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

 

Week Fifteen - New Companion

Sent: Monday, August 6, 2012 1:34 PM

Hey Mom!!

This week was pretty crazy for us here. We had a wedding reception on Wednesday, a thanksgiving (just a fancy way to get people together to celebrate) for the member who passed away on saturday, and then we were invited to a Hindu Prayer on Sunday after Church. That was crazy, they give you all different kinds of Curry on a big old leaf with a giant pile of roti. They are so nice, and most of them don't really practice their religion, they were born into it they're going to die in it that's what they all will tell you. It was really cool, and they invited us back to their place for a wedding on Friday too so that will be interesting! I will definitely send pictures of that.

It has been raining cats and dogs lately here, which makes it hard to contact and move around, but its been a good week, especially exciting because of transfer calls. We have a baptism this coming weekend as well, which will be really awesome. She is the one who dropped us and picked us back up, and she has really been progressing. I am excited for her to be baptized. My second one on the Mission!! :) I'll be sure to post some pictures! We also have a next one set up for the 18th if she comes to church this coming week! Lots of prayers please! She NEEDS to be baptized.

So transfer calls. Are you ready for it? I AM TRAINING!! 3rd transfer training! I am so excited. His name is Elder Anderson and I meet him on Wednesday! I am so nervous but I am so ready for the challenge and for the responsibility that comes with training a new missionary.  I want for this to strengthen me and make me a better person and a better missionary. I have heard that training prepares you for real parenthood, so we'll see how it goes. Have you sent me any pictures of you guys yet? I need some really bad! I want pics from the airport too if you've got them! This whole experience is shaping me into the man I was meant to be from the start, I just know that by the end of two years I will be better than I ever would have been had I not gone. This decision will shape the rest of my life, and I am so very grateful to have such a great support system back home. Nobody else in the world could have helped me the way you have Mom. Your example and great support really helped me to make this decision and coming out will be the best decision I have ever made. I love you to heaven and back mom, and if there is anything I can do for you you let me know! Lots of pictures coming!! :)

Love

Nick

Hey Dad!!!

This week was really crazy. It rained buckets off and on, so tracting was super annoying. I have to get used to it though because we are smack in the middle of rainy season here and it is horrendous. When they say it they mean it. There's a tropical storm running through the Caribbean so it is affecting us as well.

This week we had some big events take up a lot of our time. We went to a wedding at the Arima branch building (lots of good food) and then we went to a thanksgiving (kind of like a wake is the closest thing I'd compare it to) for the member who passed away, and then a Hindu Prayer on Sunday after Church (we weren't at the ceremony but we did eat. TONS OF CURRY, so good) we hit almost all of our goals numbers wise, and we had 3 investigators at Church, 1 who will be getting baptized this coming saturday. She is the one who dropped us and picked us back up again a couple weeks ago. It is really cool to have been able to see her testimony grow over that short period of time. She and her 1 year old son Malik will be people that I will never ever forget. Everytime I meet people I want for you guys to meet them too. I know its a long way in the future, but I hope that you and Mom will consider coming to pick me up, I want to introduce you to everyone that I will have grown to know and love here.

So transfer calls. This week was tough because as I've told you before one of my goals was to be training after my 3rd transfer. Most of the Zone Leaders and the Assistants did, and I felt like if that was somewhere I aspired to be later on in my mission that this would be the jumping off point. Well, I reached my goal. I am training a new missionary after 3 months in the field. His name is Elder Anderson, and I am so stinking nervous and excited to meet and get the opportunity to train him. I haven't met him yet, but I will on Wednesday morning. Elder Whitlock is going to Sangre Grande in the east side of Trinidad, so I'll get to see him when he baptizes our investigator Saturday and off and on throughout this transfer. I am so grateful to have had him as a trainer, and I know that what he has taught me will tarry with me throughout my entire mission. I can feel my patience being increased, even if it is only little by little. I feel so very humbled that the mission president would have the confidence to have me train after just 2 transfers, he only knowing me for one, but I know that with the Lord, all things are possible. I think I told mom he was from Washington (my trainee) but he's from SLC apparently. Theres another who is from WA but I don't have any idea who's training him.

Dad, thank you so much for being such an amazing father to me. I know that the Lord sent me here to learn to be the type of man that you are. Hard working, loving, dedicated, hilarious, gentle and kind, and you have helped me to see the type of characteristics i want to develop because you have all of them. Thank you for working so hard to support Eric and I throughout our childhood and for being there whenever I have needed a lift. You mean the world to me dad, and if I have ever done anything (and I know that I have) to disappoint or make you sad I sincerely apologize. All I want is to be the best son and brother I can be, because that is the way you raised me and you deserve nothing less. I will strive for the rest of my life to be the person I should have been from the start. and I have you and mom to thank for showing me who that person really is. I know this Church is true. God lives. Jesus is the Christ and he has suffered and taken upon himself all so that we can have the opportunity to repent and live with them again. Without them we are nothing, and I will spend the rest of my life perfecting myself so that all of us can rejoice together in the Celestial Kingdom. Joseph Smith is a true Prophet, I have never had such a burning testimony about something in my whole life then the fact that The Book Of Mormon is true and it is the one thing that can bring us as close to our Heavenly Father as we can possibly be. I love you Dad. Can't believe Ichiro is a yankee by the way, who did we get for him? The Sox need pitching, we need to refill the ol farm system. 3 years they'll be in the Series you watch. Love you so much dad. Can't wait to hear how things continue to go for you. What is the new address btw? Keep me posted!!

Nick

Week Fourteen

Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 11:54 AM

Hey Mom!!

HAPPY BIRHTDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope Dad and Eric are going to treat you really well today! :) Wow what a crazy situation with Eric coming back, but I bet its so good to have him there finally! How is he? I didn't look real hard to see if he had emailed me, what is he up to now? When does culinary school get going? This week FLEW BY AGAIN!

We had 4 investigators at Church which I think is best in the zone! So good to see since we had so few last week. I went to a different branch to be with an investigator who lives right on the border of our area but is dating a less active in our ward and we've taught her the whole way (Merlesha is her name, I think I told you about her) she is the one who dropped us and then picked us back up again. She should be baptized the 11th (not this but next saturday) Then we had 3 others come to our Ward in Curepe. So happy about that.

We had such a good week this week, we almost hit all of our goals, and had really good lessons with our progressing investigators. If I stay in this area I think we should have 3 baptisms in the next 6 weeks! So excited :) Transfer calls are coming up this coming Saturday. Its hard not to think about them (they call it getting transfer trunky here) but with the rate that the weeks have been going it shouldnt be too bad. 

I am so blessed with such a wonderful family who cares such a great deal. I don't really know what you could send me honestly. Maybe protein powder since its so expensive here but thats not really a necessity. From the sounds of Eric's shoes I may need that other pair when I've been out longer. These ones are doing pretty well. I'm officially not a greenie (done training in other words) next Wednesday. Can you believe I've been gone 3 months already? This two years is going to cook by, I just hope to be able to work hard enough to do and be who the Lord wants me to be during that time. Take care of Eric for me and give him the biggest hug you can. I miss you guys a ton, and please ENJOY YOUR BIRTHDAY!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Nick

Hey Dad!!

The exercise equipment is at every little park that they have (they call them savannahs here) and it was so sweet, the day after that I found a Cricket bat laying on the ground there and I snagged it for a souvenir! We've been working out on the little chest press and lat pull machines, not much but I do like a million reps to get a burn. nothing like Virginia's but not so bad. This week seriously disappeared for us. Transfers are coming up and we find out if we're staying together or whats going on. I want to train but I know that I am focusing too much on that. Elder Whitlock is a great companion and if we get to stay here in Curepe we'll have 3 baptisms next transfer if all goes well! They came to church this week so its a start :) That's crazy about Eric, I'm glad everything got worked out though!

Sounds like he reports this coming week, tell him to email me so I know wah gwan! (thats means whats going on, say it how it sounds and thats how people speak down here haha) We had a really solid week lessons wise, but nothing super exciting really. We have found some new people to teach, which will help us keep busy this coming week and into next transfer. Oh, the picture I sent mom of the Indian dude without a shirt on, he sells whats called pepper sauce (SUPER SPICY,SOOOOO GOOD. You probably couldn't eat it beacuse of how its made, but I LOVE IT) and kuchela (its like curried mango kinda only spicy and sweet, full of oil but its so tasty) and we bought some of the pepper and tried contacting him. He's super Hindu which means that they have no concept of one Lord, one Faith, one baptism. they believe anyone who worships God is correct. Many rivers flow into the same ocean they say. Anyway, he commended us for spreading the word, and GAVE us a bottle of they kuchela for free! Perks of being a missionary I guess :)

How are the kids doing baseball wise? The Sox too? How was the game you and Granddad went to? Ill know where I'm going saturday so I'll fill you in next week! I love you so much dad, treat mom real nice today!!! OH, and GO THROUGH THE TEMPLE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! That family I always talk about is working so hard to go back as a family (the mother has already gone) and I have become so humbled by how lucky we are to have temples so close by. If you go to Portland or Seattle or wherever with mom for her business you should try and squeeze a session in. I want to live close to one so that I can go frequently. I have such an increased appreciation since being here. Love you dad. Keep working hard!! I know that you will.

Nick

Week Thirteen

Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 1:06 PM

Hey Mom!

This week has been kind of crazy!

Our week's plans shifted on account of the sudden death of Brother Persad, and we did our best to help the Ward console that family and do whatever we could to help them in any capacity. They live on the outer edge of our area, so it was a lot of travelling to and from their home when we could and offering nothing more than mourning with them if that was all we could provide. Being able to be a part of that service was such a special experience for me. Everyone always tells you that you come to love the people you serve on a mission, but that was a true testimony to that statement. Brother Persad did everything he could to be at Church every week despite all his health problems, and I know that his example will stay with me forever. We were also able to speak with his less active daughter and his son who has yet to be baptized. We are excited to continue to work with the Persad family and help this Gospel further bless their lives as they ponder on the effect and blessings that came from their Father's labor while in this earthly existence.

We had an investigator who was on date for the 28th drop us because her family found some negative and false information online and were getting into her head a lot with all of it, but her boyfriend Javon (who is a less active member of the Curepe ward) told her that his goal was to get sealed to his wife in the Temple, and if she wasn't willing to at least listen and continue to meet with the missionaries to find out FOR HERSELF not be pressured out by her family, that he was going to move on. He has made so many strides since we started working with him, and we are really doing our best to encourage him to serve a mission. Merlesha, the investigator, after hearing how committed Javon is to the Gospel, decided to pick up meeting with us again, but she wants to push back her baptism date. I know that through diligent effort and the Spirit that she will get back on track and be baptized next transfer.

We also have Antonieta, the Stake Relief Society President's sister. We've been working with her a lot since I came to Curepe last transfer, and she's been steadily gaining a testimony of the Gospel. Sunday evening we talked to her, and without us getting the opportunity to bring up baptism she told us that she wanted to do it. President, we have asked her every meeting how she's felt about baptism, but this is the first time she has solidly given us a YES to a date. We are so excited for the 18th of next month when she will undoubtedly enter the water and be numbered as one of the Lord's Restored Church.

I have learned that nothing in this mission comes without diligence and constant care this week. Our contacting was not up to par at all, and after looking at our numbers Elder Whitlock and I set goals and planned to be as effective as possible to find people to teach so that we can finish this transfer strong, and set up our next transfer. I am so grateful for him as my trainer, I am learning so much about myself and missionary work. He is great.

I can't believe Eric is home this week either, I know you are all so excited for that. Is he flying into Portland? Give me all the details! I love you all so much, just thinking about all the ways our family has been blessed because of Eric's service is filling my heart with gratitude. I just hope that my Mission can do half for us as what his has done. We are working very hard, we just have a hard time getting investigators to church. The travel here is amazing, I think it's just the commitment level and we need to do a better job of making sure they are taken care of getting to the building. We'll get better though I know it. There is a family I talk a lot about, the Rampersads, and the mom Cindy gave an awesome talk on Temples this Sunday. It made me so grateful that we are sealed for time and all eternity. The overwhelming feeling I had this week aside from amazement on how fast this is all going (i will have been out 3 months on wednesday can you believe it?) and gratitude to the Lord and to you guys for this experience and all that I have been given. Know that I am working my tail off so that I can be someone the Mission President would be confident to train a new missionary after this transfer because that is what the training program says to do. One of the APs made a joke about me needing to know it inside and out like I would train, but we'll see. I love you mom! 

Love you soooo so very Much

Nick

Hey Dad!!

Booo extra loud for me this week!! I'm glad that you are spending some time with granddad I know that he will enjoy that most definitely. It has been so wet here lately!!! It just rains buckets but my handy umbrella has done me well so far!!! I think that we're good with stuff being sent, maybe if you could find me a journal, but that won't need to get here for a few more months cuz I bought a notebook and am using that at the moment. I am so excited that Eric is home so soon! He can take care of you guys since I'm not around ;) Crazy! 

This week truly made me grateful for our family. I cannot wait for the day we are all together again, but in the mean time I know that the Lord is providing for all of us in our different stages of our lives. Let the family know that I love them and that this Gospel is true!! Oh you and mom could send me some pictures of you and Eric and all of us together! just so I can show people! haha I forgot to bring some! ha the tan is nice but it is the dirt nastiest farmer tan you have ever seen! so bad!! haha Thank you for everything you do dad. You have been behind me from day 1 with everything and I will be eternally grateful for that. I have a perfect template for the type of father I need to be for my kids. Keep working hard and I hope you've still been lifting! ;) just had to give you some fatigue (that's a Trini way of saying crap or a hard time). Love you so much Pa

Nick