Week 3 in the Provo MTC

Oh man oh man---

 Just another week in the CCM. Okay, it's never just another week, we learn and we grow and we study SO much! I love it here though, really feel like I'm settled, I mean, not in the language, but the routine, we got her down!

This week I am MOST grateful for our inspired Devotional on Tuesday night. We got to hear from Elder Duncan who recently returned as a Mission Pres in Chile. He and his wife spoke and gave such great advice. So so much I needed to hear, He talked about how the measure of our commitment is how hard we work when we are faced with diversity and our diligence is our expression of love for Heavenly Father. I loved this, he told us that our time as missionaries is short, but our impact is eternal! He also said that our joy equals the level of love we have for others... Which segues nicely into the advice he offered concerning our companions. This is what I really needed to hear, because I was struggling this week in this area, and you know, truthfully it's been one of the more difficult aspects of my Mission so far. I just feel sort of impressed to share his advice, really I think it can apply to everybody in all of our different kind of relationships. HE said to be the kind of companion that you would want to have, and that our joy comes as we edify and build each other. STrengthen and support him or her.. With this guidance I've found so much more joy in my relationships with my companions, it's not all about me. Ha, I think of what Uncle Kevin told me the day of my farewell, "Remember to give your comps credit, it means a lot to people." So when we step outside a lesson with our investigators, I really try to help them see how they contributed and brought the spirit in, it often feels like we're hard on ourselves, but it's okay we're so new and have to much to learn!

I also feel super lucky, we got 3 new Hermanas in our room, so we're now packed in tight like chalk! 6 sisters in one room, ha but they've really added a positive element. They're so ready to learn and try so hard to be obedient and on time and I just love them so much, it feels so good to be able to turn around and help someone with something you just experienced.. THere were a lot of sniffles the first night and i just thought about how my first few days were tough, adjusting to this new life! Ha, but I love these girls already. Also, I just wanted to mention, k so one of my best friends growing up, Ashlyanna Ogden, her grandparents are in our Branch presidency.. We made that connection last week, but it just cracks me up because Ashly used to always talk about her crazy Grandma and now I finally get to meet this woman. Ha, we even had a sleepover at her house before, swam in her pool, partied in her basement. Ha, but she is the best and she comes to visit us during the week. she's like 80 but she acts like she's 18. We LOVE Sister mErrill!!

I also love my Classroom teachers, they help us so much. They keep encouraging us to improve our HSI (SYL=Speak your Language), speak Spanish all the time!!! Ha, and it's been really hard, because i feel like our District is really attached to their English.. or they just don't think to use spanish, whichever, but Brother Perez promises that he's seen Districts essentially fluent and ready to teach by the Spirit at the end of their MTC training. This gives me hope, he said we choose to struggle here or we can choose to struggle in the field, cualquier (whichever). I choose now, even though my comps think I'm an idiot when I speak and look at me like I"m stupid and then I end up translating back to English..

Something I've been thinking a lot about the last few days are the sacrifices of missionaries, I've met so many people from all over the world and I love to learn their stories.. I"ve noticed that if you're willing to listen, people are willing to share a lot more than you'd imagine. Ha, this one elder is from Fiji and he played on a professional Rugby team but forfeited his spot to serve the Lord. He was the first convert in his family, and his parents have since joined.. So cool and I met another elder  who was offered a $2 million recording contract 3 days before he entered the MTC, he found out his grandma has a terminal illness and his uncle died the day before he left.. I don't know, it just sort of amazes me, helps me to think outside of myself. I'm not the only one whose going without for 18 months.

Just wanted to sum my thoughts, cuz I"m out of time. But HErmana Larson, our teacher asked us what the Lord has blessed us with as we've served thus far and as I've sort of contemplated I decided that overall I've just been overwhelmed with His love. It's amazing what love can do, I really feel like I can do anything when I remember this. I really have been so blessed with peace and a desire to learn and work hard, it's really been so humbling. But I know when I work my hardest and can tell my Heavenly Father in my nightly prayer, "Look, I did my best today," there's not really a better feeling.

 I love you all so much, thank you for all of the packages and mail... They've really just been RAINING down. I love it.

Love,

Hermana Nelson

Peace.. Word for the Day

Dear Family and Friends!

This week and I am most grateful for the peace that I've received, peace, word of the week, you'll prob see me use it like 10 times in this letter. It's the best, I am so grateful for it.

So for fun, just thought I'd mention, I gotta see Sestra Trumbo, friend from high school, ps she's going to Croatia, i got chills when she told me! i was telling her about jasna and lidija and president Rowe and i'm so excited for her, Cammie, she'll make you proud, I know she'll take care of your favorite people in the world, love those Croats! I also ran into Elder Zach maples, k, he totally has to learn French AND Tahitian, and i'm freaking out over Spanish! it's crazy!! And i ran into Bro Tyler a couple times, he just has a way of lifting my spirits.

Um, just two dork moments of the week for Hermana Nelson, we were sitting in class and i was trying to scoot back on the wheels of my chair across the room to throw away a piece of paper and my dress coat got caught under the wheels so i scooted like  a foot from my desk, swiveled in midair for like half a second, 'oh no!" and then i fell backwards, lucky part was i had an extra long skirt on, so i stayed modest. Thankfully only 2 elders were in there at the time but of course my comps who never cease to remind me of my grace. That's why the call me Klutzky back home right? And then of course, I rolled my ankle on the court with a turn around jumper... At least I made the shot? But my ankle still aches unfortunately. Also, on the housekeeping topic, looks like our Visas are gonna be super delayed, surprise surprise!! Ha, all the more time to enjoy the Provo MTC and our amazing Elders in our District, they're super happy we're staying only because they're jealous of us leaving for the Spain mTC, but I don't doubt the lord will put me where i need to be, i just got work hard, no matter where I am!

Okay, so super tough week for me, Sunday/Monday, I just felt so super discouraged and down on myself, I get to serve as Coordinating Sister and so I got to go to a bunch of training meetings on Sunday and of course, Branch Council with all of the district leaders and Branch president, that was pretty eye opening and fun to see the organization of the priesthood. So far, I haven't had any new sisters to welcome in but I can't wait to help the newbies out and make them feel welcom in the Provo MTC.

So we got to teach Manuel a couple more times this last week, and seriously, we improved SO much. We put more faith in the Spirit and decided not to script everything out so intensely and work on communicating with him off the cuff, this is super hard! Like our second lesson we really felt an opportunity to invite him to commit to baptism but we couldn't figure out how to let each other know and we didn't know what to say but our last lesson we just went for it. "Manuel, will you follow the example of Christ and be baptized?" And we were totally feeling it, my heart skipped a couple of beats and he's just like, 'Well, ya know I can see myself getting baptized some day, but I don't know when? What am I promising? " I guess he had a few more doubts and by this point, we ran out of lesson plans and so we went on for another 20 minutes trying to satisfy his concerns and let him know that we can help him learn and keep the commandments he's covenanting with God to keep, we just wanted to help him see his goal. Finally hermana Maxwell turns to me, "Why don't we find him another scripture, since we just couldn't think of the right words,' so I pull up Mosiah 18, the baptismal promise, duh why didn't I think of that 20 minutes earlier? ha, he reads it and he's all, okay, i get it. I can do it. Ha, I'm thinking what? So we set a date, Feb 15. Stay tuned for details... ha, we actually learned that manuel is a teacher here in the MTC, and rumor has it he's going to be our teacher next week.. But as far as we're concerned, he's a non-member working towards baptism.

Another highlight of this week was a fun visit from Elder Nelson. Ha, everybody keeps asking me if I'm related to him.. Ha, but anyhow, we got excellent floor seats gracias a Elders who saved us a spot.. As we waited fro Elder Nelson to arrive, we sang a few hymns ALL together and I could just feel the power and strength of each missionary.  Immediately after Elder Nelson entered the room, mid song, we stood and sang our hearts out to him, bearing testimony in song! i remember the exact words we sang when he entered of Press Forward Saints, 'With love of all mankind" and I just knew right then, of God's love for me and I just felt so privileged to be a part of this. Elder Nelson said that we bring hope to people who know nothing of god's plan.  He talked a lot about the Gathering of israel, and our role as missionaries the "swift messengers of the Lord' that are fulfilling the Abrahamic Covenant made over 4000 years ago.  he also mentioned how several countries have been dedicated in the last year, I thought of when Elder nelson dedicated Croatia and Elder Holland came to Lebanon! Another thing I like that he said is that "We are all one in Christ" Galatians 3:26-29, this gave me esperar (hope) with mis companeras.. Because, it's been a hard week ha and I just thought well we don't have to like each other but we do need to love each other as we serve in the same cause. 

So the day I found out about Grandpa.. Woh, shock! Nora told me at lunchtime, and it just kind of knocked my socks off! And I just kind of cried for a minute, socially withdrew at lunchtime but I was blessed to be able to focus for the rest of the day on my missionary work.. Until bedtime, when I finally got the chance to sort of take things in, I guess it finally hit me.  I was just overwhelmed with all of these memories from Gpa Nelson from childhood until this last Christmas ha. And you know as i of course, sort of cried to myself in my bed while reminiscing, i once again felt so much peace, in knowing that I can be with my family forever.  As much as I wish that I could be at his funeral tomorrow, I have peace in knowing that I am now preparing to share this love and knowledge of God's Plan. i love this Gospel, it is my life, all I have ever known and long for!

I just want you all to know, I am normal, and I do miss you guys, but I'm doing so good. I want you to know how amazing it feels to hear from you and to know that you are well. Thank you,

Hasta Luego,

Hermana Nelson

First letter from the MTC

Como te va todo?!

First off, I just want to say this week I am MOST grateful for prayer, it's been the most effective way to feel close to mi padre celestial. I am obviously super overwhelmed and trying so hard to get into this schedule, learn the language and trying to feel the Spirit, and being patient with my companions, etc. I feel like my favorite moments of the day are when I can try to talk into my Heavenly Father in Spanglish. We've been challenged, as of Day 1 to pray in Spanish, but I've found, I've gott throw in some English to make it real for me!!

Today we have a half of a Preparation to do laundry and write home! However, we don't get to attend the temple until next week. Mi companeras es Hermana Maxwell, es de Glendell, Utah y mi companera Hermana Roderick es de Pleasant Grove. Hermana Roderick and I have a mtuual friend, so I actually emailed her before the Mission. Hermana Maxwell is going to serve in Barcelon and Hermana Roderick and I are going to Malaga. So it's been what, 3 days? Sort of feels like forever, we're super tired, but we're having a super great time!

The first day after we sort of settled in we got to attend a couple workshops. We got to sit in the "living room" of 3 different people who were meeting with the missionaries for the first time. So the probably, 60 of us, sort of sat in and got to lead the lesson along, the investigator would directly ask questions to one of us new missionaries. Or if we had a question or something we wanted to say to them we could raise our hand. This was one of the most spiritual experiences thus far, we had a teacher who would stop during our visit at certain points to sort of coach us along, encourage us to be real, listen to the Spirit, etc. It was so neat. (P.S. just as a side note, our first investigator was Debbie Richan, acting as Barbara, I don't know if kim, cam or Em would remember but she's the awesome Storytelling Festival lady who lives in Provo and she's super animated and funny, she had this New Jersey accent during our lesson and it was so real). One thing I learned in there is the importance of listening in the moment, not planning ahead what I would want to say if the investigator said this or that.

Everything about our schedule in the MTC, just as I was warned, is GO Go Go!! I was having a really hard time until last night to get all ready for bed, pray with my companeras and what not in order to make time to write in my journal thoroughly, which is important to me. So, Cammie will be very happy to know that i am already learning the gift of brevity and how to summarize my thoughts and feelings QUICKLY!!!

So my companions and I have had SO much fun during our gym time, we love to play basketball with the Elders. Hermana Maxwell played in high school and she's tall too, so we guard each other in the post and show the Elders how to play of course. I've been able to see so many familiar faces in the MTC, Elder Salmon, Elder Keith Moore, Hermana Catherine Beck, Nora, Nila, Koni, Sister Rich presented me with my name tag on the first day and the biggest hug ever, lets see, lots of old co-workers in the cafeteria, Elder Braden Hall, and I don't want to forget anyone.. Ha, but it's been so nice! I love my companions, we're still trying to figure out how to leave the apartment with out forgetting stuff and returning back twice, working hard to be on time for everything and trying to stay alive during our language study.

We were introduced to our first progressing investigator, Manuel, two days ago and he just put together a video presentation that explained a bit of his religious background and that he was searching for peace in his life. And then Hermana Larson, our teacher told us that we would have to teach him our first lesson, the very next day, in Spanish. Keep in mind, Manuel himself doesn't speak a lick of English (or so he pretends.. ) and this was like our 3rd day as missionaries. So my companions and I did our very best to prepare a lesson outline, and what we would say, pray, testify of in Spanish. Problem was it turned into a script and we didn't leave lots of room for what Manuel might ask us and apparently he didn't get the script or "memo" beforehand, because he didn't get most of what we said. Haha we tried SO hard to communicate, Cammie is probably going to be the only person who can empathize with me, but you know about our disease of giggling fits and thee most inappropriate times?

Well, I was taking a turn during the lesson to explain that God sent us to Earth so we can gain experience and become like Him, and that this life is the time to prepare to meet God, etc. Well I stumbled on a couple of the bigger words and Manuel's like, "Como?!" "What??" I tried a couple more times on this one phrase, nothing! So I was so frustrated, confused, nervous myself that i just shaking with laughter, I couldn't get it together for a good 10 seconds which is FOREVER when my companions and Manuel look at me like I'm insane. Hermana Maxwell told me later that night that she thought I was crying, awkward for me. Ha, but I think what we gained most from this experience was unity and strength as a companionship, we suffered through this embarrassment and frustration together and I just feel like this is so incredibly motivating to dive in and learn this language so I can actually speak and teach. 

My Branch Pres Hansen promised me that if I obey each rule exactly and work my hardest I can qualify for the Gift of Tongues, but only through this diligence and obedience. I am so excited, I want to do this. I know that if I can figure this out I will be able to share my testimony and be effective. I am so happy to be here, it is way hard and having to do everything at the pace of companions and not just my own way, it's super hard but I'm learning patience and humility! I love you guys, my next P day is Friday, just saying!

love,

Hermana Nelson

Goodbye Kelsey- Hello, Hermana Nelson!

Yesterday Kelsey said goodbye to her family as the time finally came for her to enter the Provo Missionary Training Center. Once she received final words of encouragement from her family, and a father's blessing, they continued on to take pictures at the Provo temple before dropping her off. It was hard to say goodbye, but everyone felt comforted that this is what Kelsey is supposed to be doing at this time. So, she is now set apart as a missionary. Hermana Nelson is to serve in the Malaga, Spain mission, spanish speaking for 18 months. She will be greatly missed in Utah, but thoroughly needed in Spain. From this time on, this blog with consist of Hermana Nelson's letters to home and pictures of her many adventures, new investigators, and experiences. Hope you enjoy. Feel free to comment frequently, Kelsey always loves feedback ;)

-made with love, by her most favorite sister ~*~kimberly~*~   

One, two, three- they each take a hefty bag to the car.