Alabama Ain't that Far.

Well hey y'all.

This is my last post as a set apart missionary.

I feel like I should have something super epic, deep, and amazing things to say....

But I really don't... 

There never will be words to describe what I've been through, felt, and lived every single day for the past year and a half. Ever. 

So, it's just one of those "songs I cannot sing".

But y'all... Let me tell you. DO IT.
If you are thinking about serving a mission and have the slightest desire.. GO FOR IT. I am serious! You will never regret serving a mission- giving the Lord 18 or 24 months. In fact... you might regret it if you don't! SO go for it.

This week has been really good. One of our investigators is progressing and will be getting baptized on the 31st :) She bore her testimony to us about the truthfulness of the gospel after inviting her to be baptized. The spirit literally FLOODED the room as she told us how she's seen the difference in her life and how her relationship with God is so much better now than it ever has been before. 

BEAUTIFUL.

I"m really sad leaving Alabama. Like... Alabama has become my life! 

But I know this must end. I knew it would end when I signed up for it.

BUT! It will live on (soooo cheesy). 

Alabama has, literally, become a part of me.

As I've said goodbye to people I have come to love so much and as I've started packing, the feeling of sadness has slowly been overwhelmed with peace and the feelings of "this is right".

Last night we went to Mission Prep in Montgomery with a few youth.

During it, I got such a sense of peace and knew that the Lord is pleased with my mission.

That is really all I wanted. To know that the Savior is proud of me- and that is the most important to me.

Y'all. I know he is real. I know he loves ALL of us so much. I have had the opportunity to serve around people in all circumstances- well off, poor... etc. etc. And Let me tell you, God knows no boundaries. His love for us, His children, is so very real. I cannot deny it.

I want to promise you all, as a representative of Jesus Christ, that if you take the time to read the Book of Mormon sincerely, you will be able to feel closer to him than you ever have before. Sincerely reading the Book of Mormon has changed my life and those I've met. His love is real.

I feel as if the biggest thing I have taken away from my mission is, in a very real sense, who I am. I have come to better understand my worth as I testified to others of theirs.

I am so grateful for this gospel and all it has done for me.. but, almost more so, what I've seen it do for others.

This coming Saturday I will be having an open house, so come say hi! And then on Sunday I will be speaking at church at 1pm. All are more than welcome to come to both :) In fact, I would love to see everyone there! :)

Basically, missionary work is the very very best. I have seen so many miracles and tender mercy's that I can't even begin to count them.

this girl is going to do amazing things :)

 

 

I love y'all and am so excited to see everyone! :D

All of my Love, 

Sister Kirsten Nelson.

Steadfast in Christ.

wait... is there really only 3 months left?!

Hey y'all!

Last night it hit me how little time I have left. I daydream a lot, and a lot of the time, it's about home. But, when it comes right down to it, I don't want to leave! All I know is mission life and I'm going to have to go back to "normal life"... That doesn't sound too great. Logically it would: I could wear jeans again, go back to listening to my music instead of church music all the time, I could watch movies, date, work, go back to school. That sounds SO good... right? I mean.. it should, I think.
But... I like wearing a name tag, and wearing skirts (sometimes), and testifying 24/7, and not being distracted by movies/tv/music...  I'm so torn. But, I know it'll have to end. I used to be excited for it, actually! I used to REALLY look forward to going home to people who love me and wont slam the door in my face just because they hear crazy things about our Church... And who wont stare at me when I go to the grocery store... You know? But door slams and funny looks and even the mean words are ALL worth being a missionary for my Savior.

"For Behold,

 I am a disciple of Jesus Christ,

the Son of God.

I have been called of him

to declare his word

among his people,

that they may have

everlasting life"

And I'm a do it with all my "heart might mind and strength" and run till the end.
Ain't no stoppin this girl!!

Anyways, there's my little update/rant... :) Hope y'all have a blessed week!

much love,
sister nelson

Packing.

 ----> Well y'all, I am getting transferred. Every time it gets harder and harder because as time goes on, you learn how to love people more than you could before, therefore, it is harder to leave.

BUT! I know I am going where the Lord needs me. I know that I will love my new companion and the people in my next area even more. I know that this isn't the end.

I am sad to go though. There are so many families in the Inverness ward that have become MY family. 

Missions are funny things. You leave your family, go to a strange "new land", where people talk different, and do different things, get put with someone you never met before and are expected to talk to MORE strangers, love them, and share the thing that is most special to you. Crazy, right?

YET. It is the most wonderful thing in the world. You see so many miracles every week (and if you look close enough, you can see them every day). You meet people who God has prepared to meet you- even if it is just for us to say a prayer with them, or testify to them of God's enduring love, or just so they have someone to actually listen to them for a few minutes.

In Doctrine and Covenants, section 4, it encourages us to thrust in our sickle with all of our might. Imagine someone harvesting a field with a sickle. You can't just mamby-pamby cut through the wheat, you have to put your back into it, and use a LOT of force... you have to THRUST in the sickle. Now, there are a lot of injuries that come from this- people would slice their shin open harvesting because they are putting a lot of force, and effort, and strength into it.

Much like this, we HAVE to work hard. One the days you don't want to get out of bed, or the sun is blazing hot, or it is super humid, or nothing goes right. You keep chugging along. You keep loving people even though some aren't going to accept your message, or love you back, or whatever. You get hurt. But, even though it hurts, and even though you want to throw in the towel and stop, the Lord fills in the wounds. He seals the scars and helps us take each step. It is an amazing thing the Atonement is. It covers SO much more than we can even imagine! I think out of everything I've learned so far, I've learned the most about the Atonement, and Loving others.

Y'all. Missions are the best. Hopefully you can see that I love this more than anything in the world. This Gospel is AMAZING and does so much for all who partake.

Also. This is a gospel of HAPPINESS. I hope my thoughts don't seem down or negative, because that is not how I meant to portray this...
2 Nephi 5:25 "Adam fell that men might be. Men are that they might have JOY"... INFORM YOUR FACE!
Keep your chins up, keep smiling, and keep on :)

much love,
sister nelson

Moving

I'm going to miss this girl.

I am so grateful for my dear friend, Sister Neufville. She has taught me how to better teach with the passion and love I have for this gospel, shown me true friendship, and has helped me dream big. I am grateful for the 18 weeks we have spent together doing the beautiful work of the Lord and loving His children. She also inspired me to have a quote book.

So thanks. You are a rockstar missionary and I will hold dear the time we have served together.

much love,
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

Transfers

And here we go again!

I spent my first 4 months in Huntsville, AL! I LOVED it and I love the people there.

Now I am further south and I LOVE it. My new companion is wonderful and we are doing a lot of hard work!

This week we helped a wonderful lady begin to use the atonement in her life. It was such a sweet experience being able to help her see how much Heavenly Father loves her.

I LOVE THE GOSPEL.

Some wonderful thing I am grateful for:
Our soap. It smells like Fruit Loops
Our ward
Letters
Warm clothes
Cars
Music

Don't have much time to update today so we'll leave it at that!

Love y'all! Have a blessed day!

Love,
Sister Nelson








(note: I will not say my area until I leave it)