July 28th 2013

Hello Everyone!

Serving as OA is a very different way to serve. I feel as though I have an office job. The difference is that my boss is Heavenly Father and manager is the president. Both of them are very patient (thank goodness, because I am a shmag but learning) and I have my wonderful comp Sister Garrick who is fun and is a great teacher. I am using Microsoft excel, word and outlook (for email) to organize and run the legistics of Temple Square. I am so grateful I was in graphic design at the U of L for a year and a half. I know that was something that really helped prepare me. We do daily numbers, scheduling for the presidency, anything to do with paper work for the sisters (baptism reports, other numbers) and odd ends. It is very busy and piles up but I know that Heavenly Father is truly helping me. I don't get stressed or frustrated. If anything I became more calm when sudden things pop up or must be changed. I've had maybe 3 hrs of teach time on the phone, a couple hrs of square time, 2 personal studies and zero companionship study this whole week. But I love serving the sisters. That is what this assignment is all about. Helping the sisters serve. I know it will become less busy over the next week or so as well so there's nothing to complain about. If anything I am just am thankful Heavenly father trusts and supports me in such a large task.  

This week we had 2 different transfer weeks. The first we had all 24 of the new sisters from the MTC come. We helped them get all there new things sorted, fed and helped them until they were interviewed and  sorted into companion ships by the AP's and President. After running around trying to get all the paper work done that day the next day we had 13 new sister come from the Mexico mission and all the sisters returning from there out bounds. So we did it all again! It was crazy but fun. We now have 191 sisters serving on temple square! I love them all and are trying to learn all there names, some are super hard though especially some of the Polynesians and Europeans. Those 2 days were a blur, they went by so quickly. Running around making huge group meals, cleaning, doing office work and than making and cleaning up another big meal. We were in Cosco one day picking up food and I envisioned mom doing this very same thing day after day but with little nuggets hanging off of her and her shopping cart. How did you do it mom? 

We got to go to the Pioneer day parade. It was sooo Utah lol. Big fancy floats, hair and dresses :) It was so fun and our lovely presidency covered the square for us, they are so sweet and really work so hard for this whole mission. Our presidency has Pres Gillette who was a lawyer and knows everyone and everyone loves him. President Seppi, who is an architect who did the conference center, city creek mall and many other buildings. He is so kind. President Harman who is also a lawyer and one of the most charismatic people I have ever met. Everyone loves to talk to him and he makes you feel like a million bucks when you walk in the room. Elder Skanchy who is a Judge prosecutor for the State and sooo funny. He has a dry sense of humor but loves this mission so much, he takes care of the financial work and pass ports and documents. After the Parade we ran into  Elder Perry! He was shaking our hands and so sweet. 

Yesterday I met Stevey Wonder yesterday! He practiced with Mo-Tab and I bumped into him while he was leaving through the back of the Tabernacle. He looked so cool! he had a mow-hack in corn rolls, shades and a white long hippy shirt with black pants. Cool eh?! 

I had a bunch of "Sister Vick" moments this week, here are some: I mispronounced several sisters names on the phone while setting up interviews with them on the Phone. the best one was "sister Snee-deerr" she was very polite while correcting me, I now know it is sister Seidere. Its a Latvian name, you gotta cut me some slack on that one. We scared the AP's so bad by hiding in there closet before they got home one night. Just as they were kicking off there shoes to get ready to plan Sister Gordan screeched and did a little scared dance lol. Classic. I was taking a million pizza boxes out of the car for the new sisters and the trunk door landed on my head (softly dont worry) and I couldnt move! lol Sister Garrick came to my rescue after finishing laughing. I love serving with her. Its like I'm with Sister Pickrel again. I get to have fun and serve! (I have before but I think serving with Americans is different, they understand my humor better). We just have a hoot together. 

We were able to help a kid from the Bronx in NY to find a YSA ward near him so he could go back to church on an inbound call. He was excited and kept on saying, (read the following with a New Yorker, Bronxy accent) "oh okayy...okay..oh ya ya...oh thats haaat!" hahahaha goodness I love this mission! I was able to talk to Bryan my Recent convert! He is awesome! He is going strong, has great member friends and is enjoying the summer! 

I ran into Little Diana Torres!!!! SO cool! it was like i was seeing LG, Lauren mark and Diana. They are all so similar with some of there mannerisms. Man I miss those chikas! I haven't seen her since the day she was set apart to be a missionary! I love her and her mission sounded so cool. (PS what is your emails lady's?) I hated saying by to her and I still wanna talk to you miss Torres!

Well I gotta run but I love yall! your in my prayers always. Keep it cool and stay good!

Sister Nelson

 

Pictures:

Calling everyone in the mission to help the phone coordinators fix problems with the important phone list that keeps the square running smoothly! It was actually so fun to get to say hi to everyone and we had snacks!

Elder and sister Uchtdorf in Pioneer day parade (only in Utah)

Diana and I!

July 19th, 2013

Hello! 

Craziness this week happened! Sister Weng and I were both running low on missionary funds and somehow the lord provided us with 4 free meal! yum free food my fave! One however was the strangest food i have ever eaten. I ate wait for it.....Cow stomach, Asian foods and the best part CHICKEN FEET! Yummmm all which was pretty good in taste texture however was...uh different. This special meal was provided by sister Weng's sister who attends BYU business Collage. I have to admit l liked the cow stomach.

We were able to have many Mandarin Motor Coach Miracles in the past several days! and small group mandarin tour miracles! One, "Jin" is progressing with her local missionaries. She is so cool, we like the same music she is currently living in the west coast from originally China working for IT with Nike.  I should remember more but my brain is a little tired :)

So this morning during exercise  me and Sister Hitchrich (my fellow Canadian sister Friend) were guessing our transfer predictions. She new she was going outbound, so I guessed she would go West coast or Idaho lol. Than to get back at me she said your going to train and be a district leader at the same time. I thought well that wouldn't be sooo  bad. I said: "the thing that would really suck for me would be to get like office assistant or something, they never get to teach or even see day light." We laughed it off and got ready for early morning transfer conference. The time came for the Zone leaders to announce my new companion, zone, and assignment. Every day I am learning that Heavenly Father has a very good sense of Humor because they put THE BIGGEST shmag as the new office assistant. :/ I don't even know what this means! All I have seen is the OA's always in the office on computers.

To be honest I'm exited to go and do what the lord has commanded. But I am determined to teach on the square, take large group tours/investigator lessons and teach my own investigators. This is the best part, I asked one of the previous OA's what they did. She said they run a large part of the logistics of temple square, so everything can run smoothly for the mission. Pftt! I know this calling is to help me learn to be more organized, orderly and teach me to work well under stress. I look forward to learning to balance it all with the help of the Savior. 

Today we hosted a youth conference and took a great large group mandarin tour with 11 year old class of Kids and their parents learning English from Bejii! The youth conference was one of the best we have done. It was fun, and spiritually violent! As we sang the opening hymn I looked around at the 160 something youth and almost started to tear up (I can't cry in front of them, it makes it awkward for them lol). I will miss this calling sooo much. I pray for these people always. They are me, I still feel and remember what it is like to be them (mostly because it was like a couple years ago lol). I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to be with them for 2 whole transfers! Same thing happened with the Mandarin tour. While introducing myself in Mandarin I had to put a big cheesy smile on my face to stop from crying (I hope I didn't "smile" Smile cray). I will miss their energy of never ending "NEHOWWWS!", them sneaking next to us while we sing a hymn for them so they can be in a picture with them but mostly I will miss their eyes. The moment you know they have felt the spirit for the first time in their lives and connected it to the gospel. I will also miss Sister Weng. She is a great companion. She taught me a lot of things :) Mostly how to treat your companions and to openly resolve issues swift to the point and finish with love.

My new companions name is Sister Gerrick! I think she is either from Cali or Utah, I think Cali. She is super cute and I'm exited! Big changes here!

P.S. different zone, different pday. It's every Monday at 1-3pm that I'll be emailing! LOVE YALL

Sister Nelson

July 12th, 2013

 Hi!

Man this week has been full of spiritual violence. To my face. We have been praying to find people who are ready and Heavenly Father has definitely placed people in our path. He placed a cute couple in our path 2 weeks ago from Arizona. They are the miracle couple that said they wanted to become members after a tour. We have been texting them and calling here and there and our fasting was for them. We hadn't had a chance to call them for several days because of tours (Mandarin and English) and  youth conference, but we trusted in the lord. And he completely took care of them! When we called they explained how they had met with the elders twice and were set for Saturday as well as church for Sunday. I am so grateful for all the missionaries, especially these ones who brought a Spanish speaking fellowshipper for the wife and are so great! Heavenly Father is so aware of us and those who we pray for. This gives me comfort for my family and friends who I miss and want to be happily engaged with the gospel always. i know they will continue to progress. 

The other day Sister Weng and I were planning and I was so bored! I asked her if this is how she planned in Missouri, because I was just doing it how everyone else (or so i thought) did it here. Well I decided to try to fix that, I watched the Preach my gospel the section on 9pm daily planning. Wow I have been doing it all wrong. We implemented what we studied on planning and it is night and day. I have been praying and really thinking of how to  improve my work and the excitement for it. I realized that when I really ponder and discuss with Sister Weng how we can help our investigators, the people on the square we meet, Mandarin tours and youth individually and plan specifically for them I love the work. Also more is accomplished, I hope and ask heavenly father to help me to continue doing this his way. 

We picked up 2 new investigators this week! and they can actually come to the square for lessons! I cannot wait! Both are from Taiwan, and speak Mandarin and English!

Another Lesson I learned is that the spirit is a much better teacher than myself. I am trying to let it speak more and slowly but surly I hope to be able to better utilize it. I can know it is there when I am at ease, my companion is, and so is the person we are teaching.


(Galations 5:22-25 22 But the ^afruit of the ^bSpirit is ^clove, ^djoy, ^epeace, ^flongsuffering, ^ggentleness, goodness, ^hfaith, 23 ^aMeekness,^btemperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the ^aaffections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.)

Oh I had "hot pot" for the first time yesterday with several other sisters. I have found my absolute favorite food! It is a an Asian dish, this one in particular was Taiwanese! It is just a soup broth you bowl and had different sea foods and veggies and meats to! Oh man I could eat it every day!

LOVE YOU all

Sister nelson

PS congrats Brittany on your new beautiful baby! I'm so exited and I wanna meet your baby so bad! when you able to come here!!!!! <3

July 5th 2013

We had 4 really cool miracles on the 4th of july. 

1) We got to see Aunt Monica! so good to see family! and Zander, cousin Jordan's baby is soo cute! 

2) We took an unexpected mandarin tour and at the end it seemed like no good had come of it but as everyone left one man stayed behind. He had asked at the temple model the church's view on divorce. He said he wanted to learn more and filled out a referral card. Than sister weng being so smart simply said "there's a lot to learn, what would you like to know more about?" He opened up like I have never seen anyone do who is from China (they are usually very reserved with personal matters, they don't hug each other, say I love you ect.). He explained how he was looking for peace from his divorce 2 years ago. His marriage ended very badly. We stayed with him for another hour at the Christus and taught him the restoration with the plan of salvation. We left him with a book of Mormon and a prayer. He actually said the prayer. It was beautiful and simple but he prayed that this would be the beginning of the right things to learn. He left differently than he came. I will never forget as he left he kept on looking back smiling and waving. 

3) Another unexpected tour instead of eating dinner. This family was so fun and cute. If I had an Asian family they would be it (asians always have american families that adopt them when they move here for school lol) They were just so funny. At the temple model the little girl asked "why do you have cows in our temple and not sheep?" the dad said they were there so everyone in the temple could drink milk :) as we went through though the father was asking sincere questions. He explained to me that they were heading home from there travels when the main highway they planned on using was closed down. To find a different way he looked for a building for help. He came to a church (our church) and knocked on the door, finally a service missionary answered it, helped him find a different way that actually went through SLC. He suggested the family went to temple square and gave him a Book of Mormon. Being mandarin he can't read English as well as he can speak it. He asked us for a mandarin copy. We agreed and I told him another really good resource to learn was from the missionaries where he lived. He agreed to that. Than we were all sitting by the reflective pool after taking pictures. The kids were splashing in the pool and the Dad was sitting looking up at the temple. He asked me about angel Moroni and after answering he took a long look at the temple. I could see the spirit working in him so I just looked at it as well. After several pauses I asked him if he had any more questions. Nodding he asked me, "what is the difference between non believers and believers" after a minute of trying to better understand his question he rephrased it and asked, "how does one start to become a member?" At this point the spirit is very strong and helped me answer him perfectly for his understanding. I simply said the missionaries teach you how to develop faith in Jesus Christ, you change past mistakes and than you are baptized" It was so funny because at first he was like "Baptist?! isnt that only for one religion?" hahaha than I explained that we follow Christs example to wash away our past and start new with the proper authority the church has. He was so kind, goofy and sincere. I feel as though I met friends I always knew.

 4) A Large group mandarin tour showed up 40 mins late, so it took our dinner slot. I was so furious because the guide that was scheduling had lied about when they would get there  becuase he was running late and if it is that late they either get missed or have to reschedule because of how tight booking is. So we started this tour and I just saw all these people were hot, half would wonder off not even listening to take pictures and many were dazing off. We got to the temple view and Sister briggs started talking baout the temple and our beilifs about eternal marriage/families. I have heard over adn over adn testified over a hundred times of how I know famlies can be together for ever through the temple but this was different. The spirit pricked my heart at how important and true this was. I looked around the group and saw many children bugging there tired/hot parents and it Hit me. They have no idea. Before coming here and hearing four 20something year old sister missionaries tell them. They need this and in heaven they will remember perfectly what they w

ere taught that one hot day in july when they visited utah. I looked at a little boy and girl and thought of my nieces and nephews. Than Sister Weng pasted me the microphone to testify of how the temple has blessed my family. I testified how my niece Mayley just learned how to say "I love you" not too long ago and how I know she will get to tell me that forever. Than I passed the mic back. I know this work is worth every moment. I miss my family but I will be with them forever. 100% guaranteed. So I'm more than ok with being here. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for letting me represent His Son and church.

Bye!

pic with lead actor from the film "Ephriam's Rescue"

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