Mother's Day Skype Session!

AH SUCH GREAT EMAILS THIS WEEK! Time is seriously my biggest enemy. I don’t even have time to write in my journal! I try to play catch up but it’s so hard.

YESTERDAY WAS AMAZING! WE HAD FOUR BAPTISMS! This work is so inspired and the Lord has so many people prepared for this Gospel and I´m blessed enough to be the one here with them holding their hand. It was such a miracle. We have been working with this mother and her daughter since I arrived in Porto, named Olivia and Rosinda. Every week we would invite them to follow Christ’s example and be baptized. Olivia would say the same thing "não filha, não filha". They go to church every week with us and institute. Last Sunday Olivia FINALLY said yes. Her daughter was a little more hesitant. She finally prayed out loud with us for the first time in almost four months on Saturday night, asking Heaven Father if she should get baptized. It was one of those moments that fill your heart with so much joy. My favorite part of being a missionary is kneeling with an investigator hearing them pray out loud for the first time. I cry every time. These people are earnestly seeking the truth and are sincerely asking our Father in Heaven for an answer. So the next morning at church she ran up to us and told us she received an answer and wanted to get baptized with her mom that afternoon. Ah I love being a missionary.

 

Another miracle this week. We have been teaching this family who is from Mali, Africa for about three weeks now. They are the most humble people I have ever met. They just want to be happy and be together for eternity. The mom Miriam we met at church three weeks ago. A recent convert neighbor brought her to church. We began stopping by every afternoon to teach her and her two sons, Abdulaye (28) and Mohamed (20). Mohamed is Islam and was very against changing religions. He always listened but refused to pray with us and accept Christ as his Savior. But last week when we came over the first thing he said was "Sisters, I have good news. I prayed and I know the Church is true and I want to get baptized. It won’t be easy but it’s what God told me; along with my mom and brother.” On Thursday we went over to teach them and we were talking a little bit about being missionaries and why we leave our friends families and lives behind for 18-24 months. I was saying to him that we are here because we know the Gospel is true, we love our Savior and we’re here to find people like you and invite you to come unto Christ. I was saying that it’s not easy. It’s very hard but it is all worth it for the tender mercies and the little moments like him telling me that he had good news and wanted to be baptized. I went on to say that my mission is changing me and the people here. He stopped me and said "no, you are changing ME" and I of course we both started crying. This is why I’m here to see the Lord change these people. His mom and brother had both attended church once so they could be baptized on Sunday, but their father lives in France and they couldn’t get a hold of him to get his permission. Since he’s Muslim we needed to get consent. So only Abdulaye was baptized after church with Olivia and Rosinda. We went to dinner at a member’s house with people from the ward and the zone leaders called us and said that given the situation, President said she could be baptized without consent from her husband. We went back to the chapel, re- filled with font and had another baptism :) Mohamed will be baptized this next Sunday.

 

I’m so grateful for this Gospel and miracles in my life. I know I was sent here for a purpose. It requires a lot of hard work, including my first two splits this week which was so intimidating teaching without Irmã Young with me, but the Lord puts the exact words in your mouth that the people need to hear. I’m so grateful for this Church and all of the tender mercies. You are all tender mercies in my life. I pray for you every day and I can always feel your prayers. Thank you all for everything. Congrats to everyone who graduated; Brandon, Sheree, Court! And all the engaged and preggos! I love you guys :)

xoxo

Irmã Nelson

Bed Bugs and Baptism!

To answer your question, yes I still have bed bug bites. They won’t go away. Irmã young wrapped me in Neosporin and gauze last night to keep me from scratching them.....it’s better than the cone of shame.

 

LUCIA GOT BAPTIZED YESTERDAY! I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful baptism. She is my angel. Every hard day of my mission is worth it to see her make this covenant with our Heavenly Father. I was dying laughing because when she put on the baptismal clothes she started doing karate kicks and HIE-YAS all around the dressing room. I love my crazy Lucia. Then she ran around the lawn outside the chapel while we were taking pictures and wanted pictures with a basketball she found nearby. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard. She was baptized by this cute young Brazilian named Lindenburg. He and his wife are in our Ward. He has an adorable little wife named Preggo. We love them so much. She’s the one who started giving me a manicure during FHE a couple of weeks ago. We’re going to buy a white little dress today for their baby’s blessing.

 

At the baptism I gave a talk on baptism and our Ward Mission Leader spoke on the Holy Ghost. It was so funny; Lucia’s feet went flying in the air when she went under the water so they had to do it again. She’s the cutest little thing. She weighs probably 80 pounds. I made chocolate chip cookies and the entire ward was obsessed with them and wants the recipe (And you thought I couldn’t cook). They call them "bolachas Americana’s." They don’t bake chocolate chip cookies here and chocolate chips don’t exist here either.  

 

Lucia and her husband fed us after church. Her husband agreed to let us teach him one lesson if he could take us on a drive by the beach and the river. It was the most beautiful sight ever. I’m in love with Porto. Transfers are Monday and I hope I don’t get transferred. There are still so many people here I need to see baptized. We have some awesome new investigators that are so ready to be baptized. 

 

Ah I love being a missionary. I was a little run down this week but our Ward Mission Leader Irma Carvalho gave me a blessing and I’m feeling so much better. I have a strong testimony of the power of the Priesthood. We need to take advantage of it more often and all worthy Priesthood holders should use this amazing power more often as well to bless the lives of those around them. 

 

I’m so sad the senior couple here, the McConkies, are leaving tomorrow. They were my family when I first arrived in my area. They are such amazing people and I will miss them so much.

 

I received an unexpected package of letters from the Tempe University 4th Ward this week. It was so randomly perfect. Thank you so much.

SHOUT OUT TO KATIE SCERRA! Love you chica! 

 

This Church is so true. I know it with all my heart. My testimony gets stronger each day. I’m so honored to be doing the Lord’s work here in Portugal. Thank you for all your letters and prayers.

I love you

Irmã Nelson

Chuva Chuva Chuva!

Chuva Chuva Chuva!

 

Bom dia! Well today is another rainy day in Porto. It’s been raining non-stop all month. I started putting all my warm weather clothing in my suitcases then had to take it all out and wear it because it’s been cold and rainy all month. But May is going to be so beautiful. They have the prettiest trees and flowers. There is an area here called Gondomar where we have some investigators and it’s honestly so gorgeous and green and full of vineyards and has a pretty view of the city. All the rain is making everything neon green. I love it. 

 

I was little sad last night because Augusta wasn´t baptized. Her son took her out of town and wouldn’t give us their number or address. So we weren´t able to baptize her, but as soon as she comes back we will baptize her right away. She has such a desire to be baptized and knows that this Church is true. I love my little old Augusta. I know the Lord has plans for her. She truly is so special. 

 

Our investigators and recent converts are always feeding us. They are such humble giving people and are following Christ’s example. I love my Ward here so much. They are so involved and all want to be missionaries. The ward missionaries have been helping so much this week going out on lessons with us. I’m sorry my email is so short but you guys know how it goes.

 

My bed bug bites still haven’t gone away yet so I look like Ii have chicken pox or some weird disease but whatever, who am I trying to impress. I’m getting better at street contacting. 

 

Four people this week on the street asked if I was Portuguese. They told me I have an amazing accent. This is the best compliments ever. I´m still working on understanding every little word but it will come with time. I’m actually leading the lessons now and do pretty well on the phone.

 

  WellI have to go. We’re taking our recent convert Vanessa to find long skirts for Church. Her new calling is so perfect for her. She’s so excited and I couldn´t be more proud of her. 

 

Mom, she loves the CTR ring :) Please remember how much I love and miss all of you. Please continue to pray and thank our Heavenly Father for all the blessings He has given us.

 

I love being a missionary. I know this Church is true with all my heart and I am so blessed to be His servant here in Portugal. Fica Bem! Beijinhos! Amo Vocês!!

 

IRMÃ NELSON

the work is marvelous

HELLO!!!I´m sorry I didn´t write yesterday we had zone conference and interviews with President Torgan! Honestly President Torgan is one of the most amazing men I know. (next to my daddy of course) He is so close to the spirit and constantly telling us that nothing is possible without faith in the Lord. Reading Ether 12 &chapter 9 in preach my gospel has become a daily thing for me. I’m so obsessed with the scriptures and Preach My Gospel it’s not even funny. They have answers to EVERYTHING. PMG is not just for missionaries. EVERYONE should be reading this book. Please use this book along with your scriptures and it with amplify your study and help you serve others.

THIS WEEKEND WILL BE MY FIRST BAPTISM! she is seriously the CUTEST little thing you have ever seen. Her name is Augusta and she about 4.5 feet tall and is 78 years old.  She lives alone and the first day we met her she asked us to live in her big house with her. She always calls us her maninas (girls) and she basically contacted us! We were waiting at the bus paragem (stop) last week asked about the book in our hands and our names tags. Ever since we have been teaching her (she was stanch catholic so she’s still trying to understand everything she still thinks we need a papa (pope) but we explained that a prophet is called of God and not elected by the people like the pope. She has already come with us to sacrament once, a church relief society activity and President Torgan gave a fireside in our stake on Sunday and we brought her to that. After the activity on Friday we asked her if she would be baptized next Sunday and she said yes! she always carries the book of Mormon in her purse and read all the pamphlets we gave her before she goes to bed. she always likes to walk with her arm linked with mine and told me she has a facebook! I’m obsessed with her!

last Sunday we ate with Lucia’s family. She is such an amazing person and has so much love for others. We´re helping her prepare for baptism she’s so close! I love her very much. the bed bug problem is getting better since we don’t have a washing machine the sister in our ward took all our linens etc to be washed. the bites are slowly going away. and I haven’t found any new ones.... yet.

Every time I think if the bed bugs I think of jay on his mission when he told me that they’re clever & crawl up the wall to the ceiling and fall back onto the bed.  weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! stupid little guys stop biting me.

today we only get 3 hours instead of a regular pday so I apologize for not writing much. this work is so hard but I’ve never been happier in my entire life. you care SO much about your investigators that you begin to forget about yourself. but that’s what we learn in the scriptures if we lose ourselves in the service of others we find ourselves.

I love you all so much it hurts. I can’t thank our Heavenly Father enough for all of you. I don’t know what I did to have such an amazing family and friends. thank you for  everything you do and your prayers I feel them every day. I also thank him for the amazing companion I have. She teaches me so much everyday and helps me to keep focused on my purpose. This Work really is marvelous. I couldn’t be more lucky to be serving in this beautiful country. At times it doesn’t even feel like work but if were not working were not doing our job.

We are on the Lords errand and I only get 18 months to serve. Thank you for all of your examples I love you so much.
xoxo-
Irma

BOA PÁSCOA!

BOA PÁSCOA!

I hope you all had an amazing Easter! I missed all of you very much. This week was a good week. Remember Adelberto? He was our golden contact we found my first week here but his phone was disconnected. Well we found him this week and marked him for baptism but then his phone was shut off again. He told us things in his life are so hard right now that he couldn’t pay his phone bill. He wants to be baptized so badly but Satan is working so hard to keep him from it. I will keep you updated on him. 

We´ve been working with Vanessa this week and she seriously has the strongest testimony. She truly is my miracle here in Porto. She’s not just a recent convert but also a best friend. I’m going to visit her after my mission when she moves back to Mozambique. She’s always cooking for us and coming with us to teach. I thank my Heavenly Father for her every day. Yesterday for Páscoa (Easter) we had our fast and testimony meeting and then ate at Vanessa’s. She made us lamb. It was the first time I had ever eaten lamb and I loved it. Everything she cooks is amazing.

I’m sorry my email is short again this week. There is never enough time but remember how much I love each of you and that this Gospel is true. We need this Gospel in order to return to our Heavenly Father. It’s so important I might just send missionaries to all of your homes, so watch out. Well at least be nice to them and give them some food.

Have a good week everyone and remember to always have charity and love in your hearts for others.

xoxo
Irmã Nelson

General Conference and Happy Easter

I’m so sorry but this week is going to be a little short! HAPPY ALMOST EASTER (pascoa in Portuguese)! AH GENERAL CONFERENCE! ~I was only able to watch one and a half sessions but I loved every minute. Our Prophet and Apostles truly are men called of God and every message is so divinely inspired.

My new companion is amazing! Irmã Young is a small town cowgirl from Delta, Utah and has taught me so much. She gives me hope that I will one day be fluent in Portuguese! It was fun to see a lot of the missionaries from our zone at conference and watch their baptisms. I always get teary eyed watching new converts come up out of the water cleansed through both baptism of water and fire.

Hearing the choir sing "Come Thou Fount" of course made me have he biggest pit in my stomach thinking of my farewell and missing each of you so much. I can’t believe that 6 months ago I was watching conference surrounded my family and friends at the ranch. I love each of you more than I can say. Remember how much the Lord loves you and that you are NEVER alone.

Com amor

End of First Transfer!

I have officially ended my first transfer and Irmã Dos Santos is gone. :( My new companion is Irmã Young. She was in Maderia (an island in our mission) so she won’t get here for another hour or so. I´m so excited to meet her. She is American and I saw a photo of her and that’s all I know. Today has been crazy. All morning we cleaned and organized our apt because my companion had a ton of organizing to do. Then Irmã Palmer (she’s so awesome, we arrived in Portugal the same day) who came here from Viseu (another area about 2 hours away from here) and wanted to hang with me until our companions show up. It’s been fun but a ton of getting lost and running around.

SARA WADDELLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIMA PERU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot express how excited I am for you! Missions are amazing and you will change so many lives. You have such a powerful testimony. I must have received at least seven emails about your call. Everyone is so proud of you.

General Conference is this weekend. I´m so excited. They told us that they will have it in English and because of the time difference we will watch the 1st Saturday session at 5 pm on Saturday, the the 2nd Saturday session at 1pm on Sunday, the Sunday session at 5 pm and the last session at 9 pm. They announced our new Mission President. He is from America. It’s definitely a bittersweet thing. I love President and Irmá Torgan...especially when they try to speak English. Hehehe so cute.

We found a lady when we were contacting this week named Paula. Honestly one of my favorite people I´ve met thus far. She was worked with many of the past sister missionaries here in Porto and was almost baptized. But when the sisters left it didn’t happen. Thursday we found her! We’re pretty much obsessed with each other and she can speak a little English. I feel the strongest spirit around her. She brought out this bag with her scriptures, manuals and all her church stuff all delicately covered with pretty paper as covers. She wants to get baptized but she said right now her heart is closed. She feels so alone in her life right now and I tried to explain to her that this is the best time to let the Lord into her life. We´ve only talked to her once but I’m so excited to see her again.

Alright I’m all out of time but I love all of you so much! Honestly, the best emails this week. Thank you all! I’m sorry I never get enough time. I love you all.

xoxo irmã~