Week 43

“A missionary is someone who leaves their family for a short time, so that others may be with their families for an eternity.”                            

Unknown

Monday, May 16th, 2016

(Just one photo this week, with no description)

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well! 

Not a whole ton happened this week but we worked as hard as we could. A few things were relatively new to me but I'll get a handle of them in time. I know that everything happens for a reason and that sometimes things happen and we want to change it but it is out of our hands. 

Today I just want to share a scripture that my father shared with me in his email to me this week. I think it applies to something every one of us can control. 

In John 14:6 it reads:

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

I think that this scripture, in its simplicity, shows exactly what we need to do in this life. If we want to live again with our Father in Heaven we have to come unto Christ. We have to know Him and be like Him. This is my testimony and of this I am certain, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I hope everyone has a good week! 

Elder Nimmo

Week 42

“I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to spread the gospel, He will bind up your broken hearts, dry your tears, and set you and your families free. That is my missionary promise to you and your missionary - message to the world.” 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Monday, May 9th, 2016

 "The many faces of Elder Nimmo! I know that as much as I miss my missionary, as hard as it was to hang up from the Skype call today, as much as I would love to put my arms around him right now and hold him, I was able to "dry my tears and bind up my broken heart." I am "free" from dread and pain of having him gone because his purpose of spreading the gospel is far greater than my missing him. As long as I know he is safe, healthy and happy, I can wait until that beautiful reunion when I will throw my arms around him with tears of joy and a full heart."     

Brandi Nimmo aka Mother of Cole

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day! 

Short but sweet letter today but what I lack in message I make up for in photos! This week went by very fast. We had a lot of stuff to do and a lot of things happened.

Elder Carvalho went home today so to celebrate we went to Biques for lunch on the beach Friday. The food was great as usual. 

Saturday five couples were married and 29 people were baptized. No one really gets married in Mozambique. It was a great day! 

And to end the week I had the opportunity to speak with my family and to see my mother! Skyping always goes by so fast for the little amount of time that we have. After our call, we were fed by the senior missionary couple. It was a great end to our day. 

I just want to testify that I know this church to be true and that this is the Lord's work and it is progressing. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Nimmo

Beach life with my comp!

Goodbye lunch for Elder Carvalho.

First comes marriage...

...then comes baptism!

A memorable day.

Missionary madness

and mayhem!

Happy Mother's Day!

Week 41

"This is one of the most special experiences I have had so far on my mission. For a second I felt as if I had a glimpse into what it must have been like to be The Savior teaching a multitude of people."

Monday, May 2, 2016

We spent Family Home Evening with a cool kid named Donaldo!

This week some fun stuff happened!

First off we had some people come to church, that is always a plus. Also a family that I love very much down in T-3 was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday! I was so happy to know it finally happened! Besides that a pretty normal week. 

There was a fuss about manifestations that could happen because the inflation of the Metical (Mozambique currency) and the change in prices. Besides that nothing spectacular. I wasn't able to do email yesterday because of a national holiday. Dia dos Trabalhadores - (Workers Day). So it was on May 1st (Happy Belated Birthday to my little sister Savvy BTW!) Because it landed on a Sunday they recognized the holiday on May 2nd so that no one has to go in to work. So therefore every place that had internet was shut down for the day. We played basketball for our P-day and that was fun. 

So as for my scatter-brained summary of the week I feel the need to apologize, sorry. 

I had a really cool experience this past week and this will be my spiritual thought. 

Praia Nova is a very poor area in Beira, if not the poorest. Because they live on the beach, and due to the weather here in Mozambique, many of their houses were destroyed. They were placed in a refugee camp outside of The Pavilion (The place where we play Gatorball.) 

Elder Ortiz and I decided to go and help as much as we could. When we arrived, all the children flocked to us and it was very odd to me. I'm pretty sure it is because we are just a couple of white guys in Africa. We played with them for a little then we asked if we could help them with a message that we had to offer. 

They pulled out a straw mat for us to sit down on and when we sat, over 35-45 people sat around us in a circle. We began sharing a small message about how this church and gospel blesses the lives of all those who accept it. It became very quiet and everyone was focused in on us. We ended with a prayer and we left. Little children followed us until a little ways down the road and then they left us. 

This is one of the most special experiences I have had so far on my mission. For a second I felt as if I had a glimpse into what it must have been like to be The Savior teaching a multitude of people. Now I am not comparing myself in any way, shape or form to Christ. That, quiet frankly, would be sacrilegious. But I realized something - that as a missionary, a representative of Jesus Christ, these experiences will happen. Not only good experiences but bad ones as well. 

Elder Jeffery R. Holland said:

"I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary."

I feel this is true. But I also know we will feel some of the purest joy as well. A glimpse of the joy that Christ felt. 

I just want to testify of the miracle of missionary work. It is the greatest blessing anyone can ever receive. The ability to carry the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel happier than I ever have in my life. I know as we truly do the things Christ would do we get a small portion of what it must have been like for Him. I know He lives and that this is His work. In His sacred name, Amen.

Love to all,

Elder Nimmo

Dia dos Trabalhadores! Worker's Day in Mozambique!

Joao Amelia Dalton and family getting baptized.

A sleepy, exhausted selfie.

Week 40

"When we study the scriptures we are blessed with a knowledge and understanding of the truth! I know that the scriptures are a blessing from our Heavenly Father."

Monday, April 25th, 2016

My mom wanted me to send some photos of the beautiful children. How about these?

Hello,

It is raining a lot at the moment. Pouring...  I love the rain though so I am fine with it! 

This week was full of work. We tried our very best and a lot of good things came of it! We met with a lot of new people and continued with the teaching of our older contacts and I have never been more exhausted. I am extremely excited for the next transfer and I know that if we continue like this we will have a lot of success. 

On Saturday we had a family night with a really great family! We made a cake and they loved it! I have been very blessed to have had such wonderful people in my areas. They are a family of sisters and one sister, Gozaga, has children. They aren't all related but more of friends who call each other sisters. Their mother lives there and is very old but very kind. We shared a small spiritual thought, ate dinner, talked and had dessert! They all asked for the recipe! Yes, I can bake! Actually it's the most simple cake to make! But Mocambican cake is not very good so I can see why they probably like it. That was my week! I'll try and spice my week up for the next email.

I just want to bear my testimony about the scriptures and knowledge. They are directly related. When we want to become learned in the gospel, when we want to know things and have our understanding enlightened we should study the scriptures. Many people on the mission, especially here in Beira ask questions or doubt the reality of the things we teach. They say, "Where does it say that in the Bible", or "I don't believe in that". And I need to help them realize where the answer is in the scriptures. 

One thing that I love about the gospel is that everything in Christianity proves that this is God's church. When we read the scriptures (with a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His doctrines) everything becomes real to us and makes sense not only on a spiritual basis but logically as well. I testify of the power of the scriptures. I testify that The Book of Mormon and the Bible are one. They confound false doctrines and establish peace between the children of men. When we study the scriptures we are blessed with a knowledge and understanding of the truth! I know that the scriptures are a blessing from our Heavenly Father. He wants us to read every day! I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I invite everyone to read in the scriptures everyday if you don't already! You will be so happy if you do!

Love you all! Until next week!

Elder Nimmo 

They liked the cake that I made!

I think I've accomplished the task of sharing the faces of some beautiful children. You're welcome mom. 

Week 39

"As children of a Heavenly Father we can come to realize very quickly that He loves us completely and perfectly."

Monday, April 18th, 2016 

"...for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 

Good Afternoon, 

Coming to you quite some time after live, Elder Nimmo with another EXTREME BLOG POST! 

This week was pretty normal. Last Monday we went to a place called Luna Mar and we dined like kings! I had the best pizza and ice cream I have had on my whole mission. It was worth it! We taught a lot of lessons this week and a lot of people are progressing! Elder Ortiz and I are very hopeful for the future of this area. 

On Saturday we had a small training with President Koch and I personally gained a lot from it. He talked about loyalty, obedience, and finding people to teach. 

I hope to stay here this next transfer to break the whitewash/2 transfer only streak. 

Also today we played soccer on a big field with thick grass and my team was undefeated... Got a sick header at the end of a game to win it. Pretty sick!

I don't have a lot to say so I just want to share a quick scripture and thought.

1 Nephi 3:7

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

As children of a Heavenly Father we can come to realize very quickly that He loves us completely and perfectly.  Think about this for a second, a good father will want his children to be happy. A good father will teach his children and help them learn important things. A father knows what is best for his children and knows how to help them grow individually. 

Our Heavenly Father will always do what is best for us. He will help us grow individually and through that growth, although it may be difficult and at times hurt, because of that growth we will be happier. He gives us commandments and gave us Jesus Christ for us to be happy, for us to grow. We must acknowledge Him in His infinite wisdom and come to realize through Him and His Son, nothing is impossible. 

I know this is true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you all!

Elder Nimmo

Listening to President Koch's training on loyalty, obedience and finding people to teach. 

And then OREOS!

After our epic soccer win, Elder Ortiz and I waiting in the library to use the computers to write another EXTREME BLOG POST!

Week 38

"May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day - whether to make this choice or that choice - if we choose Christ, we will have made the right choice."    

Prophet Thomas S. Monson    

Monday, April 11th, 2016  

                   

"The choices we make determine our destiny."

I hope that everyone had a wonderful week! 

A quick shoutout to Harry Lanuza. Happy Birthday man! I love you!

And congratulations to Chase Hughes on receiving his mission call to serve in El Salvador. You are going to love it man! 

So this weekend we were able to watch conference and I absolutely loved it. A lot of people were excited when they heard about the temple that will be built in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Elder Jeffery R. Holland's talk to close this conference was so up-lifting. Everyone who was in the chapel with us paid so much attention. 

Like my email said last week, we all have the choice to continue on applying the things we learn in general conference to our lives or not. The adversary will always be against us, but God will always be for us. 

Also Thomas S. Monson's talk on choices: 

"It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do 

people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny."

This statement given by the Prophet of God is true. The choices we make do determine our destiny. Like the example he used from Alice In Wonderland, we have two paths; to do good or to do bad, to follow God or follow Satan. Truly we know where we want to go, we know which path will take us there, we have the ability to choose. 

"May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the 

harder right instead of the easier wrong. As we contemplate the decisions we 

make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice."

I know that we can do all things through Christ. And when we choose Christ, IF we choose Christ, we will be happy knowing we chose correctly. I know this is true and that a Prophet of God revealed this precious doctrine unto us. He lives and loves us and he is always guiding us to make the right choice. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Nimmo

Our son made a choice to serve an LDS mission and on April 12th, 2015 he found out his destiny! 

I made a cake for my companion Elder Ortiz to celebrate his first transfer, 

his first 6 weeks in Mozambique.

Hydrating Elder Ortiz with Elder Griffeth.

Back to Biques on the beach,

best place to eat!

I found an Avatar. 

Beautiful sunset and an adorable puppy!

Week 37

"When things just don't go our way, we can decide to overcome them by choice. Things happen that sometimes we can't control. But we can always control the way we act and how we handle ourselves."

Monday, April 4th, 2016

 

"Many times I think we choose to blame our circumstances or others around us 

for the things that are happening in our lives." 

Hello Everyone! 

Transfer time!!! 

And I am staying exactly the same! 

This week was good. We taught some lessons. Found some people. Went to church. It was quite special. I found a really cute puppy this week and I have seen so many beautiful sunsets. Baixa is a very beautiful area.

But on a serious note, I am very hopeful for this transfer. We have had some obstacles but we are looking to hurdle those obstacles and continue the work here in Baixa. 

Also I hope conference was enjoyable. I have not seen it yet so if you asked a question to me about it and I didn't respond it is because of this exact reason. But one thing is crazy is I will only miss two more LDS General Conferences in the states. We won't be able to view the past conference for a couple of weeks. But I am excited to hear the announcement of a Harare, Zimbabwe Temple! 

This week I just want to share a quick thought about how we are masters of ourselves. Many times I think we choose to blame our circumstances or others around us for the things that are happening in our lives. We can say I am upset because that car cut me off or I am sad because I lost a game. I can continue for a while with these examples but I'll cut to the chase. 

Really when these things happen we make a conscious choice to change our attitudes, whether for bad or for good. But when things happen to us that we don't like we don't have to be creatures of our circumstances. When things just don't go our way, we can decide to overcome them by choice. Things happen that sometimes we can't control. But we can always control the way we act and how we handle ourselves. 

I have learned this a lot on the mission. I would say 70%, or more, of the time spent on a mission, things will not go the way you want them to go. But we can not let ourselves be discouraged. Missionary or not, it is crucial to always make a decision. When we lose that battle, when we let ourselves become angry or frustrated or sad, we lose time where we can be happy. 

This requires patience and practice. I know that I need a lot more of both of those. But I know slowly I am becoming a master of myself. I pray all of us will be at peace with ourselves and become our own masters. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you all!

Elder Nimmo