Notes from Elder Nelson in Australia

Well, it's a good day. I am so glad I heard from Michael last night. I worried about him all week. I am feeling more normal now that I got his letter and now that Bryce is back home again. It seems the older I get the harder it is to part with my children in anyway. I want to hang on to them forever.

On a personal note this is what Michael had to say this week:

Mum, send me packages on holidays or whenever and whatever you want. Anything from America is awesome!

It's awesome to hear about Dad's job and about you attending institute this week. I love hearing these things. Stephen, you're a stud! Iheard a quote and thought of Stephen: "Good leaders direct people, but Great leaders direct people to Jesus Christ" I love you and thank you for everything. I love being a missionary. I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to be successful. Have a good week!

p.s. I am putting all my pictures on a cd and I will be sending it home soon. (cant wait for that:)

MIA

Michael and Bryce are giving me greif this week!

I usually get an email on Sunday night from Michael and I still have not heard from him and it is now Thursday!! And Bryce has been gone since Monday at Sly Park with his school class, so that means I am homesick for my boys! Stephen of course is still here and being his usual silly self but it is still not the same without hearing from Michael this week and seeing Brycie's cute face and getting his big hugs in the mornings when he wakes up. I am sure they are both doing fine, I just hate not knowing for sure...ya know? 2 years keeps getting longer and longer each week! Cant wait to have lunch with Cindy on Friday and talk about the kids! Missing my BOYS!

Somebody is missing his buddy this week. Bryce left yesterday to go to Sly Park with his 6th grade class for a week. He was so excited to go but worried about missing Dash at the same time. I know that Dash can feel that something is just not right around here. It was weird last night with only Stephen at home with us. Of course Stephen loved the undivided attention that he cant seem to ever get enough of. I know that Bryce is having a blast. He is really growing up now...fast! It's funny how once they hit 6th grade you can see them graduating from High School. I am sad in a lot of ways but so excited for him too.

Fall Homecoming 2006

Stephen's first homecoming in high school is coming up soon.

Just reminising about that dinner Mike and I hosted for Michael

and his friends and their dates when they were finally dating age.

Stephen will NOT be having that opportunity YET, but he has

some fun times ahead of him. This was a blast! 18 kids around

this big table (3 tables). Thanks to Alisa, Linda, Leesa, and the

Borups and of course our Chef "Mike" for a fun and memorable

evening. Good Memories:) I love teenagers!

Our Family's Favorite Sunday Meal

Beef chunks in gravy with noodles w/ rolls &
Serve with steamed vegies or a green salad.
(okay this is backwards.. just start at the bottom
and work your way up:)


Dont forget your Rhodes rolls which come in frozen
little balls all ready to set out on your cookie sheet
to thaw for 4 hours. Comes in a bag of 36 for about
$3-$4. Best tasting frozen rolls.


Put mix over beef chunks and stir together in
crock pot. Put on low for about 4-6 hours.

Mix together 1 can cream mushroom, 1 can cream
of celery and 1 pkg lipton onion soup mix, 1 can water

2 lbs of your favorite beef/ we like trip tip best
cut up into bite size chunks .

Stephen Nelson Pleasant Grove Freshman Scrimage

#81 Stephen Nelson (practice jersey)

Stephen- Fullback

Rio Linda Scrimage Jamboree

Stephen Nelson, Cole Thompson, Jacob Fagan

The 3 Muskateers!

Stephen was so excited after his first Freshman football scrimage experience when he showed me his "battle wounds" with a big smile on his face. It better not get worse than this!

I thought I enjoyed watching Michael play basketball in high school. Watching Stephen play football is just as exciting! Sorry for whoever sits next to me at games ( I have a bad habit of hitting whoever is there) I dont even realize I'm doing it.......

"There is nothing more vital to our success and our happiness here than learning to hear the voice of the spirit. It is the Spirit who reveals to us our identity-which isn't just who we are but who we have always been. And that when we know, our lives take on a sense of purpose so stunning that we can never be the same again."

Sheri Dew