President Nelson

1. Mission Picture. "Where's Waldo?!" (Elder Nielsen) 

2. Choir Picture. I still have my choir face smolder ;) hahaha

We had another good week this week. We had a very successful week teaching Sister Rosita. She is currently in 2 Nephi 9, and is still reading everyday. Last week, we asked how her preparation for her baptism was going, she answered and said, "I'm ready." She loves coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. Her granddaughter has been coming to church and primary activities with Sister Chimene, a recent convert. Sister Mago, her fellow shipper and neighbor, said that last week Sister Rosita  bought 3 dresses so she could wear them to church. We are very happy for her progress and love seeing the changes she is making in her life. Our other investigators are slowing progressing, but there is still something missing. We are trying to figure out what they need in order to help them progress and come unto the fold of our Savior. 

Our Recent Converts and Less Actives are continuing to show signs of progression. Last Sunday, one of our less active members attended Stake Conference, this was the first time she has been to church in many years. While she was active, something happened and she got offended and has not been back to church since. We have been working with her, trying to build her courage and faith, and finally she went to church with her neighbor who is a member. She said she would go to church again next week too. Most of our Recent Converts are really progressing. They continue to go to church and activities. Unfortunately, we have a few that have fallen by the wayside, and attend church every now and then. We are trying to help them get back on the straight and narrow path and stay on it. 

We also had Mission Conference this week and it was a wonderful experience and I really learned a lot.We rented a jeepnee for our zone and we drove to this really big chapel in Manila, ( 3 Floors). We got there and there was so many Elders and Sisters, half of them I have not even met before. Then everybody just kinda talked/had personal study. But Elder Alejandro and I were selected to be in the choir ( I forgot to mention that...) so went and did a little practicing before the meeting started. All the missionaries went into the gym and lines up for the picture and waited for President Nelson. When he came in the room just went silent. It was a special moment. We took the picture, then he stood by the entrance of the chapel and shook each of our hands as week walked backed in. Another really special moment. Then we had our meeting. President and Sister Bertin spoke. Elder and Sister Hayne spoke ( area presidency) and Sister and President Nelson spoke. It was great. All the talk were so good. My favorite was President Nelson, he talked about repentance, obedience, the blessings of serving a mission, and answered a few questions. It is hard to explain in email. But it was great. I will write more about the talks next week, sorry a little cliffhanger. But one thing I really noticed was how old and fragile President Nelson is. He is 91. He seemed so quite and reserved but when he spoke, he literally seemed 10 to 15 years younger. The spirit literally filled him and strengthened him while he was speaking. It was crazy. He is a character too, he was cracking a few jokes. It definitely strengthened my testimony of prophets and apostles. I was thinking about this throughout the week, and I was just thinking, these men have to be called of God, I have never met a smarter 91 year old in my life. God has preserved their health and their minds for their sacred calling. Most 80 to 90 year olds have lost their memory but all the quorum of the 12 are as sharp and smart as ever. That is a witness in itself. 

 One quote that I really liked by President Nelson, he said, " Repentance is not an event. It is a process." Repentance is something that we need to be continually doing in our lives. It should be a process that happens daily, not just a few times every now and then. I think that is something I can apply more in my life, to repent more often and make repentance more of a process than an event. 

Great. Great. Great. Week. I sang for and shook the hand of an apostle of God. A modern day Peter or Paul. I know this church is true and apostles and prophets are called of God. Looove you all. 

Elder Nielsen