Josh and Emily plan the Ward Christmas Party 2024

Josh and I were asked to be in charge of the Ward Christmas Party this year. We planned the decorations with another ward so we could use them for both parties.

We also had double the help setting up and taking down.

It turned out really pretty.

McKay hung out with us while we got everything ready. 

They played football for a bit.

All ready for the party!

The centerpieces turned out really pretty. Connie Baxter came up with the idea and helped us put them together.

We had a ton of people come!

The Amotts did Jingle Bells. It was so cute. 

Sister Swann shared a beautiful memory from her childhood on how she learned the joy of giving.

She had all of the kids come up and sing Give Said the Little Stream with her. 

Loralee Beckett sang a song. She has a beautiful voice.

Weishares did a funny country song. They are so hilarious.

Cushmans and Litchfield's played chimes. 

Josh was the emcee.

The primary kids sang a song.

The bishop closed the night with some thoughts. It was a success and we finally felt like we could do our own Christmas  :)

 

Lincoln Mission December 3-9 2024

 

A quick one today

Highlights:

- Kuna funeral

- Kuna graduation

- Mothers Day (I think for latin america)

- Awesome baptisms

- Hiked to a waterfall

- Got transfers and I'm staying in Ukupa!

- Big wave season started

- Cut some Kunas hair

- Ate "rabbit" 

It's been so awesome. I love Ukupa and the experiences I get to have there. The Lord's hand really is in the work.

Elder Nali 

Hunter Mission December 3-9 2024

 We've already past another week, thats crazy! Every week we pass is a week closer to christmas so like it's getting exciting down here! 

This week was honestly so awesome. We've been working hard and God's been giving us miracles. Just last week Ana y Felipe got baptized and they've been progressing so much. This week they got confirmed and officially are members of the church! By luck theres a Temple trip this Saturday, so Felipe decided to get the preisthood the same day that he got confirmed. He will be going with the ward to the temple and be doing baptisms in the temple with his wife, so he's doing just fine this week. 

We also had a awesome baptism this week of Juan Camilo! His mom and his cousin came and he already has shared the gospel with one of his friends and now we are teaching him. We are hoping that he can be a god example to his mom and friend so that they can find the desire to come to church. For right now Juan is doing so awesome and his baptism was amazing.

We actually had a miracle happen because of Juan's baptism. During it we had a special musical number from the other elders in the ward and one of our friends that has been in teaching for like 3 years was there. When she heard it she started crying, and then saw the baptism. Right after it happened she went to the bishop and said she wanted to be baptized the next week. We are going to pass by basically everyday this week and teach a bunch of principles. We'll just say the Spirit is real and had been apparent in many ways this week.

And now the best part of the letter, the spiritual thought. I've really admired the path that Felipe and Ana have taken recently and it's been a great example to me. I want to use the story and I'm going to use two scriptures to do it, the first scripture is in Ether 12

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

And the second in first Nephi 3

7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

These two scriptures tell us that real faith will be tested and that we will not be able to have this "witness" until after we have overcome the tests of our faith. Felipe had everything against him in the beginning, he didn't have the desire to go to church, he drank, he smoked, and all of his friends did the same. But he felt the spirit and found the desire to continue in this path. The second scriptures talks about how the Lord will never command us to do something that we are not able to do and Felipe has showed this, dropping smoking, drinking, going to church every Sunday, and preparing to go to the Temple and pay his tithing even though he has so little. This is an example of God preparing a way for Felipe to complete his commandments and because of that, the faith of Felipe has grown so much. 

All of this is to say that anything in this life that is worth having will be hard. If we want eternal life with our families, God and Jesus forever, it won't be easy. But if we truly have this desire we will make it happen and we will work as hard as we need to to achieve it and God will fill in the rest.

Love you all hope the story of Ana and Felipe can help you guys out hope you guys have a great week! 

Elder Nelson (Hunter)

McKay BeMore Leadership Class

McKay did a leadership class through BeMore Leadership and Meals By Grace for a few months. They learned some good things about leadership and how to lead others.

He graduated and they did a little ceremony.

We are proud of McKay!

The whole group and the director.