Fasting

Dear Family and Friends, 

This was a roller coaster of a week. Probably as up and down as it gets and suprisingly im okay :) so many great things have happened and I'm just very satisfied with how the work is going, and how much I personally am learning.

 

Monday. The marcucci's (awesome family) invited us to help some of their friends with moving some boxes around in their home and prepare it for moving so we did. Just a little work but we got in. Thats all we need people to do. Give us tiny things or BIG things to do, so we can meet more people. And bro. marcucci did that! we did and then we said a prayer with this cute little mom and her two daughters. it was such a powerful prayer. Going into it i said a little prayer in my heart and said heavenly father, you run this show, lets touch her heart!!! ha and i prayed hard. and asked him to bless her sooo much. and she felt it! afterward I asked her straight up! if we could teach her. and i testified that we really can help her! and she said yes. but here is the crazy part, bro marcucci asked her right after "so when is a good time we can come share the message?" ha i was blown away. its so awesome! they are really a great family and he is such a good missionary, and priesthood man!

 then we went to a family home evening in the park and holy cow it was awesome. we had like 4 people we are teaching or recently baptized or are now teaching there and they got to meet a ton of people. we scheduled a dinner with the sister of a recent convert in the ward who i really admire. Bro. Svartzcopf. he and his wife recently got sealed and they have the cutest baby in the ward! haha. they are on fire right now too. so there are new investigators.

 

We're really hastening the work... and im determined to get this ward going. There are way too many good families who can do easy missionary work! so we are doing that! and this week holy cow. they have stepped it up! almost every night we are teaching a lesson in another members home! which is how it should be. Yesterday we joined the ward council and as they talked something I had been thinking about came to me and I suggested it, and I felt really good because they liked the idea. And when you are a 19 year old missionary in a room full of moms and dads and accountants and businessmen and priesthood keys it can get overwhleming. But what if these home and visiting teachers, who are teaching less active and part member families brought the missionaries when they taught!? and what if (like the prophet has asked) we have them over for dinner. And get to know them! and become friends. Then members and missionaries are coming together! hello? so Family will you please do this! mom invite your visiting teaching families over for dinner and teach a lesson!? watch a mormon message? Dad always tried to do that and I am so sad I didnt support him more. im so excited for you. you have set amazing goals and have a fresh start.

 

which leads me to my next topic. Last week the letter was titled fresh start...

 I hit a rough patch friday... i woke up sick... i had a bloody nose... my entire body hurt and i was so tired.. and even sad? it was crazy. i think i may have been dehydrated because the day before i spent outside on an exchange in gulfport which is at the bottom of the St. Petersburg peninsula.and it was hot and we walked a lot. but anyway i went back to bed after the bleeding stopped.. but the rest of the day i just felt awful. and it was weird cuz there was no forewarning...  and i felt as if the spirit was lacking. idk what it was but i was miserable... so i got to think a lot. and I got to really look at where I was in life and the mission and that night I prayed to know what to do. Well I woke up the next morning.. and got another bloody nose but was feeling a bit better physically but mentally and emotially was a little painful. so i prayed for a long time. and I decided I was going to fast. Im not sinning, its not guilt I feel. Its not an illness, I'm going to call upon the powers of heaven and ask him to help. Well i made a big breakfast and started. the entire day... I prayed. throughout the day I read the book of mormon and would pray again. I was so depressed and my body was still a little sore and it was so hard ha. we taught a lesson and I felt like I was at the beginning of my mission again. a greenie. I couldnt feel the spirit. but I kept praying and reading. Well we had about 2 hours left in the day and we were deciding what to do, and I'm so grateful for Elder Booth. Such a faithful companion he was so patient, and was like lets just go visit some families. so we did. We knocked on like three doors... nothing. Well we went back to visit this part member family, linda and andrew and they were like HEYYY!! and teased us and invited us in. not expected. so we went in and (just btw the wording of what I fasted for was to recieve a renewal, physically, emotionally, spritually) holy cow. we sat in that home and BAM.... it came. I was me again. it was as if i got to the top of the mountain and looked down and I was ready to run. And we did. We were bold! Elder Booth told them we are not just missionaries. we have a purpose. and we told them our purpose. the father is not a member and we told him we want to give him a fresh start. the things he wanted. well we showed a video and testified of what we do. And asked if he would give us a chance. and if he wanted to know the truth. not saying we have it, but saying he could find the truth. he kept bringing up questions and EVERYTIME! we had an answer! thats never happened to me! i never bash, or argue but we were bold. and he accepted. it hit me that I KNEW fasting would work. I know that prayer will always work. I know the church is true! why should we be afraid???

 

well the Lord tested that and I misplaced my Ipad... its now broken... and Im pretty worried...  it sucks... Im grateful actually cuz I need to be better with important things. I need to keep track of things like that. So he is showing me. Im grateful he wants me to be better so he pushes me. Im grateful he demands more. Cuz I KNOW it will help.

 

Well, the week went on and we got to help plan a mini mission with the youth where they will come contacting with us in DownTown St. Pete. We got to teach a lesson to the High Priest Group. We got to teach Breah Who is excited for her baptism date! and we feel GREAT! the fire is burning!

 

It's true! and we can partake!

 

I am grateful for challenges. I am grateful for miracles. I am gratetful for missionary work. I am grateful for dedicated friends and members. I am grateful for a dedicated companion. and Invite everyone to invite someone over for dinner :) and share the gospel! :)

 

Be not Afraid;Only Believe

 

Elder Nelson

Fresh Start

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been an emotional, physically, mentally draining week!?

Exciting and sad at 100 mph! Haha, missions are seriously crazy.

Tuesday - we went to transfer meeting. And just listening to them talk
about ending missions, or what we are doing in our service as
missionaries hit me hard. It made me think of Elder Peters leaving.
Being done... And it hit hard. I cried listening to Elder Casey's

testimony. We sang "Hark all ye Nations" and it all just hit so hard.
And I sat there and bawled... And Elder Peters saw and just put his arm

on mine and I just held him. That ended and we went around and took

pictures with as many as we could. Saying goodbye to the Keyes ( they

were a senior couple who I loved...) was hard! Sister Keyes gave me a
giant hug and told me " I look around at these missionaries and I
think I'm not sure if some of these will make it but when I look at
you, I say there's one who will make it." I was so humbled to be with
them. Elder Keyes even said, " here's a good missionary right here. "
and said he would miss me. I was floored.

 Saying goodbye to Elder

Casey was awesome. It all hit me again, I had forgotten how much he
had influenced me as a missionary. He changed everything. He told me
"you don't even see it, don't even know how much potential you have."
When he came on an exchange with me in Tampa when he was my zone

leader. And ah, it was just heart- wrenching and then saying goodbye to

Elder Peters. I just cried like a baby... Seriously. It hit me so
hard. And he starting laughing at something I said and then just
cried... He gave me incredible advice. Whatever you decide to do...
Just go do it, with confidence. Even if it's wrong. He told me. I

could do it. And I believe him. I had something that I forgot to give and

I saw Elder Peters again and he was laughing/crying and was like just

go already... Wow... I really. Really. Loved him. And I felt his love,
and I didn't even realize how much fun and love we had. It will be
with me forever.

 Elder Booth and I are companions now and I'm so

excited! In the strength of The Lord I can do all things.

Wednesday- we hit the ground running! Me and Elder Booth went to
district meeting and gave a new training, we have new district leaders
and new Sister Training Leaders and it's pretty much all from the
beginning and we are wasting no time. Elder Booth is so humble. It

blows my mind kinda, he just wants to work so hard and is so good at it.
It's really awesome. Exactly the companion I needed now. I've been

beyond lucky with companions.

The rest of the week we had to bike and we literally contacted a ton.
But it was perfect. We both practiced some great skills, talking with
everyone, being bold! And got caught in a rain storm and got
completely soaked.

Thursday we found some new investigators that were contacted a while
ago and within three days they became investigators and then dropped
Ha. But the cool part is we met em at the door and I just went hard.
He opened and said something to the effect of... "I'm not that
interested..." And in my head came "well that's too bad, I didn't come
out here to not give my message cuz you're not interested" so we

persisted. I swear we testified 10 times and brought up his family and

what the church and gospel could do for him. Then finally he goes, you
guys wanna come in? Uhhh duh! Haha well we came back and knocked three
times no answer... So we walked around the neighborhood and came back
and knocked again!! Ha. He answered the door saying wow you guys are
persistent! Ha you got that right. That was the first time in one year
of serving The Lord I have felt like that. I knew this was his chance.
And he said how sorry he was and blah blah he wasn't interested, but I

told him. I'm glad you came and told us straight up so now we don't

have to worry.

Friday and Saturday were really? Humbling but I look back and I'm
proud of he work we did! We are really trying hard. I see what works
and what doesn't... And we have improved our skills so much. Talking
with everyone! Teaching boldly and with authority. Companion unity.
Obedience. It's everything.

Saturday we biked over 15 miles to the church... To find out our

appointment cancelled and then walked around a lot, but we taught a

lesson with one of the boys, a youth preparing to serve.

But I wanna tell you about who we taught. Her name is Rachelle. She is
the only member at her high school. She is going to be a junior... She
is the only member of her family. And she has no license to get around
and no father support and some mother support. And yet? She "loves
being Mormon." I love going and teaching her. She is so cool. She is
granted... Very hyper and crazy'
! But I see what she is doing and it is far more than what I did. She
reads and prays and tries to be obedient. I pray we can all be more
like her.

Sunday... Ah so good. We spent some time with the members, talking with

them and it's so amazing to see them and watch them talk about who
they could invite for dinner and who they could invite to mutual and
say "Tuesday you are coming over for dinner and we will find someone

to come!" The Hansen's did that today! She said come over and someone
will be here. And we did! She invited her family and we just talked and

hung out and ate and then before we leave she says Elders you got

something to share? And we watched the "Because of Him" video with her

non member nieces and nephews and brother... I don't care who you are,

what you've done, how active, or inactive or perfect or imperfect we

are or may perceive others to be, that is what The Lord needs. More

people like her!

I really understand the atonement now. The power that it has and how
to access it. And I feel so great.

As many of you know transfers can be extremely exciting but also very
hard. Well this one was hard. Every transfer before this was exciting
but this one was much much different. For the first time I was really
satisfied with how things were going. I was happy, comfortable and I
saw how much I grew! It was amazing... And then boom... All of it
rested on my shoulders. It's all mine now. And man I feel it. Times
like these make you reflect upon how your mission has played out so
far. From the MTC to here. It feels like a long time! And yet It feels

like I just got Elder Peters and now he is gone! It blows my mind!

Every day seems long, and when you go out and find forever and you
don't meet many people you feel like you aren't productive and then

when we had a baptism!! I felt like crap, She was our only

investigator what are we gonna do now?? We need to be doing so much
more!? Ahh!?

But I've thought a lot about this and I've realized something. It has
to feel that way! We have to always feel like there is more to do,
why? Cuz then we wouldn't do it. We have to feel the urgency otherwise
we would just chill... Or be content. There must be that pressure cuz
after your two years it's gone! You finish and your calling is
completed. And I only have one year left of it. So I pray that I never
lose that feeling.

Elder Peters taught me that we work, and we try hard! We are bold with
people. We are confident, but most of all we enjoy every day! One
morning I was feeling particularly overwhelmed and I watched the video

"Because of Him" again. And the spirit overcame me. It was as if the

savior himself wrapped his arms around me. The things I've been trying
to tell people were true! He does live! Right now! And he wants to
bless them! It is all true! I watched that video and was overcome with

emotion. Especially as I likened the relationship he had with his

apostles to my relationship with Elder Peters. I wonder how painful it
was to realize hat their best friend really was gone... Or when the
apostles went to serve missions and were attacked and killed. How must
Peter have felt when he received word that James, or Paul or Andrew or
Philip were gone... These men that he loved so dearly had given their
lives in the service of God.

One simple truth gives us peace. Which is what they soon came to know!

Death has no sting, the grave no victory! The Savior lives! I feel as

they do. That I have lost a brother but I know the truth. We will all
continue to serve! We will all serve together! Wherever we are and
even after this life we can be together. I couldn't be happier.

I hope we all can keep going. Invite someone else. Do home and
visiting teaching, have dinner with another family. Study preach my
gospel have fhe. And watch as The Lord works wonders with us. I love
this work with my whole soul.

Be not afraid;only believe

Elder Stephen Nelson

Game Time

Dear Family,

I can't express to you or anyone how I feel with Elder Peters leaving.
He has become my best friend. Michael, I really hope you go to asu and
become friends with him and he stays connected to us. He has changed
my life and become more than just a friend. We not one time had to
sort out a problem or anything! We just laughed... And laughed... And
laughed... And taught and taught and had a good time! He taught me so
much about how to be a man! And how to deal with people and I'm going to
take everything he taught me and it's "game time!" This is the bulk of
my mission and I'm so ready to go. To make a difference. To work hard
and grow and make an impact. I'm so ready. I'm going to miss elder
peters. So much. And I will keep in touch with him. It's difficult when I
think... That we won't ever be this close again. We talked about
everything... Always! We loved to talk and loved to listen! I know how
I will do so many things because of him! I won't wake up to him every
morning like I have been hahaha but it's sad!!!

Elders Nelson and Peters

But I will cherish this time. It's time to work! And he is getting
right to work too! Highlights of this week were with Breah! Our 16
year old most progressing investigator. She is very promising and Elder
Peters and I have really become good teachers together. She had a
baptism date for July! And is very involved in the ward! It's just
a matter of time before she is baptized. On Tuesday we taught the law
of chastity and the word of wisdom which she is very ready to follow
but when we asked her if she had prayed and received an answer she
responded... " I think I did... It feels like when a friend has been
telling you over and over again to do something and then you finally
decide to do it and you knew it was the right thing to do and has been
right in front if you the whole time..." And I asked her if she
believed these things and she said yes. So I asked her... Well... What
are you gonna do about it!? And she said... Well??? I guess get
baptized! It was so cool!

Friends in Palm Harbor

At district meeting our training was about following up! And that's
what we trained about. Progression comes through follow up! We invite
and follow up and get them to speak! And to act! And get ourselves to
speak! And to act! That is where progression comes from! So I'm taking
that on! I'm making a commitment, to work hard. To plan hard. To find
hard. To teach hard! To obey hard! A commitment that I hope you follow
up with me. Cuz I wanna grow!

Friends from the Ward

Cathy is doing great and being fellowshipped into the ward wonderfully!
And we have a new investigator to teach. Cody! He is a friend to
Taylor Cole the baseball player in the pictures. He is such a good
example to us! Married in the temple RM, and doing missionary work. He
invited his friend to come to church and learn from us. Well, we went
to Taylor's baseball game, first of all I love baseball so that was
awesome. Ha. We talked to Cody for a while and he expressed to us his
desires. How he wants more from life, he doesn't want other people to
decide his purpose! He wants to decide!! So we invited him, we told
him this is the next step. He said to us that the next big thing for
him that is his mission is religion and if he ever was to join a church
it would be the Mormon church, because all his buddies in high school
invited him to stuff! And he loved them! So let that be an example!!!
Invite invite invite! And follow up like Taylor ( the pitcher) did!
Invited again!

Friends from the Ward

I'm so excited to take over, and use the atonement, and help the work
hasten. I've sat back and learned so much and these people are
incredible. I can't wait to help them use that for the better! I'll be
receiving my new companion so, Pray that we will be great
together! This is the biggest part of my mission and I'm going to make
it the best! I'm so excited for a fresh start and I hope you are too.
Elder peters told me, and had always told me. Start of fresh! Whenever
you can! You can wake up in he morning and be better! The past doesn't
define you! If you wanna be organized now even though you haven't ever
been organized like me? Do it! Why?? Because you can! We all can! What
was the atonement for? So I'm doing it. Cuz I can! And so should you,
I testify of the reality and power of the atonement. We have all made
the covenant. The blessings are ours. Invite someone today. I know
it's true. Wake up and do something more!

There is much to do! How lucky are we!?

Be not afraid; only believe

Elder Stephen Nelson

The Desire of our Hearts

So probably a lotta stuff happened this week... But this is all I can remember! Enjoy! 

Baptism of Cathy Wilson

Cathy's baptism was truly amazing. Every part of it was absolutely incredible. To see how the gospel can truly change someone's life. She desires the change and she knew it would. She decided to give up her old life and change. She is so stalwart. I'm so impressed. She was there early as she always is. She hates being late to anything which a great habit. She changed into her white clothes and was just so pure! She looked so happy and ready. And as the baptism started it hit me. The presence of the Holy Ghost was undeniable. Bro. Hausman presided and Bro. Smith joined and Bro. Clawson conducted. Three powerful righteous and incredible men. The tears were not flowin but it was hard to keep them back. I could just feel it. So powerful. And so peaceful.

 Cynthia came early to the baptism and REHEARSED HER TALK! she is a recent convert of about a year. She actually just had her interview to receive her endowments. She had prepared so much and was practicing her talk and when she gave it, it was incredible. She quoted from Robert D. Hales and President Monson, read from the Book of Mormon, and testified of the restoration of the priesthood. I was in awe. Then the baptism. I went back into the bathroom and as Elder Peters and I we were walking in Cathy and Sis. Wargo ( her amazing friend from the ward!) came around the corner and Cathy was crying and Sis. Wargo just hugged her and Cathy was saying how happy she was! So I began to feel how powerful this moment was. So I went in and watched the baptism from the side of the font and it was so beautiful. It was picture perfect. There was a light coming down from outside right into he font and only shined on Cathy, seriously it was so cool. She came up out of the water and took like a gasp and clapped her hands... And what to my mind was Mosiah 18...

  10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of The Lord...

11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

I couldn't hold back the tears... And as the doors closed, I heard Elder Peters pull the plug and I was waiting for him to come up so I could give him his towel and stuff but he didn't... Then I heard him just sobbing... Standing there in the water... He didn't want to get out. And it hit me too. That was probably the last time he would baptize someone as a missionary. I felt what he was feeling the bittersweet feelings of incomprehensible joy for a daughter of God experiencing the atonement and its power and essential the love of God for the very First time in her life making a covenant that we feel so strongly she will honor and keep and the pain of realizing that his role and calling to do this work was coming to a close. So he came up the stairs and hugged me. And we just cried together. 

The baptism continued and Sis Wargo the amazing former young women's president. Gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. She expressed to Cathy how the Holy Ghost guides us and that's how Heavenly Father shows his love by sending us the spirit to guide us.  As she told her how Heavenly Father had led her to her new friends who love her so much she felt it and sis Wargo just gave her the biggest hug right there. She also got her a set of her very own scriptures with her name inscribed on them. Then the confirmation which I performed. The spirit led it beautifully promising her blessings of faith and courage to stand up for truth and being a witness of God I felt the presence of the divine whispering to me the things she should hear. Powerful. The relief society welcome and welcome to the ward were so heartfelt and more sincere than normal and I was so amazed at these people. 

I'm certain, that we are begotten sons and daughter unto God. I am certain that a child was born to Mary and became Jesus the Christ. I'm certain that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God and those keys were restored. I am certain that the work we are engaged in is the salvation of souls for eternal life. I am certain and I love every minute of it. I testify of the divinity and mission of Jesus Christ, he lives! And because he lives we must press forward, and invite. I love following my redeemer.

Be not afraid; only believe

Elder Stephen Nelson 

The Cost of Discipleship

Dear Family,

Elder Nelson with the chocolate peanut butter bears I sent him.

I am certain that they were totally melted inside!

Monday - we taught Cathy and she committed to her baptism a little
more solid. She is ready to change her life it's incredible!! we went

to the Kemples and Elder Peter's trainer was there!! It was cool to see

them reminisce about when they served here!! It was so weird to hear
them talk about their work from two whole years ago!

Tuesday - we had a great day, we taught Sigrid the German recent

convert, she won't be ready for the temple it's sad to see her 

 missing out on blessings but she is not giving up,so we'll see.
 And we are teaching a young girl
named Breah and she is interested and her mom is coming back to church

and it's so good to see them each week! They like us and she feeds us
like crazy! She sends us home with tons of cookies and meals every
time!! I was losing weight for a while! But not lately :/ hahaha

Wednesday we had district meeting in Gulf Port! It was good... I was
feeling very good about it and this transfer we are trying to help
everyone become masters of following up... And when we did we saw that

the whole district had done their commitments which were to invite all

of their progressing and other investigators to baptism! And they did!

We have 14 dates set now!! In the zone and for this month, seven!

It's so cool! But unfortunately a lot of missionaries especially young
ones... Are excited and need to learn how to make sure they are
showing their faith and being converted... But I didn't know that when

I first started so it's just cool to help and teach other missionaries...
And I mostly learned that from Elder Peters. Oh, Wednesday night

Cynthia another recent convert and Sigrid fed us dinner!! An authentic
German meal with these good noodles and pork roast and cole slaw it

was soooo good... Ask Brittani what the noodles are called there,
they're like and egg noodle with tons of butter... Shpoitzle? Or

shwazlte? I can't remember!!

Thursday! I went on an exchange with Elder Gentry! He is from North

Carolina and he's is from where the Andy Griffith show is based off of??

Isn't that cool! He is the most humble kid ever! And he just got his

visa to Brazil! He'll be going at the end of the transfer! But we taught

some good lessons there and then at 5 a young man in the ward came out
with us! We taught a couple more lessons but we had some empty time

and I told him! You're all good man you don't need to stay and he refused

to leave! He wanted to come and so we went contacting people!! It was
cool! We got flipped off and cussed at like crazy and Tyler was just
loving it haha. He stayed with us until 9! And I asked him if he
wanted to go contact this random dude at a gas station and he totally
did!! And we ended up talking to him for like 10 minutes and he was

Muslim and gave us all free gatorades!! Haha cuz he owned a 7/11. But

it was such a cool experience! :)

Friday - we taught Cathy again...holy happiness. she is so prepared...
So two days earlier she texts us this " hey guys, so I read the plan

of salvation pamphlet and it's true," so we FREEEAAKEd out and

then the next day she tells us she wants to move her baptism date
up!!!! And we were like well we are gonna kinda have to cram the
lessons in? And she was like that's okay!  and were so excited to go
over there! But we were worried how she would take the law of chastity
and word of wisdom? She was so down... Just to explain how well she
took em? In her closing prayer she said " please help me to follow
these commandments. I know that they are true..." Can you believe
that??? So yea she is getting baptized this Saturday!? So exciting!
And to think we found her through a media referral!

Saturday we taught Breah and her mom again and got a ton of food haha
that day was hard... We didn't have much and it was scorching hot but
we had a good time! Lots of finding! But we were so excited to call
home!

Notice the date 5/8/2014 and 100 degrees already!

Sunday - was terrible! All the talks were about moms and we went over
to the Welchs ( you should friend them on Facebook too! ) and gave
them a lesson with Breah and her mom and then the Marcuccis ( also...
Should friend them haha ) and they invited their friends the lessons we
gave? Mother's Day... So yea not happy!! Then of course the Hansens
for our calls... And wow. The call helped me so much! It really calmed
me! I realized that wow the mission? Is not real life! You feel like

you have to be perfect??!! And if you're not your salvation is at

stake! That's how I've been feeling but feeling your love and hearing
Michael and Megan talk about their missions really helped so much!
There is so much pressure with hastening he work I feel like I have to
make huge things happen... But really?' It's a mission!! Just like
their missions. It was especially nice to hear Michael talk about
president Scruggs... Knowing that he was just as hard! And hastening
the work there! I realized that hastening the work isn't changing
everything... The way we do missionary work is different... But the
difference is? That everyone needs to be on board doing all that we
need to do! That's the change it's time do to what we've been asked so
that was very nice to feel!!

I am excited to be a missionary. I really am. This week one morning I
listened to the talk by Elder Holland called the Cost of Discipleship,
how we need to embrace the lords sacrifice by giving up our lives to
Him now I won't ever be able to do that completely but I'm going to
try!! And a full time mission is the best chance! Not going to get
closer than that! Bro Clawson ( they are an incredible family, truly)
shared w us a story about his mission and as he was saying it tears
were coming and he was expressing how much he loved his mission. And I
want you and everyone to know that I love my mission. This state is

gorgeous the people are hilarious, very...

but the ones we are meeting and working with
The Lord is helping me love them as he does. I Love it so much. I see the

saviors ministry and life so much different now. His work still goes

on, his ministry is alive in him and through us. I am brought to my knees

as I try to explain to The Lord how much I want to do but I'm just so

weak. So I try. I pray, I serve I obey. And he does the rest. Every
time. I am not afraid of what is to come. I'm not afraid of what has

happened. This gospel is really all that matters. I invite all who
read this, to pray a little harder for missionary experiences. To fast
a little more sincerely. To serve a little more diligently. And to
obey w a little more exactness. Because I will be w you doing that. We
have so much to give. I pray we can all see the Saviors sacrifice and
embrace the cost of discipleship. It is my testimony that we are going
to be successful in this work. He lives.

Be not afraid;only believe

Elder Stephen Nelson

Time to have more faith

Hello:)

I am excited to tell you what has happened. And I hope that as you
read this the things that have happened will inspire you to join in!
And build your faith! This week I was reminded how much faith I didn't
have, and as soon as I recognized that. I began to build it. And wow.
In the bible dictionary faith is described

- Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can
command the elements, heal the sick, and influence any number of
circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more
important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can
stand in the presence of God. (Faith) -

Faith gives us power! And it is a literal power! Just like a
generator! If the power source is low the outcome will be low. That
power that literally generates Gods miracles and blessings is our
faith! I was frustrated with myself... Once again. Because I had
desires and goals but my actions and motivation was weak! And I saw
myself give in to the natural man... Just a bunch of little things...
And I was praying and praying and studying to know how to rekindle and
restart repent and have my actions match my desires. And it was
answered on Friday! We had a mission leadership conference in

Bradenton! On Coquina beach! It was pourin' rain so we switched to a

church building but the beach was beautiful!! It rained a ton this
week!!

But at that MLC, I received answers and the main one was faith.
President Cusick, in response to me sharing why I was discouraged at
other peoples success at times in my mission when we were struggling,
told me "Elder Nelson you need more faith!" And that hit me. The rest
of the MLC was then filtered with a eye single to the glory of God. He
told us zone leaders and sister training leaders... We have some lofty
goals!! Our expectation for baptisms is 8 in our zone and that's not
even what they really wanna see! They want 12! So he took us to the
brother of Jared in Ether and explained... How The Lord had an
expectation and said he would lead and guide but the bro of Jared had
to find the stones... So he said... Elders and sis... Time to find
some faith. Time to forge some stones. And told us to figure it out. I
was pumped... I feel very confident in The Lord and in our zone! I
want to hasten so deeply and feel that I could learn how to have that
faith. I want that faith!

Monday we had a zone development day... Basically a zone p day! The
Sister Training Leaders and Elder Peters and I trained at the
beginning which was cool... It was really chill. We did more of a
setting of expectations and goals and one set of STLS talked about
studies and the other talked about comp unity and for theirs they had
a few companionships stand behind a table, link arms sit down crawl
under the table... And stand up on the other side... Still linked.
Needless to say Pete and I were first... But then we went and ate food
at this park and the new missionaries and the ones leaving soon bore

testimonies it was good. It was nice just to hang out. President

Cusick has really changed the rules we can't leave our area for
anything so it was good. Good to see a lot of the Elders I love! Me
and Callister got to talk a lot it was good.

Tuesday I was on an exchange with Elder Ware, he is Elder Callisters
companion. He was awesome. A really good kid. He has had a hard life
and a great conversion. I love being able to meet different people! We
set a baptismal date with Cathy!!! She is getting baptized on May
24th! We saw her this morning and she is locked in!!

Wednesday and Thursday were hard... A lot of finding and nothing
coming of it... But we sat down and evaluated what we were doing and

holy cow... I see how importance of planning now! It paid off! It was
our planning and goal setting once we changed that it was so much

better! Friday was when we went MLC and President threw down... I wish
I could explain what he was really like... He is so intense... But I

know he is here to teach me! I want to be like him. So efficient and

diligent! Saturday we taught 5 lessons have a part member family a
mother and daughter the daughter wants to get baptized and is 16!! And
we have two other investigators that came outta no where! And the
recent converts in the ward are getting excited about missionary work!
The work is being hastened! And Sunday! A family in the ward invited
their friends to come over and eat and meet us! And we did! We showed

them" Because of him" video and they were crying!! This family was so
awesome! Then we went and left a prayer with a deaf family in the ward!
That was such a cool experience! I was just so hyped with how Heavenly

Father answered my prayers. The family ( the Clawsons) who invited

their friends over... Is so awesome. They feel and act upon the spirit
of missionary work! 7 daughters! And the dad is a ward missionary and
assistant ward mission leader... They have one daughter on a mission
and another has her call and I am just impressed... First of all to
live here and basically stand alone in Babylon! And to be that
engaged! I am humbled, I believe in this work. I love it. My faith is
growing. I know the savior lives. I hope we can find a way to become
more like him. By keeping his commandments. There are miracles to be
made!

Be not afraid; only believe



Elder Stephen Nelson

#becauseofhim

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been great! It truly has been awesome every week I feel
myself becoming more and more attached to this place and I see how I
have less and less time here. Being with Elder Peters, who got his
flight itinerary(to go back home) Wednesday, doesn't help either! Haha but I love my
time in Florida.

We had a great lesson Monday night with Cathy Wilson, our new most
promising investigator.  She loved the restoration but more
importantly than that, we brought a recent convert with us! Cynthia
Neumyer. She is a BEAST! Just this cute old lady late 60s who was
baptized about a year ago, and she testifies like a Mormon veteran.
They loved her! They were talking and talking and talking. And our
lesson went great. Cathy's sister is in town and she reminds me so
much of Sandy Mariano! Calls everyone dude and is so cool haha. But
she helped a ton in the lesson too! We are excited for her.

Wednesday we had an awesome district meeting! We now have 3 districts
we go see each Wednesday. And fun fact elder Callister is the district
leader for one of them! And he is training a new missionary! He is way
cool! I'm so happy for him! We are focussing on Easter and the church
has put a video out! It. Is. Amazing. It changed my whole perspective
of the resurrection. Every person in the world needs to see this
videos here is the link.
http://www.mormon.org/becauseofhim

We also brought one of the trainees up with us, Elder Belding. He is
from New Mexico and is one of those missionaries you knew will need a
lot of help learning the work. He has an incredible trainer but wow I
was not expecting the growth that has happen. I was so humbled... The
last couple days I have been so humbled. These fresh missionaries
carry the spirit around so strongly. They are so excited and they give
me a boost. They really do. I love being able to meet so many of them.
In my studies I read a few scriptures about humility too that really
helped. I did a lot of praying and studying and I feel so much closer
to him. It's amazing how EVERY DAY! We need to change, every day we
need a boost, or a fill, more daily bread. If we do not feast in the
spiritual things of the world we will become comfortable, And then
there is no growth. I know it's true!

Alma 42:30  Oh my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more.
Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your
sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of
God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your
heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility?

This helped me so much. We went out with one of the high priests this
week.... Oh my.,, we were really trying not to because... Well I'll
explain it with his own quote " I wish they would invent something
about this size that you could carry it everywhere and you could push
a button and it could do anything for you!..." Elder peters whispers
behind me... "You mean an iPhone??" Then his gps at full blast screams
to turn left and he turns right... Which takes us around in a
circle... Rerouting us... And he's like... "Where in the heck are we
going??? "

But what I learned was. He wanted to help he wanted to feel the
spirit, he wants and has a desire to serve. And he said a prayer
before we began that just changed my perspective again. I get into
such a routine. To where it is my job! Instead of a divine calling, I
am so glad I could recognize that.

We are still working on doing a prayer in every members home and that
is going well. And Brandon is working on getting the priesthood! And
wow. They are all in. Going to the temple in a year and I could not be
more excited! :)

Oh! Something else came to mind too!! I think Thursday night? Maybe
Friday... We went and left a prayer in a great families home... Well
there are a ton of little ponds and creeks and these everywhere in
Florida but especially in this area. And it was fairly warm outside.
As we were turning the corner I spotted something that looked like a
rock or wood floating in the water... I told Peters to stop ( i was
hoping!!) and he did... We walked over there and it was a gator!! I
almost freaked... I was trying to pull out my iPad to take a pic or
something and we got too close and Boom!! Big ol' splash and it took
off into the water... Luckily not at us but it was really scary. Major
adrenaline rush. It was probably 3 or 4 feet long... The head itself
was probably a foot long... Ha!! Crazy huh!!

And Friday night, I had the great opportunity to interview a man for
baptism. It was the most humbling experience. He expressed his desire
to God... Wanting to know what his next step in life is... And God told
him just keep doing what you are doing. So he did, his name is Gregg
btw. He prayed and read the bible every day... Trying to raise his two
daughters, and one day he drove by the church and felt his prayer
answered. God told him, this is the church you need to go to. So he
walked in... Loved it. Went home read the Book of Mormon and called
the missionaries. He was in Ether when they found him. Can you believe
it? I was just... Beside myself talking to this man?! And I was
interviewing him?? Ya it was amazing. It's an understatement to say he
passed the interview. And his baptism on Saturday was beautiful.
During the actual ordinance... He walked right in the font waited for
the elder he knew exactly where to stand, put out his hands... And you
could have heard a pin drop... I was overcome with the spirit. He went
down and up... The biggest smile on his face. Hugged Elder Gentry and
walked away... You could have heard angels singing. What a tender
mercy it was to see that.

All week I have been earnestly praying to feel the spirit. Wanting to
receive the witness that he is there and guiding me especially in this
work. Often I find myself just viewing this as a job instead of a
sacred calling. Once again he answered me. Through the baptism and
Sunday.

Sunday we had some musical numbers and talks on the atonement and
resurrection especially. I could not help but feel the spirit... Tears
couldn't be held back as I listened to "He is risen"  and "I believe in
Christ"... And heard the sacrament prayer... And the women sang some
sort of song about how we have second chances... And can change and

move on because of the atonement,.. It hit me very hard. As I took the
bread and water Sunday especially... I was. Full. I knew it was real.
And I felt the Savior. I testify that he lives.

I love these experiences. I love teaching the gospel. I love these
missionaries. Everyone I meet, and talk to, and learn their story?
Then I see how hard they work. I send a prayer of forgiveness for my
ungrateful heart. I have been blessed with an endless supply of
unconditional love and support. Thank you! And most of all, to my
Savior. Holy cow I know him so differently now. He is there. And he
loved us so much. He gave us a gift. The gift to live again. I surely
will do all I can to honor that gift. And I hope to carry the spirit
to others and inspire them to honor that same gift. I testify of the
resurrection and love of Jesus. He is the Christ. I know it.

We have things to do! I received an email this past week about how
someone realized what was most important in her life, she had
something bad... And changed it to good... And then something good...
And changed it to something great. That is what we all need to do. The
savior gave us these lives. We are going to fill them with things no
matter what. There will be a load.  I invite all of us to sift through
our load. And dump all the things that are anything but the best. We
are eternal beings. Why should we trifle with temporary things? You
were meant for first place. Don't be satisfied with second! :)

Be not afraid;only believe

Elder Stephen Nelson