Independence Day

In honor of Independence day, here is a short poem. 
Don't let this one just be a day of celebrating. Remember those who help keep us free because of their blood.

Here dead lie we because we did not choose
To live and shame the land from which we sprung.
Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose;
But young men think it is, and we were young.
A.E. Housman

Have a beautiful week and stay Steadfast.

love,
sister nelson

Holy Ground.

This week has been amazing!
We were playing volleyball with some of the youth Saturday- most of them had left and we were playing sand soccer with the two who were still there. I had the thought " Man! We are not fulfilling our purpose right now!" But for some reason I couldn't get myself to initiate leaving. WELL. about 5 minutes later, this group of kids came up to the volleyball courts and asked us to take a picture of them. We ended up having the most powerful conversation I've ever had. There were two of the kids in particular who seemed more interested than the others, but they all were so open to talking to us and we were able to clarify some half-truths and much more. Well, we needed to get home but it would have been so wrong to just leave. So we all knelt on the sand courts, held hands, and thanked God for the experience we had... even cooler, was while we were the ones who suggested praying, one of the kids spoke up and said, " I was just about to ask if we could pray!" and no one hesitated to kneel. It was so beautiful and I'll tell ya! I had the hardest time holding back tears. Miracles Happen. And while things like that don't happen everyday, it is something I can hold onto on days that seem unbearable.

Now, those sand volleyball courts are holy ground to those who were there.


Also, two weeks ago, we got to go to the Temple!

basically my favorite place ever.

Now, here is another message from District Meeting! This week was about Opportunity! Our District leader is a Rugby Player and relates everything to the great sport. So, he drew a play-by-play on the board that showed all of the choices he could make if the ball was passed to him. He could either pass it to the guy next to him, or the guy next to that guy, he could kick it down the field, he could plow into the guy in front of him and hope his team gets the ball... a multitude of options. Now, whatever decision he makes, he has to give 110% to it and not hesitate- if he hesitates, he gets tackled. Done. A decision wasted. That is how it is for everything else! We have decisions we make every single moment of every single day! Some of them really important decisions, some of them of seemingly small importance- but in everything, we need to make a decision and run with it. Give it your all and have faith that God will either tell you it isn't the decision He'd have you make, or He'll support you through it. All in all Don't Hesitate! Make every second count. (see talk by Bishop Gary E. Stevenson, Your Four Minutes, from general conference).





Anyways, y'all make this week the best one yet!


Love y'all,
sister nelson

Don't Ring the Bell!

This week, we had a meeting with some of the missionaries in the area (called District Meeting) and our District Leader talked to us about Navy Seal Training and how grueling it is. That the training is meant to find those who will not give up- so the drill Sargent's (.. I think that is what they are called, I apologize for my lack of military knowledge) goal is to get people to give up. Throughout all of this, people go and ring this bell- I call it the pansy bell- and go home. Well, in everything we do we have that bell we can ring and give up, but will we? Will we make all the hard work we do lay to waste because we couldn't handle it? (Now, I know there are certain times when we have to because if we were to continue, we would put ourselves at harm- mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically). What is going to motivate YOU to keep working your behind off at whatever it is you are doing?
I cannot ring the bell. I am here, thousands of miles away from my very loved friends and family, in Alabama serving- laboring for God. I cannot, and will not give up. In running cross country, you are supposed to run 80 feet past the finish line at the end of the race and you better believe that is what I am going to do! No pansy bells for me!
Really, I love this work. I love being able to serve Heavenly Father by spreading His gospel. I love that I get to give up everything, EXCEPT Him for 7 more months. I love being able to meet so many beautiful people and see them as their faith in Christ grows.
 I know, without a shadow of a doubt that what I share with people is true. Joseph Smith really did see Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Through Joseph, Christ restored His gospel on earth after it was gone for years and years after He suffered for us and was crucified.

Keep working hard and loving everyone! Those are the two best things you can ever do in this crazy, beautiful life.

love y'all!
sister nelson

Birthday's, Changes, all around Awesomeness.

Hey y'all!
So, I am now nearing my year mark... so yeah, It's been a while.
I should be able to post at least every other week and will update y'all about everything that is happening!

So, now I am in a new area! I was in Anniston for 6 months and loved every second of it! I feel as if it was there that I really learned how to work hard! I will never forget all the beautiful people I met there that have changed my life!

I LOVE my new area too! It has been an amazing 5 weeks and I ADORE my compainon!

Saturday was my birthday, so I figured I'd throw a few photos up here :)
This cute family made me my favorite meal (of course, Tacos) AND they made me a Gluten Free Birthday Cake!

birthday things :)

birthday dress!

And just for kicks and giggles!

my wonderful companion and I in a rainstorm

Alrighty y'all, have  blessed week! I'll talk to you next week :)

love,

sister nelson