Week Twenty Four

Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 9:45 AM

Mom!!

Conference was so great! My favorite talks were of course the Prophet, but also all of the addresses by the first presidency were awesome. Something President Uchtdorf said stuck out to me the most. He said that talking about doing things was good. talking about setting goals and accomplishing things is good, but actually doing them is even better. So often I have set goals and said that I was going to work hard to acheive them, and so often I just leave it at that and I don't reach my full potential. School, sports, lifting, everything in my life it seemed like had been that way. But hearing him say that has given me a new motivation, a new desire to not just talk about it, but to be about it. To let this gospel define my life, and my love for the Savior define my service is how I plan to accomplish the things I hope to for the rest of my mission. Seriously, getting to watch all 5 sessions of conference was such an amazing blessing. We watched them from 12-2, 4-6, and 8-10 for priesthood. ALL DAY LONG!! such a great opportunity. we had a couple investigators there to hear the prophet, and we are really excited about the one youth we are working with. HIs name is Roberto and we are really hoping he continues to do the things he has started doing. We walked by his house on the way back to the apartment and he was sitting on the wall reading the copy of the Book Of Mormon we had left with him. He is 16 and so cool. really mellow. We watch conference at the Church, and they projected it off the internet. it was great. not a ton of turn out from the members, but we are trying to help the ward set up activities so that people will be excited and want to get involved again more fully. this ward used to have over 300 active members, and its down to less than 90. So sad, and we are working as hard as we can to help it return back to what it used to be. Thank you so much for sending the dietitian stuff! I'll probably be continuing to ask for that as the mission goes on but that should be ok for now unless you can find some more cool stuff on it ;) Sounds like things are going really good for you guys! Eric sounds like he is doing well too! He is such a hard worker, such an inspiration to me!

So another heartwrenching story this week. The Zone Leaders asked us to go to the Hospital here in San Fernando because they were in North for Zone Leader Council with President and the Assistants, and we made our way there wednesday afternoon. One of the members in Port of Spain Ward has a friend who is being treated there and asked us to visit him and give him a blessing. The hospitals here in Trinidad are something else, they have general health care and needless to say they are not what we see in the States. There are probably 20-25 people in a room as big as our living room in the old house, and their beds are separated by a tattered sheet and nothing else. We made our way to the 12 Ward to see Brother Hudson Mitchell, who is suffering from diabetes and prostate cancer. He is the skinniest human being I have ever seen, in pictures or in person. He probably weighed no exaggeration 85-90 lbs. He looked so tired, and worn down from the treatment, I was able to give him a blessing and we left him with a Plan tract. That experience made me appreciate this gospel even more. Knowing what is next for us if we are faithful makes the prospect of death much less ominous. I know that we will all be together as a family when we are passed on, and that gives me the peace and assurance to move forward and be the best that I can possibly be to ensure that I am there with all of you. Your righteous examples makes making the right decisions so much easier for me. Thank you momma so much for the packagae and all the support you so freely give me.If i need anything Ill let you know!

I love you!!!!

Nick

Dad!

Sending you mom's email again, i always write her the majority of the stories and i figure you would like those too.  That is so sick about AARON!!!!!! I am so proud of that kid. he works his tail off. I wish I had had his work ethic when I was going through sports, but all I can do is make that determination to have it now. I fully plan on workin my tail off the whole time I am out here and take that with me to the rest of my life after. I know that giving all that I have goes so far to how much success I have both in the Gospel and in life in general. That is so awesome you are still working out! I am still jealous! haha the little weight set we have does just fine. Thats pretty sweet Virginia is coming out too! Maybe she'll get back active in the Church! :) I am excited for you to coach basketball i know you will do great! Let me know if I can help you in any way!!!

Conference was so great! My favorite talks were of course the Prophet, but also all of the addresses by the first presidency were awesome. Something president uchtdorf said stuck out to me the most. He said that talking about doing things was good. talking about setting goals and accomplishing things is good, but actually doing them is even better. So often I have set goals and said that I was going to work hard to acheive them, and so often I just leave it at that and I don't reach my full potential. School, sports, lifting, everything in my life it seemed like had been that way. But hearing him say that has given me a new motivation, a new desire to not just talk about it, but to be about it. To let this gospel define my life, and my love for the Savior define my service is how I plan to accomplish the things I hope to for the rest of my mission. Seriously, getting to watch all 5 sessions of conference was such an amazing blessing. We watched them from 12-2, 4-6, and 8-10 for priesthood. ALL DAY LONG!! such a great opportunity. we had a couple investigators there to hear the prophet, and we are really excited about the one youth we are working with. HIs name is roberto and we are really hoping he continues to do the things he has started doing. We walked by his house on the way back to the apartment and he was sitting on the wall reading the copy of the Book Of Mormon we had left with him. He is 16 and so cool. really mellow. We watch conference at the Church, and they projected it off the internet. it was great. not a ton of turn out from the members, but we are trying to help the ward set up activities so that people will be excited and want to get involved again more fully. this ward used to have over 300 active members, and its down to less than 90. So sad, and we are working as hard as we can to help it return back to what it used to be. Thank you so much for sending the dietitian stuff! I'll probably be continuing to ask for that as the mission goes on but that should be ok for now unless you can find some more cool stuff on it ;) Sounds like things are going really good for you guys! Eric sounds like he is doing well too! He is such a hard worker, such an inspiration to me!

So another heartwrenching story this week. The Zone Leaders asked us to go to the Hospital here in San Fernando because they were in North for Zone Leader Council with President and the Assistants, and we made our way there wednesday afternoon. One of the members in Port of Spain Ward has a friend who is being treated there and asked us to visit him and give him a blessing. The hospitals here in Trinidad are something else, they have general health care and needless to say they are not what we see in the States. There are probably 20-25 people in a room as big as our living room in the old house, and their beds are separated by a tattered sheet and nothing else. We made our way to the 12 Ward to see Brother Hudson Mitchell, who is suffering from diabetes and prostate cancer. He is the skinniest human being I have ever seen, in pictures or in person. He probably weighed no exaggeration 85-90 lbs. He looked so tired, and worn down from the treatment, I was able to give him a blessing and we left him with a Plan tract. That experience made me appreciate this gospel even more. Knowing what is next for us if we are faithful makes the prospect of death much less ominous. I know that we will all be together as a family when we are passed on, and that gives me the peace and assurance to move forward and be the best that I can possibly be to ensure that I am there with all of you. Your righteous examples makes making the right decisions so much easier for me. Thank you momma so much for the packagae and all the support you so freely give me. If i need anything Ill let you know!

I love you so much! Oh and tell mom that I didnt know what pictures were what so all those of  the random other guys were unintentional!! HA

Nick

 

Week Twenty Three

Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 11:49 AM

Hey Mom!!!!

You guys all look great! The box made it most definitely, thank you so much! Everyone says you know your son pretty well with the giant bag of protein :) I am so glad you got Eric all settled in! He will have a blast out there and I know that he is in the right place! He will have a ton of success. How are you? Not too worn out I hope! The baptismal clothes helped out a ton because one of my favorite investigators, Brother Mohan (the guy who I took the cigarettes from), got baptized in Curepe on saturday and President gave me permission to come up and perform the ordinance. This gospel is so great. He went from being a cocaine addict on the street with people trying to kill him at his home, to moving in and working with our crazy ward mission leader, to keeping his commitments and missing one week of Church out of the 14 or so we worked with him, to being baptized. No other gospel, no other church, nothing else could have done for this man than this did at this time. He is going to be a wonderful and impactful Melchezidek Priesthood Holder here soon, and he has such great support from the Ward there in Curepe.

As far as San Fernando goes the work here is a little (well a lot) tougher. We didn't have anyone at Sacrament and they all gave bogus excuses, so we're not completely back to the drawing board but we're reevaluating how things are going. We're going to be trying some new finding techniques and doing alot of getting to know the members. It is so tough to travel here because we take taxis everywhere. It would be so easy to blow 10% of our travel funds in one day, so we have to be extremely careful. We are working really hard and I know that success will come, but the Ward isn't exactly excited about the work. We had 67 at Sacrament and 29 of them left and didn't stay for the rest of the meetings. Frustrating, but we will not stop until our purpose here in Sando is served. Thank you so much for the love and strength you guys send my way. It has really been a blessing to be able to think of you during the week and know that you are doing well and doing the things that the lord requires of you. I have had such a wonderful example of how I want to live my life when this is all through.

I just remembered an experience that absolutely broke my heart the other day. we walked into an area called Tarouba my first day here and this little boy came and started talking with us as we walked to an appointment. He was so cute and a spitfire and invited us over, but we had been on the other side of town and busy, so we didn't get to see his family till this week. We came in the evening time and the whole family of 7 with one on the way was outside celebrating their son Nicholas' 11th birthday. we shared the restoration and they accepted baptism but their car was broken down so they couldn't make it to church. Their house is half concrete (which is what 99% of the homes are made of here, the rain makes that necessary) and half wood planks. no insulation, no air conditioning, nothing. The kids are all young and all happy as can be all the time. The dad works security as most people without high school credit do, and he makes barely enough to support their large family. They had gotten a cake with one 2 liter of coke, all they could muster for his birthday. As we were leaving they asked me to say a prayer for their son on his special day, and even asked me to help him cut the cake. they gave us each two pieces (about a quarter of the cake) and wouldn't take no for an answer. Regardless of whether they accept this message or not, i will never forget that day. That humbled me so very much. I hope ot have that kind of love of my fellowmen in my life. It was really and truly something amazing to see, and I wanted to just give them everything that I had to try and help. This work allows you to touch so many lives, I just hope that I am able to do what the Lord requires me.

I love you so much mom, and let me know what I can do to help you guys. thank you again so much for what you sent, it will definitely help me along in this work!

With Love

Nick

Hey dad!!

That's way cool about OCC, I bet that was an experience. Sounds like Eric is doing really well, he deserves it. How are things with you going? Health going well? You know I have to check up on you. Thank you so much for the package it will be well used thats for sure. I love you so much dad and I promise you that I am working as hard as I possibly can out here. Living in such a small apartment with no A/C and not knowing the members and the areas too well and the people at church being difficult and everything of that nature makes it tough, but it is exactly like you said, I'm not the one running things. Thank you so much for all that you do for me dad. You are such a wonderful example for me and by extension those around me. I want to be the best I can, and I will do whatever I can to do it. Sorry if there are typos, I gashed my thumb on a can of tuna fish (so stupid of me) so i can't type as quickly! I love you!!

Love you so much dad

Nick

Week Twenty Two

Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 9:02 AM

Hey Mom!!

This new area is amazing. SO BIG!! We email today cuz Trinidad had yet another holiday. 17 or something for the year not counting every Sunday is a public holiday. ridiculous. It is soooooooo sick down here. We even have a ward building and everything. you never really know what you have till its gone, because having a building is so peaceful on Wundays. We got an investigator to Church our first 4 days in the area and we're working with a few more, so that is really really exciting. I am hoping to do exactly what you've said to turn the area around because they have about 500 members on record and (including Princes Town a nearby city) there are about 95 active members. Pretty sad. we're working a lot with some less actives and trying to help them come back to church.

That's pretty neat about p90x, I was talking to you to the member we were by last night ( the Moore/Persad home, they own part of the oil company that pretty much makes the income of the republic of Trinidad and Tobago, literally the nicest home I have ever been in. they drive 3 BMWs and a Porsche, so crazy. We even ate American food Sunday and they sent us with leftovers today. unreal) and he said that you're awesome with your mustang and exercise routine :) Thanks for sending the package! The assistants are coming down to drop of a dryer so maybe they'll bring it. We were up there yesterday but it was a holiday so the mail didn't run. no big, I am just grateful for you thinking of me. 23 years old. I am literally a grandpa out here! haha.

The work is ready to explode here in San Fernando, I feel exactly the way I felt about Curepe when I first got there, so hopefully we can find the same success. I hear you almost ate a foul ball! Did you have fun at the game? Be safe with all the fires and things going on!!! Oh and enjoy NY!! Lucky Ducks! twice in the last year!!! :) I have been thinking about you guys alot and how hard you work, and i am so grateful for everything you have done for me. OH AND THEY HAVE WEIGHTS HERE!! HALLELUJAH!!!! the apartment is super duper small but we make it work. Ok, so since I have been out, I have really been thinking about pursuing a career as a dietician, I don't have a ton of time to elaborate, but people here eat like garbage and it makes me way more mindful of it. could you wrangle up some info for me and let me know some stuff about it? Thank you!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick

Hey Dad!!

Sorry I am so short on time today so this will have to be pretty brief. This new area is amazing. SO BIG!! We email today cuz trinidad had yet another holiday.

This area has a weight set which is sick, nothing special but still, and there are a ton of hills so I will hopefully get into some kind of shape this transfer! I have been out 5 months today, isn't that crazy? Doesn't seem that way at all. at the end of this transfer I will have been out 6 months!! SO NUTS, 1/4 done! I have learned so much in just this short time, I cannot wait to see the lessons that I will have learned by the end. How are the Cougs and Boys doing? I heard BYU is struggling so that is a big deal for all the UT kids here haha. Elder Anderson is vexed about it. We get a lot of ocean breeze here but it seems to make it more humid than Curepe. I want you guys to meet these people here so badly. They are all so strong in the faith and so humble it amzes me. I cannot express how much I love being a missionary and how much I appreciate and feel indebted to you and mom for all the sacrifices that you have made for me to be here and in raising Eric. I love you so much Dad and I wish I could ever make it up to you. I will be forever grateful to you two for this experience and obviously to the Lord for giving it to me as well. I have learned more in this time then any other in my life, and I want you to know how much I look back and see how right you and mom were in everything you told me. You have set such a great example of how parents are supposed to be, and I hope to have that in my life someday. Thank you for all that you do, I love you more than I can express.

Nick

Week Twenty One - New Area

Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 8:24 AM

Mom!!

This is crazy, but I'm getting transferred to San Fernando, Trinidad!! I'm staying with Elder Anderson which is nice, because usually when they transfer us out of an area they don't keep us together, but I am super grateful to be getting to train him again. He and I probably get along better than any of my other companions so far. We're opening a new area, which means that this will be the second time in 4 transfers that I am going into an area that was empty the transfer before. There were missionaries there before but they are splitting the area so Elder Anderson and I are going to be going at it pretty much from scratch. I am excited but nervous at the same time. Its also pretty bittersweet leaving all of the members and investigators that I have grown to love so much since I have been out here. The Clarkes and the Rampersads were the hardest to say goodbye to, plus all of the people that we've been teaching for so long. I really and truly hope they get baptized, but now its just a matter of if not necessarily when. When you're in the area and thinking about it transfer by transfer you obviously want them to be baptized while you are there, but now that we're leaving I just hope it all works out. They're moving sisters into our area, and the last time sisters were there they struggled (thats why it was so tough for Elder Watchman and I) but we should have it all neat and tidy for them when they get there. We are working so hard and seeing so much success, it is really hard to leave the area before it all comes to fruition, but hopefully it will work out. I know that if we do what we are supposed to that the Lord will provide.

This week at church was stressful, but we had a great Sunday teaching lessons. I feel like all I am talking about is how amazing Curepe is, but honestly this area is my baby. The missionaries assigned to the Curepe area hadn't had a baptism since November or something before I got there and we had 3, with like 3 pretty solid people on their way to the font pretty quick. I really want to take you guys back here to meet the people here, because they have helped me so very much in becoming the type of missionary and person I am at this moment. I am learning so much right now it is insane. We will probably be doing alot of walking around and trying to find those the Lord has prepared, and I am ready for the challenge. Finding is something most missionaries don't care for, but I will need to get used to it and use it as a great learning opportunity. I love this work so very much, I can feel myself changing and growing every single day.

Crazy about Eric, it sounds like he's pretty excited about things! How are you? nNot too tired I hope? I cannot believe I'm 23 this week. Crazy. Let me know if I can help with anything mom! I love you so much!!!

Love

Nick

Dad,

Thats crazy about Cle Elum, that kid who was going to all those camps tearing it up last year Gall? He must be a beast. Sounds like we'll have our hands full.

Island life is CRAZY. Transferred for the first time down to South Trinidad, San Fernando. its a big city, biggest behind Port of Spain. I am really excited but we are going into a new area again, 2nd time in my mission already. The assistants told us (cuz Elder Anderson and I are together again) that President wouldn't have done it if he didnt think we could handle it.

The home teaching is worse here. It wouldn't surprise me if it was below 10% no kidding. I hope you guys can get it going there, I know it is a problem worldwide. If members just took that time, the missionary work would blow up because half of what we do is retain our new members, and if they aren't being home taught they fall away SO MUCH EASIER. people need friends in the ward, thats why going out and teaching with the missionaries as a member is so important. I know that if we hadn't have had the Webers with us then it would have been a lot longer road to baptism thats for sure. If you have time today you and mom should collaborate and tell me our conversion story. I love relating the cliff notes version, but I would like to print out a copy to have with me to read of how you and mom gained your testimony of the Gospel. You never really understand how motivational our experience is until you find people that are in the exact same stiuation that we were in.

I love the people here, its going to be very tough to leave. Not to brag, but this area is kind of my baby. it was dead when I got here and it is blowing up at this point because of the hard work we have done. I hope to be able to do the very same thing in my new area, and I know that Elder Anderson and I will be up to the challenge. Not many missionaries even open new areas, let alone blank 2 areas in their first 6 months. Crazy that I am getting so old, both in real life and on the mission. Next Wednesday is my 5 month mark! Can you believe that? so crazy. I feel so privileged to be out here doing this at this very moment, my heart is full of love and gratitude to you and mom and Eric. Good luck coaching those kids, C squad is a patience builder! ;) tell me how the Sox are doing and how the games go!! I love you dad! Tell granddad that if he keeps it up at this rate he'll have a living room by the time Im home! :) I love you all so much! tell everyone hello for me!!

Love 

Nick

 

Week Twenty

Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 9:49 AM
Hey Mom!!

Sounds like a full week for you guys to me! I'm glad that you were able to have company over, that's great. I know that is something you guys have missed since we haven't had the room for awhile. That is so great about Aaron! I am so proud of him! How was DJ's game? What position is he playing? It's so crazy that he is big enough to be able to play at that level.  I remember vividly when he was born. Nuts. I'm glad Eric's thing is working out, I'm sure he's getting a little stir crazy at home, how is he adjusting to not being a missionary? Does he ever speak Portugese to you guys? I would just to confuse you  I think :)

This week was probably the busiest of my mission. We taught over 30 lessons for the first time on my mission, and we have two investigators who should be getting baptized here shortly. I cannot believe that the month is almost halfway gone, and we should know about transfers sometime at the end of the week. We had a really cool experience with a less active member of the church here in Curepe. He is 24 and reminds me so much of myself before I left. He kind of lets everything else get in the way of the Lord and His gospel and really hasn't shown much interest in it since I've been here. We've had some good lessons with him and he came to church last month, but other than that he tells us one thing and does another most of the time. We have been working with him intermittently because his cousin and brother come out teaching with us all the time, and when we talked with him this week he told us that he wanted to serve a mission. I tell you when you are serving you want everyone and their dog to serve a mission if they are able. It was so great to hear him talk about it and to have the opportunity to bear my testimony of how this experience is shaping and changing me as a person. He didn't make it to church however so we are going to get on him about that this week, but it was so great to get to hear that from him. I remember when I was first preparing to leave I would have told everyone that I was going out to keep kids from making the same mistakes that I made in my life, and this seems like that opportunity that I had been praying for and that motivated me to come out in the first place. This work shows you so much about yourself and when you are completely engrossed in the Gospel and spreading this message it really helps you to realize how your life would be lost without it.

I know that having such a strong family in the Gospel, the prayers you and dad sent to me when things weren't going well for me and the faith and hope you had that I would eventually serve are what have allowed me to come out here and to give every bit of my time and talents to the people in this mission. I know that in two years I will be so much better of a son, brother, and Servant of the Lord. I know that this is the truth. I've said that to you countless times but every week it is affirmed to me. Jesus Christ Lives and loves each and every one of us. His atonement has made it possible for us to repent and become sanctified through the power of the Holy Ghost. I was thinking about why I chose Ether 12:27 as my plaque scripture, and i know now. I was weak before I came. So many things about me needed to change and I can see them changing in me. Thank you so much mom for all the support and love that you constantly send. I look forward every week to hear about how things are going for you. Are you still doing p90x? How are you feeling, sick or anything? Let me know! I LOVE YOU!!!

LOVE

Nick

Hey Dad!!!

I have a lot more time today, we're at the office so I won't have to rush. Thats sweet about the Boys! Ogletree outta nowhere! He's super fast, and I am so glad we're off to a good start. You guys need some youth on defense and Peyton has a chip on his shoulder this year I'm sure of it. Cricket is super weird, its so much slower than baseball if you can believe it. 8 hour matches that go over like 5 days. and one dude could be batting the whole time. Pretty ridiculous but its kinda fun. Its rainy season right now, but if you ask a Trinidadian its different then even 5 years ago because the ozone layer has a hole right above us so the weather is screwy. It will rain for 3 hours and then be blazing. Still have that going on right now. There aren't really seasons, just wet and hot season pretty much. When the hurricanes come through the Caribbean it rains and then about November to July it will be dry and hot again. So they say. That's about what I expected from Cashmere, we're just not at that level yet. Who knows if we'll get there anytime soon. How did Lucas look? Ben? Aaron sounds like a beast! That's what you get when you work hard.

We busted our behinds this week and taught more lessons in a week than I have ever done on my mission, and it was because of all our work last week I'm sure of it. We have a couple of progressing investigators who should be getting baptized here pretty quick, but we'll see how it goes. We'll continue to work as hard as we can to repeat that kind of success so that this area can continue to progress and we can continue to find those who have been prepared. I told mom a sweet story about a less active member who we've been working with who decided to go on a mission, so we'll be continuing to help him out as he gets prepared. He is exactly the kind of young man I was coming out for in the first place, to try and influence him to not have the same struggles that I had before I came. Elder Anderson has been showing me a lot about myself because his attitude has helped me to continue to work as hard as I can and continue to try and be the best example and trainer I can for him. He is a smart kid and really wants to learn, and it helps me to constantly think about the decisions I make and whether the things we have planned to do are the most effective use of the Lord's time. It really helped us alot this week, and we get to study for an extra hour each day and figure out how we can best use the time we've been given. I am learning so much about how I want to do things when I get home (even though that's so far away). I used to think I worked hard, but lemme tell you I have never done anything as hard as I've worked out here. I am going to do everything that I can to translate that to the rest of my life. Thank you so much for your example of diligence and hard work, as well as how to love unconditionally no matter what dad. You are the greatest. I hope that you have a great week and enjoy your visit to New York with Eric, October is coming just now! :)

Love you so much dad

Nick

Week Nineteen

Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 10:41 AM

Hey Mom!

This week was such a good week for us in Curepe. We had 4 investigators at Church and we have 2 that should be getting baptized this month! So excited.

No I can't believe that September is already here it is crazy. Seems like yesterday Elder Anderson was getting here and that's been almost a month now! I'm here till at least the 19th with Elder Anderson and we're pretty sure we'll be staying a next 6 weeks which would be cool with me because we have some really cool people we're teaching. He's doing really well and I am still loving the area. That is so cool that Pressler was at Church! Seems like a long time ago that he was serving around us.

That is great that your having company too I bet that will be nice. Take advantage of the day off too mom you're going to be busy this month!

We had some pretty great lessons this week and we were able to reach a lot of our goals which was really really nice. We did a trade off with the zone leaders and that helped me a ton with my contacting. its not that I'm nervous or don't know what to say or anything, I just need to get better about teaching right away instead of asking for a follow up appointment. Sometimes people are so anxious to stop talking to you its easy to just ask for a number, but I am getting better and I know that the Lord will help me to touch the hearts of those who hear me.

It was Independence day on Friday and the place down here went crazy. Port of Spain is where all the ruckus went on so our area was SO DEAD. but I got some cool souvenirs, and that night one of our investigators gave me the last cigarette he was going to smoke, he officially quit! Really cool! We helped him clean up his little fruit garden too and I got stung on the head by a jap (GIANT BEE!!! thats just the name for them here). It didn't feel like a normal bee sting and it was like giving me a headache the whole day, but its all good now.

I am glad to hear that you and dad are exercising still, I know how much better you feel when you're doing that! I'm jealous! We played basketball again this morning so that was nice. I am learning so much about myself and this gospel it is amazing. this church is the only true and living church on the face of this whole earth, and I know without a doubt that our family will be together forever because of what this gospel has done. I love you so much mom, I think about you all the time and I promise I am doing my very best to work as hard as I can to make you and dad proud. Let me know if I can do anything for you. GET SOME STINKING REST!!!!

I love you!!

Nick 

Hey Dad!

Crazy about the Sox, hopefully we got some prospects to start building from within a little bit. That stinks about Darren I bet its his foot still. I figured this year would be tough, give him a couple.

We had a really good week this week, had some success at Church with investigators coming and we should have a couple more baptisms this month which will be nice. Elder Anderson and I are doing really well, we get along great and he is getting more and more comfortable as a missionary. Kid can ball too, we play basketball on pdays or have been recently and he is good. I have really learned a lot this week from our zone leaders helping us on tradeoffs and I got to talk with President Mehr again on Thursday, which really helped. its so amazing how the spirit affects you as a missionary, if you are paying attention it will prompt you in almost any situation. We have an investigator that came to our "Sports Day" (super lame nobody showed up) and we taught him about families and he loved it. It really reminded me about our family and how this gospel has allowed us to be so much closer just in the 2 years Eric has served and now since I have been out. I am so grateful for the temple and to be sealed as a family, and when I share my testimony of that to people it always makes my heart swell and I feel so much love from my Father in Heaven. I will be eternally grateful for all the people who were instrumental in getting us to the gospel and what that has and will continue to mean to our family going forward.

I know that this gospel is true, every day my testimony of that gets stronger and stronger. In reading the Book of Mormon it makes me hunger and thirst for more knowledge to share with people and a stronger testimony to bring people closer to their Savior. I am so grateful for the Atonement and what that has meant in my life, I don't know where I'd be without it and I revel in the chance I have every day to repent and become better. I wish that I had had this determination when I was younger, but I know that the things that I am learning here will carry on throughout my whole life and into the eternities when I return home. The weather is kind of crazy here, raining buckets one minute and then dry and a sauna 15 minutes later, so we get kind of a mixed bag, but its always hot. this time of year the sun goes down really early too, like 6:15 or something crazy like that. Oh I tried cricket at the sports day and its pretty fun! Different but very similar to baseball at the same time.

Thats crazy about Aaron! Beast mode! if you talk to him tell him to email me or write me I'd love to hear from him! Let me know if you need anything from me dad. I am working my tail of be assured of that! I love you all so very much, enjoy the holiday!!!

Nick

Week Eighteen

Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 11:42 AM

Hey Mom!

Crazy that school starts up so soon. Is the team looking to be pretty good this year? I know that Ben and Luke will be beasts, let me know how things go. That's good that Eric found some stuff to do! I bet he is getting anxious to get gone, I know how he is.

This week was pretty crazy for us in Curepe. We went on trade offs with the District Leader in Port of Spain, I got some pictures, it's amazing how gorgeous it is. The area we were in was called Diego Martin and that's where all the flooding happens whenever tropical storms hit. It was weird because I hadn't ever tracted outside my area, but it was cool to see another part.

We also had our Zone Conference Thursday and that was awesome. I got to sit down with President Mehr and he told me that we (Elder Anderson and I) were probably going to be together again next transfer so that will make 6 months in one area. I don't mind though because the people here are great and there are a lot of untouched places that we can go and work hard in. We unfortunately only had one investigator at church because our most progressing person is pretty sick and he couldn't make it. He almost died last year and the medication he is on for his condition (don't ask me what it is, he's 20 and he's got problems with the muscles around his prostate) makes him sick and really tired. We're trying to get him baptized asap though because he is so great. Such an example of strength to me, I know he'll get baptized we just have to get him going to church and feeling well enough to do so.

We also had stake conference Sunday. It was pretty cool to see all the saints on Trinidad coming from all the corners to congregate in Port Of Spain. such great faith they have down here. I am working as hard as I possibly can to be the kind of missionary the Lord wants me to be. I know that as I do so I will be blessed, it just is difficult sometimes because I get frustrated when I don't reach my goals. I know I still have a long way to go on the patience front, so that will be a constant battle for me. I feel myself stretching and growing though, and thats the important part.

September is here already can you believe it??? I have been out 4 months as of Saturday. seems like yesterday I saw all of you. I'm glad things are going so well, just remember to read Mosiah 4 I think its verse 25 when you're working so hard this month. I love you guys so much, you have no idea how much peace and comfort your emails give me every Monday. I love you guys with all my heart and I am constantly thinking of you as I am busting my rear end, because I know thats what you guys would have me do. Let me know if you need anything mom!!!

Love,

Nick

Hey Dad!!!

Jeez busy guy this week! Glad that you didn't hit the whole deer!! Good grief that's scary!! The hurricanes always turn north just before they hit Trinidad, so we just get gobs and gobs of rain but no serious stuff in my area. Port Of Spain had some flooding but nothing our way.

We have a couple neat investigators but we probably won't have another baptism until the middle of next month. one kid is so cool, and he is my favorite. He is so ready for baptism and I know if we continue to work with him his health will improve and he will be able to be baptized.

Thats so cool that there might be a baptism there! How long has it been since there was a convert baptism in our ward? Are there full time missionaries there? This week was kind of rough finding people because we had 2-3 days where we weren't together in our area, not making excuses it just made it tough. It's definitely motivating me to work as hard as I can this week to get things going and refill our teaching pool. 

I learned that this mission is definitely about developing our Christlike attributes this week. there were alot of things that tested my patience, some I handled well others not too well, but I can feel myself stretching and doing my best to improve. Talking with President Mehr at zone conference this week helped a lot. He told me that Elder Anderson and I will probably be together one more transfer, that would make 6 months here in Curepe. I don't mind because the people here are awesome.

I am doing my very best dad and I am asking myself constantly what you guys would think if you saw me working out here. I love you all so much. This Friday is Independence Day down here, and its the 50th anniversary of Trinidad leaving British control. hopefully there will be some sweet events I can show you some pictures of. I cannot wait to see where I am in a few short months, and I look forward to sharing these experiences with you guys just like Eric is now. I love you more than I can express with words dad. You are the greatest. Let me know if I can do anything to help you guys!!!! I'm sure your talk was great, you always do a great job. The car I just attatched is a 70s right hand drive jaguar, and I'd say 60% of cars down here have that kind of underglow. Pretty ridiculous. I love you dad.

Nick

 

Week Seventeen

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 7:33 AM

Hey Mom!!!

Yeah we had to push PDay to today for Eid Ul Fitr. When ramadan ends. This week was awesome for the work. The impromptu holiday kinda slowed things down, but we were able to get our investigator (Antonieta) to Church and she was baptized Saturday! I baptized and confirmed her, and it was great. We were about 20 minutes late to Sacrament because when it rains down here everyone goes retarded, so we had to organize a ride for her (because also no one owns a car because of how cheap travel is) and get her to church ourselves. But we did it and she is now a member! She is great, I hope you get to meet her someday! She is 32 witha 3 year old Izzy, and they are some of my favorite people! Love them a lot.

The week was kind of slow finding new investigators, but training Elder Anderson is really great. He works hard and it is really keeping my motivated to do everything I can to be the best missionary I can. I think we have Zone conference this week but I'm not sure, I will fill you in on that next week. We get to have pday Monday next week so no worries, you'll hear all about it.

I am glad that you are staying busy, and that you guys have been able to see the family so much! That is one part I really miss is you guys and seeing everyone. Sounds like Eric is doing really well and I know it is because of this experience for him. I hope to be like he is when I finish. We don't have anyone getting baptized next weekend, but potentially the 8th and 15th of next month. Can you believe we'll be 23? So nuts.

Oh so funny thing about Saturday, the font in Arima (about 15 km east of us where we do baptisms) didn't drain afterward, so we had to bucket out the water from the font after we did the baptism, only took about an hour and a half. Only in the West Indies. I think that Elder Anderson and I are the most baptizing missionaries on Trinidad this transfer, and that really speaks to the work ethic you have enstilled in me mom. I love you so very much and sorry this is scattered and breif, but I am out of time. I love you so much, have a great week!!

****Part of Bob's email to Nick to put his response in context *****

Hey Son!

How are you doing? We are good. We had a pretty good time at the Mariner's game. Your going to be jealous. Felix was pretty good. Like, PERFECT!!!! It was the first perfect game in M's history and the 23rd in MLB history.......

SO STINKING JEALOUS OF YOU RIGHT NOW. CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS IT.

That is so cool!!! I am glad Eric got to be there, and you too! That is way cool!

Training is legit, my companion is a go getter and a hard worker so we get along really well. We had another baptism this week and she is one of my favorite investigators ever. We've been working with her since I got here and she FINALLY decided to do the thing. She is so ready and I know that she will continue to have a great life in the Gospel. She is someone I want you guys to meet. I will definitely attach pics. This week was pretty stressful with the rain on Sunday making her need us to arrange a ride to get her to Church, we were 25 minutes late to Sacrament and she got confirmed as soon as we walked in. I got to baptize and confirm her, so that was pretty cool.

We're emailing Tuesday again because there is another holiday this week, Eid Ul Fitr. Its the day that the Islam (Muslim) people break their fast for Ramadan, so the whole country takes the day even though like 5% of them are Muslims. Trini's love any excuse to not work and drink rum. haha. Yeah we get fed really well, we had curried duck yesterday and it was so good. I finally found something Elder Anderson likes, he is super picky and likes really plain stuff. But thats alright he'll learn. :) I still can't get over how you got to see a perfecto thrown, so jealous! That will be in Mariner commercials forever. We have a couple of other cool people, but they won't be baptized for a few weeks. Even still, I am pretty sure Elder Anderson and I are the most baptizing companionship on Trinidad right now, and I know it is becasue of how hard we work and how much we rely on the Lord in everything we do.

I have had an increased testimony of goal setting since I have gotten here, and this week I really had a testimony given to me of relying on the Spirit and not trying to do everything myself. I know you know how tough it is for me to ask for help, but after we were late for Sacrament I really needed a blessing. My zone leader gave it to me and it really helped a lot. I am working so hard, I just want to make sure I am doing everything I possibly can to do what the Lord wants and to truly help the work move forward in Curepe. I feel so privileged to be training, it has helped me probably more than my companion. It really does prepare you for fatherhood, Dad, because I jsut want him to have a good start to his mission rather than for me to have an easy time this transfer. I am doing my very best, I want you to be sure of that. I love this Gospel so much, and it makes me sad when people don't listen because all we want to do is help them bless their own lives.

How is Eric? Virginia's still good? I can't wait to start lifiting again whenever that is going to be haha. We have a trade off and I am going to an apartment with dumbbells tomorrow, so that will be exciting. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys dad. I love you so much. I am so glad you got to spend time with the family, and tell everyone that I love and miss them. Next week PDay will be Monday again, so you'll be hearing from me soon!!! You are the best dad. I love you so much.

Nick

Week Sixteen

Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 8:12 AM

MOM!!!

At an internet cafe with limited time so I am going to try and fill you in on whatever I can in the time that I have. SO GLAD YOU TOOK SOME REST YOU CRAZY PERSON!!! You need every bit of it.  Well my trainee is actually from SLC (weird) and he is so cool. He is a basketball player and likes to exercise so we are going to get along just fine in that respect. He is a go getter and is willing to work hard which helps me a ton because you know how much I hate waiting around on people and having to drag them along. Nothing like that here.

We baptized Merlesha this week and have another one on saturday. Big happenings in Curepe. I had one Office Elder who has 6 months left on his mission tell me that he knows I'll be one of President Mehr's assistants before he goes home, we'll see, but I am glad that people realize how hard I work and we're working here. Sometimes its nice to hear those things, that may be me being prideful so I apologize. We're emailing today because a javelin thrower from Trinidad and Tobago won a gold medal at the Olympics so they declared monday a public holiday about 7 pm sunday night. People here like any excuse to stay home and drink rum, its funny. I love the people here though, so amazing and the members help us out so very much. One who goes out with us all the time is going to Kingston Jamaica in October, I hope to keep in touch with him as he goes.

Thank you so much for the pictures, Eric is SO SKINNY. crazy. I hope that I don't turn into a whale down here. haha. I am so nervous but excited to continue training, it helps me to stay motivated and focused all the time on what I'm doing and trying to help him out as much as i can. He is still getting used to everything but I know he will eventually. This gospel is so true it is crazy. I wish I had more time, but I will leave you with my testimony that this is the only way we can live together as a family forever. I am so grateful for everything you have done for me mom, and I know that if it wasn't for your prayers all those years I wouldn't be here right now. I know that God lives, Jesus IS the Christ and died for each and every one of us. I feel so very privileged to be here serving him and I hope to make you all proud. I know that God is guiding us here in Curepe, and I hope to have more time next week to fill you in on everyone we're teaching. I love you more than I can adequately express in words mom. You are the greatest and don't ever forget it. Send this to eric please!!! NO TIME!!! BAPTISM SATURDAY!!! :)

I love you

Nick

Hey Dad! 

I have about 6 minutes to email in this internet cafe so I'll try to let you know whats going on. Crazy about sports, glad Ichiro is playing somewhere he can win, he gave Seattle the best years. Here is pretty crazy. Rain caused some flooding in Port of Spain so we had NOBODY at our baptsim Satruday, but she was baptized and thats whats important. Elder Anderson was going to play college basketball until he got hurt, hes a great kid and I cant wait to see how things go this transfer. Training definitely keeps me motivated and helps me realize my purpose better.

I am glad your continuing to work out I am so jealous! you and I will get after it once I'm home. I am so glad Eric is home to help out, sounds like he is getting his school situation all worked out! How do you feel about it? I am so glad you get to go to the game too, jealous again. I have 2 minutes so I have to wrap up, but I am working so hard Dad, harder than I've ever worked in my entire life. this is true. I know it beyond a shadow of a doubt we are a part of the restored gospel. I'll write more next week, but I love you so very much and am so grateful for all you do for me. You are the greatest dad and I hope I am doing you proud. You deserve all I have and that's what I'm trying to give

Love you so much

Nick