What is Faith?

President Scruggs gave some great talks about how we can reach our goal as a mission for 252 baptisms for this year. He said "do you know what faith is?" Faith is not positive thinking. "Faith is qualifying to know and then to do God's will" That hit me like a ton of bricks and I've been trying to apply that so much this week, because this is the Lord's work and He knows what I should be doing, working in His vineyard so I'm striving to be better at being faithful, "qaualifying to know and then doing god's will."

Michaels bed. I can tell cause those are th blue sheets I bought him.

I believe these are Rugby Jersey's Michael and the other missionary on the other end are wearing. Rugby is a huge deal in Australia.

Stephen and Bryce Ward Halloween Party 2009

Last night we attended our Ward Halloween Party and Stephen and Bryce dressed up as greasers! They looked so cool! They had a carnival for all the kids and a chilli cookoff. Mike always makes his chilli and tops it with an avocado relish and sour cream mix. It was very good but I dont believe he won this year. He did a couple of years ago. Then they had a trunk-or-treat. Mike and I left at that point to go and see the new Michael Jackson movie "This is It". We did enjoy the movie. It was interesting and kinda sad too. I loved Michael Jackson's music. I was a big dancer at that time and would faithfully attend all the young adult dances and always danced to his music. Anyway, it was a fun Halloween night. Now tonight is the real thing. We will stay home and answer the door for trick-or-treaters!

Michael and Stephen Halloween 1996

Little did I know when we dressed these 2 in these Halloween costumes that year, just how telling these costumes would be about the kind of people these 2 boys would be. Michael has become our Knight in Shining Armor in our family....He is a great missionary and has come to our rescue with uplifting letters of testimony and strength since he has been on his mission. And Stephen is and always has been such a clown! ....He makes us laugh everyday and brightens our lives with his laughter and his passion for life! I love Halloween!

Serving the Lord in Australia

Elder Nelson in Australia October 25, 2009

Well, here he is.! We finally got pictures of our missionary this past week. We can see that he is not suffering at all. He is having a great mission and being treated like a king! Here's his latest letter home.

I think about my family a lot and the one thing I want is for you all to be happy! Find happiness! Find joy in the journey! I know its not easy but we have to try to be of good cheer in adversity. The Lord is always there to carry our burdens. I'm sorry that there is so much change happening. But I remember President Scruggs was talking about change and how neccessary it is. He compared it to a plant who was growing beautifully and then got cut back to the bottom again by its gardener and when the plant cried out why did you cut my beautiful branches? The gardener replied you have greater potential. It was something like that but basically we need change because it gives us another chance to grow and become more christlike. If we always trust the Lord we will never stray off the path. My favorite scripture is 2Nephi 4:34 but I would say read the whole chapter its so good. Anyways I hope that you all can find some happiness especially in being with each other. I love you all so much. Manwia le aso! Have a good day! FA!