Well this week has been a pretty solid week filled with adventure. Well we had a halloween party and that turned out pretty well. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves but it was fun! I spent about 500 yen on a costume and I dressed up as my companion and I think Dwight said it best, "imitation is the highest form of flattery.......Identity theft is not a Joke, Millions of people suffer every year," Yep. We also had to guys from the mafia show up...well I hope they were dressing up but they were pretty good at playing the part...lol
We have a very busy week ahead of us. We challenged our investigator that has been coming to church lately to baptism and she readily accepted. She bore her testimony that God has helped her overcome her trials in the past and that Baptism is something she would like to do. We haven't taught her all of the comandments but basically everything else has been taught. We taught her the word of wisdom yesterday and it went pretty well. She has a few bad habbits but she wants to quit and has that desire, so far she is doing well. I actaully gave up something to motivate her. I can't use any type of sauce on my food. It is hard because my parents have sent me bbq sauce and I have a habit of putting it on everything. I also can't use mayo or ketchup which just makes life difficult but it's all worth it to give Kayo motivation. She is such a great Example. One of the things I love about her is that when she first started coming to English class in July she said she had no interest in learning about the Chruch. But then after participating in the Book of Mormon Engliah class her heart has been changed...she has gained a testimony and she wants to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Basically this is how are lessons go "Kayo, what does it mean to you to have a living day Prophet" She replys "it's awesome" And just smiles. I think she is such a great example. Her baptismal date is actually this Sunday but we have a lot to teach and she needs to be able to keep the word of wisdom this week. I believe she can do it.
During sacrament meeting we sang The Iron Rod. I decided to sing it in Englsih for the first time in a long time becasue there was an englsih hymnbook next to me. The lyrics of that song hit me so hard. The 3rd verse talks about temptations and the pathway gets clouded but if you hold to the Rod, God will help you. Then in the final verse it says We can make it to the tree and Partake of the fruit of the tree of life. What a great promise that is. If we hold on to the Word of God we will get through any temptaion no matter what. All we have to do is hold to that Rod and God will help us and lead us back to him. I know God has helped me and will continue helping me!!
Have a great week
Love
Elder Nelson
What?? (October 23, 2011)
Yesterday we had a pretty good day at church. there were 4 investigators that came and 3 less actives but anyway one of the investigators is married and her husband gained 45 pounds after marriage. The american in our ward also gained 45 pounds...so there is something with getting married and gaining weight.
I also feel like I'm a different person. Some people don't even recognize me when they are looking at my pictures. so I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
I like that training with the canadian guy. He sounds like he learned alot from that experience. I think that is brilliant and inspired.
I probably should tell you that Japanese people are very interested in Las Vegas and I think I have accidentaly invited 50 people to stay at our house. So if any one takes me up on that offer I apologize in advance. Alright I haven't really told 50 but maybe 20. Im pretty sure no one will take me up on it so don't worry.
An interesting side note...we met to Brits the other day. They were not too friendly to us. I don't know why we didn't even say a word about religion and they just started being mean to us...what can you do. They were with our Singapore friend and so we started talking to him and then with the Brits but they weren't to kind to us so we just left. It was interesting.
The reason I went to the police station is like 4 months ago I found a wallet with a couple of bucks in it so I took it to the police station and they said I could have the money inside. So thats why I went to the police station.
My companion is gettnig a little better at riding a bike. He umm only almost got in an accident. I was riding in front and a car passes me and all of a sudden I hear the car honk and Elder Dinkel was in the middle of the road and then quickly swerved. He was riding down the middle of the road not paying attention. But even with that he has improved greatly.
I feel like I have just rambled on forever. so I don't think I'll have time to write a real letter because I still need to write President Baird and I only have 18 minutes left but anyway it has been a good week. Like I said before investigators are doing well. We actually had a really good experience of how missionary work should be in a sense. We met our investigator on Saturday...the one who came to church last Sunday (she is doing great by the way) we met her and her friend and ask her if she is coming to church tomorrow. She says yes and then her friend gets all interested like what is church. Then the investigator starts teaching her friend about church. Then the friend and the investigator come and the friend ends up inviting her sister to come as well. And that is how it should be done. Like it was easy no pressure and now we have a bunch of new investigators and by a bunch I mean two but still that is awesome. This just doesn't happen in Japan very often so that's why I'm excited. Church has this scary image but now for them its completley good. Hopefully this helps the members see that it is not scary to invite your friends to church or church activities. We also had another student from english class come. She is awesome. Everything we ask her to do she does. She will be speaking Englsih in no time. And have the Book of Mormon finsihed in no time. It's very cool.
That is basically our highlight of the week but I also had another really good experience. Back in July or June I can't quite remember but a long time ago the Elder's Quorum President told us of this less active that the missionaries use to visit but haven't in a while. I said cool and we went over and visited them. The son hadn't been to church in 30 years but he came to Sacrament Meeting yesterday!!! He felt the warm feeling that sacrament gives to you...he felt the healing power of Christ's atonement even though he hasn't come in 30 years. But his mother is not a member. She is a Buddhist and doesn't quite understand Christianity and doesn't think she can learn. When we went over there on Friday to confirm our trip to church with the son, we talked about church and the peace it brings. She finally said after 3 to 4 months of visiting her every week that she wants to go to church. It was so cool. I never thought those words would come out of her mouth but of course the spirit has power and because this is the Lord's work, people will change. Unfortunately she wasn't able to go to church yesterday but hopefully she can come this week. I really love her and this people and I'm thankful for the opportunity to come here.
Keep working hard and be defenders of the faith.
Love
Elder Nelson
ps speaking of defenders of the faith, we have this investigator who is like 69 and he is awesome. He won't come to church or get baptized but he invites everyone to church and asks questions in English class like do you believe in God, and things like that. I don't know why he won't come to church but I think it's awesome that he is helping us.
I also feel like I'm a different person. Some people don't even recognize me when they are looking at my pictures. so I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
I like that training with the canadian guy. He sounds like he learned alot from that experience. I think that is brilliant and inspired.
I probably should tell you that Japanese people are very interested in Las Vegas and I think I have accidentaly invited 50 people to stay at our house. So if any one takes me up on that offer I apologize in advance. Alright I haven't really told 50 but maybe 20. Im pretty sure no one will take me up on it so don't worry.
An interesting side note...we met to Brits the other day. They were not too friendly to us. I don't know why we didn't even say a word about religion and they just started being mean to us...what can you do. They were with our Singapore friend and so we started talking to him and then with the Brits but they weren't to kind to us so we just left. It was interesting.
The reason I went to the police station is like 4 months ago I found a wallet with a couple of bucks in it so I took it to the police station and they said I could have the money inside. So thats why I went to the police station.
My companion is gettnig a little better at riding a bike. He umm only almost got in an accident. I was riding in front and a car passes me and all of a sudden I hear the car honk and Elder Dinkel was in the middle of the road and then quickly swerved. He was riding down the middle of the road not paying attention. But even with that he has improved greatly.
I feel like I have just rambled on forever. so I don't think I'll have time to write a real letter because I still need to write President Baird and I only have 18 minutes left but anyway it has been a good week. Like I said before investigators are doing well. We actually had a really good experience of how missionary work should be in a sense. We met our investigator on Saturday...the one who came to church last Sunday (she is doing great by the way) we met her and her friend and ask her if she is coming to church tomorrow. She says yes and then her friend gets all interested like what is church. Then the investigator starts teaching her friend about church. Then the friend and the investigator come and the friend ends up inviting her sister to come as well. And that is how it should be done. Like it was easy no pressure and now we have a bunch of new investigators and by a bunch I mean two but still that is awesome. This just doesn't happen in Japan very often so that's why I'm excited. Church has this scary image but now for them its completley good. Hopefully this helps the members see that it is not scary to invite your friends to church or church activities. We also had another student from english class come. She is awesome. Everything we ask her to do she does. She will be speaking Englsih in no time. And have the Book of Mormon finsihed in no time. It's very cool.
That is basically our highlight of the week but I also had another really good experience. Back in July or June I can't quite remember but a long time ago the Elder's Quorum President told us of this less active that the missionaries use to visit but haven't in a while. I said cool and we went over and visited them. The son hadn't been to church in 30 years but he came to Sacrament Meeting yesterday!!! He felt the warm feeling that sacrament gives to you...he felt the healing power of Christ's atonement even though he hasn't come in 30 years. But his mother is not a member. She is a Buddhist and doesn't quite understand Christianity and doesn't think she can learn. When we went over there on Friday to confirm our trip to church with the son, we talked about church and the peace it brings. She finally said after 3 to 4 months of visiting her every week that she wants to go to church. It was so cool. I never thought those words would come out of her mouth but of course the spirit has power and because this is the Lord's work, people will change. Unfortunately she wasn't able to go to church yesterday but hopefully she can come this week. I really love her and this people and I'm thankful for the opportunity to come here.
Keep working hard and be defenders of the faith.
Love
Elder Nelson
ps speaking of defenders of the faith, we have this investigator who is like 69 and he is awesome. He won't come to church or get baptized but he invites everyone to church and asks questions in English class like do you believe in God, and things like that. I don't know why he won't come to church but I think it's awesome that he is helping us.
すき焼き (sukiyaki) (October 16, 2011)
Well we had another interesting week here in Japan. It is starting to cool down and rained a little bit this week but it was nice.
Well I went to the police station on Saturday. I'd rather not say why I went to the police station but it was a way funny experience. So my companion and I walked through the front door and there was this police officer doing something with a teenager ,he just stops and walks up to me and asks me what I need...then I blink and there are 8 cops swarming around me. Asking me what I need...then one of them tells me that the police office is closed. I was like really they are like yes. Then they started asking me why my Japanese is so good, which always makes me happy when people ask that. But either Japanese police officers have nothing to do or that Americans look really guilty. It was just a funny experience. I'm still confused why I needed 8 cops to help me.
I also had this new dish which I'm pretty sure I haven't told anyone about. So in celebration of my birthday we went over to a members house on Monday night. So in Japan they have this portable stove thing so your food can be hot while your sitting at the table...so on that stove thing they cooked (see sometimes they cook their meat lol) meat and mushrooms and other vegetables in this sauce called sukiyaki sauce....pretty clever name if you ask me. But so they cook that and then you take an egg and crack it in a bowl...you mix it around and then when the vegetables and meat is done you take it from the pan and dip it in the raw egg and eat it. It was actually pretty good. When I come home I'll be sure to make it for everyone, so that you can see what you are missing. But that family has an 18 year old daughter that hasn't been to church in a couple of years probably because there is no one her age in the branch but she usually doesn't like listening to the lessons but we were able to teach her a powerful lesson about the book of mormon and how it can help us in our lives. Her parents are really strong members and bore testimony to her and it was a great experience.
So yesterday we a person come to church. She is 26 and is actually really good at english. She seemed to enjoy church and made many friends so that is exciting. She has such a great heart and just wants to learn more so it's great. I actually gave a talk in church which isn't unusual in a small branch. But I talked about faith and the power that we have if we have faith. I also talked about how to get faith. We have to first act and then the miracles will follow. I have seen that through my mission and throughout my life. Especially if in learning Japanese, as i try to talk to people God has blessed me with the gift of tongues.
And by the way our english class is going pretty well. We actually started the children's englsih class about a month ago and not too many people are coming so we went around to preschools and gave flyers that we made for the preschools. They volunteered to hand them out so hopefully that helps.
Have a great week. Continue following the council of the prophets.
Love
Elder Nelson
Well I went to the police station on Saturday. I'd rather not say why I went to the police station but it was a way funny experience. So my companion and I walked through the front door and there was this police officer doing something with a teenager ,he just stops and walks up to me and asks me what I need...then I blink and there are 8 cops swarming around me. Asking me what I need...then one of them tells me that the police office is closed. I was like really they are like yes. Then they started asking me why my Japanese is so good, which always makes me happy when people ask that. But either Japanese police officers have nothing to do or that Americans look really guilty. It was just a funny experience. I'm still confused why I needed 8 cops to help me.
I also had this new dish which I'm pretty sure I haven't told anyone about. So in celebration of my birthday we went over to a members house on Monday night. So in Japan they have this portable stove thing so your food can be hot while your sitting at the table...so on that stove thing they cooked (see sometimes they cook their meat lol) meat and mushrooms and other vegetables in this sauce called sukiyaki sauce....pretty clever name if you ask me. But so they cook that and then you take an egg and crack it in a bowl...you mix it around and then when the vegetables and meat is done you take it from the pan and dip it in the raw egg and eat it. It was actually pretty good. When I come home I'll be sure to make it for everyone, so that you can see what you are missing. But that family has an 18 year old daughter that hasn't been to church in a couple of years probably because there is no one her age in the branch but she usually doesn't like listening to the lessons but we were able to teach her a powerful lesson about the book of mormon and how it can help us in our lives. Her parents are really strong members and bore testimony to her and it was a great experience.
So yesterday we a person come to church. She is 26 and is actually really good at english. She seemed to enjoy church and made many friends so that is exciting. She has such a great heart and just wants to learn more so it's great. I actually gave a talk in church which isn't unusual in a small branch. But I talked about faith and the power that we have if we have faith. I also talked about how to get faith. We have to first act and then the miracles will follow. I have seen that through my mission and throughout my life. Especially if in learning Japanese, as i try to talk to people God has blessed me with the gift of tongues.
And by the way our english class is going pretty well. We actually started the children's englsih class about a month ago and not too many people are coming so we went around to preschools and gave flyers that we made for the preschools. They volunteered to hand them out so hopefully that helps.
Have a great week. Continue following the council of the prophets.
Love
Elder Nelson
General Conference (October 9, 2011)
Well this was a pretty good week...I had a great conference/birthday weekend. I really loved all the conference talks. It's hard to pick a favorite. I found it interesting that alot of people talked about missionaries and what to do after the mission. Maybe it just felt like that because thats what I was listening for.
Well on Saturday morning me and my companion woke up and and got ready for the 10 mile bike ride to the church where we would watch conference. The funny thing was on Sunday when we were coming back it seems that my companion stopped a number of times. Thinking he saw some money on the ground. I think he really wanted fried chicken...lol. No but seriously. We are trying to apply conference into our lives and missions. Sometimes we aren't always going to find money on the ground so we can eat out (even tough I think I might start praying for that occasionally) but I think the messages are all good.
A couple of things I thought were interesting is I'd make sure that girls are home on time because I would not want her father coming and picking her up in the middle of a date...also I liked Elder Bednar's talk. I have never really considered doing family history on my own but now when I get home I'd like to try. I think that kids really could help because lets be honest most kids are better with computers then parents.
Well I had a nice birthday. I was in another ward but I was still sung to. So it was very nice. This one guy forgot it was my birthday so he tried to give me his tie...but I refused to take it. I got a few treats from the branch but that's about it...the best part is that today I'm going to my favorite restaurant...its called yakiniku. You go to a buffet and they give you raw meat...and you eat that...no im kidding. There is a grill in front of you and you grill it your self...pretty cool right.
Well have a great week.
Love Elder Nelson
Well on Saturday morning me and my companion woke up and and got ready for the 10 mile bike ride to the church where we would watch conference. The funny thing was on Sunday when we were coming back it seems that my companion stopped a number of times. Thinking he saw some money on the ground. I think he really wanted fried chicken...lol. No but seriously. We are trying to apply conference into our lives and missions. Sometimes we aren't always going to find money on the ground so we can eat out (even tough I think I might start praying for that occasionally) but I think the messages are all good.
A couple of things I thought were interesting is I'd make sure that girls are home on time because I would not want her father coming and picking her up in the middle of a date...also I liked Elder Bednar's talk. I have never really considered doing family history on my own but now when I get home I'd like to try. I think that kids really could help because lets be honest most kids are better with computers then parents.
Well I had a nice birthday. I was in another ward but I was still sung to. So it was very nice. This one guy forgot it was my birthday so he tried to give me his tie...but I refused to take it. I got a few treats from the branch but that's about it...the best part is that today I'm going to my favorite restaurant...its called yakiniku. You go to a buffet and they give you raw meat...and you eat that...no im kidding. There is a grill in front of you and you grill it your self...pretty cool right.
Well have a great week.
Love Elder Nelson
文化祭 (Cultural festival) (October 2, 2011)
Well we had a pretty cool day today. We went to one of the high schools nearby because there was a festival. It was pretty fun I thought. Two of the less actives in our branch go there along with many other people that we have met. So it was very fun. We made a lot of friends...maybe too many. We went there with a member but we talked with the high schoolers more than the member. That was cool. The problem was that people kept buying food for us...or just giving food to us. Like it was good for a while but then like it was too much. I mean it was really good for our English class because we told everyone that we teach free englsih and now we are good friends but it was too much food. We were talking to this group of high schoolers and ther was this girl who spoke really good english so we were trying to get her to come to englsih class and she asked if I wanted fish. (now this is after I ate sembe. yakisoba, karaage, ramen, more sembe, creme puff balls and more) So I told her I was full and I couldn't eat. She just smiled and turned to the guys who were cooking it and said...he says he wasn't hungry. I was like no. So I ended up with fish on a stick. The eyes and everything staring at me. They were nice and didn't make me eat the head but everything else I ate.. I still have that taste in my mouth. ;( . O by the way senbe is this shrimp flavoured cracker maybe but its like10 inches long and its 4 inches wide. Then there is an egg...fish dry ramen noodles... sause and mayonaise. it is pretty interesting but it is challenging to eat...its messy. Im just going to say the sembe is better than the fish thing.
So this week was pretty good. We are working with our branch on the pool of propinquity. We are trying to get 500 people into it. Then with those 500 people we have monthly contact with all of these people. The members are going to help us, because 500 people is a lot of people. We also are going to be praying for everyone in the pool every day so as you can see we definitely need the members help. It is very cool because it is going to help them prepare to be investigators.
We also had a great lesson with an english class student. She is going prett well. She just has the spirit of wanting to learn. It is so awesome. She is doing really well. She hasn't been able to come to church yet but she is praying and reading the Book of Mormon so that is very exciting.
We also saw another miracle. A less active that we have been working with volunteered to pray. He never wants to pray and yesterday when we visited him he said he wanted to pray and he gave a pretty good prayed. It was from the bottom of his heart which is the most important thing. That was very cool. I was very suprised but it was good. His mom who isnt a member is also doing well. She gives us referals all the time but won't come to church. She says she is too old. What is that. No but she is also progressing I think.
I hope you enjoyed conference. I am way excited to hear it. It is so cool having the opportunity to hear the Prophets. They are called of God. Enjoy your week.
Love
Elder Nelson
So this week was pretty good. We are working with our branch on the pool of propinquity. We are trying to get 500 people into it. Then with those 500 people we have monthly contact with all of these people. The members are going to help us, because 500 people is a lot of people. We also are going to be praying for everyone in the pool every day so as you can see we definitely need the members help. It is very cool because it is going to help them prepare to be investigators.
We also had a great lesson with an english class student. She is going prett well. She just has the spirit of wanting to learn. It is so awesome. She is doing really well. She hasn't been able to come to church yet but she is praying and reading the Book of Mormon so that is very exciting.
We also saw another miracle. A less active that we have been working with volunteered to pray. He never wants to pray and yesterday when we visited him he said he wanted to pray and he gave a pretty good prayed. It was from the bottom of his heart which is the most important thing. That was very cool. I was very suprised but it was good. His mom who isnt a member is also doing well. She gives us referals all the time but won't come to church. She says she is too old. What is that. No but she is also progressing I think.
I hope you enjoyed conference. I am way excited to hear it. It is so cool having the opportunity to hear the Prophets. They are called of God. Enjoy your week.
Love
Elder Nelson
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