30 March 2009

Kim, I’m sorry you can’t run track anymore but don’t worry- heavenly father has a plan for every one. Just think about all the happy memories you have and be glad for the things you were able to do. (**She didn't pass her physical because of her heart condition- the leukemia wasn't even showing at this point**)
So my new companion is Elder Ryan Miller from California- he plays the sax and is going to BYU-I for a music major. he is shorter than I am and he has been teaching me well. I’m in Kissimmee now and the ward here is great the people are so nice. And my apartment isn’t that bad- it’s just us two there so we have lots of room.
Most days it’s been in the 80s. it rained yesterday for the first time in awhile everything was starting to dry up (so the locals say, I had different thoughts about that.) We are teaching a bunch of families- some I just met and others that we found since I got here. Our goal for this month Is 20 baptisms for just us two and we already have 12 dates, mainly because of this family we started to teach when I got here there are 12 people in that family and 6 committed to be baptized last Friday. What’s cool is that they bore witness of the Holy Ghost testifying to them that it is true. And I felt the spirit strongly as they told us they wanted to be baptized. They even asked us to give a blessing to their baby who was sick.
I have felt the spirit so many times and strongly at that. One night Elder miller asked me for a blessing because he was sick, and he had a baptism the next day, and as I blessed him I felt as if the spirit would consume me- I have never felt it as strong as that in my entire life.
I did get to see the Draper temple, with about 2200 other missionaries and it was very cool. Elder Perry spoke to us before I left the MTC about companions and safety. And yes he really is that tall. And Guess what? I get to meet Elder Holland on the 25 this month! He is coming to talk to us- it’s going to be so cool!
Tell every that if they write me that have to put my whole name on the letter because there are 2 Nelsons here.
Man I've had a cold for about 2 weeks now and it won’t go away. Worse I gave it to Elder Miller. Oh and tell President Sparx That President Darrington was his old companion back when they served.
There is a family in My Ward whose house we got to eat at: very cool family. We’re taking some investigators with us this week. but anyway they have a cool story: their oldest daughter has had seizures since she was born and they kept getting worse and worse and the meds weren’t helping so they decided to operate and remove the part of her brain that was doing it. so the whole ward fasted for her and she was on the prayer role at 30 temples. And they night before the operation a man came in to her room kissed her on her head and left. the next day there was no sign that she had ever been sick.
Well I love you all, and I can’t wait to get some letters from you they always make my day better,
Lots of love from your Missionary son and brother,
Elder Nelson

23 March 2009

Dear Family,
Well I’m here, Orlando Florida. The fight over was pretty nice I read about 25 chapters in Alma on the way over. I never got up so by the time I got to the airport my legs were dead. I tried to call you at the airport but no one was home, I guess you didn’t get my last letter. The night before I left Elder Wells gave me a blessing I signed the hat and sang God be with you till we meant again then went to bed. I got up at four this morning got the rest of my packing done said good bye to Elder Wells and Elder Clark. You want to know something funny, I had a backpack with stuff in it and still my bags were almost over weight I don’t get it I didn’t get anything new at the MTC...
My Mission President and his wife are really nice they picked us up at the airport with the AP's then took us to the Mission home which is VERY beautiful they gave us a great dinner and we'll do a few other things before bedtime. Its hot here I about died during dinner I was sweating so much. And they said it was a cool day. Mondays are now my P days so that’s when I get to check my mail, but I still expect letters and I'll get you my address as soon as possible, I get to meet my trainer tomorrow and head to my area which I will find out tonight.
Well got to go love you all,
Elder Nelson

Mike's New Blog

Because I am so late in starting this up (Mike has been out on his mission for eight months now) what I think I will do is go back through the emails he has sent to us, and start posting them here. There will be quite a bit at first, but then I should be caught up to present.
Thank you all for your support of Mike- I know it means a lot to him!