Hi there! It´s another p-day! Everything is going really
well here. My Portuguese is slowly getting better and I’m having an easier
time understanding people (when they talk really slowly and say each word
clearly, that is). We gain new "investigators" almost each week. It’s
pretty intense.
Sister Dixon is from the Bay area. She actually knows Ben
Wheeler! a guy from school. Her brother is also serving in the Portland mission
right now. Everyone I meet here is sweet and nice. Sadly, I don't take many pictures
because my camera is too big to have with me a lot of the time. It would be
nice to have extra SD cards. Thank you.
And thank you so much for the Shari’s story! That really
made me laugh hard! I even told sister Dixon. Guess that means you are really
in the high priest group huh? No, dad, you don't look that old. I may make fun
of you, but you really don't. I haven't given a talk yet. But I know I probably
will soon. Hopefully my sentence structure will improve before then.
We found out last week that 3 of our Elders got their visas.
They all left today. We had about 85 total visas come in that week. Our zone
shrunk really fast. We had 10 people leave with visas, and about 20 people (2
districts) that were at their 9 weeks. I think all of them got temporarily
reassigned some to Milwaukie and some to Salt Lake. I really feel for them. We
have been taught how to preach in Portuguese. It’s hard in English now! This
Sunday in relief society a woman spoke about her mission back in 1964. She had
been assigned to Brazil, Rio. After being the only sister at the MTC here
learning Portuguese, her visa hadn't come yet. So she went to Connecticut (then
the New York mission) to wait for her visa. It still hadn't come, so she went
to the Philippians. She said it was crazy, but good. It was really inspiring
for at least sister Dixon and I. I know that I am here because God needs me
here. And if I end up in the states for a while, it is because Heavenly Father
wants me to teach someone there, that only I can really touch "I will go
where you want me to go dear Lord."
To answer your question Dad, no, I will be here for a while.
I still don't have my electronic visa in yet. And once I get that in, it can
take 3-5 weeks for any word. It is going faster, but I think that I will be
here for all 9 weeks. If I do get my visa, I will get to let you know right
away. So have no fear, you will know before I go to Brazil.
After I wrote you last week, that night we had a devotional.
Elder Richard G. Scott spoke. It was awesome! He is so amazing. He really hit
us with the Spirit when he bore his testimony to us. He even called down
blessing for the missionaries. That was so cool! He also was telling us to
keep with us always a pad of paper and pen to write down revelations and
promptings that we receive. When we do that, we can receive more and more. He
was so inspiring. After the devotionals we get together as a district and talk
about it. We always have such great discussions.
Sister Patton is now my "other" companion. Her
companion got her visa, so now she is what they call a solo sister. So she is
with us on p-days and most other times during the week, but for her classes and
meals she just has to have 2 elders with her. Today we all went to the temple
again (we get to go every week!) and we did sealing’s. We can only be proxy for
children. But it was amazing (I use that word a lot, my journal would know!). The
rooms are so beautiful and it was really big! I really can't wait to do that
again. I was paying close attention to what the sealer was saying. I really
like the oaths that are taken. Dad, you need to get to work on family history,
we are going to be going to the temple A LOT when I get back! (It’s kind of
like a high; I look forward to it each week).
Oh, and thank you for the birthday card! I LOVE it! It made
me smile. Thank you Dad for picking it out. I got a letter from the relief
society too. But that's it so far. I haven't gotten mail yet today. I can't
wait to get a package! Those are always exciting around here. Our district has
a running joke that Dear Elders count as letters. So at a lull, someone will
say "oh, you didn't know, dear elder counts." it's pretty funny for
us. Those are our jokes around here. Melissa has been sending me dear elders. And
I’ve gotten a couple of letters from Ryan. But other than that I don't get
much. I wrote to Chris and Jessi and the kids last week. They weren't much. But
there's something there.
I’m only 3 weeks in. I hope you are doing well with my being
here. And dad, I bet you could say that you are "well please" just
like Heavenly Father was with Christ. (I’m a missionary; all I know is the
gospel!)
Give everyone my hellos; give Kellie a giant hug for me! And
I love you so much. I’ll write you again next week.
Love,
Sister Nelson
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