Week 23

"This Christmas will be one that I'll never forget."

Monday, December 28th, 2015

It was an amazing Christmas!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! 

This Christmas will be one that I'll never forget! It started off with us waking up and going to the mission office first thing in the morning. When we arrived at 9:30, we were greeted by other missionaries and were able to talk for about 30 minutes. After we had a special Christmas program that consisted of singing every single Christmas hymn in the Portuguese language. To say the least it was awesome. Also every missionary brought a tie to give to another missionary. Elder Nielsen gave me a very stylish Tiger tie, also awesome. I absolutely loved the spirit I felt as we remembered the reason for the season. 

After the music program we were together talking while a big lunch was being made. It was the best lunch I have had in the mission so far. I sat with my old trainer Elder Keck and Elder Brown during lunch and directly after eating I was able to Skype with my family. It was a wonderful Christmas blessing. I was actually the first one to Skype and one of the few without technical difficulties. I had a little bit more than 45 minutes with them but it went by too fast, it felt like one minute. It made me feel like I was home for Christmas. 

After I had an interview with President Koch, and we ate dessert of cake and chocolate (Oreo Chocolate). It was way good! Also we watched "It's A Wonderful Life" which made me feel even more at home. Such a great film. Afterwards we all went home and went to bed. 

It was an amazing Christmas. I know that my Savior lives and loves me. I know that He is always here. We can have His spirit to be with us always and feel the Spirit of Christmas always if we remember Him. I know this with all my heart. 

Wishing you a Happy New Year!!

Elder Nimmo

 The Skype session

went by way too fast.

             It felt like 

               one minute!

Just before me and my roommates left for our Christmas celebration at the mission office.

Great to catch up with these Elders.

My old trainer Elder Keck.

Elder Payne and I.

Elder Brown and I.

The Santa hat was a little small! My last companion Elder Trindade, Elder Roque and I. 

Feliz Natal!

Photo albums of family and Christmas past!

Gifts galore!

My very stylish Tiger tie! hahaha! Thanks Elder Nielsen!

New pants and ties from my family, these are more my style! 

Favorite cereal!

   

Requested Shout spot remover and taco seasoning to make our cooking taste better!

Favorite candy! There are no Swedish Fish, Skittles, or sour candy in Mozambique.

My mom knew that I would be missing the new Star Wars film so she sent me some themed gifts!

May the FORCE be with me!

Week 22

"I hope all of you can find Him this holiday season. I know He loves me. He loves you. He loves each and every one of us."

Monday, December 21st, 2015

Thank you so much to everyone for the many Christmas letters of love and support.

Hello Everyone!

So it's Christmas this week! So excited! Primarily because we are able to celebrate the birth of the most important person who ever lived and will ever live on the Earth. We get to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! What a gift! And an extra gift, I get to talk with my family and see them via Skype!

I'm not going to talk about the work here in Africa this past week but I'd like to share my thoughts on the Savior.

There are many names we give Jesus of Nazareth. We call Him friend, carpenter, teacher, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Light of the World, Savior, and Redeemer. For me all these names are true. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus truly is the Christ. I come from a family of four sisters and no brothers. My whole life I always wanted a brother and was sad that I didn't have one growing up. I didn't think I would ever have a brother. Because of that, it's very special to me, the knowledge that Jesus is all of these things that have I have said above, but He is my brother as well. I am grateful for Him, He knows and loves me more than any brother ever could. I am blessed to have felt His arms embrace me when I needed Him the most. He truly comforts us just like any older brother should. I am so thankful for the blessing to know He is my Savior and because of Him all men are saved, even a man like me. Without Him I am nothing. He truly brings "peace on earth" and "good will towards all men." I hope to help others feel His love and come to Him this Christmas season as I try to be more like Him and feed His sheep. Once more I express my sincere gratitude for Him. And I share these things in His holy name, the babe who was born in Bethlehem, Jesus The Christ, Amen.

I hope all of you can find Him this holiday season. I know He loves me. He loves you. He loves each and every one of us. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

-- 

Elder Nimmo

 We attended a wedding! Elder Watteyne and Elder Brown were invited to their investigator's wedding and we were invited as well. The newlyweds were baptized the next day.

Elders at a wedding!

More wedding photos...

The sunset on the way home -

My companion Elder Silva and I after leaving the wedding.

Week 21

"We are hoping and praying to help someone come unto our Savior and Redeemer this Christmas season."

Monday, December 14, 2015

"We're going to miss having this angel home for Christmas!" (mom)

Hey Everybody!

So this week was pretty good! My companion came! And so did a package from my grandparents! So to say the least I am very happy. Elder Silva and I started working in our area on Friday and now we should be picking up steam. We hope to work very hard and continue the work here in T-3. 

Today we played soccer. Again. It was a lot of fun! Don't have a picture unfortunately. Anyways This area is pretty cool! The people are way fun to talk to and a lot more people are open to the message. We are hoping and praying to help someone come unto our Savior and Redeemer this Christmas season. It may be difficult but you can never have too much faith. Isn't it great that so many people in our ward from Bedford are serving a mission for the Lord, or will be shortly? I think its cool but hey that is just me.

I love having the ability to open a letter each day from people from home. It's truly such a blessing. One thing I have come to realize is that life is not easy at times but it can be easy and fulfilling if we always rely on the Lord. Let us rely on Him fully this season and remember everything He has done for us. He is always with us. He is the Christ. 

Sending all my love to you this Christmas season,

Elder Nimmo

Week 20

"I love the mission so much. I love the people here and I hope I can do my best and give my all to The Lord."

Monday, December 7th, 2015

Me and the tree!

Hey Everyone! 

So this past Friday I arrived in T-3! I live with Elder Brown and Elder Watteyne, as well as, Elder Rash and Elder Nielsen. Elder Nielsen and Watteyne were in my zone in the MTC and were in my room! It was a little reunion. But the T-3 area is pretty different from my old area, much more spread out. We have already met some great people. My new companion, Elder Silva, has had some visa complications, but when he arrives this week we will be able to work hard to bring these people to The Savior. 

This week I was blessed to receive a Christmas package from my family. In it was an advent calendar created by my mother. To decorate it, I pin an ornament everyday leading up to Christmas as well as open up a letter. Each day I have opened a letter, from various people, and they have given me an overwhelming feeling of support and love. Thank you so much for helping me remember that the greatest blessing I can give The Lord is serving His children. When we serve others we are only in the service of our God. 

As I left Sommerschield I was able to say goodbye to Elder Trindade to some families I truly loved. Eu Quasi Chorei. 

I love the mission so much! I love the people here and I hope I can do my best and give my all to The Lord. I know now more than ever that God loves each and everyone of us. Jesus Christ is a testament of this, we are loved by Him, and we should never cease to love everyone we come in contact with. 

Have a good week.

-- 

Elder Nimmo

Thanks mom!

Goodbye to Sommerschield and

to this great companion, Elder Trindade!

                                                      

Elder Rash, Elder Brown and me all wearing Nike, GO USA! 

(I accidentally opened up this US Soccer jersey from my mom and dad, 

early Christmas present to me!) 

Week 19

"It's truly a blessing to have been able to find these wonderful people and to bring them to our Savior. I pray everyday for them and for you all. I do this because I know it helps."

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Alberto and I saying goodbye.

Hey Everyone! 

And Goodbye Sommerschield! :( 

It is that time again, transfers are happening! I will be leaving my area and going to a new area called T-3 in the Matola Zone. I'm excited but nervous because I will be opening up an new area, it's another "white-wash." But I will have another Brazilian as a companion this transfer, Elder Silva. I will not be leaving Sommerschield until Friday which truly is a blessing because I will have a chance to say goodbye to the people I have been teaching. I am excited for what lies ahead in this new area.

Thanksgiving day was stellar. So much food! And pasturized milk! It was soooo good! They were such a blessing for us and were so nice to have us for dinner. I thought very much about home but I felt more at home because of the kindness of this family. There was a baptism on Saturday at Chamanculo. It was way nice, I could feel the blessings those people were receiving. 

Sunday we had a Primary Program in our ward, the attendance was through the roof. It was awesome. I will share a photo of primary children. Also Elder Stewart left to go home on Sunday. It was very weird seeing a missionary go home. 

Since I am leaving here I will share some pictures of my house  and the church building in Sommerschield. I want to also share some photos of some people that I have been teaching who are investigating the church and I'm certain will be baptized next transfer. I know it! 

Also we played soccer today! With Irmao Carlos, some Rapazes, the sons of Irmao Jorge, and some other randoms. Haha! It was awesome. And boy was it hot! I think I'll be a decent soccer player when I come back. haha. 

It's very hard to describe the love I feel for these people. I almost cried saying goodbye to some special ones. I know I am supposed to be here. And I know I cannot stay. No matter how much I want too. It's truly a blessing to have been able to find these wonderful people and to bring them to our Savior. I pray everyday for them and for you all. I do this because I know it helps. 

I have loved my time here with my companion and these wonderful members and friends. I feel so blessed.

I know this Gospel is true. I know it changes lives. It has changed mine. And I will forever be changed. I hope everyone of you can know of the everlasting happiness I feel right now. I hope you had a great week and I hope you will have another one! I love you all!

Elder Nimmo

P.S. Sorry for the photo overload!

Saying goodbye to Olga e Nayma e Eu. E dois Filhos, an awesome family.

Futbol!!! Foi Muito Nice

Irmao Carlos, he is like the Young Men President for the ward.

Primary children on the day of their primary program.

Transferring from Sommershield to area T-3 of Matola, the largest providence of Maputo.

My apartment before I leave... 

Our kitchen...

The bathroom...

Where we do our morning exercise and iron our clothes. 

Our living room...

Elder Stewart before he leaves for home, he has completed his mission.

Outside the church building in Sommershield.

The inside, our chapel for church services.

 Thanksgiving meal at an American member's home, the father works at the Embassy.

Elder Stewart enjoying pasteurized milk!

Some very grateful missionaries after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.

On our way home from our Thanksgiving feast we encountered some downpours...

When we arrived at our apartment, we were soaking wet.