03/29/2010 - Week 46

Hello!!!!

Today has been good, but crazy as usual. We did some light biking with the Deaf Elders. On the to do list, buy something that can play music in our appartment. I am thinking about getting some computer speakers and a CD player or something. yep. We have had a lot of dinner appointments, but it gets inconsistent starting today. No dinner appointment. It is all good though.

Well, the work has been kinda tough this past week. Things have really settled down, to almost nothing. I have been struggling a little bit to stay positive.  I really like Elder Scott. We get along really well. We have a very similar cultural background, you could say. He would always come up to Wisconsin to bike. I pray continually for the strength and even when I find it hard to go, out I still do. Most people see us as a nusiance. People always thinking of you in that way starts to take it's toll on you after a while. I am praying a lot. I can't wait for zone conference tomorrow and general conference this weekend. Yeah... I am really looking forward to them!!!

Spanish Study Walks on the Train Track --------------- Sometime we bike, other times we drive. (Mood dependent)

03/22/2010 - Week 45

I did feel the earthquake. I was on exchanges with the Zone Leaders in my area. I was woken up by a couple seconds of shaking. It was pretty cool, too bad I was so tired. We asked each other if it was an earthquake, decided it was, said "cool", and then went back to sleep. I know, boring, right. Yep, the weather is still nice. I wouldn't want it any other way, but still, the days get pretty monotoneus(sp?) around here. Things have been interesting this week. We have had appointments, which is good for a change. Too bad almost all cancled on us. oh well, what can you do? Well, my district remains as is, for another 6 weeks. However, Elder Lawrence will be the new district leader. He will do a good job. We were in the MTC together.
Random experiances: We cut an old ladies overgrown yard with our ward mission leader, met a gangster guy in a Target parking lot, got profanities yeld at us, today, while shopping, and kocked some doors and stuff. It's good.

I am happy to hear that it is starting to get warm for you. Spring is always good in Wisconsin. Thanks for the complements. I really try my best, but it is still really tough.

03/15/2010 - Week 44

Yeah, these past few weeks have been very hectic, including today.. So, it has been a long time since I have biked, and Elder Scott likes biking. To make a long story short, I lost control of my bike while trail riding at at the end of a big down hill and bumped my shoulder into a tree. I scraped and bruised it pretty good. After that, we continued on for another 1.5 hours of biking. Then, we went to the district meeting I planned: basketball. Yeah, my shoulder is pretty beat right now. Next time, I think I might take charge of the trails we choose to ride because I don't want to screw up my mission. Well, the work is about the same except a little more of a headache to plan. Things have seemed to have gotten a little busier, so that is good. :) We are living on Valencia and Basque. It is right next to the train tracks and our neighbors like to party, so we sleep with a fan on to make some ambient noise. But, after today, I am going to sleep like a baby.

The Hazards of Prep Day Trail Biking

Scenes from the Hood Outside a Missionary Apartment

03/08/2010 - Week 43

Wow, things have been crazy!!! Elder Pua and I got along really well. We were working hard and his experience was a great asset to this area. We found two pretty good potentials in one week! We also found a service opportunity doing a little yard work for someone. They want a Book of Mormon. We haven't taught any of them, yet, but soon. It was a good week and I really enjoyed my time with Elder Pua. Sunday night, I got another call from the Zone Leaders. Another mid-transfer transfer! They disolved the one of the 2 companionships in the Euclid ward because we are getting some "deaf" sisters in. (The sign language program is synced different then Spanish. That is why it is in the middle of the transfer). I am now with Elder Scott, who has only been out for less than 2 transfers. By the way, he is President Bonner's nephew from Chicago (our Stake President in tje Milwaukee South Stake). Anyways, he is pretty cool. We have been cleaning out our old apartment so the sisters can live there. We are living in Elder Scotts appartment now. So, that involved me packing up all my stuff. I am really tired. These have been a crazy few weeks. I have had my fill of transfers for a while. changes... changes.... changes...

Nathan and Elder Pua

03/01/2010 - Week 42

Hi family, my week was really good. Elder Lim and I are sticking to it. My birthday turned out really well. Our ward mission leader bought us Chinese food, and Elder Lim bought me a piece of pie. We put the candles in, he sang, and then, we feasted. I ate so much that night. It was good. Also, some of my district members called to wish me a happy birthday. It was kinda nice to have a nice warm birthday for a change. The hoodie is just what I wanted and the GPS is really handy. We have even got our phone bluetoothed to it, just for fun. Oh, and I got my spoon back. Good thing too; I was running out of oatmeal. And HEY, what is that little blue guy doing in there. Well, teaching opportunities... to tell you the truth, it has been about 2 months since we have gotten let in from off the street into someones home. We are still teaching that family. The husband got sick 2 days ago and is in the hospital. Our Elders quorum president and one of his councilers went be to give him a blessing. He is doing ok. He is his cheery self, but has to have some, not too fun, tests done to figure out what he has. Also, we are still kinda working with that Iranian man. Other than that, we do a lot of praying and a lot of wandering around talking to people.
Here is the real news! We are having an unexpected transfer. Elder Lim is going into the Korean Program, today. And, I will be getting a new companion. His name is Elder Pua. He is a huge tongan Elder who has 9 weeks left on the mission. He was in this area before we got here. We will see how it goes.

Nathan and Elder Lau Doing District Planning - Poor Elders, No Table

Satisfaction! - 20th Birthday Feast: Chinese Dinner, Soebe and Pie

02/22/2010 - Week 41

Well, I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone on a horse. Since it has gotten warmer, people on the trail have been making poor clothing choices. not good. Well, that young family was at church this past Sunday, and everything went perfectly. After, we taught them with her parents. They are such a great family, and they have the coolest little kid (he is 2). We will be eating dinner with them, today. After, we will have a lesson with one of the members of our ward. We are praying that they will be able to recognize the answers to their prayers, that this is what they need to do. That about sums it up. We taught the Iranian guy twice too, but he just wants to learn. so that is sad. Things are good, though!

It looks pretty warm over there. I am going to be partying it up missionary style in the warm California sun. hmmm what more to say... We have be doing a lot of walking around lately. We had zone conference which was good. I went on exchanges with the Euclid South Elders. Curtis, Rebecca, Matthew buddy, Mom, and Dad I love you! Sorry, I don't have more to write. That is seriously all that happened this week. Anyways, I love you! Tell both Grandma Wigington and Boehm that I love them, too. Tell Grandma Boehm thanks for sharing her testimony with me. Also, it was cool to hear Anna Beckers story because she is in my patriarchal blessing. Tell, Grandma Wigington thanks for her weekly letters. I always know I have a motivational and love filled letter coming every week. Till next week

02/15/2010 - Week 40

I have like no time to email, today. Our recent convert, Robin, had to get rid of one of her dogs. She was feeling kinda drepressed and called us and wanted us to come by at 4:00. This week went really well, we taught 3 lessons to investigators. We were able to reestablish contact with the young family we were working with. We had a great member lesson, and they should be a church Sunday.

02/08/2010 - Week 39

Well, we started teaching another Iranian guy. He was investigating the church 2 years ago, but couldn't get over his word of wisdom problems. This time, we will suceed. We are also working with a Iranian, less-active, recent convert family. I love the Iranian people. The 3 families I have talked to are awesome. They are sincere, listen, and ask good questions. What more could you ask for? Nothing else new in the work except for exchanges with the sign language Elders. I travel the whole mission, learned how to sign my name, attended a sign language class they teach, and saw a magazine photo shoot of the new Corvette vs new Viper in Silverado Canyon (well, the preshoot. cars lined up and cop cars closing the rode right after we drove through, the flags. Need for Speed kind of stuff!). Transfer day! No changes in my district, except, Elder Lim and I got a new car, AGAIN! This time it is right off the line. 2010 Chevy Malibu in grey.

02/01/2010 Week 38

Well, as far as missionary work goes, nothing new. We were unable to meet with that couple last week, but this week that will change. Highlights: I went on exchanges with Elder Lawrence from the MTC. Man, I love that Elder. He is so cool. We reflected on the good times. Also, Aunt Nell is so cool, and Uncle Bother Brown (He was a mission president in the neighboring, Riverside mission). They took Elder Lim and I out for breakfast this morning. You know you have a cool great Aunt when she will wake up at missionary standard time and go for breakfast at 7:15, yikes. Well, I am doing well, and am bracing myself for a little more rain. I bought myself a new pillow, today, so that should be good. that was random.

Family, I pray for each of you every day. I know the Lord blesses his children when they do what is right. But, more importantly, if we put forth even a little bit of effort, a particle of faith or work; he is pleased with us. He is pleased with us. Also, Christ felt everything we go though so he can help us through it. He knows the way because He is the way. I will continue to pray for you all, and I know that he will help each one of us in our own way.

01/27/2010 - Week 37

I wish I had some exciting stories to tell you, but the rain didn't change much. When it rains, here, the ground doesn't soak up any of the water, so the streets turn instantly into rivers. Because we are in a car we managed to stay mostly dry. We didn't get any simpathy let in's. Most people think we are confused, brainwashed youth, so they feel obligated to tell us, we don't have to be doing this. They tell us to go home, but we don't. :) I got to stand in on Robins confirmation on Sunday. That was good. Today, we are going to the temple. And, yeah, other than that, same old, same old. We do have a young couple we are teaching, so we have high hopes there.

01/18/2010 - Week 36

Hello again from southern California. We are getting a little rain. El nino? I dont know. Well, Robin got baptised Sunday! Elder Wilcock, our zone leader, performed the baptism. He was originally in this ward and was her first contact. Plus, we, only, had met with her 4 times, so we didn't know her too well. However, it was great to help her endure to the end and beat her smoking addiction. Everything went perfectly. I got to be a witness and give the benediction. In other news, I have, also, lost my mini-van. Today, I traded it out for a red, 2006 toyota Corola. I am rollin' in red! Our new problem is, we have lost our only investigator. The search is on. I guess baptism is a worthy cause to lose an investigator to, lol.

Rebecca, to answer the question in your letter: The rest of Christmas went really well. I had a really good dinner appointment that night. Thanks for asking. Also, it does get chilly in California at night.

ps: they need to make p-days a little longer. *sigh* :)

01/11/2010 - Week 35

Elder Lim and I are still burning mini-van rubber all over Fullerton. The roads are always packed with people, but I am a very good driver, even in a van. Yes, I do shuttle the other bike Elders around. We are living in the classy, Club Acacia appartments; they are nice. Today, for district activity we got some in-and-out burger and played some football. Guess who I met at dinner the other day, the son (and wife) of George Cook. He said he knew Dean Wigington. "He was always my favorite," is how he described grandpa.

Missionary work: We have a few potentials, but we are still doing alot of searching. Robin (our investigator) is staying off cigarettes and should be baptised this coming Sunday! She could use your prayers to stay strong.

01/04/2010 - Week 34

I am living out of my ward boundaries on Acacia and Chapman. Matthew, I am still living in Orange County, so the shirt is still from where I am living. Yep, a shiny new van. It reminds me of the drivers ed days. I don't do any freeway driving so it isn't too difficult, and my companion is a really good gps. Some missionaries have an actual GPS but our Thomas Guide does a really good job. Plus our area is pretty small.

The ward here is pretty good. The hardest part is that we are sharing the ward with another pair of missionaries. The boundaries of our ward have just changed last transfer so everything is all mixed up. We have got the area book all sorted, now. The Euclid ward is very similar to Orange 3rd. A lot of Fullerton College Optometery students mixed with old people. Parts of our area are quite well off. Yes, we have some very large houses. In general, the people we have been contacting have been a little more receptive to listen to us. We will see how it goes. Cool coincidence: When we were teaching Lauren, a newly married couple (her friends) came to our lessons. They attend in our ward. In the past we have eaten 3 dinners and had 3 lessons with them at their parents home in orange. That was a nice surprise to see them. We have one investigator, and she has a baptismal date for jan 16 (i think). We will meet her tomorrow. Elder Lim has only been out for 1 transfer but he his way cool. We get along great. He is from Korea, Canada, and Utah.

12/28/2009 - Week 33

Here is the news. I am serving in the Euclid Ward, covering the north half of my mission. My companion is Elder Lim; he is Korean but spent part of his life in Utah. He has only been out for one transfer, so we will figure this new area out together. The Elders before us left us with nothing. So tomorrow we will see the ward mission leader to see what has been going on lately. Also, I am the district leader, so that will be interesting. Looks like my bike problems are over; no, I have a car. Actually, it is a 2009 Dodge mini van with stoand-go.
2/29 - My bed is really comfy.

12/21/2009 - Week 32

I went mountain biking with brother Hansen, again. Then, I spent the last hour fixing my bike, so I don't have a lot of time to write, today. The Santa Ana winds have made for a very warm end of the week. Good stuff! I does not feel like Christmas.

News from the mission: This week was the ward Christmas program and the ward Christmas party; both were great! Several members have told us that we are the best missionaries they have ever had in the ward(You would not believe how good that makes you feel). We are working hard, and had some teaching opportunities. John, again, and a sweet, former, Orange 3rd ward members son. She moved out like 4 months ago, so it is good to see her AND teach her son! Lauren got baptised, yesterday, and we are going to eat with her and the member family, tonight. That will be super exciting!

Letter to Bishop Grip:

Nothing is better than than serving the Lord, under the warm California sun. I love my ward and... I think they love me, too. I have a great companion, who has made my job as a trainer really easy. I am working hard and the blessings do come; I have seen it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Orange County. Sincerely, Elder Nathan Wigington

12/14/2009 - Week 31

As far as the missionary work goes, no new changes. I had exchanges this week. Got rained on. Taught a few lessons. And, now, it is another crazy P-day.

My bike started falling apart after that rain (It was pouring, for the first time, since I have been here, Saturday. I got soaked.), so we will see what happens with that... I think, I will wait it out until the end of the transfer and then, either buy a new, quality bike or just fix up the Schwinn. Let me know what you think.

Stockings and Rain Soaked Clothing are hung by the window with care in hopes that St. Mother soon will be there.

North Pole!?... Nope, Just a humble Southern California Christmas home.

 Elder McEwan- The Spirits of a Missionary Christmas - Elder Wigington

12/07/2009 - Week 30

This was a week of blessings. Lauren, who Elder Queen and I were teaching is getting baptised on Dec. 20. I called Billy, who Elder Queen and I taught once, and he said he was thinking of us the day before, and changed his mind about us sending missionaries to his new address. The grand-daughters of one of the members in our ward, who we taught the first lesson to, is getting baptised Dec. 26. John, who we were teaching for a while, came with us to a baptism in Orange 2nd, church, and the Creche exhibit at church. We taught 6 lessons this week. The ward loves us, and our dinner calendar is full for the next month. All we need to do, now, is find some people in our ward to get baptsed, lol.

So, the www.thecreche.info picture of me is Elder McEwan standing back to back as Joseph and Shepard bling-ing. Yeah, I am not smiling in the first one because I looked over and Elder McEwan and he wasn't smiling, but he was. (Seriously, I am not that serious).

11/30/2009 - Week 29

Yes, Thanksgiving really was warm. The Santa Ana winds can really heat this place up. It was great. We ate with the Kelly's, and then, the next day, we had thanksgiving with the Hansens. Two Thanksgivings!!! Other good news... Lauren, an investigator Elder Queen and I were teaching, has gotten a hold of the Sister Missionaries at her ward and went to church. From what we have heard, she loves it (I was so afraid we lost her; 2 months of no church contact is tough.). I have aquired those sunglasses from Elder Lancasters old car, do you like them? The tan line is pretty good too, huh? Oh, and the short hair cut from Elder Queen shaving me bald in back was fun, too, lol.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Why Missionaries Should Pay For Haircuts!

11/23/2009 - Week 28

Lets see... This week: I got to do some service. Taught a lesson to our investigator, his wife, his young (late 20's) but really knowledgable, Bible studying friends, and one of our members. I got food poisening for a day - that was fun. And, I just got back from mountain biking, for the first time, with one of the members of the ward. (He let me borrow one of his bikes that could handle the ride.) It was really fun and you will hear about it in my next letter :). So, yep, it was an interesting week.

I am eating with the Kelly's for Thanksgiving. Brother Kelly was a convert not to long ago (6 years) and is super cool. It should be fun.

11/16/2009 - Week 27

I am emailing a little late because today was transfers and my district got changed up. Elder McEwan and I are still together, so that hasn't changed.

We had dinner at our investigators home on Sunday, and our Elders Quorum President (who is the same age) came with. The food was good, company great, too bad the lesson turned into Bible bashing. On the plus side, I think we developed a solid friendship. Wow, I still have so much to learn; it was definatly good to have the Elders Quorum President there.

Nathan and Elder Queen

11/09/2009 - Week 26

Things are going alright here. We got to teach 3 lessons this week, which is amazing! However, I can't help but feeling a little low (Wow, Mom, I don't know how you could tell from an email). This past transfer has been very humbling, lots of tracting without getting in any doors, and the three people we are working with aren't really going anywhere. I feel like I am not really doing anything, and the things I do, is all the Spirit that does the work. It is funny, I want to contribute and learn how to be a better missionary, but the opportunities haven't come, yet. I guess that is what humility is supposed to be. I am learning a lot about being grateful and humble, so that is good. The time change has made tracting really interesting; lets just say 8:30 is really dark for old ladies. It is still 70's here, maybe 65 some nights. No real funny stories this week, so I will have to go out and do something memorable, so I can write about it for next week!

Yep, when Elder Queen left, I moved.

The View Out of Nathan's New Apartment

11/02/2009 - Week 25

Well, lets start with a quick sumary of the events of this week. We knocked on a lot of houses. Taught one lesson to a inactive lady. On Halloween night we got to hand out Brother Bollingers candy. That was pretty good, but when the candy ran out we didn't make a lot of friends, lol. It was good though. People knocking on our door for a change.
We are working hard, and even though we can't see the blessings in our ward, the Lord has blessed us by allowing us to have a small part in the work around our area. We showed up to church on Sunday, and there was a man we didn't recognize, in his 40's, in the back row. He is originally from Iran and has lived in 10, or so, other countries (i think that is what he said) before coming here. He has been searching for God and attends every church he finds. He sits down for the meetings and just listens to his feelings. And this is how he ended up in our church. He proceeded attended all 3 meeting blocks with us and afterwards with a smile on his face he said "Finally, I have found it!" He lives in Orange 2nd ward so Elder McEwan and Perrish went on splits to teach him that evening. He is going to be baptised on the 14th. We are being blessed for our efforts, and the Lord trusted us with Shawn. Things are good and that pretty much covers it all, so you are now in the loop.

The Elders of Nathan's District at the Newport Beach Temple

10/26/2009 - Week 24

Not many new changes in the work. We spent most of our time tracting this week, and we did find one man who might be interested. He is a newly married father. They each brought a young boy into the marriage. They are so nice, so we will see what happens. Other than that, not a lot happened, but it is good.

Small world, huh? It was so funny running into Chris Poulson. "Do you have any family from the Bear Lake area?" "Do you know Mike?" me:"Yeah, he is my father!... ". He seems like a really nice guy, and I can't wait to talk to him more! Dad watch out, I am going to learn all your deep dark secrets at dinner.

Mom, Happy Birthday! I knew your Birthday was coming up, but wasn't sure when. Mom, I love you. I have a good mommy. You have done so much for me. It is too bad we can't Skype each other, that was always fun. You could always sneek out here and join Elder McEwan and I in your kind of weather! Don't worry about me, I am working hard just like you taught me. Make sure to eat an extra piece of cake for me!

10/19/2009 - Week 23

This week has been pretty good. We have started to plan better and things are looking up. We really have to depend on the Lord day to day, because we never have any appointments. At the end of every day, I have no idea what we are going to do tomorrow. But we plan, and we usually find someone, who will let us talk to them for more than 30 seconds. We, actually, did find a single guy who we taught the first lesson to, but we had to refer him to the singles ward. We also found an man in his 80's who we have been trying to teach.

We are trying so hard... but it is just tough. We got the singles Elders, Spanish Elders, and us all tracting my tiny area, so everyone sees us quite frequently. It is good though. That won't stop us from working hard, and maybe if we can't see the blessings here, maybe you will see them in Wisconsin.

10/12/2009 - Week 22

I am tired, lol. Training is hard work. My new companion is Elder McEwan from Bountiful, Utah. He has huge desires and expectations and I want to help him have the best experience he can have. However, we have no one to teach and had only one, almost lesson. I am really feeling Elder Queens pain. There was nothing Elder Queen could do to keep us busy enough, obedient enough, bold and outgoing enough. Now I am in that position; there is nothing I can do to keep us busy enough, obedient enough, bold and outgoing enough. We come home after a hard day’s work and it never is a success, it seems. I really don't want to keep letting Elder McEwan down like this. Well... we have begun meeting with ward members to get referrals, so hopefully that will be good. I just have to keep pressing onward and upward, and hopefully things will improve. I know the Lord accepts my hard work, and things are good!

A little bit about Elder McEwan. We get along great. He is a music major, who wants to be a jazz drummer. He is tall. He is dedicated to his service and will be a great Elder. I am grateful that he is my companion.

California is a little cooler this week, but still warm and sunny. There are no seasons here; it is kinda weird.

We haven’t been able to meet with Lauren, and the member family will be gone for a while. Her grandparents aren’t doing so well, so we will see what happens. I hope that her pure testimony hasn't faded and we will meet with her Friday. We might have to refer her to the Elders outside of the mission, where she is living. We will have to reschedule the baptism either way. I will still see Elder Queen every once in a long while. Yep, the opera singer would be Elder Queens older brother.

Nathan and Elder McEwan

10/05/2009 - Week 21

Lets see... This week was good. We got to teach Bobby (young, inactive member) and his nonmember girl friend. He is really excited about taking the lessons and invited us to dinner, even though they have nothing. We won't be able to take him up on that offer until next week, unfortunately. We also taught Lauren. It was the third lesson, she received an answer to her prayers and knows the church is true. She accepted to be baptised on October 17th. It was a great! Elder Queen was really happy to see some success after all his work in this area. Well, Elder Queen is gone, now, to Newport Beach 1st ward. I am still here, and am excited to keep working with these amazing people and to start training. Yes, I have been called to be a trainer in the Orange 3rd ward. I feel very humbled, but it is good. I will meet my tainee on Tuesday. Right now, I am with Elder Lancaster and Tuipulotu for the day. Oh... and my hair looks fine and you can't even tell that there is anything wrong with it any more. Thank goodness for quick growing hair.

09/28/2009 - Week 20

Nathan and Elder Queen

It has been a crazy week! It started with meeting with the nonmember friend, Lauren (from last weeks letter) on Monday. I gave the baptismal invite on the first lesson like a good obedient missionary and goofed it up bad. It was my first lesson with members present. Luckily the spirit was very strong, and she let us come back and teach her on Friday. She also went to the Relief Society Broadcast. That is really exciting! She is living out of the Mission, except for on the weekends, when she is here taking care of her Grandparents. We will keep teaching her on the weekends.
To continue, Wednesday, I was on exchanges with Elder Tuipulotu and got to drive in his area. That was fun!!!... until we had to fill up with gas and he put in diesel. oops. Goofy, green ,New Zealander Elder. Then, on Thursday ,I gave myself a hair cut to 3/4 inch. After, I asked Elder Queen to clean up the back hairline with the buzzer. He took it and buzzed off a line of hair up to my ear line. WHAT... so Elder Tuipulotu worked really hard to tapper it. Long story short, I have really short hair, now. Then, I went on exchanges in my area with Elder Hill on Saturday. Oh, and my bike is making strange sounds. Today, I just went to the bike shop and got it checked out. They say something is stripped and it will cost me 70 dollars to fix it. EXCITING WEEK!!! I love the people we are working with, but it is tough not having much to do. I will be happy with whatever happens.

09/21/2009 - Week 19

Thanks for your prayers! We had some good success this week. We were teaching a brief lesson on the restoration at a dinner appointment and commited each of them to pray and look for opportunities to share the gospel with one person. One of the girls, who we thought was a member of the family, was actually a nonmember friend, who was living with them. We invited her to hear our lessons, she accepted. We will be teaching her today! We also, taught the first lesson to a gay rights activist, we didn't know it at the time. Lets just say, we got to the end of the lesson, and he let us know how horrible he thought our church was. We also got to start teaching a 21 year old, less active guy. He is working to gain his testimony. Things are good! Thanks again! I love the warm weather, most of the time. Somedays, it is kinda hot to be biking, but what ever. Elder Queen likes to keep our apartment a refrigerator, so i enjoy the warm outside. I think I am a little like you, Mom; you would love it out here!

09/14/2009 - Week 18

Elders at the Orange Zoo

We went to the tiny Orange zoo, today. A member in Orange 2nd drives the little train there, and he got us on it for free. We looked so rediculus, good times! More sketches on the way.

We have gotten and few soft referrals from members,... and even though our area has been tracted through many times, we still tract everyday for most of the day.....We strive to be exactly obediant in everything. The blessings are coming!!! Things are good.

09/07/2010 - Week 17

Well, things are good here. The library was closed for Labor Day so we couldn't email yesterday. Other happenings include: Elder Queen locking his keys in our room (wait for drawing in the letter), more companionship exchanges, this time with one of the new Elders (Elder Tuipulotu from New Zealand), many scorching hot days, and other missionary stuff. Keep praying for us to be able to find those who are searching. Elder Queen and I are working hard. Oh...Highlight of the Week: John went to church again, but still is having dificutlies with baptism...

08/31/2009 - Week 16

It is very hot here and we can definately see the smoke from the fires. I went on exchanges with one of the new Elders in my district, Elder Perrish from Centerville Utah, Saturday. All we did was tract. It was his first week, and we were in the sun all day; I felt so bad, but didn't have anything else to do.
John was at church again this Sunday, but he is still not ready for baptism. All of our appointments fell through last week, except for one, and it is a MIRACLE. At 8:30ish PM, one night, we were cruising around, deciding if we should tract or not. Then a guy said "Hey. What are you doing? Just cruising around?". We responded: we are looking for people to teach. He said: Are you Mormons?... I love Utah and would love to be taught. (Well not exactly, but you get the picture) We went and taught him this week and he is an amazing guy. His name is Billy. He had a run into with the law and it really humbled him and brought him to God. We taught him the first lesson, which he said agreed exactly with his feelings and studies. Then he proceeded to sing us the most beautiful blues song that I have ever heard, that he wrote. It was a touching story of how God had changed him. So beautiful! He said that many big music recorders had asked him to record it for them (or what ever they do), but he said "I know where that will take my life,and I don't want it. I like just sitting here and enjoying the world around me". He agreed to be baptized when he comes to amends with the law. So cool!
Oh, also, I think Elder Lawrence is still the only Spanish speaking elder from my old district.

08/24/2009 - Week 15

Self Portrait of a California Missionary

I have survived the first transfer! Elder Queen thought he could get rid of me, but we are just too tight. He tried to tell President that I was ready to train, but his plan backfired. President just gave him another assignment; Elder Queen is the new district leader, haha. Elder Hill and Lancaster will be both splitting up to train. They were over a combined area and so now they are seperated. We are going to have a very young district of 6, now. Our mission is also getting another 14 missionaries and only a couple are going home. We, also, had our first investigator at church this week. He had gone 4 times last year, but it was still neat!
Also, we have 4 investigators we are trying to work with, but we have had a hard time getting appointments with them.I have tried the past few weeks to make time to write freinds; however, their is just too much to do on preperation day.

So... a shout-out you can put on the blog. I will keep trying on getting some actual letters written, but this will do for now, lol.

Tyler, don't party to hard at Madison. Don't forget, when I get back I expect to go to Cedar Point! I hope you have picked a major by now, lol.

Dan, Stassi, Danny, Derek, Meixner, and Nasby, don't have too much fun while I am gone.

Steve congrats!

2200 Stover and BYU 16th keep on, keeping on.

Well, sorry, that is pretty pathetic... (I don't know if this is even worth putting on there, but whatever).

08/18/2009 - Week 14

Newport Beach LDS Temple

We are going to the Newport Beach temple today, so P-day was switched a bit. We go, like, every 3-4 transfers. Well, we have two people we are teaching as much as we can, but we are still searching a lot. I have seen lots of little miracles, tho. Like, we have been going over weekly to try and teach a sick older lady, who we met knocking. Every time we go over there she is sick and won't let us in, but yesterday, we got a referral, it was her requesting a DVD! Success!!! Maybe, some day, we will get to teach her.
Some interesting things to know about how the work is hastening. All missionaries are now required to extend the baptismal invitation after the first lesson. We are highly encouraged to go "night knocking" from 6-9PM (Mom, you would be happy if the missionaries showed up at 9, right, lol), but people are home then. Things are good here!

08/10/2009 - Week 13

This week, we have a full week of dinner appointments; that will be exciting after last weeks famine. We got two progressing investigators! (they were former investigators, but still) We meet with them daily. Life is pretty tough for them. I hope that we will be able to see the blessings of the gospel in their lives, soon. I really love being a missionary and I hope that I will be able to do all I can to help the people here. No new bike problems, so things are good.

08/03/2009 - Week 12

Well, things are going good here in "so cal" (Southern California). Missionary work is good! We are exhausting the Area Book (where all people who have ever had any missionary relations are recorded). We don't work with many members right now. We will need to try soon, because we have almost no one to teach. I wish I could say I was getting better at tracting, but I still need so much work. I love the people here! They are so friendly and all have a pretty modest living. I went on exchanges Saturday and it made me very thankful. In my district leaders ward area are huge, intimidating houses. Also, it made me thankful for Elder Queen, he is obedient with exactness! This week, I have met a lot of people in very humbling mental, physical, and economic conditions, and also, a lot of of religiously scholarly people. The world is an interesting place.

7/27/2009 - Week 11

The Street Where Nathan Lives

Well, I am doing good here in Orange. I really enjoy biking, you get to smile to lots of people. I got a flat tire yesterday, which I will fix today. We do tons of tracting. I am trying to get to know the members; however, the ward is so small it could fill the first three rows of the center aisle, if you pushed everyone together. And everyone is gone within 5 minutes of church getting out, I mean ghost town style gone. There are rumors of combining wards. I got to speak on missionary work yesterday, so that should help. We did so awesome last week; we taught 9 lessons.

The Sites in the city of Orange, CA

7/20/2009 - Week 10 - First Week in California!

Hi Family! I am in California and am doing good. Well, you are probably wondering where I ended up. I am serving in Orange, Orange County, California English speaking (for now). I am in the Orange 3rd Ward and my companion is Elder Queen. English speaking, crazy huh. Most of the Elders from my MTC district are English speaking, too. Well, when I got here Elder Queen and I had a car, but on Thursday, we got a call telling us, we are now bike missionaries. So, we went to Target and bought shiny new Schwinn Ranger bikes. Luckily my area is fairly small and flat. A little bit about Orange 3rd Ward, this ward is tiny, I mean tiny. Most people are moving out because of the high cost of living. Also, it is a heavily college ward and since it is summer with high living costs, all the college students are gone. Also, it sounds like this ward hasn't had a baptism for 2 years. Whether or not that is true, I will have to change the rumors. Now a background on Elder Queen, he is from Ohio, but claims home to Fort Collins Colorado, even though, he only lived their for the 2 months before his mission. We do a lot of tracting. It is ok though, most people say, "I appreciate what you are doing, but I am not interested" or "we are stuck in our ways". We have found 3 people that we will try and see this week. I got let in my first door last night! They were very open to all religions and it turns out they have let the missionaries in before, but it was still refreshing to get let in. We have placed one Book of Mormon and a bunch of pass a long cards this past week. The work will move forward! The sun is always shining and the people are very nice, and I am happy to be here.

7/13/2009 - Week 9

Missionary Training Center Veterans - Spanish Speaking District

Hey, family! I got on here, one last time, as I am doing my laundry, for the last time in the MTC. Thought I would say HI or Holla! I will be able to call tomorrow, it will probably be at around or a little after 7 (Utah time). CALIFORNIA HERE I COME!!!

7/8/2009 - Week 8

Nathan and Cousin Jeffery (going to Peru)

I got my flight plans and I am leaving the 14th. I have to be at the MTC travel office at 5am and my flight takes off at 8:40am. I am not sure if I will be able to call you because it is a direct flight, I hope I will be able to. If I can, it will be then (I think). Thanks for the post cards, they have brought me some smiles and laughs. I have such a good family! The weather has been perfect here. I did get to see the fireworks from in the MTC; they were the fireworks from the BYU stadium of Fire, they were kinda weak, but oh well :). I did get to go running with Elders Speirs on the 4th, it was much slower then the firecracker 4, lol, but still fun! While I was running there were 17 hot air balloons, I have never seen that before! I saw Spencer Fogleman yesterday, and saw Elder Jeff Wigington. He was excited to leave today. I got a good picture with him.

7/1/2009 - Week 7

Just emailing you to let you know, I am doing good. I should be getting my flight plans this Friday. I am super excited for the 4th of July, we get to go to the Missionary field, stay up late, and watch the fireworks (I think). Happy Birthday Rebecca!!! I hope you got my card before you left! Party really hard, maybe because you are closer to the MTC I will be able to hear it, lol.

Provo LDS Temple