May 27th, 2014 - Memorial Day!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry you didn't get an email yesterday... the library was closed, so you'll have to deal with getting it a day late! I hope that you all enjoyed your Memorial day and enjoyed spending time together and remembering the incredible people who have fought to create, preserve, and extend our freedoms. This week for us was all over the place, but there were some cool things that happened.

First, last Monday (the 19th), the ward had a ward FHE deal, where they used Google Plus to connect multiple families to have Family Home Evening together. It was pretty neat, and there was actually a pretty good turnout. We had your typical family home evening - starting with a song, a prayer, and a scripture before having a lesson and then a game and treat. The lesson was based off the video "The Whole Armor of God" (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-06-2420-the-whole-armor-of-god?lang=eng ) and it was pretty sweet! The video is like 15 minutes long, so don't click the link unless you have a little bit of time to watch it, but it was a good video.

Another cool visit we had this week was with a family where the mother wanted to find something for a couple of her boys to do, that wasn't video games, so we mentioned the boy scout program. So, we got the ward's young men leaders to come with us and had a sweet visit with them and they were super pumped to come join scouts... but they only have scouts every other week here and it was one of those off weeks this week. But, we had a cool experience with them when we watched this Mormon Message:http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos?v=1680378463001

This week we also got to help a member out and do some service for him helping to work on a building he's got, that when it's done part of it will be used as a missionary apartment, so that was pretty fun. It's always fun to see member willing to sacrifice a little to help out the missionaries in their area. But, it was pretty fun, and topped off a pretty good weekend that we got to have. On Saturday morning (before the service), we got to visit with Oscar and his boys, which was pretty neat since they came to church the next day (the first time since I've been here), and then that evening we got to visit with Connie who had just gotten home earlier that day from her back surgery that went well! A week or so ago she wasn't sure if she'd actually get the surgery, but thanks to some blessings from the Lord she was able to have the surgery Friday and be back home by Saturday, so that was pretty neat. Then on Sunday, in addition to Oscar and his boys, a few kids from an awesome family we're teaching were able to make it to church (their parents work on Sundays) which was sweet. They said they really enjoyed it, so that was awesome.

In my studies this week, I've been spending a lot of time going through the Book of Mormon and marking it up, so I read about 25 chapters in Alma since the last chance I got to email y'all... since that's quite a bit of material and I only have very little time... I'll give a quick summary... since Alma 25-50 has soooo much great stuff in it. Alma 26 is awesome, especially for us missionaries (which is everyone) as Ammon is a fantastic example of what to rejoice in and knowing your purpose. Another sweet chapter is Alma 30, mostly because of how straightforward Alma is when he talks with Korihor, especially in verse 44. In chapters 31-34 they are preaching to the Zoramites, and there is a ton of pure doctrine taught there, and I especially enjoyed Alma 33 this time as it focuses on prayer and placing your faith in Christ. Alma 36-42 is Alma's counsel to his three sons, all of which I enjoyed but I particularly liked chapter 41 because of how much Alma breaks down what it means to restore something - which applied particularly well to the restoration of Christ's gospel in these latter days. Then begins the war chapters, with chapter 48 being among my favorite one of those as it talks about captain Moroni's attributes, and caps off in verse 17.

Well, that's all I got for this week! Have a great week! Love y'all!

'Til Next Time,

Elder Jordan Nielson 

May 19th, 2014 - Life goes on.....

Hey Everyone!

This week was pretty sweet, with a few noteworthy experiences that I wanted to share with y'all. Hopefully you guys all had a good week, but if you didn't hopefully you'll enjoy this slightly humorous story that happened yesterday... we were eating dinner at a member's home, and he's just graduated with his master's degree looking to be a counselor, so we started talking about that and at one point he got to me and was basically describing me to the T even though he'd only talked with me a couple times. Well... at one point I put my cup to my lips but wanted to wait to drink until he was done talking about me, but I subconsciously drank and ended up with some rootbeer coming out of my nose. It was a pretty entertaining sight since I tried really really hard to not get it all over my white shirt, but sadly there was no video camera in sight for y'all to get to watch it so you'll just have to imagine it.

Anyway, last Monday was zone p-day so we had 30 missionaries down in Ardmore playing all sorts of stuff - laser tag, flag football, street hockey, dodgeball, and a couple other random games. It was a blast, but also madness and just a ton of fun to be a part of. Then that night we had a pretty good Specialized training meeting that talked about baptism.

Another highlight this week was on Wednesday, when it was just a beautiful day outside and we got to visit with quite a few people throughout the day. One was particularly interesting because we were watching the Restoration DVD with a lady and we got through the vast majority of it... up to the first vision when we got interrupted. I just always find it interesting how that's always when an interruption comes up.

Later that night Elder Pugmire shared an object lesson with a toothpick and a towel that was pretty sweet. He related it to Alma 7:11-12, which is just one awesome scripture. A couple other awesome scriptures that I've come across this week were Alma 21:23, Alma 22:12-14, Alma 23:6-7, Alma 24:10, 14, 30; D&C 121:7-9,41-46; D&c 122:8; D&C 123:12-17; D&C 124:15,20 and 97. They're all pretty awesome, and if I had more time I'd tell you why I think so... but I don't so you'll just have to try and find out why. I also particularly enjoyed the study this week where I started off reading Matthew 25, and connected verse 40 with Luke 10:25-37 - the story of the good Samaritan. It reminded me of President Eyring's talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/bind-up-their-wounds?lang=eng

Lastly for my studies, in Preach my gospel this week I had a couple cool quotes stand out to me that I wanted to share with y'all:

•  "As we continue to live the gospel, we grow closer to our HeavenlyFather. We enjoy and appreciate more the Atonement of the Savior.Our families are drawn closer together. We experience greaterfeelings of the love, joy, and peace that come from the Atonement.Our hearts are changed, and we find security in living the restoredgospel."
• "Truth is a knowledge of things as they really are, were, and will be. Itdoes not change with conditions or time. Truth is the same in everyage and culture. God is the source of all truth. We can have faith inHim because we know He will teach us only truth. God wants all Hischildren to know the truth. Therefore, He reveals the truths necessaryfor salvation through prophets and apostles. He reveals truth to uspersonally through the scriptures and personal revelation."
• "In the lessons you will also find useful ideas for teaching. However,the lessons do not tell you everything to say—or how to say it.Instead, you are responsible to thoroughly understand the lessonsand teach by the Spirit in your own words. Teach so that others willstrengthen their faith in Jesus Christ, desire to repent, and enter intocovenants with God. Effective teachers are always working to improvetheir knowledge and abilities. Although you will not teach all you knowabout the doctrine, your increased knowledge will build your testimonyand your ability to teach with spiritual power."

Alright... that's probably enough for y'all this week... but I've got a couple highlights that I wanted to share with y'all still. On Friday, I got to go on an exchange to Sulphur, which was pretty neat. We got to pray with quite a few people and also had an awesome breakfast for dinner with some cool members. During that time, we had a little down time and I found a book of talks/sermons from President Harold B. Lee called "Stand ye in Holy Places" with a particularly cool quote: "[There are] three essentials that are necessaryto inspire one to live a Christlike life—or, speaking more accurately in thelanguage of the scriptures, to live more perfectly as the Master lived. The firstessential I would name in order to qualify is: There must be awakened in theindividual who would be taught or who would live perfectly an awareness of hisneeds. The rich young ruler did not need to be taught repentance from murdernor from murderous thoughts. He did not have to be schooled in how to repentfrom adultery, nor from stealing, lying, defrauding, or failing to honor hismother. All these he said he had observed from his youth; but his questionwas, “What lack I yet?” [See Matthew 19:16–22.] The Master, with His keendiscernment and the power of a Great Teacher, diagnosed the young man’scase perfectly: His need and his lack were to overcome his love for worldlythings, his tendency to trust in riches. And then Jesus prescribed the effectiveremedy: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to thepoor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”(Matthew 19:21.)"

The next day was pretty sweet as we got to go up to Norman for something called the Stake Fair. It was quite fun, as they had a bunch of activities to do - Horseshoes, bean bag toss, dunk tank, bounce houses, sack races, etc. There was also some tasty food... but they put missionaries in charge and it actually turned out well! There was one Elder who made some dang good hamburgers, we got to work on the funnel cakes, other people were making snow cones and cotton candy, others made hot dogs and fried corn dogs, and one member came and made some ridiculously good fajitas. Sadly that pretty much took up the entire day since we had to set up, clean up, and then throw in a 2 hour drive there and back. But, it was all good. It was a fun event, and some people from Ardmore actually made it up there so that made it worth it.

But, that's all for this week! I hope y'all have a fantastic week! Love y'all!

'Til Next Time,

Elder Jordan Nielson

May 12th, 2014 - A year has passed already?!?

Happy Belated Mother's day Everyone!

It's been just about a year since I sent my first email from this account, which is just crazy. Time has just been flying by as of late, and I hope you are all enjoying it! This week was pretty dang good, with tons of awesome experiences, and a couple sweet activities topped off with some awesome studies. But, like always, I don't have as much time as I would like so I'll see what I can do!

This week was pretty good I'll start with studies, since that's my favorite part of the week! I've been learning a lot from the scriptures and preach my gospel in my readings throughout the week, and I particularly enjoyed reading in Chapter 13 a little bit. That along with the "importance of members" section in chapter 9 were a good reminder of the outlook we need to have as missionaries serving in these wards - especially in wards where it seems like past missionaries didn't have a very good reputation. The quote: "However, the work of proclaiming the gospel will move forward more powerfully when full-time missionaries and members coordinate their efforts and work in unity together." Particularly struck me as I've definitely noticed a difference between when it feels like we're working on our own and when we're working together with the ward to move the work of Salvation forward. I found it particularly interesting how a main emphasis in hastening the work is working as one, because that's really how it is with any work. As we strive to work with others towards a common goal we're better able to utilize the strengths and talents of everyone and have awesome results!

Aside from that, I've enjoyed reading the story of Ammon this week in my studies, as his example of service and determination along with his patience are just incredible. It still blows my mind that they were working with the Lamanites for 14 years before they came back with the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, as it helps me put in perspective that their work wasn't done in a few days, or even a few months, but that it took time to build trust with the Lamanites and then to actually share the message. Alma 19:31-32 was particularly interesting to me this week, as the people had a very clear choice to make, and the results were so different and life changing based on that one choice. I also particularly enjoyed D&C 115:4, as it reminded me of Elder Ballard's talk from this last conference where he followed up! Check it out! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/following-up?lang=eng

Then in Alma 20:15 it reminded me of Elder Holland's talk this last conference, which was also incredible, and should also be checked out as soon as you can:https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-cost-and-blessings-of-discipleship?lang=eng

Lastly, in Alma chapter 18, verses 24-36 I loved how Ammon built upon the things King Lamoni already believed, and made sure to cover the basics before he talked about more intense stuff. I loved how in verse 34 he recognizes the need to answer the question, but also addresses again King Lamoni's knowledge of the nature of God - one of the most important things that we can come to know in this life.

Anyways, I'll hop over to the rest of the week's highlights now, and one investigator of note was Lonnie. He did the stop smoking workshop last Monday night, and as of yesterday he was smoke free still! So, if y'all could keep praying for him that'd be awesome! He's a pretty awesome guy, and it'll definitely be good for him to be smoke free. We've had a super fun week with him trying to keep him busy and following the 15 steps, so one day we ate breakfast with them, another we helped him clean his truck, another day we got to share a message with them, and he's just been doing awesome.

Another highlight this week was that we got to meet with Khari and his brother Tariq! They're a couple awesome young adults, and they're hopefully going to be able to meet with us this week a couple times. On a related note, we had a pretty cool ward activity this Saturday - a beans and cream activity in honor of Elder Pugmire, and there were 8 or so investigators there, including Tariq and Khari! We got to play some basketball with them, and just have a good time. For those who, like me, don't know what a beans and cream activity it, basically it involves eating an array of baked bean recipes (along with hamburgers and such if you want), and then playing sports while some homemade ice cream is in the works and then you eat the ice cream. It was awesome, even though the total turnout was only like 60 or so people, it was still a blast.

The last awesome highlight for this week was on Friday for dinner a member took us out to the lake's RC flying field nearby to have a barbeque and also to fly his planes. It was super fun, and Elder Crosby can make a dang good hamburger, even though we forgot to bring any spices!

I hope you guys have an awesome week! Love y'all!

'Til Next Time,

Elder Jordan Nielson

May 5th, 2014 - Ardmore Oklahoma, The Place to be!

Hey Everyone!

This week was awesome! Ardmore is definitely the place to be these days, with some nice warm temperatures, awesome people to visit and tons of work to do.

My last couple days in Harrah Oklahoma were a blast, but it was super sad to have to say goodbye to them. We got to see most everyone that I wanted to, and got quite a few pictures, so it was sweet. We got to have a tasty lunch at tasty burger on Tuesday, and some awesome dinners for the last couple in Choctaw.

So, transfers were Wednesday, and it was super awesome to see all the other missionaries that I know there and get to visit with them for a minute. Sadly, my father Elder Rasmuson has now gone home, but such is life on the mission. A couple members had brought the missionaries up to transfers, which was just a blast. We stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way down, which was super tasty. It was super tasty and a nice long drive - about an hour and a half from the city to Ardmore. By the time we got back, we had an awesome appointment with a part member family - the Isers - to go to and then we got to help a member family move some stuff before heading to dinner at Casa Roma, a tasty Mexican restaurant with a member. Then we got to go to correlation, and our ward mission leader is incredible! He only got back from his mission like a year and a half ago, and he's just an awesome guy. On our way out, a member pulled us aside to help him give a blessing, which was incredibly spiritual.

Thursday was pretty cool Weekly planning took forever since I didn't know like anybody so Elder Lyman got to talk about all our people that we've got to work with, and man there's lots of work to do! Then we got to go out and have some awesome experiences getting out to see people, with a couple noteworthy visits. For one, we got to see a nice guy named Joshua who loves to study - so much so that we're going to get him a copy of Preach my Gospel to study even though he's still investigating... so he'll probably just convert himself, which will be sweet. We also got to visit with a nice old lady and talked about the plan of salvation with her and it was super awesome. The member we had with us was incredibly helpful, and the lady we were visiting - sister Harper - knew a ton of the member's family. It was pretty neat to be able to talk about the plan of salvation, and when we finished we asked her how she felt about it and she said "I feel it's true, there's no other way to describe it". It was just a blast.

As I'm typing this, I'm listening to Elder Ballard's devotional from yesterday, and he shared the scripture in 2 Kings about the Lord speaking in the Still small voice. He asks two questions: 1) Do you have personal quiet time? 2) How much time, honestly, do you spend on your technology each day? He challenged us to begin setting aside time to meditate each day. I'll probably throw some more quotes in as I go, but you can check it out here:  https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/ces-devotionals/2014/05?cid=HPFR050214762&lang=eng

On to Friday! District meeting was blast, and we talked about Christlike Attributes, which was sweet. We did the activity that splits us into 3 groups at the back of the section and discussed the examples of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph Smith and it was pretty neat. As you ponder the example of Joseph Smith (the one we got assigned), it was interesting to note the things he did that were like Christ. Later that day the city had a family history afterhours thing at the library, and it was pretty sweet. They talked about tracing the female lines and then had some time afterward where we were supposed to help them with getting started on their family history, which was awesome. We had a little time at the end to check out our own family history, and I found out that Elder Lyman and I are distantly related - we have the same 4th great grandfather. So, that was pretty cool.

Elder Ballard has a cool challenge: "Visit the temple grounds. Nobody prevents you from visiting and walking around the temple grounds. Satan wants you to avoid even getting close to the temple because the temple is the house of the Lord."

We had a couple other noteworthy experiences this week, but I don't have much time to talk about them. So two quick ones in closing. First, in Elder's quorum Bishop gave the lesson and it was awesome. He shared some verses from James, chapter 1 verses 2-8, and 23,26. It was awesome, because he challenged us all to recommit to the little things that keep our fire burning bright by reading our scriptures everyday - and if we already read them then pondering them, and having daily prayer - individually and as a couple. Lastly, he challenged us to recommit to coming to church with a spirit of worship and service and love of God. It was a pretty sweet lesson, and really reenergized us. Then that night we had the prompting to share that with an investigator couple we were visit with near the close of the night and as we were talking about it we went on an awesome tangent about quitting smoking. It was dang awesome to see his desire to quit being strengthened as we talked and he asked us to come back tonight and begin the stop smoking workshop with him. So, if you could pray for Lonnie as he becomes a non-smoker this week that'd be awesome!

Lastly, I've had a blast studying this week, but I don't have much time so I'll make this brief. I spent quite some time this week studying the plan of salvation, as that's the material I was going through in Preach my Gospel Lesson 2, and Alma chapters 11 and 12 talked about it quite a bit. I particularly liked Alma 11:37, how Amulek throws down that basically you're not really saved if you don't inherit the Kingdom of God. So, even though saved can refer to multiple things - like physical death, the first spiritual death, etc - really the only one that matters it that you're saved and able to inherit the Celestial Kingdom of God. Alma chapter 12 was really awesome to go through this week, and I especially liked verse 15 how it discusses the judgments of God, and how he truly does have power to save EVERY man who will believe and repent. Alma 14:1 and 15:12 connected with me this week as people begin to have faith and repent it leads them to search the scripture. Then, once they're baptized they begin to preach and share the gospel with those around them. A couple scriptures I liked in the Doctrine and Covenants this week were section 111 verse 11 and 112:3 and 10. They're both pretty awesome, and I enjoyed the Lord's promise to us that he will "order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them", and as we are humble "the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers." I know that as we strive to be humble and listen to the Lord he will lead us and guide us through his spirit and the living apostles and prophets.

But, I've gotta get going! I hope y'all have a fantastic week! Love y'all! By the way, my address in wonderful Ardmore, Oklahoma is:

300 Sunset Drive SW Apt #343

Ardmore, OK 73401

'Til Next Time,

Elder Jordan Nielson