Great Week!

Dear all,

This past week was really good! We had some people in Sutherland (around 30 minutes from North Platte) that are amazing! We went and taught them on Monday last week, and my companion taught them yesterday. I would have taught yesterday, but I ended up getting a migraine (which I'm still recovering a bit from, but feel a lot better then yesterday) and just went on exchanges with members and I stayed at the Merrels house while he went. But anyways, they have been coming to church for the past month or two before we even met them, which is amazing! The family's name is the Jenkins. The parents are both members and they have three kids that are ready to be baptized, the only thing is when we first went over there their Branch President came and for some reason he didn't want to set a day yet. So we are planning on working with him to get them ready for Baptism.

That was a great way to start out the week! Three new investigators who are already progressing! But by the end of the week we ended up with seven new investigators for the week! That's super good for the standard here! The standard for new investigators is three new a week! So needless to say (even though I've already said it) it was a great week!

Second ward had a baptism Saturday night and Micheal got to come! Sarge gave him a ride to it and to our surprise picked up someone else we had seen before. It was really funny. You see, Micheal lives in a place called Liberty House, and it's pretty much a Mental Home/Homeless Shelter. So at the baptism we see Micheal get out of the call, then all of the sudden, another person from the home named Daniel comes out! Now I've spoken to Daniel before and he is a little crazy. He walks around everywhere with these big headphones on, but no music playing, and he always talks about this picture he has of his "father" and how the people killed him on the cross and how his "father" used to take him and his siblings to catholic school. I've seen this picture and it's a picture of Jesus on the cross. After he tells people about how it's the last thing he remembers from his "father" he talks about how he wants to sell it for a couple thousand dollars. So when he popped out of the car I was a little nervous, but everything went good.

Michael had a great time at the baptism and got to see it for himself. He's set for October 29th, on his birthday, still. Hopefully we can prepare him for fully for that day. Daniel did alright at the baptism. During the actual baptism part he needed some comforting from me. For some reason he was afraid he was going to die because he felt really cold, but I just assured him he would be alright. I was just so happy I was able to calm him down with the help of the Lord. I don't think I've ever prayed so hard at a baptism before. Haha

Well everyone, I hope you all are doing great! The work is finally starting to pick up, and I know it will continue to as long as we keep working hard! I know the church is the true church, the very same that Jesus brought to the Earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet today, and I can't wait to hear from him in two weeks! I love you all! Keep up the good work!

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

No Time!

Dear all,

I'm so sorry everyone, but I have like no time to email this today! I got so caught up in all the emails sent to me so I lost track of time! Just know that this past week has been super crazy! We only had 2 full days of work in our own area! But it was pretty good being able to go to different areas and all that.

This gospel is so true I know that without a doubt. It makes me sad to see so many people who have hardened their hearts to the message and the gospel. If only they will summit to the will of the Lord and read and pray for the truth! It seems so simple to me, why can't people see that. My biggest sadness though, is that these people won't receive all the wonderful blessings that we receive as members of this church, and that just makes me sad.

I love you all and hope everyone is doing well! Next week, this will be my first email sent! Keep up the good work!

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

Elder Nash

Dear All,

So yesterday was amazing! We had Elder Nash from the 70 come and talk to us and it was just so amazing! We just got hit in the face multiple times with the Spirit! It was great! The Spirit was so strong! The way he described it is "It just starts raining indoors with revelation and the Spirit." It was just amazing! He taught us on the Atonement and what Jesus would do if he was here in Nebraska. He also talked to us a bit on finding, which is absolutely the hardest part about missionary work, at least for me anyways. He told us that when we go and find that we should have the faith and confidence that Heavenly Father will put people in your path. Heavenly Father will help you find people and He will also help people find you. You just have to been get over your own personal barrier and talk to them. He also told us to start living our every day lives as if we were preparing to take the sacrament. Like in everything we do, we should have the mind set that we are doing it for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Inspired man. I know that if I apply these teaching in my missionary work and my everyday life, I will find success in all things.

Besides yesterday this past week was pretty good. Been getting closer to my companion and the other elders in North Platte. We've been working really hard on finding because most of the people we work with just haven't been progressing. So we were heading to an appointment and we saw some guy walking down the side walk and decided to talk to him. His name was Danny and he gave us his address and we went the next day to his house to see him. We went over the next day and his brother Nicky came out and said he wasn't there and that they were Catholic so they weren't interested. I then asked him if there was any service he would like us to do for him and he said he would like us to help him with his yard and then said we could teach him afterward. He said he had only see mean Mormons and that we were nice and stuff. So we did the service but he's been busy so we didn't get the lesson in, but we set an appointment up with him for Wednesday so we are planning to see him tomorrow. I feel like the Lord has lead us to him through his brother Danny, so I have high hopes, but as long as we are doing our best, he still has his agency and we are successful as long as we are doing our best.

Well I'm out of time! I love you all and hope everything is well! Everyone keep up the good work! I know the Lord will bless us so long as we do our best to serve Him and to keep his commandments. He loves us more then we can ever comprehend. My testimony grows every day out here! I am so glad to be serving a mission!

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

My New Companion

Dear all,

So this past week was transfers. As you all may already know I have a new companion and stayed in North Platte. Elder Benson was transferred to Omaha. Seeing Elder Benson leave was a lot harder for me then I expected it to be. I really wasn't ready for him to go, but I know it was inspired of the Lord. Knowing this I decided to turn to Him, even though it seemed like such a small thing. I testify to you all that Heavenly Father is aware of us and our troubles, no matter how small or big. Heavenly Father helped me to overcome my sadness of Elder Benson leaving. If I didn't turn to Him I could have just gone about the work being sad and not focused, but He answered my prayers and now I still miss Elder Benson, but I don't feel that overwhelming sadness that I did when he first left.

My new companion is Elder Jenkins. Elder Jenkins is super awesome! He's super diligent in the work and he works super hard. He left his bike in Omaha, but once it gets here we are going to ride our bikes everywhere so we don't have to worry about our miles and so we can stop and talk to more people when we are riding around. I know there is a lot I can learn from Elder Jenkins and I am very excited to be serving with him. The work in North Platte is going to start picking up fast! I can feel it!

We also have another set back in North Platte, which means I only work with 1st ward once again. The new elders are Elder Carrier and Elder Snell. Elder Carrier has been out for about 18 months and he is training Elder Snell. They are super sweet and super hard working! I know that they will take very good care of all our members and investigators that we have in 2nd ward.

Well that's the update for the week! Michael has been set for his birthday on the 28th of October, so I may not be here for his baptism, but as long as he does get baptized, I will be happy. I hope everyone is doing great! I love hearing from you guys! I am so very thankful for all that y'all do for me. Keep up the good work and read from the scriptures and pray every day!

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson