day. I am doing well and enjoying the work glad to hear that everything is well. I love you all. Miss you tons.

Love,
Elder Nelson

A Double Dunk!

2011-03-18T22:47:00.006-06:00

Letter Received March 14, 2011:

Funny Everyone Pic at Barbara and Camilas Baptism

Hey Hey:

This week went okay, we had some really cool experiences. We were at the baptism of Camila and her cousin Babara, another one of my investigators from Retiro was there and she wanted to be baptized too, but her mom and dad didn't want to give her permission. Then we called them while at the baptism because they live in Santiago. They said that she could get baptized so we called and got another tunica and she passed her interview and I baptized her right there on the spot because she wanted me to baptize her. So that was kinda cool, it was a miracle that it happened but it was a really awesome day. That was my first time baptizing two people in a row at a baptism. So, I sent you guys some pics so that you could check them out.

Camila Pila Pic

This week was a better one. We had three people in church. There were two people there that we didn't expect to come, but I am not going to complain that they came to church, ha ha ha. That is kinda the idea, huh? This week went better with me and my companion because we have worked out some teaching issues that we have had. Another thing is that we have been able to have some more time together so that we could work some things out. This week is also going to be another tough one, we because it is his turn to go and take care of the zone and do the mini cambios (which means mini transfers so that you all know now what that means). But, I think that it will be a good week, I am just going to have to stay on my toes and keep up on updating my companion on what is happening with our investigators and keep working hard to make sure that I stay diligent.

Barbara Pila Pic

We had interviews with our President this week and I feel like it has been my best interview that I have had with him and that he spent some more time just getting to know me and show me more that he cares for me and he likes the work that I have been doing. He said that he needs me to progress to become my potential that I have so that he can make me a trainer or put me in a leadership position but I don't really want to be any of those things a, district leader, zone leader, or training. I don't think that I would like to do those positions, but obviously I would do them if he asked me to. But, it went well and I am happy.

Barbara and Camila

Our branch is crazy! You would think that with six missionaries that it would be easy to manage everything but it has made it that much more loco! My ex comp and I have the most time here and everyone comes and wants us two to do everything and it is so much work! I don't have time to do all the ward things and be a missionary at the same time. I will just have to manage my time better, I guess.

Complete Family From Retiro

We have been doing a lot better on our teaching and it seems that a lot more people are progressing than when me and my companion started together. We are all getting along as a house so it is going a lot better. It has started to cool down here and now we are starting to get rain. The other day I got soaked. I couldn't believe it, I hydroplaned a bike! It was awesome! The streets were rivers. It was cool, i have never ridden a bike in so much water before. I also don't think that I have ever been that wet in clothing before. It was coming down so hard. I enjoyed it a lot for some reason. It was cold but I was just like screw it. At the end of the night, I just started to nail all of the puddles. My comp thought that I was nuts but I was like, well we are already wet, man, what's the difference. So we started to spray each other. It was awesome and it made me and my companion have some bonding time so we started to relax a little.

Everyone at the Baptism

I am glad to hear that everything is going well with you all. Did you guys send that package so I can keep an eye open for it? Well, I think that is about it this week. I kinda just rambled on, sorry. I hope that it all makes sense. Love and miss you all. There isn't a day that I don't think of you all.

Love,
Elder Nelson

A Lesson in Feeling True Love for Others

2011-03-07T12:49:00.032-07:00

Letter Received March 7, 2011:

Jorge Pila Pic

Hey my family that I haven't been able write for a very long time!

Well, I guess that I will tell you about last week. Yes, my teeth are doing well now. I got to go back and see some of my people from Chillan so we were running very very late! So, I wasn't able to write. I had to write President then pretty much I had no time. Sorry about that.

Us and Jorge's Family

I learned an incredible lesson last week. I was pretty much all week with Elder Isom. He is a kid from Idaho and he is a twin and he lives with me. He is so tight! His twin is in the Santiago West Mission and a family from the ward that he is serving in came down to see Elder Isom. They were so happy to see him. They couldn't believe how much that they look alike and all that good jazz. They gave us lunch for the next three days after that and not only that but they drove us down to Chillan and took me to see all of my people there and not only that but they were on vacation all of this time. They really showed me how to show true love to the people here and I have never felt love from someone so much within so little time of knowing them.

Me, Jorge, Palta, and Allred

They were so amazing and the next day I was able to baptize Jorge one of my investigators from Retiro! It was so awesome! He is so amazing. I have never seen anyone love the Book of Mormon like this man. He knows without a doubt that it is true. He is so solid. I think that he is one of the most converted people that I have baptized. It was such a small baptism but in one way it made it all that much more spirtitual. I am really making sure that he getst the priesthood as fast as possible so that it will make them all that much closer to opening Retiro.

Me, Palta, and Jorge

This week went well but the only thing that is a bummer is that I haven't spent any of it with my companion. He has been doing mini cambios the whole week so I was with him for like a day and a half and it has been hard to get in a good teaching groove. I don't know all the kids really in my Zone, like I know them but I don't know how they teach, and since he is gone all the time he can´t really get to know our investigators either. Oh well, that is how it goes sometimes.

Me and Jorge

I am doing well. I am loving the work. Time seems to be winding down fast and I can't really believe it because we are already in March. It makes me sad because that means that my mission is coming to a close and I don't want it to end. I love being here and learning. Even though it is hard, I am learning and having experiences that I couldn't learn anywhere else. I definitely feel that I have grown a ton and still have a lot of things to better myself. Thanks dad for writing a little something, I know that you are very busy. Good to hear that everything is going well. Cool about the boat! I am so excited to use it. That will be sick! Are you guys going to make a garage like the neighbors? That is nuts about Daytona. I wish I could see the Supercross. It sounds so good! I love and miss you all. Keep on truckin'!

Elder Nelson

Catch You Next Week

2011-02-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Letter Received February 28, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

I will write next week. I am out of time. I have a lot of news but it will have to wait till next week. Sorry, I went to the dentist and still have to get back to my sector. Thank you guys, love you.

Elder Nelson

Splitting My Area Into Two

2011-02-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Letter Received February 21, 2011:

Hey:

So, that is insane that Matt has got his call. I didn't even have any idea that he had even sent in his letter yet. But that is tight that he is going back to China so he will kinda already know what his mission is going to be like. How long is he going to be in the MTC because he already pretty much knows the language. That means that me and Matt aren't going to see each other for like 4 years. That is bummer! Oh well, I am really glad that he is content with that. I would be content. I know how he feels, being excited. I know that I was.That is going to be an amazing experience. That is going to be so hard there though. That is a whole different animal to wrestle with, for the fact that there is not a very Christian background. That is going to be hard, but I am pumped for him. Tell him congrats for me.

Well, this week, like you all know, I had to go to the dentist, so I will tell you all about that really fast so that we can get that all worked out. Well, I went to the dentist and he told me that there isn't all that much that needs to get done, but it would be a lot cheeper I think to do it here than it would in the states. I have heard that he is a really good dentist. He is a member too, so he is going to only make us pay the minimum. With one of my fillings, there is like a gap underneath it and he needs to reseal it. He said that there are like four other teeth that need some cleaning up but not any extensive work. He told me that the one tooth is going to cost 22 mil which is about 50 dollars but he also told me that to do all five teeth and get them all done that it would cost me 90 mil and that is about 185 dollars, which I believe is a lot cheaper than in the states. He told me that the other teeth would eventually need the work but he told me that they would be fine if I wait till I get home. But he told me that it would be the same as if we did it in the states. So it is your call. For sure the one for fifty dollars I need to get fixed so tell me what you would like me to do and I will do it. I think that it would be good to get them all done so they are done with and if I have insurance info they might be able to work with that, too. I believe that I have some info for my insurance.

Well, I guess that I will tell you about my week. Yes, I do know about transfers. I am getting a new companion and my companion is going to Retiro. They are sending him there to open. They are still going to be participating in our branch, but they are working out the kinks and so finally they will be able to have their own Branch. I definitely have some mixed feelings about it, because I wanted to go out there and they are all my converts and now I have no investigators here in Parral. We are still going to see each other and I am going to have two baptisms this week if not four. That would be so tight!

I am now going to be with Elder Wilhelm. He is from California and he has the same time as me. We roomed together in the MTC. The thing is that he is going to be a Zone Leader, so I am comps with one of the Zone Leaders and the other companionship that I live with there is also a Zone Leader. So, I think that I am going to be going on a lot of mini cambios. I am excited to be with him but that means that we are both going to be Senior Companion but not really because I am going to be with the Zone Leader so that means that pretty much I am Jr. Companion again.

We had a good week, we had Area Conference and through satellite we had conference where we heard President Packer talk and Elder Christofferson. Christofferson did it all in Spanish and Elder Packer did it even in a little Spanish. It was so awesome! We should be having some baptisms I am kinda sad to see my companion go but that is how it goes sometimes. This week went really well but I am running out of time. Good to hear that everything is good. Love you guys. Talk to you next week. Mom and Dad, if you can write me about the dentist it would be good so that I can get on early on this week some time and see what you want me to do or reply to the mission email and tell them what you want me to do so I can know. Love you. We'll talk to you later.

Elder Nelson

The Power of the Holy Ghost

2011-02-14T17:28:00.017-07:00

Us and Arny

Letter Received February 14, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

Me, Haws, Arny, and Romina

Well, I think that I will first start off by telling you about the experience that I had this week when we were confirming Arny. Well, first off, when I baptized her the water was really low but it, for some reason, was one of the easiest baptisms that I have performed. She was so ready and it makes me so happy. When she got baptized, she didn't want people to hear her full name for the fact that her name is Arnolda. She hates it and she is getting it legally changed because it bugs her so much, but it was cool. There wasn't very many people there, but when we were confirming her, Palta confirmed her, and I was very hot because it was not only hot in the room but I felt that I was on fire literally and I truly did feel the Holy Ghost passing through me to her through the Prieshtood. It was incredible! I can't explain how it felt. I truly felt that from the inside of my body out I was on fire. It was amazing! It is about time that woman got baptized and she finally did it and she jumped in with both feet.

Chillin' After Planning

I am really feeling that the Lord is making miracles here in this sector and I know that I have been blessed in this sector and I feel that here I can become more of the missionary that I can become. This week was so fast, I feel like weeks have now become days and the months are going by so fast.

Taco Time

I am glad to hear that Britt is doing well. This week the letter is going to be really short. We started internet kind of late today and I don't really have that much to tell. I am doing well and I am glad to see that the Lord has been giving us many people to baptize. There is one upset, I think that my companion is going to be getting changed out next week because it is transfers and I don't want him to leave. That seems to be happening a lot with my companions because the Lord has blessed me with good companions. Its good to hear that all have been well. I love you guys, sorry this one is so short.

Happy Valentines Day!

Love,

Everyone at Baptism

Elder Nelson

A Great Week! So Close to Four Baptisms

2011-02-08T15:06:00.001-07:00

Letter Received February 7, 2011:

Hey Hey:

So, this week went by really fast and I was like holy crap it is already Monday again. It seemed that Sunday came around really fast and then another week had passed by. I really couldn't believe that it was Sunday already. I think that it is because we were really busy this week and and I think that we are going to have another busy one this week that is coming.

For some reason, I am really excited to work this week. I think that it is because we are going to have another baptism this Saturday. Arny is finally going to be baptized, we have been working with her for a really long time and she didn't really want to progress and through reading the Book of Mormon that her faith. She asked me to baptize her and my companion to confirm her. I am so happy to finally see her to take the steps to get baptized. It has definitely been a struggle but now she is really good and she is reading everyday. She had a fecha for the 19th but then we moved it up to the 12th.

It is possible that we are going to have two more baptisms on Sunday. So, it should be really awesome for us this week and it makes us become all that much more close to opening Retiro. It seems to be getting harder to get people to come and help us pick up people for church. One of the Zone Leaders just informed me that somebody in the District Presidency has someone that has a bus that we might be able to use to go and get people. That would be so awesome!

We are working mainly with people named Jorge, Luz, Camila and Arny and they all have come to church and have possibility of getting baptized this week. That would be so sweet to baptize four people this week! That would be sick! I feel really good about the week that we had and I know that this week is only going to be better. Me and my companion are getting along so well and I know that we are really making a lot of progress and I hope that it stays that way.

The other night I woke up at four in the morning because in my sleep I jumped off the top bunk of our bed and I woke up when I hit the ground. Really weird, huh? It was kinda funny, ha, ha, ha. Well, I don't really have that much to tell. Sorry if this is kinda boring but I don't really have that much to tell. I know that this is kinda short but you all know how it goes sometimes. It was really good to hear that everything is going well with you guys. Some ideas that I have for a package are black suspenders that clip on and some that go with buttons because I practically use all suspenders now. My comp got me hooked. Some soccer socks. A lot, a lot of Flaming Hot Cheetos! Some Amazing Sauce, fruit snacks, Sour Patch Water Melons, oatmeal pies, some fine point pens, a journal, one with like a leather cover. Some ideas that I have off the top of my head but i will let you know next week. Thanks for everything. I love and miss you tons.

Love,
Elder Nelson

So Close to Another Baptism

2011-01-31T22:48:00.002-07:00

New Sick Handmade Jacket That I Bought

Letter Received January 31, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

Well, this week went not so well. Even though we did see some blessings, we didn't have that good of a week. But, the only thing that you can do is do better this week. We didn't have the baptism that we were expecting, but I know that Camila will be baptized. It is just a matter of time. I think that she feels that everything went really fast and that she wasn't quite ready to be baptized even though she passed her interview. I think that she just didn't have that assurance that this is the true church. But, we are going to keep working with her because she is really good and she does know that this is the true church she just needs a little bit of time. I think that she will be baptized this Sunday.

Me and my companion have been good, we both know that we can do a lot better. We do have some more people that we are teaching but we have a lot of work to do. This week we did see a miracle with Arny, one of the investigators that just didn't want to progress. She finally accepted a date so that she will be baptised but we just have to make sure that we keep good contact with her and she will start to progress well.

This week there was like a big fesival here in Parral and I bought a really sweet jacket. It's handmade and it is going to be so sweet for snowboarding. This week I am really going to focus myself on trying to manage my time better and make it more effective.

This week we had a conference with our President. I am not going to lie, it was really long. I did learn some things but I got really bored after sitting there for 8 hours! Here we are starting to make some progress in Retiro but still we lack a little bit. It does seem that President is thinking about it a lot. He has been talking to the leaders here in the area about it a lot. It seems like one of the big problems is that we don't have anywhere to meet so we are really keeping our eyes open. The President also told us that he wants us to have more investigators in Parral so that puts more and more work on us but we will do it because that is what President has asked of us.

Don't have too much to tell, just doing the basic stuff. Something that is kinda new is that I did my first confirmation on Sunday. I was really nervous but everything turned out well. But that is about it. That would be sick if you guys did build a big garage. That would be so cool. I think that we should put in a pool instead though, ha, ha, ha. Its good to hear that everything is going well. I hope that everything goes well with the baby blessing. Wish I could be there but yeah. I miss and love you so much.

Love,

Elder Nelson

13 New Investigators!

2011-01-24T22:12:00.001-07:00

Letter Received January 24, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

I think that this week is going to be one that is kinda short because I would like to save some time to rest today because we went and played soccer this morning and I am really tired. I did really good on the court today, I had like 8 goals so I felt really good about that. Today was just one of those days when I felt really good.

Me and my companion are doing really well. This week went really well. Even though we didn't baptize anyone this week we had a confirmation. So, that was good. My comp was the one that confirmed Rosa. I was really proud of him because he has only confirmed like twice and he memorized what he needed to say in so little time.

I have some great news. This week we should have two more baptisms! Barbara and Camila which are the daughter and neice of Rosa have baptism dates this week. They're really awesome and progressing really fast because they're really curious. They're really cool. I love when we leave that house because you just leave with the Spirit every time and just know that they're going to be baptized.

We are being more blessed because this week we had 13 new investigators and 4 progressing investigators and 5 in church! I was pretty happy with the week. I think that we can do better but we are being blessed everyday.

We are going to have a mini conference on Wednesday so we are going to see what President has for us this week. I am doing well. I have been getting really burned from the sun but that is inevitable. You guys look like you are having so much fun in the snow. Man, if I could be in the snow! Here it is like 90 degrees, but what can you do? It makes you want to swim so bad. Sounds like Mom and Dad had fun in California this week.

I don't have too much to report, but this week was a good one. I wait for this one to be better. Yes, Dad, I have seen some parents that have come down to pick up their kids. I am doing well and am happy where I am. I love and miss you all and look forward to hearing from you next week.

Elder Nelson

A Family Coming Together in the Gospel

2011-01-17T11:08:00.001-07:00

Pila Pick

Me, Palta, and Rosa

Letter Received January 17, 2011:

Hey:

Well this week went better but still we have a lot of things that we are needing to work on especially not wasting our time and limiting our time in our appointments. I feel that I am losing a lot of time and then my numbers aren't showing my work. But, I was really pumped this week because I baptized Rosa Elvira Cerna Hernandez. It was so awesome because she just had this really awesome smile on her face the whole time and when we were in the water you could just tell that she was so ready. The awesome thing is that when the missionaries showed up at her house she didn't like them at all and she wouldn't even listen because her husband is a new convert too and their son. Our mission was here once and told her husband that if he gets baptized that him and his whole family would come to know the gospel and be baptized so that they can be an eternal family and now I am seeing the fruits of that and their family is all progressing all so well. Her husband now has the Aaronic Priesthood and we wanted him to baptize her but they couldn't because of size differences and he has a sickness in his legs. But, it was so cool.

Elders and Family of Rosa

Me and my comp are getting along so well and we are really excited to be working togther and we feel that we are going to do so good this week. We are doing really well but I feel that we are going to be running out of people soon, so we are really focusing on our contacts this week because we are running out of people to baptize for the moment. But, if we get a couple weeks I am pretty sure that we will be able to get some people in the water.

Rosa and Her Family

I am really wanting to open Retiro because we are losing time waiting for buses and colectivos all the time. But, the Lord is blessing that area because there are people that are moving in that are members. You can tell that the Lord is blessing that little town. We have a lot of competition out there. I have seen missionaries of 4 different churches out there. I think that they all have the same idea that we do, ha, ha, ha.

Last Baptism Pick Together

I am doing really well and my bike is working out really well. It is really really hot here but we trying to do all that is possible to keep cool. It is not working too well, ha, ha, ha. Last week was a little long but this one is going to be better. Good to hear that everyone is doing well. I love you guys. I miss you a ton.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Elders and Family, Me Bending Down

An Answer to Someone's Prayer

2011-01-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Letter Received January 10, 2011:

Well, this week went well. I do think that there are some things that we can do better but at least we are baptizing. So, that is good. But, this week was a typical one. We didn't really have a whole lot of things new but at least we worked hard and I got my package. Me and my companion are staying together so that makes me happy, but something that makes me kinda bummed is that one of the Zone Leaders that I live with is leaving.

We did find a really awesome family named Roberto and Ivon. Something weird is that he is twenty-one and she is forty! And they have been married for 3 years! But, they are good and happy and are really awesome. I know that the Spirit was guiding me as we passed them at their house. For some reason, I was like, we have to turn around talk to them. When we got in their house, Ivon says to us that she is glad that we are there because two days before she had been praying and asking God to send someone to come and change there lives for the better and she sees us as a answer to her prayers and I am thinking so, too! They didn't come to church but we are going to work hard with them this week.

We have found some more people. Every day we are getting closer and closer to opening Retiro. That is only thing that me and my comp are thinking about and that is what we are working towards. I got my package and wanted to tell everyone thank you for everything. We baptized Paulina, Darlin's sister. She is so happy and her mom is content with her and her sister. Her mom is having some family problems but we are still working with her. We are going to be baptizing a lady named Rosa this Sunday and it is going to be legit!

Even though this is kinda short that is kinda the news for this week. That is tight that you guys got to go the temple in Cali. That trip sounds like fun. I am jealous. Well, that is about it for me. I will talk to you all next week. I love you all and miss you all a ton!

Love,

Elder Nelson

Worried About Transfers

2011-01-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Letter Received January 3, 2011:

Hey Everyone:

Elders with Fernanda

Fernanda with Everyone

Todos

Fernanda with Family Extended

So this one is going to be really short because I still only have a little time and not only that but we pretty much talked about everything on Christmas so I really don't have much to tell you. But anywho, I have been busy this week but I can honestly say that it didn't go quite as planned but it was okay because we did get a baptism. I do think that I could have done better this week and I feel that this week is going to be better. I am kinda worried that the President is goin to change my companion again because you never know and not only that but he is going to be looking at my numbers from this week when he does transfers. I hope that he doesn't change my companion because we are getting better as a companionship and I know that we can do better but we will have to see. But, I did express my concern to the Zone Leaders and told them to tell this to the President today because they have their leadership meeting today with the President. So, we will have to see what happens this next week.

Legit Bike Photo

Parral Bike Photo

Both Bikes

My New Bike in Front

We did okay this week. Our people that are good this week for baptism should be good for Sunday but I need to talk to them because they went out of town this last weekend and they weren't able to go church so that is a bummer and now the mom can't get baptised together with her daughter because she lacks attendance at church. But, we are going to get them dunked, don't worry about that.

Me and Elder Haws with Darlin

Yeah, I got the bike and it is legit, I love it! It is so comfy and we get everywhere so much faster and with a lot less effort. I bought a lock and everything is well taken care of so you don't need to worry about that.

Us and Her Family

Todos

Her Family with Uribe

Pila Photo Darlin

Me and my comp cut our hair by ourselves and we didn't really realize how short that we cut it so now we are both bald, ha, ha, ha. But oh well, it should grow back. But yeah, it kinda sucks about the packages because they are just sitting there in the office and they told us that we probably aren't going to get them for probably another two weeks. So, that sucks, but oh well, what can you do? That is about it for this week it was really good to talk to you all and I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing good. I love you all and miss you tons.

Love,

Elder Nelson

My New Bike in Back

A Few Pictures and Phone Call Prep

2010-12-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Letter Received December 20, 2010:

Ray Bans

I just got news that we can Skype and now we can use the camera! So now we can chat for free so that kinda sucks for the Magic Jack. I am out of time. I love you and hope that everything works on Saturday. If not, I will have to call and at the minimum you can call me through the Magic Jack if we have problems, but it should work. I love you.

Elder Nelson

Me and Palta Haws

Golden Investigators!

2010-12-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Letter Received December 13, 2010:

Hey:

Yeah, so I got my package. Thank you so much for sending me all that stuff! I really don't know what you are going to send me in that package that was sent for Christmas. It seemed like everything that I asked for was in this package. I was really excited to see all that stuff. I am guessing that you guys bought a hot dog rolling machine. Ha, ha, ha! (His package was sent in a box for a hot dog rolling machine.) Everyone was like, "What the heck?" Ha, ha, ha. I was like, yeah, my parents sent me a hot dog machine ha, ha, ha.

I got it at Conference last week which went really well. It seemed that the President's talk was like directed right at me and I was like that is exactly what I need to hear. I was like wondering where all my time goes. It seems like the day goes by so fast. Then, I look back at the numbers that I have for the day of like lessons that I did and all and then I am like what did I do? But I feel that we do have a lot of people progressing and that they are all pretty well progressing, but I am going to have to have some miracles this week because every one of these people have kinda weird doubts and they are really hard to plan for but I know that if I pray and stay close to the Spirit that I will know what I need to say.

We found a guy that told me that he would read the Book of Mormon in a week and we had an amazing lesson with him. We talked to a girl that has been attending church for a while and from the begining she has been reading the Book of Mormon and now she is in Alma! She is amazing! I was able to verify everything with her in one appointment and she is going to be getting baptized on the 26th so be praying for a girl named, Darlin and that she can get permissison from her parents. She is 16 and she is awesome!

But as for Tiare, she seems that she is having some opposition so I wasn't able to go back to baptise her yet but we are going to have to see. It really bums me out that she is having such a hard time with everything. I know that she knows that it is true but Satan doesn't take vacations and he knows all of our weaknesses and plays on them and she is fighting hard but we will have to see with her.

I will take care of all of my phone call stuff this week so I will be able to let you know. I think that we are going to be able to talk for like two hours or more because we are as a mission changing our P-day to Christmas so yeah, make sure that you have a lot of time on the magic jack so that we don't lose contact.

Me and my comp are getting along really well. I really love Elder Haws. We are getting along really well. He said in the little time that we have been together that he has learned more from me than he did from his trainer. I like that. Me and companion are thinkin that we are going to need to get bikes because our sector is massive, so I don't know how that is going to work but we want to get bikes that don't have gears so that we don't have problems but the ones that don't have gears are the beach cruisers. That would be sick! I dont know if you were planning on money for Christmas but that would be what I would use it for but I don't know or think that you were planning on doing that again? Let me know. Thanks. I will send some pics next week of me and my companion so that you can see him. I've got to go. I will have all of the info for the phone call next week so that everything will be ready.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Goal of 26 Baptisms!

2010-12-06T20:01:00.016-07:00

Letter Received December 6, 2010:

Well, I have already told the most of you about my new sector and companion so I am guessing that this one is going to be another short little week of writting this week because it is starting to get late and I would like to catch a nap before I need to go to work. That is something that I thought that I would never say! I want to nap. But, here it does a lot for you. This whole week, I don't know why, but for some reason I have been so tired.

Now, I am with Elder Palta or "Guacamole Haws"! He is from Arizona and he loves boating. Me and my comp are getting along really well. He is really good but just wants to learn Spanish. He was with a comp from Peru but didn't learn a lot from him and so he really wants my help. It is really different but he is really awesome. We just need to work out how we want to teach together. Really, my comp said to me that he feels that I am like his second trainer. I think that he in a way is relieved because I know how stressful it can be to be with a Latin compaion without knowing any of the language. He is awesome! He just wants to work hard. His name is Elder Haws but we call him Palta becaus that means guacamole but the reason is because they have a type of palta here named haws and no one can say his name right so he just says like the palta. Ha, ha, ha!

My sector is kinda like our house, it isn't really country, but it is ha, ha, ha. If you know what I mean. But there are parts of my sector that are really country. Something that is amazing about this sector is that the food is the best in my mission. The food is so good here! All the people actually ask us what we want and they give us so much! But it does seem that there are a lot of rich people here and that they have cars so that is nice. But, the people that are here seem to be a lot nicer and a lot more accepting of the gospel.

Something that is kind of out of the normal is us as a zone have made a goal of 26 baptisms and that is like unheard of. All the other Zone Leaders were looking at us like, "What!" and President about jumped out of his seat and he was looking at them because they were talking about possibilities for baptism this month and goals and they said 26 and they are like possibilities that are good. The Zone Leaders were like, no its the goal and President at first said if we get it he will take all of us golfing and then he said, "I will take you on a trip to somewhere cool as a zone." And we were like, "We want to go to the temple." So, we are working really hard to get the goal because there are 41 people that could get baptized in our zone and so yeah we're going to rock it! It would be so legit if we could do it! I want to go to the temple so bad! That would be so tight to go to Santiago, but we will have to see. Not much else new that i haven't told you already in other emails but we will talk more next week.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Transferred! Going to the Country

2010-11-29T21:35:00.004-07:00

Letter Received November 29, 2010:

Hey:

So, yeah, I'm getting transferred out of Chillan now and I am going to Parral. I am going to be with a kid named Elder Haws. He only has one transfer here in Chile. So, that is going to be an interesting experience. I feel that my Spanish is getting better but I don't think that it is good enough to teach someone how to speak it! I don't know where this kid is from yet. I am also another time going to be living in a house of four. I am going to be living with the Zone Leaders. So, that is going to be an interesting experience and not only that, but I think that Parral is kind of country.

I have always been scared that I am going to get a country sector because of the food and not only that but the attendance in church would be really low. But, I will have to get there to be able to tell you really how it is. This is really unexpected and me and my comp are really sad that this change happened because we have so little time together. It seems that it is just like you told me, Lex, that it seems that when ever everything is going good there always is a change.

I am going to have to be kinda short today because I have a bunch of stuff to do before tomorrow. This week went really good, I have had some really awesome experiences this week. I will write them next week. I am still waiting on that package, but I am sure that it will get here soon. I was thinking of somethings but I will write a list later because I forgot it at the house. I will write it later. I am okay, I just am kinda bummed. Well, I will write more next week, but don't worry, I will be fine in my new sector. I am just kinda bummed. Love you all and miss you tons!

Elder Nelson

Investigators at Church

2010-11-29T20:49:00.003-07:00

Letter Received November 22, 2010:

Hey Hey:

So, this week went a little better than the week before. That's because we were able to find some girls that are really really awesome and they are friends and they both came to church. Not only the three hours but a ward baptism too! So, they are just super awesome! They both are 17, one is named Tiare and the other one is named Paula and they are awesome because we were like we are going to come and look for them to take them to church and they went and searched for one with each other and were already on their way to church. I was like, "I know that today was really long but next week won't be quite as long" and they were like, "The only thing is that we're hungry now." But, they really liked it and they were like, "I am going to come back next week."

So, we are definitely getting blessed and we are starting to find people and now we really can teach and I definitely feel a difference in how we teach and how we go about our work. It seems like I feel a lot more comfortable with how I carry myself with the people, not only the people that are members but just with people in general. I definitely think that having a Chileano comp helps with that. He knows what the people are like and how to teach them and talk to them so that they understand and he always knows what to say right at the right moment. So, now we are progressing but we definitely have some stuff that we need to work on but we are slowly making progress.

This week went by really really fast. We had some setbacks but I am taking the punches as they come and moving forward and it seems that I kind of have a new outlook on my mission. Me and my comp are still really getting along really well. Us as a house are getting along better, we talked about some stuff that we needed to because there was some contention in the house so we took care of that.

We played soccer today. It was fun! I made three goals, two of them being headers! It was awesome! I definitely have upped my soccer skills a lot, ha, ha, ha. I can't wait to get back and see how I compare with some of the guys that I used to play with. As for me, I don't know that Elder, Lex, but it seems that my companion does. Apparently, he was the boyfriend of someone in the ward or stake of my companion. But, I haven't heard of him being in my mission.

How was the pie party? I miss the pie party so much. I love that every year. I definitely miss you guys more and more during the holidays. It really makes you remmember your family alot when you are not with them. But, before you know it, we will be talking on the phone another time. That comes so fast. I will have to keep my mind open for stuff for Christmas. The package still hasn't got here but I am sure that next week it will get here. Well, that is about it for me this week. Love you guys, miss you tons. Send me some picks of the house and what not so I can see what it is like.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Starting to Find People to Teach

2010-11-17T18:13:00.002-07:00

Letter Received November 16, 2010:

Hey Hey My Family:

Well, this week went better than last week. It seems that we are starting to find some people to teach so now we aren't just doing straight up contacts. Now it seems that we are able to teach some lessons. Now the goal is to get those people to church. It seems that all the people that we are teaching all have some problem with getting to church because they are all living in situations where it doesn't permit them to get to church. I know that will all go away because it is obvious that they are not accustomed to going to church. It seems that there is a lot of opposition for all of them. I know that the Lord is going to provide the way for them to get there.

We are still lacking a lot of people to teach. We are always needing to find because if we don't find while we are teaching we will be back to square one again. It sucks, so I don't want to do this again. We had a really awesome idea and that was to take our forms of old investigators to a member that knows a lot of them. He and his wife are returned missionaries and he was assistant so I know that he has a ton of ideas for us and we are putting together a plan so that we will be so busy that we won't know what to do. So, I am super excited for this week. I know that within the next month that we are going to be so busy and that we are going to find so many people to teach and baptize. I know that my sector is one of gold, I just have to dig for it. Me and my comp are getting along really well and we are both on the same page. We can baptize because I know that we teach well but we just have to do some tweaks and find and we will be loaded with people to teach.

That is tight that it is cooling down there. Here it is getting hotter everyday. I am so burnt right now. I am puttting on sunblock but it doesn't seem to do anything because I still get fried. It sure seems that Dad is always out of town now. I hope that it isn't going to be like that because that would suck to spend your whole life away from home. This week is going to be a good one, I have a feeling. I will keep my eyes open for that package. I have been super good this week we didn't have anyone in church but I would consider it a good week other than that. Well, I don't really have much more to tell but everything is going well. Good to hear that every one is staying busy. Love you all.

Elder Nelson

Plugging Away at the Work

2010-11-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

Letter Received November 8, 2010:

Well, I am running super late so this letter is going to be really short. It seems that a lot has happened this week at home and I have been busy but not really been finding as many people as I would like. But, I have been workin' hard and me and my comp are getting along really well. I know that we are going to find someone really special this week. I know that I just need to be patient because sometimes we are out doing contacts and I just am like, "I am sick of having doors get slammed in my face" and I just want to have people to teach and baptize and sometimes it is hard but I know that if I just keep up what I am doing that I will find those that have been prepared for me. There are a lot of new converts here that I can ask references from and I know that this week that Ii am going to try and work with them.

I have been good though, I just need to keep myself focused and keep my eye on the prize. Me and my companion have some cool ideas that should be fun to try. I know that we will have some fun this week. It seems that everything is going really fast and that everyone is changing and looks different than I rememeber them. I don't even know Wyatt, but I already love him. I love you guys so much.Well, sorry this one is super short but I have to be to work at six. So yeah, love you, miss you a ton. Talk to you all next week.

Elder Nelson

Learning from a Member of the 70

2010-11-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

Me, Elder Diaz, and Alexis

Letter Received November 1, 2010:

Hey:

So this week I have been really busy. It seemed that a lot of time got wasted because of a lot of dumb reasons but we did find two new people that are really good. So, that is a start but I know that there is a lot of stuff that I need to do. I just need to take it one step at a time. I feel that I know that my comp will do everything that I want to try and he will run with me and I know that I just have to take the objective and just do the work and I know that the Lord will bless me with the people that I know will progress.

Me and Elder Zeballos

Me and my comp are getting along so well. I know that the Lord has blessed me with a really awesome companion and I know that I just need to push and I know that we are going to baptize. The Lord really couldn't have given me a better situation to work. I am super excited for all the new news that you have told me. I hope that everything goes well with Lexie and the baby. I am glad that you all had a good time for Halloween. Well, I am running late and don't really have a whole lot of time to talk but this week was pretty casual. We had a conference with Elder Zaballos from the First Quorum of the Seventy. He is really awesome and has a freakin' awesome sense of humor. I was the only one that got a personal picture with him. I learned a ton from what he said to us. He came and talked to the missionaries from the city of Chillan. It was really awesome! Love you all, g2g. Sorry this one is so short.

My New Zone in Chillan

Love You,
Elder Nelson

Love My New Companion

2010-11-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

Letter Received October 25, 2010:

Hey:

So, first off, I will tell you all about my new companion. I freaking love my new companion! He is so tight! I was so wrong to say that I didn't want a Latino. He is from Viña del Mar and he is so awesome. He is so much like me and we get along so well. He loves sports and motorcycles just like me and music and all that what not. He likes to say the things straight how they are and I like that because that is how I am. I love to say the things how they really are. He is something that you would call a buena onda! Which means a relaxed and cool person that everyone likes. He has a lot of talents. He is someone that I really want to invite to the house after the mission to stay for a bit. He is one of my latino comps that I think that would actually be able to do it. He is really tight! He loves sports and motorcycles just like me. He has a girlfriend that is on a mission and she is in Argentina and so that is some thing really cool.

This week, as in for the work, was pretty much my comp getting to know all the people. We get along super well and it seems that everyone loves him and I know that this sector is going to change a lot in the next little bit. We are out of people to teach, so we have to find people this week.

We have been working hard and it seems now being senior comp that people give me a little bit more respect because they need to talk to me to make things work. Not only that, but everything seems to be more chill. All the people seem to be showing more love to me for some reason and I really like it. I really feel that there is a lot of work that needs to be done here and that me and my companion are going to get it all done.

As for me, mom, I think that would be just fine about the shoes if you wanted to send them this week and send the other ones later, I think that I would want the slip-ons. I can't believe that it is Halloween already. That is so nuts think about that it is going to be Christmas in just a little bit and we are going to be talking on the phone. I thought of something that Dad said to me while I was in the MTC that he thought that he could send me that little white printer to print photos that would be really awesome if i could get that. Just an idea. Sorry that this one is so short but yeah, I am doing good. Everyone sounds really good. Hope everything goes well, Lex, and I want to see pics later. I love you all and I will talk to you next week.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Now I'm Senior Companion

2010-10-22T08:06:00.000-06:00

Letter Received October 18, 2010:

Enrique Bautismo

Elder Nelson y Elder Findlay Mas Cerca

Hey Hey Everyone:

So yeah, here is the deal with this week and all the new stuff. My comp has left now so now I am on a mini transfer with Elder Aldana. I live with him and he is from Peru. But yeah, Elder Findlay has left and I sent you his homecoming stuff so I hope that you all got that worked out. I found out when my Trainer's homecoming is and it is on the 31st and it is in Logan, his name is Elder Murillo. I will give you some more info on that later in the email.

Elder Nelson y Elder Findlay

As for this week, it seems that we did a lot of saying goodbyes and baptisms with other missionaries and interveiws for baptisms and so we didn't really get to teach all that much, but we did do some really good lessons with people. Everyone is really sad because Elder Findlay is going home and so it seems that the work wasn't able to move forward all that quickly this week. Something that is awesome that you are all going to love is that last week we baptized Enrique and so that makes his family a complete family of new converts and he got confirmed yesterday and so a year from yesterday they are going to be able to go to the temple and seal themselves together forever and I have never seen any family so happy together and such a big of a change in someone. He is so happy and next week he is going to be ordained to the priesthood.

Elders and Enrique, Blanca, and Estefinia

This week we also ordained a new convert to the office of Teacher. Also, I was able to participate in Jesus, one of my converts, to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and now he is a Deacon! I am so pumped for those guys. I just know that they are going to be future missionaries.

Enrique Bautismo

But as for me, I have been doing really good and I am kinda excited for this new change that I have. I am now Senior Companion and I am going to be with another Chileano, so now I am going to be living with two Latinos. It should be all good, I have met my comp a couple times and he seems really cool and I think that we are going to get along well. I feel kinda sad though to see Elder Findlay go. I am, in a way, relieved, because we can really start to get some more work done. It has been really hard to focus for my comp, with him all goin' home and all. I think that I am really going to be able to progress some more with my Spanish. Something that I realized with Elder Rubilar, my first latino comp, is that my Spanish proggressed a lot.

Enrique y su Familia y Chicas en sus Bautismos

I have been really trying to get my self refocused on what I am doing and really try and find some people. It is going to be weird that I am not going to be a companion of a District Leader or not be a District Leader because that is how it has always been, always a different schedule. I guess that is cool with me. I am really happy with the change because a lot of my friends in the mish are coming to my zone. It should be just dandy! For ideas in a package, I really need another jump drive because mine has become all infected with viruses and stuff so I need to fix that. Also, some Flaming Hot Cheetos, a book called A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, that is from the church library. Some t-shirts, somehow I have just been left with jerseys so just some of my t shirts. Some more garments, all Corbans. Other than that, not really much that I can think of except a belt like the one with the buckle. Thanks. I love you so much, all of you, and I miss you everyday.

Elder Nelson

Enrique Bautismo

Stranded in Talca

2010-10-22T07:28:00.002-06:00

Letter Received October 11, 2010:

Hey My Family:
Well, this is an interesting experience, being stranded, ha, ha, ha. I am in Talca, where my first sector was sitting in the bus terminal waiting to get on a bus so that I can go back to my sector and that is why I am writing late. We came here so that my comp could say bye to his sector here and so we got up early so that we could go and I could say hi to some people that are in my old sector in Talca. But, then we went to his so that he could do his thing then we came back to try and get a bus to go back to our sector and we found out that there is nothing going south. So, now were screwed waiting for a bus and so here I am. But, what can I do? The only thing that I can do is wait. I can't change what I didn't do before. I think that I should have checked on the bus, but what can you do? It is a holiday here and it isn't really a big one, but yeah, so all the busses are full because everyone, if they are going anywhere, they go by bus. Nobody has cars, only the people that have money. But, we now have a bus so it is all good. I haven't told the president, but I did call my zone leaders like they tell us to. I hope that he doesn't get mad at me but what can you do? The only thing that you can do is try and do your best to get done what you have to.

As for this week, it went really awesome because finally Enrique got baptized and it was such an awesome baptismal service! He bore his tesitmony and I did two musical numbers with a sister missionary and it all turned out really awesome and not only that but the other two elders that live with us had two baptisms, too, and so we did them together. It was really awesome! That made his family complete now. They are a family of straight up new converts, so it made me so happy.

But as for this week, it seemed that we just made sure that we took care of him so that we could make sure that everything was good for baptism and then also we went out to San Carlos so that we could help out the Hermanas (sisters, so that you now know what that means). They have some really awesome investigators and they are all going to be getting baptized on either the 17th or the 24th.

The thing is, that we are going to have cambios (transfers) next monday so we are hoping to get some more baptisms before then so that the missionaries can see there investigators get baptized before they leave. But as for me, I know that I am not going anywhere and I know for sure that I am going to become senior companion because the President told me so in my interview that I had with him. He is kinda putting me in the dark because he is like, I talked with Zone Leaders to work with you so that you can prepare yourself. He is like, they will help you become a better missionary not that you are a bad missionary but the fact is that we all can become better. And then he says to me, are you ready for some more responsibility? I was thinking to myself, no, but then my mouth without thinking about it was like, yes. So, we are going to have to see what comes.

Still, I don't know what is going to happen with cambios. We are going to work hard until Findlay leaves trying to find people, but we are also going to be doing some saying goodbye for him so it will be an interesting week. This week went really well in preparing for the baptism. o and my comps home coming is going to be on the 24th at 9 am. So yeah ,hope that you could go, that would be really awesome. Well, that is about it for this week. This compy sucks so I will have to send you pics next week. I love and miss you lots.

Love You,
Elder Nelson

Conference Was Inspiring

2010-10-11T15:43:00.000-06:00

Letter Received October 4, 2010:

Hey My Family That I Love So Very Much and Missed a Lot This Weekend:

Well, this week went a lot better than last week. We still didn't have an amazing week but definitely better. This week we were able to find some really new awesome people that are really curious about the church and it also seems that we are going to recieve some references this week and that we are going to end up doing some really awesome family home evenings and that we should find some new investigators. I am actually really excited about this week. I don't know why but I am really excited to work this week. I feel like it is going to be so cool.

I do have some really really amazing news, Enrique, a guy that we have been sharing with since I got here is going to be baptized on Sunday! Finally! He is the dad of a family of straight up new converts. He has been able to get baptized for the last three months and now he is finally going to take the step and do it, he said. I think that what really put him over the edge was that we did something in our zone, we are fasting for one another's investigators and the Sister missionaries were fasting for him one day and we told him that and he was like, "Wow!" Then it was time for Priesthood and I took one of the Zone Leaders with me and the Sister Missionaries with me and I went to look for him and I took him to the church and he got to meet the Sisters and he felt that he really was able to recieve his answer in Conference and he loved it. So, thank you Thomas S. Monson! Another life saved by a prophet of God!

It was so awesome last weekend, the whole time it was like everything that Conference said seemed like it applied to me and it was all stuff that I really needed to hear, especially the Priesthood Session. I loved it! The prophet seemed like he took a caffeine pill right before he was supposed to talk or some thing. He had so much energy. Also, it was awesome to be able to watch something in English. Sometimes, to watch everything in Spanish gets old. It seemed like something that was completely set apart for missionaries. I really could pay attention and it helped me get refoucused on the stuff that I need to do.

It seems like I have a lot on my mind. I think that in the last little while I have kinda felt a little disanimated because we really didn't have any people that were progressing and it has been kind of hard to find people to teach. Sometimes it is hard to want to go out to work when you know that all that you are going to do is knock doors. But, also that the people that you do have really aren't progressing. You are really worried about them and their problems, so that is weighing on your mind. It seems that this week that a lot of stuff seemed to work out and people are doing good now and that I feel like I have more ganas to do the work. Then, today we had a really cool zone activity where we had a bbq and got to play some Chilean games. They have one that is kinda like horseshoes and it was really fun and I started to get pretty good it really seemed to relax me and I was able to get my mind off some stuff.

This week went well. I really loved Conference! I am really sad that it is over, I just felt that I really got so much out of it and I feel renewed. I am starting to get bummed that my comp is leaving. It seems like the time is going by so fast and when your comp is going home it seems that the time goes even faster. I am really just looking at it and I am like, where is the time going? I am working hard, so I think that makes the time go by a lot faster. Everyone keeps telling me that I am going to be training but I am really hoping that I don't, because I really don't think that I am ready for that. There is something that is going to go on this week, actually tomorrow. We are going to have interviews with the President tomorrow so we are going to have to see how it goes tomorrow and see what the President acts like.

That is tight that you are probably going to be going Disneyland. Yeah, no problem Lexie, about the room thing. Its not like I am going to be sleeping there for a while, ha ha ha ha. Sounds like everyone is sure staying busy. I am thinking that the time is going as fast for you guys as it is for me. I really got homesick at Conference thinking about you guys watching Conference the same time as me. Not only that, but I really missed going with everyone to priesthood and going to dinner with everyone afterward, but its all good. You got to go with what you got where you are at. I love and miss you all so much! I forgot, did Lyndsay and Justin ever find a car to replace the Explorer? But anywho, well that is about it me this week. I love you all and I will talk to you all next week.

Love,

Elder Nelson

A Slow Week

2010-10-04T12:31:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 27, 2010:

Hey My Family:

Well, I already talked to some of you guys earlier today, but I thought that I would write a family letter anyway. So, this week was kind of a rough one because it just seemed like we were working hard but nothing was workin' out and when we got to the end of the week and looked at our numbers we were like, "What did we do this week?" But, I know that this weeek is going to be a lot better because we are a little bit more motivated and not only that but we are really going to be working to have like 4 baptisms on the 10 because this weekend is General Conference and it seems like we could really have a good chance to have three but we will have to see.

It seems like Javier isn't really interested because we set appointments with him and then he isn't there for them, so I don't know if he is going to work out. I am going to keep trying with him because I know that he can really progress if we have a really awesome lesson with him because he is a good kid and he seems interested when we do get to talk to him.

This last week I think that everything seemed like it all got kinda thrown off because we had our Zone Conference in Talca where I started my mission. I think that the Zone Conference just really kinda messed everything up.  I think that it kinda screws up your focus because the President keeps changing all the time the way that he wants to do things, so as soon as you get the hang of what he wants you do, he changes it again and it seems that you can never really fulfill what President wants you to do because everything is always changing. Also, his Assistants seem to be saying something different than President so you really don't know who you are supposed to follow. So, this time it was a little stressful but that is okay.  I am going to keep working how I know how to and I know that the Lord will bless me in the work that I am doing because I can really only teach in the way that I know because that is me. I think that if I keep changing my teaching I am going to become a robot and not be able put my personality into it.

Me and my comp got a little disanimated but we are all good now and just looking forward to this next week.  It is starting to warm up here except for yesterday and today. We found a new lady that is really good and I am excited to teach her tonight. It seems like the harder that I work the faster the time goes and I don't want it to go so fast.  It seems like I just got put with Elder Findlay and before I know it he is going to be going home.  This week was just a lot of Conference stuff and trying to find people.  Really not much new to tell.  It seems I have been saying that lately, but it just seems to be the same old stuff for the last like three weeeks. Well, I don't really have much to say but I love all a lot and miss you tons. Well, talk to you next week.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Celebrating in Chile

2010-09-27T09:11:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 20, 2010:

Us With Some of Our Investigators

First off, I want to tell Mom and Taylor happy birthdays! I hope that they all went well. This week it sure sounds like you all have been really busy doing stuff. Sounds like everything is moving along really fast. The same thing seems to be doing the same here and the time seems to be going by really fast. My comp goes home in a month! That is so nuts for me to think about because its like I just feel like we just got put together and work so well together and now he is going to be leaving. Poopy! But it is just life, tough, that is how it goes sometimes.

This week it didn't really seem like we got a whole lot done because of the 18th of September. It isn't as big as the 4th of July, pretty much the difference is that everyone has the day off, there is a parade, and everyone eats empanadas and they have BBQ. Pretty much we had a day off because we couldn't really work. We just got to play soccer for like threee hours and go eat BBQ. It was awesome, it was fun. Also, we didn't really get to do any work this week because my comp is District Leader. We had to do a bunch of mini transfers for the days and so we were like out of our sector the whole week. I am pretty sure they are going to look at our numbers and be what the heck! But then we will explain what happened and everything will be all good.

Some Chilean Cowboys with Nicole

It is all good, we found 2 really good people that I know were gifts from the heavens that the Lord blessed us. We found this kid named Javier and he is awesome he is reading and he also accepted a baptism date but the thing is that we have to wait till all the holidays are over because he is super busy with all the 18th of September stuff. When it ends it is going to be super tight. I really do think that he could get baptised in like three weeks and I am hoping so because I want him to get baptised befor Elder Findlay goes home. I know that he really deserves it because he really isn't trunky at all. He is working so hard.

Everything is going good, we still need to find peoeple but whatever we are doing is working and the Lord is blessing us. We are really loving the results that we are starting to recieve. The time has been flying by, I feel like we just leave the house and like we go to work and before I know it the week is over and here I am sitting telling you about the week and feel like I really don't have much to tell you.

Two Gringo Wannabes and a Real Chilean Cowboy

Well, it is good to hear about the house and that the painting is coming along and that Lyndsay is doing really well with her business and that the kids are doing really well. That is cool that Lexie's baby is doing well and is going to come early. Seems like everyone is doing really well and that things are moving right along. The 18th of September was cool but I am ready to get back to work. I miss you all and love you tons.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Over 300 Contacts in a Week

2010-09-16T12:20:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 13, 2010:

The Labor of 300 Contacts in a Week for 35 Possibilities

Hey My Family:

How is everyone doing? I am doing well. We have really been trying hard this week to find people because it seems that we are out of people to teach. We did over 300 contacts this week, it was insane! We were talking to everyone. No one could walk past us without getting contacted. So, now we have bunch of addressses and names that we can look up to try and find some people to teach. It seemed like this week went by pretty fast for me and that time is cruising right along. I can't believe it!

Me, Fin, and Benja

I want to wish Miley a happy late birthday and to wish Taylor and Mom a happy birthday for next week. I love you guys. Well, this week went really fast and I am going to complete a year in the mission this week. That is so nuts man! I can't believe it! The time is going by so fast and i don't know what I am going to do because I have so much to do and so little time to do it. I really feel like I am just starting my mission and now it is half over.

Me and Denis

This week we didn't really have all that much happpen, it just seemed to me that we were doing an awful lot of contacts. But, that is okay, they were fun. I really like doing them actually because me and my comp were really pumped and we made them like a game, it was cool. It didn't seem like we were teaching a whole lot of lessons, but it's okay. It is what you need to do to find people.

Me and my comp are getting along really well and I got to play soccer for three hours today and it was so fun, I miss playing sports so bad. It is getting so hot here again and it is starting to make me miss the rain. Its all good you got to go with what you got where you're at.

Last Pic with Wilde

We have been making some progress with like two people. We got a new cool zone leader that I knew when I was down in Collao and it seems that he has really seemed to change some stuff around. It seems that the whole zone is doing better since he got here. It is crazy how much one missionary can change a whole zone. It is all going good and it seems that we just need to work some stuff out in my sector and we will be back on track. I am really enjoying my time here. I still miss Collao a lot but everything is going on here and am really starting to figure out how this sector works.

Those Things are Called A--, I Don't Know Why

I am really enjoying living in four. It makes the house a lot more of a fun place to be. I am really going to be bummed when my comp and one of the other elders leaves, because we have a cool group of elders that live with me. Well, something that is going to be cool also is that the 18th of September is like the 4th of July here and we get to hang out with the memebers a lot that day and we get to do some bbq. It is going to be so cool. I am really excited. Well, for this week not much else is new. I love you and miss you all so much. Glad to hear that everything is going well, hope you all have a good week.

Love,
Elder Nelson

A Good Companion

2010-09-12T19:40:00.000-06:00

Letter Received September 6, 2010:

Hey:

So everything is going a little better this week than the week before and this week went by really fast with the training that we had and all that jazz. We also had Stake Conference here and I am not going to lie, it was really sucky and boring. Sorry, but true. We have just been working really hard and trying to find some more people and it seems that we have found some good possibilities. So, we will see.

Me and my comp are getting along really well. He is such an amazing missionary and he always is positive and he has been such an awesome companion. I am sad that he is going home in six weeks but he has done his time and he is still working hard. That is something that I really admire about him. He doesn't want to become trunky and he just wants to do his job. I have been really trying to follow his example and it has been awesome because he knows how to have success. So, we are going to do better this week.

The truth is that I don't really have a lot of news for you all this week because not a whole lot of stuff has happened this week. It was just kind of a normal week here. It is starting to become really hot here and I am now sunburned and it hurts, ha, ha, ha. Oh well, that is just the way that it is, ha, ha, ha. All of the investigators that I have seem to be really grasping the gospel and we are really trying to find people this week because we lack a lot of people. I know that I just need to be patient and work hard and the Lord will pick up the rest.

Sounds like everyone is doing really well there. Sounds like everyone is staying really busy. I'm sorry that this letter is really boring and that there is not much but there is not really much new and not much to say. I love and miss you all and am glad to hear that everyone is staying busy.

Love You,
Elder Nelson

Ready to Find a Lot of People

2010-09-06T09:14:00.001-06:00

Letter Received August 30, 2010:

Hey Everyone:

Elder Findlay, Eva, Jesus, and Me

So this week was a little bitter sweet. It seemed all week that we were really struggling and we were really trying to find people this week and all of my investigators that we had are really having a lot of opposition and we are having a hard time keeping up with it, but we are doing ok with it. We have to help them and work it all out for them so that they can get baptized. It seems like we knocked door after door and not anybody wanted to listen us. We did over a hundred contacts this weeek and the last contact that we did that night finally let us in the house. We weren't even able to tell her who we were and she told us to come in. Her name is Yolanda. We started to share with her and she is awesome and she accepted a baptismal date for the 19th of September. She is really cool. She and her mom that is like over her seventies and she also accepted the date for baptism also. It was really cool! So, I have really learned that you just need to be paitent in waiting for the Lord to bless you and do your part so that the Lord can bless you.

Hermano Silva, Eva, Jesus, Hermano Nelson

It seems that we need to find a different way to find because I am really getting sick of knocking doors for 5 hours on end. When you don't have people to teach that is what you have to do to find people because your members only have so many references to give. Only some families will take you seriously that you really need their help and that you are going to come back and verify if you have a reference for us, ha, ha, ha. We are doing well I was just getting really sick of having a ton of contacts but not having any lessons and all the opposition that our investigators have been recieving. I am doing well and we are going to have a training with our President tomorrow and the next day. I have already done it but I am looking forward to being able to do it again.

We do have some good news, our baptisms went through this week and I really do think that these people are the most converted people that I have baptized because they have been waiting to be baptized for a long time but always lived in a situation that hasn't let them do it. Especially Eva, the mom, has been waiting for almost twenty years.

Us and Eva and Her Family

Me and my comp are getting along really well. I felt like this week went by really fast but also slow at the same time because the days seemed long but the week seems like it went by fast. I don't know if that makes sense but that is how I feel, ha, ha. Mom, now we can get the packages every two weeks when they get here now so its all good. Yeah, the last shoes you sent me are really good they are kinda like boots so they have been goood for the cold. I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well and I miss and love you all very much. Sorry this letter is kinda short but I am kinda short on time but will write more next week.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Lots of Work to Do

2010-08-26T17:22:00.000-06:00

Letter Received August 23, 2010:

Hey Family:

Well, this letter is going to be short because I don't have much time to write today. I am doing really well this week I have been able to feel like we have been able to just do some normal work and that we have been able to just teach some lessons like we should be. I don't really have to get to know more people because I have been able to get to know the basics on pretty much everybody here in the ward and it sems that we have like six people that are really progressing and making the steps towards baptism.

We are going to have two baptisms this coming week and they are golden and they are for sure going to get baptized this next week and we are going to try and have like three others in the next couple weeks. My companion and I are getting along really well. Its not that me and Elder Clark didn't work hard, but I am glad that even though that I really enjoyed my time with Clark, I am glad that with the change at least I got a comp that likes to work hard.

I think that this week is going to be one of the best in my mission because we are looking at the goals that we have set and they are really high. I know that they are reachable but we are going to have to work our butts off. I am really doing well and I am enjoying my new sector. It does seem though that the time is going by really fast but I guess that means that I have been busy so that is a good thing. I am missing my sector still, but it is all good, I think that I will miss it for a while and I am doing well in my new sector and I really feel that there are a lot of people that are prepared to hear the message that I have for them.

There are some people that have been waiting for some time to hear what we have to say because the ward here the attendance is really low and I really feel like we could really help that a lot and we need to baptize a lot. There just is not people in the church and there are a lot of people here looking for the truth and I feel like we have found some of those people in just the little time that I have been here. I am doing really good. My comp and I have so much fun together.

That is so tight that Corbit is going to Tyson's mission. Tell him that I am so proud of him and that I love him and I can't wait to spit Spanish with him when he gets home. When does he leave? It sounds like you all had a good time in Bear Lake. I miss Bear Lake, I love boating! I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well. What is Lyndsay going to do without the kids there? Ha, ha, ha. Well, I don't have a whole lot of time. That is really cool that Lexie and Craig have been able to find a car. I love you all and miss you tons.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Sudden Transfer to New Area - Chillan Nuble

2010-08-16T23:13:00.003-06:00

Letter Received August 16, 2010:

Hey:

Momita and Our House in Collao

Well, I guess I will talk about some of the stuff that has happened this week that is kinda sad that I kinda have mixed feelings about. Well, they did an emergency transfer because a missionary in Chillan, which is my new sector, was having some problems ùp here and the President called me after I got of a mini change with one of my Zone Leaders.

One of the Few Hugs I Gave On My Mission

It is weird because the President doesn't call unless he is going to be making a change in leadership or if you did something really bad because he usually just tells the leaders to talk to you if there really is a problem that is not so big. Since he was calling, I thought that we did something wrong on the mini change that we did, but the President started talking to my companion, Elder Clark, and I was like, what is going on? Then the President asked to talk to me. So, I was thinking to myself, what did I do!? I answered the phone and the President was asking me how am I doing and I was like, I am good just really enjoying the sector and working hard. He asked me about the change that we did and I was like, it went really well because it really did and I knew that I wasn't doing anything wrong and he was like that is good. He said to me, "Well, Elder Nelson, we have a new assignment for you. I need you to go to Chillan and change places with an Elder there. You will be in Chillan Nuble and the missionary there is going to go to your sector."

Me and My Comp Elder Findlay

Me and Fins

He said that when I finish with my new comp, Elder Findlay, who is going home in October, that I am going to be Senior Companion. The thing is, once again I am comp with a District Leader. Every comp that I have had in Chile has been District Leader. The President told me that I need to prepare myself to become Senior Companion. He keeps dropping little hints that I might be getting a leadership position and that my companion right now is going to help me become more ready for more responsibility.

Me and Moss, We Lived Together in My First Sector

I talked to my Zone Leaders and they said that the President told them that I am preparing for a leadership position, so, we are going to see in October what happens. The President has definitely been hinting to me about it. It is weird that out of 156 missionaries that he could have picked, that he could have done this emergency change, he picked me. I think that it is because we had a Zone Conference with him and it was just our Zone that was in training and I made a good amount of comments and what not and it really seems that the Mission President is happy with the way that things have been going for us.

We All Came to Chile On the Same Flight

What makes it even more crappy is when he told me that I was leaving the sector it was noon and he said that you leave at four o'clock. So, that means that I had three hours to eat lunch, pack, and say goodbye to people. It was really sad because I really didn't want to leave my sector and not only that but I didn't get to say goodbye to like anyone and so I really miss my old sector. But it will be good. We for sure have one baptism this week and we could have two more.

On the Edge

So Much Water in My Face

Me and my comp are getting along well. He is from South Jordan and he has 22 months in the mission. He is really smart and cool. We get along great. Now something that is really cool is that I live with four missionaries. But, I really didn't want to leave the sister that lives behind us because she was so awesome. I am going to try really hard to stay in touch with her.

Me and Harmer Waterfall

My new sector is like really ganster now and there are a lot of snakes. (In other words, girls that want missionaries to kiss them and what not.) It should be good but I just have to get used to it. I need to buy some supplies, I used my card for lunch but I also need to pick up some things. I still have some mission money, but sorry, I have been using a lot of money on my card lately. I have been having a lot of random stuff happen, so I will need to pick up some stuff at the store with my card and I shouldn't have to use more for a while, I hope. I am kinda bummed that I had to leave some of my investigators and that I won't be able to see them baptized. We will see what happens in this new sector.

Me and the Whole Falls

Waterfall Long Shot

Everyone is bummed that the other elder that was here left and so I haven't had all that awesome of a welcome but it should be good. Well, I will get those package ideas to you, but I don't really have very much more news other than that of the changes. I need to send you some pictures of my other shoes so you can get the slip-on ones, too, because now they have a hole in them. It seems that everything is going good for you all. I love you and hope that everything goes good for you this week. I will try and get you some news next week. Love you all and I will talk to you all later.

Elder Nelson

Learning New Mission Techniques

2010-08-09T18:29:00.000-06:00

Letter Received August 9, 2010:

Hey, Hey:

Well, I am not going to lie, I have been thinking a lot about Jace this week, with the wedding and all that. I've been thinkin about how crazy it is that I am now the only single one in our family and that I am going to be the only one living at home when I get there. That is going to be weird! I think that the house for me is going to feel very weird now that Jace is out of the house. I am super happy for him, though. I do wish that I could have been there for it but now I guess I know how Lexie felt when Lyndsay got married when she was on her mission.

Lexie, I have a question: what was your Chilena comps name and where does she live? I might have a Hermana in my zone that may know her. If I could, I would really like to meet her and I might be able to.

As for me, family, I am doing a lot better. I have found out that I don't have a parasite. I just have had a colon infection and I am getting better. I feel a lot better, though not quite a hundred percent. But, I am definitely getting there. I am taking a pill for the next thirty days but I should be fine.

I need to send you some more pictures of my other shoes. Now my slip-on ones are worn out, so I will send some pictures of those next week. I think that I would like to still have a pair of slip-ons and a pair of lace ups, so yeah, I will send that next week.

We had a crazy week because we spent two days doing training with the President and it was awesome! We really didn't get to spend all that much time in our sector to work like normal. We have been working with some key people and they really seem to be progressing and I'm super excited to try and do this new stuff that our President has seemed to be wanting us to work with. We are one of the 114 missions that gets to preview this new plan for working that comes from the Apostles. It should be super awesome! My comp and I are getting along really well.

I have been really good and been thinking how crazy it is that everyone is looking so diffferent especially in the pictures. Mom you have changed your hair and the kids look so much bigger. It is going to be crazy to come home because I think that everything is going to be so different when I get home. Well, I don't really have that much to say, its all about the same. I do have package ideas if you have to send the shoes yourselves but if the Missionary Mall will do it you don't have to worry about it because I just got a package not that long ago. I am glad to hear everything went good at the wedding but I will talk to everyone later. Love and miss you all.

Love,
Elder Nelson
Your son and brother on the mission!

Second Life Saved and Not Feeling Well

2010-08-09T12:58:00.001-06:00

Chilean Cowboys

Letter Received August 2, 2010:

Hey Fam:

Well I have told Dad already but I will tell everyone, I have been sick in my stomach for about three weeks now. It has been worse within the last week and I have been having like stomach pains and they have told me that I have a colon infection and that I might have a parasite. Yum, huh? I will get better but I have to go to the doctor next week, too. It should be all good. I am losing weight now, ha,ha. Well, kinda scary, I have lost about 18 pounds since Thursday, so yeah.

So Fun

As for the week, other than being sick, I have been having a good week. We had five people in church this week and we found some really good people that are really excited about the church and I think that they're going to get baptized in like three weeks. They are solid. They are really awesome! Some people just showed up to church, so that was such a blessing for us that is for sure. We have really been praying hard and working to find people and we have been receiving a lot of help. We are getting better and now have a little bit to work with.

Everyone Wanted to Take Pictures with Me

Something really interesting, I was on a minitransfer with a Priest in our ward and we were knocking doors and found this guy that is less active. We shared with him and we have reactivated him. He, like, had nothing and now he has found work and his girlfriend and his little girl are going to come back and we're working on getting them married so that we can try and baptize his girlfriend. Later, in another lesson, he told me that if we wouldn't have knocked his door that day that he probably was going to killl himself! There is one life saved! Crazy, huh?

Me and Freddy, the Inactive Member I Told You About

I will have to send you guys some pictures this week of an activity that we had the other week. Also, we have been working super hard and we have been having luck with finding some people. Me and Elder Clark are getting along great. He is from Mesa, Arizona. We had changes and we stayed, so we are for sure together for another six weeks. We are going to be trying some new stuff and it should work out really well. We quote So I Married an Axe Murderer on a daily basis! Ha, ha, I love it.

Not Looking - Activity

I did get those pictures that you sent, they look awesome. Those are some bomb Converse! They are perfect for the colors for the wedding. Sounds like everyone is really busy with the wedding. Here it is really cold or pouríng rain or both. The rain gear is awesome! I love it and it fits perfect. Thank you so much for that. I really love it. As for this week, that is about it. For Jace, tell him congrats for me and a big huge hug and that I love him and I would give anything to be there for his wedding. I love and miss you all so much!

Elder Nelson

A Much Better Week!

2010-07-27T14:54:00.000-06:00

Letter Received July 26, 2010:

Hey Family:

Well, first off, I wanted to thank everyone for the letters. It is really awesome to hear from everyone.  I really needed that. It sounds like everyone is doing so awesome and sounds like family parties are starting to quite down a little bit, ha, ha. It seems like everyone is in different places and not in Utah in anymore. (I know for sure that I am not in Utah, ha, ha, ha!)

I have had a better week this week, but it did seem a little long, though. It seems that this week we have made some progress in finding some people and that we have bettered our teaching a little bit. Especially me personally, because I really tried to focus on using my scriptures a lot more and it really seems that I have been able to connect a lot better with our investigators. I have felt better about the work that me and my comp have been doing and he has been awesome and never gets disanimated and he has really put everything into perspective for me. He has been awesome to teach with and he has so much Spirit with him and he is so fun to be around because we are so much alike.

For this week it really seemed a lot better because we did an activity for our ward and it was awesome!  I am going to try and send some pics a little bit later. It went really well and we had awesome numbers for attendance for the activity and it was cool because we were inviting everyone and it worked out really well.  Not only that, but we got some references, so that's cool, too.

It was awesome to hear how everyone has been doing and that this week was so good for you guys.  I miss July time off year in Utah, that is for sure. But it is all good. I think that I would like the lace-up Hush Puppies, but I am not hurting too bad for shoes. I would love to get some more socks, because all of the ones that I had before you sent me more have holes in them now.  I don't really have much to say, but I love you all.  I would like to tell Jace how proud I of him and that I hope that he has a good time through the temple.  Love and miss you all!

Love,
Elder Nelson

A Discouraging Week

2010-07-27T14:45:00.000-06:00

Letter Received July 19, 2010:

Hey:

Well, this week was okay. It didn't really go all that hot for us. Don't worry, I am fine. I am just a little disanimated. Everyone has fallen this week and I haven't been able to find one person this week and this sector is super hard for contacts because everyone here is pretty well off and very prideful. They don't want to listen to what we have to say to them because they feel like they are doing just fine on their own. We tell them that they can be more happy, but they look at me like how can you possibly give me more than I already have? You are just this 20 year old kid that is from a different country that doesn't know anything. It gets kinda frustrating and I am just ready to start this new week because I am hoping that it is going to go a lot better this week than last.

I am just kinda tired so after internet I am going to take a nap because I feel like I need to rejuvenate my batteries. One thing that I do know is that the mission is a lot of ups and downs and all I know is that my time is going to come back up when I am going to have success and I have to do all I can and the Lord will bless me with what I need. This week it just seemed that everything has been falling, because our investigators haven't been keeping their commitments and we can't find anyone and I feel like I am wasting my time knocking doors.  I am hoping that we can kinda change the way that we are working a little bit, but we'll see.

It sounds like everyone is doing well.  I do have something that Dad can help me with and that is I would like to have my line of authority.  That would help me a ton! So, if you could send me that through email that would be great.  I got my package last week.  Its awesome!  Thank you so much for that! Iis that tie from Jace's wedding?  I really like that tie!

I miss you all a ton! How is Kyle doing? Well, I am pretty much done and I've got to go.  I love you all and miss you a ton

Love,
Elder Nelson

Lois' Baptism and More to Come

2010-07-18T15:48:00.001-06:00

Elder Clark, Lois, and Me

Received July 12, 2010:

Hey My Family:

Elder Clark, _________, Lois, Renne and Me!

Tthis letter is going to be kinda short but I think that should be okay because you are all on vacation, ha, ha. This week went really well. My comp and I had our first baptism together, so it was all good. We are so happy that he got baptized because he was ready to get baptized from the day that we met him. He was something that you would call a golden investigator. We are really getting on a roll here, hopefully we should have another one that should be getting baptized this week. His name is Matias, but he is thirteen so he has to get permission and his mom is not all quick to let him get baptized. We are going to work with him this week and we will see.

Lois and Renne

The kid that got baptized this week is named Lois and he is awesome! We also helped teach this kid for a ward baptism so we technically should have two baptisms this week but he is only 8, so he is a ward baptism. Oh well, it is all good! Mom the shoes that I need are the lace up ones. I am going to go to the office right now to see if they will have my package so we will see.

Elder Clark, Lois, Renne, and Me!

The kid that you are asking about, Lexie, I think, is named Gonzalo and he hasn't been baptised yet. We had kind of a do or die lesson with him and I told him that I can't come back unless I see him making some proggress and it was really spiritual! He is really animated and he came to church this week and so we are going to see if he can get baptized on the 25th. He is awesome but we'll have to see.

Huge Completo that I Ate Today!

You all sound like you are having fun in Lava, I wish I was in Lava, ha, ha. It's cold here! But, it's all good, that is the mission! I am doing super good and I miss you all a ton and I will talk to you all next week. Hope all is well. Love you all!

First Conference with President Humphrey

Love,
Austin

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-09T14:27:00.000-06:00

Go America!

Letter Received July 5, 2010:

Feliz Dia de Indepèndencia o 4th of July!

Hey:

Well first off, I would like to tell you all a Happy 4th of July. It was not really a deal here, like nothing, ha ha. But Oh well, the things of a mission right!

Last Photo with Old Mission President Chavez

And I want to wish Craig a happy late Birthday. I was looking at my calendar and saw that. So yeah, happy birthday Craig! Remember holale from Gabriel Iglesias! Ha, ha! But, as for me, I am getting along really well and working super hard now that me and my comp have come together. We have been just contacting machines. This week we found nine new investigators and it has been awesome! We were really needing to find people, so that is exactly what we have been doing. It has been awesome to start out fresh here, and the members are all telling me that they have seen a change in me in the last few weeks, that I seem a lot more happy and animated and seem to be more myself. I wouldn't disagree with them because I really do feel a lot more animated and feel a lot more like myself and I feel happier. Me and Elder Clark are getting along so well and working hard and I really think that this trasfer is going really fast because we have been super busy and just loving the mission life and finding out what mission life is all about. I have been really been feeling like I have the Spirit with me a lot more. Clark and I are finding all the people that God has put in our way and it really seems like something that I was lacking we my other comp in this sector because we didn't do a whole lot of contacts. It seems like we were really lazy but I have really gotten out of that faze and am super happy!

New Compy Playing in the Woods

I am really focusing on my Spanish and I really want to speak better because my comp has recognized some of the errors that I do often in my Spanish and so I am going to really try and focus in my Spanish study. This week not a whole lot has happened, kinda boring but i have just been up to the normal missionary work. I am really excited to get my package and I miss you all a ton! Poor Hailey, she is always having accidents, but I am glad that she is okay. What are they doing having chairs with wheels? That is a horrible idea!

Elder Clark, "Freeze, Sucka!"

That is about it for this week but sorry this letter isn't too informative but yeah that's pretty much it for this week. It sounds like you all have been really busy enjoying summer. It is pouring rain here, the streets are like rivers and it is so nuts. I have never seen anything like it. That is about it, I miss you all a ton and love you and think about you everyday.

Elder Nelson

Really, Really, Really Great Week!

2010-06-30T09:17:00.000-06:00

Letter Received June 28, 2010:

Hey My Family:

Well I have been super busy this week really trying to focus on finding new people with my new companion and it has seemed to be workin' out really well. We have found about six new people that should be good, but we will see. This week seemed to go by really quickly and we have had a good week because we have been preparing some people to get baptized in a couple of weeks and it seems to all be going really well for me and my companion. I am very happy with this companion because it really seems that we are getting a lot done and make steps forward and it is really nice to work with someone that really has the same vision as you do and really just wants to find people and teach the word. That is the whole reason why we are here, right?

Today, I got to play soccer for about three hours this week and it was awesome! It was so fun! It felt good to do something physical. But, I have been really a lot more focused this week and it seems that everything is going a lot better with our investigators.

This week we had our last conference with President Chavez it was a really aweseome conference and I really got a lot out of it. It also was really sad because President is leaving, but I am excited for the new president to come. We will see the changes that he has for us, hopefully, for the better.

It is good to hear that everyone is doing really well and that everything is moving forward and that you are all doing well I love you all and this letter is kinda short but that is really what has been going on. Before my time is up, I will try and send some pictures. So yeah, that is why its kinda short.

I forgot to tell you, but my new comp loves movies and we quote movies all day long. I love it, ha, ha. Jace you know when you say, "oi" that is actually a word in Spanish but it is spelled h-o-y, ha, ha. It means today, ha, ha. I just thought that I would tell you and that you would get a kick out of that ha, ha. Well, I am going to get some pictures off, okay? I miss you all and love you tons.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Hey, I am going to have to send the pictures next week because I had other things I had to take care of with the changing of the president. I will send them off to you next week.

I love you all!
Elder Nelson

Tearing It Up with My New Comp!

2010-06-21T14:15:00.000-06:00

Letter Received June 21, 2010:

Hey:

First off, I would really like to wish Dad a really Happy Father's Day and that I love you very much and I couldn't ask for a better dad because one doesnt exist! Dad, I hope that your Father's Day was really special and I love and miss you a lot and I wish you a very Happy Father's Day.

This week was a little interesting for me because I said last week that we had transfers and I got a new companion, his name is Elder Clark and he is really cool. I really like him. It is really good and we already found more people in this one week than me and Rubilar did in a whole cambio. This week has been nuts with Chile playing in the World Cup and all, actually really nuts! But should be having a good solid two or three baptisms within the next three weeks. I am really excited to really work hard and teach the crap out of this Sector.

This week it has been raining so much! It just hasn't stopped, so I am going to be really excited to receive those rain pants. I had to go to the doctor and I had to use my card so it was really expensive, like forty bucks or more, so sorry about that. I had a problem with my feet because I had some sort of fungus type deal on my feet so I got that taken care of. Other than that, it was a really good week and we have been teaching some really good people that really seem to be progressing.

I am not senior comp but I am really feeling like I am showing my comp everthing and taking charge on all our lessons and what not. But its all good, because I don't really care if I am senor comp or district leader or any of that. That is so cool that Brach is getting going this week, I am so excited for him. I wish him the best of luck and I hope that he works hard because I know that he will. That sucks for Jace, how did he wreck?

For the package, if you could find something that I could put on the outside of my bag to keep the water from coming through, that would be awesome! So yeah, there is one idea but I can't really think of anything else. But I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well. I am really worried for Kyle, give him a really big hug for me and tell him that I love him and the Lord does everything for a purpose, also the same with Chandler, please please do this for me. But that is really all that I cant think of for now. I love and miss you all and hope all is well with you all.

Love,
Your Elder

New Companion Coming and A Happy Birthday

2010-06-15T17:23:00.001-06:00

Letter Received June 14, 2010:

Yo tengo algo cosas loco para decir a ustedes! (That means:  I have some crazy things or suff to tell you guys.)  I am sure that dad is understanding that because he has beeen studying his Spanish, ha, ha.  This week went okay but it could have gone better because we need to find some new people.  But, we also did some stuff that we have needed to do for a while.

I also have some crazy news! Well, tomorrow is changes again and I am going to be getting a new companion. My companion is going to be Zone Leader in another sector and that will be where he will finish his mission. I have kinda been praying for a change because I have learned a lot from him but I feel that we didn't really teach all that well together.  I do love him, I just needed to learn to have more patience. But, everything is all good with me and my companion.  I am sad that he is leaving but I am also excited for the change.

This week went okay.  I am going to try to find a ton of people this week with my new companion. As for my birthday, I haven't really found a ton of stuff that I would like to buy with the money for my birthday, but I have some ideas and I think that I am going to pick up a couple things this week.  I am really happy, my birthday was awesome!  This week I had 4 cakes just for me and 2 bbqs just for me. Each one had 5 diffferent kinds of meat!

This week, Diego got confirmed and it was awesome, he is so happy! It is so awesome to see the change in him.  I have really found that I am becoming a lot more in tune with the Spirit and that the Lord is really putting the people in my way.  I just need to do my part.

It has been raining a ton and hasn't really stopped.  It is so crazy!  I have never seen so much rain in my life! It is so nuts! But it's cool because the lady that lives behind us has a wood burning stove to heat her house and I just put all my stuff next to that to dry out and it works miracles, ha, ha, ha.

That is so good that you all are doing so well. I have really been trying to find more people, I just need to be patient. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and the updates. Sounds like everyone is staying really really busy. That is good, I guess.  I want to wish Grandpa a happy late birthday and Mom and Dad a happy anniversary (no broken backs this year, ha, ha. Yeah, sorry about that). I've got to go.  I love and miss you all. I will talk to you all next week.

Elder Nelson

P.S. - Those shoes were from the Missionary Mall so they should be warrantied.

Love the Mission and Diego's Baptism

2010-06-08T08:01:00.001-06:00

Letter Received June 7, 2010:

Me with Elder Rubilar and Diego

Thanks a lot for all the birthday wishes! I really only remember my birthday on P-days, ha, ha. I forget it somehow. I think that it is just because I have been so busy. Thanks for the money and the package. This week has been really busy, and yes, I do have good news about the baptism. It happened finally, after forever! He is really happy. All the family are members now except his dad, so we are going to start to work on him. It was really good to see how happy he is now.

Diego with his family

This week we have been really focusing on finding people and we haven’t had much luck. We just need to be patient and the Lord will put the people in our path. As for this week we are going to play soccer again today, so I am excited about that again. Everything is crazy here because all the people are talking about the South Africa tournament.

Me and Elder Rubilar with Diego and his family

Everything has been good here. The weather hasn’t really changed much, but one day this week it poured rain and it was so cold! But it was all good. Other than that one day, not much changed as in weather. We have been working with the same people that we have been. We have had to drop some people because they just weren't progressing at all. We love them but we can’t use our time with them if they won’t do anything. We can only do so much,but ultimately they have to make the choice to change for themselves. That is life!Hopefully, they will accept the gospel later.

This week I really want to focus on doing contacts and being bold. So, I am really going to focus on talking to all the people that I can. I have really realized how much I really do love the mission and I have a testimony of serving a mission and I can’t believe that I even was thinking at any point that I wasn’t going to be here. I will be forever grateful that I served a mission because this is the best thing that I have done in my life.

Shoes Worn Out in the Service of the Lord

Well, this week other than the baptism this week it was pretty much just basic work. Savin' souls, you know that is how I do! Ha! Ha! That is tight that Corbit is almost done with his papers. Tell him hi for me and that I am so proud of him for serving because it will be the best two years of his life. Terica is going to be getting a little girl! I bet she is really excited. I am really excited for Brach to get going. I wish him the best and I want you all to tell him that I love him and to work hard because the time is short. I am glad that it is warming up there. I really miss you all and thank you for everything. I got to go, but I am going to send some pics in another email. I am also going to send some pictures of my shoes so that you guys can get them warranted at the Missionary Mall. So yeah, I love you all! That is so good that mom you got everything all worked out with your sisters with Grandpa’s stuff. What’s going to happen with his house? Well, got to go but talk to you next week.

Love,

Your Elder

Soccer!

2010-06-01T19:29:00.001-06:00

Letter Received May 31, 2010:

Hey, Hey My Family:

This week we got some really awesome news! We can now play soccer! And almost all the sports, so what is the first thing that we did today?... Played soccer, ha, ha! It was awesome! It was so fun; it felt so good to finally start doing something physical again and to actually do something that I enjoyed on a P-day. I am actually better than I was when I left, I don’t know why. I scored 4 goals and it was so awesome!

For this week we are planning on having a baptism on Saturday and I really feel that the Lord is guiding us more and that we are really starting to find those choice people for us. We are going to baptize this kid on Saturday. We have been working with him forever and he just wouldn’t do what we told him. He finally decided to do it and we were like, “When do you want to be baptized?” When we put the date it didn’t work, so we asked him when he wanted to be baptized. He said, “Tomorrow.” That was yesterday, but he needs time for us to talk to his dad. It should be good for Saturday.

We should have four baptisms this month so it should be really good. As for this last week, we really tried to focus on three key people and it is really working out well so we are going to do the same this week.

It was crazy here this week because everyone is getting all excited about the World Soccer Tournament in South Africa and Chile is going and they are playing to prepare for that. The main team for the World Tournament came to play Israel and the stadium where they played is in my sector. You could hear the cheers from miles away. It was crazy and the people here are going crazy for the tournament to start.

Everything is going good and I really like this ward. They really seem to love the missionaries and I don’t know why, but me in particular. Time is going by so fast! My comp and I will have a full change together on the fourteenth and it has gone by so fast and time is going crazy because it seems that I could do so much more than I have. I am going to try and step it up a notch.

That is a bummer about the weather; I hope that it gets better. It sounds like everyone is staying busy and that is good. I’ve g2g but I love and miss you all.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Working Hard and Another Baptism Scheduled

2010-05-24T16:56:00.001-06:00

Letter Received May 24, 2010:

Well, this week I have been busy and we had the confirmation of Carmen to receive the Holy Ghost and all. The pictures are of me and my comp and the family, well, the sister of Carmen. It was really awesome. This week we put another date with one of our investigators. This is the guy that we had the lesson with that I wrote about last week. His name is Gonzalo and his date is for the 13th of June. He is really awesome and I think that he just needs a little time but he will get baptized. He just needs a little push.
This week we had Ward Conference and it sucked! I am not going to lie, it did not go well. For one, our Bishop wasn’t there, and just as bad, the Stake President wasn’t there because they are both in the military and had to leave on Saturday. I am really getting to know the families here and I am really liking this ward, they all seem like they want to help us a lot.

This week was a basic week of lessons and not really anything super special but everything is going good here. This week we got some references and met some new people. It seems that we need to drop some people because they just really aren’t progressing and haven’t been for a while but my comp doesn’t want to drop them. I think that he just wants to use the time to tell you the truth. I hope that they will progress, but the thing is that we can’t use our time with someone that isn’t going to progress at all because there are people out there waiting for us. If we are using our time with people that aren’t going anywhere it isn’t doing us any good. My companion has become a little lazy and it’s because he is trunky. He goes home in September and he is thinking a lot about home. I tell him that he is trunky, but he is like, “I am not.” He doesn’t like to hear it, but he is. It is kind of frustrating, but it is all good, I can deal. But yeah, that is about the news for the week. I am doing well and I have been really praying hard for the people that I have to progress and I know that it is going to work.

Sounds like you are all doing really good. That is awesome Lex, that you guys think that it’s a boy! I would be happy either way, but that is awesome. I hope that everything really goes well with you guys and that Craig finds something that he really enjoys. What has he been up too? I haven’t heard from him in a bit but I imagine that he has been busy and doing well. That is kind of a bummer that Dad has been out of town so much. Dad what do you mean KTM 350 do you mean KTM 250? Jace sounds really busy with wedding stuff but sounds like it is going well with all planning and what not. Mom you sound good and seem to be staying really busy. Lyns and Just, I hope that all is going well with you guys. I have been thinking about you all a lot and hope that all is going well you. I have been especially been thinking about Justin a lot. How has he been doing? I miss you all a ton and think about you all the time.

As for my birthday, I think that I would like you guys to send my jacket and some long sleeve shirts because I think that is the thing that I need to the most, new white long sleeve shirts. The jacket that I would like is my brown liquid jacket it’s not really hefty but water resistant and perfect for what I want I would really like that. Also, some rain pants. You can get those at like golf stores I have heard. I think that it is an awesome idea a smaller package and some money because I think that I could find some stuff here that I would like. I can’t think of much in the moment, but that is my ideas.

Everyone here is seeing my EFX bracelet and wants some so if you could tell me how much they are and send me some of those I could sell about 8 of them right off the bat so I don’t know if that is feasible but let me know. Also one of my investigators has been asking me if I could get another watch like mine and he would pay for it and he just wanted me to ask and see but if not about the bracelets or watch its ok but let me know. But yeah, the things for the package my jacket, rain pants, shirts and money would be awesome but that is about it for now I love and miss you all a ton.

Love,
Elder Nelson

P.S. - Well I tried to send pictures but yeah, it doesn’t look like it is going to work, sorry.

Spirit Whispers Needed Words

2010-05-18T23:47:00.001-06:00

Letter Received May 18, 2010:

Well hey,

How’s it going family? It is awesome to hear from you guys! I have a surprise for you guys so you need to look at the photos, so I won’t tell you what the pictures are, so that you can find out when you look at them. Let’s just say that it was awesome!

Yes I did get my package and it was awesome and my shoes fit well. Did you guys put my hat in there? Because it wasn’t there, if you did put it in there. As for boots, I don’t think that I need to buy boots because I am going to try those new shoes first, because they look like they should do the job, so we will see. I do think that I need to get a jacket that is not quite so hefty, something that is not so long but is warm, something smaller and cheaper so I am going to look around and see but I think that if I find one, it will only be around thirty dollars because they aren’t really that expensive here. I should be able to find one at like their WalMart here. But, as for my birthday I don’t really know, I think that I will need to think of something I really need but as for the moment I need to think about it. I am not worried about getting it before my birthday. That sounds good a small package and some money. I think that would be best, I will let you know next week of some stuff that I can think of for a package.

This week went really well, I really like this sector so much better. This week we received some really good references and our ward has asked me to sing for them in conference so we'll see ha, ha. This week we were teaching one of our investigators and his name is Gonzalo and he is 26 and he really accepts everything that we teach. He really loves soccer and he likes to party so he needs to stop drinking with his buddies and he only smokes like three cigarettes a day so he is quitting. We were teaching him and he had a lot of questions and I was teaching and underneath my shirt I was just shaking, like shivering, because I was feeling the Spirit so strong, and it was so crazy because the Spirit filled my mouth with the words because I had the answers to all his questions. I never thought that I would have all the answers, but I did because I was blessed. It was like a duck on the pond, on the surface I was calm as a summer’s day but underneath I was going a million miles an hour. It was awesome! He came to church this week. Something told me while we were in the lesson, something said, I am going to baptize you. So, I know that he is going to get baptized.

We had some awesome lessons this week and some other stuff happen. You will have to look at the pictures. It sounds like you all are doing really well and are all having good times and staying busy. Dad
that is crazy that Casey asked you if I was still riding ha ha, it is weird to think that some people don’t know about the fact that I’m here. He probably recognized the fact that their number one customer for parts isn’t there anymore, because I break everything ha ha. But, glad to hear that it is getting really warm there and I wish that it was warm like that here. Good to hear that everything is going good there. It sounds like everyone is staying busy. What is a Rosetta Stone? That is cool that Dad is learning Spanish, so I will have
someone to talk with when I get back ha ha. I will let you know about the birthday stuff next week. I love and miss you all a ton, it was so good to talk to all of you last week.

Elder Nelson

Mother's Day Chat

2010-05-18T22:50:00.002-06:00

Conversation on May 9, 2010:

New Area

Cool Colo Grafitti

We talked to Elder Nelson on Mother's Day and had a wonderful chat with him about his work in his new area. He is very excited to be closer to Concepcion. He indicated that this area is much larger than his last area. The people are a little richer than in Talca but seem more humble somehow. He is having a lot of fun visiting with the people and finds that they are much more open to the message of the restored gospel. He is also having a lot of fun with his new companion and thinks he will really enjoy their time together. Elder Nelson also talked about how they have a lot more support from members of the ward he is now serving in.

My New Area

Sweet Chilean Sunset

The family is all impressed with how happy he sounds and how immersed he is in the work of sharing the gospel. He said that even though he loves home, he has no desire to anywhere but out in the mission field and loves the work he is doing.

Just Proselyting

His Spanish coming along even better. He has started to think in Spanish instead of translating everything he says in his head from English to Spanish before he says it. Communication with the people goes pretty well because between the English they know and the Spanish he knows they can share thoughts fairly easily.

Me and Snoopy

We are excited for the work that Austin is doing and can't wait to see what serving in this new area brings. Elder Nelson sent a few photos the next day instead of a letter and these have been included in this post.

Looking for Food in the Back of a Meat Van After the Earthquake

Me and Emanuel My Sweet Convert

My New Best Friend

Another Sweet Chilean Sunset

Bien!

Transferred, Leaving Jardin del Valle

2010-05-04T13:29:00.001-06:00

Letter Received May 3, 2010:

Hey, Hey My Family:

Well, I guess I will first start off with the fact that yes, I am going to change companions and sectors, which was weird! I was sure that my companion was going to leave, but I guess that I was wrong. It is kinda bitter sweet because I don't want to leave my investigators and also we have some people that are some for sure soon to be baptisms. Finally, we are going to have some success here and I am leaving and another Elder that I came with that was in my District in the MTC is going to come and be the companion of Elder Murillo here. At least I know the Elder that is going to come here and baptize the people that we have. I am also kinda sad that I am not going to be with my comp Elder Murillo for more time because we are getting along so well and teaching really well with each other. But, oh well, that is the mission!

My comp didn't want to stay in this sector, he wanted to leave so bad and he was so mad that he was staying when he found out. It was rather funny. but he is all good because we have some really good people but it just seems that he has been here so long and we have not had a whole lot of baptisms and he says that the people here are harder than his other Sectors. But it is all good.

I am going to be going to the other side of the mission. I am going to a place called Collao, which is in the city of Concepcion itself so I am going to be right by the office and I can get my packages in like a week or two weeks! Sweet, huh? But I am glad for a change as well. I kinda feel that it is time for me to go somewhere else. This is going to shock you, but let's just say that I am going to have no choice but to learn Spanish now because I am going to have a straight up Chileano! His name is Elder Rubilar. I heard that he is really into music and likes English music so I will have something to talk about with him. My comp, Elder Murrillo, has lived with him before and said that he is a really cool, hard working, chill kid. So, that should be good.

I don't have much time today to write because I have to say goodbye to everyone so this letter is going to be kinda short but it is okay because I will be talking to you guys on Sunday. I am excited about the change and it should be really good. I am kinda excited and really happy for a change. I am going to run with the change and going to hit the ground running when I get there and try and learn all that I can from my new comp, especially my Spanish. I don't know what to tell you about you guys calling on Sunday, because I will have to figure that out when I get there and I am sure that I will email you guys on like Wednesday or Thursday about it and you guys can call the person and I will give you more details about it.

This week was a really good one for us. We really had some success because we had 10 people in church! So, that was really good. I don't have time to write but I will write you guys this week about Sunday and we will talk about everything. Sounds like everyone seems to be doing well and loving life except Lexie with her tooth. Sounds like everyone is doing well, kinda sucks that dad has had to go out of town so much I hope that he is going to be home to make sure that you guys can call but we will work that out. I took some money out of the account to buy some memory stuff of Talca.

I am glad to hear that everyone is doing good. Sorry this letter is short and not real informative, but i love you guys and will let you guys know about Sunday. That is crazy about Jace proposing to Kat! I am glad that he has finally found that someone. I also want to wish Jace a Happy Birthday and I love him. Got to go, love and miss you all. I will let you know about Mother's Day.

Love,
Elder Austin Nelson

An Uncomfortable Car Ride!

2010-04-26T16:16:00.000-06:00

Letter Received April 26, 2010:

hey hey my family:

Well, this week went by really really fast and it seems like yesterday that I was sittng in this seat writing you guys. It seems that time is flyin' by and I can't really believe that I have so much time in the mission. It is already time for changes and I am probably going to be getting a new companion. Part of me doesn't want it to happen, but part of me does only because I think that it would be nice to get a new sector or maybe a new comp. I think that me and my comp are getting really comfortable and that we haven't been working like we were and we could do better.

This week we did a lot better and we have been working a lot harder than we did when I was sick. I am good now, my cold is pretty much gone and I am feeling good. We had 9 people in church this week so that is good and we have some good people that I am hoping will finish up and get baptized.

It is getting cold here and so I have broken out the coat. No rain yet but it is just cold! I am guessing that is how it is going to be for a little while. This week I had an expierience that everyone kept telling me that was going to happen and for some reason I didn't really believe that was going to happen. Dad, you are going to laugh becase you told me that it was going to happen. Well, me and my companion were are our way to an interview and we got in a collectivo (which is kinda like a taxi but they just drive the same route the whole time). Anywho, my comp always takes the front seat and I look in the back of this car and there are already two ladies in the back and they both aren't that bad looking women and they are both wearing low cut shirts because that is how it is in Chile and they both have kids on their laps. I am on one side of the car and looking across the car at the kid on the far end of the car because he had really cool eyes that were really blue and the next thing I know the baby next to me starts to cry. The lady sittitng next to me (which she was not bad looking and is gifted in the boob area) just flips the baby around and the next thing I know her boob is out and she starts breastfeeding and doesn't use anything to cover herself up for a good five minutes. Then finally she put something over her, but I am not going to lie, it was the most uncomfortable car ride of my life here in chile! Ha, ha.

This week was really good and I am really trying to focus on talking to everyone and trying to be bold and talk to everyone that passes by. As Elder Holland says, "Bold we must be!" Not much more new to tell you guys but that is the expiereince for the week. It sounds like you all have been doing really well. That is too bad Lex about your insurance. How can your insurance just drop you? But I hope that it all works out. That is tight about Craig's graduation and that it all went well. It is good to hear about all of you and that you are all doing really well and staying busy. Is the desk for the office? I am jealous that you all are going to the Supercross, it will be awesome! I will know more about Mother's Day next week because I don't know what is going to happen with changes. I will let you know. I love and miss you all a ton!

Love,

Elder Nelson

Working Through a Cold

2010-04-19T20:09:00.000-06:00

Letter Received April 19, 2010:

Hey family,

Well, this week was not so awesome as we planned, but still it was a good week and I am staying positive. I came down with a hard core cold and cough and had to go to the doctor to get some antibiotics. I asked my companion and our mission leader in our ward to give me a blessing and I know I am starting to feel better because I got that blessing and I know that the lord has really blessed me with more help because I am getting better really fast.

This week we didn’t seem to be working very well because we were both sick and I think that is definitely one of the reasons that we didn’t work so well, but that is no excuse. I need to do better and I am working now with more determination, so I have learned from my trials.

This week we have a disappointment. Rodrigo is not going to be getting baptized because he just can’t get the doubts out of his head about Joseph Smith. He knows that it is true but just won’t accept it. He is an awesome guy and he is an awesome friend but he isn’t going to be baptized until he really reads and gets down on his knees and sincerely asks God if it is true. This week we have been working with some key people and really have been trying to focus on getting people to church but it didn’t really work out this week to have people there because everyone fell and didn’t show up, it really sucks. Oh well, the only thing that we can do is try harder for next week.

Today we went out to the mountains and to this really sweet river and I will send pictures next week, but I am out of time because we went to the river we got back really late. I only had 40 minutes to write. It is really awesome that you all had fun at Kat's house and that you all get along really well and that everyone is staying really busy. That is cool to hear that Dad is really starting to like his new job and that he had a good birthday, also that Jace, Lexie and Lyndsay are all doing well and are happy. I got to go, I am sorry this is so short. I love you all, and miss you a ton.

Love,

Elder Nelson

Busy with the Work, Tons of Investigators

2010-04-12T17:28:00.000-06:00

Letter Received April 12, 2010:

Hey everyone,

I have been really busy this week, sharing with all the people. We have decided to kind of go with the people that we got for now, so that we can focus on them and so that we can give the investigators the proper attention that they need. We have been working really hard on four people and making sure that we see them every day, so that we can work for special dates this month.

We had two guys get interviewed for baptisms and it looks like we are supposed to have another baptism this week. His name is Rodrigo and we have been sharing with him for 3 and a half months now. He has had a lot of doubts and we have been battling them one by one and finally I found Alma 42:30. It made him stop looking for doubts. I found that scripture in my personal study and I know that the Lord led me to that scripture to finally show Rodrigo what he needed to do. It just kind of drops the stick on searching for doubts. We also had the other guy named Manuel get interviewed, but we found out that he is living with his girlfriend which we thought was his wife, so we have to get them married before he can get baptized. I know that he knows that it is true so his opposition is going to be his girlfriend. I am sure that he is going to get baptized because he reads like crazy and he is so smart, so he catches everything that we tell him. Those two are really close to baptism.

We also have another lady that her name is Carola and she is really close to baptism and her doubt is that she doesn’t think that she can go to church every week. We are going to get her over that because she is an awesome lady and she just needs to take the step of faith because when she gets baptized she will know that she will want to go to church every week. She is just worried that sometime in her life that she won’t go to church, she knows that it is true; she just needs a little push.

We have been really busy this week, but I feel that we could have done a lot better with the use of our time. I feel that we didn’t work as good as we could have and I think that we just need to plan and work harder and we will have results, because we all get a little lazy sometimes and I need to do better. I know that we are doing the Lord's work and we will be blessed with these people because they are really close.

This week we had one of the young men stay at our house. Right now we have the permission from the president that he can stay at our house, because he is going to be serving a mission in Ecuador and he has been going and sharing with the people that we have so that he can learn. He stays at our house for 3 days a week. So, he was sleeping at our house and I am sleeping on the top bunk and he was sleeping on a mattress on the ground, but we were just talking and I leaned over the bed and fell down on him, it was hilarious, but really hurt at the same time. We have a good time when he comes to the house.

There is not really much news this week, we are just doing the usual stuff teaching and what not, but I am really liking it out here and really trying to better my language. It has been getting better because I have been focusing on it. Everyone sounds good and busy and seems ready and waiting to get some stuff done within the next two weeks. I am glad to hear from you all and glad to hear that everyone has been doing well, and is back in the swing of things. Well, got to hurry. I love you all and miss you tons. I want to wish Dad a happy birthday, I love you and wish that I could be there for your b-day but you know I love you and want to you to have a happy b-day. Glad to hear that you are all doing well, talk to you all next week.

Love,

Elder Nelson

General Conference and Grandpa's Funeral

2010-04-07T20:10:00.002-06:00

Letter Received April 5, 2010:

Hey, Hey,

Well my first Conference here was really good and I learned a lot. They had a TV set up for us upstairs in the church so I got to watch it in English, it seemed that they really focused a lot on families and especially young men in Priesthood. This week has been really busy because we are still trying to get to know all of the investigators, but it is all good because that means that we should have a lot of baptisms within this next two months. We didn’t have a whole lot of luck getting people to go to conference. We are going to try really hard to get people to church this week, it is something that we have decided that we would really like to focus on. This week we had mission conference also, just before General Conference and I learned a lot. I also had a change of comps for a day it is called a mini cambio, it is when you change comps for a day, and it was good because I went with one of the missionaries that was in my MTC District and he is really spiritual and really in tune and we found three new awesome people. We have had a busy week, pretty much appointment to appointment.

I had to get a bunch of new stuff for my bike because it was not working right. I am realizing that I like living just me and my comp because we are getting closer as a companionship. We are teaching a lot better and I am learning a lot more Spanish because it is something that I really have been trying to focus on and I pretty much understand almost everything that people say. I am doing really well and starting to like learning a lot more words in Spanish, and I am losing weight, I have to wear a belt for sure now to hold up my pants ha ha, I love it. I am glad to hear that everything went well with Grandpas funeral and that everyone was able to be there. I wish that I could have been but I know that Grandpa wouldn’t have me be anywhere else but here right now. I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well and enjoyed Conference. I am glad to hear that dad is enjoying his new job it. It was cool to see some of Utah on TV, but I am sad to hear that Lexie has been sick, welcome to pregnancy! Ha Ha jk, glad to hear that mom is doing well after everything, and sounds like that everything is going smoothly, and that you all had a really good Easter. Well I got to go because the President is really cracking down on internet time but I love you all and glad to hear that you are all doing well. I got an email from Brit it sounds like he is doing really well. I love all and miss you tons

Love your Son and Brother,

Austin Nelson

Grandpa Passes Away

2010-04-07T20:07:00.000-06:00

Letter Received March 29, 2010:

Hey,

I haven’t heard anything from my Mission President or anything. I for some reason lately have been feeling that something was wrong with Grandpa Wayne, that is why I asked a few weeks ago and then this week I was kind of feeling that something was going to happen at home but I didn’t know what. I can’t believe that he is really gone. I knew that he has been really sick this last little while and we all kind of knew that he didn’t have much time left, I am really sad that I couldn’t be there to say goodbye, because I really love him and I really wish that I could have been there to say good bye and tell him how much I loved him. I really wish that my president would have said something, but I am doing okay . I am glad that we have the plan of salvation because I know that he is with Grandma Ruth and that he is happy now and that he isn’t suffering any more. I know that he is in a better place and that I will see him again. I am glad that you all are doing well though and that he went peacefully. How is mom, is she doing ok? I want to know how everyone is doing. I am doing ok I have a really good companion that has been helping me.

Lexie that is awesome news, that you are getting your family going and all. The baby is going to be a year old when I get home, crazy huh? It is crazy am going to have another niece or nephew, everyone is having kids and now I am starting to feel old. This week has been a really busy one and it has been really crazy, since they took the other two elders out of our sector we have inherited all their investigators and we have been just going to all the appointments and not knocking any doors now, because we have so many people to see and we have been really busy, also Emanuel got confirmed this week and it went really well. I have to go, sorry this letter is so small. I will write more next week, because my time is up. I love you all, and hope that all is well.

Love and miss you all, your son and brother,
Austin

Great News!!!

2010-03-25T14:57:00.001-06:00

First Baptism

All Clean

Letter Received Monday March 21, 2010:

Hey, Hey!

So yeah, look at the pictures first, even though I know that you all are going to read this first, but it will be more cool if you look at the pictures first. I have some really good news. I finally got that first baptism, and it was sweet, because that it was so hard to get it to happen, and that made it all that much better. We finally got Emanuel baptized and he is so happy, and so are his two member daughters. You wouldn’t believe that the girl in the blue pants is only 13 would you? It was awesome except, I forgot to bring other underclothes to the baptism so all day after the baptism I was wearing wet underclothes but what a small price for such and awesome baptism. I and four other missionaries did a cool musical number “Come Follow Me” and
I had a solo, cool huh? It was awesome.

The Family

Pure Power

Por Fin

Us and Big Baldwin

As for changes, it is crazy because me and my comp, my trainer, are in the same area again. They are taking the other two elders out of our massive sector and we are moving into their house, and now it is just me and Elder Murillo, still in our sector for six months, crazy! I don’t want to live just us two, because that doesn’t sound as fun as with four, but at least our house will be clean. That means that we are going to be even busier. We will have been to every part of our sector, but ya, that’s it for our changes. Not much new that way for me, another six weeks with the same comp and area but I am happy because I know the area and the people. We have been staying really busy and visiting a lot of people and been really trying to do a lot
of contacts to find a lot more people. We have really found some really cool people this week.

Jorgi

Number One

Us and the Family

It is still hot here, but the nights are getting colder, also I have been getting more accustomed to the food here- people here are being a lot more receptive and we have been having a lot more success since the earth quake, I think. Everything is going really well.

Sounds like everything is going well with you guys, everything seems to be changing a ton, since I have been gone and the time is going so fast it’s crazy, but that is the mission for you, but I like it. I have been getting emails from Tyson and he sounds and looks like he is having so much fun, and his sector looks legit. I am glad that Dad is happy about going back to GD and that its all working out there and that everything it is all coming together and I think that Lexie, you changing jobs wouldn’t be such a horrible thing, because why live life to work, you should be able to enjoy your life and not always worry about work. Sounds like you guys are all doing well and loving life along with myself.

That is so tight about Brach going to Fiji that is one of the places that I would have loved to go, but the call matches Brach so well, that is so tight! Tell him congrats and that I love him. Well I got to go.

Love you all,

Elder Nelson

Later that Day:

Hey Hey Again:

Well, I sent some more photos of me doing some service. I have a ton of pictures that I think that I might send in the card in the mail to you guys because it is almost full and here I have to resize all the pictures to be able to send them to you and it takes a really long time. So yeah, I might do that but also I don't know if you guys put a jump drive in that package or not so if you did please tell me so I don't buy one.

But, I have some bad news that I need your help. Today after email I went back to the house and the speaker that you guys sent me was charging cause it died. I was using a power converter and everything and some how it got fried so I don't know what I am going to do for music because my speaker is messed so I need you guys to send me another speaker or something if you can. I am going to try and find something here for the meanwhile but let me know if you want me to just try and find one here or if you can send me another one of those because it worked awesome. I could take it to the investigator's houses and use it to watch some movies that the Church has on the internet for investigators and it worked really well. Let me know what you can do.

But I forgot to ask, is Brach going to learn another language or is it English? and that is tight that you have been able to start to put your bike back together Dad. What are you thinking that you want to get next? A 450 I hope. But yeah, I got to go but I love you all and miss you a ton. Thanks for the emails and everything let me know about the stuff please and I know that the Lord has me here for a longer reason and that is why I am staying here. I love you all. Miss you tons.

Love,
Elder Nelson

Baptism Fell Through and Lots of Service

2010-03-17T18:11:00.001-06:00

Letter Received March 15, 2010:

Hey everyone,

Well, I am sad to say, that the baptism didn’t happen because he didn’t show up, and we have been told it is because his evangelical sister was giving him crap about it and it’s weird because she has a Mormon daughter, so we are going to figure it out and see what we can do. We are doing good and just going to keep working and the Lord is going to bless us. I know that Emanuel is going to be baptized because he knows that it is true and he just needs some push.

This week has been kind of weird and crazy, because we haven’t really been able to get any of our investigators to progress. We have been doing a lot of service, so it is hard to consistently be able to see our investigators. We are working hard to get our investigators, but the thing is that next week is changes and I think that there is a pretty good chance of one of me or my companion leaving, but I don’t know.

We have been working really hard to get more people and have been doing tons of contacts, because like 80 percent of our people have like moved or aren’t there for some reason, but that is mission work for you. On Saturday, we went to Constitution where the tsunami hit and started to build some temp houses so that the people would have a roof over their heads. Each missionary built a house that was like a shed in one day. There were 16 missionaries and maybe around five hundred Chilean people from all over there. I am so tired and sore, but it felt good to really help some people out. I have been working really hard and working for the lord to bless these people, because they need the gospel in there lives, especially since this earthquake. We have some people that are really good but just need to take some steps that are little, but important.

It sounds like everything seems to be really busy there but sounds like everything is going good and everyone seems to have so much stuff going on. Sounds like everything is going good for Dad and that he is going to be a lot more happy with being back at Gardner Denver, also sounds like it is warming up there, and that everyone is doing well but I’ve got go I miss and love you all, cant wait to hear back from you all next week

Love your son and brother,

Elder Austin Nelson

One Life Saved!

2010-03-12T19:12:00.005-07:00

Letter Received March 8, 2010:

hey hey my familia:

Well this week has seemed a little more normal because we have got to actually been able to teach some lessons and have been working hard. We have been starting to have some success because I think that we have made kind of a step in our teaching and I have made kind of a change and took a step with the language and have been working really hard to better myself that way so that I can move forward with speaking and understanding better.

But no, Dad, we haven't been told that we need not to wear a badge. We are about back to normal and we haven't had any problems personally with robbings but we all sleep with a weapon next to our bed just in case. I have a claw hammer, ha, ha. But we are ok so don't worry that way we are safe. Last week was bad, but this week is all good because now we have electricity. It was worse like ten or fifteen minutes away from where we live but there is military in the streets at midnight now so we have no need to worry. But we have been doing well.

I have some news that is a little disappointing, Emmanuel didn't get baptized this week but is going to be next week for sure. He had an emergency come up. So he had to go out to the country, but he is still very animated and is still good for the baptism. So we will be good next week.

But yeah, Conce is much worse off then we are. They have to be in their houses at six o' clock at night and they can't leave their houses until noon. They have lunch at 1:30 and they leave lunch at three thirty so they get to work for like four hours, crappy huh! But yeah, they are a lot worse off then we are. We are about back to normal and doing well and I looked at Britt's blog sounds like he is doing really well and seems positive. He sounds really optimistic and I know that he is going to do miracles in the mission field.

Sounds like you are all doing well. Everything seems to be getting back to normal here. I miss you all and sounds like you all have been really busy. But I am thinking that you could send that package next week but I don't know so I would just send it and have to take the chance that it gets to Concepcion because I don't know what its like there. But the Hermanas in my district got theirs so it should be ok. I've got to go but I think that if you send next week, I think that it should be good. I love and miss you all and glad to here that you are all doing good.

Love,
Elder Nelson
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We Received this letter later that same day:

Hey, I forgot to tell you that we went to Constitution to do some service there. That is on the ocean where the tsunami hit and they need a lot of help. Well we went out there to help and bag some food and supplies and we had a really cool experience.

We were working and just doing work when all of a sudden, another tsunami warning came and all the people that we working with started running. All the military guys started running and they yelled tsunami and so we started sprinting away towards the hills and these hills they're all really steap like the mountains in Utah, like the pass. I ran and told my comp and we started sprinting towards the hill. We had a place in Constitution that we are supposed to meet for a situation like this so we were running up this hill where all the cars are going up this really steep hill.

There was this giant loader going up the hill and the streets are really skinny here so there wasn't much room and there was this old guy and his wife pushing there industrial bike up the hill (an industrial bike is one of those bikes like in Nacho Libre, the bike that he rides, that is what it is except it doesn't have a motor) but like they weren't getting anywhere. Me and my Comp were wondering why they weren't just running for there lives. It was an old lady like 60s and her husband probably about the same age and a little girl`probably about three and they were pushing this thing up the hill right next the tractor and the little girl was on the side of the bike right next to traffic. So I saw that and we started running towards them to get them some help to get them out of there. Then I saw the little girl start moving towards the tractor and she went right in the way of the tractor like 5 seconds away from getting killed and I got there just in time, ran to her and her parents weren't watching and I ran past them and swooped her with my arm from under the tractor and pulled her out before she got squashed and I saved her.

It was awesome and the Lord blessed me because I have never ran that fast in my life but I got to her and then I gave her to the mom or the grandma and she thanked me so much and we got them out. Then after we left and got to the spot where we were all supposed to meet we found out that it ended up being a false alarm and we left and came home. We had been there for a reason, I know it! It was amazing! But yeah, I just wanted to tell you guys. Well, I love and miss you all, I will write you next week.

Elder Nelson
one life saved

Blessings After the Earthquake

2010-03-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Letter Received March 2, 2010:

Hey Family:

Well, these last few days since I have talked to you have been really crazy. I am glad to say that we have been really blessed these last few days. But first off, I think that we should hold off on sending that package if you haven't already sent it because I am afraid that if you send it that it will get stolen right now. Because everything is so crazy, I would say at least hold off for about three weeks.

But anywho, we have been really busy just making sure that we help as many people as we can. We have been blessed last night that our water and electricity has been turned back on. And we have been recieving a lot of help from the members here. We have been doing a lot of service and it seems like everything in Centro has gotten torn up and everyone is looting and robbing everything. We went to Central and I thought that I was going to get robbed because everyone was looking at me like they wanted to kill me because I am gringo they all think that I have money so me and my comp booked it out of there as fast as we could.

We have been working really hard but sorry that this email is really short but I got to go. It was really good to here from all of you. But I will talk to you all next week It is great to here that everyone is doing well. I miss you all and I will email you all back next week and tell you more. But it sounds good at home and everyone is doing well but seems kinda stressed but just know that it all works out in the end. I've got to go, I love you all and miss you all a ton. Ok.

Love Your Son and Brother,

Elder Austin Nelson

Surviving an Earthquake!

2010-02-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Elder Nelson called us today and let us know he is okay. (What a relief!) He sounds really good and positive. The power and water are both not working but members have been great about offering the missionaries food if needed.

Elder Nelson said that when the earthquake hit, he woke up to everything shaking like crazy and just staying in bed because it is the strongest thing in the house and he is on the bottom bunk. Everything in the house shook and stacks of Book of Mormons came tumbling down. The house is still standing with minor damage. The backyard fence was the only thing that crashed down. Elder Nelson said he is about a 10 minute drive outside of Talca and his area was not as hard hit by the earthquake as Talca was.

He said that the people are being nicer to them than ever before. The missionaries always say hello to everyone as they walk by and now people are responding with a hello of their own. Elder Nelson and his companion have stayed busy checking on the members and families they visit to see that they are alright.

We are so grateful Elder Nelson and the rest of the missionaries were kept safe and are doing well. We pray for them and all of the people of Chile that they might be blessed through this tragedy.

Major Earthquake in Chile

2010-02-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard, there was a major 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile last night. Elder Nelson is serving just outside of the city of Talca. Talca is located just 65 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake. We have contacted Church Headquarters and been told that every missionary is safe and accounted for in his mission. We have not heard from him directly, but hope to soon. We are relieved that all the missionaries are safe and are praying for them and the rest of those affected by this devastating event.

Great Zone Conference Inspires

2010-02-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Letter Received February 22, 2010:

Dear Family:

Hey, it sounds like you guys have been staying really busy and everyone is doing well. This week went pretty well for me. We stayed really busy and have been working really hard to find some new people. We have been having a little luck. This week we also had zone conference which went really well and I actually was able to learn because I could understand Spanish and what everyone was saying. I learned a lot of things that I really needed to hear and it kinda reanimated me and I realized that I just need to continue with what I have been doing. Keep the faith and keep working hard and try the best I can and the Lord will bless me and I know that I need to do more of what I can to show more love for the people.

But yeah, we had a pretty good week because we found some good people. But one fault is that we are having a hard time with this family that I have been teaching they have been really hard to find this week and they didn't come to church so we have to figure that one out. But other than that we have been doing a lot of contacts. Everything has been going really good here since conferernce and I am getting in the routine more and more for the mission.

I have some really good news. I GOT A BIKE FINALLY! So, we can actually now see everyone that we need to see and expand our horizons and contact farther out. So, that is really nice and I won't be getting as tired from walking all day. As for the weather, it is still really hot here and not slowing down at all, ha, ha. Sounds like you all are doing really well there at home. Me and my comp are getting along really well. I know that Brit is going to love the mission once he really gets going. It is so crazy! I have already got five months on the mission. I don't feel like I have done enough in the time that I have been on the mission but it is all going really well here. We have been really working hard to find a lot more people and we are having some tough investigators though that are having a hard time believing in Joseph Smith and they are having a hard time with the Book of Mormon, but they seem to be coming slowly.

But, that it is pretty much all that is new this week, nothing too big I guess. Everyone is getting really close to baptism. So, I think that once we get that first one, they will all just start rolling in. Keep your fingers crossed.

I will send a picture of my bike next week. I forgot to take one before we left the house, so I will do that next week, ha, ha. Sounds like everything is going really well at home and seems to be pretty busy. But that is good because it keeps life exciting, it also makes time go really fast. But that is awesome that Lyndsay and Justin found a car that is working really well. That is awesome that she is staying busy and Justin and the kids are doing really well in school. That is kinda a bummer that Dad and Lexie have to go out of town again this week that doesn't sound fun at all. But it will all work out for the best I know that. Cool about the bathroom! Send some pics, ha, ha. That's cool for Lexie that she got a different car. What year is it? Well, got to go but glad to hear that everyone is doing really well. Not much I can tell you guys pretty much the same deal every week but we'll see if this next week goes different, ha, ha. Glad to hear from everyone, keep them coming. Love and miss you all much.

Love,

Elder Nelson