Week 107

Monday, November 12, 2018

Hey Mom, 

This past week I had was a very good one. I was weak on Monday, but every day after that I was able to have more strength and able to eat normally. I am on a diet, but this diet is working for my good. So I will try to follow it when I get home, but I will be surrounded by so much food and food that it may be hard haha. But I will be eating a lot of fruit. Just know that. 

Well this past week was a working one. Because I was out of commission the week before, this week was a slimming week as far as people we are teaching and helping become baptized. We found some cool people. Especially a couple that has been invited loads of times by our bishop, but for some reason have never come to church. Now we will help them do so. I am very excited for them. We also are getting a marriage set up for the 23 of November. I know I will be gone, but the story behind their conversion is incredible. 

I found these casal with my last comp, Elder Vance. We first taught the husband and I thought t myself, "He won't accept it." Well, turns out that he did. Came to church and everything. Then, when Elder Champion came, the wife started to become interested as well. Now she is also getting baptized. Man, the Spirit really does change hearts of people. I am glad and full of joy to have witnessed the power of the Spirit on my mission. It truly is incredible. 

As I was thinking about something to share for my email, I remember studying in 3 Nephi, I can't remember exactly the reference, but it was about the relationship with righteous desires and actions. It is a very powerful link. We can't have one without the other. Well we can, but then we would be as them of old, hypocrites. So, do a check. Make sure that your rightoues desires are shown by your righteous acts. As you check, you will be blessed with a clear vision as to what the Lord has in store for you. I love you all. Thanks for all the good times. 

This email represents the second to last. I will still email next week just to report on more of the Lord's tender mercies and miracles that He has given us through our hard work. Love you all. 

Love Elder Nelson

Hey Dad, 

I have felt the prayers keep me going. It's something I have noticed more out here. The Spirit and it's promptings. I believe that when you pray for somebody, with that prayer being just and in the Lord's will, than that person you pray for will receive promptings to keep going. SO I thank you Dad for never stop praying for me. 

Thanks for the heads up on the talk. I was going to ask cause this talk will be in an American congregation, or with people who understand more deep doctrine and better understanding of things. However, I still love this people in Cape Verde, however hard it is at times. 

I will come home and help with the basement. Don't worry. I will need to be doing something since I won't be in school. And thanks for the tips for this next week. I will make sure to do that. And I will leave everything I have for the Lord. My body is bac to normal, minus the lost weight hehe. Love you Dad, See you very soon. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 106

Monday, November 5, 2018

Hey Mom, 

I am a lot better today. I feel almost back to normal. I just feel weak still due to the lack of food in and on my body. I lost a lot of weight these last two weeks. But I will gain it back. Especially when I get back home. Then I will eat like there is no tomorrow. Of course I will still need check ups and everything, but I will be eating pizza, chocolate milk, Taco Bell, everything. I am hungry. Anyways, now let me tell you what I had and what happened after I talked to you guys. 

I had an infection in my intestines. And because I wasn't eating, I had pain in my stomach and also because of the infection. So on Wednesday, after another vomiting session, I went and met with a specialist. She came in and checked me out and said I have a infection in my intestines. So therefore, I got some IV's in me through my hand until Saturday. I still wasn't eating well though during the treatments. However, when Saturday came, I was normal just weak. I then got pills and now am on a diet for the next few weeks. It is just to help my stomach recuperate from all that has happened. Also to help my intestines. I am fine now. I just van't work and walk and do what I used to do, or with the strength I used to have.

Now the challenge is to give what I can, which literally is my all. And I will. I don't want to return home with any regrets. I feel bad for not doing what i could when I was sick. I was better than I psyched myself out to be at some points. And it's those points where I feel regrets. But it's ok, because now I will give all that I can, mentally, physically and spiritually. It was a HUGE blessing talking to you guys. It helped so much. IT gave me hope and helped a bunch. Love you guys so much. 

One thing of the many I learned these past few weeks is that our mind has a lot of power. When our body is down, our mind usually goes down as well. Ad at that point is when we get down and depressed, more sick and just wrecked. So the key is to keep our mind up, happy, joyful. Times of challenges and difficulties will come and happen. It is part of life. However, when they come, we need to keep our minds uplifted with hope and joy that things will turn around. For if our mind is strong, then our body will follow it and we will be ok. And our mind must be focused on the Savior. That is the key. I learned that this past week. And I hope to always apply it, even in times of ease. 

Love you Mom. Thanks for all the support. I will check today about the package. Time is flying. Only two more weeks. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 105

Monday, October 29, 2018

Hey Mom, 

I don't know how to describe my health today. I am very weak and tired. I can´t eat very much, but I can eat some and what I do eat I don't puke. That is about all I can write. I am very weak and I am going home to rest more and hopefully I will get better. Love yo Mom. Hope everything is going well at home.

Love Elder Nelson

On Tuesday I received a text and phone call from Pres. Amo.  He wanted us to call and talk with Spencer.  His health has been poor and so have his spirits.  So we were able to talk with him on Tuesday and Wednesday.   He is going to be ok.  They are giving him IVs and putting him on a diet.  We are fasting and praying for him.  

Week 104

Monday, October 22, 2018

Hey Mom, 

This past week has been a challenge to be honest. But I am trying to apply my Attitude of Grattitude so...

The good was that we had a baptism!! It was a cool feeling to have a baptism again. I've missed helping people to that sacred step of entering the waters of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. His name is Elder and is a kid of a member. You can see in the photo below. As far as investigators in church, we didn't have very many from what I know. And here is why. I was too sicj to go to church and work yesterday. Now the answer for that. 

There were two things that affected me. A swollen ankle and a sick stomach. My swolle ankle has been swollen since Friday afternoon. My stomach has been affected since Saturday night. I couldn't put any pressure on my right ankle for about a day. From Saturday night to Sunday afternoon. It just hurt too bad. Then, from Saturday night to Sunday night, I couldn't eat anything without puking it back up. It was bad. Then, from last night at about 8:30 on, I didn't eat anything. I drank some water, like a tiny bit, and I am fine. Then I ate some banana and bread, drank some juice and now I am fine. MY ankle will still be in pain, but nothing compared to what it was before. So that was my weekend. I know it wasn't what you wanted to hear, so I am sorry. But I am fine now and should stay fine. 

So that was my week. I am kinda down. This week will be a challenging one, but I am ready to give my all. Thanks for the love and support. I am glad that you had a good weekend with the stake conference and everything. Love you Mom. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 103

Monday, October 15, 2018

Hey Mom, 

I was waiting for the email. Kinda late today. Anyways, I am good. This first week has been interesting but still good. We had missionaries come and pass through our area and that was fun. Elder Champion is good. He is not Elder Vance, but he is a cool dude. 

Our investigators that came to church weren't a lot, but those who did come are sweet people. One will be baptised this Saturday. And another one will be marked for the 27 because she has already come to church twice and has desire to be baptised. So that is cool. Our members are doing good too. There really isn't a lot to report on this week. And yes, I knew about them on conference but Presidente Amo was a bit stressed that we got them that early. So sister Moreas just waited and then I got them today. It is super cool. Now it is more real then ever that I am coming home. time is flying. 

Also, if you could update my facebook with more pictures and the friend requests that would be great. And as far as anything special for thanksgiving, just my fam. I miss you guys. I am ready to be home, but I know that the Lord wants me to be here for a bit more. I just hope that I can give Him my all for this next little bit. Love you Mom. Have a good week. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 102

Monday, October 8, 2018

Es Bida, 

Man, can't even describe my joy or the joy of all the members here in Cape Verde when Presidente Nelson announced the temple here. But I will share it later the reaction of the members in the chapel yesterday. Crazy. 

But this past week was a good week, We saw the hand of the Lord as we gave Him our all. We had quite a few investigators come to church. Code didn't, but this one casal did. Catia and Mario. They have come the past 2 weeks and are looking really good for baptism. I am excited to continue working with them. We also had an investigator com to conference that we found on Friday. Her name is Cileni. Pretty cool. We taught her and her sister and her sisters husband. Powerful lesson. Tonight we are heading back and most likely marking a date with them for baptism and marriage. It will be a cool lesson. 

Today was transfers and just as some news Elder Vance got transfered to the same zone but a different area. I am getting Elder Champion. He came in last year when I trained my boy, Elder Kaivelata. I am excited he will be sending me home. It is cool. Now for the Temple announcement. 

So I was sitting in the back of the chapel due to us arriving late because we picked up 3 investigators, Cileni was one of them, and about 10 kids. So I was sitting there and when President mentioned 12 temples to be constructed, I thought to myself "Cape Verde is for sure getting one!" And it came to pass that the chapel erupted with joy, shouts, and hugs all around. I teared up and could not hold my excitement in!!!! It is amazing. After President Nelson said amen, everybody firmly said Amen and clapped as they now have a hope and light coming to their home. After the conference, I went and found some of my friends from when I served in Praia and we hugged as we celebrated together this wonderful milestone in the country and with the people that have changed me completely. I am so grateful for the opportunity of being apart of this Gospel. Being a missionary for the Lord's church has changed me, but seeing these people and ministering to them and laboring with and for them have been the most rewarding experiences ever. I love the Lord and I love His Prophet. Let us all follow his counsel that we may remain safe and happy. 

Elder Nelson

P.S. CAPE VERDE got a TEMPLE!!!!!!!! 

1. Me eating chickens feet

2. A members grandson that is awesome

3. The after mess of lunch with Elder Vance

4. Me elder Vance and Carla(Member)

5. Me and this one members daughter in my rain coat