Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is doing well? I'm enjoying the sunshine, finally got out from the rain! I hope I don't have to wear my raincoat too much more! So we had Elder Allen come, who is THE head of Missionary work, to teach us about how we can help people come unto Christ. Specifically he spoke about repentance and what we can do to help our investigators truly repent before being Baptised. It's something that I feel is really important. I noticed before and during the Mission that often people accept changes made in lives as repentance, when it's not the same thing. Repentance isn't just not smoking anymore. It's not just getting married so that you are no longer cohabiting. Repentance is truly feeling sorry for what you have done and fundamentally changing your personality. Often members at home would complain that investigators hadn't repented before Baptism, but I feel that this isn't just about those entering the waters of Baptism. How often do we just stop doing what we are doing wrong, and then present it to the Lord as repentance? How often do we brush off the sufferings that He underwent in order to pay for the mistake we just made? It really made me think. I know I do it all too often, and I'm praying that the Lord will help me take it more seriously, and that I can truly repent of all my misdoings, so that I don't have to make Him suffer anymore.

I love you!

Anziano Nelson.

Hello everyone!

Did you all get to see General Conference? I hope so! I got to see all but one of the sessions, I loved it! Though to be honest I spent most of the time trying to help our investigators feel welcome and making sure that they understood what was happening. I remember one of the first times I came to Church was for General Conference, when President Monson was sustained as Prophet. I felt the Spirit so strong at that time, and gained my testimony that he was a Prophet of God as I listened to his talk. 5 years later all I can really remember of that talk was the story of him playing with a child, wiggling his ears while on the pulpit. Later I learned that there were probably a few people that thought that such behaviour was beneath the dignity of a Prophet. I've always thought, and learned again on the Mission, that the Saviour was right, that a man of God is willing to entertain and play with children. That as we are willing to do what we need to in order to make other people happy, to make them smile, that is when we come closest to God, because that is His work and His glory, to make us happy and to make us smile.

I love you!

Anziano Nelson

Hello!

So today, I was in Lecco and we decided to climb the mountain there, because there is a great view of the surrounding area, of Lake Como, Lecco and the valleys. On the way up, I was with another Anziano, who was probably more out of shape than I was, if it were possible! As we started, he already started to complain about the pace, and about how difficult it was. As we continued up, the path got steeper and more difficult. Trying to change his attitude, I started pointing out the blessings, the fresh air, the coolness, the great views we were seeing as we ascended up to the top. Very quickly there started to be a comparison to missionary work. The work is hard. the work is uncomfortable, and often not very pleasing. but we keep doing it because we know the blessings and we see the other sides to it that make it a great experience. I realised that it's no different in life. Sure, at times it's difficult. At times it's just gruelling. But if we take the time and see the blessings, see the positives, and just watch the great views, the drudgery and difficulty melts away. I looked back a few times, and felt satisfaction with having achieved the distance and height that I had at that point, even if there was a long way to go. Then I started reflecting on my own mission. as my exchange companion had commented the night before, my mission has not been an easy one. But looking back, I feel a swell of satisfaction seeing the trials that I've already overcome, the dark spots I've climbed out of, and the peaks of success. The challenges and stresses of my mission were swallowed up as I took in the moment, and looked hopefully to the future. I then realised that it was no different to my life in general. I have much satisfaction in the trials endured and overcome, I love the sights that I can see, and I know there are many great and wonderful blessings waiting for me in the future!

I love you all!

Anziano Nelson