Happy Day! Hola everyone! How is the going? I hope well, and I hope that Easter was amazing for everyone! It's been good to hear from you (you know who you are) and really uplifting to me. Your letters give me power and strength that is sometimes hard to find from anyone but those that know and love you! So...Easter was Great! President Boyd K. Packer came to speak to us. He is such a great man! Well, they all are, but he spoke about a power that we have when we are missionaries, and one thing that he said that really really struck me was that fear and concern are different things, and we need to replace our fear with faith. I don't know, it hit me hard just because I had been kind of worrying about it...and I know I shouldn't have been, but I'm a worrier. Then that night, before anyone left in our district, the Elders gave us priesthood blessings, and Elder Swain (who was the one I asked to give me a blessing) promised me that I didn't need to be afraid! It was so amazing to see how the Lord really does listen, because I hadn't been praying about it or anything, but he is so aware of silly little me! Which means that he is aware of you too! Hmm...Easter wasn't that different from the other Sunday's here, other than that, and we all had Sacrament Meeting together, which was cool. It was also fast and testimony meeting, which we met with our zone group (a group of about 30 people or so) and did that. It was awesome to hear testimonies of other awesome missionaries who I admire and look up to. Speaking of which....there are two Elders from Sweden, not sure where, but Pat served there and I told the one his name (Elder Davis) and he said it sounded super familiar. I am probably going to slaughter his name, but it's Kariaa. It would be really cool if he knew him. Brynne Burwell is also here (one of my great friends) and I haven't seen her yet, but I know where her room is and know that she has checked in...so yes...I'm totally being stalkerish and I'm going to go and find her tonight :) But other than that....life has been good. Another sister came yesterday, Sister Barber, and guess what!? She just literally came from serving in my mission. It was great to talk to her a little bit about it. Then I ran into another sister who is from England, and she told me that the peole are sarcastic and blunt...so hopefully I won't get scared away :) Well, sorry this is another short letter, but it's been a good week, and I'm getting excited to go to England! I pray for you all and hope that all is well! Love, Sister Nelson

I forgot....HAPPY EASTER ON SUNDAY!!!!!!! Love you all!

HOLA FAMILY and FRIENDS!!!!
I love you all and miss you all. This week has been great! I feel like I'm learning and growing more, and just trying to learn as much as I can. I should be going out in the field...aka England...next week! Crazy, Right? Things have been good, I have learned so much about how you just need to love people and trust in the Lord, He really is behind all of us 200%, if we will let him. I kinda feel like I've been on a mission forever, even though it's only been two weeks, but it will be good to get out into the field. Thanks for the letters and notes! I'm excited to get stuff from the boys in the mail, and I hope to hear from you again this week. I hope that you were all able to go camping, and that you got to listen to conference, because it was awesome! It was good here, just sat in the gym all day :) So I had a dream about interior design last night, with people from my class and one of the Sisters here, Sister Yates, she was in my class and kept bossing me around. I also had a dream that I was at some ward activity, so you can tell the Bishop, Brother Gale and Brother Thorton that I miss them, because I'm having crazy dreams about church activities :) Lets see...what else?! Hmm...Lots of studying....Oh! We had an awesome devotional on Sunday, and Tuesday night, both of which I needed to hear really badly. Sunday it was Vai Sikahema and he spoke just about how we all have one person to touch on our mission, and if we do that we will not fail. It was a lot more in depth, but it was really awesome because he told a story of how him and his companion went into this sporting goods store and the clerk said he'd never seen two guys with the name of "Elders", and then they started teaching him, and what was even cooler is that....some thirty or so years later, His companion was here and so was the guy that they taught and converted. It was such a touching story, and he said something that really stood out to me, that if we help one person, we're really not helping just one person, but it effects so many people. Then the guy that got converted got up and told about how his daughters had gotten married in the temple, and now had children of their own, it was really awesome! Then we had Brother Wickman, who talked to us about sacrafice, and how most of us think that to sacrafice means to give something up...which it kinda does, but ultimately means that we're giving up something good, for something better. Both were really good and answered some prayers for me! If there is anything to get from what I'm saying it is that God does hear and answer prayers! I love it so so much! I'm excited to get to my mission, but it will be sad to see my district go. They are such awesome people, and I can't believe that the boys are 19 years old! They really are so strong, and I look up to them so so much. Again, I know this isn't long, but I'll keep in touch and let you know more next week (if I'm not traveling). Thanks for everything! Keep me in your prayers, because you're in mine! Love, Sister Nelson

3/28/12

Dear Family, and anyone else reading this (all my fans and friends), First I want to say to everyone, thanks for the support and the prayers, they have been much needed and have helped so much. I don't have a ton of time, so I'll try to get quickly through everything! The first day was crazy! We started out teaching on our first day! They don't waste time here at the mtc, but it was good, we got to do it in a group. To be honest, a lot of it is a blur. I had a roommate, Sister Layton, who knows Josiah Rupp, kind of a crazy small world, and I met Mr. Lagerstrom's neice, oh, and guess who came to the mtc today? None other then Elder (David) Archeleta, no idea how to spell his last name). We actually saw him too! My campanion is awesome! Her name is Sister Kimmons and she is from Texas. She is kind of quiet, and we had companionship inventory the other day, and she said that me being bubbly will hopefully help her bring her out of her shell, so my being loud and being obnoxious might come in useful to someone :) I absolutely love my district, there are ten of us in the group/class together. We basically do everything together, which isn't much, considering all we do is sit in class and eat food pretty much. But it's great to feel like a family, since we've all left ours. The first couple days were rough, just falling in the routine of everything and not feeling like I knew really what I was doing, but it wasn't bad ever. I just have to rely on the Spirit to guide me, because really he does know best and he knows the investigator. My teachers are awesome and help so much! Their names are Bro. Rudd and Bro. Strong. They are BYU students, but can bring the spirit so quickly to class, I LOVE it! Everyone, when we got here, told us to just get to Sunday, everything else would be down hill from there, and I tell you what, time has already flown! I can't believe that tomorrow is Thursday.... Sis. Kimmons and I are teaching three investigators, and even though here it is just practice, it feels so real to me, and I love that. I have never prayed so much in my life, and I wonder why not, because the Lord really does care, that's what we believe the gospel to be, but how many of us live our lives like that?! It is great to rely more on the Savior and his power, because really, I have nothing to do with it....other than being the physical hands for the Lord. It is so great to see the blessings and the way my life has changed within a week of giving it to the Lord. Whoever reads this, know that He loves you, He cares, and He listens. I still am trying to open up to it...for some reason I have trust issues, but I've found the more I open my heart to Him, the more he comes in, which is the BEST! haha.... Anywho, sorry that this is just kinda of a basic letter, but we don't get much time! I would love hearing from everyone, and if you want to write dearelder.com is great because then I can have a hard copy of it....(and I look super popular) =) I love you all, and I want to hear from you when you have a minute! Make good choices, remember who you are, Sincerly Sister Nelson

A Challenge

As I talked to a friend the other day, he asked me when the last time was that I had written something positive and happy in my journal.  After some investigation, I realized it had been a while since I had written anything that was "happy". . . let me just say that my journal is kind of a place to puke out the feelings I'm having when I'm going through a rough time.  So he challenged me to write something positive, even though this isn't my journal, I do want to express feelings. 

To start off I have to start by telling all my friends and family how truly awesome I think they are.  I have been so blessed in my life with awesome, awesome people.  I truly can say that I would not be where I am, going on a mission, or have accomplished the things that I have without the people who are in my life -  who are always teaching me and advising me to move in the right direction.

As I sat in Church the other day, my mind kept wandering back to the people who have been in my life very recently who have changed so many things for me.  My Father in Heaven loves me a lot, because he has surrounded me with angels who lift and bear me up.

We all have struggles.  I was reading this passage of scripture the other day, and it hit me (why I hadn't thought much of it before is a wonder to me as well) that in verse 25 it says the rain will come, floods will come, winds will blow, and it will beat upon our house (us) - BUT it fell not!


3 Nephi 14: 24-27

 24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a ^arock—

 25 And the ^arain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it ^bfell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a ^afoolish man, who built his house upon the ^bsand—

 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

We shall have struggles.  The Lord never said we wouldn't.  He never said it would be easy, that He would take our problems away.  A while ago I went to my grandparents and she shared these scriptures with me: 

Alma 5:14-15

 14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye ^aspiritually been ^bborn of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty ^cchange in your hearts?

 15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who ^acreated you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption ^braised in incorruption, to stand before God to be ^cjudged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

 16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye ^ablessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? 

Do we have faith sufficient to believe in ourselves, as well as our Savior?  Struggles and hard times will come, but we don't have to walk alone.  Ever.

So, I guess what my point is, is that we need to stop a little more often and realize the blessings we have (count your blessings!) and know that it isn't going to be easy.  I'm sure the Savior didn't have it easy when He knelt in Gethsemene or fasted for 40 days and nights, or when He hung on the cross.  Believe in yourself.  Have faith. Don't forget who you really are!

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before

The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet I grab my companion's bedding and pull off his sheet. A groan fills the room. "It's already time to arise? It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes." The morning activities follow: study, prayer and such When its time to leave the apartment, you feel as if you haven't accomplished much "We have a super day planned," my companion says with a grin. I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yea, if anyone lets us in." With the word of God and my faithful schwinn, we ride off in the street. Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through. My companion and I are riding home, not accomplishing what we thought we'd do. We ride up to the mail box hoping to recieve a lot. Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "AIRBOX" We go up to our apartment; the day is now complete the only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet It's past 10:30 p.m., my companion is fast asleep. Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep In the midst of sadness I kneel down to pray; I need to talk to Father, but I'm not sure what to say. "Oh Father," I begin, "What happened to us today? I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away My hands, my aching hands worn, hurt and beat If our area was any smaller,we'd have knocked on every street." Why on missions are the days so much alike? the only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike. Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me! I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes. It's very hard to see. Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough? People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff. Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack; I want to give them a Book Of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back." And what about my family? They don't have much to say. I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day. Oh Father,why am I here, am I just wasting my time? Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind. My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me? The way he rides his bicycle I don't know if he can even see! There you have it, I can't go on. I don't know what to do! That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I leave for you." My prayer now finished I stand up, then jump right into bed. I need my feet for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead Sleep starts to overtake me, I seem to drift away. Then it sems a vision takes me to another time in another day. I'm standing alone on the hill, the view is very nice. A man walks towards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ." Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet. "Arise he states, follow me to the shade, you and I need to speak." My attention towards my Savior, total and complete He says, "Your Mission is similar to that which happened to me. I understand how you feel, I know what your going through; In fact, it would be fair to say, I've felt the same as you. "I even know how you felt when no one listened to you At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do. I know you don't like to ride a bicycle for a car would be sweet. Just remember the donkey I rode, was not equipped with 21 speed. I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something to hate. I remember when I sweat blood from every pore, " Oh, the agony was great. I see you don't like your companion you would rather have someone else. I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth. It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you. I remember when they put thorns in my head and called me the King of the Jews. So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack. I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back. Your hands hurt from tracking and knocking on doors all day I guess when they pounded nails inro mine, I ache in a similar way. It's hard not to hear from home when your family was not there to see. I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why has though forsaken me?" We have a lot in common, but there is a difference between us you see. I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me." He embraced me with his arms, His light filled me with His love. With tears in my eyes, I watched as he went back to the Father above. I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head. I listened and heard the alarm, when I realized I was in my bed. My companion let's out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!" I sat up and said. "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!" No matter what we go through when we feel we can't take any more, Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before

by Troy Whittle

Tender Mercies

Since I created this blog for my mission, I thought that I couldn't start too soon writing about spiritual matters. . .


A couple days ago, my father and I were talking about the gospel and it stemmed some thoughts in my own mind. 


Last Sunday we had Ward Conference in the YSA Singles Ward.  Our Stake President got up for a few minutes at the end of the meeting and said some simply-profound things.  He spoke of the simple things of the gospel.  He then spoke about how Satan is going to do everything in his power to make those simple things appear difficult.  For the next couple days I couldn't get this idea out of my head, that the gospel really isn't that difficult, but we make it so all the time.  


Well, rough days come, and it gets hard to remember that the Lord loves us, and that the gospel is easy. . .and a few days later I had one of these rough days.  I'm not really sure why it was such a rough day, but it just seemed that everything was falling down around me.  All these plans that I wanted to come through were falling through, people in my life are struggling, and it makes me struggle to have to see them go through things, which I feel to be unnecessary.  It is easy to say that the water in the pot began to boil over, and I continued to try and keep it inside.  I simply got home, went to my room, said my prayers, and cried myself to sleep.  


It happens to the best of us :)  But I woke up the next day feeling better and started to reflect on those things that I had been upset about.  I got up, came upstairs and started reading in 1 Nephi.  I think I read two chapters when I pulled out my Conference edition Ensign and opened to the front page.  I quickly scanned through the names of the talks, and there was one, given on Saturday morning, that didn't have a date by it (I date when I read the talk, so that I know what I have and have not read, and how recent it has been since I last read it).  It was a talk by Sister Thompson, and so I opened up to her talk, when I discovered that I had already read it, I just hadn't marked that I had.  Instead of turning back to find a new talk though, I decided that I would just read this one again. . .couldn't hurt, right?


The first half of her talk included the chapters that I had just read in 1 Nephi.  The material was so fresh in my mind that I could relate so much easier to the things she spoke of.  It was a great talk, and I'm grateful that the Spirit prompted me to read it, because it was exactly what I needed.  I thought of simply having the gospel in my life, and being able to have the Spirit in my life, that I can get those tender mercies from the Lord.  


I know that times get hard, even for those who seem to have it all together.  The Lord knows that we don't always keep things simple, that we complicate things, because somehow it makes it seem easier to us.  I don't know why we do what we do, or complicate what we complicate, but all of this has helped to remind me that the Lord knows my desires, he knows what I want, He knows that I want it now, but He also knows that it won't make me as happy now as it will at a later date, if at all.  I am grateful for the knowledge of a Father in Heaven who loves me, and who helps me by showing those small tender mercies to let us know He is aware.  


Long story short, the Lord has His own timing.  We don't understand it, but He doesn't ever abandon us.  So, have faith, pour your heart out to your Father in Heaven, and trust in His timing.  


“Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”
― Jeffrey R. Holland


“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe.”
― Jeffrey R. Holland


I would be so bold as to say the same thing as Elder Holland about prayer.  "Some prayers are answered quickly, some are answered later, and some won't be answered until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they're answered. Pray, dream and never lose faith.