Otro Bautismo: El Proposito De La Obra Misional

Dear All,

Well, I actually pre-paid for the Internet here, and so that means I have a set time. I have 19 more minutes left! Yikes. :) Hopefully I can type this up quick!

I wanted to start off by saying Happy Birthday to Landon! Uncle Ben loves you.

We had a good week. :) Our baptism went well. Kabriell was really excited to be baptized, and it was fun teaching here everything in four days so that she could be baptized on Saturday. :) Her family was really grateful that we did that for her and for them. Her grandparents are going back up north tomorrow, and they wanted to be here for the baptism. And they were worried we wouldn't be able to do it. But we did. And they are happy.

We will have another baptism on January 22, 2011. :) Her name is Valeska. She listened to the missionaries for the first time back in 1989, but she never was baptized. After a good 20 years, she's decided that she wants to be baptized. But she had doubts about Joseph Smith and Tithing. We had a lesson with her on Tithing a few days ago, and it will go down in history as one of the most powerful lessons of my mission. She had all these doubts and questions, and I had NO idea how to answer them. But then I remembered something that a Zone Leader once taught me: "If you're faced with a hard question, revert to testimony." I remembered that, and I felt the Spirit telling me that that was all that I had to do. I said, "I can't answer all your questions. But I KNOW that we receive blessings as we pay our tithing." I then told the story of how Dad was able to find a new job immediately after losing his job at Hilton, thanks to us always paying our tithing and fasting. And as I shared this testimony with her, the Spirit was SO strong. And it ended with Valeska in tears as she replied, "Forget all the questions that I asked. I KNOW that the blessings are real." I know I've said it the last few weeks, but I will say it again: Miracles are still preformed today. They don't need to be something spectacular or amazing. They can be simple and powerful. And that lesson with Valeska was one of the many miracles that I have seen here in the mission. And it was something simple! I followed the Spirit. And because I did that, she felt the Spirit testifying to her that what I was saying was true.

I love you all. There's not much else to say this week. But I want to let you all know that I love ya. I pray for ya. And I am grateful for every good thing that you've ever done to help build the Lord's Kingdom. I love Him. And I am striving to become a better diciple of Him each day.

Until next week!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

¡Feliz Año Nuevo! (Surprise Baptism)

Dear All,

It's interesting how different countries can be SO different. When we had New Years back home, I don't ever remember celebrating it like the people here did. Haha. They are just more excited about it and what not. But maybe I was just really boring before the mission? I am not sure. But we had a good New Years Eve. Okay, well, we didn't do anything special. I actually just went to bed and listened to the fireworks. Haha. But I enjoyed it. However, I didn't enjoy New Year's Day. Yikes. This place was DEAD. I really felt like I was in a ghost town. No one would come out of their houses, so we decided to stop by and visit a few members. But nope! None of them were home either. So we spent our New Years Day walking around pretty much. It was interesting. Haha. But it was a good first and last New Years in Chile. I enjoyed it.

We had a good week, though. Wow. Last Monday, our plans fell through and so we decided to knock on a few doors. The first door we knocked...A man comes out, and he let us in his house. We taught the whole family, and the Spirit was really strong in the lesson. We applied all of the new eight principles that the First Presidency released a few months ago, and it was an awesome lesson. For the first time in the mission, I truly felt like I was following the Spirit and teaching according to the needs of the people. We were really excited afterwards, and we found a lot more people during the week, and we had lessons that were similiar. :) It was a great week.

We're going to have a surprise baptism this Saturday. We ate lunch with a family last Friday, and they informed us that one of their daughters hadn't been baptized when she was eight, but now she wanted to be baptized. We were planning on taking it slow, and we were going to baptize here later in the month. But we were surprised yesterday when her grandpa asked us, "Hey, can we have the baptism on Saturday? I have to go back to Antofagasta next Tuesday, and we want to be here for it." Well, I was worried because I didn't think we'd be able to get permission to baptize someone so quick. Well, to make a long story short, we got permission from our mission president, and Kabriell will be baptized this Saturday. We couldn't believe it! But we are really excited to teach everything to her this week so that she's ready for the baptism this Saturday. :)

I'm always so strengthened by the testimonies of the members here in Chilé. Yesterday, Elder Repetto and I blessed the sacrament, and so I was able to see all the members stand up, walk to the pulpit, and beat their testimonies. I witnessed one of the most Spiritual things that I had ever seen in my life as I watched a deacon help a blind man partake of the sacrament. And then afterwards, he was helped by another priesthood holder who helped him get up to the pulpit to bear his testimony. As the blind brother bore his testimony, I felt the Spirit so strong.

And seeing the Deacon and the other brother helping him just really hit me hard. It was a perfect definition of the Gospel. We love Christ, and we follow Him. We do so by serving our fellow men. A Primary kid explained it perfectly yesterday when he said, "I came here to learn about Jesus Christ. He brought me here so that I could learn about Him." I know that Christ is our perfect example. No, we will never be perfect like Him. But by following His example and by living His Gospel, Eternal Life can be acheived. I KNOW that is true.

I love the mission and the things I have learned here. I wish I could write about EVERYTHING that happens here every week. Sadly, that's no possible. :) But I will say this: This work is a work of miracles! I literally see miracles every day. I've seen the Gospel change lives. I've seen it change my own life. Let's set goals for this year to share the Gospel and to live it. So that all of us can witness the miracles that come from being a true diciple of Jesus Christ. That is my challenge for you all.

I love you all. Thank you for everything. If you need anything, let me know.

Happy 2011. I can't believe we are here already.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

Un Bautismo: Un Milagro En El Mundo De Hoy

Dear All,

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas. Mine was a little different. Being in a new area in a new zone and what not. But I enjoyed it. We had a Christmas Conference on Christmas Eve, and I was surprised to see that ALL seven of my companions were there in the conference. It was a great gift to see all my companions gathered together (see picture)--especially Elder Dupre and Elder Mann, as they will be going home the end of January. It was the first time I had seen Elder Dupre since April, and it was so good to see him. :) It was a great conference.

Christmas Day, we had a Zone Activity. We ate breakfast together and we watched The Gordon B. Hinckley movie. Afterwards, we made our way to the hospital to sing to the people there. It was a good activity. We enjoyed it a lot. :)

The new ward is good. Just a lot of readjusting and learning my way around and what not. I've enjoyed it thus far. We're going to have a baptism on January 15, too. We're really excited for it. :) Her name is Valeska, and she's a nice lady. I'll keep you posted on her progress!

Speaking of baptisms....Elder Zorrilla and I were talking last week before I got transferred, and he told me something that really made me think. He said, "Elder, it really is a miracle for someone to be baptized in today's world." I then thought about how bad the world is these days, and I agreed with him. But the Lord's work is a work of miracles. And there ARE elect people all over the world who are just waiting to receive this glad message. :) I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be on the Lord's errand for another short 11 months. I am just going to do my best to find these elect people so that I can do my part to build Zion.

There's not much else to say. I love you all. I will have more to say next week. Until then, take care. And keep the commandments. The blessings will come. I know it!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

FELIZ NAVIDAD: Quiero Irme Pero Quiero Quedarme A La Vez :/

Dear All,

Merry Christmas! Thanks to everyone who sent me Christmas wishes! I wasn't able to reply to everyone so...just know that I love ya. :)

It's so crazy that we are here in the Christmas season again. I say it all the time, but...I just cannot get over how quick time flies. It feels just like yesterday that my best friend Scott was dropping me off at the MTC. And then shortly after...I was spending my Christmas with good mission friends such as Elder Hawkes, Elder Boyd, Elder Mallory, Elder Fanene, etc. Crazy! Oh, and speaking of my best friend Scott...He enters the MTC in two days. :) Good luck, Scott! You'll do great in Mexico.

Well, it's official: I am leaving Olmue. We had transfers in the morning, and I will be transferred to the Quillota Centro ward. It's here in the interior-part of the mission. It's fairly close, so I am not going too far. :) I will be with Elder Repetto. I met him once when he was newer in the mission. He's from Argentina, and he's awesome! He'll be in his fifth change, and we're going to have a lot of fun together. He lived in Utah for a few years, so I hear he actually knows English, too. Haha. :) I'm excited for the next adventure! And I'm not sure, but someone just told me that there were Sister missionaries there this last change. Not sure if it's true. If so...Elder Repetto and I will be pretty lost this first week. ;) But alas! That's the mission.

Elder Zorrilla is staying here in Olmue, and he's going to have a lot of success. I am excited for him. Elder McManamom and I will finally be separated, too. :( He's headed up to La Sarena! Pretty sweet. He'll get to know my first ward a little bit. :)

It was a good week. Marta will be baptized on Christmas. :) She had her interview with President Gillespie yesterday, and she passed! The greatest. And I am excited for Elder Zorrilla. Because he was the one that found Marta in the street, and he's going to baptize her this Saturday. He's really excited. :) She's come a long way in the last nineteen days. It truly is a miracle that she will be baptized this Saturday! It's not very often that we find someone and baptize them three weeks later. :)

Speaking of Marta...We had a funny moment yesterday when I was saying good bye to everyone yesterday after church. When she realized that she probably wouldn't see me again, she gave me a hug and kissed me on a cheek. It happens often here. Especially with the people that don't exactly know all the missionary rules. :) But it was a really awkward moment. We laughed a little bit about it afterward, though. I'll never forget that. :)

In other random news: This last week we A)ate rabbit and B)took Marta's tea away from her. (See pictures.) Haha. Marta hadn't been drinking the tea, but we noticed she still had some in her kitchen, so we asked her to give it to us so that it wouldn't tempt her or anything. Haha. She happily handed it over, and we exchanged it for chocolate milk powder. :) Haha.

Yesterday I had a cool experience. I had to speak in church for the first time in the mission. I don't know how but I somehow was able to avoid speaking in sacrament meeting for almost a whole year! Haha. But I was really nervous for that, and I was scared that none of my Spanish would come out. But I just did it, and a lot of the members enjoyed the talk. :) It really helped me remind myself that the Lord really does love me, and He blesses us with Spiritual Gifts (such as the gift of tongues) as long as if we do our part and seek those gifts.

I really have enjoyed my time here in Olmue. I really wanted to go, but now I kind of want to stay. Haha. I really do love the members here and the investigators that I've worked with. But alas! The mission just works this way, and I'm just going to be obedient. :) I am excited for this week. I'll get to know Quillota the next few days. And then on Friday morning I will be coming back to Villa Alemana for the Christmas Eve conference. And there, I will see old mission friends such as Elder Birchall, Elder Dupre, Elder Sylvanstoke, etc. :) I am really excited to see Elder Dupre and Elder Mann for one last time! They will be my first companions who go home. They are starting their last transfers this week. Wow.

I love you all. I hope everyone is enjoying the true meaning of Christmas! I testify that Christ is our Savior and that we'll receive so many blessings as we follow Him and His example. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

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.

¡Mis Zapatos Todavia Están Vivos!

Dear All,

Here we are in the sixth week of the transfer again. Time flies. Chances are I will transfered, and I will be spending my Christmas in a new area. Chances are Elder McManamom and I will finally be separated, too. That makes me a little sad, as we have been together since April (8 months!), but as I told President Gillespie...I am ready for a new area and a new beginning. :) I will keep you posted next week.

We had a pretty good week. We had our interviews with President Gillespie on Wednesday, and they went well. We talked a lot about obedience and unity. I really enjoyed it. I really have been blessed with a great mission President! I told President Gillespie that I was lucky because I still haven't had a companion that doesn't want to be obedient. And he just kind of looked at me and then asked, "Elder, you think that's something that just magically happens by coincidence?" And I didn't know what to say! Haha. And he just told me, "It's you, Elder. You and your example. So thank you for all that you do." We have SO MANY faults and weaknesses as missionaries but President Gillespie always finds the good in each and every one of us. I love it. :)

The Lord really has been blessing us here in Olmue. Things weren't looking good for our "white Christmas." But two weeks ago, we found a lady named Marta. In the first lesson with her, we invited her to be baptized on Christmas. She accepted, and she's gone to church the last two weeks! :) Now, she just needs to attend this week and be interviewed this Saturday so that she can be baptized on Christmas Day.

Marta is a special lady. She is 45, and she is a widow. She also lost her son. :( And she's still having a hard time with that. She told us a few days ago that she's a little bi-polar, too. It's a really sad situation. But yesterday she stayed for all three hours of Church, and she seemed to really enjoy it. :) We are excited for her because the Gospel is going to bless her so much!

We went to the Stake Center yesterday in Villa Alemana to watch the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional via the Internet. It was very good. It was the first time that I've actually heard the First Presidency in Spanish. Haha. And I enjoyed it! It was also cool to see Sister Brunson in the orchestra, too! I thought I saw Brother Brunson, too, but I am not exactly sure. When I saw Sister Brunson, though, I started to look back on all the memories I had babysitting their kids two years ago during the Christmas season when they still lived in Vegas. :) Those were good days! I really love and miss that family a lot.

Speaking of children...I am so grateful for the Primary. The past few years, I have really enjoyed the Primary Programs that we always do in our wards. Yesterday, our ward here in Olmue had a primary program, and wow. Hearing the testimonies of 3-5 year olds really strengthened my testimony. The Primary Children ALWAYS bear such powerful, simple testimony, and hearing them yesterday really helped me realize that the Gospel of Christ is SO simple. Often, we complicate it a little more than we should! Christ showed us the perfect example because He loves us. We follow His example because we love Him. And by doing so, we receive blessings. I know these things are true.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season. I hope everyone is thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. :) I love you all. Keep up the good work.

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.