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