Zone training meeting:

Went too well! Sister Sorto decided to try something different from what we usually do. We invited Recently baptized members, returning members and people investigating the church to come and "real play" with us. It was an amazing experience. It changed the entire atmosphere that we normally have. Sometimes it is difficult to pretend to be teaching people, especially when we role play and practice with each other everyday. The sisters, including ourselves really relied on the spirit to teach what that person needed. We asked all the sisters to prepare by studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ and God's Plan for us. Than to think about why those teachings are important them personally. 

The meeting started out so differently than usual. Instead of the piano playing and the sisters chatting with each other noisily, they were all very quite except for the sisters sitting next to our guests. Welcoming everyone after the song and prayer we had everyone introduce themselves. Then we dove right into the teaching by partnering each companionship with a guest. For 45 mins we taught. We than came back together and had open feedback time form those who we taught. It was really nice to ask directly for feedback. All of them had really positive comments including feeling the spirit, although described differently than we would. Some said, "My thoughts were just very clear, and I knew it was true." and "I could feel from how you boldly talked about it that it was something worth finding out for myself, I just didn't know how." Than we had comments that helped us learn how to be better, "I was a little confused. You talked about a lot of different things that did not connect together." or "If you were a little more confident I would feel more assured about the things I do know that are true." 

The spirit was very strong as we closed and reminded everyone of why we learn of Christ from Christ's words in 3 Nephi 11:10-15

 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

  And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

  And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

  And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

  Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come."

He has taken all things upon him. For us to happily return to our Father. That is why we do the things we do each day (this is for those  of you reading this email, yes YOU:) Not to make life hard or because you are supposed to. This is WHY.

Than right after the greatest thing happened! Our investigator sean (fake name) from California came! We finally met him! His family was doing a trip to the national parks in Wyoming and Utah so he made them stop in SLC. 

We met him over Mormon.org chat about 2 months ago. He is the one that was interested because he went to a church building to check it out while traveling through utah. We thought it was institute he went to but he explained he just saw the church logo and went inside. It was actually a seminary building. A young guy probably 17 showed him around, even though it made the kid late for school Oh man am I exited to thank that kid, if not here than in Heaven for taking that time out to give a tour to Sean who was a stranger and just wondered in. Sean was so surprized when he found out that all those kids volunteered to get up so early and go to a scripture study! Man again, you have no idea what impact you have on others. It started with that young man and now Sean is planning on being BAPTIZED in September! 

He also wants his family to learn about the church and experience the discipleship of the members as well. He brought them the next day (his parents and aunts) so they could have a tour from us and know that we believe in Jesus Christ too. They come from a non-denominational church and didn't know much about our church other than our nick name. They loved the tour and were so much fun. Than we dropped them off at the Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration movie. When we picked tem up his mother was deeply touched. She said she had watched the movie with Dale before, but watching it again it really touched her. She later made a comment of how it felt so different on Temple Square than anywhere else. I used this questions an opportunity to explain the Light of Christ. With already having a christian background she really thought it was just the Location. I testified to her that it was the truthfulness of the teachings that are here and that she can continue feeling this way as she learns at home. I could see her thinking more about it. Sean was so pleased. He really wants her to also be baptized

.











Sister Lampinen (the Blond sister from Finland)

said it so well after htey left: "I feel like we knew them before." I do feel like that as well. It was really hard to say goodbye. Sean is planning on coming back for October General Conference though!  

LOVE YOU ALL 

I'm going to go on a bike ride with Hermana Sorto Now! bye :)

Canada/Independence Day!

Hey!

This week has been incredible. It was filled with fun too! We had alot to do on canada day (mission leadership council and district meetings) so we just dressed our best in white and red. Than for Independence day the mission had a BBQ with J-dawgs! I didn't know wht they were until I had them either, no worries! But they are delicious! I am sorry family but I really Like the USA. I really consider part of me to be american now! (along with all the nationalities of my companions.) 

CANADA DAY!

​4th of July! (big blue and sister sorto completed my red, white and blue outfit!)

We had the finish strong meeting. I didn't realize the time was far spent until than. We were going around saying how we would be strong. i blanked. I jokingly looked at president adn said, "what do you think about giving me a 14th?" Than i bust out crying. Like I mean ugggs crying. Nose running, shaking to catch my breath. it was weird. All I could say was: "I dont want to finish....*trying to catch my breath*...I just want to meet our baptismal goal." I guess it just hit me. Sister Sorto promised me we would not talk about that event anymore hahah.

we talked to 2 kazicstan guys the other day. They were dressed like an indie pop-rock band with fancy slacks, the sides of their heads shaved, mustaches and shades. They worked for a "non-profit". But when we asked why they chose that profession they said, "to make money (very non-profit indeed)." Than after asking more about it they chimed in, "yes yes helping people is important too." sketchy. But while we were talking the wind blew my tag around and they say the BYU, spong bob square-pants, harry potter and dinosaur stickers. They said "what is that?". Laughing I explained that missionaries do that for fun. We all laughed and than one of them said, with a thick accent, "I'm sorry seester Nelsone that I do not have any sneeckers forrr you!" hahhahahahahahahaha what a goon. 

Sister sorto and I had a powerful moment after our nightly planning on saturday night. We had met Uncle Mike and aunt linda and aunt karen on the square earlier in the day. Aunt linda and sister sorto connected right away b/c aunt linda served in El Salvador. They really reminded us of what a blessing it is to have missionaries in our countries, how we serve on sacred grounds and know God's plan for us. Sister sorto opened up to me about how her family were baptized. Her father became an orphan at a young age and had to support his 8 siblings. He was selling something on the street when 2 elders apporuched him. This was a couple of weeks after his dad died. The elders told him about Gods plan and how he would be re-united with his family again. Her dad was taught in one week adn baptized. His family also followed him after. WOW because of missionaries her family really will be united in God's King again. It really hit us in that moment that God does have a plan of us. Also how significant the impact of 1 person following the promtings of the spirit are. Tomorrow we are givning a Zone training meeting. We will focus on relating the teachings to people so they realize, like we did, how significant it in their lives. Often we underestimate the power and impanct a personal experince has on others. IT is this way that the spirit can touch hearts. I really like this definition of a testimony found on lds.org:

What is a testimony?

A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel.​

And this statement by Dallin H. Oaks:

“A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.”

—Dallin H. Oaks

I am so grateful for this powerful tool Heavenly Father has given each of us. Size does not matter, it is simply if you,"open your mouth".

LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Friend Nelson

Happy Thai New Year! Happy Easter! Happy Baptisms! Happy Happy!

Hello Everyone I Love!

Life is swell at the square. Cool new news!:

• Top secret! The church has produced a new movie that will play in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building instead of the Movie about Joseph Smith and the restoration. It is really good, Sister mulliner and I ushered for the General Authorities to watch it (Tad Callister was there! With another famous one I cannot remember his name but he is African American!) and got to watch it as well. IT is a very good introduction to the church for those who are just learning or have never heard of it. IT focuses on the lives of members around the world, its kind of like a documentary. One family they focus on live in Atlanta Georgia and he is a black bishop, another is a couple from brazil and the wife and husband work together teaching boxing while the wife does it at a professional level, another is a man from Peru who is a humanitarian  and the last is a missionary mom and her conversion! I was slightly critical until I saw it, but its amazing and i wish every investigator could  watch it. it shows how applying the teachings of Christ can help everyone despite their situation and it gets rid of stereo types. It should be publicly accessible soon they just have to have the General Authorities approve it!

• Sister Mulliner and I are preparing for our Zone training meeting for this Tuesday. We will teach our purpose as missionaries and how to better fulfill it.  By comparing my bball skills with Jimmer's . (Nelson VS Jimmer) Whats the difference? The FOCUS hahaahh. We have more spiritual points than that, but we thought it would give the sisters a good visual. If we are focused on our purpose and goals we will be able to achieve them. If our purpose (to find, teach, baptize and help reach the temple) becomes our drive behind all we do, we will achieve it. Our goal this transfer is 24 converts in our zone. I know its achievable and so does the Lord. Its his work and he is moving it along, we just have to be focused enough to be part of it.

• also I am famous! you didnt know? Well check it out, I look good right? ahah Deseret newssss foool
  
   

Crazy stuff just found out our progressing investigator in Brazil got baptized! We were teaching her through email. We found her through mormon.org chat and helped her until the local missionaries got to her, than helped her when they couldn't (like odd hrs and with things she wasn't comfortable asking them about. Christianie is the best! I love her!

We finally got a hold of one of our potential investigators Ureco. Ureco lives in Florida and is deaf. Sister Mulliner  has been calling him over the video phone for months now and finally last week he answered it! I am learning ASL with sister mulliner and I want to keep on learning about it. Mostly because it is really hard for deaf people to go to church. If they dont have someone to interpret for them it is really boring. I can only imagine it would be like going to a Chinese ward week after week for me. So that was our big concern for Ureco. Find him a translator for church. There are sometimes deaf branches in big cities but often not. And in his area there was not. We told him that if he prayed and we would pray with him the Lord would provide a way. And guess what HE DID!. The moment we finished talking with him we started to call the bishops in his designated steak. We Left a message one ones phone telling him the situation. We were so appointed at the time, but went out on the square to help take tours and proselyte that way leaving it in the hands of the lord. We got back the next day to our computers and found a message in our voice mails, from that very same bishop. When we called him back he said that he had correlated with the bishop that is the bishop for Ureco's designated ward (thats a miracle in itself! Bishops are so busy, they have good reason to be with a full time career, family and service in the church. I have never worked with such quick and resourceful bishops before!) When we called that bishop he told us....wait for it.......wait for it.....their was a member of their congregation who translates for a deaf member as well. WOW we only prayed for a translator but now he has a potential friend too! Heavenly Father really does answer our prayers and works in the details of our lives! 

http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694  

As written in John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every onewhich seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. I know this is true I have witnessed it. heavenly Father hears and knows all of his children. Happiness will come from living the commandments, sometimes it takes awhile but it comes.

A disappointing part of this miracle is that despite all of this Ureco still chose not to go to church this past Sunday. All that effort and he didn't go. That's life, that's the father's plan. He helps us as much as he possibly can with out taking away our agency, but than it is in our hands. That's when the saying, "chose to be happy" really applies. We must do our part. Here comes an invitation I will relay to all those reading this, mostly aimed at my family (mom and dad you too, you can't play in palm springs and Australia forever hahah) 

Some things to think about....

• " The only things that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening.”

• We were trying to do these things, but they were not always the priority and, amidst the chaos, were sometimes neglected. We changed our focus..... and tried not to worry about the less-important things. Our focus became to talk, rejoice, preach, and testify of Christ by striving to daily pray and study the scriptures and have weekly family home evening.

• A friend recently cautioned, “When you ask the sisters to read the scriptures and pray more, it stresses them out. They already feel like they have too much to do.”

Brothers and sisters, because I know from my own experiences, and those of my husband, I must testify of the blessings of daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening. These are the very practices that help take away stress, give direction to our lives, and add protection to our homes. Then, if pornography or other challenges do strike our families, we can petition the Lord for help and expect great guidance from the Spirit, knowing that we have done what our Father has asked us to do.

Brothers and sisters, if these have not been practices in our homes, we can all begin now. If our children are older and refuse to join us, we can start with ourselves. As we do, the influence of the Spirit will begin to fill our homes and our lives and, over time, children may respond.

Remember that living Apostles have also promised that as we search out our ancestors and prepare our own family names for the temple, we will be protected now and throughout our lives as we keep ourselves worthy of a temple recommend.⁵ What promises!"

Protection from Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home By Linda S. Reeves

(Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency)

There you go! That's your invite to FOCUS and prioritize your lives to make scripture study and family prayer EVERY DAY and family home evening. The Lord will help you fulfill this commandment as you put forth effort and you will witness his help intervening in your life. I testify to you, not just as Vickie, or vicbic or as Sister Nelson but as a representative of Jesus Christ that He lives. As you follow in Christ's footsteps you will someday look up and be before your Father who is in heaven. I know as you do these 3 simple things you will be able to, "look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands.... having the image of God engraven upon your countenances" (Alma 5:19). I promise this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

CTR keep up the good work!

"Seek Ye the Kingdom of God"

Hello lovely favorite people!

Life is good, no Life is the BEST. I am back with sister Barros teaching up a storm. But first watch this video, it is Christ teaching as a young boy. Every time I learn more about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ I strive with more devotion to be more like him. I hope it does the same for you:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-01-003-young-jesus-teaches-in-the-temple?category=bible-videos-the-life-of-jesus-christ&lang=eng

I finally feel like I know what I am doing here! it only took alittle over a year but I got it! ahahah I seriously would do this for the rest of my life if i was permitted to have the family move here. When ever I think of how short I have left I get sad and have to stop thinking about it. We are teach a guy named troy from Ogden UT. Both of his sisters are baptized members, him and I assume his parents are still catholic. We taught him the restored gospel yesterday with a member on the phone as well. The spirit was so strong and I can tell he is being prepared by the lord because he is catholic and excepted the need for a restoration of Christ's teachings with is very uncommon. When the spirit was strong my companion asked him: "when you come to know these teachings are true troy, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the restored authority of God?" Without hesitation and conviction he agreed. Than I was prompted to say, "How would you come to know these things are true?" This is why I love Troy so much, he said, "by living them". he is so smart and I know he has already felt this because he has gone to church several times with his sisters. Than we extended the goal to be baptized on March 30th. He agreed again without hesitation and conviction. These are litterally the happiest moments of my life. Guiding others to Christ so He can lead them to their Heavenly Father.


It is good to be back at temple square!

  This is a painting by Sister Briggs mom Sister Briggs haha a sister from Oregon. I love it, I got to go in the temple this morning for the first time in 4 months! I know I am super blessed compared to other missionaries who don't even see a temple their whole mission but man I missed it.  John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I love the temple when ever I go in I really feel peace.

eu te amo! (I love you all)

-Sister Nelson

Ps. Shout out to Tanner for the letter and sharon, mom, dad, friends from wisconsin and sister Johnson for the email! Letters and emails are a rarity for sisters in my class, so one goes a long way. gracias los amigos

From irmã to 姐妹

Olá beautiful people! This week has been a marvelous work and a wonder. So many changes, so many lessons and even one baptism! Last Wednesday morning President Cutler (president of the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission) called me to inform me I had missed my 8am flight to SLC neither of us knew about! He than informed me that my next flight was leaving the following morning at 9am. This gave me just enough time to say goodbyes:


 Alex (the sisters recent convert)


the elders  in my district

Sister Training leaders (Hurst & Zebly)

packed my belongings, do some good old fashion door knocking and mall contacting, part from my companion sadly and hop on a plane. It was so quick, that day and serving in Wisconsin. I am so greaetful for all that I learned and experienced there. I learned from the best missionaries I know in the world (believe me I know, this was my 3rd mission people!). I also learned to rely completely on the Lord, the spirit and my companion. I feel blessed to have that experience. King Benjamin can explain it much better than I can:

"as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have ^atasted of his love, and have received a ^bremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own ^cnothingness, and his^dgoodness and long-suffering towards you and humble yourselves even in the depths of ^ehumility, ^fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing ^gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel."

-Mosiah 4:11

I really feel it was necessary for me to be humbled and rely on Jesus Christ more fully not only in this service but also in my life. I am also greateful for the many people I met and even though I may have only taught them once or had brief contact with them I know both sides were effected.

Well when I got off the plane I was greeted by sister Garrick! It was a joyous reunion! (we served together in the mission office 6 months ago.) And seeing many other sisters I have missed. Walking back to the Square from the apartments I felt at home and peace. Not only have I grasped my purpose as a missionary ( To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.) but now I have the knowledge of how to do that here on Temple Square. 

 
After a long day we got a well deserved milk shake at chick-fil-a! It had been too long :)
  

This week I had some interesting lessons over the phone and on the square with Sister Barros (from Brazil in her 3rd transfer. She is one of the most soft spoken yet powerful missionaries I have ever met, she has taught me so much in this little time we have had together). We called one of our chat investigators (anna from the UK) from the summer and recieved the lovely news she had been baptized that past sunday! She is so sweet and it took awhile for her to know the church was Christ's true church today restored, but once she started to actually read the Book of Mormon she knew. Every single conversion I have heard always has to do with the Book of Mormon. Once we actually read the book, think about it and pray to ask Heavenly Father about the teachings in it we are more converted. Its that simple and its that true!

On thursday after relief society I recieved a text from the Assistants that they want to see us. THey than asked me if I would go back to the office for 2 weeks while Sister brock recoveres from being sick. So back to the office I go! I am happy to help, I have an amazing Companion there and I will be back to regular missionary work in 2 weeks. So that is why I am emailing on friday now! another zone has a different p-day!

 Sister Yeung is from Hong Kong! Yeah! back to the Asian life for me! We had an investigator lesson with Zhu Yue (PHD student at U of U) from Taiwan. She struggles with comparing Budhism to the doctrines of the church but when we explained she can gain wisdom from the Holy Ghost by praying and studying the scriptures she became more convicted in her faith in Jesus Christ which is HUGE!

Love you all! 再见 (bye!)

February 10th 2014

Miracle Day for the WIN!!

No pain no gain right? We are frrrrreeezing but we had a neat experience right before debbie's appointment. We were driving to her house and I felt prompted to stop at certain complex of apartments. Sister reed and I felt strongly a miracle was going to be there waiting for us! We prayed that we would be able to have the spirit to help us recognize it and be given the words to say when it did. We knocked the WHOLE thing and nothing! So disappointed we headed back to the car. As we were getting in we heard a young man calling us back saying, "did you know on my door?". We ran back to the door and started teaching him. As we did sister reed connected right away with some of the issues he was currently struggling with and I was prompted to share the account of Jesus praying for the children in 3 Nephi 17. Christian, standing in his shorts and a T-shirt almost freezing to death stayed outside adn talked with us for at least 20 mins. After we said a prayer with him and were about to leave he tld us that he took awhile to get to the door because he was nervous to answer it. When we knocked he had been praying to God that if he really wanted to help him that he would send a miracle to his front door. WOW. We told him of how we ended up knocking on this apartment building. The spirit was very strong as we bore witness to him of his worth and How Heavenly Father really did love him and that's why he sent us, to share with him the restored Gospel! IT was by far one of the coolest experiences I have had while serving. The church is true! Christian is heavily involved with his church right now so we are doing what we can to meet with him and teach him.

Ps Mormon was 10 years old when he was called sober in heart and commissioned to find the plates of Nephi when he turned 24 and at the age of 15 "was ^{visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus." (Mormon 1:15) If he can do it than we can do it now as 20 year olds! YEEEHAWWW church is true!}

 ^{Fun facts:}

•  I have learned to love salads so much that i have 1 or 2 everyday!!!! I even crave them!
• It was colder in Wisconsin than the arctic a couple of weeks ago!
• We found a bird while tracting that was sitting in our path not moving. We thought it was injured and were worried for it. As we tried to pick it up to move it out of the snow and to a warmer place it just flew away. It was bazaar and we know that there is someone on the planet lazier than me! haah

Love you fam and friends!

February 3rd 2014

Chello Family and friends!

                                                                  Milwaukee District 1

This week completely turned around. Through diligence and obedience miracles are a reality. On Saturday we realized that our weekly goals were not going to be met unless we did something about it. We decided to contact at the mall ( yes we walk around and approuch people before or after shopping but we have to, people only go outside for a few reasons here. 1. alcohol 2. Custard 4. foot ball 3. get there shop on) for 5 hrs. Although there were many times we became discouraged we pressed forward. Heavenly Father put many people in our paths we had met before but had not led to anything (Caitlyn the 20 something makeup artist who was excited to learn and become more spiritual along with her mother), other investigators that we had not had contact with in awhile (we helped Melonie and her daughters prepare for her daughters play. We ran into them at Chipotle ate with them and helped the youngest apply her stage makeup because the mom was clueless) or members who were preparing others for meeting with us (the berry family has a close friend who has been reading from the book of Mormon and want those same strong family ties she sees in the berry family). All in all we were able to teach 9 other lessons, receive 3 new investigators (Adam the manager at 5 guys who is really funny and open to learn more, and Michelle the hyper but sweat manager at a bedding store who has been trying a variety of ways to find peace in her life but has yet to try learning about and conecting with God and Jesus Christ, and Dan a friend of another investigator we have), teach 1 less active family, receive many potential investigators and speak to over 28 people (our goal for the day) about the gospel. Wow! We are so grateful for our father in heaven who hears and answers our prayers.

"Think of that one person's posterity - they are cheering for you, eagerly waiting for you to help baptize that one person so they can be born in the Covenant and go on to serve missions where they will baptize many, many people." (-quote from fellow missionary)

This is soo true as we were talking with one person (maria the devout catholic who had gotta be at least 102 years old haha) I was going to give up, I felt it was not going any where.Than I thought of her beloved husband, who passed away a couple of years ago. I knew he was being taught on the other side of the veil. I than was filled with more desire to reunite these two people through the covenants that are essential. As she went on about how the boy who shovels her side walk had tried to scam her out of more money, I asked her how that made her feel in the end. Through this random tangent we were able to teach her how to utilize the atonement to repent and feel refreshed and full of love towards all men. Right than and there I asked her to try it to pray and repent. She said I could ahahaha. So I prayed and repented for her ahhaaha. Not exactly how its done but she did feel the spirit and committed to continue to try this for herself. THis is great I figure she already has immense faith in Jesus Christ, she is now repenting the next step in the gospel is baptism right? hahaha or I can somehow take a picture of her birth certificate and get baptized for her, I would just have to wait a couple years or sooo......hey! it worked for repentance! ahhahaah

Love you all! KEEP CALM & READ  BOOK OF MORMON

LOVE SISTER NELSON :)

                                                     1 YEAR wiser and colder too!