December 15, 2014- Christmas Devotional

This week was awesome! Started the week of with P-day ( Still one of my favorite days... sorry bout it) then we had our Christmas Mission Devotional. The simplified it a lot this year, last year it lasted all day and watched a movie and stuff. This year there were 3 zones at our and each Zone did some musical numbers and a Christmas reading. Then we watched a slide show of pics from the year, then ate cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate then went home and that was it. I thought it was gonna be boring but I liked this years better it was all focused on Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.

  Chad is still doing well! We had a lesson with him last night, he started to get nervous about his date and wanted to move it back. But he is keeping it he remembered that's the last Saturday before transfers and wants both of us there. He is awesome and has a lot of faith!

  We had a Ward Christmas party this week. And a family is coming back to church because of it and a Guy thats friends with Brother Crowther in the Bishopric is wanting to be taught by the missionaries again and says hes ready to go through with it this time. Hes been taught twice in the past and committed to baptism but never went through with it, so thats exciting.

  The ward members are convinced that im just finishing out my mission here. I wouldnt mind that it would get old after awhile, but Found out today our mission is getting split again!! The north half with become the yakima mission. So I needa stay in the southern part so I stay with President Ware my whole mission. Its gonna split the beggining of July so Ill only have a month after but Ill wanna stay with President Ware.

   Thank you all for Christmas packages and letters! There will be Christmas cards sent your way just gotta catch up on all of em.

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

December 8, 2014- Christmas season=steroids for the Work

December has been awesome! They made new pass along cards for us this month the #HeIsTheGift like the ones that came in this months ensigns. They are expecting big things to come about it. People are alot more open to it and us sharing a Christmas message. So we get to share Christs message with alot more people!

   HIGHLIGHT of the week. Chad Morris is getting Baptized on December 27th! Im so excited for him! He has been ready for so long, but is now moving forward and being baptized. He is super excited, he loves the atonement, Best of all he has recognized it in his life and how much  he has changed.

    Went to the Temple on Wednesday that was great as always! One of the best Temple trips ive had. Starting to understand it alot more and able to focus on the spiritual feelings.

  We have our Christmas devotional tomorrow. We dont gettta watch a movie this year, they are really focusing on keeping us on purpose and focusing on Christ. Each zone is doing a musical number. We are doing 2 our mission president wants us to sing "We'll Bring The World His Truth" because we are the only all Elder Zone. We sang it for him at a Zone Conference put him into tears;) We changed some of the words in it. Like "We are NOW the Lords missionaries". And "Daily we'll learn BECAUSE we are called" it sounds pretty sikk!

  I love Christmas season.

WElp love you all! Hope everyone has a great week!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

November 25, 2014- Elder Arnold #humbled

 So I'm emailing today because our P-day got switched because Elder Arnold of the 70 came and spoke to us yesterday.  He did 3 zone conferences before us and the word on the street was he was gonna throw down on us.  He did a leadership meeting with all the leaders before all the zones and in there I was expecting some hard core rebuking because thats how we heard it was in other ones.

But, when he got in there he had a question "Whos not gonna get embarrased today?"  He wouldn't move on till we raised our hand.  Then he said "Good we aren't here to chastize or rebuke we are here simply to Love, Encourage, and teach because thats how the Lord works he loves and teaches never puts us down.  Through out the meeting he told us how the feeling was different in this one then all thee others.  He told us we were blessed to be the last ones so they new how to address it and helped us understand it better.

  He mainly focused on how we need to remember how we have been taught to teach, we have gotten outtta the routine of really using the B of M.   He told that he was with Elder Bednar for 3 days and he really learned how to teach from him.  He said they were teaching some people together and E. Arnold read a scripture and about to explain what it ment and he felt E. Bednar sit up in his seat and E. Arnolds hair stood up on the back of his neck so he didn't explain it.  Later that night E. Bednar told E. Arnold that if he would have explained it he wouldn't have let the Spirit teach them.   So he told us  "You'll never explain what a scripture means again!  You will let the Holy Ghost be the teacher!"

  Also talked about finding by the spirit as much as we teach by the spirit.  He kept saying you get up under those rocks walk into the stream and pull the people outta there!

  I hope to be able to teach with as much power and conviction as he does.  It was awesome to hear his Testimony.  He started off.... "This I KNOW that Jesus Christ lives!" that was the strongest part of the meeting.  I know that as well and hope all you do as well.

Love you all!

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

November 17, 2014- 5th Transfer here in Herm Town

Welp...I'm stayin another one!   Me and my comp are staying together for a 3rd transfer.  Greenie bustin' my greenie!   Also, I got called to be a District Leader kinda scared about that!

  Sasha did get baptized on Saturday it was awesome!  She got a picture of the San Diego temple for a present, that's the temple they want to get sealed in.  We have an appointment with her tonight I'm excited. She got confirmed on Sunday and we got to stand in.  Chad came to her baptism, so I think that helped him not be so scared about baptism.

  Our bishop got a call from Salt Sake the guy that called, said his brother was dying and he lives in Hermiston.   So he asked us to go to give him a blessing.  I'm always nervous doing that.  That's my second one on my mission!

  We had Zone Meeting on Tuesday, that was pretty good.  It was on the D.o.C ofcourse but I always learn new things!  What stuck out to me this time is that I need to have more faith in the work and believe that miracles can happen in this area.  And also about repentance.  That it's just not going to your Bishop or Mission Pres., but really just turning to the Savior and goin' towards Him and walking with Him.

   Our whole zone is turning around, everyone is being more obedient and adopting this new mission culture, even though it was hard.  I was one of the last to accept it, but the whole zone has now and things are starting to happen in the zone pretty cool to see.

  Thanks for all you guys do for me! Love you all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

Plexation

Sasha's Baptism

Sasha's Baptism

It's Here!

Stake Conference Week

What up Everyone?

 This week went pretty well. Things seem to be slowin down teaching wise, it might be because we are focused on Sasha. Her baptism is on Saturday and preparing for that. Stressin me out haha. Went on exchanges with Elder Wilcox had some fun and some good lessons. 

  Stake Conference was this week, it was broadcasted from salt lake. President Monson spoke, Elder Anderson, Elder Richards, and the primary president spoke. It was pretty good! They were all taking about letting our light shine. Making sure that we are sharing the gospel with everyone. And the Saturday night one was about hastening the work with family history. And also to be sharing the gospel with people around us. They called some youth up to share their experiences alot of it was directed to the youth. They invited everyone 12 and up to the adult session.

  Sounds like everyone is doing well at home. Cant believe Chaylee is going on a mission thats crazy! Guess I wont be seeing her for 3.5 years haha but thats ok.

Well thanks for all you guys do for me! I feel your prayers!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

Elder Nelson $ Wilcox in Stanfield

Willie $ Nellie Railroad

November 3, 2014

Hey!

We had Specialized training on Tuesday and the training was on how to implement the Book of Mormon more in our lessons, so that has been our focus alot this week as well as talking with everyone!  It has helped our lessons alot knowing what we want to share out of the B.of.M before we go in to the lesson.  People get more out of it and the Spirit is there more.  "If you want the Holy Spirit in your lessons 100% use the Book of Mormon, if you only want it partially there use a mormon message.  The Book of Mormon tells 100% percent truth to what the Spirit can testify"- President Ware.   Pretty bold statement haha, but its true. He has also been pushing us how to apply the Doctrine of Christ more in our life which is FAITH, REPENTANCE, BAPTISM, THE HOLY GHOST, and ENDURING TO THE END.  I never got what they ment by applying it to our work.  But I finally got it and it has changed my mission around these last couple of weeks!
>   

Halloween was pretty good. Had to be in by 6 and then we just passed out candy.  Daylight savings started.  This crap is stupid, I hate it.   haha there is no point to it 1000 reason why AZ is #1.

>   Sasha is still doing good! She made her Baptism facebook official so it serious haha.  Chad is doing good too. He is praying about a new date for baptism where he thinks that he will be ready!  

>   Thanks for everything you guys do for me!

> Love,
> Elder Bubba Nelson
>

Elder Bubba Nelson
8202 W. Quinault Ave. Ste. D

Kennewick, WA 99336

October 27, 2014

What up Family/Friends?
> This week was a good week.  Not alot of lessons taught, but the ones we did teach were awesome!  We met with Sasha (on date for Nov. 15th) 3 times this week!  I met her for the first time on Monday and when we got there she started saying she didn't know if she wanted to keep investigating.   She asked some of her in laws why they don't go to church anymore.  That kinda discouraged her, but the real problem she was scared of changing her life.  We just sat and listened to all of her concerns then addressed them.  Eternal families are very big to her thats what got her interested.  And we took all her concerns and asked how does that compare to being able to have an eternal family.  She said " well being worried about not being able to drink my coffee or alcohol seems pretty stupid compared to that!"  We just laughed and said yes it kinda does huh?  She knows whats right and re- committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.  And met with her again on Wednesday and once again she said she read before homework and it went easier for her, her day went better and she was just happier!  Blessings of the Gospel!
>   Chad is still doing good!  still as of now getting baptized saturday.  Hasn't gotten his answer yet we have a lesson with him tomorrow and if he hasn't gotten it we will probably hold off for a couple of weeks. But we talked about taking one more step of faith each day and he agreed to so I know he will get his answer sometime.
>
>   Sounds like everyone is doing good!  Except for Chase imma hit him!  He talks to this chick every night and hasn't emailed me in like a month?  Wooooow! Low blow haha.  Well hope it all works out for him!  I thought of something I want for Christmas.  Some Brown eccos and brown belt or some sikk sweaters ( have Kyle or Jacque approve:)  I guess he doesn't trust my taste :-(  Or just gift cards to Walmart.  I don't need all of them just one or the other.
>
> Thanks for all you guys do for me!
> Love,
> Elder Bubba Nelson
>
> --
> Elder Bubba Nelson
> 8202 W. Quinault Ave. Ste. D
> Kennewick, WA 99336

October 13, 2014

This week was awesome!  Started of the week trunky because another missionary I live with ended his mission, but ended the week with Chad setting a date for baptism (Nov. 1st).  It's more of a goal just to work towards but he set the date to show his faith and that he wants his answer.  This week was Fast Sunday so I fasted for him.  And every testimony that was bore testified of the things he had questions about it was awesome!  Then Our WML reported he was on date to the Ward Council and to keep it in that room, but of course one of them came and blabbed there mouth to Chad in front of me and Chad just turned around and looked at me and said "really? where did you hear that?"  So I think he was kinda disappointed.  And then the Gospel Principles class was on baptism and he turned around and looked at me and laughed thinking I set it up but I told him it went in order.  We can't meet with him till Thursday,which kinda sucks but hopefully he still wants to keep his date.

  Everything else is going good.  Just trying to talk with everyone and getting more members to come out and work with us!

 I thought Meet The Mormons was pretty good.  I liked the WW2 Pilot and the fighter.

Hope all is going good Love ya'll!

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

October 6, 2014

  So I'm staying in Hermiston again, gonna finish Elder Woodheads training.  I'm happy I getta stay here again.  I didn't want to leave yet!  I got the package, thank you for that! 

  

   Conference was awesome huh?  I got chastised hard core and got called to repentance by a few of the speakers, but that's what conference is about right?  Learning what we need to change in our life to become more like Christ.  Jorg Klenbingat was one of my favorite speakers I think he chastised me the most haha.  He was a kids mission president in my ward here that just got home a couple of months ago.  I feel like his talk is what missionaries needed to hear.  This conference got me kinda trunky they were all talking about life and getting educations and families and stuff.  But there were alot of things said in there to help me stay focused.  Here's my list:

1.  Stop makin' excuses why I can't be exactly obedient.

2.  Take responsibility for my physical well-being.

3.  Embrace obedience and make the gospel my whole life.

4  Being better at repenting quickly and thoroughly.

5.  Become really good at forgiving.

6.  Accept trials and set backs as part of life.

Mainly just takin' responsibility and rising to my call and stepping up and being a better example.

   We had a good lesson with Chad Morris. Helped him see that he is receiving his answer little by little and that it will come as he keeps living the commandments and reading and praying. We invited him to pray specifically to know if he should be baptized! So we will see how that went on Friday.

  

    What do you guys got going for October break?  Luckies get a week off!  Don't party to hard!

Can you send me some updated pictures of Maddie?  Letta told me how she tapped the microphone twice to see if it worked before she talked.  I thought that was hilarious!  

(Maddie did her part in the Primary Program.  I had forgotten to plug in her communication device the night before, so the speaker on it was very quiet.  She did so good though.  She walked up to the pulpit, tapped the microphone a couple times, said, "eeee....eeee" tapped it again and then her teacher said her part, "Jesus loves me" because the device was too quiet.  Then she hurried back down to her spot.  Her teacher had bribed her with a "My Little Pony" toy and told her she could have it if she sat nice and after her part.  It was pretty good!  :-) )

Well thanks for all you guys do! Love you family and friends(framily)

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

P.S.  Bub says to keep the hand written letters coming.  They really help a lot.

September 29, 2014

Whats up??

  This week was pretty good, even though P-day got pushed back 2 days, but that's because we went to the Temple.  We got to go Preview "Meet the Mormons" last Tuesday.  It was pretty good!  You guys will have to go for family night when it comes out!  Gotta do some sweet service too!  Gotta go Buck some hay!  That felt good haven't done that in forever. 

  This past week we focused on getting Members out to Lessons with us and it worked pretty well.  We had more lessons with members, then with out.  Investigators usually like when members come unless we screw up and bring some weird ones!  We have been trying to talk with eveyone as well to find some more people to teach.  Chad is still coming to church every weeek.  We have a lesson with him tonight so hopefully it goes well!

 October Break is already here??  Why didn't it go this fast when I was in school!  Tara is lying I did to talk at lunch!  She got pissed at Nathan Ruddy for putting red peppers in her hair and never sat by us again. haha.

Well thats about it!

Thanks for the letters! And thanks for all you guys do for me!

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

September 22, 2014

My week went pretty well.  I can't remember what all happened though.... ha I'm drawing a blank.   I went on exchanges with one of my ZL's.   I had my best experience of tracting, like the first 10 doors that we knocked, like 5 of them said that we could come back!  That never happens its always like 1 out of 10 that will let us come back!

  I started reading "Believing Christ" again its one of my favorite books.  It puts the Atonement so simply and easy to understand.  My favorite analogy that he gives is the sports analogy.  He compares our baptismal covenant to joining a football team.  He says when the reciever makes a touchdown the whole team scores or if the running back makes a touch down the whole team scores even if your 2nd or 3rd string or on special teams the whole team wins the game not just the people playing on the field.  And applys that to, we are on a team whos captain and QB is Jesus Christ and he throws nothing but touch downs.  Even if he asks us to be 3rd string or sit on the bench most of the game.  We all have our different strengths and will win as long as we stay on Christ team.  So thats what I learned this week.  And trying to be more bold in my teaching.

  How long is Kyles hunt going for?

Hope everyone gets feeling better.

Thanks for everything that everyone does for me!

Love you all!

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

September 15, 2014

 Hey!

Training is going good.  Not as stressed anymore.  We had a Stake Day of Service on saturday thats what I was doing in that picture you got.  There were a bunch of projects but we picked to help dig a trench that was 200 ft long and 3 ft deep.  My hands are blistered now and im freakin sore!!  I've gotten weak on the mission!  Investigators are doing great.  They just need to put more effort into trying to find there answers they think its just going to come to them, but they gotta work for it.

 On Tuesday I gotta go on an exchange with Elder Wilcox, I served around him when I was in Kennewick too. It was much needed just to spend a day with a Bro and have fun and get some work done!

  Sounds like the Primary Program is going to be pretty good!

You guys had a pretty busy weekend!  Lots of fun stuff that you guys have going on!

  We got a new Ward Mission Leader and I think things are gonna start happening.  He just got home from a Senior Mission and he is pumped to do missionary work.  And is getting the Ward in check right now!

  I'm doing great just trying to stay focused and not waste time away or think about how much longer that I have out here.

Love you all! 

 Let the hand written letters flow family and friends! :)

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

Preach My Gospel Advice

Dear Family and Friends,

I got the greatest email this morning from our YM Pres. in our Ward.  I was so touched and thought I'd share it with you all.

 Thank you all for your letters, love, faith and prayers in Bubba's behalf.  

We love you all!  

Marie,

I sent e-mails out awhile back requesting that each of the missionaries serving from our ward write a few sentences to the youth about how they feel about Lesson 1 of Preach My Gospel and to encourage them as we have our PMG night this Wednesday.  I received the most powerful expression of testimony that I have encountered in some time from Bubba.  I read his note in its entirety to the Priests and Laurels and two Teachers (Jed and Johnathon) who were gathered at my home to practice on Wednesday night.  His testimony has strengthened mine this week.  I suspect it will do the same for you. 

Mike  

What up Young Men and Young Women of the Gilbert 3rd Ward this is Elder Bubba Nelson.

I was asked to write a few sentences to you guys about the Preach My Gospel activity you guys are about to do.

     My word of Advice that I have are to be yourself you don't have to teach it the same that's in Preach my Gospel or how your friend teaches it. Use your personality to your own benifit people love when your being real with them and being your self and not a robot. Still teach the principles in PMG but use your own words in the way the Spirit directs

  Secondly Teach with power and authority the Message of the Restoration is the most powerful message you will ever teach. It is my favorite message to share with people. We received some training on how to teach it more simply we had to teach it in 10 min then 5, then 2. It was hard! They were just trying to help us understand how simple it can be. A 70 gave counsel to My Mission President to tell us to rush to the Restoration when we are talking with people. It will bring a Spiritual impression/feeling that they will never be able to deny.

   Lastly for those of you that were like me and don't really wanna go this activity I promise that it will help! If you take it seriously and put your effort into it you will receive just as much if not more than the people your are teaching will. Learn the Restoration and Love it!

 I bear Testimony that this Gospel is real! That Joseph Smith Truly did see Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! And that Jesus Christ did restore his Church on earth through Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that it will bring you very close to your Savior as your read it and study it. I know President Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God and leads this Church as Christ would if he were personally here! Jesus Christ lives! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen!
Remember to be yourself!

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

IT'S GOIN DOWN!! September 8, 2014

  So this week was crazy!!  All the Zone Leaders meet once a month with the Mission Pres. to discuss things that are going on and what we can do better, then they bring it to their zones in zone meeting.  Well our Zone Meeting was Saturday and things just got a hole lot stricter!!  The First Presidency is cracking down.  Not gonna lie I'm not a fan of some of the rules but I'll follow them.  They will be good, just gonna be hard to change and follow them after having different rules for a year.  

   This week we roofed a house for a recent converts dad.  He kept telling his son how much he respected us for what we are doing, sacraficing 2 yaers and what not.  He said his dad never gives compliments.  We also invited him to the Fiesta that the ward is having on Friday and he accepted to come.  And Gonzalo (the recent convert) said his dad usually never goes to social things, not even family fuctions alot of the time. So it was pretty cool.

  We are still teaching Chad he still hasn't got his answer yet.  He told us on Wednesday that he hasn't really been praying to know lately because he forgets.  So we re-committed him to do that.  We have a lesson with him tonight so hopefully it goes well.

  Yeah I got your package thank you for that!  IT was awesome.  Dang Chaylee, learn how to longboard!  haha. jk  I hope she heals quickly!!  (Chaylee was in a long boarding accident last weekend and ended up with some major road rash on her face, a concussion and the bones in her wrist compacted, that if they don't heal will need surgery!  Prayers - please!)

Thanks for everything!

Love,
Elder Bubba Nelson

September 1, 2014

 What up?  Training is going well.  Stressful havin' a son but its going pretty good.  This week we didn't get to do a lot of work because we had a lot of meetings we had to go to that took all day.  Then we helped roof one of our Investigators Dad's house and did that all day.  Of course it started to rain right when we got all the roof stripped off.  So we had to rush and get it all covered.  Fun stuff!

 

We found 2 new investigators this week.  Jaime and Azusuanna, we maid 'em cry?  You proud of us?  We went in, hit em with the Spirit and they wanted to change by the time we left.  They told us they wanted to have more faith and act on the faith.  So we read Alma 31 with them.  It was a pretty cool lesson.  My Son was like "Missionary work is so easy and fun."  I said of course it is!  (While thinking in my head - Oh you just wait!  You've got a rude awakening coming!  haha!)  He is so inoccent and socially awkward so he doesn't get a lot of the things that are going on, its kinda funny haha.  But he is a great missionary.  It's crazy that he graduated just like 4 months ago.  I couldnt imagine leaving right after high school.  Well I hope all is well!  Thanks for everything!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

Pictures

My Homie! Elder Taylor

Elder Schoenberger my comp for the past 6 weeks 

Love this kid he is leavin me Elder Carter

Best Spanish Elders ever Hansen and Carter

"The Plexiest Men in the World"

August 25, 2014- Transfer Calls

 So..... we got our transfer calls, and I'm training a new missionary... freakin stressin right now.  This was a stressful week.  I had to talk in scarament for the first time in my mission.  I got used to talking in investigators homes but not at the pulpit, but I think it went pretty good.  I was asked to base my talk off of Elder Hollands talk from last conference " The cost and blessing of discipleship".  I actually filled all my time and then some.   I didn't think I would.  But thanks to "The Race", that addes 5 minutes for me haha.  We had an awesome lesson with Greg yesterday.  His co-worker that drives him to work everyday is a member and he invited Greg and us over for dinner and a lesson yesterday.  We talked about the Plan of the Salvation he got held off on the Holy Spirit because he felt it so strongly his first time coming to church with us 2 weeks ago.  I think he will get baptized in a few months.

  My favorite ZL is going home today!  I'm pissed right now.  But Elder Wilcox is gonna be in my district again, so I'm pumped about that.  He's gonna be my district leader as well.

    Sounds like everything is going good.  Good to hear the roof got fixed.   Hope everyone likes there jobs and working.  

 Love you all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

August 18, 2014

My week went pretty good.  I got to go on an exchange with one of my Zone Leaders.  We went and stayed the night in Hepner.   It's a small town about 45 minutes away, the place where I took that "Everything is bigger in Plexas" picture.   It was a fun time there.   The family they stay with down there; they are totally cowboy.  We spent our whole lunch practicing roping on his roping dummy.  So he gave us the ropes we were using it was pretty cool. 

  We had some good lessons this week!  Greg (drunk Greg) he came to church last week and yesterday, but we had a lesson with him on Saturday.  He told us that he loved Church and how he felt there and that he hadn't felt like that in a long time.  We explained that it was the Spirit that he was feeling and that he can feel that all the time.  He was hesitant to come to church when we invited him Saturday, but we said if you love that feeling and want to feel it, Church is the best place to bring it into your life.  So he came!

  We helped a Guy named Philip move in on Wednesday, he was a refferal from the Mesa, AZ mission.  He moved in right next door to the church and he said that it was a sign.  So he wants to start meeting with us and he came to church Sunday as well!  Chad also came to church and some random guy Kenny came that just showed up because he needs help. 

What the heck is a Sports Hernia?  Does Jed need surgery for that?  (Jed got a Sports Hernia his 1st week of football practice and is out for at least a month.  Hopefully no surgery will be needed, but it is a possibility.

)  

Sounds like everyone is staying busy, and that things are going pretty well for everyone.

     

 Happy Birthday Ellie!  (She's officially a teenager!)

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson 

August 4, 2014

       What up Framily?

  This week went pretty good. Had an exchange with one of my Zone Leaders on Tuesday, it went pretty good. Got to do some unexpected service hanging some dry wall, good thing ive done that a couple times so I knew what I was doing because the guy didn't really know haha. We also had a pretty good lesson with Chad on Tuesday. Taught the Word of Wisdom and tithing, well I guess we just went over it because he already new about it and living it. He committed to live by those when he married his wife. Thats the first time an investigator started living commandments that he has had problems with in the past before we invited them to do so. He misses coffee alot, he still goes to starbucks sometimes to get an ice water just so he can go in there because he like the atmosphere. He feels like aug 23rd isnt the right date so hes gonna keep praying for his answer, but he says once he gets it he will be baptized that week!

  Oh I got the crap kicked outta me ill send you the video of it.

 Looks like y'all had a blast at the Ranch. I like the pic of the sunset nothing like a good ol' AZ sunset. 

Idk what else happened this week. Im alot more tired all the time now idk why. Something about after your year mark it all just hits you I guess. I over slept during our lunch break yesterday.. ooops... life goes on., its getting harder to run in morning as well but gotta keep doing it. 

Thanks for all you guys have done for me and continue to do for me. Friends get those letters rollin again:) and family too. Yes you Jed you havent written in awhile.

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

July 28, 2014

 "What up Family and Friends?"

  We had a pretty good week this week.  We had 5 lessons in one day this week.  That was the fastest day of my mission, I wish I was that busy everyday!  Chad is still progressing well.  He needs to find a job that will allow him to come to the right ward and stay the whole time.  Fidel committed to come to Church but he had an 'emergency" come up Sunday morning, but hopefully he will come this next week.   Idk if we had Tai on date last week but he is now.  He needs to give up his word of wisdom issues and Law of Chasity issues this week. His date is Aug 16th.

  I have re dedicated my self to serve to my fullest for this next year.  I was reading my letters you guys sent when I was in the MTC and you said you would type up my setting apart blessing and send it and also my farewell talk but we forgot about it.  So can you do that this week?

  Wheres this picture of Jeds back?  (Jed got launched and air borne off one of the mules this weekend at the ranch.  He has a nice puncture wound that will leave him a NICE battle scar!  Probably should've had stitches!)  Thats what I wanna see haha. (Of course it's funny to a brother!)   Are you guys still up there?  (We spent the weekend up at the Ranch.  It was kind of warm when Matt & Deb and Willie and Connie were there but cooled off nice on Sunday and Monday.  We left 78 degree weather on Monday to come home to 109!  Maddie LOVES to just roam up there and she is fast at taking off!)

Thanks for the package!  The Dri Fit socks are comfy, Thank You!  Everyone loved your cookies everyone went hard on them.  They are gone as of last night haha.

 Thanks for all you guys do for me.  I'll try to make you guys proud.  As Dads departing words to me.  (He does make us SO proud!)

Love y'all

July 21, 2014

 TRANSFER WEEK!

 Transfers were this Wednesday, my comp got transferred and I got a new one Elder Schoenberger he's ight. He doesn't talk to much so I don't really know what to think of him yet. He is from Chandler, AZ he is our district leader as well. Another District Leader comp haha.

  We put Fidel Sandoval on date for August 23rd if he finds his answer by then. Chad Morris is also on date for August 23rd if he finds his answer by then. So please pray for them that they will be able to find there answers and that they will do all that they can to find it as well.

 Living with 3 other missionaries gets crazy sometimes we always have fun at night. And its hard to get to bed on time, then we regret it when we have to wake up and go running. 

 Oh just got your email so I have more to write about haha.

 That's good that the insurance is covering the damage from the storm. So the whole family, Matt, Deb, Willie, Connie, and all there kids are going to the ranch too? Sounds like a party.  Is Dad still working on that septic tank up at the ranch for Wayne? Can you take a picture of our entrance to the ranch and email it to me? I want it for a planner cover. And make sure to take some picture of your guys' week up there:)

July 14, 2014

 This week went pretty good.  We found a new Part Member family to teach Chad and Megan Morris.  They just got married and young couple.  Chad is the non member.  He was meeting with the missionaries before they got married but didn't really like them so he didn't want to keep meeting with them.  That was in Paco so when they moved here he was little hesitant to meet with missionaries again, so it took him about a month to contact us.  But we had a lesson with him on Tuesday and it went well.  His wife is a big help in the lessons.  He committed to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it.  We have a return appointment on Tuesday and they are feeding us dinner after, so I guess he likes us haha.

 We also went down to Hepner since my companion is district leader (all my comps have been district leader except for one and that was only for 6 weeks) he has to interview the Zone Leaders Investigators for baptism.  So we went and stayed the night down there Wed to Thurs.  Interviewed him Wed night and then worked down there all day Thursday.  And the kid Derrick Smith got baptized on Saturday so it was pretty cool.  I have a picture from there that I'll send!  FYI, we live in a Duplex and our house is called the Plex, that information is important for the title of the picture. The picture is down in Hepner though.

 Well I hope ya'll are doin well!  Thanks for all you guys do!  Love you and miss you all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

 

"Everything Is Bigger In Plexas"

 

July 7, 2014

Yeah I got the package last Monday after emailing.  Thank you for the package, I really enjoyed it!

Sounds like you guys had quite the adventure at the Ranch.  Were you guys able to fix the ranger?  Well at least you guys all got you exercise from hiking back after breaking down haha suckas!

This week was pretty alright.  I stayed more focused at least, haha.  I pray every day to stay focused and to enjoy the mission.  And I've been able to enjoy it more.  I've started to notice the small things that God puts in my path.  Like tracting sucks, but while tracting this week I found a turkey feather, just like the one that I use to have in my hat.  Now I have a new one to put in it when I get home.  I got to talk to a guy about his brand new cummins, and I shared the gospel with him.  Just gotta break the ice with something that they have an interest in.  Then I gotta have dinner with a Taxidermist and he showed me all his kills and all the kills of his costumers.  So I've learned to enjoy the small things and makes the days better.

This week was slower a lot of our investigators canceled probably because of "INDEPENDENCE DAY" sounds better than the 4th of July, haha. So hopefully we are able to teach more this week. 

My Independence Day was pretty good.  Me and one of my Zone Leaders (we live with the zone leaders, my comp is district leader)  Got on the roof to watch the fireworks.  And my comp and the other Zone Leader stayed down in the grass because my comp didn't wanna get up there. 

Well thanks for all you guys do for me! Love You all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

Hopkins Family from Kennewick

June 23, 2014

(My email wouldn't send to him so all I got from him the week before was... "No email?" That's it! I scolded him and told him he should've written me anyway!)

Sorry for not writing last week haha.  I'll do better because I hate when people don't write me.  I know I'm starting to get old in the mission because my letters are starting to slow down:/

I haven't officially got the package yet.  I got the note for the package in our mail box but the package stays at the post office and it was closed on Saturday.  I'm gonna get it today, so thank you!

Hermiston is good.  Makes me dream a lot more.  A lot of Cummins driving around, I dream about what I'm gonna do with life a lot more out here.  But we had interviews and specialized training this past week.   A lot of it was on staying focused on "Our Purpose" so I guess that is what I needed.  And I've focused on staying focused since then and I've been doing pretty good.  We were able to soft commit 2 investigators to baptism, so once they come to know these things are true then they will be baptized. There names are Fidel Sandoval and David I don't know his last name.

We got 92 oyms this week, that's the most I've  ever gotten in a week so that was pretty good. (fyi oym means, open your mouth) so like talking with people whether it be tracting or street contacting.

Yeah I'm still liking living with the group.  Still would always be easier if I was living alone, haha but I guess its just preparing me to be a parent.  Oh yeah my President thinks I have ADD haha I told you I have it.  But I don't know if he was serious or if he meant I just need to stay focused.

Lucky you guys getta go to Cali?  How many kids are Willie and Connie going to have now?

Oh yeah, my Ward Mission Leader is a Chiropractor, I went to his office last monday and got adjusted. He told me my right side of my brain isn't triggering my right side muscles.  But I went back today and told him that's the side the truck hit me on.  And he said that might be it to.  So he adjusted me and also does stuff to strengthen it and try to fix it.  He does it for free too.  :)  I'm glad, because the first visit is $145 then $45 for all others.

Well that's about it.  Gonna stay focused on the work this week and work hard. 

Love ya'll! Have fun at Cali and the Ranch!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson 

"Best District Ever"

First Week in Hermiston

  This place is Redneck! I saw a motorized bike and they had bullhorns tied on to the handle bars like how people put longhorns on there cars or trucks haha. 

  Elder Fluckinger wrote you guys a letter? I wonder how he got our address I dont think I ever gave it to him haha but thats cool. He is a really awesome guy. His wife converted when they got married. Then he went inactive a few years later and took him awhile to come back his wife always stayed active. But you would have never guessed that he was inactive at on point in his life. He is awesome.

  Yeah it was hard to say good bye to all the members in Kennewick! Some of them became like family. Especially the Boggs family. They were like another older Brother and Sister. We went to see them the night before we left. And they just talked with us about whatever. Brother Boggs shared a few scriptures that said keep going no matter how hard things get! He also lectured me on how i need to start school as soon as I get home. Because i told him that i was gonna wait till Janurary. But I think im gonna start in August. He said you mission is your mission right now. But when you get home education becomes your mission so that you can provide for your family. He is the one that got me interested in Construction management. Then Sister Boggs started crying when we left. I almost did haha.

  We cover 2 wards in Hermiston so Sundays are super long! Go to 2 ward councils 2 sacraments then sunday school in priesthood only in one ward since the wards over lap eachother. There a some farmers her and cowboys so thats good. My Ward Mission Leader is a chiropractor and will adjust missionaries for free! So thats gonna be good. Ive been having a lot of pain in my lower back.

The companion im with is a super hard worker and super focused. So we will accomplish alot this transfer. He just needs to relax sometimes. He is always about the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law. But I love him and so does everyone else. He is hilarious even when he isnt trying to be haha. 

Well thanks for everything that you guys do!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

The Jacobs'

The Boggs'

Transfer Week

June 2, 2014

  Soo I'm getting transferred to Hermiston Oregon. "Now I'm down in Hermiston Rednecks, cowboys, addicted to the farm life" WKM remix. (Not sure what all that is...) So I'm going to Hermiston, gonna be living in an apartment, I believe there will be 4 missionaries in it.  And we get a gym I believe woop woop!  I'm leaving on Wednesday.  The comp I'm gonna be with there use to be in my zone he is kind of a weirdie but thats alright, as long as he will wake up and go to the gym with me.

  It's gonna be weird leaving Kennewick, I've been here forever!  Started to think that it was my home ward ha.  Made a lot of good friends in the ward that I'm gonna miss.  But it will be good to move on and experience some new culture and to find other people to teach and serve with other people.  Imma miss this zone though it was the best zone I've been in yet.  Made some good friends.  Me and Elder Wilcox are planning on going to lake powell together when we get home. 

  

  Yesterday we gave Kelsie Greenland she is the non-member of a part member family we are teaching,  We gave her a blessing she has the flu or something.  And it seemed to help her.  They are pissed that we are leaving.  Me and my comp are both leaving.  But Adam the husband is a bro and an adrenaline junky like me.  So we are going skydiving and bungy jumping when I get home haha.  He goes to lake powell every summer too.

  Also I gave Brother Hansen, He is the member that Elvis takes care of.  I can't remember what disease he has but it's where he is loosing his muscles can't walk now or eat.  He asked me to give him a blessing because he feels worthless and that he has no purpose left in life.  So we gave him a blessing it was cool.  He can hardly talk to.  He is hard to understand.

  Well how was the fams lake powell trip?  Catch a lot of fish?  When did you guys end up leaving?

Well thanks for everything you guys do!  Love and miss you all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson  

May 26, 2014

Hey! 

How's Heaven on earth?  Can you guys schedule for next year like the week after I get home so I don't have to miss 2 years of Powell?:) 

Why is Kyle leaving Wednesday?  Dang sounds like Lynn is having a rough time! 

Angel is still doing well!  Should be getting the Priesthood this week.  He has an appointment with the Bishop this week for his Patriarchal blessing so that's gonna be pretty cool.

Karen idk we haven't seen her or heard from her.  We stopped by on Thursday when we had an appointment but she was not there.  So idk what is going with her.

So you guys got the package ok?  I miss the Ipod already haha.  I hate to ask but can you put some money in my account?  Maybe like 100.  I'm gonna have to buy some of those vacuum bags so all my stuff can fit in my suitcase since I have 2 pairs of boots and extra stuff that I have.

Thanks for all your love and support!  I hope you guys have a great time at Lake Powell!  I better be able to go next year:)

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson 

May 12, 2014

3rd Day in a Row:) - (Bubba called Saturday for a few minutes to set up the Call on Sunday!  Happy Day!!  Then called Sunday night and emailing today!  I'm so glad we live in a day of modern day technology that makes it all possible!)

  It was good talkin with you guys yesterday!  (It sure was!)  I wish i could skype atleast once a month ha its so much better than email.  What was the thing that everyone was quoting about asking any question?  (Uhmm....Not sure what he's talking about.)

 Seems like everyone is doing better and happier... 

 

I don't have to much to say we talked about everything yesterday haha.  But Angels Baptism was good!  He got confirmed Sunday. He couldn't stop smiling yesterday!  Can't wait till they get sealed.  I hope I can go to that!

Thanks for all you guys do for me!  And for all the Love and Support!  Keep Truckin' as a family!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

May 5, 2014

I don't have to much to say we talked about everything yesterday haha.  But Angels Baptism was good!  He got confirmed Sunday. He couldn't stop smiling yesterday!  Can't wait till they get sealed.  I hope I can go to that!

Thanks for all you guys do for me!  And for all the Love and Support!  Keep Truckin' as a family!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson

April 28, 2014

 "Retain HIS Name"

        This week was a pretty good week!  To start it off after P-day we went to Texas Roadhouse with 2 other companionship's and someone ended up paying for it.  Our waitress came up and said today is your lucky day, someone paid for your meal!  And then on Thursday 2 of our investigators accepted the invitation for baptism and now are on date.  One of them is Angel we asked him to pray about a date our last time that we were over there.  And when we went back on Thursday he said he prayed and felt he was ready.  And we said we been praying to and we feel you can be ready by May 24th. Then he said I was actually thinking May 10th and we were totally fine with that!  It was a Miracle, we've been teaching him for 5 months.  Then Karen, we had a lesson with her on Thursday as well, and we invited her to be baptized and she accepted.  She is on date for May 31st.  There were so many miracles this week!

  I will keep an eye out for Elder Irvine when does he come out?  My comp. is spanish speaking so I'll probably see him.

Thank you for sending the watch.  When did you send it?  How is Chaylee settling in?  When does she start school?

I just finished Mosiah. We are doing the 80 day Book of Mormon Challenge Mosiah and Alma are my favorites well the end of Alma when all the wars are going on:)  Well I guess all of it is good it always has good stuff to say.

 So how was everyones week?  We are gonna be pretty busy this week getting ready for these baptisms!  I'm sure time is gonna fly this week.  But also the week before peoples baptisms are always rough!  They always go through struggles that week so we have to like babysit them.  But it's all good I know how that goes.  The month I had to wait to put my papers in was a rough month!

Well thanks for all you do!  And for all the love and support!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson 

April 21, 2014

 Transfer Week!!!!

  Yeah I am due for a change!  But I'm staying in the same area with the same comp.  This will be the 4th transfer of everything the same,  haha kinda weird!!  This week was good!  We have 3 Investigators that I believe will get baptized this transfer if not then in the near future haha.  Karen Sheckard, Angel Hernandez, and Sister Greenland I can't remember her first name, haha, thats why we call eachother Brother and Sister though right?  I also found out this week that Chases Cousin has been in my district for the past 5 months.  But he is getting transferred this week.  Houston Potts is his name.

  I had a good Easter went to Church, had dinner with a family, And then had 3 lessons so it was a pretty good day!   Phh Chaylee always has to one up me huh?  Well when I get home we are putting a pig on the Rotisserie!  So there Chaylee haha.  We watched that #becauseofhim Video like 10 times this week with Investigators and members It was always so powerful.  It helped me and them understand that because of Him we can start over again and again and again so that was an awesome video.  I liked how the music that went with it wasn't  MOTAB so that everyone can relate to it. 

  How did Maddie know which Easter basket was hers?  Sounds like you guys had a fun Easter!  And sounds like the Easter egg hunt was a hit!  I was off soda for 2 weeks then a member pulled out some Mountain Dew and I had to take it haha.

  We also had interviews with the Mission Pres. This week that was good!  Those are always good times!  I wish we could email twice a week I always forget what happened through out the week haha!

 I didn't get the package yet but I'm sure it will come today.  And yes I got Jeds letter and I wrote him back today!  Where are letters from everyone else?  Yeah it seems like he is doing pretty good!  He says he pays for all his stuff now how does he do that.  And he's a teenage boy he's never gonna get girls off his mind ha.  Its what we do!

 Well thanks for your email and the package that is coming.  Love you all!

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson!

April 14, 2014

I hate the freakin IRS why do I have to pay I only worked a half a freakin year??  That's really a kick straight to the bum! (Had to change that word!) haha. (Haha!  He thought that he was going to get a big refund!)

Well this week was a good one!   We got a referral, who is now a New Investigator, who is wanting to be baptized.  Her name is Karen Sheckard.  She has alot of LDS family.  Her Brother converted when he married an LDS girl and so did her son.  Her parents converted 2 years ago and were sealed a year ago.  Her dad passed away though about 4 weeks ago, so she got to dress him for burial.  So that's pretty cool!  What investigator is ever gonna be able to do that?  We met her Thursday and  have another appointment scheduled Thursday.  She has a nephew on a mission she told him before he left but then on Thursday she said she is gonna email him and ask if its alright if she gets baptized before he gets home so it pretty exciting!

Elvis is still doing good!  His family still isn't letting him be baptized or come to church though.  So he is still doing what he can.  We were on exchanges with the Zone Leaders on Saturday and we had an OYM challenge (OYM means open your mouth basically talk to someone you haven't met about the gospel, like tracting or street contacting)  Ofcourse me and the zone leader that was with me won!  :) 

So what project were they doing up at Luna?  Why are you yelling at me about not telling you about Pres. Greer getting into the 70 you guys should have been watching it! :)  But yeah I forgot to tell you about that.  No he hasn't emailed me yet, you told me he was going to like 2 months ago too.  So idk why he hasn't yet.

Was Rio 2 good?  So thats her new movie huh?  Did Kyle take her out to the lake or did they just sit in the boat?  (Maddie found her life jacket this morning and decided she was going on the boat and going fishing.  She kept signing it to us.  So of course Kyle told her they were going to the Lake to go fishing.  Needless to say she went to school with her swim suit on under her clothes but not before she had put her life jacket on over the clothes and her swim coverup on over that.  I had to send the bus on to school without her because she wasn't getting on until she had at least sat in the boat!  Silly, stubborn child of mine! Love her!)  How did your interviews go? (No luck - still looking for a job!)

 

Um send the package to the Mission because transfers are next week.  I thought his watch was in the safe I think in a shoe box.  Did you find my watch to send to me though?  And did you get P90x in there?

 Thank you for all you do! 

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson