A Baptism!

Dear Family,

 

So. We had a miracle this week! Our investigator, Luis, hasn't been able to get baptized because his mom wouldn't let him until he's 18. So we were talking about him, and I asked if anyone had just gone over to talk about this situation with his mom before, to see if she wouldn't change her mind.

 

We decided that this would be a good idea, and set up a time to meet with her, along with a member of an LDS family who are his cousins and also fellowshippers. At first she was very reluctant, being a strong Catholic.  But then we started testifying. 

 

I've never felt the spirit as strongly as I did in that home, that night. We were all speaking Spanish, and I was speaking better than I ever have before. Our lesson that day with Luis had been the same - we were all on the same wavelength the whole time.

 

We told her that baptism was going to be the first step in him living a better life, and that it would only increase his faith in Jesus Christ. Luis shared his testimony of the Book of Mormon too, and I couldn't believe how much he's changed. His mom even admitted that she'd noticed changes in him. 

Long story short - Luis got baptized last Saturday and confirmed yesterday which we were able to do because he's been attending church. His mom came to church yesterday too! 

It was awesome to see this kid who has been receiving lessons for over a year now finally get to enter the waters of baptism. He's going to make an awesome member and priesthood holder. 

 

Love,

Elder Nichols

2 September, 2013

2 September, 2013

Hey!

I'm sure Swiss Days in Midway was just as much "fun" this year as it is every year. This week has gone by like lightning for me. I'm glad that Grandma Madelyn is taking advantage of the home theatre!

I'm glad to hear that you're retiring the old red battleship (our old Weber grill) in favor of something new. Maybe you'll have to mail me some of that bbq sauce so I can use it to work on my writing skills.  (The boys in the Nichols family have a strange obsession with good BBQ sauce).

It's great to hear about how everything's going for Sam, Kate, Libby and Jess.  I'm really proud of Sam. He's going to do fantastic on his mission.

This week we picked up a new investigator!  We're going back to talk with him later. Yesterday we tried to take another investigator to what we thought was a fireside with the Arrevolo brothers (they're all great members). Turns out it was actually a rehearsal for the upcoming Stake Youth Musical.  So, after almost getting pressganged into joining a musical, we thought it best to just find an empty classroom and teach him a lesson.

Two of our investigators, a husband and wife, came to the fast sunday meeting yesterday, which was awesome. We just need to get them on date for baptism - they know the gospel is true, they're just reluctant. The husband has told us that he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet.

Sometimes people confuse me.

Thanks for sending another one of your missionary experiences, Dad.  I definitely don't know the scriptures as well as I would like - and learning a language is tough. But it's awesome that one of the other interns in your story was baptized because you and that other RM were able to share the gospel with people. I guess that's just a trade-off.  I've come to realize that missions change everyone depending on what they need most.

I'm glad to hear that the Priest's quorum is doing well. I hope they're preparing themselves the way they should be.

Mom, I'm working on my Spanish as much as I can. I've learned quite a bit. Thanks so much for the recipe!  I'm going to try the banana muffins this week and then another one the next. I'd like to improve my cooking skills. I know you're doing a great job as the primary president. You're you.

Tell Jess thanks for the picture, I loved it!

I love and miss everyone. I'm having a great time though.

Love,

Jake

Dear Family,

This week we taught 17 lessons to various people!  We picked up a new investigator named Arturo. He's our English student. He hadn't been at all interested in the gospel before - just English lessons. But last class he came and said that he wanted to know more about the church. We taught him the whole first lesson and gave him a BoM. We agreed to teach him English every other class, and the Gospel during the ones in between. We're also teaching another investigator named Luis who want's to be baptized but can't until he's 18 because of his parents. So right now we're just trying to keep him interested. He's been fellowshipped by a great member family the Arrevolos. They always take good care of us.

 

Our problem right now is getting solid appointments with people. The problem with teaching to Mexicanos (which is 80% of the Spanish speakers here) is that they're super nice when they find out that you speak Spanish - even if they're not that interested in the gospel. So we keep getting invited back and then finding out that nobody's home, or that they won't return calls. It's frustrating. But we've planted a lot of seeds and handed out a lot of copies of the BoM, so that's good. I'm loving the work. It's not easy, but it's not impossible. This week has gone by in a blur, too.

 

Dad, I've actually thought about that time I spent working at your office a lot. It was great. I loved going out to get lunch with you every day and then sitting around and talking for awhile. For my first working experience I can't imagine a better place than at the office.

I don't feel like I'm 18 anymore, even when we're teaching kids our age or older. Having a calling from the Lord to preach his gospel changes you.

Dad, that's an awesome mission experience.  Thanks for sending it to me.   I hope that I have some like that during my mission that I can share with my kids in the future. It just goes to show that the gospel has something to offer everyone. It's hard to hear people say that they're "good" with God and dismiss the gospel without even realizing what they're passing up.

 

My Spanish is improving. It helps that one of my trainers, Elder Correa, spoke Spanish at home in Miami because his mom is from Colombia. I've come to learn that Mexicano and Spanish are two very different languages. I'm trying to keep my Spanish clear and free of slang, which is hard at times. But I'm doing all right.  My only concern is that I'm not progressing as fast as I'd like to. But I study hard and my speaking is way better than it was when I was in the MTC.

 

 

This week has gone by in a blur.  We're working hard and doing everything we can.  Today I bought two suit jackets and a bike pump - we have suit coat season here since it cools off in the winter. They were $10 each (I got them from Goodwill because I'm trying to be really careful with my money).

Thanks for sending me the root beer barrels! Thank Jess for the picture. I love it!

 

Love you all,

Elder Nichols

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 August, 2013

Dear Family,

 

The work has been great. We've picked up two new investigators in the past few days, one of which was a really cool experience. We were tracting, and just didn't feel productive/focused. So we decided to go to another area and start again, only this time we prayed before starting. We walked into the Lincon Apt. complex and the first lady we saw we started talking to. A few minutes later her husband, Juan, showed up from work. It's the cosecha (harvest) right now, so a lot of hispanics have crazy work hours because our mission is a big farm area.

 

Anyways, we taught the whole lesson of the restoration there on the porch. We were about to leave, and I remembered that I had a Spanish Book of Mormon in my bag. I wasn't sure if I should give it to them since we hadn't said anything about it yet, and I was worried that they would just ask a ton of difficult questions about where it comes from, etc. because they're catholic (like basically every other Spanish speaker in Roseville). So I prayed. Immediately I felt an overhwhelming feeling of peace, so I pulled it out and said "We'd like to leave this with you too." in Spanish. Then we explained how it's another testament of Jesus Christ. They accepted it right away, and said they would read it! The both seemed very interested in it, especially Juan's wife, Aurora. We have a return appointment next Saturday.

 

My first area is Chico, Cali. It's a college town. It's pretty nice here. I like it, even though it's pretty hot out. We go to a Spanish branch in Orland. We have a car.

 

I'm really happy to hear that you got home all right. I'm sure Costa Rica was a blast! Thanks for sending me the pictures!

 

I love you all, and miss you. I'm having a fantastic time on my mission!

 

Love,

Jake

P.S.My address is 101 Risa Way, Apt. 114 Chico CA 95973

A Change in Assignment

Hey everyone,
 
We have recently found out that Jake's travel plans have been changed.*  Something has happened with his paperwork that has necessitated a re-assignment to another mission.  We assume that this hiccup has something to do with the huge increase in 18 year old missionaries and mission assignments.   

Elder Nichols has been handling this challenge really well, but is incredibly disappointed.  He should get news of his new assignment by Saturday, August 10th at the latest, so we'll keep you posted.

Right now, he's companions with another elder who stayed behind because of knee surgery.  They are helping one another handle these challenges and disappointments.  Keep him in your prayers. 

The Nichols family

*Looks like he's been assigned to the California, Roseville Mission, Spanish speaking.  He's excited to get out there on Tuesday!

We're Goin' to Vegas, Elder!

 

Dear family,

 

It's great to hear about all of you. I'm glad your presentation at the Utah Bar Convention went well - you probably livened up the place a little bit. Snowmass sounds like fun.

 

I'm really proud of Sam. What a great kid. It's unreal to hear about him driving. I know I've only been gone about a month, but it's awesome to hear about him driving and his 50 miler with the Teachers.  He's going to make a fantastic missionary.  ( Ha! I was wondering how long the Honda would last after I left.)

 

I can't believe you got to see Elder Holland at church! I keep hoping that we'll see an apostle here at the MTC before we leave, but I don't think that's very likely.

 

I'm flying out to Vegas tomorrow at 4:30 A.M. to appear before the consulate and get my visa. I'm really glad it came through. Apparently I'm going to be the travel leader for our group - we're going to try to place some copies of the Book of Mormon while we're going.

Only 12 days until I ship out for Torreon!

I'm excited.

 

 

I wanted to tell you how lucky I've been to have you as a dad. You've taught me so much about responsibility and working hard without me even knowing. Thank you for being such a great example to me.

 

 

Mom, here's the moment when I tell you how lucky I've been to have you. I'll probably tell you many more times, but I'm so glad that you were always there to give me advice when I needed it and direct me. You were the perfect person for it, and it's strengthened my testimony of foreordination.

 

Anyways, I'll let you know how Vegas went! Super glad my visa wasn't held up.

I might ask you to send some copies of the BOM for me. I've been reading them and marking them with a specific question in mind for the whole book. It's been great.

 

Don't worry, I'll take lots of pictures in Mexico. Give the little girls lots of love for me!

Love,

Elder Nichols

The MTC is great...the food is less great...

Hey everyone!
The MTC has been great.  The food is less great.  But they feed us well, so it's okay.  I'm excited to get out of here and get to Mexico.  Hopefully my visa comes through.

Yesterday we taught a native Mexican brother, Hermano______ for TRC.  It was a great learning experience.  we also have two role-play investigators named Claudio and Matthias (who are also our teachers).  We teach completely in Spanish and they ask some tough questions, but the Spirit always helps us along.  It's incredible how fast you can learn here with God's help.

I've been singing in the MTC choir.  We performed "Nearer My God to Thee" for last night's devotional.  It was amazing! 

The time has flown by these past 3 weeks.  Two years will have gone by before I know it.  I'm excited to get out and teach.

Libby, the cookies were delicious!  Tu eres una panadora excelente!  To Sam and Kate: take care of each other.  School can be rough.  I love you both.  Jess, I miss you lots.  I'll make sure to send you something from Mexico for your birthday!  Mom and Dad, I love you both.  Keep the theater room in good condition for me.  Let me know about my AP scores when you get them, too.  I'll keep you posted about my visa!  Hopefully it comes in time!  Daniel has already come and gone, which is crazy.  I hope he's doing well in Jamaica.

Love you all,
Elder Nichols

p.s. I could use some Riesens or Werthers if the quartermaster can manage.  Thanks!