Dear All,
By the time this is all said and done, I will have been here in Chile for two major, world events--the earthquake and the rescue of the miners. I didn't realize that I haven't said ANYTHING about the miners, but I am sure all of you have heard the whole story. Of couse, it has been the big talk the last few months here. Everywhere we went, people were listening to or watching the news for updates on the miners. And as you all know, all 33 of the miners were rescued this last week after being stuck underground since the beginning of August. We were able to see a few of them come out from underground, and it truly was something special--to see them return back to their families and what not. It's a remarkable story, and it'll be one that I will always remember.
It was a good week. It was the best week that Elder Richardsen and I have had together here in Olmué. We had a lot of sucess, and it was awesome! Yesterday Juan and Natalia (the brother-in-law of Ivan and his wife) came to church again, and then we had a family home evening with them and another family of the ward. They loved it! And they even want to travel all the way to Villa Alemana for Stake Conference next week! :)
The Lord is really blessing us. Although Ivan is still miserable and still feels a little bit embarrassed for not acheiving his baptism a few weeks ago, he is the reason that Juan and Natalia are talking with us now. I didn't know until last night, but apparently Ivan is the one who gave them a Book of Mormon and invited them to meet with us! If I am never able to see the baptism of Ivan, I will still feel like our time with him has been worth it! He has really helped us out by referring us to his brother-in-law and his wife. :)
And it was cool. Because a few days ago, Juan told us that he wanted to be baptized, but not for another year or so. Haha. It was actually kind of funny because he was making it sound like he had to be perfect and sinless in order to be baptized. Elder Richardsen was a little worried about that, but I just said, "No worries. If he keeps praying, reading, and going to church, he'll realize that he doesn't need to wait a whole year." Well, Juan received revelation at church yesterday! It was no coincidence that the two lessons that Juan heard at church yesterday were on obedience and baptism. During the FHE, he went from one year to March. And then he went from March to "a month or two" once he realized that all he needs to be baptized is a desire to follow Jesus Christ and a testimony that this is His church. In fact, Juan even said (during the FHE): "Well, you know? I already have a testimony!" Haha. It was a great FHE and a great two lessons in church. :) Juan FTW!
We did intercambios again a few days ago. This time, Elder McManamom came to Olmué with me, and I was able to work with a zone leader in my own area for the first time. It was pretty good. We had a lot of sucess, and I learned a lot from Elder McManamom as always. He and I also celebrated our sixth-month-mark together. He and I have been together in the same zone since April! Yikes. Haha. He always tells the zone that he's seen a great change in me since April. Haha. And I was thinking about it a few days ago, and wow! When Elder McManamom and I met, I was still brand-spankin' new in the mission, and it really is true that I've learned and matured a lot since April. Haha.
Now, I will end my e-mail with an experience that I shared with my mission president just a few minutes ago:
I had a cool experience yesterday. You see, yesterday during one of the opening hymns of Sacrament Meeting, one of the Bishop's counsellors asked Elder Richardsen if he could speak because a few of the speakers hadn't shown up. Elder Richardsen was worried and didn't really know what to speak about! I felt the strongest impression that I should speak, and that I should speak about the Doctrine of Christ. I turned to Elder Richardsen and told him that I would get up there and speak.
Well, during the sacrament, the speakers showed up. But they still announced that one of the Elders was going to speak. The first two talks went a little longer than usual, and I then felt another impression that I should just get up there and express my gratitud to all the ward members and their help in the missionary work.
To make a long story short...all three talks were big enough to last the whole meeting, and I didn't have to speak. But it felt good to feel those impressions from the Holy Ghost; and it was great because the impressions changed as the situation changed. And I really felt like had I had to have spoken, I would have followed those impressions, and it would have been what the Lord truly wanted me to speak about. :) It was a great experience.
Thank you all for your prayers, your love, and your support. Let's all do our part to help the Lord build Zion. If I've learned anything it's that the missionary work is absolutely imposible without the members! We need you. The Lord needs you. We have a family in our ward who told us, "Elders. We've set a family goal. We are going to share the Gospel with one person as a family, and that person is going to get baptized by the end of this year." It's great seeing families setting small goals like that to help the Lord build up His kingdom. :) My challenge for you: Do what you can to help! Even if it's talking to the missionaries and asking them for the names of a few of the investigators so that you can get to know them, pray for them, and fellowship them.
I love you all. I love the mission, and I am glad to know that I still have a long time to serve the Lord. Time really goes by quick, and sometimes I worry that it's gonna go by too fast! But I'm just now reaching my potential, and I am really excited for the next few months. :) I know that Christ lives. My testimony of the Savior has been my anchor here in the mission, and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with other people here. There is nothing greater!
Until next week!
Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Nelson IV
--
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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