No Hay Ningun Cambio

Dear All,

It's a beautiful Spring day here in Chile. I was surprised when I got in my bed last night. It started to pour rain! And when we woke up and looked outside, some of the mountains were covered in snow. Haha. But now it's hot outside. The weather can be crazy like that sometimes.

Well, good bye September, hello October! Can you believe that? If my calculations are correct, our ward should be welcoming home Steven Tolboe soon. Wow. It feels just like yesterday that I was saying goodbye to Steven. I can't believe how quick time goes. It's crazy. (Random thought, I know, but I just wanted to point that out before moving on to the good stuff.)

We had transfers. But we didn't have transfers. Haha. Elder Richardsen and I are staying in Olmue together for another change. We weren't expecting that at all. Why? Because that means that Elder Richardsen is now in his 6th transfer here in the Villa Alemana Zone. By the time he leaves here, he will have NINE months here in Villa Alemana. We were for sure he was a goner! But it's proof that the Lord's ways aren't our ways. :) We are excited for another change together! Another interesting change that I heard: Elder Birchall (my trainer) is now companions with Elder Mann (my 3rd companion); they are zone leaders together. Haha. That gave me a good laugh.

We had ward conference yesterday. It was great. It was really exciting for the members. It was awesome to see how excited the members get for something like ward conference! I will admit...I never knew what Ward Conference was until a year or two ago. Haha. But here...they advertise it like crazy, and everyone is so excited for the stake to come and to have the ward conference. :) And they have a reason for it! It was a great conference, and I enjoyed it.

We had a ward activity with on Friday, and it was great. Everyone brought their own dessert, and we listened to Elder Bednar's talk from last October. And then afterwards, everyone presented their dessert. (My companion presented ours: the brownies). And then we feasted. Haha. It was so simple, yet the members loved it so much. Haha. The members here are great. I love them.

Ivan is going to need some extra time to be baptized. He drank again this last week, and he's really been struggling. But we are going to help him out. No worries. :)

Well, I am basically out of time, but...I just wanted to encourage everyone to watch and listen to General Conference this weekend. Read and pray a lot during the week so that the Spirit can help you learn this weekend! And I promise everyone will learn/hear something that they need in their lives right now. That's why I love General Conference.

Also, get your hands on the new October Ensign/Liahona. I read it a few days ago, and it's great. I really felt the Spirit as a read about the Lord's temples. :) I reccomend that everyone reads it.

Well, time's up. Until next week, then. I love you all, and I am so grateful for the love and support. :) Take care!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

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D&C 122:7

I serve God. I serve Jesus Christ.

I'm His Servant, His Minister.

I know I was called of Him.

I know why I've been called, and I will humbly obey.

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Q&A With Elder Nelson IV

Dear All,

Thanks for the e-mails. My biggest surprise this week was getting an e-mail from Brian Walker telling me that he is now serving in Santiago, Chile. Haha. It's funny that I am literally a few hours away from one of my greatest childhood friends. Pretty cool!

We have six more days left until transfers (again!), and so I thought it would be fun to do a little FAQ for this week's e-mail, since I will be writing in six days about transfers and what not. I've been wanting to do something like this, but I've never gotten around to it. :) Enjoy!

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How was your week?

Amazing. My first "18 de Septiembre" was one that I will never forget. It really is amazing. I've never seen anything quite like it. They literally celebrate their independence for FOUR days straight. We could hear people partying/celebrating from the 17th all the way to yesterday (the 20th). It was a fun atmosphere! And the trip we took with the ward was also something special. :) It was fun to wear "normal" clothes all day and to eat lots of empanadas, grilled chicken, etc. (Just see the pictures!)

Also, Ivan is doing great. He hasn't smoked or drank in over a week, and the Lord has really helped him as he's attended church and prayed. As of now, he's on track to be baptized on October 9, 2010. He's got all the support from his wife, the ward, and from us. We know he's going to be able to do it! :) He's so determined to do it; I love it.

What is your favorite thing about Chile?

I love the people--especially the members. They are great. I love the foods--especially the completos. :) Other than that, though...I really like the negocios. It makes things easy. If we forget to buy something at the grocery store, we can just run down the street and buy it at the nearest negocio. It's sweet. :)

What do you miss most about the States?

Obviously, my family, my friends, and the food. But other than that...I've been really surprised by what I actually miss! For example, I really miss doing my own laundry. Haha. I miss good milk (it's OKAY here). And I also REALLY miss air conditioning, especially during the hot summers here. And last but not least...I miss driving my car. I miss running errands for my family; I miss picking up my little brothers and driving them places. Haha. Basically...I miss all the things I never thought that I would miss! :)

How's the language?

Todavia me cuesta un poco. No es facil. :) But really--I've come a long way. I've always struggled with learning and remembering what I've learned. I am no master at Spanish, but I can't deny that I've come a LONG way. I am a witness that the Lord truly does bless us with spiritual gifts (such as the gift of tongues) if we really do seek them and work for them. Voy a mejorarme todos los dias. :)

Who's the strangest person that you've talked to?

You know, there were a TON of strange people in Cerro Alegre. One guy in particular comes to mind...We actually knocked on his door a few times during the four months that I was there! He spoke REALLY good English, and every time we would knock of his door, he would give us the WEIRDEST excuses (in English) as to why he couldn't listen to us. For example, the very first time that Elder Mann and I knocked on his door, he told us, "I'm sorry. I'm very busy. I have an almost-naked person in here right now." We couldn't help but laugh and think, "What in the world!?" And that's just ONE example of a strange person. :)

What's one thing you've learned in the mission?

I've learned so much. The main thing that I've learned is the importance of charity. I've learned how to REALLY love people. I've learned to recognize EVERYONE as a child of God, and that has really helped me to love the people.

What's your advice for future missionaries?

Do your best. Don't give up. The mission isn't easy! But someone in the MTC (can't remember who) said it best when they said, "Be the missionary your Mom wants you to be!" :) I've really tried to apply that simple advice to my own mission, and it's really helped out a whole lot. Because really...the Lord just expects you to do YOUR best. Which brings me to my last piece of advice: DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS!

What's the hardest part about the mission?

The hardest part about LEAVING on the mission was leaving my family behind--especially my three little brothers. But the hardest part IN the mission: Opening my mouth. It doesn't bother me to talk to strangers anymore, but sometimes I have a hard time knowing WHAT to say and so I don't say anything at all. But I've learned that you just got to open your mouth! But it's hard sometimes. :)

What's your favorite area? Companion?

I really love them all. Every area is so different and amazing. I love it. All my companions have taught me a thing or two, and I really have enjoyed working with all of them. But...I must say that Elder Birchall (my trainer) helped me out the most. But I think that's normal, as he was my trainer, and I was a lost and confused missionary. Haha. He really made me feel comfortable here in my first transfer, and I think that made all the difference in the world.

What is something unique about your mission?

Well, Parley P. Pratt's son was buried in my last area (Cerro Alegre). That was an interesting fact. I also think the view of the ocean is pretty unique. Also, I absolutely love our mission song. It's the greatest.

How has the mission changed you?

I'm less prideful and more charitable. I've really come to realize just how SIMPLE the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. Before the mission, I thought it was something complicated. :) And understanding how simple the Gospel is really has helped me become a better person. Oh, and I'm more skinny, too. :)

What's the best way to write you?

The easiest way is e-mail, obviously.

But you can also use DearElder.com for free, and we get those pretty quick. Just go to dearelder.com and put my name and mission/mission address. Don't worry about any other information; it'll get to me. Haha.

And then there is the pouch service (my dad has that address). That one is limited in that you can only send one folded sheet of paper.

The best option (I think) is to just send your envelopes straight to Chile to the mission office. Yes, it'll be the same address for my whole mission. (My Dad also has that address).

Why Elder Nelson IV?

In the MTC, I was going through a hard time my first week. But then I said to myself, "You know what? If my Dad and my older brothers did this, I can do it to! Besides, I need to set the example for my three little brothers." So Elder Nelson IV isn't only a fancy name! It's a reminder that I'm not the first, and I'm not the last. It's a reminder to my dad and my older brothers that they did what I am doing now. And it's a reminder to my little brothers that they WILL be doing what I am doing now--serving the Lord full-time for two years. :)

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I love you all, and I hope you all have a great week! :) Until next week, then!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

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D&C 122:7

Yo Obedezco A Jesus Porque Lo Amo

Dear All,

Another week has flown by. Can you believe it?

We had a good week. We found two new investigators, and we managed to teach ten lessons with members present, which was awesome because it was a busy week! :) We had our conference with Elder Zeballos, we did service a few times during the week, we did intercambios with the zone leaders, etc. Phew! It was a busy one. :) Also, I have big rashes on my arm pits because I think I am allergic to the deodrant that I bought a few weeks ago. It's pretty painful, but...no worries! I bought the good stuff, and the rashes will go away with time. :)

The conference was the best conference I've ever had in the mission. Sister and Elder Zeballos both talked to us, and the Spirit was so strong. They talked about so many great topics, and each one hit me really hard. We talked about how we need to ENJOY our missions because we only have TWO years of our life to open the doors to the Celestial Kingdom--to invite people to baptism.

We talked a lot about companionship unity and how we need to be happy and united. If we aren't, people aren't going to want to talk to us! :) We talked about charity, and that was the topic that hit me the hardest. They quoted President Kimball (I think it was him), who said that the three things that can stop us are: 1. sin, 2. lack of faith, and 3. lack of desires. (Something like that. Obviously, it was all in Spanish, and I am not exactly sure how it was actually said in English. Haha.) And then they talked about how all three of those things are a sign of a lack of Charity. Really, I just can't explain how powerful the conference was. The stories that were told...the testimonies that were born...Wow. I just want to be so much better after that conference! It really made me realize just how lucky I am to be here in Chile to serve the Lord. :) There is nothing greater! I've decided that I'm just gonna go out there and give the Lord my all. Yeah, the mission is tough at times, but that isn't an excuse to slack off and whine. I just gotta forget myself and go to work! I'm gonna do it. Even if it means getting bit my dogs, falling off cliffs, stepping on rusty nails, and rashing myself with deodrant. ;)

I enjoyed the intercambio that I did with Elder McManamom. He has changed a lot since becoming zone leader. He is a good leader, and I learned a lot from him. We had a lot of fun, and we had a lot of sucess. We did tours of the church, and it was awesome! The Spirit was so strong as we shared the House of the Lord with those who had never entered before. :) It's hard to do tours here in Olmue because no one passes by the church, but...we are gonna try and make some invitations or something so that we can do it here, too. :)

Our investigator Ivan is doing pretty good. Still really struggling to stop with the smoking and alcohol, but he has the desires to do it. And I know that if he prays, reads, and going to church every week, the Lord is going to step in and help him fight the adversary. We already witnessed that a few weeks ago. When he attended church, he didn't drink that week. When he didn't attend the next week, he was miserable. We are going to work really hard with him, and he's going to do great. He came to church yesterday, and I was touched to see all the members greeting him with hand shakes and hugs, despite the fact that he was really dirty and unbathed. It was powerful; the members here are awesome. They have so much charity for every one--especially those that are investigating the church. :)

We visited the primary yesterday, and I am amazed how kids so young can have testimonies so powerful. On their chalk board, they had written, "Obedezco A Jesus Porque Lo Amo" (I Obey Jesus Because I Love Him). They were all reverant as a little three-year-old girl got up and recited John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." As that little girl shared that scripture, the Spirit was so strong, and I got a little teary-eyed. Haha. The primary kids are so strong and such good examples to us. It was a special moment for me to go visit them yesterday.

Well, we are excited for another good week. We have the stake activity this Saturday in Casa Blanca (further south), and we are looking forward to spending a whole day with the ward and the stake to celebrate Chile's independence day. :)

Christ lives, and His Gospel is the only path to eternal happiness. We have to live our lives in a way that we can always have His Spirit to be with us. We need to keep our baptismal covenants. We do that by remembering Him. We remember Him by reading our scriptures, praying, and attending Church and partaking the sacrament. We do it by loving our families and bearing our testimonies to them. There are no substitutes. I love the Gospel. I love the mission and the opportunity that I have to give two years of my life to the Lord. It's not a sacrifice; it's a blessing. :)

I love you all, and I hope everyone has a good week!

Con Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

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D&C 122:7

In Memory Of: The Greatest Man I Ever Knew

Dear All,

It was a long week! Last Tuesday, I finally got my passport back so that I could go get my carnet (Chilean ID) stuff done. Well, the thing is...I got it just a little late, and the deadline was today, giving me only one day (today) to get everything done. I worried about it all week, haha, but I am happy to say that I got everything done this morning, and now I do not have anything to worry about. :)

It was also long because we are having a hard time finding new investigators. In my mission, I never had a week where we had zero new investigators. Well, in the past two weeks, Elder Richardsen and I have not found any! The worsts! And things are not going so well with the people that we are teaching. They are never there when they say they are going to be, etc. So yes, it was a long week. :) But you know what? We are going to have a good week this week. We just have to have that attitude of faith right from the start of the week! I know we are going to do it!

Random Stuff: Congrats, Cynthia! (I hope it is not a secret that you are pregnant. If so, I just ruined it. Haha. I am sorry.) Also, I heard that BYU and Foothill won their season openers. I was happy to hear that. Also, I just want to say that the world just keeps getting smaller. There are two missionaries here in the mission that know Cameron Busby (Brunners neighbors)--Elder Sylvanstoke and Elder Sigaran. Pretty cool, eh? One more random thing: The food here is pretty normal, but...I had the weirdest thing a few days ago. Yes, tuna fish pancakes. Do not ask me how they are made or why anyone would ever make such a thing! Haha. But they were not all that bad. Just a little....weird.

I did an interchange a few days ago with an Elder named Elder Bustincio from Peru. Wow. I have never met anyone so humble! I had heard that the Peruvians were nice people, but wow...He was so humble and so excited to do the work! I loved it, and I learned a lot from him about seeking the Spirit and then just following it! I hope to do another interchange with him again one day. We had a lot of sucess in his area--even though he got lost in his new area. :)

It will be a fun month. September is the big month here in Chile. The 18th of September is their Independence Day, and we are actually going to Cumorah (a church-owned field) with the stake, and I am excited! We also have a conference this Thursday with Elder Zaballos from the Area Presidency of Chile. It is going to be legit; I am looking forward to seeing President Gillespie and Elder Boyd. Haha. We are going to learn a lot, and I am excited. Also, we have to be in our aparments early on September 11. Not because of the terrorist attack or anything; but because it's another holiday here, and apparently it gets pretty hectic in the streets. Other than that....I am not quite sure what else is going to happen. Haha. It's my first "18 de Septiembre" here in Chile, and I am looking forward to it--especially all the empanadas and completos that everyone is talking about. :)

Well, I encourage everyone to get to know the missionaries in your ward and work with them. The missionary work really is a whole lot easier and more sucessful when the members are involved! My companion and I are going to work with the members a lot this week, and we are going to put our shoulders to the wheel and push along with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. That's all the Lord expects from us and members and missionaries of His Church. :)

I thought a lot about my Grandpa Nelson this week. Four years ago this month, he passed away. I will never forget my Papa and the things that I learned from him. Growing up, I always looked forward to visiting him. I have many memories of the summer that I spent with my older brother Matt and Papa in 1996 or 1997. I think Matt Nelson, Alex Nelson, and I witnessed Papa at his "most angry." Of course, the reason he was mad was because I was throwing a fit and not behaving well. Haha. I guess you could say that I am the grandchild that make Papa mad. Papa was not an angry person! :) The most tender moments that I shared with my Papa, though, were the visits that my Dad and I made right before his passing. I will never forget those visits. Every one of them was special to me. The time that we all sang "Love At Home" together. The time we all attended a talent show with him, as well as eating breakfast and dinner with him.

And then there was the time my Uncle Tim asked, "Dad, what advice do you have for your grandkids?" Uncle Tim asked him that question three times, and every time he did, Papa would reply, "Keep the commandments." At the time, Alex and I laughed about it--thinking that Grandpa was just saying it over and over because he was not quite sure what was going on. However, after thinking about it long and hard the last four years...I think Grandpa said it three times to emphasize just how important it is to KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. It really is the greatest advice; it's simple, but it is so true. If we are obedient to the commandments, everything else will fall into place, and we WILL obtain Eternal Life. I think that's all that Papa wants: For us to keep the commandments so that we can rest with him in the Kingdom of God. I love you, Papa, and I am going to do my part so that we can see each other again!

I love you all. Hope all is well back home, and I hope everyone has a good week.

Con Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

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D&C 122:7