No Camera

Dear America,

It was a nice week. I've been able to see the Spirit working through our companionship to bless people's lives on several occasions. It makes me feel useful.

This week my camera decided to break. Nothing happened, it just started acting weird and now it won't work. I'm trying to find someone who can fix it. Sorry. No pictures for a while.

We've had several interesting situations this week. One of them happened when a young member and his nonmember friend came and dishonestly borrowed (stole and returned) the missionary bikes. They lied to the clerk about their intentions in order to get the key from him and then entered the chapel and took the bicycles. They brought the bicycles (slightly damaged) back late in the evening with a dubious story of why they had them. We cornered them and had a discussion with them about what they had done. It was a blunt discussion, but not unkind. I had said a prayer just before they came that I would have the Spirit with me. I'm glad that I did. I was able to clearly express the reasons behind my disappointment in them and what they needed to do to start the repentance process. I forgave them. I hope that this experience will soften their hearts and cause them to change instead of pushing them to harden their hearts. Overall, I'm pleased and grateful with the way I was inspired to handle the situation. I didn't even feel annoyed or mad, just disappointed that they would betray our trust.

I've been able to see some miracles this week. The power of the priesthood is real. God has given us the authority to act in his name; basically to make righteous decisions and have Him back up those decisions. And oftentimes that power doesn't necessarily come by means of a hands-on-head priesthood blessing. As Elder Oaks said: "Priesthood blessings are not limited to those blessings spoken as hands are laid on the head of one person."

By the way, I got transfer news. I'll stay and finish training Elder Duaryenneh. Which is exactly what I expected, but you can never be too sure with President Cosgrave. He likes to keep people on their toes.

Elder Nelson