We welcome all to follow along as Elder Nelson shares with us his experiences as a full time missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These are truly they best 2 years FOR his life!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Don't Limit God's Power!


Dear Family and Friends,

"Although they are difficult and frustrating sometimes, they truly
enable us to do so much more- which sounds funny because why would a
weakness ever help you do more? But I'm learning that as we recognize
our weaknesses and call on Him in His strength, we actually rely on
Him not on ourselves and our own talents or abilities. Thus we open
this channel of power that gives us access to an infinite amount of
strength and capability that I would have never been able to tap into
without my weakness in the first place. Our weaknesses can truly be
made strengths. "

This is a quote from a missionary is the Philippines! So that right
there is humbling. This week was great but I hit a wall. It was as if
I hadn't slept or ate my whole mission haha but it hit hard and at the
same time we had a couple empty days. Everything fell through... And
the majority of our work is with members, so if we aren't really
connected with them then we have like nothing to do... So it was
pretty hard. And a couple days I was just complaining... And a couple
times tried to kneel down and ask him what to do but it wasn't sincere
enough I was more just going through it... More of a prayer of hope
not quite faith yet! So... Saturday came and i really just wanted a
fresh start. But just as the world tries to convince you no! You can't
change. You're exactly the same. You can never become better. You
haven't been able to stick to a diet or workout or study schedule so
why try now! Well that is what the atonement does for us! It makes it
possible, for all of us to truly be born again! To start over.

And I pleaded with The Lord, started my fast for Sunday and went to
bed. The next morning... Probably the most miracle filled Sunday...
Ever. Elder Booth and I went north about 30 minutes to do a baptismal
interview for a lady who got baptized! And it went perfect! The zone
is doing incredible! The missionaries are so faithful! President
Cusick joined us for ward council and it was so awesome. Ward council
is basically all about the people we are teaching it blows my mind how
dedicated these members are! All they are doing is missionary work.

And yet we ask more of them!
Well, then sacrament meeting Cathy came! And she had been struggling
this week wanting Heavenly Father to answer her prayer. A great man in
the ward walks up and bears the most beautiful testimony, testifying
that Heavenly Father is there, and he does care about all of our
heartaches. And it hit her so hard, I promised her that if she brought
her question to church it would be answered. And it was. And always
will be!

Then president Cusick spoke!  He threw down, Palm Harbor is like the
best ward and he told them all the easy way to do missionary work. He
basically said if you wanna do missionary work then let's do it! And
if not well we can find some easy things for you to do. He said all of
you can come to the missionaries and at least pray for those they are
teaching. BOOM! He ended and we were swarmed by members with ideas and
with people saying you are coming to swim meets with us and band
concerts and BBQs and lessons and were having a night with all he
youth at the church! And they're all bringing a friend! The palm
harbor youth even asked the Clearwater wards missionaries who they
were teaching so they could pray for them' it was unbelievable!

Well, it doesn't stop there. We went over to the high priest groups
leaders home. He told us to come over for lunch, and that is mother in
law was thinking about converting. She had come to church twice with
us and we thought she was a member! Well, she said she wanted to get
baptized but didn't think she was ready. I told her if she can answer
5 questions. She was ready... She was taking lessons in Oaxaca Mexico!
And studied the church forever! She had a testimony of Joseph smith! I
told her Maria.... You are ready! Her granddaughter is going to the the U
on Friday and she said she wanted to have everyone there for her
baptism. So, she's getting baptized on Thursday night :)


WE WERE FREAKING OUT! We literally did nothing!?!? I have no idea why
that happened. But it was amazing. And we went over and taught the
super super happy girl Ciera. She is slow to progress but wants to get
baptized, Tyler Kimball in our ward is a beast missionary. All he
wants to do is come out with the missionaries!

And Jake Hansen! The one who me and Peters got close with he has been
wanting to as well so, this week he'll get to. It's gonna be awesome.

I'm floored by these faithful members!

Tuesday we spent the day at Quoquina beach in Bradenton Florida... It
was so fun. We recieved great training, and made some great goals for
the next month. Last month our mission reached the highest number of
baptisms in a month. Ever, 66. We exceeded our goal by 3 and our new
goal is 84! When we reach this it will double our total from may.
 In zones baptized 19 people in one month, and our zone has 27 dates set
and 24 dates set for July. These missionaries are blowing me away...

As I look back at all of this... And I think about what I was
"struggling" with earlier in the week. I realize if we but humble
ourselves and for those of you who are studying preach my gospel
know...

Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give
the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for
His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine
help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual
strength. When you humbly trust Him and acknowledge His power and
mercy, you can have the assurance that His commandments are for your
good. You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of
you if you rely on Him. You are also willing to trust His chosen
servants and follow their counsel. Humility will help you as you
strive to be obedient, to work hard, and serve selflessly. (6: How Do
I Develop Christlike Attributes?)

If I humble myself I can be confident that it is for my good. For all
of us who are serving full time missions and for those of you who are
struggling with trial or sin, who may feel overwhelmed by your own
mistakes, or feelings of inadequacy, or those who are tryin but want
to do more!! I offer this scripture

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of
murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast
into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce
winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the
elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws
of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son,
that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy
good. (D&C 122:7)

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than
he? (D&C 122:8)

It was never easy for him, why should it be any different for us.

I know that if we humble ourselves before The Lord we will begin to
realize what the sister, I quoted at the beginning, was talking about.
We need trials in order to grow. We tsp into deeper strength when we
are given them. I know that humility will bring all of us answers to
our prayers.

I know that if we humble ourselves before The Lord we will begin to
realize what the sister, I quoted at the beginning, was talking about.
We need trials in order to grow. We tap into deeper strength when we
are given them. I know that humility will bring all of us answers to
our prayers.
Quoquina Beach



Elder Nelson with President Cusick
Elder Nelson and Elder Booth



We need trials in order to grow. We tap into deeper strength when we
are given them. I know that humility will bring all of us answers to
our prayers.

I love missionary work. This is the most important work. Ever. I pray
that today you set a goal and make a plan to invite someone to do
something, please let me know what you decide to do.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Be not afraid;only believe

Elder Stephen Nelson

1 comment:

  1. He is such an amazing missionary and I love how he expresses himself. He really gets this mission experience! :)

    ReplyDelete