Nov. 26, 2011

We just got a hand written letter in the mail from Ty today.  Here is what he has to say:

So my new companions are Elder Lubina and Elder Simon.  I am the only white guy in the threesome.  Elder Lubina is half Filipino and Elder Simon is from Kiribati near the Fiji islands and doesn't speak any English.  I've learned a lot from them.  I've gained a testimony of how God knows not only where you need to go, but also who you need to be with.  From Elder Jacobsen I really learned that it's not about us, it's about God and if we're having trials and being obedient then that means that God is preparing miracles for us.  From Elder Acosta I learned that tracting 5 hours a day might not be the most effective thing.  haha.  But in all seriousness, that was in the summer and he was a big guy and so I learned that by sacrifice comes blessings.  From Elder Oliver I learned that making an impression and looking your part are actually really important.  From Elder Pound I learned tha being an example is good; being an example with words is better, but being an example, speaking up and showing love is the best.  From Elder Gillespie I learned that a companionship doesn't work when you think you own 50% of the responsibility...you must own a 100% or you both fail.  From Elder Schitties I learned to really love my investigators.  From Elder Jorgensen I learned how to be diligent and the importance of setting goals and then working as hard as you can to accomplish them, then sitting back and seeing the hand of God do the rest.  From Elder Crandall I learned that testimony is important, but testimony combined with scriptures is powerful.  From Elder Saloman I learned the importance of stepping into ones shoes and there is never a reason to be angry.  From Elder Kurtz I learned how to have a greater desire to answer ones concerns and how to discern a concern from an argument.  From Elder Jones I learned that first impressions are crucial, that being organized is Godliness, and the importance of expressing gratitude.  From Elder Lubina I've learned that teaching an investigator is a lot more effective when you know an investigator.  From Elder Simon I've learned that God blesses those that are humble and have a grand desire.  I am so grateful for all the comps that I've had and the things they've taught me.  There is no other place that I could have learned these lessons than in the mission field.  But, Mom, I am so immensely grateful for you.  From pictures, to cards, to counsel, you've changed my mission.  You helped me understand that it wasn't my companions I had problems with; it was me.  You helped me realize that obedience to the gospel is not what brings happiness, but that through becoming like Christ though his gospel is truly what brings joy.  For without Christ the gospel is a set of rules, but with Him it's a manner of life that prepares us for the life which is Eternal.  You taught me that being grateful without expressing gratitude is in vain; for much like a testimony; without action it cannot grow.  Like Dad says... if you're not progressing than you digressing.  I love you so much Mom and thank you for everything you do!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 
Love,
Elder Ty Nelson

Nov. 14, 2011

Thanks for all ths scriptures mom. And that is way too crazy that the grandparents are changing houses and everything! But ya this was transfer week and I am moving. Kind of a sad thought seeing how we have just seen too many miracles to count these past couple weeks, but I'll just have to go and see miracles in Spokane. I am actually going english ZL and trainer so it will be a threesome which is super legit. My companion zone leader is Eler Lubina and we will pick up the new missionary tomorrow. But I really hope I don't lose my spanish, because with the new missionary program they have I won't even be able to have a language study. But I will just read all in spanish during my personal so it will be good. But holy miracles this week. There is nothing like teaching families and having them come to church. The Barrera family all came to church which was so awesome, because she just has so much potential (she's the one we helped pray for the first time out loud); the husband is a LA that still has a way strong testimony that this is the true church; but went inactive because of a couple reasons. And also this week; I don't know if I ever mentioned the family that we found right on the border of our mission; the Lopez's. But we were teaching them last thursday, and we had a really good lesson with them and then we invited them to be baptized and the husband just said flat out No. But they're an awesome family and accepted a church tour with us on Saturday. So they drive over 14 miles to get to our church and then we take them through and explain our beliefs and a typical sunday and at the end we taught them the lesson of the restoration. It was super sweet, and the whole time I know we need to invite them to be baptized again, and I felt pretty nervous cause we had invited them 2 nights before and they said no. But we come to the end of the lesson, and I bore my testimony on the fruits of the spirit, and invite him to pray right then and there and ask God if him and his family should be baptized on the 17th of December. He said he didn't know how, so I gave him an example and prayed that they would receive an answer from the holy ghost. He said ok, I'll do it. His family knelt down, and he began to pray for him and his family to know the will of God. The spirit of God filled the room. I said hermano Lopez, "como se siente?" y el me dijo," me siento bien, y estoy lleno de paz" and then he looked at his wife who was just smiling. Then I asked Hna Lopez, "how do you feel?" She said "I feel good too." I replied that I did as well, and invited them to be baptized. He said that is what they would work and pray for. !Que tan chido es la obra misional! The spirit was so strong. They will be coming to church this next Sunday as well as the familia Barrera again, and also another family that we are working with, who got invited to come by our bishop, who just thanked us today for paving the way. I guess the person that works his front desk, Lily told him that we are teaching them. So there was just so many miracles, and I guess that God wanted me to see those here and go start some more on the english side. Also a cool thought... I have a son in Mexico, a son on the spanish side of the mission, and now on the english side. I thought that was pretty cool. But I love yall so much and thank yall for everything; I know these miracles would have never happened w/o your prayers. have a good week

Nov. 7, 2011

Man I love missionary work. Things are going so good and God continues blessing us so much. We had another family come to church this week; different family from last week, but bothe families are so awesome. But ya I have never taught this many complete families in all my mission and it is just such a blessing. It's somewhat difficult to help them accept a baptismal date, but the support is already there, and there is nothing like having a whole family come to church. We also just cast out some ghosts/spirits from a lady's house and she was pretty thankful for that and we are foing to start teaching her and so that was kinda cool. And then we were definitely guided to a family that lives on the border of our mission and the Kennewick mission. Like the other side of the street is the Kennewick mission, its the closest I have gotten to leaving the mission. But it was awesome. It was like 830 at night and here that means is is pitch black, but I ain't scared of knocking till 859; cause the elect will here our voice. And they heard it. We saw el Hermano Lopez afuera and so we contacted him and he invited us in; and gathered his whole family together even though they were going to bed and they all listened to us. And then we had an awesome lesson with them again a couple days later, about the restoration, and it was just so powerful and they are going to be baptized and it is going to be awesome. We should be having a church tour with them here this week and it will be awesome. And then the familia barrera, holy cow it was so awesome. There are very few experiences that are cooler, than being in a room to hear someone pray for the first time. She started praying, and there was a pretty long pause and you could just tell that she was feeling the spirit so strong. And when she got done, she was smiling from ear to ear. Oh i am so thankful for the ability the opportunity i have to be a part of this. I love yall so much and am so thankful for everything yall do. Have a good week

Oct. 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!!! I am thinking that I might dress up as Elder Jones today for my costume, but that might just be too scary. But this week was pretty fun. I got your awesome package mama! Thank you so much for that. And So I got all those awesome blank halloween cards and my companion and I were just like well what are we going to do with these. And so we decided to make a bunch of cookies and write thank you notes to all those members that have really helped us this transfer. And it was really cool. And this week was also good because we had a family come to church, that were former investigators that have not come in over a year. But they left somewhat early because I think they were a little embarrassed of their kids acting up. And so that wasn't too cool, but what can you do? But God has been blessing us so much, through the members our ward. they have been so fired up about giving us referrals, and it is just so awesome hopefully they will turn into new investigators here shortly. But you know I am really thinking that I should be more thankful and just really have a more deep sense of gratitude. I have tried to make it a goal recently to just be one of those joyful missionaries that are always smiling and just always having a good attitude about everything. And it really does make a huge difference; and I think that really just being grateful will help me that much more. So thank you soo much family for the e mails every week, amd mom for the longer emails every week, and all the packages that really make my day, and grandma and grandpa for always writing me every week, and for the bachelor family who are always kind enough to send me letters in the mail, as well as the Tennys. And just everybody else! I love yall so much and thank yall for everything.