Monday, June 16, 2014

Fruitful in Fruitvale

Ello Chaps!

Okay so I haven't been the best at sending an email home AND it sounds like Mom hasn't been the best at updating the blog... Sorry, not sorry for being SO busy. I'm speaking for the both of us :)

Here's a quickie update:

  • Got transferred from Corona after a solid 9 months!
  • Now in the ghetto. Fruitvale ward in good ole Hemet USA!
  • Released from STL (not sad about it, it's a blessing) and I'm comps with Sister Olsen! Love her. She says funny things like "our phone is on the fritz!"
  • In a car.
  • So much work we didn't use our whole lunch hour a single day this week.
  • Investigators for dayzzzzz!
  • Word.
Nat and Sister Olsen taking a break in the shade
Okay...now I can't believe all of the things that happened this week. Hemet is golden. That doesn't even begin to explain how much I love it here. I also don't think I have enough time to share everythinggggg so I'll share the best part...

Especially since I only have 15 minutes...

So we were driving around trying to meet some inactive part member families. Not too much luck. We were at a loss of what to do and decided just to tract the street we were on. It wasn't very long so we could tough the heat.

We walked to the next door and knocked. A sweet early 30's Hispanic lady opened the door, we offered her a blessing and she let us in. Normally I would be way more excited, but we've been giving blessings like nobody's business over here 

No, I'm not lucky I'm blessed. Yes.

We sat and chatted a little bit. Acutally let's stop here for a second. One of my top 10 tips for missionaries is to be normal! It's okay to chat with people even if it's not religious talk. You were called to your area for your personality. Don't lose it.

So we were chatting and laughing and having a jolly good time and Maria (the mom) says "you're not Mormon are you?

That question always makes your heart drop a little 

We said "yes" and then she goes "oh good!" 

Thank goodness.

She goes on to tell us that she has had lessons before when they were living in Chicago for a short period of time and they really loved it, but when they moved here they lost contact and didn't know where to goand then we showed up!

We left a blessing and then of course, talked about the Restoration and The Book of Mormon and invited her to baptism... To which they all (being her and her two kids Gweneth-11 and Phillipe-9) nod their heads and say "yes!

Then Maria started talking to them in Spanish, she can understand what we're saying but is a bit insecure about her English so she tries and then just has her kids translate for her. 

Gweneth turns to us and says "she just told us that this isn't something that we are going to do and then just stop, that it's something we are going to do for the rest of our lives"

Uh we DREAM about stuff like this. 

It's fine. Just living the dream over here!

We put them on date for baptism and scheduled another lesson for later in the week.

So we go back to teach the Restoration fully and it was AWESOME. They got it and were answering questions before we would even ask them! 

Seriously, half way through the lesson Maria started talking about how when we pray to God with sincere desire that's when our prayers are answered... when we really want and believe they can be. 

Little did she know she was quoting a prophet who had said that 1500 years earlier... Moroni 10:3-5.

They went to mexico for the weekend so they weren't able to go to church, but she explained again that even though they can't go this week they intend on going every Sunday for the rest of their lives.

Oh my gosh I can't believe I forgot this part

When we went back for the return appointment she told us how she had called her Dad to tell him that she was getting baptized and how excited she is (which to us was exciting enough) and then goes on to say that her Dad was so excited and that he got a little bit emotional because

He was baptized Mormon too!!!

And so were some of her other family members. Those would be the people she is spending the 3-day weekend with.... Happy Memorial Day!

I have such a strong testimony that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants us all to return and live with Him again. He is preparing them. I promise you He is, just open your mouth and share the gospel with your friends and family. If you think about it there is no greater act of love.

I am praying for you all.

Love you longtime,

Sister Nelson
(email received May 26, 2014)