First E-mail sent on Aug. 11

Family! I love you guys! I don't have a ton of time to e-mail but this place is awesome!!! I love it! No place like it! I see Jonny and Jesse everyday, it's pretty cool. Creole is the sickest thing in the world. I can pray, bear testimony and carry on a fairly good convo in Haitian! Its awesome! it feels like i've been here for two weeks already! The days are long! Tell people to send written letters and dear elders cause i can see those in my room! Man I'm stoked to be here. I miss Max a ton and mom and pops... well...just a little haha (joke). I love you all! This place is pretty intense but I am learning a ton and I love it. DAD my Creole teacher knows Lane Steinagle! He says that he works in the building I am having class in, so i'm going to try to find him!! Too sick. My Comp is awesome! We get a long pretty well and we throw together our own Haitian sentences! haha sweet! Sorry this all sounds all over the place but e-mail time is intense. We teach all in Creole and sometimes it's tough but its awesome! well I will write you more written letters! and you send me those too!! love ya!!!!

Elder Nelson

Excerpts from my first handwritten letter home.

August 8, 2013

"Dear Family;

I actually miss you guys. I didn't think I would, but I do!

I love it here! The first day was cool. Jumped right into Creole! I'm loving the language, have to teach a lesson with my companion Elder Jackson, all in Creole tomorrow morning! I am writing this on my bed using my iPod as a light.

This place is actually way intense! Today was so long !!! I'm stoked for the rest of it though.

Max, don't slay too many Zombies without me! Send me stuff, just like whatever. I don't even care, I'm just having tons of fun! I will send you pics and a more general e-mail on Monday (the 12th).

I love you all so much. But I also love the work, even though it is hard! Gotta sleep though.

P.S. Jonny and Jesse room in my building! I see them every single day! Crazy!

Love you all; Max the most!"

Elder Nelson

Just Do It

Spencer W. Kimball had a great piece of advice  to remember when pushing into the unknown in life, "Just Do It." It's pretty simple, and covers most of the things we know we should do, and sometimes avoid. Sometimes it's a decision to serve a Mission. When the announcement was made in General Conference about being able to go on a mission earlier... my friends and I, a true Band of Brothers decided to "Just Do It." In a world where it's hard to see forces for good, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others was what we called a "no brainer." Most of us decided right there and then to "Just Do It," and to "Do It" as soon as possible. One by one, we all prepared; had interviews, submitted papers, got physicals, had wisdom teeth pulled. We began to attend the Melchizedek Priesthood ordination of each "brother," the circle of priesthood holders growing larger every week. It was an awesome experience to be in a circle of brothers, your closest friends, filled with the spirit so deeply that none of us could hold back the tears. Now most of us have left from our ward, nearby wards, and families—some of us entering the MTC the very same day.  I'm learning Haitian Creole to serve in the Fort Lauderdale Florida Haitian-Creole Speaking Mission, and I love the MTC. It's tough, and the hours are long, but somehow it's fun, and so worth it. So I say to anyone reading my blog, and thinking about a mission, if you're hesitating, if you wonder if you should do it, or why you should do it, consider what this service will mean to others... and "Just Do It." From what I can see so far—and I'm just starting out— I think you'll be glad you did.

Here's a few shots in front of my house the day I left for the MTC. That's me with my Dad on the right. His almost daily tales throughout my life from his Cook Islands Mission service were a huge inspiration for me to follow in his footsteps and serve the Lord.