Sowing Seeds, Reaping Rewards
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  • MTC & CTM
    • Provo MTC >
      • The Journey Begins! Feb. 22, 2012
      • This is REAL LIFE! (Jeffrey R. Holland) Feb. 29, 2012
      • The MTC. I'm New Here...and Loving It! Feb. 29, 2012
      • "I Don't Know WHY We Love You, But..." Mar. 7, 2012
      • Stay tuned for the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt" Mar. 7, 2012 >
        • More "Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirt"
      • Prayers ARE Answered, and Miracles DO Happen! Mar. 11 & 13
      • Is This What Foster Kids Feel Like? Mar. 14, 2012
      • Our 2nd "First Day" Mar. 19, 2012
      • I'll Be... Leavin' on a Jet Plane Mar. 26, 2012
      • Piecing Together Caveman Sentences Mar. 26, 2012 letter
    • São Paulo CTM >
      • I've Got a Stamp in My Passport! April 4, 2012
      • I LOVE Having Sister Dickson Here! April 11, 2012
      • My "Permanent Thumbs Up" April 18, 2012
  • 1st Area
    • Santa Margarida (May-June 2012) >
      • This is the Rio Life! Estamos no Brasil! May 1, 2012
      • There are Crazy Crazies Here. May 7, 2012
      • To Teach People, Not Lessons May 14, 2012
      • My Advice to All Prospective Missionaries May 21, 2012
      • The Crazy Crazies... Part 2 June 4, 2012
      • Manaus Has a Temple Now! June 11, 2012
      • My New Phrase: "Yep, Right There." June 18, 2012
      • The Responsibility of ALL of Us June 25, 2012
    • Santa Margarida (July-August 2012) >
      • A Superhero in the Neighborhood July 2, 2012
      • Let's Get Ripped, Spiritually. July 9, 2012
      • This is FUNNERRRR! July 16, 2012
      • Next-Door Neighbirds July 23, 2012
      • Is That a Peacock? July 30, 2012
      • Opposition in All Things August 6, 2012
      • Ye Olde Photographs August 13, 2012
      • A Challenge to My Dear Friends August 20, 2012
  • 2nd Area: Jacarepaguá
    • I Found My Smile! August 27, 2012
    • The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly September 3, 2012
    • District Fairytale?? September 10, 2012
    • Heavenly Hugs September 17, 2012
    • A Mission is SO WORTH IT! September 24, 2012
    • Growing Pains September 24, 2012 letter
    • An Up and Down Spring October 1, 2012
  • 3rd Area: Cabo Frio
    • Cabo Frio (October-November 2012) >
      • "Are You Brazilian?" October 8, 2012
      • More Advice for Prospective Missionaries October 15, 2012
      • Games Missionaries Play October 22, 2012
      • What a Pain in the Box October 29, 2012
      • You Win Some, You Lose Some November 5, 2012
      • Humble-Pied in the Face November 12, 2012
      • What a Weekend! November 12 & 13, 2012 letter
      • First Impressions November 19, 2012
      • You Are Never Alone November 19, 2012 letter
      • Faith For a Miracle November 26, 2012
    • Cabo Frio (December 2012) >
      • My House, My Rules December 3, 2012
      • Spurts of Sabedoria [Wisdom] December 10, 2012
      • SO Much To Do, SO Little Time December 18, 2012
      • Working For a 401 Miracle December 24, 2012
      • Almost a Heart Attack December 31, 2012
    • Cabo Frio (January-February 2013) >
      • Birthday Bash January 7, 2013
      • Unlike the Fat Personal Trainer January 14, 2013
      • The Best Day Yet January 21, 2013
      • I'm a Patient Woman January 28, 2013
      • No Time Today February 4, 2013
      • CarNATAL Yes. Carnaval NO. February 11, 2013
      • I Will Follow in Front February 18, 2013
      • Talent Show... Talent Hide February 25, 2013
    • Cabo Frio (March-April 2013) >
      • Leprechauns, Fedoras, and Ducks. It's Gonna Be a Good Day March 4, 2013
      • "WHO TOLD?!" March 2013 letter
      • Bloom Where You're Planted March 11, 2013
      • Being Me... a NEW Me March 18, 2013
      • Pneumonia Shpoomonia March 25, 2013
      • Hello Mom-o, Hello Dad-o April 1, 2013
      • TEEEMMMPLLLEEE!!! April 8, 2013
      • I'm the "LAUGH-ER" April 15, 2013
      • BIG, BIG NEWS! Drumroll, Please. April 22, 2013
  • 4th Area: Niterói
    • Fonseca (April-June 2013) >
      • We're Creating the IDEAL Here April 29, 2013
      • Hold Your Horses May 6, 2013
      • Let the Good Times Roll May 13, 2013
      • She's Gettin' Old May 20, 2013
      • Guns and Roses... with Thorns May 27, 2013
      • Oldsters Are the Greatest! June 3, 2013
      • And Lots and Lots of Love June 10, 2013
      • It's Not Us. It's God. June 17, 2013
      • And You Know What??? June 24, 2013
    • Worth the Wait July 1, 2013
    • Living Water July 8, 2013
    • I DON'T WANNA DIE!!! July 15, 2013
    • It's Not Abnormal to Feel Like Manure July 22, 2013
    • Splish, Splash July 29, 2013
    • Keep It Together, Man! August 5, 2013
    • Até Logo, Meus Amiginhos. August 12, 2013

My New Phrase:  “Yep, Right There.”

June 18, 2012 email

My new phrase is “Yep, right there,” which is to signify everything I see and think that is just out in the open.  For example, breastfeeding or the sight of dead dogs that resemble small ponies because they’re so bloated.

Tomorrow, we’re having a training meeting for the newbies again.  The time before, I tried to answer a few questions and was wrong with ALL of them because I thought they were talking about something else.  Cool. I’m hoping I’ll improve from last time, heehee.  President Lima was impressed when I read out loud.  Very impressed.

Oh!  Also, when we were traveling back from the training meeting, I saw “Agenor Bar and Restaurant.”  Aaaaah, so NOW I know what Brother Ferreira is really doing down here.  Winkey face.

I KNOW that prophets are the only people who are called by God to receive revelation for the whole world and who speak to God face-to-face.  A prophet is a walking miracle on the earth.  Imagine having someone you can listen to who has received instruction directly from the mouth of God.  GREAT!  So, let’s listen!
This just in:  PICTURES HAVE ARRIVED!
Sister Nelson took the time to upload some pictures today!!  They are the first ones we've received since she has been in Brazil.  As you can see, they're oldies but goodies from March 27, 2012, which was the day she left the Provo MTC, as well as the day she left the United States.  

March 27, 2012
Leaving the Provo MTC bright and early after a night of very little sleep and heading for a loooong day of travel.  Yippee!

If we would have had divine direction from a prophet directly after Jesus Christ, the Bible would have continued.  The same is true with the Book of Mormon.  However, due to iniquity of the people—who always get caught in the pride cycle—the people rebel against divine revelation because the words of prophets and seers are hard to hear.  They aren’t necessarily comforting but rather are words that will get us to Heaven.  Their words are counsel for us to repent; and if we are feeling like we are being chastened, we should rejoice because God chastens those whom He loves.  Thus, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims divine direction and has other books of scripture such as Doctrine and Covenants.  If we have a prophet on the earth, then we have revelation from God; and God always commands His prophets to write!  

Furthermore, we also receive this revelation from God not through writings on brass or gold plates but rather in magazines that we can print and distribute in mass quantity.  How blessed we are to have these tools to keep us on the path!  But we must read these writings because we will be judged by these words. 
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Really, Elder Byers? A candy necklace? At 7:00 in the morning? Is that a Washington tradition?
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One last longing look at the Provo Temple... and the Provo MTC... and the Provo snow. Yeah, snow... she won't be seeing any of that for a loooong while.
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Elders Byers, Simmons, and Idk are not leaving today but are being the big helpers. I believe that's the Elder Byers "Look of Exasperation" that there will be no one to tease anymore. Sad day.
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**Notice: Elders Morgan, Morris, and Moulton. Is it required to sit in alphabetical order? Just wonderin'.** BE ADVISED. Someone is STILL waking up for that 7 AM ride to the SLC airport. Be COOL, everyone.
In addition, we can write our own “Testament of Jesus Christ” every time we write in our journals.  What have you been recording?  Is it as the small plates of Nephi, specifically about spiritual things and personal revelation; or is it more like the large plates of Nephi—wars and rumors of wars between you and your brothers and sisters? Winkey face.  

I know that the scriptures “will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3).  I know you can speak with the tongue of angels every time you testify of Jesus Christ and bear your testimony of the divinity of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it has changed your life. 
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Because THIS is what Elder Fisi'iahi looks like when he's awake. (Click to see larger image of the missionary in the blue and yellow tie. You won't regret it.)
Whenever you pray, you can receive an answer from one of the members of the Godhead!!!  This member is called the Holy Ghost, and he answers prayers and questions in various ways.  He, according to the will of God, answers our prayers even in the streets when we are talking to drunks; it’s true.  He testifies of all truth and can help us with our unbelief.  I am ever so grateful for the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  He teaches us through example to remember to stop and smell the spiritual roses, especially when the world around us tries to overpower the sweet things of the Spirit with an overpowering perfume.

My dear friends, things that are worth it, things that are real, are things that can change lives and provide happiness.  All things that are worth it take time.  All things worthy require sanctification.  All things eternal demand perfection.  We must remember that Satan is out there trying to destroy that which is most plain and precious.  Why?  Because he’s jealous of our power.  He’s jealous of our joy that we receive by having a body of flesh and bone like our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.  Don’t let the tool that keeps Satan eternally angry enter into your hearts.  Don’t get caught up in the destructive cycle of pride.

Love,
Sister Nelson

March 27, 2012
From the SLC airport to the ATL airport, where she was surprised to see her fantastic friend, Sister Courtney Dickson.  Sister Dickson's visa was on time, so she didn't go to the Provo MTC.  Instead, she flew to the Sao Paulo CTM from her home state, connecting at ATL.  That was a FUN surprise for Sister Nelson!! 
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There was a little bit of screaming in the ATL airport that evening. Although Sister Nelson didn't know that she would be on the same flight with her awesome friend from BYU, her mom and Sister Dickson knew. Hahaha!
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"Hi, Mom and Dad!!! I'm here in Atlanta on my way to Brazil. Hey, did you know Courtney was going to be on this flight? WHAT??? Verrrry sneaky. Gotta GO! I LOVE YOU!"
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This is the whole group of missionaries who traveled together from Atlanta to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Check out their photo with the CTM president and his wife by clicking on "The Sao Paulo CTM" in the menu above.
March 28, 2012
FINALLY made it to Sao Paulo, Brazil
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It's 5:30 in the morning, Sao Paulo time. That would be 1:30 in the morning, Pacific Time. Now, does THAT look like jet lag to you??
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The view from the CTM bedroom. Are you wondering if those buildings are significant? I did, so I looked it up. They're just apartment highrises. (See also the April 18, 2012, email.)
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