May 28, 2018 - BIG

So this was a really good past week. First thing is that we had transfer calls and I am staying here In Tillamook with Elder McElmurry for another transfer and I'm super excited! Today for p-day we had some members tell us about a lot of super cool spots here in Tillamook to go and visit so that's what we did. They told us to go to Short Beach so we stopped there first and it is absolutely gorgeous. There is a super cool man-made waterfall. Then they told us that there is an old World War 2 Radar Station that looks over the coast. So of course being boys we had to go and it fitting because it's Memorial Day weekend too! The radar station was so cool. It was super overgrown but you could almost imagine what it would have been like to be there back in World War 2 looking over the ocean.

This past week we have seen a lot of blessings and a lot of cool little miracles. A couple of days ago we ran into this girl and when she first saw us she said just keep on walking. We asked her why. We ended up talking to her for about 10 minutes and were able to give her a pamphlet and a way to keep in contact with her over facebook. As we have been messaging her, she really opened up and we taught her about the Book of Mormon and how it can answer people's prayers. We were able to give her one and we are excited to see what is going to happen with her.

I have been focusing a lot on prayer and listening for answers as that is what a lot of this past General Conference was about it seemed like. My favorite story about prayer is the story of Enos when he prays mightily to the Lord for his sins to be forgiven. The Lord speaks to him and tells him his sins are forgiven. Enos doesn't stop there but he then prays for his brethren and others too. He has been a great example to me to pray always and to pray for others and their well-being.

Something really cool happened with prayer. Going back to that girl we gave the Book of Mormon to; she had a nephew who passed away and is still heart broken about it. Some of the members in this ward knew the boy and their families were praying for them long before we met this lady. They told us about the boy and how they were praying for them and last night at dinner we were able to share with them how their prayers are beginning to be answered.

I know that the Lord watches out for us and wants to bless us if only we ask for those blessings. He knows each of us and loves us too. I'm doing great out here on my mission and have found a new love for serving the Lord these past few weeks. love yall!

Brother and Sister Nielson, Provo

Dinner with Brother & Sister Kidd

May 21, 2018 - MIND GAMES!

This past week has been crazy but oh how sweet is the work. So a lot has happened this past week and thankfully most of it for the good.  The past couple of weeks have been kind of rough but it has been getting much better. On Thursday we had a mission tour which is basically a Zone Conference, only a member of the Quorum of the 70 gives all the training. We had Elder Scott Whiting come and speak to us. During that conference, the spirit was so strong and we all went out of there very tired from learning so much. A lot of what he was talking about is humbling ourselves so that the Savior can better use us to help others. One of my favorite things he said is that the natural man in each of us is necessary. Natural man isn't the goal but the Savior gives us trials to help refine us until we can be purified and there is no more natural man. Right after the mission tour, we started an exchange. Elder Donaldson came to Tillamook with me and Elder McElmurry went to the Dairy Creek Ward. On this exchange, Elder Donaldson really helped me to apply all that I learned. While we were out finding, we were able to find a few new people to teach which will be great.

Once we swapped back, Elder McElmurry and I were doing great then we ran into this one guy... and this is why I called my email mind games. So we started talking to this guy and he said that he was Buddhist. He asked if we still wanted to talk and of course we did. We started testifying of Jesus Christ and of the Atonement he performed for every one of us and he cuts me off and the only word I understood was “offended”. So I thought that he was offended about something I had said but then he asked if I was offended. I just said no and then we just stared at each other saying nothing for a solid 20 seconds. He said a few more things like I feel you are men of power and you are very excited and many other interesting things so I'm not sure if he was trying to read our emotions but it was just very weird.

Also I hit my 6 month mark this past week. So I attempted to burn a tie but it didn't work very well and that's the only picture I took this week.

I have really been working on changing my attitude towards everything these past couple of weeks. There is beauty in everything and you just need to see it. This has helped me out a ton to just be more happy with all the situations and trials that are put in front of me. This past week has been a huge testimony builder for me. I know that God gives us trials to better our lives in the future and that he doesn't leave us alone to go through them but he helps us every step of the way.

Also happy birthday Mom and Nate! I love you guys!

Helaman 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

May 14, 2018 - Snail

This week was really good. I was able to talk to my family on Sunday. We almost have Richard on date to be baptized. The sun has been out. Elder McElmurry stepped on a snail. And some horse shoes. Good morning everybody. Today in Tillamook it's a high of 64 and it is looking sunny. On today's game of horse shoes Elder Robbins is getting destroyed by Elder McElmurry. Looking back at this past week, there were only a few things that really stand out to me. The biggest one is it’s Mother's Day and I got to call home! Happy Mother’s Day mom! I love you! It was great to see my family again and talk to them.

We had a lesson with Richard on Tuesday and it went really well. His wife who had never joined in on a lesson joined us. Richard wouldn't set a date for baptism yet but he wants to be baptized and knows he should be so that is super exciting! Tillamook has had missionaries in the area for a long time, so we are trying different ways to find new investigators because at the moment what we are doing isn't working out that well. One day we were out walking and Elder McElmurry stepped on this huge snail and it made the loudest crunch noise. He freaked out and felt super bad. One day we were doing service and the man got a call from another member. He said that there was a giant swarm of bees in his front yard. There was about 40,000 bees the member said all piled together on this one branch. We were able to get within feet of the swarm and then the member shook the branch and they all fell into a bee hive. There were bees flying everywhere around us. It was a super cool experience. The picture doesn't even show 1/8 of the bees, it was taken after the branch was shook. I'm doing really good and the Oregon weather has been beautiful.

Other thoughts: I love that my mission president is so In tune with the spirit, every single president interview he always says exactly what I needed to hear at that time. He always makes meetings fun also. He says without fun we'd all be depressed! Or something along those lines. As missionaries we are super protected. There have been some situations where there could have been super bad outcomes but because of the lord we were able to get out of those bad situations.

May 7, 2018 - Finding and MORE Finding

This past week we did a ton of finding. Like a ton. My feet are now super sore but we are going on a hike because it's a beautiful day here in Tillamook! This past week has been kind of a rough week for many various reasons but even through the rough patches there will always be good.  One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is when Nephi and all of his family are crossing the sea in 1 Nephi Chapter 17. I love the way that Nephi reacts to how his brother treat him. His brothers tie him up tight enough that he is swelling up and for days at a time. Then a great storm rises up and they are about to be swallowed up into the depths of the sea. His brothers finally release him and Nephi thanks God and asks for forgiveness. That to me is the ultimate example of a Christ like disciple.

I just kind of paraphrased the story from my memory but in life sometimes we are in the worst of situations yet when we turn to God and trust in him it will all work out and he will continue to guide us through the trials.

This past week through my trials when I have turned to the Savior, I have found answers to my problems or questions and he has helped me through all of them so far. I believe that he is always waiting there to help us even when we may not want him there.

We have been dropping a lot of people who just aren't interested which has been hard but we have one named Richard who is doing amazing and is progressing towards baptism! Elder McElmurry and I both have super high hopes for him!

Some nights for dinner the members are right on the coast so we can look out and see all of the wildlife and hear the ocean roar. As we were eating one night a huge wale jumped clear out of the water. It was amazing to see!

I know that my savior lives! I know him and I love him! Have a great week everyone!

WHAT?!? SUN!!