Colorful visitors

Yesterday Bridger came anxiously running into my house calling, "Aunt Lisa, Aunt Lisa, you need to come see something!"  And as he took me outside we saw these beautiful, colorful hot air balloons passing over the neighborhood.

It is Art City Days in Springville.

An annual event with a carnival and lots of activities going on.

 I Loved the way this one hung over the mountain.

And this pig?

Mom rode Bridger back to the house on her back.  She's too much!

She called me later to explain that she probably couldn't use the expression,

"when pigs fly" anymore......because now we know they really do!

The Letter

Yesterday we recieved Michael's release letter from his Mission President in the mail.  It was adressed to Mr. & Mrs. Michael Rowley Nelson.  He expressed gratitude for Elder Nelson's service along with his release date and included was a travel intinerary for his return trip home.  At the bottom of the letter there was a special handwritten note from President Simmons which read as follows:

A fantastic missionary!

Loved and served with all he had.

I will miss his influence on the whole mission.

You can be very, very pleased with his offering.

It was a very nice letter and brought tears to my eyes. 

 He will be home in just 33 short days! We are so excited!!

EFY Aftermath

Stephen and his 3 closest friends attended EFY last week.  So, last night we were invited to the Kester Home to enjoy a campfire EFY aftermath with the 4 families of these 4 awesome young men.

We enjoyed listening to the boys share their favorite scriptures with us.

Along with their most memorable moments.

This is a group of very determined and spiritually strong young men who have the ability to influence many people in their lives.  They taught us from the scriptures and testified of the importance of living the gospel in their lives in all places and at all times.

I asked them to share with the younger boys what they had learned in the course of their youth so far that has brought then to where they are today.  I was so impressed with the things they shared and the strength and boldness in declaring the importance of choosing good friends and being truly happy with yourself by living the way they know Heavenly Father would have them live.

One of the Mom's expressed ,with tear filled eyes, how special these 4 boys are.  Three of them grew up together, she said, and it was as though Stephen was always a part of them, and was the missing peice that makes them complete.  It was a tender evening that we all shared.  Bryce is so excited and thrilled to take his turn next year at EFY!

It is a bit expensive, but EFY has always been

totally worth the sacrifice to send our teenagers.

Great Blessings await any teenager that attends it! 

2 great men

So, the time is drawing near when Elder Nelson will be returning.  I have been thinking a lot about our family and about these great men that I am surrounded by.  I wanted to share the last letter that Mike wrote to Michael and the reply that Michael sent back to him.  I feel honored and blessed to be a part of their lives...they truly are 2 great men!


Dear Servant of the Lord,

Mom is driving home from Nampa, Idaho. They left about noon. She is afraid of missing you so I will represent the letter writer.
James gave his homecoming today. I guess it was good I haven't heard yet. I did hear that he gave a talk to just the family on Saturday.
It rained today. I don't remember Utah being so wet. I have only seen the sun a couple of times since we moved here. Next week it looks like sun all week. Yay!

Bryce and Stephen are done with school till the fall. Stephen is a junior now. Wow. Stephen said there was an assembly and he was getting an award for something, but we weren't invited to go, sad. When he came home he said he was given a couple awards. The first one was "Outstanding Athlete." He reminded me that I said he wouldn't be an athlete. Ouch. The second award was even more a surprise than the first. The school presented him with a plaque that said "in recognition of outstanding accomplishments, contributions and school spirit-Stephen Nelson Red Devil of the Year"


What? OMG, really, seriously, shut up. That one takes a minute to process doesn't it? Mom and I both thought, why did Heavenly Father send you boys to us? We are no bodies yet our children are somebodies. Individually we aren't much but together we can make some great kids. You all attract people and because you have testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ you can influence people for good.


We attended bryces dance recital. It started at 8:30 and ended at eleven. Bryce was 35th out of 38 performances. That's a lot right? He finally went out on stage and they didn't have the music so they went to the next performance. We were freaking out. Once they got the music qued up they brought them back out and bryce danced his little heart out. he was looking at the audience and smiling having a good time. His little partner was good too.


We have been blessed to raise you boys as our own. Today in the ward library I ran into the primary president and she said what is the secret? you and Lisa have done such a good job with your boys. I just said thank you, but it made me think, have Lisa and I done anything? I think most of it comes from you boys. You were valiant boys as spirits and you only needed a body to be able to shine. We take no credit for your character or success. We are just glad we were chosen to be your parents.


Grandpa sure is tough. We sheetrocked the garage ceiling saturday. He was lifting sheets up to his shoulder he might not be strong but he is tough. 82 and still working. I want to be able to build houses for my boys. That would be awesome.

It is fast sunday and I didn't feel the Spirit prompting me to stand up but I think I will speak out if only to you. I have tried to put my life in God's hands to do what he would with me. It scares me to think what he might want from me so I don't think about it too much. I always thought I was special in a spiritual way. I never had a great desire to do things I shouldn't. I believed what I was taught and I experienced the Holy Ghost many times witnessing to me of the truth. I read the Book of Mormon to receive revelation, to receive a testimony that it was true. I got my answer. It was wonderful. I accepted the call to serve a mission and Heavenly Father has blessed me ever since. I listen to the prophets and know they are speaking the truth. But the testimony most important is to know the Savior. He has done for me what no man could and suffered for righteous as well as for the most evil men that ever walked the earth knowing they would reject his atonement yet he suffered anyway. His love fills my soul often. I was listening to Elder Holland's talk Saturday while I was eating lunch and the Spirit hit me really hard. I wasn't expecting it because I was sitting in my work clothes eating lunch.

We enjoy a persecution free life right now but as the world becomes more wicked we will see the day when we are persecuted. We will be hated for what we believe, for what we think, for what we hope for. Jesus performed miracles that caused the jewish leaders to hate Jesus and want to kill him. Jesus was suppering with some people where Lazarus was also invited. Those that hated Jesus sought to kill not only Jesus but Lazarus as well. Remember the guy that was blind and had been all his life and jesus blessed him with sight? The Jewish leaders called the man into to be questioned and then they called his parents to be questioned. The leaders were extremely irritated. They looked for any excuse to take away the fame that Jesus was receiving.


The early Christians were not well accepted by many leaders of Europe. They were persecuted and tortured for they're beliefs because politically they threatened those in power. We will one day in the not too distant future be persecuted in our only country. Develop the faith Michael to bless your children and grandchildren with faith to stand for what is right, to choose the right. It means doing what your doing-living the life Jesus wants you to live. He doesn't really care where we live but how we live.


It's time to go. I've enjoyed writing to you. I hope you are doing well. Mom is preparing something to send your companion. I think I will write your companion when I finish your letter. Does your companion have email?


Take Care
Love you

Dad


Thanks for the email Dad. I really liked reading it. I do love you and Mum for your perseverance and patience in raising me, Stephen and Bryce. I can see your head getting bigger as I'm writing this haha jk. No, but sincerely I am truly grateful and I know that I have been a somewhat effective missionary because of the foundation you and Mum helped me build upon. I love you both.


Well I gotta go. Until next week!
Ofa atu, Elder Nelson

A Proud Momma

I'll never forget Stephen's last day of Kindergarten.  We came home from his graduation and he sat and watched the video that his teacher made of all the activities they had during the year, over and over again.  Then he came up to me with those sad puppy dog eyes and said, "mom, I miss my friends" and he broke out crying.  I felt so sorry for him and I hugged him tight.  I will never forget the way each ending of a school year affected him.  He is so sentimental that boy.

Well, he sure makes it a point to be remembered each school year and just as we expected, Stephen has more friends and has more fun at school than anyone we know.

Yesterday they had awards during school and they chose one boy and one girl out of each class to recieve the "Red Devil of the Year" award.  And Stephen was chosen from the Sophomore class! 

 This award is given to this person for their outstanding acheivements, contributions and school spirit. 

They also chose one boy and one girl from each class to recieve the

"Outstanding Athlete" award and guess who got this one?

None other than our Stephen!

Can I just say that I am a Proud Momma? 

We expect great things from you Stephen!!

Getting there

Okay, so this whole sheetrock thing is taking forever!

But!  Here is how it is coming along.

This is a view of the livingroom and kitchen areas, looking from the front door.

Straight ahead is the fireplace with windows on either side. Then off to the right is the kitchen nook, with the kitchen area continuing from there. 

 Just a little sneak peek.

Cant wait til it's done...getting anxious!

Baseball

Now that Stephen's Baseball season is over, Bryce's is just starting.  SHS had a tough baseball season this year.  Better luck next year Devils!

 

Bryce is playing catcher for his team "The Dodgers" this year.  Stephen also played catcher this year.  So, one baseball season ends and another begins.  

I just love a teenage boy in a uniform. Baseball, football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse,  scout, or priesthood,you name it....it's all so cool!