Strength and Change Through the Atonement

Quick thought for the week.

I`ve been thinking a lot about my life goals, mission goals, goals,
and more goals. I am realizing and understanding that we each have
incredible potential, but it is our job to strive to reach that
potential.

"Not only does the Atonement of Jesus Christ overcome the effects of
the Fall of Adam and make possible the remission of our individual sins
and transgressions, but His atonement also enables us to do good and
become better in ways that stretch for beyond our mortal capacities.
Most of us know that when we do things wrong and need help to overcome
the effect of sin in our lives, the Savior has made it possible for us
to become clean through His redeeming power. But do we also understand
that the Atonement is for faithful men and women who are obedient,
worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and
serve more faithfully? I wonder if we fail to fully acknowledge this
strengthening aspect of the Atonement in our lives and mistakenly
believe we must carry our load all alone-- through sheer grit,
willpower, and discipline and with our obviously limited capacities."
- Elder Bednar ("Bear up their burdens with ease" GC 2014)

I have felt that healing and strengthening power of the atonement
immensely on my mission. I am grateful for the sacrifice the Savior
made for me so that I can me strengthened in my weaknesses and become
the missionary the Lord wants me to be.

Yersin and Jhasmina are doing really well! Next week I`ll send you
pics of their WEDDING and BAPTISM!! He called us the other night and
told us he was just waiting at work and had is Book of Mormon... he
asked us what chapter in the Book of Mormon we would recommend for him
to read. It was a very touching moment. A huge evidence that he is
changing drastically and coming to truly follow Christ. He is
experiencing the healing and changing power of the Atonement of Jesus
Christ.

Love you all so much!

Hermana Nelson

That one time Candy the cat tried to crawl in our window because it
was raining.

Candy also likes to sleep on my lap while we teach lessons.

Sister Leaders and Comp Love!

Monkey Friend

With the Branch Pres and family and their three new puppies!

Our favorite food here.

Marìa our pensionista!

Ire y Hare

This week was good! We are seeing more and more progression in the
branch. Yesterday 11 of the less actives we are working with were in
sacrament meeting! Woah! Seriously, such a blessing from the Lord. We
are working hard and trying to follow the spirit to really know who to
work with and who is really prepared for us to teach.

Jhasmina and Yersin are progressing really well! We are making plans
for their wedding! Yersin is super strong and getting more and more
ready for baptism. I`m really excited for them!! Ah! In 2 weeks we`ll
have the big FIESTA! August 30th.

Just want to apologize to Mom and Dad for being a difficult teenager at
times and being REALLY hard to get out of bed some mornings... or most
mornings. We went to pick up a less active for church on Sunday. He`s
18 and likes to sleep a lot. Well, we knocked, and waited outside his
door, his mom yelled at him, and we waited and waited... and all we
got was, "no, you guys go ahead, I`ll meet you there..." Ah, well he
didn`t come and probably hates us now, but ya know, we`re just trying
to help. We worry a lot about that kid and really just are trying to
help him be happy. Now I understand that perspective a little
better... sorry mom and dad haha.

Love you all tons!

Hermana Nelson

Sometimes it rains a lot! I heart Puerto.

My companion is really warming up to liking cats... 

This Place is Hot Hot Hot

It was an incredible week. I can´t really say much more than that!
Here´s just one of the cool stories from the week:

Last week we met a less active for the first time who ended up giving
us two references. One of the references is a family of 3 (mom, and
two sons). She was very excited to talk to us because she wants her
sons to get involved in a church and she herself wants to learn more.
We visited her last week and invited them to church. Because she works
on Sundays, only her sons were able to come. As we sat in Sacrament
meeting listening to testimonies, her 13 year old son Victor asked me
what was going on. I explained to him that the first sunday of every
month whoever wants to can share their testimony about what they
believe. Well, I wasn´t expecting him to do what he did. He walked
right up there at the last minute of the meeting and shared a strong
testimony of Jesus Christ. I was so touched by his desires to share
what he believed without any fear. Later in Elders Quorum/Young Men´s
the Elders were asking for volunteers to help them do visits that
week. Victor was the first to raise his hand! Later that day he
accompanied the Elders to visit a family all with his Book of Mormon
and Bible in hand! It´s truly touching to see the natural desires he
has to serve the Lord and to share what he believes with everyone! He
will make a great missionary one day!

Thank you for all you are doing to spread the gospel and strengthen
your own families! I know you are all incredible examples for others
and for ME!

Love you!

Hermana Nelson

Pics: It´s really hot here. Even the cats think it´s hot.