Transfer time!

On Monday this is the email I received from Elder Nelson.  So, it's Thursday!  I am waiting to see a picture of him with his new companion via the Tampa Florida Mission Facebook page!  


Mom,

SO! I will try to give as much info as I can, but I only have a little bit of time before the exiting missionaries get out of their meeting and we drive them over to the mission home for dinner. 

Sadly, it will be the last time I will be doing it! 

I'm being transferred!! pretty wild! But I feel good about it. Being an Assistant to the President was such a unique experience! I can't believe the Lord allowed me to be here at all. Not many get to, and he gave me an opportunity. I can't explain how grateful I am.

 I feel a renewed sense of urgency. I am excited to jump back into a full proslyting area. Unfortunately as an AP you don't get to do as much. You are not a traditional missionary. I am excited to go back. To be the same as others, to lift encourage and inspire and bless others. and teach. Being a missionary is truly about the souls. God's work and Glory is the people. Not the stats, and I feel I will be able to focus more on that now. 

( no one else in the mission knows this yet so don't go posting it everywhere until Thursday) 

i will be going to Sarasota Zone, I will be serving as a Zone Leader there with Elder Spach, another one of my good friends here. Sarasota is a bout an hour and a half south of tampa. I will be in a YSA ward! 

Im sorry I got to go! love you!

New Address:  4081 Taggart Way N #201  Sarasota, FL 34233

Here are a couple of pictures I received this week too!

Not sure who sent him a package, but I have a hunch:)

Jia and Jackie made Elder Nelson the Christmas cookies that 

I make every year at Christmas.  Jackie messaged me and asked for 

a special cookie recipe for him.  So cool!

Dominique is numbered among the Church of God

Dear Family and Friends:


This was a fantastic week! There were so many miracles! I wish I could
explain them all but I will name three. Overall member missionary work
is the best way to do it! I promise! But it must come from the
members!!

Dominque: she was baptized on Saturday! The Tampa First Ward is the
best, led under the direction of Bishop Addison. Things just run so
well! He is such a good bishop because he goes exactly by book. He
treats the missionaries like kings! He told us, it's not that
difficult, you guys are called to teach, we do the rest. I'm blown
away, I've never learned so much from someone's example. Sis. Ball
hosted Dominique for a lesson this week and we found out they had
their first child at the same age, and she is the same age as Sis.
Balls daughter. And she joined the church as a single mom. So sister
balls testimony of how the church blessed her life was very applicable
to her.

Dominique has two little girls she is raising. She has a solid testimony of
what is truth.
I think she will grow a lot. But she was ready. She has shown real
faith! Bishop said the Ward is going to love and fellowship her as
hard as they can! It was a miracle. I had the great opportunity to
confirm her. I felt the intensity of Heavenly Father counsel to her to
keep the commandments and stay strong! It was awesome.


During testimony meeting at the  Tampa 1 building I was overcome. The
spirit was so strong, all these people got up and testified that they
know God lives. I felt it burn in my heart that it is true! I loved
it, I had tears in my eyes the whole time, because of the burning
truth I felt. No one has seen him or heard him, and yet we
know. It is truth. I was so grateful for that. Never underestimate the
power of a simple testimony. Declaring what you know to be true. Elder
Holland teaches us, that in a fast and testimony meeting, we are not
to give a travel log of what we've been doing, or vent over the
pulpit, we are to state what we know to be true. And maybe how we know
it.

Chelsea Spampianato, is our new friend! Jacqui Shelton, "Member
Missionary MVP" has introduced us to so many people! And Chelsea is a
new one. She came to church in Palm harbor and I met her there and
invited her to learn more about the restored gospel. She agreed. We
taught and explained to her what we did, and she agreed to learn. She
shared with us that her mother past away. And we were able to testify
of the plan of salvation to her. About the truths restored through
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She lit up when we talked about
seeing her mom again. I could feel the spirit so strong. By the end of
the lesson she could recognize the Holy Ghost it was awesome. She said
it was very exciting finding out truth. She really wanted to know it.
She wanted a Book of Mormon too! It was amazing. She agreed to take
the lessons and to find out, and be baptized. For some reason I want
her to find out so bad. I have a sincere love for her. I can't wait.
Jacqui bore a profound testimony about being with families forever. We
all felt something beyond our own power. We invited her to read the
restoration pamphlet and she accepted.

We left the Restoration Pamphlet with her and she committed to read
it. On our way over we were thinking what if she didn't read it? We
were still going to teach her? Or show her how important the
commitments were by asking to reschedule until she had read the
pamphlet? Well... We asked her if she had read it, and she said yes. I
can't even tell you the joy. The joy, that filled my heart!! Because
that meant she wanted to learn! She wants the truth! Well, she
committed to continue. She said it would be difficult to go back to
Zimbabwe because her family is split 7th day Adventist and Roman
Catholic, but she said she could do it. She said she is tough. I have
so much faith in her. She can do it!!! I have such a sincere love for
her. I pray she can experience joy in this life from being a part of
Zion!

She leaves on Wednesday but wants to be baptized in February. Can you
believe that? It's a miracle!!!

And to top it off. We taught 5 people from China! It was fun to see
their personalities and different levels of desire to know and learn.
They just walked in off the street one day. Yao Ming, Zhang, Shang,
Liu,  Wang. I felt the spirit so strong. Jia felt it especially when
they prayed. Jia taught most of the lesson in Chinese. I want them to
learn so badly.

There were many other highlights like we went to a USF basketball game
with Jia, her first basketball game, and we met another referral there
and set up a time to teach her, we had an incredible planning session
with two sisters who extended their mission to tour the mission and
teach everyone how to weekly plan. I developed a deeper relationship
with the Lord! Instead of us deciding what they need, the Lord tells
us.

And last but not least, we can listen to Christmas music! We have the
Beach Christmas zone conference the next two days so I'm just very
excited! That's just a little bit of what's been happening.

I have come home every day and just sat back and put my hands up and
ask how can I be so blessed? In my prayers in the morning, I can't
help but thank him in detail. I am so lucky, so lucky! Often times I
am overwhelmed with all that I've been given. He is such a loving
Father.

I love My father in heaven. I really do know he lives. I know him. Personally.

Be not afraid only believe.

Elder Nelson

I love this face!!!

God's Work and Glory

Dear Family and Friends:

This week was another blur. The week just blew by, and it's already
December???? Are you kidding me! It could not be flying by faster.

So one of the coolest parts of serving in a YSA Ward is we get to see all
the fresh returned missionaries from all around. Honestly it's so
humbling. Some have cars and plans, some have nothing! But they all
have a fire that's contagious. They love missionary work, they know
how important it is and they want to help so bad. It's amazing. They
love preach my gospel and apply it every day. With planning and goal
setting. I pray I can do all of that.

So we are really pushing centering missionary work in the ward. That
is what the prophets have wanted. In a perfect world the members would
find and invite and we would teach right? So that's what we are aiming for.
So we meet with members, and discuss their missionary work and come up
with a plan of how to improve it, we take names of their friends and
we come up with a plan of action of what we can do to bring them one
step closer to baptism and learning the restored gospel. We've
received more referrals than I can count. And it all comes from
sitting knee to knee and asking them if they really want to do this.
And also they realize it's their own work! And then we just follow up
and teach them when they are ready, at the same time of course we try
to invite everyone along the way!

This is our Member missionary work!

Speaking of we are baptizing Dominique on Saturday! She is preparing
for that day. We taught her the word of wisdom and she was a little
troubled at tea and coffee of course but she hasn't drank is since!
And it is because she told us she knows it's truly a commandment! What
a testimony! She is keeping all the commandments. She is super cool,
and we found her as Elder Hawkes was buying some shoes at champs!
How crazy is that!?

So this week was a a little different. We switched thanksgiving to P
day, and scheduled district meeting on that day So we got to hang out
with some other missionaries and just kinda enjoy the day. It is was
the best thanksgiving of my life. The freestones are honestly some of
my best friends. They insisted we come all day! And MOM THANK YOU FOR
SUGGESTING THAT PIE! I felt so connected to home! 3 other elders came
too, and we all just Hun out with the freestones. We played
scattegories and played football outside. It was one of the best days
but also the best thanksgiving.

The Freestones family with the Elders on Thanksgiving!

The highlight of my week though, was visiting palm harbor ward on
Sunday. Jacqui and Jia live over there so they went to that ward and
Jacqui brought another friend to church. So we went to meet her. Holy
Cow, i have never felt more love. I was swarmed by people I loved! The
young men and parents, and people I served with. It was amazing. Most
incredible was that the people I baptized, were still going strong! There is
a group of 4 ( sometimes 5 ) converts who stick together and just love
to share and live the gospel! They are so powerful. It hit me like a
ton of bricks how the work was hastening there. One of the recent
converts I taught there went to the temple and received her endowment.
One of Elder Peters' converts who went less active is returning! One of
the less actives I was working wih came and brought his kids!! Plus we
scheduled an appointment with a great new friend of Jacqui! I was so,
beside myself with joy. It was the best day and week. I've begun to
realize what this work is all about, Gods work and Glory, missionary
work is not a system, or a program. It's his children. It's the
people. I have made lifelong acquaintances and friends, who i helped
but most importantly they strengthen me. I never want to stop or quit
because I know they love me. This is he essence of the gospel.

Palm Harbor Ward Friends!

I love Gods tender Mercy. So let's get to work! Not for quotas, but
for children, and friends and families, I know these people all love
God, even if they have forgotten. We all miss our father. Let us help
one other return back to His arms. I know He lives.

This is Elder Healy from Provo.  He is the second counselor in the Mission Presidency.

Such a good man!

Be Not Afriad;Only Believe

-------------------------
Elder Stephen Nelson

"Lucky to be a Missionary"!

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was a blur. It really felt like just one long and very fast day.
To be honest since I've been in the office it all feels like a blur. I
feel like I've just been sprinting for the last 4 months straight.
It's a great feeling but it's exhausting. Not just physically but
mentally.

The highlights this week were the metro training center days. Every
Tuesday and Friday we bring 3 sets of Elders and 3 sets of Sisters to
the downtown Tampa area, to the church building and we train them!
On... Everything. I mean everything! We train them on hygiene, on
social skills, on companionship unity, on using time wisely, facebook,
and especially working with members. We have such a good time role
playing all these skills and watching these missionaries grow.
President really understands that this is a 2 year training for life.
We need to increase baptisms and hasten the work, but to be honest
those will all come when God wants them to. We just need to be
diligent and dedicated. The real hastening is when we have kids and
they have kids and they all apply these things. We need to focus on
the missionaries changing! For life! So this is very fun. I have
learned so much! Mom, you of anyone know how bad I need to learn
hygiene haha!

But on top of that, Jia is sharing the gospel with her friends. We are
meeting with a couple of them and receive referrals daily, of people
she is going to work on. It's amazing. She is fitting right into the
ward. Today she asked me when I was going to give her a calling haha.
She s fantastic. Kayla needs some more friends, but is strong. She is
going back to New York in a few weeks but she is going to bring her
boyfriend to church?! I too often overlook these miracles. I also
think that too often we are trying to be perfect, and trying to
improve so much, that's it's never enough!  I think we are afraid
that we will waste too much time or be content with our current level
that we go over the top and miss out on some blessings. I'm really
trying to focus on the "balance". Of truly always working to improve,
but enjoying the ride, and ESPECIALLY the people.

Our ward is interesting. I've never really been in a YSA ward, and I kind
of like family wards better. Ha, but it's cool to see what these young
singles do right after their mission. There are some incredible men
and women who are extremely excited about sharing the gospel. As well
as people who are dedicated to their callings! And they're just 21! It
doesn't matter what age, the work of salvation works!! I love it. I've
met some incredible people. Michael did you ever serve in a YSA ward?


I will keep you in the loop of the upcoming investigators. Dominiqueis
 one of them. She is very prepared and set a baptismal date of Dec.
7th! (She is the mom of the little black girl I took a picture with last week

 her name is Terri and her older sister is Tori).
She is a little shaky on keeping appointments but we told her this is
all or nothing and she's been good for the last spot and coming to
church so it's looking good!

I am so blessed. I am being tried and tested, I'm being lifted up and
sustained by my Father. What a blessing trials are. I received a
package this week and one of the pictures had written on it "you are
so lucky to be a missionary"!  I've always wanted to be a missionary"
that hit me so hard, and answered my prayers. I am so grateful. It's
not easy, I am realizing my weakness, without my weaknesses I
wouldn't get to know my Savior. Who has become my best friend. I
wouldn't want to spend a day without Him.

Better than that, I get to represent Him. And so do you. Please
represent Him well. Take heart! We are on the winning team. Let's find
someone this week who needs a true friend. And lift Him up.

I know my Savior Lives.

Be not afraid;only believe

-------------------------
Elder Stephen Nelson

Pictures of the week!

Jia is now numbered among the people of the Church of Christ

Dear Family and Friends:

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” 

I post this quote for two reasons, 1. to testify of Christ. And I do and always will.  Jesus is the Christ. 2. to explain my purpose.

We really didn't do anything with Jia, except love her enough to invite her to come and see. And boy did she like what she saw!

Jiaxin Zhang was baptized Sunday Nov. 16th. The day after her 18th birthday. She did not believe in God 3 months ago. Or Jesus Christ. She was atheist and her family is Buddhist. She was invited to church by a member who just didn't want to go to church alone. Jia kept every single commitment we gave her, she read the entire Book of Mormon before her baptism. Sunday morning we saw her before her baptism, and she had 3 chapters left. Saturday night she was in Alma. 

She invited all of her friends to her baptism. About 20 of them came. The room was filled with people and she was beaming! It was just perfect. I had the honor of confirming her. She was interviewed by President Cusick and he was so impressed with her that he told his family they had to find a way to go to Jias baptism. She invited him to be in the confirmation circle as well. 

Jackie her member friend was in tears the whole day. How incredible is that? Her friend now believes in God but not only that she believes and knows truth. She bore her testimony in church and told everyone that she loved God, that she will never leave and that she will keep the commandments. 

It was also Jia's birthday and we all made her cards and went out to eat. But I just am beside myself with Joy. How great shall be your joy if just one is converted?

 I pray that someone will catch the fire I feel and go find someone to bring back to the safety of these covenants. 

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I love it. 

-------------------------
-------------------------

Elder Stephen Nelson

Miracles

Dear Family and Friends,

I've never been so grateful in my life. This mission is the greatest
experience ever. It doesn't matter what happens, it doesn't matter if
we are treated poorly, or rejected, or have to endure great trials or
small persistent ones. The message and truth of salvation makes it all
worth it. I'm so grateful to be a member of the true Church of Jesus
Christ.

I know that this is the most important work, and I see it every day.
I'm so humbled to be here. I am so lucky to have people who care. I
feel overwhelmed with all he blessings I've been given.

We had an awesome baptism yesterday! For Kayla Cancel, she is so
strong. All alone down at the University of Tampa, investigated for a
year and came here. Somehow we found her and she is still going
strong! We had her baptism and for some reason almost everything went
wrong haha. We had to make a lot of changes to the program, and had to
run home to grab stuff and it was just crazy. Along with that Kayla
had been struggling with friends and bad influences. It was just so
hard to get her baptized, but she did it. She's a huge example to me.
I know her life will be blessed because of her faith.

Elder Nelson and Kayla Cancel

We had transfer week last week. Got to train up all the newmissionaries and send em off. Each time I go and pick them up I relive
my beginning and it has flown by so fast.


There are so many missionaries working so hard here. Too often we pass
that up. We are caught up with competition and comparison, we forget
this is not about us. It's about the Savior. Let that be your drive.

So family, I am so grateful you haven't forgotten about my challenge.
Don't forget. Please, there is someone who's prayer will be answered
because of you. Someone you need to love.

Jia will be baptized next Sunday. She has been learning for almost 3
months now and she is stronger than me! We have seen her clothes
change. Her countenance change, her scripture reading is off the
charts! She is almost done with Alma! She started in September! Shekept every single comittment that we gave. I am so grateful for this
call. I am so grateful for the Savior. I need Him, and love Him and
just want to be with Him once again. But there are people out therewho don't even know Him. So, members and missionaries, lets get to work.

Be not afraid;only believe
-------------------------
Elder Stephen Nelson

Some additional pictures from this past week

Elder Nelson and Eder Ezeh

Elder Nelson w investigator Dominique and her daughter

Elder Nelson and Dominique's daughter

It's Cold

Dear Famiy and Friends:

So this morning going to the gym we could see our breath! It's
freezing, the low was like 49 and he high is 70! It feels like Utah!

(that's freezing?  he has already forgotten what freezing feels like haha!)

But I love this weather, and this state of Florida, I really have come
to love it. Not going to lie, in Tampa there are a lot of people, who
are.... Lost... Spiritually, and physically. they literally walk the
streets and look like they are very very lost. But these members, and
the friends they bring us to teach are incredible. Some, like Jia, are
beginning to be so strong, they are an example to me. In 6 weeks she
has finished through Mosiah. She invites people to church and to every
week! She manages her time so well, and is in like every club at
Univeristy of South Florida, and in business honors society, and works
and still comes to church and activities! She is our best friend. It will be so hard for Elder Hawkes and I to say goodbye, hopefully that
day doesn't come soon.Dominique didn't come to church... And hasn't called or texted us back...
So pray for her, more news on her next week. She set a baptismal date
for Nov 16th and says she was looking for a better church and found
the TRUE church. So we don't want to lose her..,

Kayla Cancel is an all star! She is getting baptized this Sunday!

Zaida is Kaylas roommate and she was up and down this week. We had a very intense lesson with her and she said she didn't want to talk but
two nights ago she had a very rough night and actually got burned! Some pretty bad ones. She fell in a bonfire. Well. we went and visited
her with a couple great members ( Adam and Jackie who have become such
great friends ) and we gave her a blessing. It was incredible, the
spirit was extremely strong. The words were amazing, and afterwards
she said she wanted to start meeting again! Just another miracle that
makes all of this so worth it.I love these people. I really do. I have been studying so diligently
the life of the Savior. I want to know Him so badly. Elder Hallstrom
spoke at a CES devotional and the YSA institute had it broadcast andall the kids got to go so, we brought Jia and watched it. It was so good. He
talked about how we must build our foundation. And how whenever we
disobey a commandment that shakes our foundation. When we do not
listen to the counsel of the prophets, our foundation is weaker. He
also spoke of how when he met The prophet in person he told him heloved him. So. then Elder Hallstrom went home and read his biography so
diligently because it was now someone he knew loved him and who he
loved, then he realized when we sin and the Savior forgives us and
helps us repent, the same should happen, that is him telling us heloves us. So. I am trying to read the Saviors biography. I love him, I
wish I could be there with the original 12 in that upper room, whenthe Savior told all of them not to forget about Him and keep it going,
But I realize instead of being there that evening I am walking thesame path he and his disciples walked. I know Him, and get to know Him
more every day because I am a Disciple.

I've learned this week that God gave us his commandments to show his
love, so now I love commandments.I dedicate my entire life to this work. It is the only thing that TRULY

matters. So what are you doing to build His kingdom.

Family don't forget, 1 person before June. How is the Kolob 7th ward mission?

" it's a simple thing he asks, a worthy heart and willing hands"

Please join me in this work.

Be not afraid; only believe
-------------------------
Elder Stephen Nelson

Other pictures from this past week!

 I miss this boy!

 This is the place where they got smoothies.

 Blowing Mom a kiss

Smoothie time!