Pictures March

Week 72

Monday, March 12, 2018

Hey Peeps, 

I am just as swell as ever out here in São Nicolau. Transfers did happen, and I did stay. I got another elder from the same group as my last comp. Elder Dopp, or as he calls it, Elder Drops haha. He is super fixe and I am pumped to be serving this transfer with him. 

This past week was pretty fun. We did a lot of good work and are preparing the area for future success. We have a few families that are progressing slowly. No church yet, but they will come soon. Our other investigators, Lerini e Levic, are super cool. They both want to do what's right, but it is a work in progress to help explain the true concepts of what they already believe. It is super fixe to teach +people what you know about the gospel. IT strengthens your testimony every single day. 

My thought for the week is something that is often overlooked but a very true principle. At times, we only want success to come to us instantly. But at times, we don´t have he full picture in our minds, which is what God has. So id we just trust in Him, and know that things will work out, maybe not the way we want, then they will work out for us even better in the end. I hope that everything is all good out there where there is Doritos, mountain dew, and Gatorade. I love you all and hope you all have a good week. 

Love Elder Nelson

Hey Mom, 

Now to answer your questions. I have not run into any priest from any other churches, except Mana. But he won´t even let us in cause he ain´t home. Our investigators are awesome. I love them all. But the problem is is that I am not sure they will want to come to church. It´s kinda far away, like a 30 minute walk, but I feel that they will come. Kuskus is  this flour, water sugar baked goodness. Most of the time it is just flour and water, with a few other seasonings, but it is super good. Fresh hot kuskus with butter, man can´t stop. And my pens that are so awesome are Pilot G-2. This time I would like them though .38. I would also like ice breakers. I love those cause they are super helpful. And I know you know this, but essential oils has stomach stuff, So if you could fins some of that too that would be awesome. And a bottle of Hershys chocolate syrup. Thanks mom. You are the best. Love you Mom

Love Elder Spencer Nelson

Week 71

Monday, March 5, 2018

Sup guys,  

So it has been a while since I´ve done a big group email. I´ve usually just talked to my Mom and it hasn´t even been big emails. But hopefully this email will do justice. 

For those of you who don´t know, I am  here in São Nicolau, in a town called Ribeira Brava. Very strong Catholic presence. Everybody and their goat are Catholics haha. But now some good news. The group leader here is a cousin of Elder Duarte, who was my zl and good buddy in Fogo. His name is Steven. Funny guy. He knows a lot and is always giving his all to this group. The members here are few, but we are pretty close. 

The investigator work here is also a bit slow due to the influence of Catholicism and other religions, but we keep keeping on. We are finding more families that can be blessed by the gospel every week. 

My comp is good, name is Elder Ellingson. From Arizona and has a big heart. Transfers are in a week actually so we will see if we are staying or not. 

Other than that, nothing else is out of the orrdinary. Cows on the street, good old kuskus and awesome zone conferences with President Amo. I hope that you all are doing well, whoever reads this email. Life may be hard at times, but with the Savior anything is possible. No matter how far behind or lost we think we are, the Savior is right there with us. He will never abandon us in any way shape or form. i love my Savior and will serve Him with all the force and mind I can muster. Love you all and give your all to the Lord. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 70

Monday, February 26, 2018

Hey Mom,

This week was better. We found some more people to teach and I felt the Lords hand in my life. I could see it too, how He always lets us experience some hard trials so that we can differ from the good feelings that come from the good experiences. Thanks for the emails and the prayers. I am glad that you guys are planning a trip this May. It has been a while since you´ve done something for yourselves. I hope the rest of the fam is good. Sorry I haven't sent much of an email the past few weeks. There has just not been a lot happening. We just teach and talk to everybody. But there is one experience that I will share. 

We were teaching a lesson about the need for the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Then we saw the new first vision video and afterwards, the spirit was in me and I knew it was in me and when I was bearing my testimony, I knew that the investigator, Vanda, was understanding what the Spirit was saying to her. Man, super cool to see the light in her like click and she understood the importance of the Book of Mormon. Super fixe. But other than that, just the normal missionary life has been here. I love being a missionary and am grateful for the bad and good times. Thanks again for the help and love. Love you Mom.

Love Elder Nelson

Week 69

Monday, February 19, 2018

Hey Mom,

This week was pretty sad. I saw the last 20 minutes of the Rogue One Star Wars, no investigators came to church, and I feel, I don´t know, just eh. My health is good but I am just struggling right now. I don´t know with what, but I just feel down.

am not  a fubeca. I just saw the last 20 minutes as I was eating lunch, still bad though.

From Mom;

Oh my goodness...my son I am so sorry 😕

Why and when did you watch the movie?  What can I do to help

You must be in one of the valleys right now...

not bad...I watched many parts of the original star wars movies at some of our zone and district and mission meetings.  They used them to motivate us... So think of it as motivation as you fight the good fight and are a Luke Skywalker fighting Darth Vader or whoever (satan).  He will never win.  You are amazing!  Remember everyone has difficult times and times of struggle...Even Missionaries.  You are human!  You can feel sad and bad and sorry for yourself, but it is what you do with those feelings.  You are normal!  Don't get down, just remember you can do hard things, even if you feel yucky right now!  ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

Week 68

Monday, February 12, 2018

Hey Mom, 

Yes I am on. This past weekend was Carnival, and as well as tomorrow. Soo, because of the sin party, no cyber was open today so we are using the computer in the church. That's why we are emailing now. But anyway, life is good. This past week has been tudo normal. I love it here in São Nicolau. It´s super fresco, I am even cold sometimes because of how fresh and cool it is. Our investigators are doing good as well. None came to church this past Sunday because of Carnival, but this Sunday will be different. The group here is a bit under the weather. We kinda need to find 2 more Melchezidek priesthood holders to turn into a branch, but it will be a bit of a challenge. but this past week I have seen the hand of the Lord lead me and my comp to some choice people, even a family. So therefore I believe and have faith that we will have a branch here in a bit. 

The best thing that happened this past week was when we confronted an atheist. Long story short, we were invited over to lunch at our buddies house. He is from Tennessee and is here on break from his cooking responsibilities in the army. Name is Melvin. SO we were at Melvins house and this guy walks in to the place where we were sitting. He said "oh, the Latter-Day Saints." I was shocked cause he called us by that. Then he said the Mormons, so tudo normal. He was talking about how he didn't know much about the church, but then during the lunch tried to get us to give him information about what we believe. He even asked us to tell us something about Jesus Christ. Melvin and his other buddy, Ivandro, we like " come on man." But he guy kinda persisted. So my comp said the best thing anybody can say about Him, "He Lives! "Then the guy was like "That is theological." I was fuming, but was constrained by the spirit to say stuff. Melvin supported what my comp said, so I was happy. But then he asked again. then I said that here wasn't the time nor the place. He complied and we finished lunch in peace and went to our way. We ran into that guy again, and I talked more this time and the last thing I said to Him was that God is our Father and that He is a person and He lives! Man, that felt good to say. There was more stuff that happened, but that was the just of it. The food we ate was really good too. I have the recipes so I will make it when I get home. But other than that, nothing much happened. 

But may I just say that here on my mission, I have gained a strong testimony of the REALITY of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. How REAL they are to me. I can feel so close to them. My prayers have improved, my thoughts have changed and my desires are more whole pure. And I testify that it is because of Jesus Christ and what HE did for me. He has made me who I am today, and will make me into whom I need to be. Love you mom. Hope that this helps. Idk, it was a cool experience for me. Hope you have a great week. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 67

Monday, February 5, 2018

Hey Mom, 

This past week has been a blast. Kinda hard, but really worth it. Didn´t think it was worth it after church on Sunday, but then I was just thinking of how many times the Lord blesses us and helps us in our trials and then I was just comforted. I am super pumped to be here in Ribeira Brava. A really cool experience was when we were trying to find people to teach on Saturday, but nobody was home(all working at carnival, or the iniquity party). So we said a prayer and we passed this guy who the elders taught a few weeks before and he was home. We taught him and are now returning to his home to explain the second lesson. So grateful for the spirit and his helpful guidance in my life. 

That's was the highlight of the week. This week will be another fun one because of some stuff this is going on. I have council, but I will be on a skype call instead of being there in person. Flights are really hard here to therefore, I am stuck here until whenever the Lord wants me to leave haha. Another highlight is that I got to clean the house, like deep clean. I love cleaning and being organized. So that was a really big part for me. Also the shirt you sent me fits pretty good. Like not kidding.  I am feeling great and this island is beautiful. It is soooo fresco, or fresh. I have actually been cold a bit, not going to lie. And I do remember that stud. He was in a different district than me but we talked a lot about the life as a dish boy haha. I´ll have to email that guy. I am glad that I haven't been sick enough to go home early considering what I have eaten and come in contact with haha. Anyways, hope life is good for you guys and hope that the family is good. Love you all, and no there are only like 9 months until I come home haha. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 66

Monday, January 29, 2018

Hey Mom, 

You will not believe what has happened this past weekend. Friday Night, Presidente called and said I was headed to the island we talked about last email. São Nicolau. I will be serving with Elder Carter and Ellingson fro the weekend. It was super fun. So I came to Praia, bought some life bouy soap, the only soap I will use, and came to São Nicolau. Because I was coming from São Vicente, my bag was automatically transfered over, like connecting flights right? Well I came to this island and my bag didn´t come, I was like dang it. So then I had to wait until today to get my bag. I have worn the same garments the past 3 days hahaha. Super funny. The place I will be serving in is Ribeira Brava. It is a super beautiful place and has loads of trees and plants., Our house is cool in my opinion. The members are cool, and it is a group. The first time in my mission where I am not serving in a ward. Super weird, but am super pumped for the opportunity to serve here. Now with transfers, I am staying here with Elder Ellingson and still being ZL. Elder Carter will go to Mindelo to be with the other ZL. Elder Gricius (Shout out!) will be training a new missionary and yea, ja sta. That's about it. Church here was awesome. I love the people and am super pumped to be able to help these people in any way I can. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 65

Monday, January 22, 2018

Hey mom,

I am doing well this week. This is an email just for you. Its been a while since I´ve emailed you personally. So therefore, here it is. This past week was a good week. We did a challenge as a zone to find 72 new investigators. We got 76. It was only part of the missionaries in Mindelo because our other part of the zone is on another island. So because we reached it, we played ping pong today in the Capela. It was fun. There was a ward activity there as well so it wasn't as fun as it could of been cause they kept interupting but it was still fun. The zone is good. Some dupla problems but nothing too crazy. 

This past week as been kinda dull tbh. It is the last week of the transfer now so it should be flying really fast. I can´t believe time has gone by this fast. I remember when I was celebrating new years of 2016. I can´t believe I only have like 10 months left. I hope everything is good with you at home. Are you guys happy? Any contention lately? I love you Mom. I don´t think I say it enough, but I do. Hope your day is good.

Love Elder Nelson

Week 64

Monday, January 15, 2018

Hey guys, 

Nothing too crazy happened this week. Just a division, some goodo'l weekly planning, and some great pizza. Man, mission life. 

But I am really serious. Nothing too big happened this week. Other than the fact that nobody s in their house when we pass them to teach. It's kinda sad that they don´t recognize the gospel when they see it. But we keep trying. So, this week I will just share a cool thing that keeps happening to me. 

As it says in D&C 18:10, every soul is of worth in the sight of God. The only desire God has is for His kids to be happy and be baptized and endure to the end. Now whenever I teach people, I automatically see them in white, being baptized by the power and authority of God. Super cool thing to see. I love being a missionary. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Hope you have a good week and remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. So therefore, since we are trying to become like Him, we should see our brothers and sisters with the worth that God sees them with. That's my invite. That's God´s invite. Love you all.

Elder Nelson

Week 63

Monday, January 8, 2018

Wow! Time has literally flown the past few weeks. I apologize for not sending a proper email the past few weeks. It haws been Christmas and New Years so therefore, you should cut me some slack. I will go from day to day as to what happened. Here we go. 

On the 25, I had skype with the fam and it was a good time. Everything was pretty much closed. All the stores, shops and cybers. I was laughing kinda. But anyway, other than that we +assed by some of our investigators and tried to find out why our baptism didn't come to church, Marcos(more on him later). Long story short, we didn't find him. So anyway, we went back home and spent the rest of the night sleeping haha. 

Then the 26-30 we just worked and had a great time kicking off the transfer together, again. It was a good week. Can't remember much of what happened, but I know that it was a good preparation for the 31, New Years Eve. So that day we flew into Praia for council. So, we got to the airport and that´s when it all started. We got to the airport nd we got to the check in and realized that we don't have any tickets. None at all. Our flight didn't leave for like another hour but it was like "what do we do?" So we went to the Binter desk (the name of the airlines here) and we asked what the problem was. They said that we were on the waiting list. So we called the AP's and asked to figure out the problem. Then like 5 minutes after the call, they said we made it on the list So we go over, now like 45 min till our flight leaves, and we start giving our passports to the check in lady and one elder realizes that he forgot his passport. So he took another taxi to his house to get his passport. When he did that, the people said again that we aren't on the list. So we call the AP's and told them agin that we weren't going ot make it to Praia. They then tell us that we either have to pay our way to Praia on just forget about it. Se, with 15 minutes until takeoff, we pull out all the money we can( me, my comp and the STL) and we pay for 5 tickets. It was like 59,000 escudos, or roughly 600 us dollars. Expensive. The only thing that faulted was the elders passport. So we waited there for another 10 minutes unitl the elder showed up. After the Binter lady saw our passports, we all checked in in like 3 min, and went to security. To finish the story fast, we made the plane and had a good p-day in Praia. 

January 1. P-day in Praia was just a day to visit members that I knew when I was here. I have pictures. It was a super fun day. Then the next day, the 2, my stomach was in pain because of the food that we ate the day before. It felt like I worked out. Super funny. But council was good. Then we flew back to Mindelo and then worked to next 2 days and then had zone conference. It was super good. All the trainings that were given was like showing how to find and then teach investigators. It was a good conference. The after that, we had a baptism on the 6. Only on that day did we realize that he actually lived on the other side of our area. Same ward and everything but different missionaries. But we still baptized him. Just now the sisters will teach his mom and him. So there. That's my last 2 weeks. Hope it wasn't boring. I have learned alot these past few weeks as well so therefore, it was awesome. 

But the thing that sticks out to me is my extension. I asked a few transfers ago to be extended, and now I am. I was originally going to come home October 10, now it is...November 20. Man, I am so pumped. These next couple of months will be some of the best of my life. I am so excited to serve the Lord. Also, I think all of you know, but President Monson passed away. It was sad, but as we learned from the last few conferences, God has a wonderful plan for each of us. I hope that you all know that, for I sure do and knowing it has blessed my life for the better. Love you all and hope you have a good week. 

Love Elder Nelson

Week 62

Monday, January1, 2018

We didn't hear from Spencer until Tuesday.  We were concerned so we emailed Pres. Amo and the Missionary dept.

O Elder Nelson was here in the office for meetings, and easily accessible, when your email came in.

So I called him to the computer, and let him type a reply.

 They are doing a wonderful work here for the Lord.~

Sister Patricia Anderson

Secretaria Financeira

Missão Cabo Verde Praia

Dear Julie,

Hope find you well!

We have already informed the MISS DEP, that he is great and in good shape!

I have been with him today!

Yesterday was a Holliday and the cibers were closed!

We will let him know!

Best regards

Amo

From Spencer:  HEY I AM FINE. WE JUST DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO DO EMAIL THIS WEEK. AND THERE WAS NO CYBER OPEN. SORRY. LOVE YOU GUYS LOADS

January 3, 2018

Hey Mom, 

Sorry I didn´t email you on P-day. Here is the story. On Sunday night we flew rto Praia for council. It happened on Sunday because of the new yar and all the flight being booked on the other days before council. So, we went there and we were with the AP´s for new years Then the next day we played soccer and because of the new year, nothing was open. No cyber, no store no nothing. And me and my comp both took advantage of this time to visit our old areas in Praia. Me Eugenio Lima and Elder Gricius Calibiceira. It was such an awesome experience to visit the people here again. So when 6 pm came, we went back to the mission office and were there waiting to hear from the AP´s what we were going to do. I had plans to email you today that I made on P-day. Sorry it took so long. Sorry I didnt email. Hope everything is good with you guys. Hope you have a good week and a good start to the new years. Love you 

Elder Nelson

Week 61 Christmas

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas Day!!!  Wonderful visit with Elder Nelson!!!  He is doing Awesome and is very happy!!!!!!

Alright well I am going to go now but I love you all and I hope that you have a great rest of  Christmas and I will talk to you next week.

Tchau!|