My 14th Week With Elder Gasik

Dear All,

It was a tough week. I loved it. When all is said and done, I will have a TON of weird, ironic stories to share. I liked to share them in my e-mails at the beginning of my mission. But after having so many, I kind of gave up on sharing them in my e-mails. Although the other day Elder Gasik and I had a funny moment when a drunk named Juan Carlos came up and started talking to us in the street. He went off on the WEIRDEST things, and he kissed my companion's hand and he kept saying that he loved us. It was strange, and we eventually decided to just keep walking. We did so, and he followed us. We explained to him that we had to continue and that he couldn't keep following us. But he did anyways. Elder Gasik turns to me and whispers, "What do we do?" I said, "We should run!" So we did, and we got away from him. Or so I thought. Our appointment was busy and couldn't receive us. And as soon as he goes back into his house, we turned around and there he was again!

He asked us, "Why did you guys run from me!? You're making me sad!" We explained again that he couldn't be following us around everywhere because we had people to go and visit. He insisted. We were close to a hill, and I turned to Elder Gasik and said, "We've got to run up this hill. There's no way that he'll be able to keep up with us." And so we ran again. But to my surprise he ran with us!! And not only did he run with us, but he passed me up! It was SO weird. To make a long story short: He chased us for a good hour or so before we could finally get rid of him. It was probably one of the strangest experiences of my mission.

We're on a search for God's elect. We dropped all of our investigatores that weren't progressing, and now we're starting fresh. It's been tough, but we've enjoyed it thus far. We just have to maintain a good, positive attitude, and everything will work out. :)

Our good companionship studies have given us a lot of hope. It definitely makes a difference in the day when we have good, inspired studies. I love studying with Elder Gasik! We learn a lot from one another, and we've had a blast with our studies. A few days ago, we acted out Alma 18 during companionship study. I was King Lamoni and Elder Gasik was Aaron/Ammon. It was a blast. We've developed a lot of unity by having good studies like that together.

Despite all the hard times, the last few weeks gave been some of the greatest weeks of my mission. We're missionaries and we're out to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is nothing greater!

After hearing Elder Holland's talk a few weeks ago, I decided that I needed to study a little bit about God so that I could love Him more. I took about a week to study about God. His creations, His Attributes, His role, etc. And by doing so, my love for Him truly has grown a lot. By doing so I have realized that there really is only one reason why He is who He is and one reason why He created all that He created. And it's because He loves us more than we can even comprehend. I know that He lives and that He loves each and every one of us. I know that His creations are His and they we created by His Son under His direction. I know that He is merciful, He is just, and He is omnipotent. I know we can live in His presence again as long as we strive to keep His commandments as we go about our lives here on Earth.

My Dad told me in a blessing that he gave me before I left on my mission: "You cannot serve the people unless you love them." Elder Holland said that we couldn't serve unless we loved God. And it's so true. We can only serve God's children only if we love both Him and His children! And I've learned that here in my mission the last few weeks. I am grateful for my mission and for the experiences that I have had here. The mission will forever be known as the turning-point of my life.

I love you all. Thank you for your love and for your support.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

Ganamos y Nos Quedamos: THE LEGEND CONTINUES

Dear All,

Well, the legend continues. Elder Gasik and I are staying together for a third transfer! The zone couldn't believe it. :) Had someone told me back in March that we'd be together until July, I wouldn't have believed it. Heck, had someone told me in February that I would be in Reñaca Alto until July I wouldn't believe it. But we're loving every moment, and we're really excited to still be here together. Our companionship will go down in history as one of the greatest. We're excited for the new change and the new adventures. We'll have a lot of success here. :)

It's a little strange to realize that Elder Birchall and Elder Richardsen are going home tomorrow. Weird. And Elder McManamom, too! The mission will be different without them. But...the mission is awesome because it's ALWAYS changing. I like it.

It was a great week. The numbers don't show it, but it was a great one because we went out there and did our best. I love being a missionary I decided. Especially for days like yesterday. Elder Gasik and I had some good plans, but EVERYTHING was destroyed when we were struck by a sudden downpour of rain. It was bad! Usually we're ready with umbrellas and what not. But this rain came out of no where, and we got SOAKED. We still went by the people we had planned for, and either they weren't there or they didn't let us in. So we got REALLY wet. We were enjoying every minute because even though we were soaked, it was great to show the people that our message is THAT important. I turned to Elder Gasik and said, "Our church is probably the ONLY church that still has missionaries working through weather like this." There's no such thing as bad weather in the mission!

We met a new member of our ward who just moved here not all that long ago. We visted him, and it was a great visit. His name is Brother Huanca (pronounced like "Wanka"), and he's a great guy. He basically told us his whole life's story, including his conversion story and it was a great one. I won't mention everything he said, but I was touched by something he told us when he was talking about his children. He mentioned how two of his sons went inactive and how two of his daughters chose not to be baptized. He mentioned that he had one son who was active in the church. He talked of how tough it is for him as a father. But the thing that really made an impact on me was when he said: "But not all of Adam's children were righteous. And neither were all the children of the Lehi. And they were prophets. The children just used their agency and chose the opposite way." I really liked that because it's the same for us as missionaries. Yeah, we might teach the "perfect" lesson where the investigators feels the Spirit, but there will always be people that will accept and act on that Spirit and then there will be those that don't.

The Book of Mormon is true! We've been using it as our resource for talking to people in the street. And why not? It is truly the keystone to our religion, and it's an evidence to the world that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I am so grateful for The Book of Mormon and its teachings. A few days ago, I opened up to 3 Nephi 17, and I started to read. It's one of my favorite chapters. I put myself in the shoes of the Nephites, and I was touched by the Savior's ministry here in the Americas--especially when He heals the sick and blesses the children. How powerful!

Well, the Gospel is true, and It's blessed my life imensely. I've never experienced the joy that I've felt here in the mission as I've shared It with others.

I love you all. Until next week!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

Saturnino: The Attack Of The Dogs

Dear All,

First: Happy late birthday, Logan! And happy birthday this next week, Baby Levi and Ellalyn! And happy birthday to everyone that I've missed. I've realized that I've been TERRIBLE with birthdays here in the mission. But I love you all. :)

Well, it was a great week! Elder Gasik and I have loved our time here in Reñaca Alto together. We're both begging the zone leaders, the Asistants, and the President himself to let us stay here together. That would be awesome if we stayed here together for a third transfer! :) So we're hoping for that. But if the Lord wants it some other way, we'll accept that, too.

I had a great experience yesterday. I did my first interview! I interviewed the Zone Leaders' investigator (Karina) and her two kids (Rafael and Rosita), and it was really awesome being able to interview someone for baptism. The coolest part was with Karina because I really felt the Spirit when I interviewed her. With the interview, there are set questions, but we are encouraged to ask follow-up questions to verify the sincerity of their repentance. The day before (Saturday), I did an "intercambio" with Elder Anderson, and I was really worried about the follow-up questions because I was worried that I would have no idea what to say. But it was awesome because the questions just came to me and they came out of my mouth. I know those follow-up questions were inspired questions from Heaven. And I'm really excited for the Zone Leaders' baptism this Saturday. We're going to do our best to invite all our investigators to the baptism so that they can feel the Spirit there.

Speaking of investigators: We've really stuggled with getting our investigators into the church. And our teaching pool kind of died down a little bit. So we're just searching for God's elect now. Finding people can be hard sometimes, but I've really learned to just go out there and enjoy it.

Speaking of finding: If there's one thing that I wish I would have known at the beginning of my mission, it would be talking with EVERYONE. The Zone Leaders have really stressed that we should talk with EVERYONE in the street, give them Book of Mormons, and set up an appointment with them. On Thursday, they asked for our numbers as always (to see how our week was coming along), and when they saw that we had only handed out one Book of Mormon, Elder Anderson told me, "Elder. That shows that you aren't talking to everyone in the street."

Instead of arguing, I said, "You know. He's right." And Elder Gasik took that as a challenge, and we talked with EVERYONE in the street, and we ended the week with 17 Book of Mormons and a TON of appointments. Seven of those Books were from yesterday afternoon/night. It felt good.

Well, not much else new has happened. Elder Applegate (my companion from the MTC that went home) is back!!! He got back here a few days ago. I'm REALLY happy about that. :) I'm looking forward to seeing him again.

Also: We've been attacked by a lot of dogs these days. Almost every day, Elder Gasik and I have been attacked by a GANG of dogs. It's been fun. No worries. I haven't been bitten again

I love you all!! Until next week.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

17 de Mayo: El Día Que Cambió Mi Mision (In Memory of Hermana Olfa Cortez)

Dear All,

I always imagined all my converts being here in Chilé when I decide to come back one day to visit them all. I never imagined it any other way. However, I was saddened yesterday when I received a call from Brother Vergara during lunch. He informed me that Hermana Olfa Cortez (my convert that was baptized in March) passed away on Saturday at 4:30 PM. She died from her stomach cancer. And of course, we were shocked, and after lunch I took a few minutes to just sit down and talk about it all with my companion. I'm just really grateful that I had the opportunity to teach her and help her make the greatest decision that she could have ever made by being baptized. The doors to the Celestial Kingdom have been opened for her, and I know she's in a better place. Elder Gasik and I will be attending her funeral today at 2:30 PM.

My mission--and perhaps my whole life--was changed on May 17 in a mission conference. There, Elder Birchall (my trainer) gave his final testimony (he leaves in two weeks), and I really enjoyed seeing him one last time. It was great seeing old faces as always as well. But the moment that REALLY hit me hard and really changed me was a talk that we listened to at the end of the conference. It was a talk by Elder Holland that he gave in the MTC in January. You all know how he speaks. You've all heard some of his powerful sermons in General Conference. (They can be scary sometimes, I will admit.) But all I can say is: Wow.

I want to share a few quotes that Elder Holland said. He talked of how the missionary program must not be working. His reason: Because TOO many returned missionaries are going inactive. That hit me hard. He then added: "Missionaries don't know how to do three things: Study, nor plan, nor teach according to the needs of the people." It was great because he gave us some good advice, and I received personal revelation on what I need to do better.

But the thing that hit me hard. And it hit me HARD was at the end when Elder Holland shared the story of Peter (in John 21) when he swims to the Savior, and then the Savior asks, "Do you love me?" three times. And each time Peter says that he does. And the Savior replies three times, "Feed my sheep." With emotion, Elder Holland said, "YOU CAN'T DO IT UNLESS YOU LOVE HIM." That hit me hard as well. And I'm happy to admit that I've strived MUCH harder to study, to plan, and to teach better now. :)

But there's more. Elder Holland said: "It's not over. IT'S NOT ONLY TWO YEARS. It's a new life, a new time, a new day. This mission is the beginning of a new life. You CANNOT go back! You're going to feed sheep. And you're going to be a Diciple of Christ for time and all eternity."

That hit me harder than anything. And it helped me realize that if I don't learn how to be a diciple of Christ in my mission, I'm obviously not doing something right. And we're not only expected to do it for a year or two. We're expected to let the mission change our lives. Just like Elder Holland let it change his. I want my mission to make the same impact on me. Because if it doesn't, it wouldn't be as worth it.

(I hope I explained that as well as I wanted to. The truth: It's one of those talks that you just can't put into your own words. Especially when most of the learning doesn't come from the words of the speaker but from the Spirit itself.)

We did our shopping earlier today, and I'm excited because I bought some chips and nacho cheese. I'm going to make nachos for lunch. I haven't had nachos since my farewell. I'm looking forward to it.

That's all for this week. Our hearts and prayers are going out to Olfa's sons and to the rest of her family. I'll never forget that sweet, kind woman. I sure do love and miss her a whole lot already.

I love you all.

Con Amor,
Elder Nelson IV

Ya Ha Pasado 18 Meses :/

Dear All,

We had a zone activity this morning. It was my turn to be in charge of it. The plan was to eat pancakes and play ping-pong. The pancakes went well because we have an Elder who's a profesional chef in our zone. However, the ping-pong table was locked up! And so we made our own ping-pong table with what we had--a table, a whiteboard, two forks, and a net. :) (See the pictures.)

It was a good week. Although we were really sad that none of our investigators attended yesterday. :( And we weren't able to find very many new people. But alas! We must keep working hard with an attitude of faith. And it'll all work out. We're confident about that.

We had interviews with President Gillespie last week. It was pretty awesome. President Gillespie gave me a letter that I wrote in the mission office my first day here in Chilé, and it included my vision for my mission and the goals that I set for my mission. He showed it to me, and said, "Elder, these are some goals that you set your first day here. Have you accomplished these?" And it was cool because a lot of my goals were things like "speak Spanish better every day" or "never give up!" And it felt good to tell President that I've done well with those goals that I had set. :)

I did my first intercambio (exchange) in another ward as a District Leader. It went alright. :) I have a long way to go. I have to get better at encouraging and what not. But it was good. I was with an Elder named Elder Diaz. He's from Columbia. It was a good time with him. I had an interesting experience with him whenever we taught a lady the Plan of Salvation. Whenever she figured out that we were going to be judged, she asked, "Does that mean I need to forgive the people that have done wrong to me?" Elder Diaz explained the principle of forgiveness to her, and then she started crying. She told us that she couldn't forgive some person because he did something to ruin her life. She then explained that her mom passed away a while ago, and she was the only person that cared about her. Both her husband and her son had abandoned her, etc. She told us that she tried to commit suicide twice, and it was just a really sad story. I just sat there in unbelief. I had NO idea what to say to her. And after we left, I was really discouraged because I felt like I should have said something to the poor lady to help her out. It really bothered me for the rest of the week.

But then I was studying a few days ago, and I read something in Preach My Gospel that really helped me out. In Chapter 2, it talks about how we should study WITH the Spirit. There's a part that says: "This kind of study prepares you for service, offers solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength to endure to the end" (page 18). Then there's the famous scripture that says: "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. (D&C 11:21)." Those two scriptures helped me realize that I need to study the scriptures MUCH more so that I can teach more effectively. :) The Spirit truly testified to me that if I study with His companionship, I will have Him on my side when I do teach such people like this poor woman. And since then, I've decided that my studies will be accompanied more-fully by the Spirit so that I can help those in great need.

Well, all is well here. We're doing our best to keep our heads high, and we're excited for another week. I love you all, and I am grateful for all the support that I have received from you these last few months as I've served the Lord.

Until next week, then.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson IV

It's May Again?

Dear All,

Happy Birthday, Torilynn! Uncle Ben loves you. :) Happy Birthday Tara! I hope this e-mail finds you doing well.

Happy Mothers' Day to all you Moms out there.

I never know what to write the day after talking to the family on the phone.

I've seen a lot of miracles in my life. I witnessed one that got me here on the mission. About two years ago this month I was starting my mission paperwork and when I got the results of my physical, the doctor informed me that there were a few problems with my kidneys. I was worried about that. I wondered if I'd even be able to serve my mission with such an unexpected discovery. But I knew that if the Lord wanted me to serve a mission, He would provide the way. Dad gave me a blessing the day before I went to get another physical, and when I got the results back, the doctor told me, "Wow. You're 100& healthy!" Before leaving the hospital that day, I offered a silent prayer and thanked God for that miracle that was performed by the Lord Himself through my Dad--a worthy Priesthood holder.

All is well here. We won't have six baptisms on May 28 because no investigators attended yesterday. :( But it's okay! We're going to do our part, and if all goes well, we'll have a lot of baptisms here in June. :) Eugenio and his family are great, though. We've enjoyed working with them--especially the kids. They never wanted to pray when we first started teaching them. But with a lot of patience, they eventually learned how to do it, and they LOVE praying now. It's awesome. Our challenge now, though, is finding new investigators! We found a ton last transfer, but Eugenio and his family are the only ones that are willing to progress. So we're going to work really hard and find more people to teach! :)

I've learned to share my feelings more openingly here in the misson. As a missionary, I've been asked about my parents' divorce a lot. The truth is: I love both my parents and both my step-parents a whole lot. I'm grateful that my entire family is active in the Gospel. And I got through that tough time by drawing myself closer to the Lord and not further from Him. As a young 15-year-old, I wasn't the brightest kid, and I was confused about a lot of things. But there was one thing that I knew and recognized. And that one thing was that I NEEDED to develop a strong relationship with my Heavenly Father. I also recognized that He expected me to do so! And I have done my best to always strive to draw closer to Him, and I know the blessings are real!

Well, I want to close by sharing something that I've learned these last few weeks. I've learned that when I strive to do my best, our companionship will be better. And if our companionship is doing its best, our district will be better. And if the district is doing its best, the zone will be better. And if the zone does the same, the mission will be better. And if the mission accomplishes the same thing, the church will grow stronger. But where does it all start? With ourselves. And it's the same for all of us. If we love our families and work with unity, our wards/branches will be strengthened. And if the ward does the same, the stake will get better--which will help the church grow stonger. Again--it all starts with us! I know that by following Christ and His Gospel personally it will help the church in the long run. It's an interesting concept, isn't it? It's simple. I like it.

Well, I love you all. Until next week!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Nelson