Email May 10,2010

We had a great video chat with Nate yesterday so he didn't send much letter today. He looks great and is doing really well. What a fun Mother's Day!! He mixed up English and Spanish words so I guess that means he is totally engrossed in what he is doing.

Well I was going to send pictures but don't have my camera. So next week but thanks for talking with me it made me super happy. And well yeah. Good to see you all and just keep me updated. Like mom said next time I talk to you I will just about be coming home just around the corner. I love you all. Thanks Dave and Maxine. I love you both. Thanks for taking care of the dog. I hope you 2 are in the airport when I get home. And well I guess I didn't share with you yesterday, but I know this is the Lords church and that it was restored through Joseph Smith. That we have all the priesthood keys here on the earth and that by living the gospel brings happiness to our lives.
Love you all and have a great week. Happy Mothers day
love your son bother and friend Elder Naegle (nathan)

Email May 3, 2010

Well let me see,

After our wonderful activity saturday that turned out well. We headed to church and then had lunch with the RS president, cause she made us some pajama bottoms for the Leadership conference, don't have a picture yet but I will get one soon. They are of airplanes and helicopters pretty cool. So we thanked her by buying chicken for lunch sunday. Then we headed to the house and off to Bucarumunga to find wagstaff and butler. And I got sick on the ole drive down, probably from the chicken, the first time we did it, I didn't eat anything but saltine crackers. So I know for the next time. We found ole wags and butler in the terminal and left at 1030 from Bucaramunga to go to Bogota, and well wagstaff was thinking this time and brought blankets for the bus ride. So we didn't suffer. When we got to Bogota, after a long night trying to sleep in bus, it was about 8 in the morning, went and found williams and ate at mcdonalds. Then went with all the Zone Leaders to play soccer in Suba. It was a good time. We all went and ate after, at KFC. I noticed I eat like home when I get these vacations. Showered, haha watching 10 missionaries try and shower and all get ready got a little out of hand, but we managed. Went and Bought 3 new ties, cause I am going to give some of my crappy ones away to the boys in my ward and then my companion and I prepared our capacitaion for the following day, about Baptism Interviews. And then went to the temple to sleep. Watched a Joseph Smith Video I had never seen and made lots of Maté to drink. Then the following day, got up got ready and off we went to the Conference. My companion and I hit the nail on the head with our capacitaion, my favorite part was using DC 39 17 about pruning and that we have to prune the people to get the best fruit we can as converts to really help the church grow. Then well just the same ole having leaders together is really pretty cool cause it is super spiritual. Also, did a session in the temple. And after found a ward that was from Valledupar, so well I got to give Parker another letter, that is the 2nd time I have met somebody in Bogota, that was from the ward he is serving. I hope he gets my letter. If not oh well but it was kinda neat for me. He is one loved kid up there. anyway. After the conference ended I went with my companion to stay with elder Sorensen because I got lucky again to fly back to cucuta. And yeah. this past week my companion and I were running around trying to get everything ready for Zone and Stake conference. We did manage to get it all ready and prepared. Hope it all went good. My companion and I were pleased at least. So I am not to worried about it. and yeah. I haven't written in my journal in 2 weeks, just haven't had time. So I hope things calm down a little bit and my companion and I can get back to work in our area. I am doing great. Happy to be here still even though some people take my rock out like there is no tomorrow. Take my rock out, that is a phrase in spanish, colombia, that well means your frustrated. But well that is all part of the leadership and mission thing I guess. Still learning to deal with it. I want you all to know that I have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, that if we read it looking for answers to our questions we will find them. That Joseph Smith restored the Church, doing the will of the Father, through the Son. They both live, and love us all. Thanks for all the love and support. I love you and pray for you. Also, Bishop Dave thank you for your devoted service and patience with me and for Bishop Welling, I don't know if I am still part of the ward, and how that all works but I sustain ya big guy. haha

love you all Elder Naegle

thanks mom for all your love and support, and I am sorry I have used my card a little bit, but well the world runs on money sadly to say, and well I have it all back one day when the mission can catch up and pay me. and well I usually don't carry the cash that I have, so yeah. sometimes that is the option. But thanks for all your love and support. It really means a lot. have a great week and I had no idea it was mothers day next weekend, so I honestly don't know when I will call. I would assume in the afternoon. around 4 or 5. but yeah I love you and hope all is well. Tell dad hello and I am glad to hear he is safely back from canada. Love you mom love your son nathan

Email April 24, 2010

Well this week i have been running around trying to get everything done that is being required with our Trip to San Andres activity in the ward and the new Folder we are preparing for the Stake Leaders. Still building the airplane. But anyway sunday i will be giving a presentation with my new studly companion to all the bishops in the stake, then well I am leaving that early to catch a bus to Bucaramunga, to head to Bogota monday morning. So I will not be able to write you. So my comp and i took some time today to write. I am super good. Happy and well. Super super tired, my comp has more energy then he can deal with. So it is a challenge to keep up with him. but i am managing. So yeah. Leadership Conference is the reason for Bogota and I get to fly back Wed. morning. Quite happy about that. Also I treated my comp and myself to Mcdonalds this morning cause the store we needed didn't open until 10 and so we had some time to kill and well hadn't eaten, I sure miss my 5 times a week Mcdonalds at home, and my companion was the same, loves it so it may not be the last time we head there. I am doing super good. and yeah. cant complain here. I love you mom and i will try and write again next week, if i have time. We are running all the time so we will see. Ok well i love you and talk to you later. Maybe don't tell anybody i am not going to write them, cause then they won't write me, but at least you know, so you wont have to be worried when i don't write monday. And let Angie know cause well Wagstaff also doesn't get a Pday. ok well talk to you later. ok i love you have a great week, and let me know who the new bishop is Chau
love your son Elder Nathan Naegle

Email April 19, 2010

Well hello first off. I am still in cucuta. My companion got transferred to Bogota Suba with Elder Larson from my group. And I got sent Wagstaffs comp from bucarramunga. Elder Cinturion, like the boat brand. He is so tight from Argentina and super excited. And yeah, not much else is going on with me. After reading parkers dans jordans and biss emails. Made me feel a little better cause they also have their struggles. But Parker got to try Ponly malta, well which is beer with no alcohol. But it is super good I am glad he likes it. Anyway, as for me we have a huge activity that my comp was planning all his idea then well he got transferred so we will see how it all goes. I am hoping I can pull it out, but I think with the part mom gave me being creative I can do it. It is Saturday, and I will send pictures and what not is is called trip to san andres, and the poeple die in the airplane and go to the spirit world and then the kingdoms of glory. So I hope it turns out good we need more people to teach. And yeah gave a talk on Sunday and that went well. Not much else is going on I love you all and thanks for all the love ans support. I know the church is true and as wagstaff says this whole joe smith book is a good one, the book is true and I support it. haha I love the comfort I receive in reading the Book of Mormon. I testify it is true and the priesthood was restored through Joseph Smith.
Love you all
love nathan

Email April 12, 2010

Well, good news for the most part I am doing better in the health dept. I am happy so who really cares. I will live. Can't complain. Well to be honest I don't have much news except for the fact that we can't find anybody that wants to keep all their commitments and progress. So we will see how that goes. I don't really know, but I think I am just a little more strict in that dept. because I won't just say yes to everybody that wants to be baptized, they have to show to me that it means something, cause the stake is upset they have lots of inactives. So I have my interview with pres. Hacking this week and we will see what he has to say to me. There is a lot of hype here in the mission with transfers. what else.....also my best companion wrote me from Spain. Pelero, he is doing super good over there and is happy. Said it is a hard transition at first but now is just getting used to it. and yeah. Everything here is going well, except I haven't had money for my zone for 3 weeks. That has been stressful but I am just rolling with it and not complaining. But one thing is for sure, missionaries are much happier when they have money. So yeah. But whatever. I am just rolling with it here and trying to keep a smile on and not worry about the little things, which is super hard some days, but well with practice it is easier. so yeah. I love you all sorry it was a boring letter this week. But like dad says, only boring people get bored. So consider me boring haha
loveyou all hope all is well
love Nathan

Email April 5, 2010

Hi Family,

Well the bad news is I am super sick, with the runs, migrane and fever, what fun no? But what can you do. But well this past week was a hard one. It was semana santa, or Holy Week. Well nobody is home or works, they are just all out partying, and drinking. So we didn't have a very successful week in the whole missionary dept. But i still learned a lot and had General Conference to cheer me up at the end of the week. I would say we received a lot of good council this past weekend. It all seemed to be centered on strengthening the home, which to be honest made me a little home sick, but I am where I need to be, cause if you find a strong home here in colombia, well your a lucky man. So I guess I have the wonderful opportunity to try and help the people here build the strong homes that we need in order to return to our Heavenly Fathers presence. And yeah. I have really just learned the fact that I can't do it all, but I do have my part to do. So with Diligence, patience and love I need to finish up the work i have to do here in Cucuta, and who knows how long that will be. So I cleaned up the house today, and put away the Hammock, cause it is a distraction. I need to be even better than what I have been. So I am in that process right now. Cause I don't know about any of you, but i would dare say Pres. Monson in Priesthood cut some heads off for just about every subject in The Strength for youth. But well we all need to be better

Something funny i guess that happened to me was I wanted to watch conference in English, but the sound system doesn't allow them to turn of the speakers in certain rooms and leave it on it others, so i just said heck, popped open the ceiling tiles and unplugged the dang things, one of the counselors in the stake pres. about fainted ¨what did you do he asked, and i just told him to relax that is what I did before my mission installing speakers like that. so I ended up seeing the whole thing in english. It was actually quite nice cause they just locked me in a room and I got to watch it all ALONE!! Which was great, cause you need alone time here, and you don't ever get it, cause heck my bathroom doesn't even have a door on it. But it was nice, I felt like I had some questions answered and some good personal revelation come to me. So I felt it was a success.

Well don't have much else....cause we aren't teaching anyone that is for sure, truth be told, nobody. So it is just a long process. This whole zone leader thing is rough but we are moving along and things are getting better in the zone and the stake. so yeah. Family and friends, I testify that the gospel has been restored and that we have the great opportunity to live it here on earth. That when we truly live the gospel we will be happy. God lives, and his son rose on the third day. and through his mighty atonement and ressurection, we also will rise again. I love you all, thank you for the love and support. It means the world to me. Remember to count your blessings, we have been so blessed to live where we do. Hope you all have a great week.
with lots of love
elder nathan Naegle

Email March 29, 2010

Well hello family,

I am doing super well here in Cucuta. hot as a mug, but i actually love it. OK well this week was a little hectic for me. I told dad this week quickly, but last Monday night after email, I participated in an exorcism, and you may laugh but it wasn't any kind of joke. I went saying well this cant be a big deal and what not, and boy, was I wrong. There was a demon in that girl, it was JACKED UP. I don't really know how to explain it but she said some crazy crazy things. so that was my fun experience there. so after wagstaff got mugged, we decided we had a pretty strange week, butler chimed in with interviewing a deaf girl for baptism. He is a funny kid. listo, and not much else went on, we worked our butts off, and well are going to be dropping all our investigators. so i am a little frustrated about that but what can i do? ok and well mom asked me how i am so i am doing good, Cucuta is a great place, but we have a little part of our area that i hate going. It is the poorest of poor. they have dirt floors, and no running water, and the people just are struggling through life. and the problem is my comp. wants to be there cause the people do listen to us, but they never progress. were here to try and help everyone, and I agree, but I just cant do it. my heart just breaks for the people there, and my comp thinks we need to baptize everyone, and I certainly do not think that. for me it is better for somebody to not be baptized, then to be baptize and not change. cause in my opinion they are worse off drinking or beating their kids when they have made covenants with our HF, then if they never did make those covenants. So I have my internal struggle. but I have just decided to go with the flow and where my companion takes me I will teach and testify. So I am good. Happy and just livin it up here. today we had a good day. we went and bought hammocks. I will attach a picture. So we have them hung up out on the patio. I love you all, and you don't know how much the letters, and support and love mean. I can't even express my thanks
with lots of love
elder nathan naegle

I dont want to be naughty but the one with me on the toliet shows my bathroom doesnt have a door, and the bar of my bed blocks everything. haha and that is my model dirt bike i bought along with the virgin mary, she proctects it. haha. the pink hammock is mine. 35 mil pesos, or in other words 17 bucks!!! cool no?

Email March 22, 2010

Ok well, as I wrote last time from Bucaramunga which is heaven on earth, clean, beautiful and just a great place, wagstaff is on vacation. I had a wild week. So we took a long bus ride from there to Bogota, it was FREEZING in the bus, but I watched Avatar. It is super good I liked it a ton. And yeah, got to Bogota and ate breakfast at mcdonalds and then just chilled until lunch and pres. took us to a good place called saras, it is the mexican place by the office. And then I went with wagstaff to buy some scripture covers, cause his got stolen, he dropped 90 bucks on those, they are white leather, I was not willing to do that. Then well we went to the office for our things and then to the temple to sleep. We had a good time and ended up watching Napolean Dynamite with president and having pizza. 

 Then the next morning we did a session, which was good. Only slept once. Then we had meetings all day about helping the mission move forward and what not. and well i must say it is pretty sweet to have the best missionaries in the mission together cause well they all just have the spirit, and it was probably the best meeting I have been in since I got to Colombia. So I enjoyed it super a lot. Then well it was time to part and I stayed with the secretaries again cause I flew out the next morning with my comp. and that was just fun. He isn't a very good flyer, but well I have lots more practice then he does. 

We got back here and I cleaned the house and then laid down for like 2 minutes and zonked until lunch. Then we went and hit it hard talking to people and doing all we could to get our area going again. Then that night the assistants showed up cause we had zone conference friday morning which was also super good. I got to meet everybody in my zone and what not. Then we worked our butts off friday afternoon. We were jam packed with appointments, and well you want more detail, I don't have it cause I couldn't tell ya who we talked to. Cause i don't remember their names yet. Saturday we had a baptism that we had left, a little girl named Jenny i think??????, and she was just so happy. I am in a super super poor area. And it is funny to me how some péople think that TV is more important then having running water but well what can you do? so I will not try and save all colombia mom, just do lots of service to help the people. 

As for bad feelings haven't had any yet and I feel super safe here. so I shouldn't have any problems. And as for the heat, I am getting used to it, but when I sit down for more then 30 minutes I start to fall asleep and it is worse after lunch. The people walk around half naked all the time. They have lots of problems with missionaries and that here. but well it is part of the hot weather experience I guess. and yeah not a whole lot more, we played soccer this morning on a dirt field which well sucked but the missionaries had a good time and we also did a BBQ I guess I would call it but it is different here. there isn't no sauce here. And well they kinda just trashed my house so I got to clean up a little this afternoon, but I did it with a smile and yeah. I should have more details about who we are teaching nest week, but until then. I love you all and am happy I am here. The gospel is true and was restored. thanks for all the love and support.

love Nathan 

Email March 15, 2010

Hello Family
Elders Torres and Rosenbaum got there fine and we ran around with our heads cut off with everybody that was getting transferred. And I had my last suppers with the Family Tafur, and Family Lopez and well it was just awesome.. Then BAPTISMS went AWESOME, it was the most spiritual baptism I have had, I loved it. Marta started crying and was just so so happy and Joanna also. Martas daughter Suli wants me to baptize her now, she was crying after the baptism cause the spirit was so strong and she was sad i didn't get to do it with her. I think she will get baptized in the coming weeks. I hope so she is just so awesome. Then after I went and slept with the secretaries, cause they had to take me to the airport the following morning, cause the assistants wanted me in Cucuta the fastest possible, so i got to fly, which was super nice. I thought I landed in Africa. It is such a hot strange place. But i love it. I get looks like I am the elephant walking in the street, and i gave a talk in church Sunday and the whole ward is in disbelief. But they are great. We also had 2 baptisms on Saturday in Cucuta. My ward is called Montilones, and we have had 20 baptisms this year and 2 ready to go in the next 2 weeks. My companion is elder Jaramillo, he is a stud from Ecuador and yeah not much else really. I am super tired cause I got basically attacked by the members there. They didn't talk to my companion. haha, and it is so so so so so so so so so so hot, toquer in summer with 100 % humidity but i LOVE IT. Also, the mission is so so screwed up on money but we needed a new fan, so I bought one and am just waiting till i get reimbursed for it. So mom, I am not just spending money, except I bought my comp new shoes cause well he broke them today. 45 bucks. But he is so happy so what can I do. Then this morning I came to Bucaramunga to go back to Bogota for leaders Conf. wed. So I am kickin it with Elder Wagstaff right now writing our families. and that is about it i will try and send some pictures but it is being a little slow. so we will see.

I love you all so very much thanks for all the love and support
love your son nathan!

Email March 9, 2010

Well as you can see I didn't get time to write you a letter yesterday with my comp running around visiting people, we left his family and well, went and gave erika a blessing cause she has a problem with her Vaso, don't know what the translation is, it helps with the red and white blood cells. So I decided that was more important than your letter. but yes i am doing good, this morning was a little hectic with transfers, but well they always are. And i get to stay here till Friday to baptize. So that should go well i hope. And what else. I am going to Cucuta.(18 hour bus ride from Bogota on the Venezuelan border first gringo that is there in like 17 years I heard. so should be a good time. I will be the zone leader with 13 latin missionaries and no other gringos. I hear they eat lots of weird things, like a blood soup. so I guess i just get to deal with it. and my companion finally goes home. Sunday he had his final interview with president. and yeah that is pretty much it. I don't really have much news. I am doing really well and I am super excited to go my new area. should have some good progess there. and yeah. thanks for all the love and support. that is sad about chuck. he is such a good kid, but the mission really can wear a person out, in every aspect and well some just cant do it. As long as he did his best it shouldn't matter. and lets see. for this week i will be in a trio with the new zone leaders here, elder torres, my trainer, and Elder Rosenbalm. who is coming from Sogomoso. So I hope it goes well this week, Elder Butler is headed to Bucaramunga to be a zone leader too. there will be 6 of the 9 zones, people from my group as zone leaders. and 3 from wagstaffs. So we should have a good time. Well I will write ya better this week because I should have new things to write about. like warm weather, new comp. and other such things. and probably more plans with wagstaff. And yeah love you mom and thanks for all your help and support and love and everything else you do for me. love you
love your son nathan

Email March 1, 2010

Hey well I don't have much to report today, except you told me not to get my hopes up about getting transfered, well we had interviews this past thursday and well I was told I have my transfer for there.(Cucuta) So well I know I am going there unless president changes his mind which is possible. and yeah. What else is new. We should have some baptisms on the 12, and transfers are on the 9, but well I guess it pays being with the assistant on friday. I was with elder Guerra, who is the assistant right now. He trained Wagstaff and so well i get lots of news and he likes me, at least i think so....and I was given the word that I could stay here and show the 2 new elders the area for that week. And baptize on friday and then I would ride the 18 hour bus ride to cucuta and get there in the morning. So hopefully it all goes to plan. I am super excited about it all. I have heard great things about Cucuta. and yeah. I am in high spirits and happy. That kinda stinks about dad having to be gone for a month, but you know what, in a year from now he wont have to go alone. And I also did some thinking about school....and I am not going back so I will not be coming home early, I want to do to many things, and school doesn't allow it. And another thing i dont have any $ to go back to school. So well school will just have to wait. so yeah. I am doing really well. anyways. Today in bogota there was a stop on trasport. so I couldn't play soccer with williams and pelero i was a little sad cause well pelero goes home next week so we are planning to get together next week for at least lunch cause I need to see the kid before he goes to spain. His parents are there working. What else. Not a whole not. my letters kinda suck, but well I do do the same thing everyday. just the people change. and yeah... in dans letter he sends the names of the people he is teaching so they can pray for them, I wont send them all, but I will send the most important ones ok. They are Marta, Joanna, Suli. They should be getting baptized on the 12th. ok well i love you all and thanks for the support. love you love nate.

i love you mom, i am so grateful that i was sent to you. must have done something smart in the pre earth life. haha love you mom

ps tell the ward and friends and family hello

Email February 15, 2010

Well not much news, except we have a new investigator, that we found cause her husband was inactive for about 10 years, and showed up to church last week.. He is named Johan and she is named Joanna, and she is tiny tiny like Kara, and he is HUGE, like uncle russ big, so it looks kinda funny when they are together. But he is super super good, and wants to get married in the temple and so we are going to baptize her on March 6 with is the last saturday in transfer. So I am excited for that, and depending on what the bishop says about Johan he will be ready to baptize his wife, they have 2 little kids, that well when we finished our chocolate, the little girl, Alijandra (7) took our plates and started washing them, I couldn't believe it. And their son is David, (6). They are such a great family. And yeah I don't have much news. Played soccer today and got good ole sunburned. And just not a whole lot going on. I love you all sorry for the short letter, but thanks to the ward my family and friends for the support. And well the church is true here as well, a lot more apostasy, but well, haha on Sunday I had to correct the teacher in elders quarum about the war in heaven he told the class that 3/4 left with satan, and well I just said I was taught different and we got it figured out, math isn't their strong point, and spelling isn't mine. haha love you all
love nathan

Email February 8, 2010

Hi mom

Well this week has been interesting.

Tuesday, I had the worst migraine I have ever had. I was in bed all day, I couldn't be up for more than 5 minutes without throwing up!! It was bad and my comp has the flu. So it was a boring day.

Wednesday, my comp was sick again and I had recovered so I had a nice day thinking about the last year and things I want to do different here for the next year. I also studied a butt load but nothing exciting.

Thursday, my comp is still sick, so we ended up going to the dr and well he has broncitis, can't spell it. Yeah but we went and bought his meds and went to an appointment, cause we hadn't worked the entire week and well i had a nice argument with a member. Well basically I cut her head off for telling us to give he daughter an exorsism. I was justified to do it, but i did feel bad and asked for forgiveness the next day. She also said sorry. It was a heated moment. But I gave 2 of her daughters blessings and well the spirit was super strong and probably my two best blessings I have ever given, so god couldn't have been to upset with me. and well I completed a year. Couldn't even believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, we had part of the zone in our area helping us find new people, and we had service, with the same family from the night before. My comp was still sick so I had service better said, I got to tear up a wood floor cause they have to change the sewage pipes cause they are just old. So that was fun. It has been awhile since I actually got to tear something up. And yeah, it was a good time. This family is the Tafur family by the way.

Saturday, we had service there again and my comp has to take it easy anyway. So well it wasn't a very productive week this week. We also helped a member move around the block, and well had dad showed up in the half way point and saw the dolly we were using, he would have died. Lets just say had I used it at home, I would have been in my car headed to home dept. for a new one with a sore butt. haha it was from the bishop and well the bearings on the steel wheels were shot so it just wobbled like a son of a gun. It was funny but here it is normal and well not many dollies to spare.

Sunday well, forgot to fast, but paid my offering, it has been like that for a while. But well things just slip by quickly. Didnt do a whole lot, cause my companion is milking his sickness for all it is worth and today in the house i just washed my clothes and what not. cleaned up. Caulked the shower, I would have made dad proud, I did a good job. And well I forgot to mention that I wash by hand now during the week, so it is pretty nice. But jeans by hand is HARD, but I managed and I have clean clothes always. I started doing it like 5 months ago I don't know if i told you or not, but well it is just easier that way. and yeah. I cant believe I am on the down hill but well it feels nice. It is kinda like senior year, like wow this really might end I better take more advantage of these things now. But i love it.

I did have one struggle this week. The fam. Tafur, well they have not a whole lot, but the oldest daughter Erica is the best church member I know. It is pretty cool I have found a family in every ward that well I just love, and this ward it is their family. But it is super super hard for me cause well for heaven sakes it rains and water comes in their house cause the roof well, is a piece of mierda, (don't look that up, it is crap but spelled with an S at the front) sorry, but it is true, and I want to just go buy them new roof plates, thats what they use here and fix the whole thing, but well at the same time that isn't my calling to do. So my companion and I are going to do a bunch of service there this week and fix some things up, cause they just don't have the time or the money. so yeah. It has been super hard for me to see somethings like that, cause i was always so fortunate to have just about whatever I wanted, and if you didn't give it to me I had the opportunity to do the work and buy it. I am trying to decide what god wants me to learn from this, and i think it is be generous when I get older, and well I have wonderful parents that have given me a perfect example. I love you all so much, I testify we have the great blessing to have the gospel in our lives. and that it is true. have a great week and I thank you all for the emails and love and support. and mom tell Renae kidd, that well I don't know how to write dan back cause I don't know how to send letters out of here. so can you ask for his email cause he can't email me but I can him to at least reply to him. Thanks love you all
love nathan

Email February 1, 2010- Hi Mom and Family

The dumb cat I let in
Elder Sanchez
The Catholic Church

Well this week was a crazy one with transfers. I was with an elder (elder sanchez) on Tuesday that went home to Chile. We had a good time but ran all over Bogota and my new comp got here from Bucaramunga. His name is elder Ayaviri. He goes home in March and well I was dreading it a little bit. But he just told me that he was trunky and didn't want to work hard, but now wants to end his mission good. And well we get along pretty good. He is from Bolivia, La Paz and his family is in the security business, like my family.........but they work a lot more with safes. But still kinda cool. He also is super sick today with the flu and also has stomach problems. So well he has to watch what he eats and is just sick. I feel kinda bad for him, but he is still just truckin along. Listo, as for elder Williams, well he found out Saturday that his sister is getting engaged, and called me, at a bad time, and well we chatted, vented both our feelings, and both felt better. He isn't mad just wasn't expecting or ready for a huge change like this. But well has accepted it. He is with my old comp elder Pelero, who goes home in March as well. I will miss him. But he has plans to come visit and try and play soccer at a university in the US to get his school paid for. He is a super funny kid i love him. ok well, the missionary work is going good, we have a bunch of new investigators and should have some results coming up soon. But crazy things always happen so pray for us here. Also, the pictures I sent home are yes indeed a cat in our apartment. haha we brought her home to play tricks on our Zone leaders but well bad idea, she didn't let us sleep. So I learned my lesson but still it was funny. And the others are a family we had lunch with on tuesday with Sanchez. Super good family. What else happened this week, not a whole lot. But Wagstaff´s family is having a girl in his stake come live with them for six months, so you will have to talk to his mom about that, they are super excited from what I hear. and I also hear you are having lunch with wagstaffs and williams mothers this week or something like that. Word travels quick here in the mission. yeah that is about it. I am doing super good. happy for Thursday (HUMP DAY), I wont lie, but also sad. A year has flown by but still I have lots of work to do and what not. I want to thank my family and ward for all the love and support, it is great to have the prayers and thoughts. I testify that our Savior does indeed live. That he gave his life out of love for us. That he called a prophet to restore his church in these latter days. Joseph Smith saw was he said he saw, and was indeed called of God. I testify that we have the fullness of the gospel and we can receive the blessings from it if we complete our part by keeping the commandments. The happiest people on this planet are members of the church that live worthy of their covenants. I love our Savior with all my heart, and testify of these things is his name, Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all have a great week love your son, brother and friend
Nathan

Email January 25, 2010

Well I am grateful for your letter today. I don't have much news except my companion got transferred to my old area, interesting....but he will be with my old comp and another kid in a trio because my old comp goes home in the middle of the transfer. He (my comp now) isn't very happy about leaving here because he has served his whole mission in Bogota, so is unhappy with president for that.

As for me, well after my interview president gave me the impression I would be either a zone leader or training a new missionary so I was happy, but well he must have changed his mind cause that didn't happen. And I will be honest I wasn't too happy about it last night but well I slept good and this morning I just said well you get to deal with it either way. So well I am not upset about it anymore. But, well other then that I don't have much news.

Our one family we have been teaching found a new house in the ward to move into, so they are not leaving, that is if they can find 150 bucks this week. But they should be able to do it and stay in the ward so I should have some more baptisms coming up. And well I was also a little sad cause Wagstaff is leaving Bogota for Bucarrumunga tomorrow. I wont get to see him for awhile but butler is staying here and is training a new missionary. that was the other thing that made me sad, all the missionaries in my group are either training or zone leaders, except Morris, who is the mission secretary. So, I felt left behind. But well what can I do about it.

Also, my comp made us late for church yesterday, so well we missed the sacrament, but I didn't even get upset. I have just learned that crap always happens and well you just can't do much about it. So I am just relaxed and just kickin it.

Also, if you send me a package here in the next little while, can you send me an elk call? I will have to explain when I get home but it is something funny Wagstaff and I got going so please throw one in if you could. Natali put up a picture of her and her friend, Kristen Stuart, on the blog, sign me up for a date when i get home! Anyway I love you, thanks for all the love and support. Tell the ward hello and thanks for all the love, prayers and support.
I love you mom
love nate

Email Monday January 18

Well mom thanks for the email. You are such a great mother. I had a good week, I didn't write down the stuff for the days. But in the photo I had my baptism and that is about it.

We have Marta and her daughter, who I gave the DVD player to and they were supposed to be moving today but their apartment fell through and now are looking for something here so I get to continue teaching them. Marta is ready to get baptized along with her youngest daughter Suli, so we will see, I wont baptize them until they know what they are doing with moving plans. I don't want them to leave and just be inactive. Got in a little fight about it with my zone leader but i just put my foot down and said no, I wont do it. Anyway she has a problem with coffee. We have been looking for an apartment for them to rent. We have no other investigators so we are searching.

I had interview with president, it was good. He and I just had a nice chat about everything and he is a funny guy. We ranged from my comp and the work here to snowmobiling. So it was a good time about 20 minutes with him. I might be getting transferred who knows, I will find out tonight or Sunday night cause there are 2 transfers. Well I love you very much. Thanks Brenda and Stu for the itunes card.

love you
love nathan

Email January 11, 2010

Well i had an interesting week this past week.

Tuesday, we were with an inactive girl and well she has more problems then one person can deal with so we talked with her for forever, about how she just needs to not make things so complicated.

Wednesday, we were looking for directions and my comp is a good guy, but some days I struggle, he is just a little slow and being a naegle that just don't fly well some times. I didn't say anything but i was just a little frustrated but at the end of the day I was happy, what can I do about it I need to learn something everyday. Patience just seems to be a lot of the days haha

Thursday, well about half way through the day I was using the restroom and well, found I had put my garment bottoms on inside out, I got a chuckle out of that. Guess I am just as slow as my comp on wed. haha and I fixed an investigators sound system to her DVD and TV cause well they had just hooked it up like a bunch of retards. So I got that all separated and working, she was happy about that and then we were watching a movie with them and her little boy started choking on a HUGE pìece of chicken, it was pretty funny cause he plopped that sucker right back in after it came out.

Friday, I had this oatmeal soup for lunch and boy was it good. I should have asked how they made it but I doubt it can be that hard but it was dang good and it just hit me super super hard this day how lucky we are as a family. We have a lot of blessings. There are a lot of poor people here. Some days it just breaks your heart to see some of these people. Then when we got back to the house my companion had used up all our minutes on our cell phone. So well we had to have a chat about that and being wise in our cell phone use.

Saturday, well I bought a christmas present here and saturday night, I was sicker than a dog. I didnt sleep one bit and sunday morning I was just in a bad way with a fever and headache and the whole nine yards so i just stayed home all day. It was a long day but I slept sunday night fine and woke up this morning a little better.

Then today I was with wagstaff all day cause my zone and his zone went to a theme park and well I just wasn't up to it and so we just went shopping and relaxed. So it was cool to just be with him all day. He and I should be just dandy friends when we get done here and yeah. I am still sick and it was a bad deal, but that is just part of this whole deal.

tell Austin hello and Andrew good bye depending on when he leaves. Well i am just happy to be here, not to worried about the whole transfer thing. Who knows what will happen. Well mom I love you very much thanks for all your love and support. I am glad I have such a great mother. thank you
love nathan

Email January 4, 2010

Well yes a new year is here. We passed it just fine. I was awake because the other elders were still talking and we slept all 4 out in the kitchen and yeah dad wants me to be more informative in my emails. So here goes!

Tuesday, after lunch, I was SICKER than a dog, I had to go to the bathroom every appointment we had, but i just dealt with it and never let something slip. That is one of my goals for the mission, never have brown garments.

Wednesday well what I have written down is compared to here, Biss is the best singer in the world. It is super hard to sing here. And well I was blessed with a little talent in that dept. thanks to Natali. It is just super funny to me, how the hymns invite the spirit and well they are sung so stinking bad. So fun note.

Friday New years day, we didn't have one appointment and well my comp ended up being sick, so he says, but you can't do much about it so I had a good day of study and what not while he was in bed. I really like to study. The scriptures are pretty sweet.

Saturday, I don't have anything written down, but we were on Interchanges with the ZL and well all our appointments ended up falling through but we had a good time contacting and trying to find inactive people. In the ward there are only about 50 active, out of about 300 maybe more. So we have lots of work and they changed the directions here in Bogota about 3 years ago and so it is super hard to find some of the houses. It is like at home our street 1000 east got changed to 1800 so just down the street but it still tough. But I have a

pretty good memory and can find them pretty good. I do most the searching, my comp well isn't sure how to do it still and he has been in Bogota his whole mission. I guess that is one of my gifts I have. I never get lost much, even at home riding dirtbikes ask Preston.

Sunday well there is a lot of apostasy here. So we have to be on our toes when people are talking to our investigators, so correction here and there and yeah that was my week.

People we are teaching,

We have Marta and she has a mixed up story. she was going to a christian church here close by and she has 3 daughters and the pastor after many years abused their relationship and knocked up her 2nd daughter and hired all the best lawyers and what not so they didn't get anything and so they are in a super bad way. They have no trust for anybody and yeah it is just an ugly situation but she under stands why there are so many churches and she is a reference and she is getting baptized here in 2 weeks and her daughters are listening too and I think they will get baptized. I don't carry my camera much but I will try and get a picture of them this week. They are a great family. Oh and their father abandoned the family and so it is just an ugly deal all around we went to the bishops store house last week with them cause they have virtually nothing and she is changing the lining in my suit to have a little work cause she makes clothes and I had a big hole in it from where my bag rubs. So they are a great family and the Baby from the pastor is the cutest thing ever the picture is of her. As for me I am great I can speak spanish just fine and for the most part people understand. So that is good.

I love you all thanks for the love and support. Until next week
love nathan

Email--December 14, 2009

Family email---Well yeah I am getting transferred to another part of Bogota.  Also we went to the Hard Rock Cafe today for birthdays, today is Wagstaff's birthday, mine is in a week, and Butler's is on the 29th.  We had a good time there.  It was a good learning experience for me here,  but well all things change in the mission.
I LOVE THE 24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS thanks all who participated.  I read from Uji today.  She is so so funny, I loved her letter.  I am glad to hear from you all that all is going good.  I am sad I am missing the snow. I am sorry I am short today but well I have a million things going through my mind.  But I love you all and thank you for you support. love nate

Natali email---I love you with all my heart!  On saturday we were eating lunch and they were asking about family and I said I have an older sister, who is in fact graduating as we speak! so CONGRATS.  I am so so proud of you and happy for you.   Well natali, i am just so happy for you what a great acomplishment in your life.  So even though I missed it I am so proud and happy for you!  Also thank you for the family blog update.  It is pretty sweet with all the pictures.  The cabin kitchin IS LEGIT!! I am so excited.  Ok well I love you and thank you for all you do for me.  And you can open your letters on new years eve that would be cooler cause I get to talk to you on christmas.  You are the greatest sister I could ever have.  Thank you and I love you. Love your brother Nathan

 

 

 

 

Email December 7, 2009

Hey I am sorry I am getting this off late but I was at the mall sending your stuff home for Christmas and it is super different here in Bogota, they weren't very nice like the nice lady is Sogomoso. So who knows you may not even get it and they uped the prices this past week, so good thing I have been saving no?
I am doing really good. The biggest news with me is we got a new zone leader before transfers due to stress problems but for me was good cause they sent my old comp elder Pelero here from Sogomoso. So I got to see him and play soccer with him today. I miss being his comp. He is a good kid and yeah not much else is going on. The 24 days of Christmas are going GREAT!! Ithank all who helped. I love it. Other than that I got sun burned on my arms again today and yeah

Also, I forgot that yesterday a very tall white man walked in to church and sat down by me. Well he ended up being from Canada, and he is a pilot. He is working here for a big oil company. They fly and do some kind of test to guess where to drill and look for gas and oil. He flies all over the US and Canada, and has been to Ft. Mac a ton. So I told him dad had work up there and what not. So he told me to look him up after my mission and whenever he is here he is going to come to that ward. So that was kinda cool. I have his business card. He speaks no spanish, it reminded me of the first months here. He is from Calgary by the way. I think he works for air partners if i remember correctly. And yeah. We have Zone conference tomorrow and all is good here. Still no baptisms but we are getting there. Mom I love you so much and thank you for all your love and support. Tell dad I am sorry the dog was in his bed, but well I didn't teach him that. haha love you
love your son nathan