Week Twelve

Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 1:49 PM

Hey Mom!!

Wow it sounds like the ward is definitely changing, but Elder Risenmay is exactly right. The temple is the best way to help those who are struggling with activity to be reactivated. We are so lucky in the States to have a temple so close. Down here it takes so much for families to go to the temple it is a monumental event the first time they go. I want to go as frequently as possible once im back.

How are you doing? hows the p90x? Still going strong I bet. You are such an inspiration for me to be dedicated and to work hard all the time. The work here is going well but our teaching pool is pretty shallow. We had some other Elders work with us a couple days this week because there was a leadership conference at the mission home and the district and zone leaders from teh other countries and islands came up to the Curepe area. So we had 3 elders with us on Tuesday and 4 on Friday. We had to work the whole day with them and it was crazy. I worked with an elder that goes home the same time as Eric, and it really helped for me to understand what my purpose is and how I can be a better missionary. I can feel my desires and my testimony changing and developing every day it seems like.

I love this gospel and it never ceases to amaze me how the Lord puts people in our path to help us to change and to realize our purpose. We met with a less active named Arnold. He's 23 and wants to go on a mission but doesn't know what he needs to do to come back to church. It feels so much like my situation its crazy. I had said when i first started preparing to go on my mission that I wanted to help people who were in my similar circumstance to keep from making the same mistakes that I made, and this feels like that opportunity. we had one investigator at church who is on date to be baptized this Saturday! She's ready, but we're not 100% sure if that will be the day. I'll keep you as updated as I can haha.

It rained buckets this week. So much yesterday that the building we rent to have church in was getting sprayed inside by water because the gutters were overfilling with water. When it rains here it never drizzles, it POURS. Its crazy but cool though.

Are you ready for Eric to be back? you must be counting the days. I am so proud of him, I brag to the other missionaries all the time about him and how awesome he is. I'm glad that he marked the path for me, and that I made the decision to follow. He is a prime example of how missions change lives, and I hope to be as well. Mom I miss and love you so much, keep doing what youre doing and know that I am doing my best to change lives here in Curepe. Love You!!

Nick

Hey Dad!!

YOU FOUND MY GLOVE!! HOLY COW!!! I JUST ABOUT FELL OVER!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!  haha but on a more serious note I am so glad you are staying busy!

How are you doing? Not too overtired are you? I hope not. I'm glad Eric is getting home so soon so he can help you !! We are so blessed as a family, and if it weren't for this gospel I dont know where we would be. It is so amazing to see how different the people are back home and here, but the gospel is the common ground and the blessings we see (while they may not be exactly the same) can all be traced back to the Gospel and the Atonement of our Savior.

We had a busy week this week at the beginning, but we loaded up our days Tuesday and Friday because of a leadership conference on Trinidad bringing the Elders serving in leadership positions from off island to our area, and the other days were kind of thin. I forgot to tell mom, on Wednesday we were in a Maxi and a car tried passing us and drilled us because he cut in too early. No damage to us really but we were the only ones willing to stay as witnesses so we had to go to the Police Station (which is a joke, the police do nothing here) and write a statement for the maxi driver because it wasn't his fault at all. I'm fine, so don't worry. 

It rained buckets this week. So much yesterday that the building we rent to have church in was getting sprayed inside by water because the gutters were overfilling with water. When it rains here it never drizzles, it POURS. its crazy but cool though. We have an investigator who should be getting baptized this coming week! I'll keep you posted! Thank you for the prayers, they are definitely felt. I learned a lot from the missionaries that stayed this week, especially about my purpose and how much of a difference a good attitude and hard work makes. You've always told me that, and its silly that it took all the way to now for me to have a good understanding of it. We need to find more investigators this week, and I'm going to work my tail off and rely on the Lord to help me do my part. Elder Whitlock is a great missionary, he is powerful in his teaching but still allows me to be a big part of the lessons. I am working my best to be a help to him so that he is confident turning the lesson over to me at any point. I love you so much dad, and if there is anything I can do let me know!!!!

Week Eleven

Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 2:10 PM

Hey Mom!

This week had some weird rainy and hot weather here on Trinidad! After it rains it always gets really really really hot, and it only rains for like 10-15 minutes and it DUMPS, but then it just gets hot. You'd probably like it. I'm glad that the breakfast went well for you guys, that was always a mark that summer was here! It sounds like he's staying busy and you are always busy, so I'm glad of that actually. It helps the time go by faster! Eric comes home SO SOON. I am so glad of that so he can take care of you guys while I'm out here serving. haha I wish that I could be there, but I know that the lord will take care of you guys.

I want to share a cool experience with you guys. President Mehr shared the Apostolic blessing that Elder Holland gave to him as he was being set apart as our President. By extension it is given to all of us in the mission. it is D&C 31. Read it. It talks about our sins being forgiven and how our families being blessed for us being on our missions. SO cool. 

Our investigators are doing well, One didn't come to Church which was frustrating but we had two there that are on date for the end of the month which should be awesome. I'm excited to see where it all ends up. I am confident that they will receive the testimony they need to be baptized!  We had a training that with President Mehr Saturday. I told him my story of how I got out on my mission and he told me that it was an amazing story and that he was impressed with my testimony. He told me that I would be a leader and that I need to be prepared to lead at my 3 month mark which is the end of this transfer. He is an amazing mission President, and I hope at one point I am lucky enough to be his assistant. First things first I want to train if that is what President and the Lord want for me. I am really starting to understand how preparation, goal setting, and studies really are the backbone of success. I will never again expect something to happen without doing everything I can to set whatever needs to happen in motion myself. Sitting and waiting gets you nowhere. You guys are prime examples of hard work leading to blessings.  

Mom I love you so much and I hope to be able to do you guys proud out here. I think about you often, and I hope always to do what I know you and the Lord would have us do. Keep working hard (but not too hard) and keep the prayers coming for the area. I love you so much

Nick

Hey Dad!

Its been rainy and hot at the same time down here, so your weather is still rough just different from what I've got down here. I'm so proud that you are continuing to work on your health and going out to Virginia's. I know that it will help you out for sure! Keep it up! Im glad you guys are still thinking about me, I think about you guys a lot but I am still dialed in. I got a little homesick at the end of Pday last week but I got over it really quick and it seems like yesterday I was here writing you guys an email. 

Our investigators are doing well, one didn't come to Church which was frustrating but we had two there that are on date for the end of the month which should be awesome. I'm excited to see where it all ends up. I am confident that they will receive the testimony they need to be baptized! We had some cool experiences that I can't remember right now, but the best one for me was the training that Elder Whitlock and I had with President Mehr the new mission president this Saturday. I told him my story of how I got out on my mission and he told me that it was an amazing story and that he was impressed with my testimony. He told me that I would be a leader and that I need to be prepared to lead at my 3 month mark which is the end of this transfer. He is an amazing mission president, and I hope at one point i am lucky enough to be his assistant. First things first I want to train if that is what President and the Lord want for me. I am really starting to understand how preparation, goal setting, and studies really are the backbone of success. I will never again expect something to happen without doing everything I can to set whatever needs to happen in motion myself. Sitting and waiting gets you nowhere. You guys are prime examples of hard work leading to blessings.

Dad I thank you so much for instilling a good work ethic in me. I never used it to my full ability until now, but being here will help me to never sit and wait again. I love you dad. Tell Donnie and Sawyer I say whatsup!! Have a great week!!

Nick 

Week Ten

Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 11:59 AM

We had our first baptism this week! Her name is Sasha and I feel like she is one of the reasons I am in the Curepe area. Shes been worked with forever and never got baptized, but Elder Whitlock/Watchman and I were able to help her get there. The baptism was stressful, the Elder baptizing her showed up late and the people there were getting impatient, but it happened!

Elder Largent is one of the APs I look up to a lot. they told me that I remind them a lot of him when he first came out, and he was mad Assistant his 5th transfer! I doubt that will happen to me, maybe ever, but I will work as hard as I can to be someone the new mission president can rely on for whatever calling he sees fit to have me in.

Elder Whitlock is such a great guy. He is really quiet so we're pretty different, but he has a great testimony and is a great teacher.  I know that we're put together for a reason and I know that he and I will have continued success here. He's from Arizona and he's going to get into eating well with me! I'm excited because of how poorly I ate last transfer. The food here is so good, just absolute garbage for you. We're learning how to make Roti and we learned how to make Kurma and Pholourie this last week. Those are indian sweets so you'll love to see the videos of Sister Sookhan making them whenever I send them home. I'm thinking about getting a mini hard drive to put music, talks and pics on it. They're like 100 US so not too bad, but i don't like spending money. maybe I'll ask for that for birthday and Christmas combined ;) 

How are things! I'm working hard just like you do Mom. I love you so much!!!

Nick

Hey Dad!! 

The new companion and I are doing so great! He is such a nice kid, his name is Elder Whitlock from Arizona! He sounds exactly like one of my MTC teachers! haha anyway we've continued to work hard and had 3 investigators at church yesterday. I feel so blessed because it was testimony meeting and you know how those can go sometimes haha, but they both (a mother and son) said that they loved it and really wanted to come next week! So awesome. Oh and I met the new mission president and his wife, President and Sister Mehr. they are so tall, she is probably 6 ft and hes 6'2" or 6'3". Crazy nice. I am priveleged to be so close to them their first transfer here.

I am so jealous about the Sox game! That is like the best result ever, M's win and it was still a really good game. That should be fun with Granddad, and I'm glad you went to church anyway after the game, that makes me smile alot. It's the middle of rainy season so it dumps rain off and on all the time. I have my umbrella though so it helps out. I guess most West Indies missionaries don't use umbrellas but I'm not one to conform like that, I don't like being soaked head to toe, haha.

Oh and.... FIRST BAPTISM ON MY MISSION! SASHA!! It was stressful because the missionary (Elder Largent one of the APs) who baptized her got caught in traffic and was 30 minutes late. but she was baptized Friday, and I was able to stand in the circle to confirm her. so cool I feel so blessed. We are working hard and doing our best to keep the work moving forward here in Curepe. I am so glad to be here for another transfer. I dont know what I would've done if I had left.

I'm glad workouts are going well! keep it up. Elder Whitlock and I went to a store called Pricesmart today and I swear it is EXACTLY LIKE COSTCO. Just smaller. Set up the same and everything. We spent only half our food money on healthy stuff that will last us a while! So stoked! :) I've lost 20 lbs of muscle since I've been out. It's not all gone, but I am definitely smaller. it sucks but I'm making the most of it. I love you dad so much, and I am working my tail off! Keep magnifying your calling! You'll receive more blessings than I could ever express! I Love you!

Nick

Week Nine - New Companion

Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 11:42 AM

Hey Mom!!

This week was awesome! it absolutely FLEW BY!! Elder Watchman and I worked really hard and increased the number of member lessons we had, and it paid off big time. We had 3 out of the 5 main investigators we're teaching come to Church, and Sasha is getting baptized this coming Friday the 28th, MY FIRST BAPTISM!!!! so so so so so excited for that. We had two others accept baptism dates, and one of our other prospective baptizee's came to Church, he is a military guy so his schedule is nuts. We haven't met with him in 3 weeks but we're going to be meeting with him Wednesday.

Curepe is such a great area. The ward members are super loving and solid, and I'm right in President Gamiette's backyard, so I've gotten to see him a whole bunch before he leaves. His last fireside was Sunday, and today we went to Port of Spain for P-Day. We played basketball and ping pong, practiced the Haka (the thing that the Samoan rugby players do before games) and preformed that for Sister Gamiette at the Mission Home. It was pretty cool. He is an amazing amazing man. I have learned so much from him in just the short time i've been able to serve with him.

One of my favorite elders, Elder So'oto is going home this week. Crazy how fast this transfer has gone. The AP's had a baptism Saturday and we found out our transfer calls. I am staying in Curepe, but Elder Watchman is going to south; Point Fortin. I'm being mothered (thats what they call your second companion) by Elder Whitlock. I meet him either Wednesday or Thursday, he's coming from St. Vincent I believe. Elder Watchman told me they wouldn't have done that if they didn't have confidence in me helping lead the area, and that in either the transfer after this one or my 4th I'll be training. I'm working my butt off, so I hope that that's the case. I thought for sure that we would be staying together, but honestly I am ready for a new experience. Elder Watchman has had 11 transfers and 10 different companions. I am glad to have been trained by him. I learned a lot about myself and the things I want to improve on as a missionary from him and I am grateful for that. 

I am glad that you survived your week, I love you so much mom, let me know how the game was you lucky duck!!

Love you so much,

Nick

Dad!!!

So glad things are picking up! I have learned out here that the busier you are the better it is! We have been working hard and had 3 investigators at church this week. Such a good feeling after the efforts we put in. I had a trade off with one of the Zone Leaders where I led him around our area this Tuesday, I guess they do it as a barometer for how I'm doing and my trainer and the area. The Zone leader told me that I'm going to be a zone leader and probably an assistant because of where I am at the end of my first transfer. I am not sure, I would love for that to happen but we will see, if it doesn't it won't be for lack of effort; I'm working my rear off!

Mom tells me that you went to the M's Sox game this weekend you lucky duck! How was it? Pictures? How are they doin? I heard Miami won the title so people can finally get off of LeBron's back. Anyway back to missionary work. We have a girl named Sasha who is going to be baptized this friday!!!!! SO EXCITED MY FIRST BAPTISM! Hopefully first of many here in Curepe. She is solid, and aside from some silly discussion about who is going to do it everything is going along smoothly. We have a couple more set up for the next few weeks, so this transfer will more than likely go by even faster than the last! I am staying here in Curepe and Elder Watchman is going to Point Fortin. My new companion is named Elder Whitlock from St. Lucia or St. Vincent I'll meet him Wednesday. I know I've learned a lot but this has run its course I think. Elder Watchman told me that he thinks I'll be training either my 3rd or 4th transfer. We'll see though, I'd love that I think.

I love Curepe, so I'd love to train a missionary here. We shared this weekend with President close by, he leaves on Friday. So nuts, I've been out 2 months today. Doesn't feel like that. I love you so much Dad, . How have workouts been? New transfer, new companion, baptisms lined up. That's what this work is all about. I have learned so much about who I am and why I am here on this Earth, my testimony has grown so much, I am just grateful to be a part of this work. I know that angels are around me because of my calling, your obedience and example, as well as your prayers. I love you more than I can express dad. Keep up everything you're doing.

Nick

Week Eight

Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 3:01 PM

Hey Dad!!

This week was really quick! Seems like every week goes by faster. Transfers are this next week, we get our calls Saturday so I will know the situation that day, next week I'll let you know what's going on.

Sorry about allergies, that's no good. but I'm glad you have a crew going out to Virginia's with you! That will be sweet because it keeps you motivated and you can hold each other accountable for going! haha I bought some protein that I'm going to use for breakfast from now on to try and cut out some of the carbs I've been eating! They eat so much bread and rice and potatoes (they use what are called provisions like dashin and other root type stuff, so good but nothing but starch) so I'm trying to keep my weight in check. I know I've lost weight cuz of the muscle I've lost but I'm doing my best to stay fit.

This week we taped a lot of the members for a fireside we had on Saturday. They talked about their first impression of the missionaries, the Book of Mormon, and their first time at church. I couldn't help but think of you guys when the converts were answering their questions. I'm so grateful for the Tillotson's and what this gospel has done for our family! Eric comes home in 6 stinking weeks! Seems like just yesterday he left! I'll be home just now as the Trini's would say. We have one investigator who is set for baptism on the 29th! She is such a solid young woman, she's 16. We have really good support for her and I cannot wait to see her baptized. She's an eternagator (eternal investigator) who's seen the missionaries for over a year now haha.

Can you believe I'll have been gone for 2 months next Monday? Crazy. Tell the little ones I say hello! Happy Father's Day Dad! I was thinking about you all day Sunday. I miss you a ton but I know I'm out here in the right place doing what I'm supposed to be doing. You have helped me so much with everything in my life, and I'll do everything I can to try and be worthy of a father like you. You are such a beacon to everyone in your life, you give Eric and I an example of what kind of father's we should be and husbands as well. You inspire me to be more than I am, all the time. Whenever someone turns me down when I contact them, I think of the clever things you'd say about them as I walk away with a smile on my face. This work is the most rewarding thing I've ever done already, and I owe that all to you and mom bringing me up the way you have, Eric blazing the trail before me, Corynn helping me along the way, and my Heavenly Father. I know that my future generations will be able to look at this time in my life and not only see it as a turning point, but see your influence as my father shaping my future. Thank you Dad. Words cannot express how much I love you. Have a great week, and I'll let you know what the deal is for transfers next week. Oh, theres an Elder Tillotson who is serving on Trinidad, I wanted to get the names of the senior missionaries who worked with us to see if he's related, do you remember what they are? I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day.

Nick

Hey mom!!!

Things in Curepe have been going really well! this week flew by. This transfer is almost over!! We have one set for baptism the 29th which is technically after the transfer, but it will be mine and Elder Watchman's baptism for sure. She's been investigating forever I guess, and she's never been as close as she is right now to actually being baptized. So I'm excited for that.

We have been working hard on getting our goals, but we have a hard time getting members at our lessons.  Elder Watchman told me that he told President Gamiette that I could train next transfer if he wanted me to. I'm working hard. We took videos of a lot of the members for this fireside thing we had on Saturday. There wasn't as big of a turnout as we'd liked but we worked hard on it. When they finalize everything from the video I'll send a copy to you guys so that you can see the people I get to work so closely with and love so much.

We get fed twice every sunday, so I'm doing my best to adjust my diet so I don't turn into a lardo. haha. How are things for you guys?  ERIC COMES HOME IN ONE TRANSFER. so crazy. Tell Dad Happy Father's Day and that I love him. I was thinking about him a lot yesterday and I know that he is being blessed for all the hard work he does.

The traveling assistants go home tomorrow, I'll send pictures with them. I'm learning so much and doing my best to be the best I can. I love you mom! I bought protein today for like $50 US! They bend you over on the stuff here! haha anyway, I love you!! tell me how life is!!

Nick