The Final Countdown :(

Mi Familia y Mis Amigos!

Hola todos personas en mi vida. :) Haha. Como estan?

Happy Birthday Landon! I can't believe you will be five in a few days. Already! Wow. I am proud of you, little guy. Uncle Ben misses you and loves you. :)

It'll be hard to leave this place in twelve days. Hermano Shulca once told us that the MTC was a special place--a place where tears and special memories are shared with your district. Since coming here, I've had many of such experiences. However, one of my favorite MTC memories came last Friday. We were sitting in the hall waiting for what we thought was going to be a sub teacher. I am talking to some members of my district when I hear someone yell, "Hermano Cragun!!" (He was a teacher we thought was leaving and we weren't going to have him again.) Wow. What a reunion! Elder Fanene and I were the first to get to him. And before you knew it, our whole district was in a huge group hug suffocating our beloved teacher. :) It really was a memory that you had to be there for. Words cannot describe how happy we were! But then again...we've also had twelve subs since Christmas time, and it's tough to learn with so many teachers. It was just good to see a familiar face!

And you can tell that most Elders in my district have never been part of a strong group like our district. And it really makes me grateful for my brothers. This district is GREAT. But it will never come close to the bond I share with my five brothers. The last few days, I've just been really grateful for my family--especially my five brothers. I love you all.

I want to thank Brent Nelson especially. I never told him this, but he is the reason I am still here. :) Like I said in a past e-mail, I really questioned myself and my faith when I first got here. However, Brent Nelson was the first one to write me. And there was one thing he said that hit me so hard. He said, "Dad seems to miss you a lot. I do, too. But you have to remember that the people you will touch would miss you a whole lot more if you weren't to go serve them." It's so true. This work isn't about me missing my family; it's not about me! It's the Lord's work. I am an instrument in His hand; I am a mouthpiece! I don't convert anyone; it's the Spirit's job. I've been called to do this, and I must obey.

On Fast Sunday, I bore testimony in Spanish. When I got up there, a few members of my district started laughing because--well--my Spanish is kind of funny, and I--of course--started off trying to make people laugh by saying: "Lo siento. Mi espanol no es....super bueno. Pero! Es bueno....mas o menos." It was a good confidence booster for me. :)

At the Temple walk on Sunday, I ran into Brother Phillipy's niece! It was awesome. It was great to talk to someone who knew Charlie and his family. I loved it. :)

Elder Ringwood of the Seventy came and spoke to us last night. He spoke about "Enduring To The End." What a powerful talk! But--wow--one of the prelude hymns we sang was "Behold! A Royal Army!" THAT song with THIS many missionries singing it will blow you away. The Spirit was so strong. We will all be victorious! But only through Christ, Our Savior. I know that is true.

I have 50 seconds left, and so I am out of time again. :( I love you all! One more e-mail from the MTC next week. That's just crazy. I can't believe it.

Yours Truly,

Elder Nelson IV