Week 13 in New York

Week 11 in New York

Hello Everyone! Sorry I haven't been on for a couple weeks! I was super sick the last couple of weeks and wasn't able to be on too much! This last week has been soo great! We have met so many amazing people and I just love the mission so much! Transfers weren't supposed to be until next week but President. Evans called us today and told us he changed the transfer date to today because of the Hill Cumorah Pageant starting on Friday. So he called and I'm getting Transferred! Im going to a new area called Henrietta N.Y! I'm going to be half sites and half proselyting! I'm so excited! This week is going to be so crazy at the sites! There's usually around 9,000 new people at the pageant each day so the sites are going to be insanely busy! And I'm new to the sites so I'll have no idea what I'm doing! Haha but I'm excited to learn! I'm also getting a new companion! Her name is Sister. Rosenberg! And we will be companions and I will be Training her as well! I meet her this upcoming Wednesday!
Anyways it has been such a great couple of weeks. I love being out and serving the Lord so much! To think of how much I've learned in the couple months that I've been here is so crazy and I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve!
I love you all!

 Elder Neff was in a lesson with us and Matt is our current progressing investigator!

Selfie from the 4th of July

Week 8 in New York

Oh man! This week has been so wonderful! I love my companions and I love missionary work! This last week has been all about finding individuals who are prepared to hear of the message we have to share. I have been working really hard on being bold and applying everything that Elder. Maynes talked to us about in my missionary work. I've been so tired at the end of each day this week but it's been so nice and fulfilling knowing that we worked hard and did our best at the end of each day. We met some amazing people this week! And have been teaching them the lessons and one of them already accepted a Baptismal date! So exciting! Overall It's been such a great week. 

I love you all! Sister Nelson 

I made this Jesus wall to help us focus on Him and our purpose! I love it so much! haha

Tim Horton's is everywhere! 

Downtown Buffalo 

Downtown Buffalo 

Week 7 in New York

Hello Everyone! This week has been so so great! We picked up our new sister on Wednesday! And she's so awesome! We have been street contacting a ton this week and it has worked out so well! We have been finding so many amazing people! And It's been so cool to see who God has put in our path each day so far. I really do love being a missionary! Our new trainee is named Sister Flenders! She is from Cedar Hills Utah and she is so cute and happy all the time! She has brought such great things into our companionship. It's been really nice being able to take the things that Iv'e learned from my trainer Sister Heelis and use them in my own missionary work. And I just love becoming who Heavenly Father wants me to be. We have had so many great experiences these last couple of days. And I love sharing the Gospel with everyone we see! It's been such a great week! I love you all so much!
Sister Nelson
Cool Fact: The Owner of the Brand of Neff Beanies is actually my site mission leaders. Him and his wife work closely with us at the sites. And they give us a bunch of Neff Beanies and stuff! It's pretty cool! haha and so I'm wearing one of their beanies in my pics! Their names are Elder and Sister Neff! They are the best! hahaha

My new companions and I!

Buffalo!!!

My new companions and I 

I finally got to see my MTC sisters!! And thats a pic of me and sister Davies! I LOVE HER!

Week 6 in New York

OH MY GOODNESS! I'm already to transfers!! It's already been about 6 weeks somehow! So yesterday we found out what's going to happen for these next 6 weeks! And so... My Trainer is leaving back to Palmyra to be a full sites Sister missionary and so I actually don't really have a trainer anymore! And I'm still staying in Buffalo as a Full-Time Proselyting Missionary! And I'm still with my other companion who has been out only one transfer more than me and we are both actually called to be Trainers for a new sister coming tomorrow!! I'M A TRAINER! AHH!! So I'm in another trio! And I'm still training but also a trainer!? Idk how that works but I'm excited! haha also a little nervous but we're not thinking too much into that yet! We also had the opportunity to hear from Elder. Maynes this week and it was incredibly inspiring. And has already helped my missionary work so much!! Sorry I don't have much time today! But thank you everyone again for all your love and support! Talk to you next week!
Love, Sister Nelson

Me and Sister B! I LOVE HER! (She is one of Kenn's Best Friends)

Week 5 in New York- 2 months

Hey Family & Friends!
Ups :
-Transfers are this next Monday!
-It's my 1 month in the field today!! 2 months with the MTC!
-We have Elder Manes coming to talk to us this week!! So excited!
-We have found a couple New solid investigators this week!! They are the best! But most of them aren't young single adults so we will have to pass them off to other missionaries in our zone!
Downs:
-Homesickness has been pretty high this week! Haha not going to lie! But it's okay I'm doing good! It's sooo hard not being able to hold little kids!! Haha
Spiritual Experience: I had a very humbling experience this week..
-We were driving to one of our appointments and I was just feeling really overwhelmed and stressed.. I was talking to my Companions about how I felt. I was feeling that I had so much to do and learn and I was trying my best to focus on one thing at a time and not get overwhelmed but as I focused on the one thing I felt like I would be so behind on everything else because there was even more things coming up each day that I had to do! Everything was just stacking up on top of each other and I couldn't even remember half the things I already had to do. And it was just getting crazy in my Head! Haha We decided we would continue this conversation after the lesson with this young girl we met the day before.
-We finally got to our appointment and knocked on the door.. As we were waiting a young man opened the door! He was the brother of the young girl we were supposed to teach but she wasn't there! He asked us who we were and we decided to share a message with him! As we were talking to him he told us that he had a belief in God and that he had such strong faith that God is always there for him and his family..
As he continued talking we found out that he is taking care of his 3 sisters and niece and he's trying to find a job and that they are getting kicked out of their house by the end of the month! But with all of that happening he knows that if he has faith in God everything will be okay even if he has to go to a shelter for a while! He said he will do whatever he can to keep his family safe. Seeing how much faith in christ this young man had as he was struggling with all these different serious things I began to be humbled and realize that my problems were very small and all that I needed to do is have faith in all things and rely on my Heavanly Father just like this young man did.
-Little did i know as I was walking up to the door for this appointment... that this girls brother was going to teach me how to have more faith and Christ and to trust in him. I was humbled and I couldn't be more thankful for the lesson that I learned at that front porch by this kid my same age.
-As the conversation continued.. We got his number and invited him to a baptism we have tomorrow night. We wanted to go to this baptism but none of our current investigators could go. As we invited him to the baptism he said with light in his eyes that he would love to come! And that he's been looking for a church! It was a miracle! We had been looking all day for someone to come and witness this special baptism! And by the very end of that night we were able to find that one person!
-Later that night the young man texted us saying he was excited to come watch the baptism of the kid in our congregation and then he asked us, "would I be able to get baptized at all?"
-What!!?!!! Yes!! So we put him on date tonight!!! We are so excited to be able to teach him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Meeting him was the most incredible thing I've ever experienced so far! There was 3 miricales in 1 conversation!
1) I was taught a very important lesson that lifted me up and re-focused me on having faith in Christ instead of all the "downs" I was feeling!
2) We had been looking and asking everyone we could to attend this baptism all day long! And late that night we had found that 1 person! God is so good!
3) He asked us if he would be able to be baptized! The spirit was so strong at that doorstep!! And I know that God had been preparing this young man to hear the message of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ!
Missionary work is the best!! Im so grateful to be apart of God's work! And for Him to work through me to bring others closer to Christ! LOVE YOU ALL!
Love, Sister Nelson

This pic is titled.. " This is the consequence when i woke up and found the window opened. " Also don't mind my blinding highlight! hahaha

Trio Pic

Another Samsung selfie haha!

Downtown Buffalo! (The humidity is crazy)

Week 4 in New York

I think it's week 4!!? Right? haha I never know what day or week or time it is being out here!! I lose track!! Haha!!! It goes by so slow but soo fast!!! Crazy!! This week has been really really good!!! The mission keeps getting better everyday!
UPS:
-I had my first dinner appointment in a home with 2 students names Collin and Lio!! We don't really get fed dinner too much out here in the Buffalo YSA! But it's okay! The lesson went really good and the food was really good too!
-We had one of the 70 come and talk to us. His name was Elder. Dunnigan! It was absolutely amazing! His talk was very inspiring and helped me better recognize our authority as missionaries in this area and he had all the missionaries stand up in stake conference and it was so powerful!
-We have to give a missionary training to like 4 districts of elders since we're the only sisters in our area and it's soo funny because I literally haven't been out here even a month yet and I'm telling all these people that have been out forever how to teach a lesson!? It's so weird honestly! hahaha
-All of our progressing investigators left this last week back home from college! And they have all been passed on to new missionaries! It's been sad saying goodbye but I'm so glad that they are all continuing to take lessons and become closer to Heavenly Father. It's been so cool being able to see their lives change from the knowledge they receive about this true gospel.
DOWNS:
-Yesterday we were late to one of our appointments because we left our entire lesson in the car and so we had to go all the way back from the train stop to our car and then sprint to our car grab the lesson ran back to the next train stop then ran 25 minutes to the girls house that we were teaching then taught the lesson then ran 25 minutes back to the train station to make it home on time! It was so crazy!! I've never ran that fast in my life!! hahah especially in heels and a skirt! 

I do not know how but we didn't take any pictures this week!!? I'll make sure to do better next week!! Love you all!! Thank you so much for all the support and prayers coming from back home!!
Love,
Sister Nelson

Week 3 in New York

Hello Family and Friends!!! We are on week 3! Half way through the transfer! So crazy! I love my area sooo much!!! 

UPS: 

Oh my gosh!! Talking to my family on Mother's day!! I literally was crying the entire time!! Haha I love my family so much!! I definitely needed that video call! It was so amazing!! AHH!
-Francisco came to church for the first time! And his baptism date is still set for June 9th!! Its been so cool teaching him!
-Everyone at the collages are leaving for the summer so now we go into Downtown Buffalo everyday to contact and there are sooo many crazy funny people down there! I can't believe we're allowed to be contacting there! It's pretty sketchy!! Haha But being down there we have met a lot of people and hearing their stories and the way they view life is so sad and I know how much the message of the gospel will be able to bless each of their lives! And bring them so much happiness! So even though it's scary It's really amazing that we are allowed down there to be able to share that message with as many people as we can!
-I got to Skype into a meeting this week and see my 8 MTC sisters!! I love them!
-Josh got called to white wash an area and to be District Leader!! AHH so cool! I'm so excited for him! He is doing so GREAT!
DOWNS:
-Francisco is leaving back to New York city so he is getting New missionaries there to baptize him and teach him the rest of the lessons so it's a little hard not being able to be there for that but I'm so grateful that he is changing his life and coming closer to God and accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
-So.... I just found out our windows in our apartment don't lock and it literally terrifies me every single night! Cause I mean we are in Buffolo New York! My companions are so chill about it and say I'm crazy and that we are fine! But I don't trust it! Good thing they sleep next to the Windows! Haha (I don't care if I'm a baby I'm calling the landlord ASAP) Haha
-My companions are ALWAYS so hot and I'm ALWAYS freezing in our apartment! #saintgeorgeproblems so we try to compromise haha it's a struggle! They always try to sneak the Windows open when I'm asleep! But NOT on my watch! Hahah
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE : 

 On Saturday evening we were driving around to all of our appointments that we scheduled and almost all of them fell through and it was hard cause I was feeling really anxious to do something and not be in the car and to at least talk to a few people and as we were in the car driving back we had about 15 minutes left till we had to be home for the night so I was like "We need to park and pray and talk to at least 1 more person tonight!" So we parked and I said the prayer before we got out of the car and asked Heavenly Father to help us find at least 1 person in this short amount of time that this message can help tonight! And so we get out of the car and we see this young adult so we rush over to him and talk to him and we ask if he has time for us to share a message with him that will change his life and he said yes! And so we start our quick lesson off with a prayer and after the prayer he began to tear up and told us "Dang! I really needed that tonight! Thank you so much for what you do!" And we got his contact information and I'm not sure how it will work out! But overall I know that Heavenly Father heard my prayer and he answered it. And I see little miracles like this every single day of my mission and I know that God is really preparing people! I'm so happy that I can be a representative of Jesus Christ and share my testimony with lots of people everyday! This work is very tough! But those little moments really make it so worth it!
I hope everyone is having a great week!!! I love you all!!
Love,
Sister Nelson

My Trainers and I 

Picture on Canal Side

Super pretty over here at Canal Side 

Comps and I in our Apartment 

Week 2 in New York

HELLO EVERYONE!

So this week has been a lot better!! Honestly last week was such a struggle!!! Like SO overwhelming! Haha but it's getting better! And i was struggling a little with my 2 companions this last week but iv'e been more focused on the work and praying a lot so its been a better week overall!

UPS:
-I invited Fransisco a student that we have been teaching for a week to be baptized and he said YES! Its just so cool to see that the lord really is preparing people to hear this great message and accept it! 

-Mothers day is so soon and i get to see my family im SO excited!!!!
-Sunday we had 5 russian guys we met show up to church and they were so funny and it was just so cool because they went up and bore their testimonies!

DOWNS:
- This week i saw my first silver fish in our apartment and i literally cried it was so BIG! Good thing my companions not afraid to kill things! Haha
-A lot of students we are teaching are leaving back home for the summer or are super stressed with finals! So its been pretty hard to get solid investigators!

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE:
This last week we got to go to Mission Leader Council! And i had such a cool spiritual experience that really helped me look at my mission differently and to realize whats really important and it was just such a humbling experience! I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father and all the little tender mercies he puts into my life to help me become who he needs me to be!

I love you all!! Hope you have a great week!
Love,

Sister Nelson

Me and My old Comp from the MTC ( I miss her so much)

When we were able to leave the MTC and go to Temple Square 

Me and Sister B! (She is Kenn's friend from St. George! I LOVE HER)

Terrible phone camera but here is the requested selfie!

Last group pic from last day at MTC

Week 1 in New York- 1 month

Hey Everyone!!!

I can't believe I'm in New York!! This is sooo crazy! The only familiar place is Walmart! Haha!! This week has been A LOT different than the MTC! I miss my 8 MTC sisters so bad!
Honestly this week has been a little overwhelming but i'm hanging in there!

First off, I can only email for about an hour on p-days now! So if I don't email you back just know that I love you and am grateful for all our of your sweet emails, updates on life, and pictures! Really means a lot! And I read them ALL!

I'm actually in a Trio! My trainer is Sister. Heelis and Sister. Stoddard! They are great Missionaries! They have taught me a lot so far. I've been called to serve in Buffalo, New York this transfer! As a full time proselyting missionary! Only one other sister got called full proselyting out of the 8! The rest are Full-Time Visitor Center or half and half! I'm about an hour + from the sites. It's so weird because in Buffalo we are only allowed to proselyte inside and around college campuses! So everyday we can only talk to kids around my same age! It's a lot different than what I expected but pretty cool! I'm also serving in a Young Single Adults Ward! And It's weird cause when I went to church yesterday there were no girls or sisters in my ward! There are only elders and boys that come to church! It's a lot different. And a little weird. Haha But I'm so grateful that I was able to partake of the sacrament because it was so peaceful and really really was the best part of my week! I'm sorry I don't have much time left! But I'm so grateful to be a missionary and thanks again for all the prayers and sweet words!!

I really have such amazing family and Friends!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love, Sister Nelson

Week 3/4 in MTC

Hey Family and Friends!! I can't believe I leave to New York!! We started Visitors Center Training so we got a new schedule! We leave Tuesday so my next group email wont be until the following Monday! AND I WILL BE EMAILING IN NEW YORK!! AHH SO EXCITED!!

HIGHS:
- We are going to temple square tomorrow for a practice training! SO EXCITED
- We have 5 new teachers for Visitors center training and they are soo cute and awesome!!
- Met 4 Elders randomly in the elevator that are going to SALTA, Argentina!!! (Josh's Mission) And JP could be one of their trainers! So cool!
- I found out LESS than 2% of missionaries are called to Visitor Centers! And it's cool to think i'm apart of that 2%!!
- Shout out to grandma for sending my district Olive Garden!! We all died when we opened up that package!!
- We had an AMAZING devotional on Tuesday!! Brother. Schwitzer (FROM THE 70)
- My district of 8 is singing AS SISTERS IN ZION MEDLEY on Sunday before we leave! Feeling a little nervous but excited as well!

LOWS:
- We got new companions this week for visitors center training and I'm missing Sister. Hunt SOOOOO MUCH!
-Missing our old teachers!!
- I still can't handle the repetitive food!!
- Hard core missing Durangos!!!


EXPERIENCE:
So this week we have been learning a lot about Visitor Centers and we did a practice MTC tour with a non-member and it was really awesome!! The spirit was so strong and because of that I could feel the spirit telling me exactly what to say to her! It was so strong and clear! And I'm so grateful that we can have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion!! 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

LOVE,
Sister Nelson