Christmas Week Was Pretty Good!

This past week was a pretty good one surprisingly. We were able to get better numbers this past week then the week before, even with so many people out of town and what not. Very nice, very nice.

It's gotten a little colder here, but for a while there we were getting some pretty nice weather. We're talkin 50 60 degree weather. I was one happy camper. But alas, that is over and we are back into the freezing.

We got a pretty busy week lined up for us. We have District Meeting and then exchanges with our Zone Leader right after on Wednesday, then on Thursday we will be having our Trainer Trainee meeting, then Friday the typical weekly planning, then Saturday service for Darryl with a lesson afterwards, and then Sunday we have a meeting set up with a Potential Investigator and one of our less actives! It should be a good week! Woo! :D

I love you all!

Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Christmas Time In The City!

Dear all,

Christmas is already here! My last Christmas on the mission! Oh boy! Isn't it great! I might actually get a white Christmas too! Not that I really want that, but hey, at least it'll be like in the Christmas songs!

This past week was a little hard, but we were able to teach Darryl and have a powerful lesson with him! We also were able to set him for baptism on the 25th of January! We're hoping to get him ready by then, but if not, that'll be okay. I know he will be baptized some day no matter what happens! We will be teaching him again tonight! We are totes excited!

I hope everyone has a great Christmas! As I think about Christmas I think a little more about why the Savior had to come to the earth. The Savior and Heavenly Father knew even before the earth was created that we would be sinner and would need an Atonement. The Savior came to suffer that Atonement for us so that we may have access to that mercy. I really think Alma 34 and D&C 19 do a great job of explaining the Atonement.

I love you all and hope that this Christmas season we all try a little harder to access the Atonement and not let the Savior's sacrifice go to waste.

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Christmas Is Coming!

Dear all,

My last Christmas on the mission is coming! It'll also be my last call home on the mission! Oh goodness, I'm nearly done, but I'm not done yet, so I'll keep on working.

This past week was a little rough, but it's warmed up a bit, so it's been good! We were able to work with Darrel all day Saturday, and afterward he's agreed to taking the lessons. Because of the Christmas season, he might be a little busy, but we'll be able to teach him when he's available. Tonight we will be helping home out, so hopefully we can teach him a little tonight.

Tomorrow is our Christmas Zone Conference. I'm looking forward to that! I'm not, however, looking forward to the drive there. It'll probably be around 4 hours driving, one way. I'm used to it by now. A good chunk of my mission has been spend driving.

Well I love you all! I hope everything continues to go well and I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season!

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

Going Good, But Freezing!!!

Dear all,

So the lowest it got this past week was -16! And It didn't get about the teens! And it snowed like two or three times! Oh, it is so painful to live in Nebraska during the winter, I must say.

My companion and I are doing good. We have been able to contact 10 new people a couple of days this past week, but not every day, but we are doing better. Elder Fuller is way legit! He's super good with talking to people. It's almost as if I don't even have to train him. He just needs to become more acquainted with the lessons and he's set for the rest of his mission I'd say!

Christmas is coming! How exciting! I can't wait to get to talk to my family for the last time on my mission! It's going to be great! If anyone is planning on sending anything to me for Christmas, you can just send it to our apartment instead of sending it to the mission home, if that works better for anyone.

Well it's freezing here guys but the Gospel is still true. I hope and pray that all of you are doing well! I love you all and hope to hear from you all soon!

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

Training And District Leader

Dear all,

So the transfers have happened and changes have been made. My companion has been transferred away to Omaha for his last transfer and I get to stay in O'Neill and Train Elder Fuller. On top of that, I have been called once again to be District Leader. We'll see how that goes. Haha

Elder Fuller is legit! He's from Ogden Utah area (West Weber), and grew up on somewhat of a farm. We don't really have much in common when it comes to interests and home life styles, but we get along great and have some good laughs. We're going to have a baptism here in O'Neill. I can feel it. He loves to hunt ducks and grew up with things like raising chickens (Legit!).

So I don't have much time left. Only 4 more months. But I won't let that get in the way of the work! The work must go on! We have made it a goal to contact at least 10 new people every day (that's been our mission goal for a little while now). I know it's going to be hard, especially here in O'Neill, but I know that as we do it, the Lord will bless us.

I love you all and hope everyone is doing well! May we strive to be like Nephi from 3 Nephi (the Boss) where his faith was so powerful, the people were angry with him because they could NOT disbelieve his words. (3 Nephi 7 : 17-18) Not so that we could make people angry, but to have a desire to do God's will!

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

Transfers and Thanksgiving (I'ma Get My Thanksgivin Dinna On)

Dear all,

So yet again it's been another transfer. That's just crazy! I sure hope I don't get transferred, or I'm going to be one sad missionary on Thanksgiving. We will find out Thanksgiving day, then the change will happen the next day.

Since it's Thanksgiving, I think I will just say a couple things I am thankful for. Lets make it 3.

1) I'm thankful for Thanksgiving dinner.

2) I'm thankful for emails so I can stay in contact with my friends and family.

3) And last but not least, I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday we were able to teach Brandon about the Restoration and it went really well! We used some pamphlets, which helped a lot because he's got some ADD, but it went well and we will be meeting with him again this Sunday, if I don't get transferred.

Well I love you all and hope everything is going well for everyone! Never forget to work on Charity my friends! Moroni 7 is a boss chapter. I love that stuff. Especially 42 - 47.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

Good Week

Dear all,

This past week went pretty good! We were able to meet with two of our investigators and see a lot of less actives.

Yesterday was a little sad for us though, because we had an appointment with Branden, and then it got canceled on us. We were pretty bumped about that, but what do you do?

We don't really have anyone progressing too much at this moment in time, but I know as we work hard, the Lord will bless us and this branch. Church was a little sad yesterday, not just because my companion and I gave talks (Just kidding, that wasn't sad at all), but because our branch has changed from 3 hours of church, to 2 hours. We hope and pray we will be able to build the branch up enough to put us back to 3 hours.

Well I love you all and hope you are all doing well. Remember the Lord is with you and always remember the importance of Christ in our lives. 2 Nephi 25: 26 has been one of my favorite scriptures lately, because it emphasizes Christ.

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

Toughest Week Yet

Dear all,

This past week was probably one of the hardest, if not the hardest weeks of my mission. Tuesday was a really sad day for me. It snowed all day and to top it off, we found out that night that one of our active and favorite members had passed away that morning. Her name is Lynn Schmale. She is a very nice lady and was very nice to get to know her and spend time with her before she passed. She made us laugh a ton and we miss her very much. But I know she isn't gone forever. It'll just be hard on the branch though. We're already struggling with member attendance as it is. But I know she will help us out on the other side.

Well I love you all. I hope all is well. I pray you all, all the time. Never forget the love Heavenly Father has for you.

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Finally Better!

Dear all,

I have been liberated from my Bronchitis! Or so I feel like! Hopefully it is completely out of my system!

I wasn't completely better until the end of the week, so I wasn't able to really get a lot done with my companion last week. However, we were able to see Brandon and again and set up another return appointment with him! He seemed super excited and said he had been reading the Book of Mormon, so hopefully all goes well with him. We will be seeing him on Saturday!

Besides that, there isn't a lot going on with us. Hopefully I say healthy this week! I'm planning on it at least! :D

I love you all and hope that you all are doing great!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Down With The Sickness

Dear all,

So this last week was pretty crummy. I ended up getting Bronchitis on Thursday and having to go to the Doctors on my birthday. Then for the rest of the week, pretty much staying home all day. I still have it today, which isn't good. I'm hoping it goes away soon. I hate being sick and everyone seems to be afraid of me catching Pneumonia, which doesn't sound fun at all.

Well, that's pretty much all I got for this week. I love you all.

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

Birthday Week

Dear all,

Thanks for all the Happy Birthdays! I'm going to be 21! That's just crazy! But no worries, I'll still be a kid. I mean, I will only be 21.

So as for transfers, my companion and I stayed together again in O'Neill. We were pretty pumped about it! So if anyone wants to send anything, you can sent it to my O'Neill address. And if anyone is struggling with thinking of things to send me, gift cards or spare cash is always nice. I can buy Cheese Its and Pumpkin seeds with that stuff! Haha

Well I love you all! My head has been doing better this past week, so lets hope it continues to go that way! Much love!

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Transfers Again! Holy Snap!

Dear All,

So transfers have snuck up on us once again! Holy cow! This week we will be having transfers early. We will find out what is happening tomorrow and the change will happen Wednesday. So if anyone wants to send me something, be sure to sent it to the mission office just in case I end up leaving.

Our week was pretty good. We got to dig some trenches, go on some exchanges, and we re set Alyssa because she isn't going to make it to her set date. We re set her for November 16 I believe, which is her birthday. So we'll see how that goes.

We are going to be having some families moving out of our area soon, so hopefully we can get some new members to replace them before they go.

Well I love you all! I will be sure to let you know what happens next week!

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

Service Galore

Dear all,

This past week we did a ton of service. From helping with electrical, to helping out at the library, to even helping a member carry their week old dead dog to their car then to the crematory. That was an experience I don't think I ever want to have again. Haha

Conference was awesome as usual! I felt especially touched by Elder Holland and all the other talked about illnesses and problems that we experience. I believe it was Elder Nelson who talked about talking care of our bodies. I think those talks were answers to my prayers. I feel like they will help me to be able to endure the problems with my head that's I've been having lately. Sometimes I feel really bad about how much my migraines and my vertigo has been slowing me down. But now I feel like I have the proper medication to take care of them both.

Well I love you all! I hope everything is well with everyone!

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

Doing Better

Dear all,

I am doing a little better this week. I was able to go to the doctors and see what was up. Turns out I have a lot of liquid in my ears that have been giving me some bad vertigo. They gave me some medicine and a shot of steroids, so that has helped. The week was a little rough because of some side effects that I have been experiencing from the new medication, but we'll get through it.

I had a chance to go on exchanges this last week with our Zone Leader and I had a really good time. It was good.

Our investigators aren't progressing too much right now, so hopefully we'll be able to work with them a little more this week. Alyssa isn't too sure yet about her baptism but she is still set, so we're going to work on helping her get more spiritual experiences.

Well that's my update for the week. I love you all and hope everyone is doing great!

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

Not The Best Week

Dear All,

This past week was a pretty rough week. Almost every single appointment we had made for the week fell through. And to top it off I got a migraine Saturday and have been having strange symptoms that are out of the normal since. I'm sure I will be okay, but our Mission Mom (Sister Weston) wants me to go see a Doctor soon, so hopefully I'll be able to get back into 100% working order!

Alyssa is still set and her baptismal date is actually moved up a week, so that's good to hear. She is going to get baptized with her sister, Marry, so that's exciting! We are really excited to see them get baptized!

Well that's all I can really think of for this week. I love you all!

Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Great Week!

Dear All,

This past week was amazing! I guess the awesomeness started mostly with our interviews with our president. That man's inspiration is so powerful! In our interview he gave me and my companion some legit advice that has been working. But the most powerful part for me was after he gave us a closing prayer in my interview he just looks at me and says "The spirit just told me to tell you to be like Moses." It was awesome!

So we were able to find a new investigator through some less actives that live in a small town about 30 minutes away, which is pretty good. Then on Sunday, we set Alyssa for baptism on October 26th. We're going to be working with her really hard to reach this date, but if it doesn't happen, I know us working with her and pushing her to do this so that she could serve a mission will help her a lot!

I love you all! I hope you all are doing well and are living the commandments! Never forget who you are!

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

Another Transfer In O'Neill Nebraska

Dear All,

So it looks like I'm staying here for another 6 weeks with my buddy Elder Benson! Even though this area is hard, this last transfer went by super fast, and I have a feeling this next one is going to go by fast again with Elder Benson!

Well I don't have a lot of time this week! When we got to the Library they needed help with building some stuff, so we decided we would help, even though it was p-day. That took us a good 2 hours, but it wasn't too bad. It was pretty fun actually. But anywho.

I hope everyone is doing great! I love you all! Keep up the good work!

with tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

Labor Day

Dear All,

Sorry this one is going to be really short. I had a lot of emails this week.

Happy Labor day! We had a good one, with some good labor! We did a lot of service for people and such. It was pretty good.

Transfers are this week! We'll see what happens, but I don't think anything is going to change. But we'll see. Y'all will find out next Monday.

Love you all!

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

Hot Week

Dear all,

So this past week was a pretty good week, despite no one being receptive what so ever. We did a lot of IQing (Inspired Question) and tracting but not a single person said we could come back and visit with them. We even saw the lady I talked about last week and she just responded with "I'm not a Mormon." and shut her door on us. I was pretty sad about that, but I tried my best to not let it get me too down.

We were able to get some lessons with a couple of our investigators and less-actives though, so that was good. And although the people may not be receptive, I know that the Lord is seeing our hard work and is blessing us for it!

I hope everyone is doing well! It's getting hotter over here and I'm lovin it! Always do what is right! Let's all be like caption Moroni and always fight for our religion, families, and liberty in whatever way we can!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson 

Better Week Surprisingly

Dear all,

This last week was actually pretty good despite my companion getting sick with a fever. We were pretty much in for 2 days, so that was 2 days of not really getting a chance to work, but the week went pretty good. We were able to contact some former investigators who weren't really interested but gave us a referral to a lady who we haven't been able to contact yet, but I feel like once we do, she will be super receptive. We'll have to wait and see though. We were also able to set up some appointment for this week with some members, both active and less active and even part member!

The high light of the week was teaching Ellen. She is a referral from a lady in our ward, Sister McCain, who has served two missions since her husband has passed away. Needless to say, she is an amazing member missionary. She sure does a lot for us. That was great thought to be able to teach Ellen. She is great! However, she has a pretty rough concern that keeps her from being set for baptism. Her husband and father are both devout Catholics and have told her "You better not be switching religions on me!" That will be the hardest stumbling block, but besides that, she is super receptive to everything we teach.

Well, I hope everyone is doing great! I love you all! Keep up the good work!

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

Rough Week Yo

Dear All,

This past week was a little rough, but not too bad. Things are going good, just hard. Not a lot of people were receptive or even answering their doors. We tried to see a lot of Less Actives, but not a lot of them were even home. And on Saturday, I ended up getting a migraine which was no good.

The branch is struggling a little bit now since we just had one of our bigger families move. I just think the members are getting a little scared, but I don't think they have anything to feel. The Lord knows this branch and will not leave us hanging.

I think the biggest think this branch needs is the Less Actives to come to church. I think if we can get that, then there will be plenty of baptism to follow.

Well I hope everyone is doing well. I love you all! When things get rough, never forget that your not alone in your efforts!

With tender love and care,
Ofa atu,

Elder Timmy Nelson

Super Rainy!

Dear all,

So this past week was super rainy! But it wasn't too consistent so it would pour one minute, then the next it would just sprinkle. So it wasn't too bad.

Getting to know the area has been really fun. We do a lot of service like we did in my last area so I feel right at home here. We help out one of our investigators named Michael Vanderbeek. He's a pretty awesome guy. We also teach his daughters. His wife and her son are already members, so they are a part member family. The daughters that are closest to baptism are Alyssa and Mary. The oldest isn't too close, and I always forget her name, so I just call her Cobra. Then Chase is the baptized son and Laura is the baptized mother. They are a pretty sweet family. It's been really fun getting to know them and being able to serve them. I hope to see them grow in the gospel.

As for other investigators, there isn't very much. And there are quite a lot of less actives that we are trying to work with. We are hoping to build up the branch in whatever way we can. We were sad to move out on of our active families this morning, but I'm sure the Lord with help us with the lose. They are moving to Ogden Utah.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well. If anyone wants to write me a letter, I won't complain. I haven't received a letter in a long time. But be sure to write it to the Mission Office, because I don't have my home address yet, and my companion doesn't know it, so I can't give it to y'all! Love you all!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

Pictures And New Area

Dear all,

So I guess I'll start by going over the pictures. The first two are of Scott and Alisha. I'd like to give a shout out to Scott by his request. He is way legit! I can't wait to come back and visit him after my mission! The third picture is of me and Elaine at the genealogy center that I did a lot of service at while I was in Logan. The fourth is of me with Brother and Sister Nelson. I will miss those guys a lot. The fifth is of me and Hussings as you may remember from their baptism pictures. It was pretty hard to say good by to them. And the last three are of me and Elder Bosen, my former companion. I sure will miss that guy. The first two are a little blurry, but I decided to send them anyways. I sure do miss Logan, but I know I will return some day to visit.

As for my new area, I am now in O'Neill Nebraska. It's not too different from my previous areas. I'm still away from the cities, but this time I'm way out there. We are going to have to drive two hours every week to get to District meeting. And that's one way. So that'll be a total of four hours driving just for District meeting. Pretty crazy. My new companion isn't new. He's one that I've already had! Elder Benson is my companion again! It's pretty cool because a year ago from now, we were companions! It's a pretty uncommon thing in the mission for that to happen, but I guess I'm just mister uncommon in the mission, because missionaries don't usually stay in their areas past 6 transfers, but I was in Logan for 7, so yeah!

So a little more about O'Neill. It's a branch instead of a ward, which I think is pretty neat. I've never been to a branch before, so this will be quite the experience. I'm hoping to change it into a ward by the time I leave (with our amount coming to church right now, that'll be a lot of work), and I'm hoping to finish my mission here. But we'll see what the Lord has in store for me here. But no matter what happens, I know I am here for a reason and that the Lord wants me here in O'Neill Nebraska.

Well, that's my update for the week! I'll keep you all posted more on the area the more I get to know it! I love you all! Never forget the Lord loves and knows you!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

More Than Likely Last Week

Dear All,

So this is more then likely my last couple of days in my second area. I sure have loved the time I've been here. It's been so great to meet so many awesome people and find so many people so committed tot he Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some days have been harder then others, but for the most part, it's been a great time here.

I think the hardest part about leaving will be having to say good bye to those recent converts that I have grown so close to as they have grown closer to their Lord and Savior. I have no doubt that they will continue to progress in the Gospel. And if they do falter for a little, I know that this ward will go out of their way to make sure they are taken care of and that they find their way again. I can not wait until I can come back to visit. That's kind of funny isn't it, I haven't even left yet and I'm already excited about coming back. Haha But this place has been a second home for me, and I will be extremely difficult to leave. But I know the Heavenly Father is in charge and He doesn't make anything impossible for us to handle, so I will rely on Him and move forward.

Well everyone, I hope you are all well. My days are numbered in the field as a full time missionary. Only 9 more months. Doesn't even feel like a full year yet. I hope and pray however, that I will never cease to be a missionary. I always want to serve my Father in Heaven, along with my Brothers and Sisters here on this earth. Always!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson

Rough Week

Dear All,

This past week was a little rough. Wasn't able to get a lot done in our own area. We had a Zone Training in Council Bluffs, then we had a Temple trip two days later, and on top of that, I got a Migraine in between both so we didn't get to work almost at all in our area, but we were able to do some service at the Genealogy center in Woodbine while I had my Migraine instead of sitting and doing nothing, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.

Though the week was fairly rough, it wasn't all bad. Yesterday we were able to have a meeting with out Bishop to see how we can help improve the area and discuss some things that have ben concerning us and it was great! He responded very well and it was very productive! I feel like our new Bishop is simply doing an amazing job. I sure will be sad when I have to leave this area. I pray to stay, but the Lord knows best and sometimes, the best isn't the same as what we want.

Well I don't have a lot of time due to the internet being really slow and bad here today. I've over my time for sure, but I haven't been able to write much because my emails haven't been sending. I think I spent at least 30 minutes trying to send one email!

Well I love you all! I hope and pray to find everyone doing very well! Always choose the right!

With tender love and care,

Ofa atu,
Elder Timmy Nelson