No Hay Tiempo Para Nada. Hay Que Bautizar No Más.

Dear All,

I normally have a pretty good list of things to say. But this last week, I truly got "lost" in the work, and I didn't have time to note anything in my planner. But I guess I will start off by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving this week! :) It's a little weird being in a place where they don't celebrate it. It's also weird that it's burning hot outside, and we're in November. I suppose I SHOULD be used to it by now, but I'm still having a hard time adjusting/accepting the new weather patterns. Haha.

But I am really grateful for the mission. I am grateful for my family, my friends, and for all the support and prayers that I receive from you all. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation that we have. I am grateful for the blessings that come from living the Gospel. I am grateful for the leaders of the church, especially my mission president President Gillespie. I am grateful for the people of Chile and for the oportunity that I have to preach the Gospel here in Chile. (And that's only my short list.)

We had a good week. We had a lot of success, and it's been fun so far with Elder Zorrilla. We now have five investigators with baptismal dates. :) And I believe four of them are for Christmas. Haha. So hopefully it all works out! Ivan has a goal for December 18, and he attended church again yesterday for the first time since October! It was awesome, and it really helped him out a lot. Now hopefully he can achieve his baptism. :) He was four days away from doing it last time, and we know that he can do it!

We did splits yesterday with an RM and one of the YM from the ward. My companion went with Claudio (the RM), and I went with Jorge, and it was awesome. Jorge and I taught an investigator named Willy, but he didn't have much time. He wasn't all that interested, either. Haha. It was the first time that I had met him, and he basically just told us that he can't commit to baptism because he smokes. But we had better luck with a guy named Rafael. We found him sitting outside of his house, and he let us teach him right there on his porch. Jorge and I just talked to him to get to know him a little bit, and then he told us that two missionaries past by a long time ago and gave him a book, but he lost it. Haha. We pulled out a Book of Mormon, explained it to him, and let him have it.

But it was really cool working with someone like Jorge. He belongs to a family that really reminds me of my family. He's 18, and he's preparing for the mission. His personality reminds me a lot of myself/my three little brothers. He's sweet. Haha. But yeah. Working with him really made me appreciate all the YM that we have in the church that I preparing to serve the mission. I think it's a similiar appreciation that Elder Doubleday and Elder Milcarek had whenever I would work with them, and I am beginning to understand it now.

Juan and Natalia are great. They were confirmed yesterday, and it was awesome. In Gospel Principles, we talked about Eternal Marriage, and they are really excited to go to the temple in a year to be sealed. :) I am really happy for them. Oh, and Juan cut our LONG grass last Tuesday. (See pictures.) It was awesome! Haha.

Well, all is well here. I hope all is well back home, and I hope everyone eats a lot for me this Thursday. :) I love the mission. I'm not the greatest missionary. But I love the work, and I have a testimony of the Gospel. I've said it a thousand times, but I will say it again: I know Christ lives, and I know He's our Savior. We can only have TRUE happiness by following Him and His example that He set for us. I know that's true. I have no doubts. So let's follow Christ so that our Heavenly Father can bless us. :)

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.

Tuvimos Dos Bautismos y Vamos A Tener Mas Exito Aqui

Dear All,


Today is November 15, 2010. A year ago today, I was speaking in Sacrament Meeting, saying good bye to friends and family, and getting set apart as a full-time missionary by my Stake President, President Peterson. I was spending my last moments with Timmy, Levi, and Skyler as they helped me pack my bags. Haha. I can't believe how quick time flies. I'm really grateful that I still have another year to serve the Lord, though. I'm really excited for it. :)


We had our two baptisms yesterday. But it was interesting. We almost didn't have them. I'll try and keep it short, but this is basically what happened: We had an activity on Friday night, and Juan's sister (Margarita; Ivan's wife) was there. Her son is a little...special, and he was running around the church. And I guess he ran into Juan's daughter, and Juan got really angry with Margarita and her son, and he left the activity with his wife. Yikes. But we set up an appointment for the next morning, and I thought all was well!


Well, Saturday morning, we show up, and I was a little surprised when Juan told us that he didn't want to be baptized anymore because of what happened at the activity. To make a long story short, I talked to them, expressed my love for them, and told them that they truly were the elect of God and they they were ready to be baptized. Elder Zorrilla (my new companion) also bore his testimony and shared a scripture with them. And it was an interesting lesson! Because then Juan changed his excuse to, "Well, I just don't want to be baptized unless Elder Richardsen is there." Haha. So I said, "Okay, fine." And I called the Zone Leaders right there at his house to see if it could happen.


Well, it happened. Elder Richardsen was able to make it. Juan and Nathalia came to church, and they were baptized yesterday at 4:30 PM. And they were really happy. It was awesome! :) We had two members in the ward baptize them, and there was a nice little group of members there to support them and welcome them. It was awesome that everything worked out! Especially my first week as the senior companion. (See my recordings.)


So I have a good companion in Elder Zorrilla. He's from Paraguay, and we're both really excited to be here together in Olmue. He actually knows a lot of English, and it's been fun talking to him in both languages. Haha. He's awesome because he REALLY wants to complete with his purpose as a missionary and invite EVERYONE to be baptized. Haha. And his excitement has really been contagious. We're going to have a good change together. :)


I had a cool experience on Wednesday. It was my first, real FULL day as Senior Companion, and when I woke up it hit me that I had no idea what I was doing. Haha. But I said a few prayers, and I felt a lot better. But then we started our weekly planning session, and it REALLY hit me that I had no idea what I was doing. HAHA. And I just thought, "Dang. I wish Elder Birchall was here to help me out a little. Haha." Well, we had lunch next door after our planning session, and then we went back to our house to grab our stuff and to use the bathroom. Well, while my companion was using the bathroom, I received a phone call from "Asistente 2", and I answered it, knowing right away that it was Elder Birchall. At first, I thought he was calling to just ask a question or something. But he said, "Hey, Elder Nelson, we're looking for someone to work with today. Can we come and help you guys out today?


I truly felt like it was an answer to a prayer. Elder Birchall and Elder Pleytez showed up an hour later, and I had the opportunity to spend a good 5-6 hours with my beloved friend and trainer Elder Birchall while Elder Zorrilla went out with Elder Pleytez. Elder Birchall encouraged me, and he taught me a lot and shared a lot of good, helpful ideas and hints with me. And of course, we talked about our times that we had together. :) And it was weird because we could both talk to the people this time. Haha! (Opposed to when I was first with him, and only he could.)


And so I am a witness that God does answer prayers. I know that the visit and help of Elder Birchall was an answer to my prayer, and I am so grateful for the experience I had with him. I know that if we are consistent in our prayers, in our scripture study, in our church attendance, and in keeping the commandments, God will bless us more than we can imagine. Often I even feel like God blesses me too much. :)


I love you all. I hope all is well back home. Keep up the good work, and always remember who you are!


Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

Cambios: Un Compañero Mayor

Dear All,


We had cambios (transfers) today. I am staying here in Olmue for a third transfer, and I am really excited. My new companions name is Elder Zorrilla, and I hear he's fairly new in the mission. I also hear that he's from Paraguey. Pretty cool, eh? So I will be a senior companion for the first time, and I won't be speaking much English for the next six weeks (at least) because I'm living with alone with a Latin companion for the first time. I am a LITTLE nervous, but I am ready for the next challenge, and I am excited to struggle and be humbled.


Elder Richardsen is leaving to a ward called La Calera in the zone of Quillota. It's actually not that far from here, so we will probably see each other at the next conference. Pretty sweet! Elder McManamom is staying here again as Zone Leader, and we are excited for a 6th transfer together. :) Other big news: Elder Birchall (my trainer) is now one of the assistants to the President! :) It makes me happy to see all the missionaries having success here in the mission.


I forgot some facts about the Campana last week. I forgot to mention that we started the hike at 7 AM and finished at 4 PM. And that the top of the mountain was 1960 meters (6000+ feet) above sea level. Super random, but I thought it was worth pointing out. :) Haha.


All is well here. Juan and Natalia are going to be baptized next Sunday, and we are excited for that. :) I will keep you posted! It's going to be great to start the transfer off strong.


We had a good week other than that. Last night, we taught a really cool couple (Leo and Pilar), and we had a great lesson with them. The Spirit was really strong, and it felt good. We committed them to reading the Book of Mormon, and they are going to do it. :) If I've learned anything...it's that the three most important things are: reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and attending church. By doing these three things, we can receive revelation through the Spirit. And that's why we focus on those three things as missionaries--so that the people can be CONVERTED by the Spirit--not CONVINCED by us, the missionaries. And we all need to have our OWN personal conversion. So I invite you all to continue with your prayers, your reading, and attending church. You'll notice a huge change in your lives. :)


Well, I love you all, and I grateful for your support and your love. Sorry this is so short, but I will have more, exciting news 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.

Subimos La Campana Como Zona (Pictures, Too!)

Dear All,

It was a good week. We had an adventurous P-Day yesterday. I will admit I am VERY sore right now. You see, it was 10 KM up to the Mine (where people usually stop and go back down), and then it was another 4-6 KM up to the TOP of the "Campana." So it was about 30 KM of climbing and going down in total. (That's 18.6 miles for those that don't know KM's. No worries; I don't know them either. My electronic dictionary does the conversions for me. :)) So yeah! It was quite the adventure! When we were talking to members and our investigators yesterday...a lot of them didn't believe that we made it all the way to the top! Haha. Because not very many people are able to do it. (Yesterday the people we saw going up and down looked like pro-mountain climbers! Haha.) But the believed us after seeing the pictures (which I hope everyone is able to see! I'm sending a lot this week.)

Well, happy November. The month of November is one of my favorites. If my calculations are correct...the family should be listening to some Christmas music right about now. :) Excellent!

Well, all is well here. We have a new guy in our ward from the States. He doesn't speak ANY Spanish, but his wife is Chilean, and she speaks English. Haha. And so he really likes talking to us. It's actually kind of sad watching him struggle talking to the members here! But it kinda helps me realize how far I've come myself. Haha. But yeah--we're going to their house this Saturday to eat lunch because they want to make us some "real American food." We're excited for that.

Juan and Natalia are great, and they should be baptized NEXT Saturday (November 13, 2010). I am really excited. Although...It'll be sad because chances are...Elder Richardsen won't be here (we have transfers a week from today). But a baptism is a baptism, and we're really excited for it. :)

I was thinking about the progress of Juan and Natalia. I didn't even know them a month ago. And now here they are--preparing for baptism. They've been to church four times in a row (which is remarkable), and they've just made so much progress. I remember when we first started teaching them, Natalia really struggled with her prayers (how to say them, what to say, etc.) But now she LOVES to pray, and she's getting super good at it. :) And they even prayed as a family (with their 2-year-old) Sunday night! A few days ago, I just felt SO grateful for the opportunity that I have to help these people come unto Christ and make these changes in their lives. There is NOTHING greater.

Speaking of Juan and Natalia....We had a funny moment on Sunday morning when we received a phone call at 8 AM or so. Haha. It was Juan! And he said something like, "Hey! Are you guys awake? You're going to church, right? I'm just calling to make sure!" Haha. You know you have a good investigator when he's keeping you (a missionary!) on your toes. It was awesome.

I love you all. I love the mission. I love the Gospel. I am excited for a new week, and I look forward to transfers next week. :) I'll keep you all posted.

Well, that's all for today. Choose the right, and keep the commandments! Trust in the Lord, and He will direct your paths. We're so blessed as members of the church of Jesus Christ. I promise you all that we can receive blessings as we live the Gospel. So let's do it. :)

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.