May 26, 2014

Saying goodbye to the familia E - Gonna miss those guys!

Our zone last transfer - I stand out just a little bit...

There´s my new comp up front - we taught noche de hogar this week and a ton of people came! woohoo!

We made a birthday cake for this little guy - he is one of the kids of the familia S - M`s family.

¡Hola mi familia!

As always, so good to hear from you. Sounds like a fun week together in Connecticut! 

I had a wonderful week as well. Of course it has been an adjustment to a new companion, but she is awesome. Her name is Hermana Harrison, she is from California and has one transfer more than me on the mission. She is a hard worker and we have already seen success together! It is great to be able to learn from someone else who has different talents. Another good thing that we do that I didn`t do with hna Tovar is we ALWAYS are speaking in spanish. It has already helped me! 

As for the investigators, we had a great week. L and E are still doing great, the members are doing an awesome job being their friends, and they are progressing so well. This week L was talking about the changes she seen in herself since we`ve started - greater spiritual understanding and sensitivity to name a few. And cute E is just as excited to go to church as ever! 

This week we started teaching K, who was found the week before in the less-active rescue activity. Her mom was baptized many years before and Kenya has a huge desire to learn about the church and figure it out for herself! She is 19 years old. We have had some great lessons with her, she is so eager to learn and asks lots of questions. What a huge blessing! 

The sad part of the week was that randomly, out of the blue, the E family decided to move to Bahia where her mom has an apt. I was kinda crushed but I know that they will continue there - we are sending their information so the missionaries there can visit them. Saturday night we passed by, helped pack a bit, and I said goodbye. They are so sweet and both V and N were crying. Oh man I hate goodbyes!

But back on the happier note, this week we started visiting M, a less active lady who is super cool. She owns a small shop, and a non member friend is always there and has been listening in. We had a great first visit, she really opened up, and when we saw her again she said our visit had done a ton of good and that she started reading the Book of Mormon again! woohoo!!

So basically thats the long story short. Its been a great week full of work! This sunday something funny/cool happened. So we found out saturday night  that we were to give talks the next day. I had no idea what I should speak on, and it was 8 in the morning sunday and I had to figure it out. I kneeled and asked Heavenly Father which topic I should prepare. As I waited the word "faith" came into my mind. So thats what I prepared! I love that topic - such a small word has such important meanings. One of my favorite quotes that I shared was this - "brothers and sisters, be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith". - Thomas s. Monson. So many are fearful of the sad things happening in the world all around but faith is the power to go out each day and face the world with a smile! Faith is power. Anyways, Elder Chauque spoke after me and talked about hope, using many of the same references I did. Then the elders taught gospel principles and the lesson was on faith! And then 3rd hour a big theme was faith too. Apparently the members and investigators needed a message of faith!!! There is no coincidence there.

The church is true!!!!

love you all,

Hermana Nelson

The End of an Era

¡Hola Familia!

Well, after 4 transfers making it through untouched, change has finally made its way to us. Hermana Tovar left last night at 12 pm for Mar del Plata. I am here staying with hermana Guenofil until my new comp comes in later today by bus. It was super surreal, while hna Tovar was packing and everything, and then hit like a brick when she was about to get on the bus. It was so so hard to say goodbye to her - she has been the greatest support to me during the difficult times, and we really became best friends as we shared all of our crazy experiences. Fortunately though, we will be finishing our missions at the same time so it was an hasta luego - see ya in 5 and a half months!

I am SO excited though to keep working in Carmen de Patagones. This is the greatest place ever! First of all, during this transition the members have been taking such good care of me. I`ve gotten lots of hugs and kindness. Second, yesterday we had all 5 of our main investigators in church! The E family, and L and E. They are all awesome. The E family is having a bit of a hard time feeling prepared to be baptized, but I have full faith that it will come because they are so awesome. L is super cool! This week we focused on fellowshipping her with Hermana G, and E with B. We have had some awesome lessons, where the spirit is strong. The other day she said that she knows that these things are true! She is so humble, and said that she doesn`t feel she deserves baptism yet. We told her that what matters most is that we are humble and have the desire to follow Christ. Every time we come for a lesson, she has read in the Book of Mormon and has lots of questions. And theres E, who is so excited for church and is just the cutest. Wow. Sometimes I cant believe how much the Lord has blessed us!

We started teaching N finally this week, she has already gone to church twice (but only to relief society). She is kinda a church hopper, she reads the bible and has lots of faith but has lots of confusing ideas. We had an incredible lesson. At first she was just talking so much, about random things that didnt make much sense, of what she understood about religion. But with lots of prayer, we were able to ask inspired questions that led her to resolve those things. It was amazing. We testified of the truthfulness of a true church and she really felt it.

This week we also had a member-missionary activity and it was awesome. We did splits and I was with hermana G, the super legit recent convert. It was so fun! It was like being with a greenie - all the enthusiasm and testimony in the world but not so much experience. :) I loved it.

Anyways, the church is true and the Lord is guiding His work. I know it! Also, I love you all,

Hermana Nelson

May 12, 2014

¡Hola Familia!

I feel like I just talked to you! Oh wait... that`s because I did. :) Thank you for lifting me up so much with your words and testimonies. Seriously, I left that call home not trunky but rather excited for the next 6 months, hopefully I can continue to make you proud! 

This was a great week, there`s a lot going on over here in Carmen de Patagones. Us 4 missionaries are really getting a lot of things rolling and are excited to see the energy and excitement that is growing slowly but surely in the branch. This week we had our first big activity for the youth, and it was a hit! We borrowed a projecter from the district and put on the Emporer`s New Groove. Only the best movie ever. While they all watched, we served popcorn and drinks. A good amount of people came and it was a lot of fun! 

Our main progressing investigators, the familia E (V, N and I) are still doing well. Little I didn`t make it to church sunday because he doesn´t like waking up early. But besides that we still love them so much, still plead with them to read the Book of Mormon together. We had a great lesson friday where V asked us about what the temples were all about and we were able to explain a bit to her about that beautiful, sacred place. That is their goal, as it is for all of us! 

L and E are still doing well, unfortunately didn`t make it to church sunday because of not going to bed until 4 the night before. Sad. But we saw a great miracle with them this week! So E`s mom doesn`t actually live there with them, but in Viedma across the river. But she was there while we were having a lesson and began to make comments and revealed that once missionaries had been visiting her but they lost contact. She said she knew that this was the true church, and that the Book of Mormon is true! We took down her address to give it to the elders in Viedma. This family is amazing - we just keep adding more of them as investigators!! wohhoo!!

So the work is great and the church is true. We only have one more week in the transfer and feel that maybe this time they`ll change things up. Who knows! All you can do is keep working, and thats exactly what we`re gonna do.

Love you all,

Hermana Nelson

Legit young women and lively sacrament meetings

¡Hola Familia!

Happy 5 de mayo! There are about a million and one holidays in Argentina but 5 de Mayo is not one of them. haha. And the food here is nothing like the food in Mexico. Oh well haha!

We had an excellent, wonderful, miraculous week! After a dud sick week, we gave it  our all every day and saw great things happen. Earlier in the week we were in a lesson with L, our investigator, and her young granddaughter who is 11 sat down with us at the end of the lesson. My companion asked if she needed help with any homework (our specialties are math and english) and then invited her to our english classes we have every friday. Then she came! She was pretty shy at first, but stayed for the noche de hogar activity afterwards and loved it. Saturday we had an activity with the young women, decorating our room, and she came again and LOVED it! To top it all off, she came to church, all three hours, on sunday and loved it again! She is so excited about it all, even brought homemade alfajores (delicious argentine treats) to share sunday. She is super cute and bubbly now that she knows us, and will be turning 12 in a week. Plus, she is a huge support for her grandma and now they are learning together and doing so good!!!

V came to church on sunday, but her boys were travelling for the weekend and couldn`t come. We sure miss them when they`re gone! They are still doing well, the only thing is getting them motivated to do their book of mormon readings. We know as soon as they get started reading together they will want to be baptized immediately! That book is amazing.

We had an experience that really affected me this week. So there is a young woman named B.R. who is a convert of almost a year. She is 13, and many of her family was baptized as well but have all gone less active. B however goes faithfully every sunday, to every activity, and has been preparing to go do baptisms in the temple. She is a quiet, sweet girl who has just impressed me so much. This week she came out with us to visit some people. At the end before we parted, we shared a scripture with her about the anti-nephi-lehis - how when they had been converted they were firm and unmovable, just like her. My companion told this girl that she is not alone, however much she may feel like it. That the Lord sees her diligence and faith and will bless her. We said that she has such great potential, will change many lives as she stays firm in the gospel. She began to cry, and hugged us both. She rarely shows such emotion but it was so apparent her sadness of her family not staying strong in the gospel, and having to do it all alone. Hna Tovar and I promised her that we would help her to reach her goals - to get into a byu school, to get to the temple, to go on a mission. I wish I could tell of her story to the world - this beautiful, pure and innocent 13 year old girl who is so virtuous despite the dirtiness all around her. I am inspired by her example. This world is getting worse and worse every day, but we can and must stay strong in our beliefs, worthy of all the blessings Heavenly Father has prepared for us.

Here`s the funny part of the week. So sunday we had two investigators at church, right? Anyways, it was fast and testimony meeting, meaning anyone in the congregation can get up and talk. So there´s this elderly couple who were baptized recently but then went back to their evangelical church at the persuasion of the pastor. However, this sunday they came back! Apparently they realized their mistake, and with the help of loving members they are back. So M goes up to bear her testimony. It starts out all right, just with a little more fire than usual. Then she turns to the president and says, "with the permission of the president, I`d like to sing a song of worship", and starts belting out the most awesome worship song that I`ve never heard in sacrament meeting before. Everyone was in shocked silence. At first I was super nervous about what V would think, and then realized how hilarious it all was. M finished her song and continued thanking loudly all the members by name as she walked down from the pulpit. I got up quickly after her to try and regain a little of the quiet dignity. Honestly, it was the best sacrament meeting ever. haha!

The church is true!!! I love you all and hope you have wonderful weeks.

Hermana Nelson

April 28, 2014

¡Hola familia!

What an interesting week its been. The weather decided to get the best of me and give me a real nice cold! I was sick for quite a few days, we would go out when we could or for appointments but besides that my companion made me stay home and rest. It was super weird - I´ve been reminded how amazing naps are. But I´m feeling a ton better now.

V and her family are still doing pretty well, progressing slowly but still moving in the right direction. Sadly they couldn´t come to church again this weekend because the grandma was in town. But no worries, all in the Lord´s time!

I can´t remember if I mentioned already but we´ve been teaching this lady named L who is super sweet and humble. This week we invited her to be baptized and she accepted! She is really great, and at the last lesson she said the closing prayer and thanked God for the hermanas who listened and helped her feel better about the hard things going on in her life.

We had a great noche de hogar (family home evening activity with the branch) this week, on a topic that I love. We talked about testimonies - how they help us have the spiritual strength to pass through trials, and the way in which we can gain/develop them. So many feel like they don´t have a testimony, or aren´t spiritually in tune, because they´ve never had a crazy miraculous experience. But the Lord doesn´t usually work that way. Rather, our testimonies come line upon line, over time and with desire and effort. I read a talk by Elder Bednar on the Spirit of Revelation the other morning and I love what he says:

"In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, Godrequires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon (see 2 Nephi2:26), and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, orreceive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may pressforward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we areacting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants andkeep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do goodand to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guideour steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire ourutterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares,“Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God”

We  played a game where we hid pieces around the chapel of a picture and they had to find them all, and then put the picture together. We related that to gaining a testimony - it comes by searching it out piece by piece, but in the end we come to find that we have the full picture - of the reality of Jesus Christ!

The work is great. Also, something amazing happened this last week! I was heard talking in castellano in my sleep. That was pretty exciting for me. :)

I love you all!!

Hermana Nelson

Milagros de Pascua

¡Hola Familia!

This week was a great one! I can never believe how fast they fly by and before I know it I´m here writing another email. I´ll try and capture a few things that went on this week.

V and the boys went out of town for the weekend, so we missed them a lot and they couldn´t make it to church. However, before they left we had a really awesome lesson and taught on the importance of daily scripture study, especially as a family. I felt so fortunate to be able to testify from experience that I know what a huge difference family prayer and scripture study makes! Even though I may not remember the specific words or scriptures, I remember the devotion of my parents to the gospel and their desire to put the Lord first in our home. Thanks mom and dad! Also, I turned 8 on monday, and we stopped by to give him a treat - he was so happy. He and N are the coolest kids - N especially, there aren´t so many 14 year old boys that are so grounded! So many here are already involved in drugs and whatnot at that age. This family however, is so prepared.

The other day we went out tracting with G again, the awesome recent convert of the elders, and finally found all of the familia B at home. They are both so cool, really great people, and we had an awesome lesson talking about the commandments and we invited them to church. Not sure what happened sunday, because they didn´t make it. But I can see that they are getting closer and one day it´ll happen!

Easter sunday brought two miracles to church! The first was T, a young man of 16 years. He has been listening to us for a little while now, but has been a little on and off. This week we met his dad and he was super nice! He said for us to come by any time. They lived in Utah 10 years ago, near Pleasant Grove! They have really good memories of how the mormons received them and helped them out. Awesome. You never know how little acts of kindness are preparing people to receive the gospel! We are excited for this family.

N, a lady we contacted one day, also came for 3rd hour. We called her in the morning and she showed up! we haven´t even taught her yet. This week we will though. :)

Anyways, the Lord sure is blessing us and the work is moving forward. We are also having so much fun! Sometimes I get the giggles during contacts (so embarassing) and other times Elder Chauque falls out of his chair during a practice teaching in district meeting. Hermana Tovar and I are just laughing all the time. Sure the hard days come, satan tries to get me down, but the Lord is always there to lift me back up when I come to Him in prayer. There is not a doubt in my mind that He lives and loves us. This church is guided by Him, the gospel is true, and He is Risen!!

I love you all,

Hermana Nelson

April 14, 2014

!Hola familia!

What a great week this was. In case anyone is counting, I passed my 11 month mark on tuesday. :) CRAZY!! For those of you who don´t do math, that means only 7 months yet! Sometimes I really feel the time, exhaustion is constant and all I want to do is sleep. But I just feel this sense that my time is so sacred, I don´t want to waste a minute!

The biggest news from this week is that Vanessa and her boys are doing so so good. We had an amazing lesson with them on wednesday. We brought the movie of Joseph Smith, the long one that goes through his life all the way to the martyrdom. I just love that movie. Little I had a bit of a hard time staying still and his mom kept saying, "sit still and pay attention! I´m trying to watch!" haha. They really enjoyed it. After it ended, hermana Tovar and I bore our testimonies of the restoration of the gospel, and of Joseph Smith. It was so powerful - I was so full of peace and joy, and then to see both V and N with tears in their eyes as we bore testimony was incredible. There is not a doubt in my mind that we are here in large part for them - they were prepared for this! V told us that just before she had been feeling like something was missing from her life and wanted to find a church but didn´t know which to go to. And then by a fluke she found us! The Lord works in mysterious ways. And they all came to church on sunday! woohoo! We have a great relationship with them, whenever we are at their house we always end up eating something and just having fun.

The weather has been a little rough this week, last monday it POURED rain for the whole day and night and we had to fight off the water in our house. We went out tracting and at every door we knocked they looked at us like we were crazy and told us to go home so we won´t get sick. It was a great night though and besides getting soaked through we had a great lesson with N. She and her husband are amazing, just so hard to find and work on sundays!! Miracles happen though.

That´s the biggest news for the week. The work is good, the hard days come of course and when I start getting down on myself the Lord picks me back up. I know without a doubt that He is with us, and will never leave us alone.

I love you all!

Hermana Nelson