;D


Monday, July 26, 2010

July 23, 2010 MTC

Hey! So this last week has been busy but pretty uneventful I guess because all we do is sit in a classroom but that's ok because they give us an hour of gym time. I kinda base my days around breakfast, lunch, dinner and gym time. It helps the time go by faster and helps me stay awake. I don't know what it is here because I get more sleep than I did at school but I am so tired all day. We all do our best to keep each other awake. Well news: I am now the Coordinating Sister for my zone! That is basically like the zone leader for the Sisters. I just interview the senior companions once a week, make sure all the newbies (new missionaries) are doing well and teach them about life here in the MTC. I gave them a tour last night and it's amazing how much I have learned since I have been here. I remember looking at our last Coordinating Sister and thinking how amazing she was and that she knew so much about the MTC. But yeah, I am not that amazing and I really don't know that much but I guess I can fake it really well. Other than that I don't really have much to do, we didn't have any sisters come in this last week to our branch/zone but we will next week so I will play a bigger role.

Best news ever! They changed the Sister missionary clothing regulations!!! No more tights/nylons and as for skirts, as long as they cover the knee when you are sitting, they don't care. More details are coming from Salt Lake/the First Presidency on Sunday after Relief Society so I will know more then. Oh and I know it's only been 2 weeks but I am already tired of my clothes. I know, I know!!! I need to get over it but I bought the same type of shirt in different colors and I NEVER do that becuase I know that I will look the same everyday... so I look the same everyday. But whatever, when I get to Temple Square I will know what is allowed and what isn't. I got my travel itinerary yesterday. I leave by bus August 4th at 10 a.m. for Salt Lake City. Pretty exciting. Oh and I found out that my mission ends December 18, 2011 just fyi.

I try to exercise everyday. My whole zone calls me the "hard core Sister" because I go running when I get the chance. Whenever I walk by they are like, 'How far did you run today?" They even tried to race me around the track and many have asked if I will be their personal trainer after they get back from their missions. I guess I will have a job then!

So spiritual stories, my companion and I met with George again. I asked Dad how to address the Trinity which was really good because I studied up on it. When we met with him this week he brought it up again. But I didn't use any of the stuff Dad told me about. We talked a bit and I explained that they are one in purpose and he still looked unsatsified so I told him that we could go back and forth all day but the only way he would really know for himself was if he prayed. So that was good. The lesson went awesome after that... until the member who accompanied us started telling his story on faith. He is this really skinny black guy and went off about how he coulnd't have the priesthood and how hard it was on him. I was dying inside. My mind was screaming, "NOOOOOOOO! Please don't go there." I was praying like crazy because I didn't want to get into this topic but George didn't push it. But we committed him to come to church and he said that he would do one better and get baptized. Sweet. I didn't even have to ask him. But since we study all the time I am able to have random scriptures and paragraphs from Preach My Gospel pop into my head when I need them. It's really cool but I still have so much to learn before I leave! At least I know I am making progress. Anyway gotta run; times out and laundry's done but until next week! I'll fill you all in on my visitor center training.

Sister Karly Nelson

Friday, July 16, 2010

July 16, 2010 MTC

Hey everyone!!! One week down and three to go. Life is good. Really busy and scheduled but it’s not that bad. I love the spirit that is here and the inspiration that just comes to me; I now get what Kyle said when he mentioned that the inspiration didn't come as much when he got home. Anyway I still wake up at 5:45 a.m. to work out at the aerobics classes they have for the Sisters. I'm getting my miles in as well Debbie! It’s such a stress reliever and we literally sit in a classroom all day so we don't move and I can feel my muscles wasting away. But my brain is gone by the end of the day so I guess that means I am working hard. We study all the time and work on lessons for our "investigators".


A few stories I have are my companion, Sister Pielstick, from Florida, and I went to our first "real investigator" meeting. His name was George and we sat down and started getting to know him. He was really hard. Usually the people who volunteer are all about being the golden contact but not this guy. He was ready with his Bible to get all of his questions about Mormons answered... or not. I don't think he really cared. But he was like why do you worship Joseph Smith? Why do you practice polygamy? Why do you think that Jesus Christ and God are different people? My companion started looking up scriptures to prove why our side was right and inside I was dying because I knew that this was going nowhere and that we were failing. I sat there and then when a pause came I looked at "George" and said I may not know everything but I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are two different people, I told the Joseph Smith story and bore my testimony that I knew the gospel was true because I had received a witness myself. He stopped talking and the spirit was like BAM! Inside I was like "boo, ya nailed it" and then my companion says, “Yes, well in John something it says this so this proves that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are two separate people.” He said I want to talk to this Sister right now. And looked at me... oops oh well he felt the spirit I told him about the Book of Mormon and he invited us back. When we left I was really sad because we really did a bad job teaching but my companion was like it was a good thing I had that scripture in John or else he would never have started listening. Yeah that’s my companion. She is really nice but sometimes she really makes me laugh. It’s ok, we will all get it. My teacher was watching and said I did the right thing so I felt better after that.


Oh, another story: So Jenny Oaks Baker did our Sunday Devotional and Elder Oaks was there. Listening to her really made me want to play my violin but we are not allowed to play any instrument at the MTC. But after my District and I were walking back and Elder Oaks drove by and stopped the car and waved to us saying, "Hello Elders and Sisters!" I yelled back, "Hey! We are going to Temple Square. See you in a month!!" I don't think he heard me since he started driving off but our district leader put his suit jacket over his head and said, “I have never been more ashamed of my district than right now.” I rolled my eyes; I have no shame. What can I say? Oh tell Sister Larson thanks for the package. It was a life saver!!! Really I was so excited for everything in the package, the snacks especially since the food here is gross. I was hoping that my stomach and taste buds would become desensitized but nope, still bad. We all get really excited for meals and then get our food and have really depressing looks on our faces. It’s fine, though. We don't move around much so we don't need that much food.


Clarification: I am not district leader (I am not a guy) I am just senior companion so sorry. I am not that amazing enough to break through all of the priesthood rules.


My district is awesome, though. I know I said that last week but really we all get along so well. We eat our meals together and gym time we usually play volleyball or softball. There are only a total of 4 Sisters in my zone and there are 3 districts of 10. All of the Elders in our zone are going somewhere in the United states so they are leaving a week before us. The other Sisters and I will all be really sad to see them go, but that’s the mission, right?


Thanks for the sports update, I shared it with all the Elders and became the coolest Sister in the zone. It still takes a while for me to fall asleep at night but I guess that shouldn’t surprise me since I have always been that way. Anyway keep telling me everything that is going on. I love hearing news from the outside world. This bubble is cool and all but... yeah. Oh and there are so many rules. It’s crazy! Fist bumping the elders is not allowed. That’s probably the worst one. lol Yeah, but I am doing great, I love being a missionary and I really can't wait to get out to Temple Square and talk to everyone about the gospel and how they can be happy! I get that a lot from our "investigators." Wow you are happy or when I say this gospel makes me happy they all say, "I can see that". It’s busy and I try not to fall asleep in most of my classes BUT life goes on. Gotta go but love you all!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

July 7, 2010 The Drop Off... by Craig T.










Sister Karly Nelson entered the MTC in a manner totally different than any other Nelson. Knowing how the game is played we decided to "drop" her off early instead of the appointed time at 1:15 p.m. After trying to no avail to contact Robert Grant who is on the coaching staff at BYU football and having lunch with Kyle at Legend's on campus by the BYU Sports Hall of Fame we drove over to the MTC. As we entered the driveway a happy, smiling greeter asked what we were doing. "Dropping off a missionary!" He then slapped a purple sticky on our windshield signifying "incoming" and directed us left to the driveway that winds around the south side of the building. For seven previous missionaries we would turn right to the entrance of the MTC and proceed north to the parking lot.

Large poles had been erected with numbers on top signifying where cars were to park along the curb and because we were early and therefore the first to arrive we drove all the way down to the last parking space, #25. In doing so we passed dozens of Elders (no Sisters) in white shirts and ties, well-groomed and receiving instruction about the onslaught that would begin shortly.

Karly noticed the ratio of Elders to Sisters, she being the only Sister and figured 100 to 1 odds worked in her favor. Her immortal comment was, "I think I can do this". Her father reminded her of two things: 1) you're on a mission - arm's length and 2) You're 21 and they're 19. About that time we arrived at the last parking spot, opened the door and were immediately greeted by two smiling Elders who asked, "Do you have a lap top?' Karly said "No." "Do you have a cell phone?" Karly said "No." "Do you have your medical records?" Karly said "Yes" and with that the Elders grabbed her luggage and off they marched with Karly loving every minute. She did momentarily look back and wave, but was soon lost in the company of Elders.

Karly's Version


Ok well as soon as they dropped me off they took me to a "Host Sister" who took me to my residence hall/ room and we dropped off my stuff. They told me that I had to go put my violin away in a locked room becuase we aren't allowed to have instruments at the MTC but I don't know when I will have time for it on the mission anyway but that is another story. So anyway she took me to the main building where they took my picture, put my name tag on me, then they gave me a bag full of "stuff" like our schedules, key, meal card, etc. Then they gave me a new preach my gospel and then they took me to my classroom in building 8M room 309 to meet with my district and my companion. I was the second one there so it was just me and another Elder. My companion came last but we all sat in a room until 3:00 getting to know one another. Then we had class, then dinner, then they took us to a room where we taught our fist investigator. We switched every 30 minutes to a new one and it was so cool! It is amazing how I didn't even know these people but they were so unhappy and the whole time I just felt like I wanted to shake them and say listen to our message becuase it will make you happy! The love I felt for them was instantaneous, so I kinda understand now how our heavenly father feels about us but I am sure when I am a parent I will understand more. And they were actors! They are not even real. But after that we went back to our residence halls and unpacked. Thats what we did the first day I guess, it was really busy and it was a really long day.

Email To Debbie July 10, 2010

Debbie I miss you!!!
I miss running with you, my comp can only run 1 mile and then she is done but thats ok we will work up to it :) I have 3 minutes so Food: terrible, Schedule: Crazy busy but I like it, but I love p-days! We took an hour nap and I am loving life. We haven't done service yet but we just sit and go to class or study for 12 hours of the day. We taught our first lesson and it didn't go well aka it wasn't perfect but thats ok I have only been here for 3 days. It feels like an eternity I feel like I have been here for 3 weeks already. Glad to hear the kids are doing well and that you finally got to have an amazing run on the treadmill. Keep it up I wish I had a treadmill. Send me pictures and recipes of the things you try out I am looking forward to cooking again, but I will miss not having food provided for me. If you send packages send fruit or something. Oh I really need a shampoo holder container thing you know for the shower. Oh and for gym time the pants I brought are spandex so I can't wear them!!! I have been wearing my sweats. Anyway those are my dilemas. I love the letters on dearelder I get them the next day. My p-days are usually on fridays so this day is special. I am working hard I swear and I never sleep :) Anyway gotta go, bye!

July 10, 2010 MTC

Hey what's up! Sister Nelson reporting in! Anyway, life is good! I am doing well and it is awesome here. The spirit here is so strong and I could feel it as soon as I got out of the car. Yeah sorry Mom, I know I practically ran away from you and Dad but I was just really excited. I just dropped my stuff off and got my stuff and ever since then it has been non stop studying and learning the gospel. I wonder why I didn't dedicate my life to doing this stuff earlier. But that's ok. I am over it since I now have the next 18 months to do this. It is hard, I will admit, but it's a different hard than I was expecting. I am super tired all day long... until it's 10:30 p.m. and lights out. Then I just can't stop thinking about gospel topics or ways to talk to people. It's bad and I decided that I have issues. The food... sucks. Yes, we banned that word as a district but I feel it appropriate at this time. Really it is. Pizza Thursday has been my favorite day so far. But we wake up, eat, then study till noon, then eat, then study till dinner, then eat, then gym time! Well technically gym time changes every day but it's always after a meal which is really unfortunate for my stomach. Luckily my companion, Sister Pielstick, likes to exercise too. It was a companionship made it heaven. They also offer an Aerobics class at 6 a.m. I get up at 5:45 a.m. everyday just to go exercise, then get ready so I can be at our classroom by 7:00 a.m.
But I love the other Sisters in my district; we all get along really well. We all went to BYU and so we know a lot of the same people. The Elders in my district are awesome as well. We decided yesterday that we are the coolest district in the MTC because we are all pretty much amazing. These Elders are going to Raleigh, North Carolina. Oh there are 27 Sister missionaries going to Temple Square that came to the MTC on my same day. Sometimes when we meet different Sisters they are also going to Temple Square so we all act like girls and squeal with excitement. Oh I know EVERYONE here. I see someone new that I know everyday and the Elders in my district always cough and say "Popular!" I just smile. None of these guys went to BYU which is the only reason why I know all the teachers. I know a lot of Sister missionaries too from my previous wards. Oh I had to get a tetanus shot. They want them renewed every 5 years and I got mine 6 years ago so you are going to have to call the MTC and ask about paying for shots. I think it was $43, sorry. I put on a show and they gave me a sucker and a cookie, oh yeah, way to work the system. Anyway I don't have much time but a couple things I need: A backpack (seriously I have sooooo much to carry), a watch. Oh they made me senior companion and I need to be on top of time so a watch would be appreciated. I left my pentel 8 marking pencil at home!!! So should I buy one or should I wait for you guys to send me it? If you send packages, granola bars would be nice since we never eat except at meal times and can you send me one of my journals. I gave you one too many.
But I love it here, it's hard but it is wonderful at the same time. I am always smiling and laughing. I have this love for everyone I meet. It's kinda weird. Maybe it's just me seeing people how our Heavenly Father sees them but when I teach people I have this desire to let them know about the gospel and how it can make them happy. Gah, I just want to get to Temple Square!!! MTC is cool and all but I am ready to go... ha that's a lie. My lessons are terrible.
Anyway, I love you all more than 1,000 In-N-Out burgers
Sister Nelson

Friday, July 2, 2010

My address for the next month

Sister Karly Ann Nelson
MTC Mailbox # 251
UT-TMSQ 0804
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793