To my Cousin James...

At the beginning of this past summer, I began working for Aloha Pools and rapidly discovered that for my age I was not very strong... It became a source of mockery at my job. Well after about a week of that I decided it was time to GET BIG.  So I called my cousin James (who is the largest person I know) and asked him simply, "James, How do I get big?"  His reply was simple. "I lift heavy things over my head." So James came over and taught me something that truly changed my life...  

It was a simple statement. "Why Not?"

"James, How many reps should I do?" "200." "WHAT???" "WHY NOT?"

"James, What dumbells should I use?" "The biggest ones." "WHAT???" "WHY NOT?"

Well I listened to him and I got stronger...

This week I realized I wasn't as strong as I wanted to be. Well the voice of my beloved cousin came to me and asked me, "Why Not?"

Why Not- Do a good morning exercise everyday?

Why Not- Talk to more people (even the scary ones).

Why Not- Work harder and Trust in the Lord more than I have ever before.

This was only amplified by an EPIC first Zone Training in which, I gave a lesson and SANG! haha it felt so good to sing again even if it was awful!!! but it was super fun!  But this Zone Training was all about being more effective finders and it WORKED!

It was incredible we began finding new people, handing out tons of copies of the Book of Mormon, and really learning to love the people here.  

Our District is really working hard and becoming stronger.  I went on another split this past week with Elder Bruneel (A good old Idaho Farm boy as pops would say) and we passed out 6 copies of the Book of Mormon! That is unheard of!!!!!!!!!!! IT was awesome! When we truly put forth the effort and trusting and believe that the Lord was willing to work along side of us, WE GOT WORK DONE! 

Funny story about getting work done.  Elder Bruneel's comp last transfer was named Elder Bonzo and Elder Bonzo had a belief that if you walked to an Asian person with a chinese Book of Mormon they will be chinese and they WILL take a Book of Mormon (As racist as this sounds it is highly effective) well we saw a asian person and we thought "Why Not" and... IT WORKED HAHAHA THREE TIMES HAHA!!! (because Darmstadt is a Uni-city a lot of Chinese come to study for super cheap, tuition is 200 euro a semester).  It was glorious we got an appointment and everything even if the appointment fell out it was still cool.

Well We wanted to see some more miracles and so we started walking back to LuisenPlatz (the city center)  and we were praying the whole way. Well we saw this guy and walked up to him and asked "Kennen Sie deises Buch?" (DO you know this book) and guess what he ONLY spoke french and Spanish and THEN out of no where Elder Bruneel starts speaking Spanish! 

GIFT OF TONGUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was awesome so in broken spanish we gave him an a quick intro to the book of mormon and had him call a spanish member in our ward and set up an appointment!! WOOT MIRACLES!

Well Elder Bruneel and I had basically all of our appointments fall out on Thursday so we did a lot of contacting. Well when our appointment at 8:30 fell out we decided that instead of going home a little early we were going to try for our 7th Book of Mormon pass out. Well as luck would have it, We ran into the only practicing Muslim teenagers in the city that night and BOY O' BOY were they ACTIVE Muslims.  Well I couldn't understand a word they were saying because I can't understand Deutsch much less Deutsch with a THICK Turkish accent so I was sitting there nodding my head in agreement with Elder Bruneel and shaking my head when the Muslims would talk (this was not effective and advise no one to try this as it is rather offensive telling people straight that they are wrong).  Well as time goes on I was continuing shaking my head until the moment this young Muslim looked me in the eye and said, "Forget the other Elder he is ignorant, but YOU, YOU are an ANTI-CHRIST."  Well the first thought that went to my head was, "He thinks I am Nehor..." but after I realized how comical the situation was.  If you know anything about Muslim beliefs they do not believe in Christ but some in his mind he believed in him just enough to know that I was his opposite.  Well luckily, I had Elder Bruneel to back me up and He just lot started quoting Revalations  you know real "Fire and Brimstone" type of stuff. He was talking about how the Earth would roll up like a scroll and what not! IT WAS EPIC! Yes the whole anti-christ thing was a little rough... BUT I am stronger because of it...

Well the week ended with a fantastic ward event. A PINEWOOD DERBY!!! In which I took 6th out of 62 (Why Not). Thank You Very Much. These pinewood derbys are insane though! they have an Adult category which is just ridiculously competitive.

Well family, I love you and miss you!  

Well I just want to quickly finish the story about James and I. So after James inspiring two word sermon he sat me down on the weight bench, and gave me dumbbells the likes of which I could not lift to save my life. I looked at him knowing if I complained I would get another two word sermon... James could obviously sense my distress so he looked at me a said, "If you try, I will spot you."  As I went through this pass week with these words the two word sermon in my head, I reflected upon the promise that came along with the challenge.  "If you try, I will spot you." God knows us and will help us, When and If we'll simply try to "lift heavy things over our heads."

I Love Y'all!!! and miss you like crazy!!!

I am praying for all of you!!!

Elder Nilson

PS this rock is massive

Es Kommt... Pt. 2 "Trusting The Lord"‏‎ - 10 March 2013

This week just flew by! Can you believe that I have already been gone for two whole months crazy sauce!  Well started this week off real quality-like with a sinus infection that would have killed an elephant (nose humor). But NOT me!!! First because over the years I have been building an immune to these sinus infections (Shout Out to my main man PETE SUNDWALL!!) and Second I had the Lord and HE is just a champion with that whole healing thing (read the Bible he heals A LOT).  On top of this all of our investigators decided to stop progressing and avoid like the plague (which honestly, I might have had). So yes this was tough... The world seemed to be against and I found myself questioning, "Umm... We are trying to do YOUR work! Could we get a little Help!!!!" Well what I didn't know was one of the greatest "HUMILITY PUNCHES" the Lord has ever dealt was headed my way... So the first thing the Lord did was SERVICE!!!! It reminded me of the good old days, Pick axing with the Ginger (Austin) and the Aloha Pools crew.  SO yes my hand didn't work for the rest of the week.  We had to remove about 10 tons of cobblestones from this path in a member’s back yard and that was fun! And then we had to dig a hole for an in-ground Trampoline... BY HAND... SO FUN! And guess what we found when we were doing this A TREE STUMP!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT! So with a hatchet (yes a hatchet like the one small children use for Indian Halloween costumes) and a Pickaxe we proceeded to remove this stump. For a little perspective this tree stump was roughly a 2.5 feet in diameter and had three enormous roots ranging from 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter.  Ahh Manual Labor... I loved it so much TRULY it was the best!!  Loved it so much!!! Well next we met with this old In-Active man by the name of Brüder Florig... The only way I describe is an old, chubby, happy, friendly, troll.  I know it sounds rude but that is truly what he is.  So we sat there for an hour hearing the most obscure random nonsense because he talks nonstop! It is ridiculous! WELL we were meeting and of course he just began to sing this random song (which we sang on Sunday, Elder Emery lost it and yes I was uncontrollably laughing on the stand). It was hilarious so we had to match of course (our competitive spirits are to strong). SO Elder Emery and I sang "Nearer My God to Thee" it was kind of the coolest thing ever! I mean who can say "Oh yea I totally harmonized on a Hymn with that BYU superstar!"  Yes I am a tad star-struck but that’s good it keeps me humble.  Well while were trying to teach him (he did not want to listen and literally would talk over what we were saying) I received this prompting. "This man, Is my son and your brüder." wow intense RIGHT!!! From that moment my attitude changed and I really began to love this hilarious old man with suspenders that were holding up his unbuttoned pants (If you can't tell this man is ONE of a KIND).  So I was having all of these cool experiences and my faith was growing but something was lacking; something I could put my finger on... It was trust.  

Well weekly planning came along and we were having comp inventory and talking about the interviews we had with President Schwarz.  I was telling Elder Emery how the questions that Pres. asks are SO inspired.  Well we got to talking about what these questions were, and the thing about these questions is they pull answers out of you and while I was telling Elder Emery this I started to realize that thing I was lacking... Trust. My inspired companion asked me, "Elder Nilson, Do you trust the Lord..." It was hard to answer but I looked at him and responded, meekly "no." Now trust is kind of a big thing that is necessary to be a good missionary and I knew it.  But completely trusting the Lord has always been hard for me.  I always thought that I was going to be an MDT major at BYU; I thought I was going to win that Opera Scholarship and Performing trip to New York... I put a lot of faith in the Lord to give me what I WANTED with not a whole lot in return. Originally I was not planning on a mission I didn't want to serve and lose two years of performing. I always imagined that I would have music and performing be my mission and that if a big name actor was LDS it would mean more then 2 years of knocking on doors and telling people to read the Book of Mormon.  But this was apparently not part of Gods plan for me.  He knew I needed a mission, even if I didn't want it.  So yes at the end of my senior year I lost all Trust in God...  I am ashamed to say it and now I wish I could take every second of it back.  

SO this is an apology for everything that I did from about April until June 3rd of last year.  I am so sorry. I have hurt a lot of people and I am sorry. Mom and Pops I am sorry! I am sorry for what I have said and what I did.  I was really lost! Thank you for not losing hope and making me go on HT that means the world to me. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!  I am sorry for everything... 

SO continuing the story while I was talking with my comp (and crying, embarrassing right;)) He said something... He quoted scripture and not only did he quote scripture but he quoted my FAVORITE scripture that I have had since I was little when I read the Book of Mormon the first time with just me and my dad.  And that is "And I was lead by the Spirit not knowing before hand the things that may come. Nevertheless I went forth..." 1 Ne. 6-7 However, He changed the the words a little... He said, (speaking of how he got on a mission) "And I was lead by the Spirit not knowing before hand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I TRUSTED IN THE LORD..."  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My comp is so sick!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nephi did not go forth on blind faith! NO he trusted God and he knew he would deliver him! It was unreal and as I continued to cry and was engulfed in the love of the Savior and could feel his arms wrapped around me as my companion began to tell me story after story to boost my trust... I am not perfect yet and I think all I have right now is about the size of a mustard seed but with that the savior said, we can move mountains (somewhere in the bible).  ;) Es KOMMT! It will come! When we TRUST!!!

Well I had a perfect opportunity to try out my new found trust and Yes I gave a Talk in sacrament meeting yesterday!!!  It was so fun! That is the reason I was sitting on the stand behind the bishop who already isn't to crazy about missionaries and was laughing uncontrollably! Because while I heard the song I was picturing my old troll friend jamming by himself with Elder Emery and I sitting awkwardly in his cat infested home (yes pops he has a cat). BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was able to speak with semi good German! It was so fun. And all I talked about was Es Kommt, and Trusting the lord...  

So what have I learned..? Faith is important... BUT it is TRUST that leads us to act. WE " Go forth" when we trust the lord.  Trust Him, He will NOT fail us...

Love,

Elder Nilson

Es Kommt... 3 March 2014

Es Kommt.  Or it comes is what it means in German.  I feel like that is how this week has gone all in all it has been rather lousy but for some odd reason I feel good about it.  So it started off with a split yes I had been here for 5 days and had a split with my Zone Leader.  It was really cool he was actually in the MTC with Josie his name is elder Henderson.  He is way cool and we did a ton of contacting but here comes the story we went to bed that night after doing planning for the next day and everything was good.  All of the sudden in the middle of the night I hear this "Elder Nilson..." I wake up and Elder Henderson (or what was left of him) is lying on the floor as pale as a ghost calling out my name. Yes he was also convulsing. So apparently he had gotten up to use the bathroom when all of the sudden he was attack by the demons hoards, which decided to take up residence in his large and small intestines.  He was just laying on the ground dying.  SO was I slightly frightened? NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT! I swiftly recalled all of my medical training (thanks Mom) and like an African witch doctor created a potion and healed him! BAM! So in short I would like to take a little bit of time to tell my mother thank you! Mom when you thought I was just laying there sick I was actually learning how to tenderly heal sick young lads.  Who knows maybe I will be a doctor!  So after miraculously healing Elder Henderson with pepto, ibuprofen, and Gatorade! (Electrolytes, always use electrolytes.)  I returned with him to Heidelberg where I met up again with Elder Emery! Way pumped! 

Well most people would say wow that would be a hard week... NOT FOR A MISSIONARY!!!! Some how my German has gotten worse, literally can't understand a single word its rough but we press on. WEITER! (onward) Es kommt.  So as I said we have been doing a lot of contacting and literally No one wants to listen and all the people that do want to listen are INSANE.  They are atheist or straight anti! And they are crazy but it is rather comical. We got approach by Zeuge Jehovah (Jehovah Witness) and Elder Emery just lit this dude up! IT WAS SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!! I FELT LIKE I WAS WATCHING JESUS TAKE ON THE PHARISEES!!!!! so tight! He just walked away like a wounded dog, tail between his leg and everything. I felt like a champion. EVEN though I didn't say a word (because i literally didn't understand anything only that Elder Emery was raging! I have the best comp Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) haha the Gospel is so cool.  So last but not least we met with this kid named Samuel. Well Samuel he is a cool dude BUT he is a 7th day Adventist, a religion I had never even heard about before I came to Germany and he lives the and KNOWS the bible. So yes we had fun bible bashing and finally it got to the point where we couldn't take it anymore and the BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

1st Vision. nuff said.  There is something about quoting the prophet that will literally cast out any bad feeling it is truly incredible! I challenge everyone to memorize the passage and quote it often!  Well I love you family and miss you like crazy!!!! VIEL SPAß! Ich Liebe Dich!!! 

Tchüss

ELDER NILSON

Broadway and Basketball... Immer- 24 Feb 2014

So if you have not heard, Yes Elder Emery is my trainer. It was rather funny arrangement.  I got to Deutschland and his trainer (who is now an AP) was talking about how awesome the Trainers were and so I asked them well who are the trainers and the moment he said Elder Emery I was like "That is my trainer." hahaha so when thursday and the pairing meeting rolled around when Elder Emery's picture and mine came up one the screen paired together, we just started laughing because we both just knew we were going to get paired together.  Elder Emery actually called the other Elders in our district and told them he was going to train me.  So when we saw it, we were so begeistert! (excited)   

Well we are at the University which we work with all the JAE (YSA), as well as chillling with all of the students from one of Darmstadts many universities. I couldn't ask for a better place to start out. There is also another Elder who is being trained here he has been out for 6 weeks longer then I have.  It is so surreal.

Who would have ever thought that the weird singer kid would be chilling with Mr. Basketball himself, and listening to broadway showtunes... Yes Elder Emery loves broadway. I was flabbergasted!  So yes at night we sit and belt Lion king at the top of our voices! oh and Anastasia for days! We will possibly be making our own band!

SO Experience time...

So my first day I was on the train and there was kid who had a guitar and he was practicing chords on one of the hand rails and of course I was like MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to speak!!!!!! So in my little German I began to speak... He looked at me really weird and said, "You can speak english." yes he spoke fluent english probably better then I do... So we began to talk and it was so exciting!!!!!!!!! haha his name is Marvin and we are trying to get an appointment with him and Jam on the guitar and teach the Gospel. haha that is how we missionaries work. ;)  

Nächste! So yesterday I got on this train and we saw these 4 girls.  Well I immediately thought "we Have to speak with them!" and why you ask? BECAUSE THEY HAD A UKULELE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so cool so yea I ended up just jamming on the Uke with these girls from Madrid, Spain! It was cool! we got to talk them a little bit about the gospel before they got off! So cool!

Nächste! David... So we were waiting at this train stop and we are there with another lady and a 17 year old boy.  Well the boy goes and asks the lady for a cigarette and they start smoking together. Well I was absolutely in shock because he was smoking and It was just so sad! but then out of the blue this kid walks up to us and says "Your mormons, good I am interested." We were floored! he was like I need the truth and I think you have it!  So right there with him smoking and everything we taught him most of the first lesson! Es war so TOLL!!!!! Missionary Work is so flipping awesome! I have never felt so good just speaking to people!!  SO we gave this kid David a book of mormon and told him to call. we couldn't get his number because We had to make our bus so we are praying he calls!

Lezte! We were talking to this guy from Greece! and he mentioned I play basketball... hahaha I have never seen a person get more excited then Elder Emery at this moment! haha Elder Emery told him all about his basketball experiences and I filled in the holes when Elder Emery's humility got in the way of the truth ;) (Elder Emery is so incredible! and Humility is something he was sent here to teach me.)  

SO yes this week was way exciting I wish I could tell you everything but alas Ich habe kein zeit. So Ich muss dich verlassen!  I love you all and hope you are doing fantastic! Keep me up to date love you all!

Keine Angst.

Elder Nilson

For those who have asked……

Jacob's Address: This is where you can send letters.

Kirche Jesu Christi HLT

Elder Jacob Nilson

breslauer Platz 4a

64287 Darmstadt

Germany/Deutschland

Packages: To the mission home

Kirche Jesu Christi

Elder Jacob Nilson

Corneliusstraße 18

60325 Frankfurt a. Main

Germany/Deutschland

Lezte Woche- 17 Feb. 2014

Wow... Sechs Woche.... I cannot believe I am going to Germany... Wow Ja Ich habe anbischonn Angst aber Ich weiter gehe. So quick story last night we had this awesome devotional and with none other then... HOLLANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yes plural, elder holland and his son Matthew Holland was there) so yes what a way to go out! and of course the Whole meeting was on Joseph Smith intermingled with several Choral numbers sung by the UVU choir which was just Unbelievable.  So yes I would say he kind of went out with a BANG! I was so happy that I could be there! Loved it!  I have never had my testimony grow so much in all of my life.  So yes before that devotional, I had a petrifying fear but after not so much. I am still scared and I know that Liza speaks better English then my german right now... But I know I have the lord on my side and I can do anything with him.  That is what the MTC teaches you... it has really been My Time with Christ (MTC).  I have a testimony of this restored gospel. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of god and thru him the book of Mormon was brought to pass which is the word of God.  I know Families can be together for eternity. And by the time I leave Germany In two years, All of Germany Will know that even if I have to sing at the Top of my lungs every day to tell them (which I was planning on doing anyways ;)) I Love this work. I love my family.  I love This Gospel. and I can't wait to teach This in Germany.

Ich weiß, dass Joseph ein Propheten Gottes ist. Ich weiß, dass Ich mit meiner Familie für ewigkeit Leben kann.  Ich weiß, dass Gott mit uns spricht Heute. Ich weiß, dass Wir rein sein können durch das Sühnopfer.  Ich liebe dieses Evangelium. Ich bin ein Missionar Der Kirche Jesu Christi Der Heiligen Der Letzten Tage.

Elder Beaca Nilson

God gave me sisters... 10 Feb. 2014

So everything happens for a reason and I as continue with my mission I learn that this is true more and more each day.  So while I was thinking and missing the Family this week I began to realize why I have the family that I have.  

Kate: God gave me Katie because he knew that I would need someone to help me get on a mission and be the example for the family.  Katie is also great because she has been able to ease me into missionary life as I get to see her basically everyday.  

Josie: God gave me Josie because he knew that I was to thick-skulled to discover my talents with out someone pushing towards them.  Without Josie, I would have never discovered my love of singing and all thing music.  I would also be short a best friend with whom I could freely express myself about my dreams and know that she would always be fully supportive.

Emma: God gave me Emma because he knew that I needed someone to be a big brother to and someone that I could harass and laugh with.  He also knew that I needed some to be able to throw around and practice lift with.

And then there is... Sabrina...

For those of you who don't know, when Sabrina was born I cried my eyes out and was furious (to the point of trying to runaway in the Hospital parking lot) because I wanted a little brother.  So yes I have struggled with Sabrina since her birth.  I don't know if we don't get along because we are SO different or if we don't get along because we are SO similar. But we have always struggled with our relationship, and Then BAM! the MISSION! I have finally realized why I have Sabrina and that is I know I have the best cheerleader in the world back at home and if I can get along with her I can get along with anybody!! (as you can tell still having those comp struggles ;)). 

So other then that, The week has been awesome I finally had one of those fantastic MTC sundays that everyone has told me about!! It was unbelievable!!!!! Stephen A. Allen came back this week and based his entire talk on the Mormon Homefront add campaign. It was so great!!!!!! And then afterwards we got to watch a recorded talk by Elder Bednar called the character of Christ.  I have never had my testimony strengthened so much in my entire life!!!!!!!!!  I love it here and I will be sad to go.  I will be 100% honest, I am terrified to go to Deutschland aber I am excited but I am super scared... But alas I know that I will have the Lord with me and with him I can do all things.  I love you all and miss you all like crazy!!!

SETH, MAC, AND CJ WRITE ME OR I WILL FIND YOU AND BEAT YOU!!!!!!! I am leaving the MTC on Tuesday, the 18th and I will come find you... Hahaha jk Ich liebe dich aber WRITE ME!!!!

Tchuss,

Elder Beaca Nilson

When the going gets tough...

So I have always been taught to be tough.  I am a man its kind of what we do.  Whether it was boxing matches with Seth and Mac (one of which I am pretty sure Seth broke my sternum), Yard work with Seth, Or running 17's with Uncle Vaughn I was taught to push through.  And boy oh boy did I need that this week.  

So first a couple stories.  When I was younger and Chase was training me in basketball, there was a day where I kept dropping his passes.  Chase was frustrated and decided to teach me to catch.  He put me up against a wall and through the ball as hard as he could at me, it quickly became a game of dodgeball with Chase yelling, "Catch THE BALL!!!" and when I tried the ball hit my hands which were up for more protection than an attempt to catch it.  The ball burst through my hands and headed straight for the next biggest target . My Nose. I thought my nose was broken. Chase walked over to the now sobbing me and said with all the love in the world, "Get up. Were going again."  and that is what I did.

Story number two.  Austin Crossley, asked me two work with him about three years ago. When he did I thought we would just be cleaning pools everyday. WRONG!!!! so when Austin filled up a wheelbarrow full of gravel at the tender age of 15 this was a challenge and one that I did not want to complete. Also I had to run this wheelbarrow, uphill, (both ways jk ;)) while Austin sat in a tractor laughing at me.  But I learned something special that day and everyday I worked with Austin and that is to "Just DO it."  There is no sense of whining or trying to get out of it you just "go and do"  whenever I would call Austin in the morning and say that I was not coming to work he had one reply and that was, "Shut up, I will be there in 15."  and I would just go.

So how does that apply to this week?  Well lets talk about my comp. I love the kid more than any person I have ever met and because of that I want to strangle him literally about every ten seconds.  These feelings climax this week when we were teaching a lesson and our "investigator" began bible bashing with me, I looked to my comp for help and guess what he was doing... Study notecards with obscure German words on the... which he of course STOLE from another missionary. So after that little incident we had a little chat... about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  I have never been that angry in my entire life the fury that was unleashed upon can only be compared that of Moses when he found the Golden Calf after returning from Mt. Sinai.  But of course after such fury comes great miracles.  That night when I was feeling terrible for chewing out my comp.  He actually came and APOLOGIZED to ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was about to laugh because I kind of let loose on him (but it was good chastisement).  He told me he would start talking and leading the lessons and asked me if we could only speak German.  I was almost in tears I was so happy!!!!!!! So with our new found determination we began to plan and plan for our bible bashing investigator.  And with the spirit and Das Buch Mormon, we taught the crap out him!!!!!! he was left speechless and I just sat there laughing at him.  So we committed him to some of the Book of Mormon and left.  Then on Saturday we went back and began to teach him.  We were planning on him reading the verses we gave him but he said "I have to read a book from cover to cover. I can't jump around" so we were still excited that he had read.  So I asked him if he had prayed and he said "no" I was about to start screaming again but then he said, "But this book is from god." And then it hit what us germans call a Geister Schlagen (Spirit Punch) I have never been so happy in my entire LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't even understand what I was feeling! That Feeling beats any performance I have ever had!!!!!!!!! Sorry Valjean der Hieligen Geiste ist SO VIEL TOLLER!!!!!! (that is made up German, but Mac you can use that and Mang will give you a A) I realized that is what the Gospel is about and that is why we do this!!! when we push through adverstiy, when we "Get Up" and go again that is when the Lord makes of stronger! 

I finally understand why the Lord gave me this Nike obsession and that is because He knew when I would go on my mission I would need to...

"Just Do It."

Elder Nilson