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
Showing posts with label Jardin del Valle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jardin del Valle. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
An Uncomfortable Car Ride!
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
Monday, April 19, 2010
Working Through a Cold
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
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
Monday, April 12, 2010
Busy with the Work, Tons of Investigators
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
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
General Conference and Grandpa's Funeral
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
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
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
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
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Great News!!!
First Baptism
All CleanLetter 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
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.
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
Elder Nelson
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Baptism Fell Through and Lots of Service
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
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
Friday, March 12, 2010
One Life Saved!
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
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
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Blessings After the Earthquake
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
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Surviving an Earthquake!
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.
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.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Great Zone Conference Inspires
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
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Teaching a Family and In a Rut
Letter Received February 15, 2010:
Hey Hey:
This week has gone by really fast. Happy late Valentines Day! It was kind of weird here, it seems like the holidays aren’t really that big. Christmas was definitely bigger in the states. Like you don’t see anything that resembles that it is a holiday. But yeah, this week went really fast, it seemed like before I knew it was Sunday.
This week was a kind of disappointing for people at church. This week we waited for around ten people to show up for church. We only had two people show, but still working hard, it seems that everyone just had unusual circumstances that wouldn’t allow them to come to church. But that is how opposition works; it will get you how ever it can.
We taught some good lessons this week it sounds like the problem that a lot of our investigators are having, is that they don’t have any desire and it is something that is hard to teach because they all have different things that they need to do. But it all seems to come down to desire for all of them. But we are going to figure it out.
Me and my comp are getting along pretty well but seems like I am kind of in a rut right now that I need to get out of. I just need some more animation, I think, so today I am really trying to relax. But that family that we are teaching is awesome but they seem kind of hard to find because they are really busy. Also, it is really hard to get all the people in the family to be there all at the same time because they are all busy like we are as a family. We have been doing a lot of contacting and all we have found is a couple of people, it seems that we have been sharing once with the people then it is hard to find them again.
We found this lady way out in our sector the place is called Carlos Gonzalez and it is way out there like an hour walk away, I kid you not. But we found a lady that was baptized like fourteen years ago and hasn’t gone to church for about that long and she has a daughter that is thirteen that we have only shared with them once, but the daughter is like a baptism waiting to happen because we invited them to church and it was on Saturday and they were like you mean tomorrow? We were like yeah, and the daughter was like, “Can we please?” and she was like “I don’t know” because the dad doesn’t like religion but they both want to come to church because the mom wants to reactivate and the daughter wants to come to church and the mom wants her to be baptized. So yeah, they weren’t able to go to church, one reason was because of the dad, and also it is really far to the church from where they live. We are going to teach them some more this week and see what’s up and how we can help them along.
We have been working really hard but I need to get out of this rut that I am in, and bump it up a notch, because I know that I need it. But yeah, that is really this week, just some appointments and some contacts. It’s all going good and I am praying a ton. It sounds like you all have been really busy. It sounds like Britt’s farewell went really well. I know that he is going to do awesome out in Australia. As for my bag, I use it every day. It is awesome! I love it. It’s just what I needed. It sounds like everyone has been really busy with work. Ha, ha welcome to my world, just kidding. Just remember that you need to make some time for yourselves or you will not like yourself so much so make it fun and keep good attitudes and make time for yourselves because it will make all the difference. Sounds like a lot of time spent out of town. I am excited for Britt. Tell him good luck out there and why he is out there I want emails from him and tell him that the MTC is hard but just soak it in because I found that I didn’t know that I loved the MTC till I left, so love it. But sounds like you guys are all well and having good wholesome fun, ha, ha. But I love and miss you all a ton.
Love,
Elder Nelson
Elder Nelson
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Things are Picking Up
Letter Received February 8, 2010:
Hey everyone:
It sounds like this week everyone has been really good and busy but yeah, this week has been really good but also just like the typical mission work, knocking doors and teaching lessons. But it has been really good this week because we have some really good people that are progressing well and have been being prepared for us. You can tell the difference. Because I feel that we have been having some help from the Lord on where we should go more because we have been finding a lot more people.
I and my comp found an entire family that we have been teaching and they came to church this week and we only found them this week and they are really excited about the gospel. They had so many questions that we were at their house for 4 hours teaching them just asking questions which was really awesome! Because then you get to know their doubts and what you need to teach them. They where like, "We feel that this is what we need in our life. We need a change." And they want to know about where we are going in the after life because their Grandpa just died and they needed to hear from us. And we found them just at the right time and we taught them the First Vision this week also and I love teaching them because the Spirit is so strong and I feel real sincere love after we leave their house. But that is about it for that family but they are a family of four. But the youngest kid is five and she is so cute but is really shy. They are awesome!
I have other investigators that I want to tell you about but don’t have enough time to tell you about all of them. But it has been really hot here but that is nothing new ha ha but that is just the way that it is here. Today was combios and I and my comp are staying for at least one more change so at least together for at least another six weeks. We are getting along pretty well right now I and have been doing a lot better and working hard but also been a little discouraged with some of our investigators. They will come around, they just need time so I am staying optimistic. We are really starting to get everything moving from starting from scratch so finally we are getting more help from our ward at being good friends for our investigators.
That is pretty much all that is new for me here but it sounds like everyone is doing well and staying busy. Sounds like you guys had a pretty good trip to the temple and Salt Lake. It’s weird to me to think that you guys have snow. Because it is so different here but yeah. Oh yeah, guess what! The cold showers continue and now our sink is broken so now every time we turn the water on to our house there is a lake in our bathroom so we are going to try and some how get that fixed and the gate to our house is broken so we are in the one house in the area that is crumbling down ha ha but that is the mission for you.
I don’t think that I am going to recognize the house when I come home because little changes to you guys is like a big change to me because I am not there. But that’s cool. Change is a good thing. Sounds like the Super Bowl party was really good. Sounds like Britt is ready to go. He is going to work miracles in the field. I just know it. He is going to have a ton of success. But sounds like everything is good there. It was awesome to hear about everything this week kind of felt like a long one and I am missing you guys. Love you all a lot and miss you tons thanks for everything.
Love, your favorite missionary,
Elder Nelson
We asked Elder Nelson for some ideas for a package to send and he came up with the following:
A big jump drive
Sour patch anything sour patch
Not much chocolate because it melts
Guitar picks and a kapo ask dad or Jace they will know what I mean
Lots of socks
Some good scripture markers they are called hi gliders they are really good
Swedish fish
Starburst stuff like that junk food wise
Skittles
Work gloves for service
Rice krispies
Cowtales
More cds like josh groban
Cds are always good I would like
And any church dvds are good too.
Some guitar tabs any because I am sick of playing all the same ones ask Jace.
But that’s what I have written down. Thank you so much!
Love,
Elder Nelson
Hey everyone:
It sounds like this week everyone has been really good and busy but yeah, this week has been really good but also just like the typical mission work, knocking doors and teaching lessons. But it has been really good this week because we have some really good people that are progressing well and have been being prepared for us. You can tell the difference. Because I feel that we have been having some help from the Lord on where we should go more because we have been finding a lot more people.
I and my comp found an entire family that we have been teaching and they came to church this week and we only found them this week and they are really excited about the gospel. They had so many questions that we were at their house for 4 hours teaching them just asking questions which was really awesome! Because then you get to know their doubts and what you need to teach them. They where like, "We feel that this is what we need in our life. We need a change." And they want to know about where we are going in the after life because their Grandpa just died and they needed to hear from us. And we found them just at the right time and we taught them the First Vision this week also and I love teaching them because the Spirit is so strong and I feel real sincere love after we leave their house. But that is about it for that family but they are a family of four. But the youngest kid is five and she is so cute but is really shy. They are awesome!
I have other investigators that I want to tell you about but don’t have enough time to tell you about all of them. But it has been really hot here but that is nothing new ha ha but that is just the way that it is here. Today was combios and I and my comp are staying for at least one more change so at least together for at least another six weeks. We are getting along pretty well right now I and have been doing a lot better and working hard but also been a little discouraged with some of our investigators. They will come around, they just need time so I am staying optimistic. We are really starting to get everything moving from starting from scratch so finally we are getting more help from our ward at being good friends for our investigators.
That is pretty much all that is new for me here but it sounds like everyone is doing well and staying busy. Sounds like you guys had a pretty good trip to the temple and Salt Lake. It’s weird to me to think that you guys have snow. Because it is so different here but yeah. Oh yeah, guess what! The cold showers continue and now our sink is broken so now every time we turn the water on to our house there is a lake in our bathroom so we are going to try and some how get that fixed and the gate to our house is broken so we are in the one house in the area that is crumbling down ha ha but that is the mission for you.
I don’t think that I am going to recognize the house when I come home because little changes to you guys is like a big change to me because I am not there. But that’s cool. Change is a good thing. Sounds like the Super Bowl party was really good. Sounds like Britt is ready to go. He is going to work miracles in the field. I just know it. He is going to have a ton of success. But sounds like everything is good there. It was awesome to hear about everything this week kind of felt like a long one and I am missing you guys. Love you all a lot and miss you tons thanks for everything.
Love, your favorite missionary,
Elder Nelson
We asked Elder Nelson for some ideas for a package to send and he came up with the following:
A big jump drive
Sour patch anything sour patch
Not much chocolate because it melts
Guitar picks and a kapo ask dad or Jace they will know what I mean
Lots of socks
Some good scripture markers they are called hi gliders they are really good
Swedish fish
Starburst stuff like that junk food wise
Skittles
Work gloves for service
Rice krispies
Cowtales
More cds like josh groban
Cds are always good I would like
And any church dvds are good too.
Some guitar tabs any because I am sick of playing all the same ones ask Jace.
But that’s what I have written down. Thank you so much!
Love,
Elder Nelson
So Close to a Baptism!
Letter Received February 1, 2010:
Dear Family:
It was so good to hear from you all and it sounds like life has been really busy for you guys and it has been for me, too. But this week we have been having some upsets but I am still optimistic. But yeah, it has been really really hot here and it is really weird to even think that you guys are in cold weather right now.
But this week we found some really good people and we were supposed to have a baptism this week but he fell because he decided that he was going to go on vacation and apparently he has been planning on going on this trip for like two months and he decided to tell us the day before his baptism that he was leaving the next day. And he has some doubts about Joseph Smith but he is reading the Book of Mormon and so he is asking questions but I think that he is expecting like some big vision for himself and yeah. But he has another date for after his trip. Maybe him going on this vacation will give him a clear mind so that he can decide what he wants to do.
But other than him we have found about five new people that are really good and could become some likely candidates for baptism really quickly. But other than that just been contacting. Still not loving the food though still struggling with that every lunch. This week was especially bad because we had the same soup for 4 days in a row and on top of that hot soup in like 110 degree weather. Awesome idea, huh? It was like this bean soup and I was like not again but we just have to be thankful because they are giving us food and so I just eat it.
But today we went and were able to play tennis with a member today that was a blast because I have not played tennis or any sport in forever so that was really really fun. But I have been working really hard and reading a ton to better myself for my investigators. I have been praying a ton and praying for the Lord to bless me with a lot of people to share with and for you guys.
It sounds like you all have been really busy. Dad, sounds like that you have been working and staying busy with projects; and your bike, that sucks about the cracks though. And sounds like that you and Lexie have been going out of town a lot which doesn't sound too fun. But none the less you guys just have to look at it like job security. But also it's like no good for family time. Lexie, it sounds like you are feeling a lot of stress. The way that I have been handling that is just take it one step at a time make big things small. Then it will be a lot less stressful. Do what you can and the Lord will provide. Mom, sounds like you have been staying busy, too, with projects and what not which sounds really good. I am scared that I am not going to know home when I get there, ha ha ha. But that is good that you are keeping things fresh with the house with new projects.
But it sounds like the house has been kinda quiet since me and Tyson left. Which I haven't heard from him in a while but it sounds like he is doing really well but still struggling with the food. I am missing him a ton though. I really miss all of you guys. But I am doing what I know right now I should be and am really thankful to be here. If I had the choice to come home or stay right now I would definitely stay. Sounds like you all are staying really busy. Tell Britt and everyone hi for me and tell him that I wish that I could be there for his farewell but yeah. Ha ha, just tell him I want him to work hard and to email me when he can and times get hard. He will get homesick but it leaves in time and if he will pray for help with it the Lord will help him in his deepest moment of need. Sounds like everyone is doing well, just know that I am doing well and working hard. I love you all and can't wait to hear back again from you next week.
Love,
Elder Nelson
P.S. - What's going on with Reed?
Dear Family:
It was so good to hear from you all and it sounds like life has been really busy for you guys and it has been for me, too. But this week we have been having some upsets but I am still optimistic. But yeah, it has been really really hot here and it is really weird to even think that you guys are in cold weather right now.
But this week we found some really good people and we were supposed to have a baptism this week but he fell because he decided that he was going to go on vacation and apparently he has been planning on going on this trip for like two months and he decided to tell us the day before his baptism that he was leaving the next day. And he has some doubts about Joseph Smith but he is reading the Book of Mormon and so he is asking questions but I think that he is expecting like some big vision for himself and yeah. But he has another date for after his trip. Maybe him going on this vacation will give him a clear mind so that he can decide what he wants to do.
But other than him we have found about five new people that are really good and could become some likely candidates for baptism really quickly. But other than that just been contacting. Still not loving the food though still struggling with that every lunch. This week was especially bad because we had the same soup for 4 days in a row and on top of that hot soup in like 110 degree weather. Awesome idea, huh? It was like this bean soup and I was like not again but we just have to be thankful because they are giving us food and so I just eat it.
But today we went and were able to play tennis with a member today that was a blast because I have not played tennis or any sport in forever so that was really really fun. But I have been working really hard and reading a ton to better myself for my investigators. I have been praying a ton and praying for the Lord to bless me with a lot of people to share with and for you guys.
It sounds like you all have been really busy. Dad, sounds like that you have been working and staying busy with projects; and your bike, that sucks about the cracks though. And sounds like that you and Lexie have been going out of town a lot which doesn't sound too fun. But none the less you guys just have to look at it like job security. But also it's like no good for family time. Lexie, it sounds like you are feeling a lot of stress. The way that I have been handling that is just take it one step at a time make big things small. Then it will be a lot less stressful. Do what you can and the Lord will provide. Mom, sounds like you have been staying busy, too, with projects and what not which sounds really good. I am scared that I am not going to know home when I get there, ha ha ha. But that is good that you are keeping things fresh with the house with new projects.
But it sounds like the house has been kinda quiet since me and Tyson left. Which I haven't heard from him in a while but it sounds like he is doing really well but still struggling with the food. I am missing him a ton though. I really miss all of you guys. But I am doing what I know right now I should be and am really thankful to be here. If I had the choice to come home or stay right now I would definitely stay. Sounds like you all are staying really busy. Tell Britt and everyone hi for me and tell him that I wish that I could be there for his farewell but yeah. Ha ha, just tell him I want him to work hard and to email me when he can and times get hard. He will get homesick but it leaves in time and if he will pray for help with it the Lord will help him in his deepest moment of need. Sounds like everyone is doing well, just know that I am doing well and working hard. I love you all and can't wait to hear back again from you next week.
Love,
Elder Nelson
P.S. - What's going on with Reed?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Hot and Happy in January
Letter Received January 25, 2010:
Hey Everyone:
Thanks for all the letters and it is really good to hear from all of you. I have been doing a little better this week. We have found some really good people and we have been staying really busy. We had a lot of people in church. We had 6 people! That is a record for me for people in church. But the thing is, is that my ward is really irreverent and everyone is talking and doing anything but what they are supposed to be doing. It's frustrating because investigators are saying that they don’t like it because there is no respect. And it is kind of true, so we need to say something to the Bishop because it is really bad but other than that it has been going really good.
But it has been really hot and I had to go to the dermatologist this morning because I had some stuff on my arm from the sun apparently, so yeah. But we have been doing really well except for the heat, I feel like I am in St. George or Vegas. But it sounds like it has been really cold there and sounds like everyone has been having some fun with Lexie and Craig going snowboarding and all and Dad and Jace going riding down in Texas and talking to Trey. Where did he go again?
That is crazy that everyone is coming home that actually doesn’t sound that far away to me because time is going by so fast here and we are already almost to changes again and I am really hoping for that first baptism soon. We should have one next week so we will see about this one.
I am going to send some pictures this time because I have a little extra time this week, so yeah. But not really much new here I love you all and miss you tons. I miss the kids tell them I love them and hope that Lyndsay and Justin and the kids are all doing well. Good to hear that mom that you have been staying busy and are well. Sounds kinda quiet this week. So, I don't know about that because that’s not our family style, ha ha ha. But I love you all can't wait to hear from you guys next week. Hopefully I can tell you about a baptism this next week.
Love and miss you all,
Love Elder Nelson
Hey Everyone:
Thanks for all the letters and it is really good to hear from all of you. I have been doing a little better this week. We have found some really good people and we have been staying really busy. We had a lot of people in church. We had 6 people! That is a record for me for people in church. But the thing is, is that my ward is really irreverent and everyone is talking and doing anything but what they are supposed to be doing. It's frustrating because investigators are saying that they don’t like it because there is no respect. And it is kind of true, so we need to say something to the Bishop because it is really bad but other than that it has been going really good.
But it has been really hot and I had to go to the dermatologist this morning because I had some stuff on my arm from the sun apparently, so yeah. But we have been doing really well except for the heat, I feel like I am in St. George or Vegas. But it sounds like it has been really cold there and sounds like everyone has been having some fun with Lexie and Craig going snowboarding and all and Dad and Jace going riding down in Texas and talking to Trey. Where did he go again?
That is crazy that everyone is coming home that actually doesn’t sound that far away to me because time is going by so fast here and we are already almost to changes again and I am really hoping for that first baptism soon. We should have one next week so we will see about this one.
I am going to send some pictures this time because I have a little extra time this week, so yeah. But not really much new here I love you all and miss you tons. I miss the kids tell them I love them and hope that Lyndsay and Justin and the kids are all doing well. Good to hear that mom that you have been staying busy and are well. Sounds kinda quiet this week. So, I don't know about that because that’s not our family style, ha ha ha. But I love you all can't wait to hear from you guys next week. Hopefully I can tell you about a baptism this next week.
Love and miss you all,
Love Elder Nelson
Cool cave shot.
Cool cave.
Dominated.
Gringo beach.
Just on the streets.
My new best friend.
Sweet!
Yeah, I fell in after that.
Yeah, Yeah!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Settling In To Mission Life
Eating a Chilean Favorite: Complatos (not sure how to spell)
Letter Received December 14, 2009:
Dear Everyone:
Sorry again, I am still running late and I will be writing today as much as I can but it was good to hear from everyone and I will be writing just this one big letter this week because time is short and I will write everyone individually next week. Sound good to everyone? Well that’s how it has to be, ha-ha, cause I don’t have time this week because we went to the campo which means country and did a hike to a river for one of my zone leader's birthday today. But yeah, that was fun, but my bad knee is swollen from the hike and my bad ankle is swollen also but they will be fine later tonight. Lexie, I am sending pics of the closest things to mountains that I have seen so far.
But yeah, everything has been going well but I haven’t had a lot of luck with our investigators because they are all like flaking out but some are doing really well but we are working hard and hopefully we should have some baps in January. We were supposed to have eleven people in church this last week and we only had eleven but we won't give up. it was kind of a funky Sunday down here this week because they had elections on Sunday and they were all voting and church was only an hour long because of voting, so yeah, kinda weird. We should have some more people show up this week because there are no excuses this week and everyone should show and we are trying really hard to get the members to get involved more and so we are working hard that way. We have been contacting like crazy and we haven’t been having much luck but it will get better in time.
In this last two weeks I have fully read My Heritage and A Search for Happiness. It's crazy because I hate to read but here I love it for some reason because I can't put the books down. But here we have had good investigators and they are really bomb and they love us. Our main cool investigator is leaving this week to go stay with her boyfriend that she has been with for fifteen years but just never got married and that isn’t a good relationship that we have to figure out. But they are bomb and they love me because I am a gringo and they love the way that I talk Spanish. I love that family! They want to be baptized, but we can't with the relationship that she is in with this guy and Anna's boyfriend doesn’t know that she has been sharing with us and he doesn’t like people so yeah she still has to tell him about us. So, she is going to stay with him for three months so I don’t know what is going to happen with her sharing wise but we will figure it out. But that’s one of the people that I am teaching, so you know a little about somebody here.
The food isn’t getting much easier to eat but I am still trying hard to do it. I am losing weight, I am guessing about ten pounds. And I have still been having my headaches. I am making sure that I eat as much as I can so that I don’t get a migraine.
But it's good to hear about Christmas. I will let you know more next week. I will try to figure that out but if we have to at worst case I can make like a five minute phone call next week to tell you what the deal is my comp said. So yeah, we will figure that out and he told me it will definitely be before six o' clock our time and I am guessing that it is about 2 o' clock your time so before then. But I know that I only get a hour to talk to everyone on Christmas. So it would be best for everyone to be in the same place so that I can talk to everyone.
It sounds like everything is going good for you guys there. Sounds cold and a lot of snow which I wish it was here because Christmas isn’t going to be the same without snow here. It is so hot! I am sweating constantly. But yeah, that is Chile for ya, ha ha. I haven’t received my package because they go to the mission home and I don’t get it till they bring it so I could get it by Christmas and I could not, but we will see. But I miss you guys so much. Tell Taylor and the hijos that I miss them very much and that I love them so much as I do the rest of all of you. That’s too bad to hear about Lyndsay and Justin's misfortunes, no bueno. But times get harder before they get easier, but yeah, no good. Got to go, I love you all. Hope that I answered some questions for you but didn’t have much time, I will try better next week . The next package for me would be awesome if you could send me my fox hat or big black hat for p-day. Just saying for the next one, ha ha. Love you all so much, will try to do better next week.
Love Elder Nelson
In the car with an investigator, Anna and her family. This is Anna's daughter.
Here are some pictures from the trip to the country:
Thursday, December 3, 2009
2nd Letter from the Mission Field
Letters Received November 30, 2009:
Hey mom,
How is it going there? It sounds like you guys had a good Thanksgiving, wish that I could have been there. I am glad that Lexie and you guys had fun on her b- day, sounds like everyone has been super busy and loving it, ha ha. I bet it was awesome not to have to shop on black Friday. How has Grandpa Wayne been doing? Everything seems to be going good here. We are contacting a ton. We have 9 people that we are teaching the lessons to and 4 of them have baptism dates and seem to be taking the right steps to get there, so we will see in about a month if I have some baptisms. Spanish is still coming; I am trying to work hard on that.
I really miss American food for sure, that is one thing that I could ask for Christmas is treats and what not, like jerky and stuff. Everything is really expensive here. I am glad that everything seems to be going well with you let me know if there is anything new with you. It’s crazy almost two and a half months down already. I still have been having back problems and I have been getting some pretty bad headaches I think it is the lack of food and walking a ton so I am trying to pace myself. My comp is starting to get on my nerves because everything has to be done his way and sometimes it’s not the way that I want to do stuff cause the way that he wants to do it isn’t logical that is all part of the experience and so that is how it is with my comp. It’s good to hear how everyone is doing.
Love and miss you,
Elder Nelson
Dear dad,
So yeah, everything is starting to set in with the schedule and everything. We have 9 people that we are teaching the lessons and 4 with bap dates so we will see in the next month or so if I have baptisms and they seem to be progressing well and I have been working hard and my back is still killing me so I have to buy a bag here so I took some money from the account it sounds like everyone is doing well at home. I miss you guys tons just think why you guys were eating dinner on Thanksgiving I was yelling doors. well that’s the mish, ha ha. we had a member that we asked to make us lunch on thanksgiving she made us turkey and the whole bit, so that was nice. it was good. It sounds good about riding I definitely miss that. That is good to hear that Brach is doing better and isn’t delayed and it is good to hear that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I know how Brit feels cause that is how I felt right before I left to. How are you liking the new TV? I bet it was good not to have to go shopping on black Friday. I can’t believe it is already Christmas prep time, here it doesn’t feel like it cause its like 90 degrees here, I am sweating so bad. Well I got to go but I love you and miss you tons.
Elder Nelson
Hey mom,
How is it going there? It sounds like you guys had a good Thanksgiving, wish that I could have been there. I am glad that Lexie and you guys had fun on her b- day, sounds like everyone has been super busy and loving it, ha ha. I bet it was awesome not to have to shop on black Friday. How has Grandpa Wayne been doing? Everything seems to be going good here. We are contacting a ton. We have 9 people that we are teaching the lessons to and 4 of them have baptism dates and seem to be taking the right steps to get there, so we will see in about a month if I have some baptisms. Spanish is still coming; I am trying to work hard on that.
I really miss American food for sure, that is one thing that I could ask for Christmas is treats and what not, like jerky and stuff. Everything is really expensive here. I am glad that everything seems to be going well with you let me know if there is anything new with you. It’s crazy almost two and a half months down already. I still have been having back problems and I have been getting some pretty bad headaches I think it is the lack of food and walking a ton so I am trying to pace myself. My comp is starting to get on my nerves because everything has to be done his way and sometimes it’s not the way that I want to do stuff cause the way that he wants to do it isn’t logical that is all part of the experience and so that is how it is with my comp. It’s good to hear how everyone is doing.
Love and miss you,
Elder Nelson
Dear dad,
So yeah, everything is starting to set in with the schedule and everything. We have 9 people that we are teaching the lessons and 4 with bap dates so we will see in the next month or so if I have baptisms and they seem to be progressing well and I have been working hard and my back is still killing me so I have to buy a bag here so I took some money from the account it sounds like everyone is doing well at home. I miss you guys tons just think why you guys were eating dinner on Thanksgiving I was yelling doors. well that’s the mish, ha ha. we had a member that we asked to make us lunch on thanksgiving she made us turkey and the whole bit, so that was nice. it was good. It sounds good about riding I definitely miss that. That is good to hear that Brach is doing better and isn’t delayed and it is good to hear that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I know how Brit feels cause that is how I felt right before I left to. How are you liking the new TV? I bet it was good not to have to go shopping on black Friday. I can’t believe it is already Christmas prep time, here it doesn’t feel like it cause its like 90 degrees here, I am sweating so bad. Well I got to go but I love you and miss you tons.
Elder Nelson
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