June 14th, 2013

(pic with John Bytheway)

Ya so Sister Nakaima and I are the first sisters in the history of T2 to train sisters who are already serving regular proselyting missions (well at least I think we are the first, I'm just going to go with it because it sounds better ). They come this weekend and we will train them how to serve at T2!! cool eh? :) the square is really low on Mandarin speaking sisters so the mission presidency requested a recruitment of them for the summer! They are both from Taiwan and serving currently in Boise Idaho and Independence Missouri. We moved into a cute little house close to the regular apartments to accommodate more sisters. Cute place doesn't have much (like a shower curtain or rod) but it is ours and so precious! I love it. Sister Nugget and I met the whole primary general authority! They dropped off presents for the mission! It was so cool I'll probs have a pic soon! They are all so polished, purdy and personable.  

Spiritual nugget: Have you ever thought "man i shouldn't be here right now?" that is the spirit warning us, even on missions we can feel this if we aren't 100% obedient or in an unsafe situation. I thought back to some times in my life when I thought that and when ever I followed it's council it was for my good. Now take a mental picture of where you are now. I hope you think: "Man I should be here, this is a good place" (paraphrased from the mt of transfiguration with peter James, john and Christ.) A new friend of mine spoke about this scripture and it hit me how far my testimony has come from where I was. Also the people I have taught. Its all because of heavenly Fathers Council given through the spirit and us doing something about it.

OH OH OH cool story: for a our transfer conference we got to watch Ephram's Rescue! By T.C. Christenson. It was a special preview screening, its not out yet! It was sooo cool, funny, exciting and portrays the Martin handcart company well. It made me appreciate basic necessity and the freedom to believe in Christ.

Smiling all the timmmmee :)))))) (double chin smiles) 

Sister Shmaggity

P.s. I love pickles
PSS Sister Nakaima says dangit like "dang- Git!" hahah silly okinawin and I said "Zed" instead of Zee in front of 150 very confused teenagers this week hahhahahaha Sister Nakaima re-assured them we would study English that night lol

my life will be sooooo Asian for the next transfer

my pday is still on Friday this transfer (just so you know when to email me...*wink wink nudge nudge*)

May 31st 2013

I can't believe its raining like crazy! I like the rain but I know what that means for Dad and green drop... not good! Its been raining like crazy here too. It was funny because the other day an alarm went off because a near by construction machine was being weird. We all had to evacuate the visitor centers and meet in the Tabernacle and it was pouring rain! We all looked like wet mops when we had a hospitality tour bus come and we are suppose to look good and help the lovely people lol. But it was fun to dance around in the rain.

This week has been interesting. I am really learning the importance of knowing history, facts and dates when it comes to group tours. (some group tours like the hospitality bus tours we are not aloud to bear testimony or invite them to learn more, but if they ask religious questions we can answer them). If you are able to give clear correct history it bears testimony for you. The Pioneers did so much and it was all so they could through Jesus Christ attain eternal Families and live with God again.

We had a really good returning member lesson with the Elders. The young woman was only 23 years old but has and is going through many hardships (similar to the pioneers in a spiritual way not temporal). Even though life its tough for her right now she is trying her best to establish a relationship with her loving Heavenly Father by recommitting to follow commandments and renewing her baptismal covenant by taking the sacrament each. Her desire, even though she is a very closed off person, is apparent. She wanted to enter the temple and receive the blessings and joy that brings. The pioneer trek of 1,300 miles related to her situation closely, as I'm sure they do to many. One man in particular was fatigued and each time he felt he could go no longer he would think I can only go to that point ahead and than I can go no further. Each time however he got to that spot he felt someone pushing his handcart from behind. When he would look to see who was pushing, there was no one there. He knew and I know that we have angels (people in our lives, the Book of Mormon, Prayers, Sacrament, you name it!) that help push our "handcarts" through the rough spots in our lives. I have felt that in particular in my own life this week. I know if this Young women continues on this path she will receive the full blessings of the temple.

I love Sister Nakaima. She is like a Polynesian  but Japanese. So she likes to have fun and work hard at the same time! She also loves to sing pop songs while getting ready (Japanese and American lol), drinks soda and says hilarious things! We were in Olive Garden celebrating a Sisters Birthday and the waiter was taking all our drink orders. Sister Nakaima couldn't pick what she wanted and started to feel flustered. She was murmuring to herself, "Choices....choices.....choices" than finally the waiter said he would just come back in a few mins. In exasperation she sighed, "agency!" I know its a lame missionary joke but she is so cute and such a shmaggy Asian it was funny.

Oh oh oh I found a new Fave scripture! Its 2 Nephi  "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. I love the last line because its funny but I really like the rest of it because it makes me think of the time I spend on things. At first I looked back with regret on meaningless things I spend time and money on (mostly it was self centered pursuits such as music shows, meals with friends and so on) I want to change my life to spend time on things that matter. The essentials such as my salvation and others around me. Those are the things that do not have an expiration date and "perisheth" not. That can still involve family food and friends but it must come down to the question of will this expire or last much longer?

It was pretty neat because for a district meeting we were challenged to call a recent convert of ours and ask them a few questions in how to improve our teaching skills. We talked to Bryan. He said he was able to feel the spirit the strongest when we were reading the scriptures or sharing messages from lds.org. Wow just straight up doctrine, nothing fancy. The thing he said that made him want to follow through with commitments the missionaries asked him to or commandments was he had confidence that the missionaries knew what they were talking about and wanted to help him. And the best time for him to be taught (or feel the spirit) was when he wasn't worried or preoccupied with school, work or had other things on his mind. I was able to learn so much from his comments.

I was able to attend the Temple this morning. It was beautiful and bright and early (lol)! I had a lot of questions answered while in the temple by simply listening to the spirit.

Love you all! CTR!

Sister Shmag Nelson

May 24th 2013

The theme Sister  Naka Nugget and I picked for this week is "WORK WORK WORK" and "We would love to take It! (tours)" We are so excited and have been having so much fun and receiving blessings from sacrificing meal time and study time to serve and teach people. It is the best!

We also met T.C. Christiansen at a youth conference we co-ordinated (he is the film maker of 17 Miracles  Work and the Glory, Joseph Smith: The Restoration...and so on) He is so funny and, smart and Christ Centered in his life and work.

I have been working on my 

modeling for the future general 

conference paparazzi! (joking,

 just messing around during a

 lunch break!)

We had the privilege of going to Sister Monson's Funeral. It was beautiful, sad but mostly happy in rejoicing her life and quiet service/accomplishments. I want to be a woman like her some day.

We had an enrichment night activity for relief society with some zones and learned Tihishen dancing, jive and latino dancing! it was a mucho fun fiesta!

My favorite quote this week is, "Having put our hand to the plow, we will never look back!" -President Holland. I am happily moving forward in God's work!

CTR

Love sister Nelson