Easy come.....Easy go....

Mosiah 26:31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor's trespasses...the same hath brought himself under condemnation.
D&C 64:9   Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

 D&C 82:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.

I've done a lot of pondering on these scriptures this past week.   I realize that I have to be forgiving in order to be forgiven.  I know that I am not perfect and have needed the Lord many times in my life to forgive me and will many more times.  Forgiveness gives us the power to move on and not continue to carry a grudge and have offenses eat away at us.   It is a very wonderful gift that our Heavenly Father has given us.  Hence, the following story.... 

The past week and a half have not been our favorite time here.  As some of you know we were victims of a robbery.  Last Wednesday, we left our apartment at 9:30 am to go to our weekly District Meeting.  We were gone until 2 p.m.  On the way home I got a call from the R.S. President and I was still talking when we arrived in the apartment.  I sat down on the couch and continued the conversation, not noticing a thing.  Our computer table was right in front of me.  A few minutes later Paul came out of the bedroom and said that we had been robbed.  He was in the closet and couldn't figure out why his golf balls were on the floor.  Then he noticed that the drawers in our dresser were all opened up and a laundry basket taken, leaving the clothes on the floor.  I immediately looked towards the table and saw that it was empty of our computer, TV and little dvd machine.   We were momentarily devastated.  After a few moments of panic we calmed down and knelt down to pray.  We needed the Lords help in this matter if for nothing else but to calm us down.  I  prayed that the Lord would bless us and help us through this situation and not let this deter us from our work.    When we stood up I had a calm feeling and felt the support of our Heavenly Father.  I knew that no matter what, he was there and would get us through this.  We discovered that not only our computer, TV and dvd machine, but my good camera (I am now using my little one for which I am grateful to have), a small dvd player, $5 watch, Ipod, mouse, etc.  Anything that was electronic. He missed my Nook.  It was on the night stand.  He came through a hole in the fence outside our bedroom window.  That hole has been there since we moved in and it was never repaired.  He broke a little piece of the window, undid the latch and raised the window.  There were muddy footprints on the floor.  It appeared that only one person was involved.  He left by the front door.  Very brazen in broad daylight.  When we told the people at the office they all acted as though nothing like that had ever happened.  A few days later we found out that our neighbors just across the street from us were broken into a week before. Had we been informed I know I would have had my camera on me at all times and we would have taken a few more precautions.  Needless to say, we have been busy changing credit cards, bank accounts, stock accounts, getting police reports for insurance, etc.  Not only do we have to change them, we have to go online and make all the online changes.  It has taken time away from the things that we were sent here to do.   Basically, no one was home around here.  Except our neighbors' daughter, who was visiting with him. While he was at work she was in the apartment.  We were unaware that she was here.  On Sunday, 22nd, they came over to talk to us.  She said that a tall, black man knocked on her door that day about 1 pm.  She looked out the peep hole but didn't answer or open her door, thank heavens.  She said that he stood there for about 5 minutes.  I would have called the police.  That was all she saw or heard.  But there are always blessings just around the corner.  Blessing #1 - The morning of the robbery I had taken some pearls, that my mother had given me to bring on my mission, and put them into my jewelry drawer.  They were under some clothes in another drawer.  I truly believe that if I had left them there they would have been gone because the drawer was rummaged through.  They didn't bother to look in the little case in my jewelry drawer.  They just took the $5 watch.  Guess it looked expensive.  I know that I was prompted to do that before we left that morning.  Blessing #2 - On Wednesday evening we decided that we needed to visit a couple in our ward.  While we were there the subject of the last week came up and we told them of our experience.  Of course, they were saddened and very supportive.  Just before we left, Brother Gorman told his wife to go get the computer in the back room.  He had given it to his daughter and she now had a new one.  He told us to take it and use it until we go home.  We felt a little uneasy taking it - especially if this should happen again - but they insisted.  So we have a Compaq computer that will do, I hope, for the next year.  We had planned on going to get a Mac but decided that we would wait until we go home.  The only problem is that I can't Skype with my kids.  No camera or mic. We're working on that issue.  The experience with the Gorman's doesn't stop there.  Sister Gorman is an art teacher and showed us her work and that of some of her students.  I love to draw but can't even master a stick figure right now.  As we talked she said that I should come and take some lessons.  We thought about it and realized that I could go on P-day for a few hours each week and Paul could...let's see...what is it he likes to do....Oh yes,...Golf.   So we told her to save me a spot on Mondays.  
Monday, 23rd - I took my first lesson today.  I was there for 3 hours and loved every minute of it.  I had a private lesson because the other students cancelled.  Sister Gorman copied a picture of one of my grandchildren, blew it up and made 2 copies.  On one I drew a grid.  The other was on cardstock to look at for detail.  Today I got the outlines of the head, eyes, nose, mouth, and sweater details done.  She told me what to do when I go home to begin what she calls the rendering.  When I finish it I might put it on a post.  

Our computer table looks a little messy, but empty  :(

My goodness how it rains here.  It always starts with rolling, dark clouds that gradually move toward us.  Then the lightning and the thunder begin.  Lots of it.  The thunder seems to go on forever.  Then the rain comes down in sheets.  Sometimes it rains for a long time and floods the streets and others last only a few minutes.  But the lightning and thunder often continue for a while.  Our power went out about 8 pm on Saturday night.  It was too dark to do anything so we went to bed and I laid in bed and wondered how I would do my hair in the morning if it was still out.  I have to have some curl or it is scary.  But around midnight the power was back on and so were most of our lights.  I was so grateful.  

Saturday afternoon we were witness to a wedding in the R.S. room at the church.  A young man in our ward had been dating a woman from New Hampshire.  She had two adorable kids.  They were very friendly.  During the wedding the little boy took a rose that the bishop's wife bought for the couple and pulled it completely apart and all over the floor.  Then when it was all over and after a few pictures, the kids went to the little cake and I had to take pictures quickly because they were all over it.  Little finger marks.  It was very informal.  They both had their mothers and some sisters on conference calls on their cell phones to hear the ceremony.  

 Kimmie and Tysen with the Bishop

If you will respond to the invitation to share your beliefs and feelings about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit of courage will be your constant companion.

                                                         L. Tom Perry

This ward has been bombarded with the topic of missionary work since we have been here.  Sacrament meetings, fast and testimony meetings. auxiliary meetings, etc.  Our bishop is very missionary minded.  So this month we have had one or more members fast each day of the month to help our ward have missionary moments or successes.  We already have had a few experiences that show that what we are doing is bringing about the fruit of our labors.  On Sunday we had a fireside.  I played the piano for one of the Elders who sang, "Because I Have Been Given Much".  But that wasn't what we started with.  We practiced until last Wednesday on "Secret Prayer" but I kept feeling that was not what we needed to do and it didn't seem to fit the Elders' voice very well.  Then at District Meeting last week we sang "Because I Have......" for our opening song.  I had this very strong feeling that that was what we were supposed to sing.  Now we only had 4 days to practice.  It was the perfect song for his voice and the message.  He did a great job.  President  and Sister Summerhays spoke to us.  The Elders did a role play with some of the ward members to give some examples of how we can find investigators to teach.  We ended our meeting with "Called to Serve" and lots of yummy desserts that the sisters so willingly provided.  

Elder Hendley met me at the door of the church the other day with this mask on.  For some reason people like to scare me.   Had to get a picture.

So....we have had a very eventful week.  A little bit of good and a little bit of bad.  But all is well.  We are back to our work for the most part.  We hope that we will have some wonderful missionary moments in the coming months.  Thursday we are having a specialized training meeting and we are hoping that it will give us something that will help us get past the doors of those less active members.  I think they are the hardest to meet with.  All we can do is love them and pray for them and wait for them to have those promptings that the Lord can give them and those feelings they had at baptism....if they are listening.  The Lord very often does things in three's so we won't give up until we have called on them three times.   Then we will put them on the list for the next set of missionaries. :)   The Lord won't give up on us, so why should we.  

There is always room for a beautiful sunset

We send our love to all of you.  We are so grateful for your love and support and pray that all is well with you.   Have a wonderful day.  

Elder and Sister Nelson  

Rough Day in the Mission Field

*update from Stacey*

Mom and Dad were robbed today. While they were out this afternoon, someone broke a window to get into their apartment and helped themselves to whatever they desired. They had their TV, computer, iPod, camera, jewelery and such taken. Such an invasion of their privacy. We are all praying that the culprits are found and their belongings returned. Although this has been a tough day, their spirits have not wavered. They are more determined then ever go forth and spread the gospel. We love you!!!

Apostasy:a falling away...The people of Ammonihah once had the gospel and were craftily lulled away from the truth.  They then persecuted the prophets of God (Alma and Amulek) and killed the saints.  They had to prove that they were right and that the prophet and the saints were wrong.  The lawyers of the time created an atmosphere where good was evil and evil was good.  They thought all is well, all is well.  Sound familiar?  Today we see this also as we are meeting and talking with less active members of the church.  When they tell us that they want their names removed from the records of the Church or no longer want to come to church, I usually express some concern and try to talk to them a little but they say all is well..., don't worry..., I'm ok..., you don't have to worry about me, I'm going to be fine, and often with a smile.  For some their inactivity occurred because they were offended or influenced by someone who told them they are in the wrong church, and they listened.  One sister we met the other day was so sweet and kind at the door.  I initially thought that she would listen and come to church. We both commented later that she would make a great R.S. President.  But, she said that because of the actions of others in another stake, she and her family have lost their faith and testimonies.  They have returned to the Catholic Church.  How sad.  It was really disheartening.  We visited another sister that I have been praying for for months now.  We knew that she had quit going to church and had lost her testimony but as we talked to her the first time I felt that there was just a spark of something there so we have kept her in our prayers and kept in touch.  Last week we took her a loaf of bread and visited with her for about an hour.  After some general conversation we started to talk about church and how it might help her.  She at this point is struggling with health and some other big problems.  She says that she is going to have a divine healing when she can put everything behind her and get rid of the anger.  She told us that she had to get in touch with her inner self, feelings and her senses.  (I wish she would come to her senses).   I think I know a "little" of  how our Heavenly Father feels when his children turn away from him when we sin or turn away from him.  Even though we don't know these people at all there is a hurt down deep and a desire to pull them up and out of the pit they are falling into.  These are good, wonderful, nice people who have just lost their way.  And we have to respect their feelings and not push too hard.  In "Know This, That Every Soul is Free" it says, "You can force no man to heaven".   So we leave wondering if we did or said enough.   We continue to pray for these people with the hope that they will someday realize what they have given up.  The Gospel is true but it takes effort and strength, prayer and study, to keep our testimonies strong and to live the principles that are taught us.

This week is transfers.  I always hate to see some of our Sisters and Elders leave.  Elder Palmer has been here since we got here and beyond.  I have grown to love him.  He was our anchor when we first arrived.  He is now going to the Highlands area.  Then we found out that Hermana Beck is going also. She has only been here one transfer.  I was very excited when she was assigned to our area because I had become acquainted with her during the cantata.  She is also going to the Highlands area.  I will miss them both.  Hermana Levanger went home.  She was also here when we arrived but was transferred shortly after.  She then came back to "die" as they say here.  Elder Palmer always talked about being born (coming on your mission), your father (your trainer), your son (greenie), etc.  So when you die you go home.  Monday evening after a lesson with one of the investigators of Elders Palmer and Hargon we took Elder Palmer to say goodbye to some of those he was or is still teaching.  Elder Hargon will take over.  He was a greenie two transfers ago and is now a trainer for Elder Hendley.   We then took them to Jimmy Johns for dinner (actually just a sandwich).  Elder Palmer wanted to eat there.  It was quite tasty.  We'd never been there before.  We offered to drive them on Tuesday if they needed a ride.  They said they were ok....until about 2 pm on Tuesday.  Elder Hargon called to see if we would drive to Tampa and pick them up from the mission office.  Actually it worked out well because we needed some forms and other things for our teaching.  Then we got to meet and get to know our new Elder Hendley.  I will miss Elder Palmer's conversations, planner covers, text messages, and spirit.  He is very unique and a very faithful missionary.  

Kendra and Warren will hopefully be baptized in August

Elder Palmer imitating the statue to the right

Elder Hargon from Washington and Elder Hendley (greenie) from Provo

Dan and Erika:  The Elders are teaching Erika the lessons.  She is moving along well and will soon be baptized.  She requested that we sit in on the lessons.  We meet with her about twice a week now.  Dan, her friend/boyfriend comes to the lessons with her.  He was baptized about two years ago.  

The members in this ward are really good to us.  We have had two dinner invitations this week.  We went to the Hesse's home for a wonderful summer salad dinner.  Sister Hesse made a large green salad with chicken and everything in it and then a fruit salad and some cranberry, raisin bread that was delicious.  It was refreshing from a hot, heavy meal that we often eat.  They told us stories from their life as members of the church.  They are converts of 40 years and are strong and faithful.  Sister Hesse has lots and lots of stories that were fun to listen to, from experiences when her husband was Bishop to basketball games with her kids, etc.  After dinner, I and their daughter, who lives with them, went to the back room to look at the purses that she sells.  They are the new Miche purses.   Several sisters in our ward have them and they are just what I had been looking for.  The highlight of the evening was when Brother Hesse gave us one of his Swedish stitched blankets.  I had admired one of them at one of the shows he was part of.  But it was a bit expensive.  He said at that time he told his wife he was giving that to us if it didn't sell.  I'm grateful it didn't.  It is very beautiful.  We are planning on getting a few more of the smaller ones to take home with us.  Then he told us to take a hat he had crocheted.  He had a box of them and he said that no missionary goes home without a hat.  So we each picked one that was red, white and blue.  He is quite a talented man.  He made teddy bears and blankets and they donated them to the Children's Hospital for years.   These people are so good to us and all the missionaries.  They are so generous and giving and very loved in the ward.

This is the blanket that they gave to us.  

Closer up detail of the blanket

We also went to a gathering for the Nye's who were recently married in the Orlando Temple.  Sister Nye is from the Philippines.  They met over the internet and have known each other for over a year now.  Brother Nye went there a couple of times to visit her and her family.  She had several road blocks in getting here but she was finally able to get them cleared up and come to America.  Brother Nye is our ward mission leader and teaches the Gospel Essentials class.  People like that class so much they stay forever.  We need to find a way to graduate them to the Gospel Doctrine class.   

Brother and Sister Nye: Newlyweds

A few gifts to get them started  (Brother Hesse is on the left)

The sister on the left, Sister VanDyke, passes out the program every Sunday morning and Sister Hesse on the right types up the program every week.  She has been doing this for the past 40 years.  

Cute sister in the pink is Sister Barbara Jamison.  

Elder Nelson and Brother Bill Fiedler (party at his home)

 Revilina and Laine Nye, Ben and Carli Welling, Greg Dolphin

Sherry Fiedler (the party is at her home) and Me

Brother and Sister Jamison and Susan Fulton

Brother West and his two kids.  He is our new Elders Quorum President.  

We were also invited to a barbecue at the Hunt's home and then we watched the fireworks downtown.  They invited  about 3 new young families in the ward, the Bishop and his family and us.  There were lots of kids there.  We have 3 young doctors in the ward.  Two of them are in their residency and one is a chiropractor who teaches at the college.  Brother Hunt boiled a turkey, in hot oil, that was delicious.  They also did hot dogs and we all brought something for the meal.  I made baked beans.  There was a big green salad, frog eye salad, deviled eggs with humus (something new for me [not my favorite]), an artichoke dip to die for, and desserts to our hearts content.  No one went home hungry.  We had a great time visiting with and getting to know some of the new couples and kids. Lots of cute babies.  Of course, the bugs were a part of our party.  Everyone was spraying their kids and themselves to keep the bugs at bay.  I will not miss the bugs.  I have two new bites just today.  I have a long sleeve top on and they still get me.  

Brother and Sister Hunt:  They will soon move to Texas.  He recently got a new job there.  

Julie Bangerter (Bishop's wife)

Tara Arick, kids and Bishop

Two of our new mom's in the ward

This is the Hunt's cat.  We were told it is the meanest cat on earth.  It is also the fattest cat I have ever seen.  Brother Hunt was trying to get it to move and go outside and it started to attack him.  

We're doing great and enjoying each day.  There is always something new to learn or experience.  I finally mastered  D&C 4.  YEA!  It takes a little extra time to memorize things these days but I still have my memory for which I am grateful.  We send our love to all of you.  Have a wonderful day.