"Letters From Home"

October 4, 2013

So, as if I was feeling bad enough that Bubba didn't get my email last week.  I sent one, I really did.  The week after he told me he was having homesickness, I know he needed it.  Anyway......Today I got a hand written letter from him in the mail.  Since I'm not so good at technical stuff I'll just going to type his letter to pass it along.  He says in his letter he expects letters from everyone - not just me!!!  Here we go:

"Letters From Home: Montgomery Gentry - I sing it all the time, you should send the lyrics with your letter back.  It's becoming foggy to me.  :-)  Thanks Love you.

    (This was on the top of his letter and then he begins)

9-30-2013

Hey Family!!!

The family that didn't email me or write me this week.  HaHa.

Well this week was a pretty good week.  Had some good lessons with our investigators.  We met with this lady named Karina twice this week.  The second time we committed her to baptism and she accepted.  Haven't set  a date yet, hopefully gonna do that tomorrow.  But we had her say the prayer after our lesson last night and she started crying during it.  It was pretty awesome.  The spirit is always strong there.  I always look forward to going over there.  She is my favorite investigator so far.

This letter is probably gonna repeat a lot of my email, but that's what you guys get for not emailing me.  Plus this cures my home sickness.  So I expect a letter back from all of you.  PLEASE!  :-)  Yes, including DAD, KYLE, JACQUE CHAYLEE, T, JED AND ELLIE - NOT JUST MOM YOU GUYS!!!

I ordered my jacket, I ordered an X-large like I always do, but it's a 3 in 1, so you can take the outer shell off to just have a rain jacket.  But that part goes down to my knees and makes me look like I weigh 300 lbs instead ob 200 lbs.  Oh well, I only have to wear it for 2 years.  The under part of the coat fits alright though.

Like I said in my email, one of the Twelve Apostles is coming October 26th!  The whole Mission is meeting in Kennewick at the Stake Center and he is gonna speak to us.  We don't know which one yet unfortunately.  But I'm excited about it.  Like my Patriarchal Blessing says in the paragraph about my mission that, "I'll be taught b y many of the prominent leaders of the church." Well here is gonna be one of the many.

FYI, Thanks for that Sleep spray, it works!!  I was waking up like 4 times a night, now usually only one!  

I'm sorry I didn't save money to pay for my Mission.  I  know it's expensive, so I'm gonna try to live off my $135.00 a month so you guys don't have to  send packages and money, cause the mission is expensive as it is!

Well thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.  Also, the love and support.  Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me stay out here.  Love you all!

Love,

Elder Daniel Nelson

"Bubba"

Week 7

September 30, 2013

Whats up with this no email this week? 

( I FEEL SO BAD!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED! OF COURSE I WROTE HIM! MAKES ME SAD, HE SAID LAST WEEK HE WAS DEALING WITH HOMESICKNESS AND NOW HE DIDN'T GET MY EMAIL. I AM GOING TO BE ANXIOUS ALL WEEK NOW!)

Well my week was pretty good.   We started teaching a former investigator, and went over last night and taught her again and invited her to be baptized and she accepted.   I can tell she is really interested probably the most interested investigator we have.  We are going over tomorrow and gonna teach her and hopefully set a Baptism date.  She is my favorite investigator so far.  Her name is Karina and probably in her 50's. 

We got a voicemail from our Mission President Saturday morning.... On Oct. 26th the whole mission is meeting in Kennewick, its like three hours away from Coulee Dam.   But One of the Twelve Apostles is coming to speak to us!  I'm pretty excited for that -  being able to meet an Apostle.

We had a pretty good week this week.  We had 16 lessons, 4 short of the standard of excellence, so hopefully we can get that this week.  That lady, Shari, has been outta town, but is back now, so hopefully we can meet with her soon.

One of the less-active families we were meeting with, the husband got laid off, so they packed up and moved to Rexburg Idaho so he could go back to BYU.  It was sad to see them go, but that will probably be good for them.

Also, I get to go buck some hay Wednesday!!  I cant wait for that -  haha, I miss it, and it will be a good work out. 

   

Thanks for that jacket it is really comfortable.   Well how is everyone doing?  What have you guys been up to?

Tell Jed to write me a letter back please.

Well I'll be on for like 50 more minutes, so get back to me if you can, if not ill talk to you guys next week.  (So sad!  I didn't get back with him in time and have no idea what happened!)

Love and miss you all.  Hope all is well.

Love, 

Elder Nelson

"Bubba"

Week 6

September 23, 2013

Yeah my week was alright.  Mission work is like a roller coaster, always going up and down.  So we have been tracting quite a bit to try to find new people.  Not my favorite thing but its, whatever, I know I need to do it.  Thanks for the package and the jacket I like it.  I didn't by us lunch with that money, cause I needed more quarters for laundry.   Some weeks it's 6 bucks and some it's 3.   It pisses me off when they jack the prices.  But those laundry pods will help once I run outta my laundry soap I bought.  But I did by my companion a Dr. Pepper with that money and paid fast offerings and tithing so at least I used it for that, ha.  I have enough food, I didn't have to go shopping today.  I ordered this 3in1 jacket from missionary mall, it's kinda big but it'll work. 

Hahaha, thats funny Maddie got stuck in the fence! They should of got a picture of her! I wish i could see that!  (I got a phone call from Maddie's teacher and the nurse explaining why Maddie had some red marks on her back.  Maddie's teacher told me that Maddie tried to escape under the school fence, about scared her to death and she was afraid they were going to have to call the Fire Department to get her out!  She's an escape artist - that one!!)

Jeds in choir?  Since when?   I actually sang this  Sunday.  It was the Primary Program this sunday.   After seeing 2 of the kids go up there, let me tell you, your kids are normal!!! I decided this is the Ward we are going to,  when we come back to visit when I get back so you guys can go through it too.  Theres a lot of good people in the ward and I love the ward.   But there are some weirdies!! 

Why is everyone getting sick?  I was sick for the last week in the MTC and the 1st week out here.   (I sent him with Airborne but he wouldn't take it cuz it gross! He started taking it after the fact!)  

Is dad still working up north or for Dan Garret?  The Brown's called me by my first name "Bubba" this Sunday, I loved it!!  I haven't heard it in forever!!!

The mission is going good,  I started getting a little home sick after 2 months, so I'm working through that, ha.   Transfers are Wednesday, we got the calls Saturday.  I'm staying in Coulee Dam with my same companion.  So nothing is changing for me.  But they made a new zone and 28 new missionaries coming Wednesday.  They still aren't on my level, like 35 came out when I came.

Yeah, if you can send my hat and a backpack and Dads Garmin if no one uses it.  Theres a good chance I'll be training during my third transfer, so in 6 weeks.   So I'll need a GPS.  You don't need to send another package for a month and it'll get here in time.

Thanks for all you guys do.  And the prayers and support.  And for yours and dads hard work in keeping me out her financially.  Love you all.

Love,

Elder Daniel Nelson

Bubba

Week 5

September 16, 2013

My week was pretty good!  We had our interviews Tuesday.  Those went pretty well.  I love my Mission President.  We also had a special training with the interviews so that was good.  After the interviews we went back to Coulee Dam had 2 good lessons.  I wrote you guys a letter that goes more in depth so I won't write a bunch about it.  We had a lesson with a lady named Shari, we tracked her out a couple weeks ago.  Turns out her daughter is a member has been since she was 18 and still is an active member married with kids in like highschool.  Shari has seen the power of the Priesthood work in her life.  She had lung cancer and had surgery.  It wasn't healing from the surgery so her son in law came and gave her a blessing and she started to heal after that.   idk how long ago that was though.   She has met with missionaries in the past, idk why she hasn't accepted to be baptized yet.  Hopefully we can help her know that she wants the gospel in her life.

Our other lesson was with Martin, he's 21 and married to a 17 year old with a 2 year old daughter we've only met with Martin.  He liked what we shared with him, so we put him on date for Oct. 2!  So we will see if that goes through, we tracted Martin out as well.  We are going back tonight because him and his wife should be there. 

Sounds like everyone is doing good.  I have a talk for you guys listen to,  "Life is a Football Game, by Troy Dunn."  You can't read it, you have to listen to it.  Has dad listened to Glenn Becks conversion story yet?

Well I wrote you guys a letter so I don't wanna write the same stuff twice haha.  So you guys will have to wait for that.

Thanks for all the support and the package, much appreciated!  I have like a whole pantry now.  Since theres gonna be 5 shopping days this month it will be helpful. I need to stop eating out every P-day, I'm running low on cash this month.  But at least I'm not out like my companion, haha, he ran out last week.  I have $30 after shopping today. 

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Daniel Nelson

"BUBBA"

Week 4

September 9, 2013

If some things don't make sense, I'm sorry.  I pass along his letters that are in response to mine.  So sometimes he's answering my questions.  :-)

      Alright thank you.  I still havent bought a jacket yet.  Maybe I should though because it's getting into the 50's at night now.  Sorry this is already your 4th package.   I'll try to hold off for a while.  I'm learning how to make my money go farther now.  We just don't shop in Coulee Dam, cause everything is so expensive!  I'm a clean freak now.  Dishes in the sink bug me and unmade bed bugs me haha.  My singing, I think I'm sounding worse.  I sing the songs just not loud.  

      So how much did Dad make on Chris's Bunker?  

     It was Stake Conference this week.  It was a broadcast from Salt Lake,  Elder Nash and L. Tom Perry spoke also a Relief Society President.  I know another apostle spoke I forgot who it was.  I only remember them talking about the priesthood, and how are families need to be self reliant.  So we need a garden at the ranch and at home.  Everyone has a garden here and apple and peach trees.  Tell Dad if he wants to be a farmer this is where to be.  Theres miles and miles of wheat farms surrounding me.  That counsler in my ward, that I said that looks like the old man from Secondhand Lions, we went to his farm.   His house is made from an old grain house like the wooden ones before they had silos. 

   Tell Jed he needs to find 2 good guy friends before he hangs out with girls so he can have some wingmen.  So Ellie's liking school?  And has Maddie started talking yet?  That stupid device better get her talking before I call for Christmas.   Now they are going to Bisbee after I leave!!  I even asked to go!  haha!  Tell Dad to listen to Glenn Becks conversion story, it hilarious!

    The bishop and his wife has been feeding us quite a bit I was craving steak and we went over and thats what they were having.  It was different but good.  His wife cooked it she grilled it but sauteed it in this rasberry stuff it was actually good.   She sad she wasn't sure about it when some one cooked it for her, but she really liked it.  The bishop said if I need a break from Missionary life I can come over and play video games for a little bit haha.   Joking of course, so don't freak out.

   This week has been good.  But it was slower cause we have had a few meetings that have taken up our days.  And cancled appointments because of school starting and stuff.  Yeah, I read my Patriarchal Blessing every week ,if not more.  Thanks for all the support and prayers you guys do.  And I need to approve those parenting books before you start practicing them haha. jk. love you all.

Love, 

Elder Nelson

P.S. I didn't get Jed's letter.

When people write letter have them address it 

Elder Daniel Nelson

Because theres 2 Elder Nelson's 

Thank you:)

Week 3

September 2, 2013
I heard my companion talking to someone and they were asking for me and he kept saying that im right here but he never gave me the phone idk why. (a couple from our ward was over there and their Nephew is in charge of Missionary Housing, so he called and tried to get Bubs for them)  Probably because he's senior companion and reminds me of Ricky, (an employee at work that is kind of High and Mighty) so I hope I'm only with him for 6 weeks.  We get along but he gets on my nerves, I'm about to go insane.  Im in an apartment with just me and him.  And alll out district is an hour or more away.  We came down to Omak today to hang out with another companionship so thats gonna be nice.  The thing that keeps me sane is going on exchanges once a week with other missionaries its good having a change once a week haha.  Um Tristans parents are still getting settled into there house so we havent taught them yet.  But hopefully this week we will be able to get into there house this week.  But Tristan is doing good.  He got up and bore his testimony this sunday so that was pretty cool.  I've been a member all my life and I hardly bore it till my mission ha.  We started teaching this tongan man thats married to a member.  His english isn't to good so it's hard to help him understand.  He keeps requesting a tongan missionary but the closest one is an hour and a half away so we are gonna see what we can do about that.  They are my favorite people cause they remind me of the tongans from Mesa High.  They are gonna make me Otai a Tongan fruit drink and it sounds like the gumbo of fruit drinks.  But everything else is going good.  I like my district and zone.  Tell Letta she can keep threatining me, but she dont scare me after tracting on the Indian Reservation in Coulee Dam.  They have real Indians there, not the fat Navajos that drink beer all day.  They live off deer meat, they have like 7 tags a year for the Indians.  I remembered what I was gonna tell you. You can cancel my phone so you dont have to pay it and youll probably want me off your plan any ways and I will be able to get a new phone for sure when I get home haha.  And can you give me both Grandparents adresses and Jacob Hancocks?  The next package you send if no one is using those work out bands and dads garmin that he doesn't use anymore send those?  My companion won't run so I'm stuck doing sit ups push ups and lunges and its getting old.  Why did Chaylee wanna move out so bad?  ANd me and Jed both have the talent of faking sick:) Well thanks for all you guys do and the support of keeping me out here, love you all.

Love,

Elder Bubba Nelson 

Week 2

August 28, 2013

Yeah I didn't email Monday cause of this big thunder/wind/ rain storm came in Sunday night.  It took out the power and internet and uprooted a bunch of huge pine trees, one took out a quarter of a house.   And A power pole broke in half from the wind hah it was pretty sikk.  I wrote you guys a letter about the baptism you should be getting it soon so you'll probably here the same stuff twice.  You can forward this one out if you want.   The baptism went really well.   It was cool being a witness at the baptism.  I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  The talk went alright, but it was better when i just moved to my testimony at the end.  The lady that we had dinner with earlier that night, they were giving me a hard time about being a man of few words.  But after my testimony she came up to me and said she just watched me grow up there.  It meant alot to me because I have alot of respect for that family.   I feel my testimony grow every time I share it but I'm still nervous every time, idk why.   But the work is going good.   We are gonna start teaching Tristan's parents in a couple weeks, we took them on a church tour after the baptism they were pretty interested.   They really liked how we have no paid ministry.   And besides that,  just trying to find people.  We are teaching this other lady that wants to get baptized but is having a hard time with smoking.   Well love you all thanks for the support. 

P.S.  I havent opened my package yet cause I've been on exchanges.  And yes, I'm in a car, a Subaru.   Love and miss you all.

Love,

Elder Nelson

P.S.  Why did Letta say she was gonna kill me?  And if you ever see a Carrie Underwood Christmas CD that would be a great Christmas present or ties or money haha.   But did you hear about the new version of the Book Of Mormon thats coming out in October?   The references are gonna have like the New Era and stuff referenced out of it.  So I wanna buy that when I get home.   I don't wanna buy them out here because I don't have the New Era and stuff and they will get trashed.  There was something else I was gonna tell you but I forget what it was, so sorry ha. 

MY RESPONSE:

What a FUN surprise to get 2 emails in one day!!  Kyle texted me right after I got your first email this morning and told me he got his and gave me a "haha!"  I told him I got one too but had just gotten out of the Temple and was waiting to get home to send it on!!  Silly boy!  Always trying to one up me!!!

Letta said she was gonna kill you because you talked about her and the dream she had in your talk.  Several people texted her that day giving her a hard time and telling her "Way to go!"  hahaha!!   Uhmmmmm.......I don't think that you can have a Carrie Underwood CD, I doubt she is on the list of songs or artists you are allowed to listen to on your Mission - but I'd be glad to buy it for you and save it for you when you get home!  :-)  Of course we'll send $$ and ties!!  Bradley said he came home with 80 or so, so you need to outdo him!  haha!  :-)  

NO, I haven't heard anything about the new Book Of Mormon that's coming out.  That's crazy, but cool!!  I could always send you copies of the New Era and Ensign when I send you your packages.  Is that something you'd like?  Dad had a large copy of the B of M that he used for studying and took lots of notes in.  That might be a good idea.  It will be something you treasure later.  Dad gave his to his mom.

Well, I'm always here if you remember what it was!!

I love that your Testimony is growing each time you share it.  You have a special Spirit about you, I know others will feel that as you share your testimony.  I LOVE YOU and am SO grateful to be your Mother!!!

All My Love,

Mom

BUBS:

Yeah I can have her Christmas songs cause all of them are the same as we sing during Christmas.  They say I can listen to country if its talking about God or Jesus Christ and doesn't swear.  The music rules are relaxed.  We have Nashville tributes to missionaries and pioneers that have country tune to them.  They just say to listen to the more relaxed ones on pday is all.  Um maybe the big BoM would be good and New Era and stuff and the Friend I like that better ha. But I gotta go I used my hour and a half today on the computer.  But yeah Brother Barry is funny, he's a cool guy.  K, love you talk to you guys monday!