November 19

Good to hear that Grandpas funeral went well and that he had a good last couple of days.  Sounds like everybody pitched in to help and are still helping.   Have you guys started building the cabin yet?  (haha - in our dreams!) Tell Dad to put a wood stove in there I love chopping wood I did it for a couple hours the other day everyone burns wood in the winter up here.  How is everyone doing?  You guys still have work going on?   Sister Brown said that you messaged her about Grandpa and she gave her condolences to me on Sunday.  I cried for the first time on my mission 2 Saturdays ago, haha.  I was praying to have a confirmation about the Book of Mormon. I always knew it was true just from reading it but I never prayed about it and our Mission President invited us to do so, so I did. And we were at a members home and she played her accordion for us and she played Praise to the Man.  When she was playing that, the spirit was so strong. I knew it was true!   Then we bore are testimonies at the end and I started crying.  That was embarassing - ha.  I didnt write yesterday because we had a meeting in Wenatchee with Elder Richards a member of the 2nd Quorum of the Seventy. He talked about having faith in what we are doing.  And not to just teach the same lesson the same way to every investigator.  He said that's why President Hinkley got rid of the memorized discussions and also to teach very simply.  He basically rebuked us.  He built us up for 2 hours then rebuked us for 2 hours - ha.  The average for baptisms in the Northwest is 1 out of 17 baptized, but in our mission it's 1 out of 41 that are baptized.  So he told us we need to teach more simply and to help them understand better.  Told us to stop using analagies because the remember the story not the principle we teach.  So it was a good meeting.  2 sundays ago Karina came to church I was surprised but we haven't been able to catch her since.  This week Analisa came, so that was big for her.  She does the nursery at the Nazerene church so she had to schedule it 2 weeks in advance she seemed to enoy it.     Well I hope I didn't make Sister Karst cry to much. Is Dad and Jed still there home teachers?  How is everything else going at home?      If you haven't sent me a package yet, will you put a copy of the picture that I have in my room of Kyle, Jed and I on the fence?    Try the strawberry airborne.  It's way better than the Lemon-Lime.  I was drinking it, but it's too expensive!  Tell Chaylee to write me.  I havent' heard from her once!  Did Jed write me a letter?  He said he would!Thanks for all the love and support!     Love, Elder Nelson"BUBBA" P.S.  Umm...there are some members that do a Thanksgiving dinner at the church.  Some members invited us to there home and Tristans parents told us we could go to their house too.  So we'll have Thanksgiving at one of those 3 - ha.

November 12

How did you know to email me today and not yesterday?  Yeah I heard about Grandpas passing.  My mission President called Saturday night.  He started talking about people inviting me to go hunting and how it was hard to turn down.  And I thought, he thought I went, so I was thinking I was in trouble.  But then he said he had some unfortunate news so then I knew what it was about.  That's good that he went in peace though in a comfortable clean house.  When is his funeral?  How are you dealing with it?  And how is Grandma doing with it?  I have to say this week at church I probably got the most out of it ever since I was thinking about Grandpa the whole time. I'm gonna miss him.
 

Yeah you told me about JJ.  So he is officially my brother or just hypothetically right now? 

Transfers were Wednesday I got a new companion.  His name is Elder Pesnell, way better than my other companion.  Its interesting though we both been out the same time so we just try to act like we know what we are doing!  I never realized how hard this area is till I actually had to do the planning and think of things to do through out the day.  So being the Senior Companion sucks, I have never liked having to be in charge, but I guess I better learn.  He has a jacket like the one I ordered but its a Mr. Mac and its way better and it was cheaper, I'm mad I bought mine. 

Things went pretty well this week.  Considering we only had 4 days to reallly work.  Karina came to church this week I was surprised and excited.  The work seems to be slowing down but our numbers aren't showing it.  But I feel like there is alot more times where we are trying to find stuff to do; those times go so slow.  It's alot better when you have to try to make time to do stuff.

The longer I'm out it feels like I forget the lessons more.  So I've been focusing on studying Preach My Gospel more instead of just reading the scriptures.  And I still don't know my scriptures that well.  I can't just flip them open and find a scripture that applies. 

But all is going well.  Our time is getting cut short today so I'll probably be on for a little bit tomorrow too.  So email back if you can.  Thanks for the love and support. Hope everything is going well for you guys.

Love, 

Elder Nelson

November 13th:

Their P-day was messed up this week so they had 2 short days to do emails.

Is Chaylee thinking about going on a mission?  Haha, so dad has made him his own boy now? (Dan calls JJ, the little boy we are kinship fostering, "Boy". :-))  I forgot to tell you my new comp has an 8 year old down syndrome sister. It sounds like she does alot of the same things Maddie does!  It's pretty fun just swoppin' stories about them.  So who's helping dad with work now?  I had to buy some thermals last pday on my card they only had 2 tops though they didn't have any bottoms my size.  Sorry I'm spending so much money I should of bought winter stuff before I left.  We chopped wood for this native guy and he gave us some elk jerky sticks that are pretty good.  And he's gonna make me and my comp each a drum outta moose hide and gonna paint an eagle on mine and a wolf on my comps.  I'm excited for it!  Hope I'm still here when he finishes it, otherwise he said he would mail it to me. The mission office told me that Christmas packages should be sent early like the week after Thanksgiving or so.  I don't wanna ask for too much.  I just want some ties and either my snowboarding jacket shipped up or a Mr. MAC jacket in a Large tall.  But I'd be fine with just my snowboarding jacket. Well thanks for your emails.  I'll be on for like 30 more minutes or so if you wanna email back.

Elder "BUBBA" Nelson

I just need the back pack and some of those thin warm socks its supposed to snow this week.  Also some Airborne.  I bought some today but they only have the small ones at Walmart. Those first toothbrush heads you bought were expensive!  I think thats all I need though.  Well I want a picture of Maddie for halloween like a real picture, not an emailed one.   Yeah my mug to please.

HA thats kinda funny about the lady passing out in the temple and crazy.  (It wasn't funny - sad)   We got transfer calls on Saturday.  My companion is leaving and I'm staying in Coulee Dam.  I'm gonna be the Head Guy In Charge for Coulee Dam, its pretty scary im stressed out haha.   So hopefully I catch on quickly!  We started day light savings Sunday so we are an hour behind you guys now!  Daylight savings is the stupidest thing in the world, I don't like it haha.

So Grandma and Grandpa moved in huh?  How is that going?  Thats good that everyone is pitching in to help though.  

Well I hit my 3 month mark on Halloween.  We didn't get to do anything on Halloween, we just got to go in early at 6 and we did our weekly planning and watched the Testaments.

We had a pretty alright week of work, our most busy day I went on exchanges to Oriville so I didn't get to experience that.  But it was a good day in Orivilee.  Orivile is basically the border of Canada.  We were tracting and this guy said he wasn't interested so we started walking away and we heard a lady yelling and we turned around and the guys neighbor was calling us over to her.  I was thinking this lady is gonna get baptized!  But nope turned out to be the most weirdest freaky experience of my Mission so far.  We were talking with her and explaining who God is and stuff and how he created all things and she picked up a stick and broke it and said, "He didn't create this, I did."  I'm like, "Uh, no you just broke a stick."  And we were talking about the Priesthood and Prophet and Apostles and stuff and how its given by the laying on of hands.  And she put her hands on her head and said, "Can I be a prophet."  I tried so hard not to laugh. I thought I smelled weed on her but I wasn't sure then she took out her pill bottle but it had her weed all pre rolled up in her little blunts and started smoking it.  I'm pretty sure she was drunk too, so we just tried wrapping it up. We went to shake her hand and she tried hugging us and we said we couldn't hug, so she flipped us off haha.  It was an interesting hour and a half.  

That's good that Maddie is the highest functioning in her class.  Tell her to start talking though.  Can you send an updated picture of her and the family before kyle leaves?

You guys have a Boxer now?

Will you send a picture of Alice (Bubba's Horse)  and next time Dad has the Team hooked up to the wagon, a picture of that?   And tell them I want pictures of their hunting adventure please!

Well I've got to go love you.  If dad has time to write next week, I'd like to hear from him.  Tell him he has to write once a month ha. I wrote 7 letters this week, it wore me out ha. I wrote the Karst's, Cauthen, Woolsey, You, G&G Nelson and Kelsee and Kenna.  Will you tell Brother Dickerson and Bishop Dixon that I would love to hear from them and Brother Aubrey?

Well thanks for all you guys do for me.  And yeah I got my debit card all ok.  Thanks for the packages i used all that candy for the Wards Trunk or Treat, and Halloween Trick or Treaters.  Things are going good for me.  Christmas is almost here then I get to call home!  Thanks again for the love and support. I will be on for another hour if you guys can reply back.  Love you all!

Love,

Elder Nelson

BUBBA

Elder M. Russell Ballard

HOLY SHEEEEEEP! You guys sent enough stuff for my whole district! That's what is happening I'm sharing it with my district tomorrow at district meeting so they get fat and not me, haha.  I'm weird, I was most excited for the ties and hygiene stuff, because that's the most expensive!  Tell Kirk if I come home with cavities, its not my fault!  I floss and brush 3 times a day and listerine total care, that tastes like pooop! 

   Our meeting with M.Russell Ballard was basically the same as your guys's Stake Conference.  But it was better than General Conference because he was there in person, in a church building speaking directly towards us!  And we got to shake his hand it was awesome.  There personalities really come out when they're not in such a formal setting.  Elder Maynes was awesome too.  We took a picture with our whole mission plus Elder Ballard, Elder Maynes and Elder Resimay.  I got to stand right behind Elder Ballard in it, I felt special haha.  After the meeting i was truly excited about my mission.  I mean, I know i came for my self and my heart was in it but I don't think my mind fully was till after the meeting.  He is my Favorite Apostle.

   Thats good that Dad and Kyle are staying busy with work and making money! 

The Temple Trip was good I got a lot more out of it this time since I wasn't as nervous.  The temple trip and Mission Conference were like a vacation, because it's a 3 hour drive and it was a mini road trip.  For the Mission Conference we went down Friday night and stayed at a members house.  She made this breakfast I've never seen before.  They are called baked eggs.  You crack an egg into a cupcake pan, don't break the yoke, and put cream, half and half, I think and some cheese and sausage.  Don't stir any of it and just put it in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes, it was pretty good.  You should try it and perfect it for me when I get home.  :) Also look up how to make Macklebee Syrup it's bomb!  From some resaraunt in Utah, a member made it for us and French Toast.

   Well not much to say about this weeek we were just busy with meetings, didn't get to much work done but it was still a good week! Yesterday in Ward Council (its weird being in Ward Council hearing the needs of and all the problems going on) the Bishop talked about what they learned in their training from M. Russell Ballard and he stressed to them about families doing prayer, scriptures and FHE. Also couples prayers because that's what Satan starts to attack and that's what starts to lead us away.  But not my family, cause we are Ballers!  hahaha

Well love you guys have a good week.  If you are sending another package,  I dont need a package, but if you do can you send me one of my backpacks?  Thanks love you guys.

Love,

Elder Daniel Nelson

Bubba

Sister McClendon, Am I as good as you yet?  :-)

Elder Nelson

MIss me?  haha sorry this week we had p-day Tuesday for Temple p-day. and it takes 3.5 hours to get there so we didn't get back till 6:30 and library closes at 7 so that's why i'm writing today. ''Well yeah I'm good about communicating, I only get to do it once a week and get to read letters throughout the week when they come so I try to write as much as I can. Yeah, I finally got Grandmas letter last week, and I wrote her back last night and sent it off this morning.  Yeah if you can put money in my account that would be awesome. Does it go to my mission card or my other card, because my other card doesn't work, they are supposed to be sending one to the house.

   That's so for away, March 4th. So that's what your gonna ask Dad for, for your birthday present, to take you?

  1, apostle is coming M. Russell Ballard, 1, 70 is coming Elder Maynes, and our area 70 is coming whoever that is.

  Lucky kyle!  Getting out in a month gonna be a Heli pilot!
 

Yeah Chase said he was gonna be back this month.  He's already on the hunt for girls?  haha

 Well its true about hunting season!  Everyone here makes it hard not to think about.  Always inviting me and keep asking me to go and I can't.  I got offered to do the chains and a football game to and couldn't do that.  I get offered all these cool things and I can't do them haha.

   Tell Jed Dad doesn't mess around either.   He grounded me for 3 months and forgot that he grounded me for grades!  Yeah he is smarter than he puts off, boys think chicks dig that in junior high, Chase did the same thing haha.

  Well nothing to exciting has been happening, except the 7 hours of tracting we did last week.  And only had one guy willing to meet with us.  He invited us right in.  He moved here like 2 months ago from Texas and met with the missionaries a couple times down there. He said he agreed with everything we said that day.  So hopefully it goes well.  We are supposed to go back Thursday.  So hopefully this week is more eventful.  We have some appointments scheduled this week, so hopefully they go through so we don't have to tract as much.

Well thanks for all you guys do for me and the love and support.  I thought my package got stolen I was mad, because we live on the Reservation, so it was a high possibility that it got stolen ha.  Well love you all.

Love elder Nelson!

"Bubba"

P.s. Can you send me The Karst, Woolsey's, Cauthen, and Jacobs addresses please?  Oh and sister Mcclendon asked if you would add her to the list for my emails

Week 9

October 15, 2013

Sorry its gonna be short.

But the library was closed yesterday for Columbus Day so we couldn't email.

Last week we saw a bear in our neighborhood a little brown bear.  I swear they sent me here to see if i would follow all of the mission rules!  I've had 3 people invite me to go hunting with them and I have to say no each time!  We went to a less actives house last night and he was skinning a dear he just killed and he wouldn't let me help because he wouldn't here the end of it from the Mormon women when I had blood on my white shirt.
   

  Sounds like you had guys had a good time in Utah and in Powers.  Why haven't I got a letter back from the Grandparents?   Everything is going well still.  Just have an anti mormon going to Karinas telling her kids that he has concerns about her joining the church, so that's makin' me mad haha.  But every on else is doing good.  We put this girl Julia on date for November 1st.  She is the daughter of a less active who joined the church a few years back and stopped coming when her and her husband got a divorce.
   

   But yeah all the things for the package you got right, but you already sent exercise bands. 

I think I have some thin snowboarding socks in my sock drawer can you send those its starting to get cold.

I think thats all I need right now.  Oh, and the bank shut off my debit card cause someone got my info somehow, but they said they were sending me a new one.   So can you send that when it comes.   I'm running low on money this month idk why. 

    I cant return that coat I had to where it the day i got it becauise it was pouring so i'll just have to deal with it, it's not a big deal.

   We found out that it's M. Russel Nelson that is coming to our mission.

Tell Brother Cauthen i found my favorite scripture its Psalms 144:1  "Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight."  (Oh, Bubba!)

And about pictures I couldn't go to Omak or Ephrata this week to go to Walmart.   So,  probabyly next week I can go to Walmart and print some and send them to you guys.

Thanks for all you guys do and the love and support!

Love,

Elder Nelson

"Bubba"

Week 8

October 7, 2013

Oh I dont know what happened then. Thanks for sending a letter though.

Yeah General conference was pretty good.  Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Dube were my favorite ones.  The first session was the best then they got less interesting to me as they went.  I dont know why, but last month it hit me that we actually get to hear from the Prophet of God and his Apostles.  I never really realized it before, of course I knew they were, but it never realized it.  Idk how to explain it haha.  But I only fell asleep for a couple minutes in the last session.  So thats a first.  I like going to Priesthood session with my brothers and Dad better though than out here. 

Luckies!   You getta go to Utah.  Yeah it's getting cold up here too.  "Barely escapes desert climate" HAHA.   My foot, it dropped from the 90's straight to the 40's and 50's and the other night it was 31 in Wilbur, a little town 20 minutes from Coulee Dam we have like 5 towns in my area.   When you send the package with my backpack, hat and Garmin, can you throw in a beanie and some light gloves?   Thanks:)  I like the 50-60 degree weather but the 40's is when I have to start wearing a sweater.  I guess we should have boughten a church sweater like you wanted to, because everyone has them here and we "have to match".  So I had to go buy 2 today so sorry:/, but i got 2 for $44 instead of one sikk one for $50,  haha I clearnced shopped for you. 

Tell Kyle to come up here, instead of there.   haha, just kidding.   Can I come work on it to and get some extra monies?:)  Oh by the way, dont worry about putting money in my account for a bike.   Who knows if i'll be in a biking area and if I have to buy one I'll put it on my credit card, then you can put money in then.   Good news, I haven't gained weight yet.  I actually have lost.  I weigh the same with all my clothes and stuff that a carry in my pockets as I did in gym shorts at home, so I've lost a few pounds, hopefully its just not muscle loss!

Well ofcourse Maddie is stuborn she's a Nelson!   Which one of us liked school and actually put effort in at school besides Jacque?  And we still got A's and B's, so tell her teachers to leave her alone she will still get good grades.  Has Maddie started saying any new words yet?

Well this week was pretty good for me.   Started getting along with my companion better.   Ricky broke me in.   I've been able to keep my temper in check since I worked with him before I came out here.   We had some of our investigators come out to conference and they all loved it.   Karina couldn't though, she had to drive her daughter to Idaho.  We went over last night though.  She said she was starting to get scared because she is afraid what her husband is gonna say to her when he finds out she has been meeting with us and is thinking about getting baptized.  She recently moved back here from North Dakota.   They moved there for the oil boom and her husband is still there trying to keep his trucking business going so he doesnt know yet.  So pray that he will be accepting to it.

Also we were at a less actives house last night to set up an appointment.  They are on the ward councils focus 5, so we have been trying to get in with them. They finally let us in last week and we had a good visit with them.  They want us focusing on this 15 year old girl that is baptised and getting her back out to church. she accpeted to take the lessons again and to start coming and her mom thats a convert and has been married in the temple but got divorced and went unactive said she would like to sit in on the lessons too.  And there 10 year old daughter came up to us and asked if we could be baptized haha.  So alot of miracles have been happening this week!

Oh yeah im going down to Kennewick twice this month the 22nd for the Temple trip and the 26th for the Apostle thats coming.  I'm thinking its Elder Holland but we dont know who.  I hope it's him so he can yell at us.  I miss being yelled at, I haven't been yelled at for 2 months,  and laugh when someone yells at me.

Thanks for all your prayers and support! Ill try to work my hardest out here!

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Nelson

"Bubba"

P.S. can you send that bass pro coffee mug outta my truck to for the apple cider im about to buy?

P.S. that oatmeal saved my life i was sick of eggs haha