Sprinting to the Finish

¡Hola Familia!

All the ward members are starting to say goodbye to me and I just keep telling them, "hey! I still have another week left!" because I intend to keep working hard up until the very last second. The other hermanas had a baptism saturday and a ton of people came. At the end we were all in the cultural hall when hno Matias, the ward mission leader, makes the announcement that it was also a surprise farewell party! All the sudden pictures of my life (literally my whole life - like half baby pictures haha) started going on the big screen with my favorite song in the backround. That was when the reality of it all came crashing down and I started to cry. It was lovely though to share that moment with them, I`ll post some pictures so you all can see. 

Besides that rude awakening we had a lovely week. I`m a little short on time so I`ll mention the most important parts. :) We are still teaching A and his son J. A is a big smoker and we have been helping him out to quit. He`s gettin there! He said at the beginning of the week that we was not prepared for baptism. But miracles happen and the spirit changes hearts! We had a great lesson friday, saturday they came to the baptism, and sunday to church. A told me saturday night that he feels baptism is close for him! Sunday after church we set a new goal for saturday the 1st. He said he wants to be baptized before I go. :) Woohoo!! 

M is still doing great, and this semana we started teaching her cute little cousin V! Her mom is in a similar situation - she fell away from the church a long time ago but wants so badly to find peace in her life again and come back. 

I`m doin good. Starting to get a little nervous.... but loving each day. I have a feeling I`ll be crying a lot this week. 

I`m pretty sure I`ll be able to write next monday, even though by then we`ll be in Bahia Blanca. But I`ll give a good wrap up then. :)

This is the Lord`s work. We are His hands.

love,

Hermana Nelson

Felicidad

¡Hola familia!

Another week came and went! They are FLYING by. I am trying so hard to appreciate and love each one. 

This week was pretty great. I´ll try and mention a few of my favorite things.

Yesterday N received the priesthood! It was the most wonderful thing. Also he came to church in a full suit and shiny black shoes. :) I didnt recognise him at first. It was so awesome, and just to see him so happy and excited. Moments like those just make you so glad you came on the mission!

We had interviews with Presidente Parreño this week, which was great as usual. B drove us up there and got to talk with Hermana Parreño. She is super awesome and really encourage B to keep going, to keep reading and progressing towards baptism. B is still pretty hesitant, but I know it will happen someday. 

We started teaching this week a cute little girl named M. She is the daughter of an awesome inactive lady, L, who we have been working with. They all came to a ward activity on thursday and had a wonderful time. I love teaching kiddies!! She has been reading her book of mormon for children (the one with the cartoons) and really loves it.

We have been workin hard and teaching a ton! It sure is a lot of fun. There are little challenges each day but it is all so worth it when someone listens with pure intent and we can see them increase their faith. It is such a blessing, an honor, to be able to be a representative of Jesus Christ. Most know so little about Him, and what He did for them. There is nothing like helping them understand His role as Savior and Redeemer. That is why I am here!

Love you all,

Hermana Nelson

aventuras, colectivos, y BAUTISMO!

¡Hola Familia!

Well, this has been quite the interesting week. Things got a little crazy when we got a call tuesday afternoon saying that we were to take a little trip - I needed to go to Buenos Aires to get some paperwork fixed. And almost everything about this trip didn´t go according to plan. So wednesday morning we left for Mar del Plata, an hour away. Then 7 hours to Bahia Blanca. We stayed the night with hermanas there, then the next morning went to the office. I was to travel with Hermana Chesler, another hermana who I knew from my time in Bahia, and Elder Pauni. My comp stayed with another hermana. We set off for the airport with Elder Spaunbauer and Elder Cruz from the office, to get there and find out that all flights had been cancelled for the weather. After lots of phone calls on the part of the office elders, they decided we would go in bus that night. After working the day in the area of Hermana Chesler, we set out for Buenos Aires in bus at 10:30 at night, arriving the next morning at 7 in Buenos Aires. It was a crazy day! The city was so full of people coming and going because there were some big events going on and a long weekend was starting. We hung out in the area office for a while, then after lunch headed off to the US embassy - SO weird hearing random people speaking english. Anyways after some unexpected complications I finally got on another bus at 7:30 that night to head back. I arrived in Mar del Plata at 1 in the morning, slept a bit at the house of the hermanas there, then 9 the next morning (saturday) we were back in good ol´Balcarce. Por fin. The trip was actually kinda fun, We bonded quite a bit, and the lady in charge of us there, M and the chauffer A were so good to us. 

The miracle of the week, and the most wonderful part of all, was the baptism and confirmation of N!!!! An investigator of the other hermanas, J, also got baptized. It was a beautiful service. We werent in town for the last couple days, but thanks to the help of Hermanas Burgos y Ortiz and our district leader it all turned out great. :) He was baptized by Ezequiel, the hermano who initially invited him to meet with us and is such a great support for him. Sunday when he received his confirmation, I was so full of JOY seeing him up there and hearing the beautiful words of his blessing. He is 18 years old and I´ve already told him that now we´ve got to prepare for the mission. :) I asked him what it was that made him decide that he was ready to be baptized - he said he just felt it. He saw how he had changed during these last weeks, the peace and calmness that had come into his life. As he began to make reading the scriptures and praying a new habit in his life he just felt that it was time for him to be baptized. So he did it! woohoo!!!

The church is true, there is no doubt in my mind. This is the Lord´s work. 

Love you all,

Hermana Nelson

¡Que Firmes Cimientos!

¡Hola familia!

Wow, what an incredible general conference weekend! It all goes by so fast. I am looking forward to reading all of the talks when they come out. We watched conference in spanish which was fun, but I will for sure have to go back and study to get everything. :) The talks by the native speakers were AWESOME! All the members here were so excited and just loved it. It is easier to understand and to feel the power of their words when we hear them speaking directly. What a great new thing. 

We were able to have a good number of our investigators join us for conference which was really great. N came to a session on saturday and also the priesthood session. V who had gone a little MIA this week showed up for a session. And B came with her two daughters!

That would probably be my favorite thing from the week - the little miracles with Band her family. So as I´ve mentioned its super hard to find B because she is always working. So tuesday´s trip to Mar del Plata is super important. We talked a ton and it was so great - she is just so tired and worn down by her life, and needs so desperately the relief of the gospel. We talked about how the gospel is a pattern for our lives, and how God gave it to us because He loves each one of us so much and wants us to be happy. We talked about baptism - at first she was saying maybe later on, but I felt so impressed to ask her a really direct question - If you know that baptism will bring blessings and happiness into your life, why postpone that? Why postpone being happy? That really impacted her, and she committed to do her best effort to reach her date. It was amazing because I had no idea what to say to her to help, and I knew that our time was precious. I prayed so hard before our conversation and it turned out to be just what she needed. That´s the miracle of words guided by the spirit!

Later this week we went by the house to visit and met her other daughter, L. She is 21 years old and super cool. We had a great couple lessons with her and the other daughter Gisela this week. They are so receptive and love our visits. I just love them so much!!! They accepted also baptismal date goals. :) We talked a lot about priorities with them - and when a young returned missionary girl named K came with us to a lesson she shared her testimony with them about how the gospel, and making time for habits like going to church, reading and praying really changes and blesses your life. due to the spirit they felt in those lessons they committed to come to church and came to the last session sunday!!! It was the happiest thing ever.

I loved loved loved conference. One of my favorite talks was by Elder Bednar - especially because he was talking right to our investigators and it was what they needed to hear. Something that really touched me was his story about their two sons, when the older one tries to help his little brother when he gets hurt. The spirit taught a really powerful lesson to me there. Sometimes we in our sincere efforts to help our brothers and sisters dont know exactly how to do it. We struggle and sometimes fail, but our love for them is true even in our imperfections. What our heavely father sees is that we are trying our best. He looks on in love and pride, grateful that we have listened to his plea to "love one another". 

I am an imperfect missionary and disciple of Christ, but I know without a doubt that I am called of Him to do this work, as are each of you as His children. He is so proud of us when we do our best and love our neighbor. I know Christ lives, that He loves us and that He directs a living church. This is HIS work.

love you all,

Hermana Nelson

Milagros en Balcarce

¡Hola Familia!

Wow. This has been quite an interesting week - and as you can see from the subject line we saw some serious MIRACLES!

Starting off the week, my companion was sick. Being so kind and loving she decided to share it with me and I got nice and sick too. It was pretty rough and we would still go to all our appointments but also stayed in a bit. The hermanas in the ward took good care of me, giving me scarves when I was out without one and telling me off when I wasn´t wearing it the next day. The H family are some of my favorite people ever - they have really taken us in. They´ve had a lot of missionaries in the family including a son who got home a month ago so they know what its like. :) So dont worry mom, I am well taken care of!

A miracle that we saw this week was with B. She is our sweet taxi driver that I mentioned a couple weeks ago. So she drove us to the meeting in Mar del Plata and on the way down was telling me about how stressed and tired she is - this poor lady is ALWAYS working. While we were in the church for the meeting I lent her my book of mormon to read while she waited. At the end of the meeting we gave her a little surprise - hna Greene went out and got her, brought her inside the chapel, where our district of 8 elders was waiting there to sing her a hymn. It was the sweetest thing and she was a little embarrassed at first but so pleased - she just loved it. Afterwards we were able to show her around the chapel a bit. It was a rare moment of peace for her, and she enjoyed it so much that even though we didnt talk to her the whole rest of the week she showed up at church on sunday! She was even working but took 20 minutes to come in during the sacrament. She is the greatest and I just love her.

So here´s the biggest miracle.... WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!! L, our little 11 year old investigator, got his answer after lots of prayers on both sides that he wants to be baptized! It was awesome, and also a little crazy organizing a baptism in 3 days. But it was great because most of his family aren´t members and they all came out to the service. He is the cutest boy, and has a great future in the gospel. He doesn´t have many friends at school and they tease him because he says he´s a mormon. Elder White, our district leader, came to Balcarce on friday for his interview and told Lucas that now he has a ton of new friends - us missionaries, and all the people in the church. I am so happy that he has made this step and can continue progressing and learning.

We had a ton of investigators in church on sunday - another miracle. It was amazing to see that even though I was sick so much of the week, and we were so busy preparing for the baptism, that the Lord blessed us so much and made up the difference. It is so true that this is His work. I know that without a doubt. These people´s lives are changing, and mine too. Just so you all know... I am not going to be the same Hermana Nelson who you knew before. :) Thats the greatest miracle of all. The miracle of CHANGE. It is the whole purpose of God´s plan, the whole reason we are here. We are destined to be so much more than we are now, and everything that we go through, every trial and hardship is to help us CHANGE, to become more like Christ.

I love you all so much!!!!

Hermana Nelson

Divina Luz

¡Hola Familia!

Hey! It´s been a pretty good week down here in Balcarce, Argentina. The work rolls forward and the missionary life is SO good!

Quick investigator update: N is doing the best right now, we are pretty excited for him. We had some really good lessons this week and he is opening up and sharing a lot more - and even made lots of comments in sunday school! He already has so many amigos in the church and everyone is talking about how he could serve a mission. That would be amazing!

We met again with A, who is a really cool older guy who lives out in the rural area with his two grandsons. Friday we talked about a lot of things, and he said he wants to get baptized! Unfortunately he got really sick this weekend and couldn´t make it to church.

L, our 11 year old investigator, reads the book of mormon more than a lot of members I know. haha. He is doing great, still praying to know if he should be baptized. We had a great talk with him the other day and spoke about the blessings of baptism, while his aunt who is less active showed us pictures of when she was baptized. What a beautiful, wonderful thing is baptism. We are praying that Lucas will feel that too!!

Here´s a funny story I forgot to tell, that happened a couple weeks ago. So we were walking down the street, just contacting people, when my companion says that she wants to say a prayer so we can know where to go. So we said a little prayer there in the street, and about 30 seconds later she announces, "I think we should go to Grido". (Grido being our favorite ice cream shop). I laughed, because it seemed that this revelation might have come more from her stomach than the spirit. So we went anyways. When we got there, there were no other customers, just two workers, one being the owner. We ordered our ice cream and then struck up a conversation with the owner after he asked us where we were from. So... 30 minutes later we come out with super melted ice cream. We talked about a ton of things - we were able to teach about the restoration, modern day prophets, church standards-- he had a ton of questions mostly just from curiosity. Anyways, we went back the next week and talked even more and left another pamphlet. The other day we came across him in the street and he asked why we hadnt stopped by Grido yet. So looks like we´ll be getting more ice cream this week. :) Just goes to show that you should always follow promptings no matter what!!

Yesterday in church I gave a talk on missionary work and used a talk from this last conference that I just love - I dont know what its called in english but its the one by Elder Scott. :) I highly reccomend it! I spoke about how sharing the gospel becomes natural and easy when we focus on the three things that Elder Scott shared: truly loving the person, having confidence in them, and bearing our testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

I know this is the work of the Lord. This time is so precious - and is racing by so fast. Everyone keeps telling me how much time I have left but I am going to work like its still the first month!

Love you all,

Hermana Mackenzie Nelson

"Alimenten su fe, y sus miedos morirán de hambre"

Hola familia!

Well its been a super great week down here in Balcarce! We worked hard and saw tons of miracles. I`ll try and give a quick rundown.

In the taxi on the way back from district meeting on tuesday (its about an hour drive from Mar del Plata to Balcarce) we had an awesome experience with our driver. Her name is B, she is a cute little lady of probably 50ish years who always drives us. We got talking with her after we sang a couple hymns in the car for her and she said that shefelt so good- and just began to open up about things going on in her life. We talked the whole way home and discussed God´s love for us, the basics of the restoration, and how when we seek Him we never have to feel alone. She really loved it. All it took was for someone to open their mouth and start talking. How often to we (me especially) miss out on amazing opportunities to share the gospel for fear of offending/making a mistake/not knowing what to say? Too often.

That seemed to be a theme for me this week. Fighting fear with faith. During one of my studies I was reading in the Book of Mormon about what it takes to see miracles (mormon 9) and learned a great lesson. It is so intimitely related with faith, and there are 3 important principles. To have great faith, and see miracles, we must: believe in God, know God and all His attributes, and obey. Just like that!! 

Alright, back to the week.We did 2 day divisions  (trading companions) with the hermanas of Mar del Plata and I was once again reunited with my hermana Tovar! It was so much fun. We did so much reminiscing. It is just amazing how often our paths cross! I am not done learning from her I suppose. 

Friday we saw miracles. We went out to work with great faith and with the desire and goal to find new investigators and invite them to bebaptized. The Lord guided our path and we met 5 people that we could teach and invite!!! 5 new investigators with the date. It was awesome, I felt in every moment that my path and my words were guided by the spirit. It was sweet. This really is the best news ever, what we share, and I love sharing it.

Sunday we had N in the church! He is doing so good. We are excited for him. Also V and Lucas came! V is L`s mom and this week we saw her take some huge steps. Awesome.

Thats the really short version of how the week went. :) It was excellent. We are learning a ton, Hermana Greene and I. She is a great trainee and has so much desire to continue improving every day. Its a good motivation for me to keep going and not let things slide, even when the time is short.

I love you all, and I know without a doubt that this is God`s work. Miracles happen.

Hermana Nelson

September 8, 2014

¡Hola Familia!

Another week comes and goes... crazy! It was a pretty good one. Besides the torrential rain. We had a sweet electric storm one night. Hopefully the weather has gotten all that craziness out of is system and we can start warming up into spring. :) 

This week saw a lot of change up with investigators. There are many of them that we decided that we won´t be stopping by as much - it just isnt the time for them. But we also saw some good progress in others. Like Violeta! I`m not sure I mentioned her before - she has been an investigator for a little while now, ever since she showed up at church on her own a couple months ago. She has had a pretty hard life for being only 26, she has two little kids and lives with a (much) older man. But she wants so bad to turn her life around. This week we had an awesome lesson - beforehand I was a little nervous because I knew we had to talk frankly with her about some things. But I said a little prayer and it was incredible to see how the spirit guided our words. We talked about repentance and about what it really means to repent - and how that often requires discomfort. It was awesome to see how she responded to it - with a real contrite and humble spirit. So even though she`s got a long way to go, she´s back on track and I know that if she continues to trust and God and humbly make those changes in her life she´ll find that inner peace and happiness she so desperately wants. 

The members in our ward are awesome! I still dont know some of them but I have already become close to many. D and her husband E are my favorites, they are the coolest young couple ever. This monday we had a family home evening with them and they invited a young friend, a 18 year old boy named Nahuel who plays soccer with the young men. He is super cool, quiet but very sincere. We´ve had two lessons with him this week and I really hope he keeps going because he is really great!

My companion had her first week in the field, and it has been really fun introducing her to everything and seeing her excitement. She speaks pretty well, but still doesnt understand much - the accent here is pretty rough. I´ve been able to pass on a lot of the things I learned at the beginning, like the importance of trusting the Lord and just bearing a testimony from the heart without worrying about the words. He has promised us that if we open our mouths we will be given the words! I definitely have seen that in my own experiences and I know she`ll see it too. But oh man is training tiring! Fun, but I have never been more exhausted.

I love you all so very much. I love the gospel and I love bearing testimony of my Savior! I know this is His work.

love,

Hermana Nelson

September 1, 2014

¡Hola Familia!

Well this week has brought the usual surprises! After having so much fun and becoming great friends with hna Pukahi, thursday night we got the dreaded emergency transfer call. Poor hna Pukahi will have 3 "moms" in her first two transfers! And this was all because... I got my first greenie! Hna Greene (oh the irony) came in the middle of the transfer because she did the advanced course of spanish in the MTC, and I am to be her trainer here in the great land of Balcarce. I travelled to Mar del Plata friday night, stayed with the sisters there until my new hija arrived that evening. It has been a lot of fun so far! It sure has taken me back to my first days in the field - when everything was so overwhelming. Its been great being able to help her out, to introduce her to the delicious foods of Argentina and to tell her that everything will be fine. Its all about patience, because the beginning is always a little hard. :) But she´s super great, speaks pretty well (the understanding is the tricky part), and has the desire to work. So that´s what we´re gonna do.

It was a little bit of a slower week, but still good. N is still there, moving slowly but moving forward. She´s a sensitive one. :) Solange has hit a bit of a rough patch, and has taken a few steps backward but we have been making plans with the member who is her friend and things will work out. 

Yesterday we met the coolest couple ever - and I just loved them instantly. So during lunch with our ward mission leader he told us about a brother who is less active, but wanted to get in contact with us because his girlfriend (not a member, they are living together) is interested in family histoy and learning english. She lost her job and has lots of time on her hands haha. To make a long story short we got in contact with him and went over sunday afternoon. They are the most kind, warm people I have ever met. C, the hermano, joined the church when he was a teenager and went less active right before the mission. He´s been on and off for a while because his family doesnt like the church. But he never lost his testimony. We got to know them, talked for a while, and then shared a scripture on families. The hermana began to cry as she spoke about her failed marriage from before - and how her daughter suffered from the split. The both love each other so much, have a beautiful relationship, but have fear in commiting to each other and trying again when there was failure in the past. We testified to them of the Lord´s way, and that even though the family won´t be perfect that when we do our best we can be happy. Anyways, it was awesome and we are gonna be visiting the hermana and teaching her english - with the condition that we also share a scripture every time. :) Sneaky. 

This is the Lord´s work, I have no doubt of it. Even though there are few who recognize it or have the faith the try, that doesnt change the fact that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so humbled every day to know that the Lrod trusted me enough to call me to be His servant. It is an honor and a pleasure! I love being a missionary. 

love you all,

Hermana Nelson

¿Hermana, tiene sueño?

¡Hola familia!

What a crazy week of adventures it´s been. I´ll try and give a good lowdown.

It all started with a beautiful, sunny, warm Pday last monday. We went to a big park with us 4 hermanas and an hermana from the ward. It was a lot of fun and the weather was awesome. We soaked it all in because pretty much the whole rest of the week was torrential rain all day every day. Wednesday we went to Mar del Plata for a special zone conference (about 40 missionaries) with Presidente and the asistentes. It was amazing, a really powerful experience and I learned a lot. He and his wife spoke a lot on our purpose as missionaries - to bring salvation to all people. It made me reflect on how I see my work every day. Its so easy to get distracted by so many things, to not give so much when you´re tired or relax and just let things happen. But this is a work of urgency, a work of the greatest importance. The Lord has chosen us, very much imperfect young people to carry this message to the world. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by my own imperfections, but I have to trust that He will qualify me. All that He requires is my best!

Thursday afternoon after lunch we got a call to say that we were to make a surprise trip to Bahia Blanca so my companion could go do her tramites (for the visa). We left that night at 8, and arrived in Bahia at 6:30 in the morning. Talk about a killer trip! It turned out to be an awesome day though, because I asked the elders when we got there if I could go work in General Arias (my old area) and they even dropped me off at my old house! I surprised hermana Mancuello - it was the best thing. I got the best news ever. Carla, the investigator we had been teaching, was to be baptized that evening!!! I couldn´t stay for the baptism, but I got to see her and see how excited and happy she was. It is such a miracle, and just made me so happy to see her glowing. 

We arrived back in our area saturday morning after another sleepless night in the colective (bus). Hence, the subject line. Saturday we ran all over town in the rain to try and see as many as our investigators as possible. We had a great lesson with Solange, who just loves us and always gives us delicious brasilian food. Apart from that, she is just soaking up the things we are teaching her. She has gone through a lot of rough times recently and needs so badly the comfort and perspective that the gospel brings, so its been neat being able to share that with her. And then she came to church on sunday and stayed all 3 hours! woohooo!!!!

my dearest family, I love you all so much. I love the gospel. I know its true. It is incredible to me that even though we as people are so imperfect God still has the patience and love to give us the precious truths of the gospel. When people reject us (which happens quite often)  it makes me so sad thinking of all the joy that they are missing. I feel often like Alma, who expressed his desire to be able to speak like an angel and have all hear and understand him. I wish I was a better missionary, with more perfect words and more perfect love. But I, as with all of us, have to trust that the Lord with make us sufficient in His hands to bring about His work. 

Have wonderful weeks!!!!

Hermana Nelson

Beautiful Balcarce

with my new comp (and "daughter") Hermana Pukahi and Hermana Tovar!

¡Hola Familia!

One week down! Okay, this place is so beautiful. I really don´t feel like I´m in Argentina sometimes. Its just so clean!! haha. Our area is huge, and a lot of fun because there is a lot of diversity. We´ve got the big city center, the quiet family neighborhoods, and the humble little houses up against the endless fields. I was super lost the first few days but I am getting a hang of it. It has been quite the adventure because my companion only has one transfer in the area (and the mission and speaking spanish) so its been kind of like starting new. But we have some investigators to keep going with. Hermana Pukahi is just the cutest. She is 19 years old, born in Hawaii but grew up in Orem. Its been weird quoting movies again. We are having a great time together though and she is up to everything! So we have been workin hard.

We had a bit of a hard day at the beginning of the week when we found out the family of investigators we were teaching up and moved to Bolivia without notice. And then in the evening we called our super cool investigator N, and she said that she didnt want to continue anymore, for various reasons, and that we should pass by to pick up the book. It broke my heart. So we prayed a lot for her and prepared ourselves, and then finally found her friday night while with a member. I had no idea what to expect, and we just wanted so badly to tell her to not give up so fast. She let us in, and we had a great mini lesson. She told us about how her daughter (who is of another religon) wasnt happy with her mom all the sudden getting involved with another church. But we talked about how she has the right to find what makes her happy, and that she shouldnt give up seeking for the truth and asking God. So she commited to keep reading and praying and said we could come back to keep teaching! Woohoo! So we will keep praying for her. 

We also started teaching a crazy (in an awesome way) brasilian lady named Solange. She was a reference from a member, and we met her saturday. She told us all about her dating experiences and marriages plus pretty much every other part of her life. It was like a telenovela! haha. She is great though and we are excited to teach her.

We´ve been doing a lot of street contacting. It is a lot of fun. The other day we were talking with a girl and her mother and after chatting for a bit the girl said to me, "all the missionaries from your church that we´ve met always smile while they`re talking". I told her its because we are just so happy! Seriously, there are the hard days but I cant help but feel so happy when I am talking with people and bearing testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just cant help but smile! 

So life is good in Balcarce. The ward is HUGE, like 100 members were there on sunday. It was a little overwhelming. But they are great and so willing to help! 

love you all,

Hermana Nelson

The Surprises Continue...

Hola Familia!

What a week its been! Its another one of those days where I sit down to write and have no idea where to start. We had an awesome week. We worked so hard and were determined to meet our goals - and saw lots of little miracles. Even though my companion was sick on and off all week, when did go out to work amazing things happened. We found a ton of new investigators! Literally almost every door we knocked on was opened by someone who wanted to hear us. That doesn´t happen every day. 

K is doing super great. She is reading and learning so much - already in chapter 7 of 1st nephi, plus a bunch of pamphlets! This week we taught her the word of wisdom. She smokes a little and loves coffee. But her heart was so prepared and she accepted the challenge to begin abstaining from these things without complaint. She has progressed so much from the beginning, when she had no desire to make changes! It has really been cool seeing her progress. We had a great lesson with her saturday with a member and apart from the part where I feel out of my chair onto the floor it was really great.

The Elders in our ward had a baptism on saturday and we passed by a former investigator right before just to try our luck one last time. She came out, talked with us for a while, and then decided to come with us to the baptism! She loved it. C came too.

We started getting a little nervous for transfers, and they didnt call us until almost 11 saturday night. And I was super surprised to find out that I would be leaving Bahia! I got transferred to Balcarce, a cute little town about an hour away from Mar del Plata. The funniest part is that I am taking the place of hna Tovar, finishing the training of her greenie and everything. My new comp is Hermana Pukahi, she is hawaiian but raised in Utah. She has one transfer on the mission and is super cute!!! I am really excited to work with her here - she and hna Tovar had lots of success this last transfer and we are gonna keep it goin. I took the long bus ride from Bahia yesterday (8hours) and arrived in this lovely town in the morning. I stayed overnight in Mar del Plata with the hermanas there - one of which is hna Tovar, who is in my zone. So crazy that I will be seeing her a ton! 

Leaving General Arias was sad of course, even though I was only there 2 months I learned to love it and made many great friends. I´ll send some pictures of my last day there with some members. But I am SO excited for this transfer, I know its gonna be great! I truly love every moment of this great work. These are the best days of my life for sure. 

I love you all,

Hermana Nelson

Happy Surprises

¡Hola Familia!

As the subject line suggests, this week was full of surprises! It keeps things interesting. :) 

Monday we had a surprise devotional with our zone. We watched a talk by Elder Holland that really touched me - he spoke about how as missionaries, it is essential that we become converted first. Because when we teach, those words shouldnt come from memorization, but rather from our hearts. For me, one of the biggest miracles of the mission is that imperfect 18-24 year olds can go out and teach people who have more years/life experience and change their hearts. That is the miracle that comes from teaching by the spirit.

Surprise! I got the package you sent to me. :) thanks for the treats!!! all the hermanas were anxious to try goldfish. :) It was so wonderful to get that!

I was called wednesday night to say that the next day I had to go to the mission office to get visa details settled - it was a full day process! The BEST part of all that was the wonderful miraculous surprise of Hermana Tovar, my companion of 6 months in Patagones, show up! It was so amazing to be able to be with her again, we got all caught up and laughed so much together. She also said thanks so much to my parents for helping her out with byu!

We have an investigator named K who has really been surprising me. At first it just didnt seem like she had a lot of interest, but kept receiving us. This week she really started reading the book of mormon and is enjoying it a lot. She is a young mom who has a crazy little boy. They both came to english class on wednesday, and then on sunday morning when we passed by to see if she would come with us to church she was waiting all ready for us! She came to all 3 hours and loved it. She is pretty timid but loves to learn. So that was a great surprise!

E, the cute old lady that I mentioned last week also surprised us by coming to church! She´s been a little up and down but showed a great effort by coming to church.

Sunday J, who was baptized two weeks ago, received the Aaronic priesthood, meaning that next week he can pass the sacrament! He was so happy, and even bought a cool scripture case for all his books. It is the best thing ever to see him so excited.

So in general a great week. The Lord sure is blessing us, and the successes more than make up for the rejections. This is His work. Sometimes I feel SO tired, emotionally/spiritually/physically but the Lord always sends tender mercies to pick me back up.

Love you all,

Hermana Nelson

July 28, 2014

with Juan, Hno Soto, Kevin, and Kevin´s mom

Juan and Kevin are the ones in the middle - with the hermanos that baptized them :)

​With Kevin and his family!

¡Hola familia!

Well the biggest news is that saturday we had a baptism! Actually, two baptisms. :) K and J were baptized and it was awesome! A ton of members came out and it was a beautiful service. But my favorite part was when on sunday they were confirmed members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The blessings they were given were full of promises and blessings that the Lord has prepared for them. One of my favorite things that as mentioned in J´s blessing was: "God loves you very much, and for that reason sent His messengers to bring you the fulness of His gospel". It never stops being amazing to me how the Lord uses us to find His children who are seeking the truth. There really is nothing like it. 

Speaking of which, we had a neat experience this week that was a testimony to me that the Lord is aware of each and every one of us. It was towards the end of the day and we didnt have any appointments and so decided to knock doors. The first one we come to, the lady asked a few questions about where we were from and then said that she had been baptized in the church. She invited us in, and began to open up about all the trials she had been enduring - she has lost children and recently her mother as well. She began to cry, asking us why God was punishing her so much. We cried with her, and in those moments its hard to know what to say. But we bore our testimonies to her that God indeed does love her, and that trials are necessary in this world, but will not last forever. We read in Alma 7 where it talks about what Jesus Christ suffered for us. At the end of our visit with her we hadnt taken all her sorrows away, but she smiled and hugged us tight, saying thank you. We said a kneeling prayer together and she seemed to have a lightness about her that wasnt there in the beginning. It was really beautiful, and wonderful to know that the Lord guided us to her because He knew His daughter was suffering. We were instruments in His hands.

It has been a great week, with the ups and downs as usual but I love every day. We meet a cute old lady who´s children are members and she wants to be baptized! She is 82 years old and hs the coolest life stories. Its been a little hard to find her though - for an old lady she sure has lots to do

! 

The kids are still doing well, K and N couldnt make it to church sunday but Agustina did. Also, K went to one day of the youth conference they had here and loved it. :)

The work is great! This week my comp and I are memorizing this scripture and it is true to me every day:

 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

The gospel is true!

love,

Hermana Nelson

Become as a Little Child

¡Hola Familia!

Well it has been a most wonderful week, and as the title suggests we´ve made lots of little friends. I´ve been reminded more than ever of where it talks in the scriptures about the commandment to become as a little child - humble, meek, easily persuaded. I´ve decided that kids are the best investigators because they have those attributes! If you remember in the email from last week, we met a lady and began teaching the family. The mom, K, has been really hard to find and we havent had much contact with her. But her two kids, K and N (13 and 11 years) plus their cousins A and J (10 and 6 years) have become our buddies. Tuesday Hermana Belogini, the most awesome hermana ever in our ward had us all over for a family home evening and we watched Finding Faith in Christ. Wednesday we had our first english class, and had an awesome turnout! A ton of kids between 9 and 14 years old, plus Juan and a few hermanos. It was  alot of fun if a bit unorganized. I taught with Elder Bench while my comp was one of the students. :) 

After the english class we had a great noche de hoger, with lots of investigators and the ward missionaries. It was pretty low key compared to what I´ve done in the past - just a movie haha. But I love it! 

So this week we´ll be preparing J and K for their upcoming baptisms this saturday! We are praying all will go well and they will make it there. J went to an activity the other day with a group of single adults from the ward and loved it. He already has lots of friends. :) 

Sunday we were able to bring a ton of investigators to church and it was so awesome! The kids made lots of friends and loved it. The Lord sure is blessing us a whole lot! 

This is the Lord´s work. He is guiding us to those who are prepared. I love bearing testimony of the truth, and I have discovered a passion for teaching! There is nothing like it.

love you all,

Hermana Nelson

1st the worst, 2nd the best

¡Hola Familia!

Well, you win some and you lose some. I´ve gotta say though, as fun as it was during the Copa Mundial, I am happy its over so we can get back to work. :) Wednesday evening and sunday we pretty much just went home because EVERYONE dissapeared into their houses to watch the games. It was fun to see the celebration after we won the semifinal (even though I was a little sad for Holland) with all the honking, yelling, and fireworks. Vamos Argentina!!

Besides that it has been a great week! J still is the most golden of golden investigators, Sunday the member who normally brings him to church got sick but J paid for a taxi to get there. He is excited for his baptism and is learning everything so fast! So you know he is 74 years old... but is still goin strong!

We had a really neat miracle this week. So we were out knocking doors looking for people to teach. We decided to go down this one street that we had never been down before, in a more humble part of the area. We walked by this one lady who was in her doorway and began to talk. She responded with the usual - I dont live here, I´m working right now, not interested. But even that didnt deter us. :) We shared a little of our message and asked her questions about her life. Her son of 13 years came out to listen. She began to open up, sharing about how at one point she had totally turned from God, blaming Him for her problems. But something changed one day and she realized He was always there and the problems came from the decisions she had made. We talked about Jesus Christ, about his life and example and the path He set for us. Something changed in her. It was amazing. We talked about baptism, invited them to prepare for a date, and they accepted! During the closing prayer she began to cry. She said "I didnt want to listen to you and look at me now!". The next day we met her 11 year old daughter and are now teaching them all. They are amazing!!

I have a testimony that the Spirit changes hearts. We testify of truth and those who have been prepared will recognize it. This work is true, and the Lord is guiding us every day to find wonderful people! 

I love you all,

Hermana Nelson

Bendiciones

¡Hola Familia!

Another week has come and gone, and the blessings have just poured. The best thing that happened this week is J!!! I believe I mentioned him in my last email, the man we found last sunday. Anyways we weren´t able to meet with him once this week. One day we went and found a note waiting for us - he had a change in schedule and couldn´t be there and so left a note! Nobody does that. Seriously. And then the next day HE called US! That also never happens. Sunday he kept his word and came to church! The members here are super awesome - a couple that lives close to him went and picked him up and then the brother showed him around the chapel and sat with him. 

It was a wonderful sunday. Hna Belogini, who is awesome and also the yw president, has been talking with a 13 year old girl named B and her grandma isnt a huge fan of the mormons but she was able to come to church on sunday! Also M, who hasn´t been to church for a long time came with her non member boyfriend. She is a super cool girl and has become our friend. So for the first time in a while we had a young womans class and we were invited. :) I totally feel like young womens is my place. 

The area is great. We are teaching a lot and I LOVE it. The other day it was raining pretty good and the streets were super muddy. We were out knocking doors and everyone was so surprised to see us still out working! It was the strangest thing - I was cold, wet and tired but SO happy at the same time! I was just so full of the light and happiness of the gospel that we were sharing. These days are the best. I just love getting to know people and then just teaching them by the spirit. 

I love the Book of Mormon. Every day I learn something amazing from the book.The other day I was reading in Alma chapter 36, which is such a beautiful chapter that talks about what it truly means to experience the saving power of the atonement. I love these verses:

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy untothe people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by theeverlasting chains of death.
 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
 21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothingso exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

The atonement is real. Repentance is the greatest gift. God loves you and me so much!!!

love,

Hermana Nelson

June 30, 2014

¡Hola Familia!

Well it´s been another great week here in Bahia Blanca.:) I dont have too much time but I´ll try to give a good rundown of the week!!

This sunday we had transfers but since I had my own personal transfer a couple weeks ago we were safe. Hermana Campbell, one of the sisters who lives with us, left though so that was sad. She completed 15 months on the mission this week and we had a "quinceañera" at home - it was pretty great.

The best news though is that our investigator A is progressing again. She´d been getting a little distant, and we were worried. But we had an awesome lesson this week in which we talked about becoming better people, setting goals to improve through the principles of the gospel. She has a lot of desire to be a better person, and she really had an epiphany there of what she needs to do to acheive that. Saturday we watched a video on temples and she really loved it. So sunday she came to church with her 3 kids! It was awesome. The kiddies loved primary.

We havent found a ton of new people this week, but the people we have found have been so prepared to receive the gospel! It has been super neat to see how the Lord guides us. One of them is named S. We were looking for a contact and knocked on her door. She began talking to us and expressed a lot of interest in the message - shes a lady with a lot of faith and talked about how she needs something in her life that can be a constant - something to hold on to when the times get hard. I testified to her that this gospel is what she is looking for! We talked about baptism and  she accepted a date to prepare for.:) 

Meanwhile, the copa mundial continues! Its impossible to avoid - every house has it on TV. I happened to see the end of the Holland win (yayyy Holland pride!!!!) and everyone here is just super pumped about Argentina! Mundial is the best. I´ve decided that I need to watch futbol more often when I get home!

I´ve really been enjoying my reading of the Book of Mormon lately. The other day I read Alma 26 and I felt like Ammon´s words were my own. When I think of how the Lord has made me an instrument in His hands to bring people to Him I am filled with joy!! It is the most wonderful thing that I have ever experienced. I love these two verses in particular:

 11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, manymighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

The gospel is true. Jesus Christ lives!!

love you all,

Hermana Nelson

¡¡¡Vamos Argentina!!!

¡Hola Familia!

Today I am emailing you from the heart of Bahìa Blanca. :) We took the colectivo (bus) into town to do some shopping. It is so fun living with the 2 other hermanas - we stick together. Well my new area sure is different but I´ve really enjoyed this week! We`ve met some really wonderful people too.

One of my favorites is M. She is a cute old lady who can barely walk, but is very religious and loves our visits. So we hadnt seen her too much this week but saturday we went to visit and had a great lesson with her and invited her to the church. She said she would! And sure enough Sunday morning when we passed by she was all ready to go. My heart was bursting with love for her as we watched her make her way slowly from the crutches to the wheelchair. And the next miracle was that out came her husband Jose, and we thought he was just going to help her out the door but he ended up coming with us to church! So we had M and J and they stayed for the first 2 hours. The members received them so well, it made me really happy.

Friday we had a really fun ward activity, planned a bit spur of the moment but it turned out awesome! A good group came. It was día de la bandera, national holiday in Argentina. We played some games, a member taught us how to dance the tango, and we ate a lot of food. There are so many families in this ward I am still so overwhelmed haha! Sunday there were 65 people in the chapel and it was crazy but so awesome.

Vamos Argentina!!!! And the world cup continues. We had a funny experience with that. We were finishing a lesson and in the next room some people were watching the Arg - Iran game. It was in the last few minutes and no one had scored yet. So my companion goes to say the prayer and right after she starts all of the sudden we hear GOOOOOOOOOOAL - and it goes on for literally minutes. Hna Mancuello said she almost thanked God for the goal, but decided that wasnt such a good idea haha.

In case you´re wondering, while you guys up north are feelin the heat we have offically entered into winter! It hasnt been too terrible yet but its gettin there. Fortunately we´ve been able to teach a good amount and so are inside more often!

Tuesday we had our district meeting and I got to meet a ton of missionaries! Our zone is huge. It was so much fun - there were some familiar faces too. And then later we passed by the mission office and I ran into my good friend Hermana Nelson. I love it!

I love love love love being a missionary. There is nothing compared to it, nothing that has made me more happy. I love being able to lose myself in the scriptures each morning and then to testify to people of these truths that are so precious! I know with all my heart that it is true, and that this is God´s work!

Love you all,

Hermana Nelson

Surprises

¡Hola Familia!

Well, this might have been the craziest week of my mission ever. First of all... surprise! I am now in Bahìa Blanca! Wednesday we were at the home of pte and hna Gira when my district leader called with some news - I was to be transferred to Bahìa. My first reaction was shock, tears, and sadness. I can`t describe in words how much I love Patagones. It truly had become my home and the people my family! My last few days there were wonderful however. Tuesday we had an awesome zone meeting and our district president, presidente Genova came. This zone is awesome - these elders are gonna be big leaders in the church some day. Later that day we had an awesome lesson with K, our 19 year old investigator. It was really neat and it was one of those really powerful lessons where we knew she was left thinking deeply about our questions - it was a turning point for her and now she is really on track! She is a cool girl. 

Wednesday morning we woke up to find the mouse in the trap!! Finally. So like the typical girls we are we called the Elders to come get rid of it. The zone leaders were there too so we had 4 elders taking out a tiny mouse. Thats what elders are for, right?

Wednesday, my last day, was so much fun. We had an activity with the young women and a good group, about 6 of them, came out! It was so fun - we  taught them how to make brownies. And E brought a non member friend! We talked, laughed, and listened to music. I had so much fun!! Then towards the end all my favorite people came to the chapel for a kind of impromptu sending me off party. It was awesome. We took lots of pictures, ate the brownies, and they signed my book. I sure love them. 

I left at 6 o clock the next morning, after a night of barely any sleep for packing. Hna Gladys, who has been like a mom to me, drove us to the terminal. Then it was hasta luego Carmen de Patagones and Hola Bahia Blanca!!!

My new area is called General Arias. We share the ward with two elders (one of which is elder bench, my former DL who baptized E) and we live with two other sisters. That is so fun, especially because one of them is hna O`Hara my comp from the mtc!!! My new companion is Hna Mancuello, who is from Paraguay. She is super tall and thin, and a convert of 3 years. I already love her tons, and we work great together! It is a great area with lots of potential and a LOT of mud. Good thing I bought brand new boots. The ward is great, right now there is no bishop which is interesting but the ward mission leader is legit and there are a ton of great families. And no more singing solos! Its weird - we go to church and dont have to do anything. It sure is different! We have a few investigators but mainly are focusing on finding right now.

Even though I miss Patagones a ton, I really am so happy right now. I LOVE being a missionary! I am at a point now too in my mission where I can communicate pretty well and have more confidence in general. I absolutely love teaching, meeting new people, and bearing my testimony. These are the best days of my life. There arent the easiest days, thats for sure. But I can feel every day that the Savior is walking beside us, and I know without a doubt that this is His work. 

I love you all,

Hermana Nelson

p.s. for those of you who dont know... the world cup is going on. Last night as Argentina played there was NO ONE in the streets! At home we put on our Argentina jerseys and took pictures :)

June 9, 2014

¡Hola familia!

today is one of those pdays where I sit down to write and have no idea what we did this week!! Apparently its been  busy one... but so good of course! Yesterday L and E were confirmed members of the church!!! I cannot describe how happy that makes me.

In other news, M.G, who is our best friend is coming back to church strong! She now comes to all the activities, with her kids, and is just so much fun. Also she has been helping us out with a situation we have in our house right now, which leads me to the next thing....

THERE IS A MOUSE IN OUR HOUSE! I was talking with our district leader the other night when I saw it running out a crack by the door. So naturally I screamed and hung up. Our DL didn´t seem too worried though, probably just thinks we are wimpy girls. but GROSS! I hate mice. So we put out some rat poison, which he seemed to enjoy as a late night snack and did nothing. Sunday night M came by to look over the situation, and lended us a legit mouse trap. SO we set it all up cheese and all, and the next morning peeked slowly around the corner to see if our mouse friend had been caught. To Our dismay (but maybe a little relief too) the trap had closed but the mouse nowhere in sight. He had even nibbled a bit of the cheese. Our friend is still living as of right now but I´ll keep you updated.

On a more spiritual note, the work is going so well. The members have been helping a ton and we are seeing many miracles. Also this week I have had some amzing experiences in my book of mormon reading where I have received answers so exactly to the troubles we´ve been having with investigators. I have such a firm testimony of that book, it is inspired of God and our most important tool!

Anyways sorry for the short email I´ll do my best to write more next week! I love you all!

Hermana Nelson

Baptisms, Singing Adventures, Revelation

To top off an amazing week, Liliana and Emilse were baptized!! Milagros!!!!

¡Hola Familia!

Wow. It`s gonna be hard to put into words how awesome this week was!!!! First off, yesterday L and E were baptised! That was definitely the best part. It was a beautiful, spiritual baptism and a ton of people came, including a bunch of less actives that we have been visiting. I was just so full of happiness, and gratitude, that we were put in the right place at the right time a month and a half ago, and that the Lord gave us the right words all along the way. L and E are amazing. 

Basically, we had a ton of things going on this week, including an activity for the youth (Olimpiadas Locas - Crazy Olympics put on by us), District meeting, Zone conference, Noche de Hogar and English class, and a baptism. And yet, because my companion and I are an awesome team and the Lord blessed us, we had 31 lessons in total!!!! For those of you who don`t know, thats incredible for our mission. And 12 lessons with members! 

The zone conference with Pte Parreño was amazing. He talked about how our goals come alive when it is connected to 4 sources of power. They are unity, focus, determination, and faith. We saw that put into action this week! Even though we are a new companionship we are so unified in our desires to find teach and baptize. Because of that we have seen miracles. One thing that our leaders have really been talking about is teaching the doctrine of baptism to everyone and inviting everyone. We`ve put that in practice and it is awesome. Its amazing to see that when we put away our fears, or worries, the Lord gives us the right words and the people feel the spirit. 

This sunday we saw a bunch of inactive people come back! That was a huge miracle. One of them is M, the super cool lady I mentioned last week. She is on fire, getting her life together and coming to every activity. And now she says her 8 year old daughter, L, wants to be baptized!!

Now for the singing... this week I sang a solo 3 times! Oh how the mission has changed me. The first was when our zone leaders asked us to sing a number for the conference. My comp and I sang "I will not be still" which is one of my all time favorites (and reminded me of my farewell Matt!) and sang it in parts. I had the brilliant idea to start it off alone and regretted it when I was up there but in the end the song turned out beautiful! The second adventure was a familiar one. Directing the music at church, no piano, no one knows the hymn. Awkward. But the third one was a another good one. My comp and I sang a number at the baptism, and as we were up there I looked around the full room and there were a few tears. Music is a powerful thing! We sang Joseph Smith`s first Prayer to the tune of Come thou Fount. 

Anyways, I am SO SO happy. We are reaching goals, and it has become so clear to me that when we totally consecrate ourselves the Lord pours out His blessings. This is HIS work! This is THE church of Jesus Christ!

I love you all so very much!!

Hermana Nelson