My Carpenter's Handiwork for Christmas

So, I've been thinking that this Chrismas is a very special one.  Not that every Chrismas isnt special but this year has been a tough one for us which is why this Chrismas is very special.  Along with the trials we have had this year as a family and individually, we have also had many blessings which have not come by way of things but by way of awakenings and a realization in our lives of what is truly inportant and how blessed we really are.  Which is what made me think of this music box.  This year Mike has had a tough time with employment as many people have had.  Mike is a craftsman.  He loves to create and build.  He has built homes in one way or another for most of his life.  From the time he was little and stood by his Dad's side swinging a hammer, to working in Montana in the dead of winter earning enough money to go on his mission, to building homes among other things on and off over the past 20 years.  So, it is just in his blood and has been a part of who he is forever.  Well, the other night someone decided to open his tool box in the back of his truck ( unfortunately he had accidentally left it unlocked that night) and they stole some of his tools.  Well, Mike is not a big whiner nor is he a negative thinker so I didnt realize til the other day just what it meant to him to have those tools stolen, till yesterday, and boy did I FIND OUT how much it bothered him.  So, back to this music box.  This music box is probably the most special Christmas gift I ever recieved.  Mike designed it and made it for me our first year of Chrismas together.  I was 7 months pregnant with Michael.  Anyway, I was surprised to see it when he gave it to me that Christmas.  It was uniquely handcrafted with beveled glass framed in beautifully crafted oak wood, and a musical peice set into a marble surface that played Canon in D measure.  It is a treasure and will always remind me of the love Mike has for me and for his craft.  He is quite a perfectionist when he creates and always puts his heart into everything he makes.  I love my Carpenter!

Dear Mum......Elder Nelson on a personal note

Mum, I'm going to buy socks this week and I'll ask around about the slacks.  Tell Uncle Jerry and Aunt Rhea that I love them and that Imissed having Thanksgiving with them.  I'll have to write them but preparation days are shorter in December, they end at 1 because so much happens in Dec.  My shoes are looking really good so far.  The Eccos are taking a beating because I wear them every day but the Cole Haans are sweet as.  The Eccos will hold I hope.  I'lllet you know.  I had to buy a helmet because I lost my other one and it cost me $80 bucks.  (everything is expensive here) and I thought I could get reimbursed but I cant so sorry!  I'M SO EXCITED TO HEAR HOW GOD IS BLESSING MY FAMILY!  that's so good to hear about the job and Bryce!  TELL HIM HE'S A STUD AND I LOVE HIM!!   heal up quick so you can do well in practice.  I wish I was there to play with him!  That's a pretty weird dream you had and I do remember that day when I played that song:)  Oh by the way, for chrismas Zone conference we are having a talent show and I was allowed to borrow a guitar and so I wrote a song!  WOO!  I've missed it so much!  It's  about our district, The Manly(that's the name of the place) District, and everyone likes it so I'll have to send you the lyrics or get it recorded or something.  Keep up the walking!  While you're losing weight I'm gaining so good on ya!  lol, no but serious.   Sounds like you are in for a fun christmas so that's exciting!  I'm lucky to have Elder Modlik for Christmas because we're just best mates and we've got some fun stuff planned.  Oh yeah, I'll probably be calling on Boxing day for me since that's chrismas day for you.  What number will I call?  Tell Sophia thanks for the letter she sent not too long ago and I hope she got my reply.  Tell her she's a studette and keep up the good work.  Stephen, I love you bro....but...you DONT WRITE ME!  What the heck mate?!? I swear I will come home and beat you, so help me, even with this name tag on my chest.  Have you ever been beaten by a representative of Jesus Christ?? Trust me, you dont want to.  Bryce, write me.  Or death.  Dad, I love you, Stay sweet (said like in the movie "Hot Rod").  But also if you dont write me then, well have you ever heard of "dusting"? um yeah.  "Get that Corn outta my face!  I looked like a fool last night!"  Until next time....Elder Nelson OUT!

Dreaming of an Australian

Last night I had a dream about Michael.  I dont consciously think about how much I miss him and all that stuff that makes me cry because it is just too hard to go there and besides I know he is fine and exactly where he needs to be.  So, most of the time I just go about my day with him in the back of my mind and know that he is just fine and will be home before I know it.
But last night I had a dream that that he was still home getting ready for his mission but that he was always gone doing missionary work.  So, for some reason he and I were taking this art class (dont ask me why).  And the class had started but Michael hadnt gotten there yet.  So, all of a sudden in walks Michael and he is dressed in his basketball shorts, a t-shirt and his missionary name tag lol!  He is in a hurry as usual and walks to the back of the class where he begins to open a going away gift that the teacher gave him.  I stood there waiting patiently for him to see me.  The gift he opened was an art book and a bag of paints that also contained 2 aprons 1 for his compaion and one for him.  Then Michael saw me and came right over to me and gave me a great big bear hug and I began to cry, in fact I began to sob and then suddenly I could hear him and feel him break down in my arms and begin to sob also.  So, of course this is when I woke up and when I woke up I was crying in my sleep and so I just laid there and cried and thought about how much I miss my son.

This brought back a very special memory that Michael and I had together his senior year in High School.  He was taking a Music Theory Class and it was towards the end of the school year and we were very busy and getting everything ready for graduation.  So, he called me over to the piano and asked me to listen to something (I cant remember what) then I asked him to play the song he had to compose for his class.  As he played this song all of a sudden it just hit me!  It was like his whole life flashed before my mind and I was in complete awe and amazment of the young man he had become.  When he was finished we just looked at eachother and I said,"Michael, you blow me away, I am just so proud of you and the person you are and all that you have become." Then I began to cry and so Michael got up from the piano bench and gave me a big bear hug and then he began to cry too so, we both just stood there hugging eachother and crying.  I will never forget that special moment we had together, I will treasure it forever.  I am so thankful for Michael and the young man that he is. He has always been a very sensitive young man and very drawn to spiritual things.  I love him and I miss him, but I know he is doing a great and important work.

We've Been CLAUS'D

So, we were "Claus'd" the other night.  The door bell rang and there it was.  This plate of cookies (well actually it was a different plate and we ate most of them before I took this picture, but whatever) and this box of gingerbread cookie mix and this cute card talking about how we've been "Claus'd" and what to do now.  So, you tear off the little note that says "Our family has been CLAUS'D by the Vineyard Ward"! and you put it in your window so that everyone knows you've already been claus'd and then you take the plate and fill it with something yummy and go and claus someone else in the ward anonymously. 
Anyway, so cute so I need to get busy and make something yummy to share with the next victim.

Elder Nelson's Letter 11/29/09

So, Elder Modlik and I had a great week. Heaps of good happened, and bad, but mostly good. We met with our investigator Michael Armiger and committed him to be baptised on the 12th of December and he was really excited about it but he didnt come to church sooo yeah he needs to come next week to be baptised. He's got a pretty hectic job so hopefully it slows down a little so he can make it. Candice is doing good but the bad news is we just found out she smokes. I dont know how she hid it from us and we had talked about the Word of Wisdom before but we just found out so we are trying to help her to stop at the moment. We gave her this 7 day quitting program so if she sticks to it, it will work. Her baptism is set for the 12th too. Oh yeah, thanks for the christmas package!!! it was awesome!! I left most of them wrapped so I can open them on christmas but I hate to tell you...the salsa broke and got all over a lot of stuff. Most of it is fine but the mike and ikes were no good and the pictures were ruined :( I was just talking to my comp about that salsa just the other day too so thank you for trying to send it but I've learned now that they arent nice to packages so be careful with what you send. If you could do me a favor and just send pictures or something then that would be sweet because almost every picture you've sent to me has been messed up. I LOVE YOU THOUGH! Thanks for trying! Other than that E modlik and I gave talks yesterday on missionary work and that went really well. I love the feeling of the spirit talking through me. There just comes that moment when its just not me talking anymore. Its the best! I love it(said like Nacho Libre). lol and yeah I taught the young men's class because they brought 5 non member friends so I taught the restoration and we watched the restoration dvd. it was good. The youth in this ward amaze me. They are not afraid to invite their friends to church or anything. "Perfect love casteth out all fear." Another one of our investigators, Mike Thompson, is planning on getting baptised right before christmas but he's waiting for his wife to come home. She's a member but she's working in California right now! yayeah! she's african american actually and her name is Melodie and she is a performer so it'll be sweet when I can finally meet her but we are just praying our hearts out that she can make it here before christmas so he can get baptised. So we're working hard and making sure that we're worthy of miracles because miracles are definitely needed now. I love you and pray for you always.



Cheers, Elder Nelson

Santa came by last night and brought this.

So, I decided we better get the Christmas boxes down last night and start decorating for Chrismas even though we decided we would forgo the expense of getting a Christmas tree this year.  So, we were getting into the Christmas spirit and we had Christmas music on and we were laughing and joking and singing and then there was a knock on the door and Mike answered it and  it was a man who reminded us very much of Santa because he was happy and jolly and very kind and he had this beautiful tree in his hands.  Mike called me over and said you better come take a look at this.  I was overcome with joy and gratitude!  It was the most beautiful Christmas tree I had ever seen!  Mike said "I think Santa deserves a hug"...so of course I threw my arms around Santa and gave him a great big hug and even a kiss on the cheek...I hope Mrs. Santa doesnt mind.  I was just so happy.  I felt quite emotional and very loved.  The kids just stood there with their mouths open wide.  Wow! What a wonderful gift.  We Love Santa!

I did it!

Okay so I really try hard NOT to drink this!  My body just doesnt do well when I drink caffine.  I really enjoy it much too much!  Then I start drinking it every day and then I cant sleep.  So, I really try to just stay away from the stuff.  However, today I did it!  I CAVED in and I had myself one of these.  I know, I shouldn't have because ya know, all of the above.....but if I haven't had one for a while and I have a lot to do then....I do it!  And I DID IT.  So, now I can get everything done today that I need to do hopefully.  Actually just trying to clean this house and recover from the weekend.  I'm just not motivated to do everything that I need to do and this.....well....motivates me.  What can I say, I just need a little pick me up from time to time and this "picks me up".  So, here I go......