Laxaholic

AUGUST 5th

Well, yesterday was an amazing day. As we looked through the former investigators section in our area book, we found a 24 year old named Caesar, who taught and lived at the Spoken English Center. We happened to find his classroom at the end of one of his classes. The secretary went to check with him to see if it was alright for Elder Ludlow and I to sit in on his class as he taught the differences between WILL and SHALL. Five minutes into the lecture he asked his students, "Will Jesus come, the second time before I die?" Some say "Jesus shall come, I don't know." And then he invited us to the front of the class so that the students could ask us questions about America and answer questions about India. It was absolutely incredible. We spoke for 30 minutes with the class about food, movies, places to go and the family in America. We also spoke about the food in India and the families in India. For most of them, it was the first time they spoke with an American. I absolutely loved it. I told them some jokes and they loved it.

We then taught Caesar and had a very successful first lesson.

Last night we went to Brother Bazil's family. Elder Ludlow and I have been working with them for almost two months and the children have come to church once and his brother has come twice. We taught the Restoration again, but this time using only The Book of Mormon. Brazil is quite an entertaining man, he has sailed on a ship for most of his life and has been all around the world. Apparently, ice cream is best in China and Australia. US hamburgers are delicious and Germans like to fight. He can imitate a pretty decent Scottish accent and says he is smarter than most people he sails with. His family is Catholic and he has been Catholic for 58 years. He has agreed to let his children be baptized if they want, but is pretty attached to the Catholic Church himself.

We compared the church to a ship, with a prophet like the captain, and his apostles like the crew. Not anybody could run a ship, but someone with training or authority. The apostle were given authority to lead Christ's church. After Jesus Christ died for our sins, persecution grew until all of the apostles were also killed. From history we learn Peter was also crucified, James was beheaded. It is thought that Thomas even died in Madras. The ship had the Holy Bible, or a radar, but no one knew how to correctly decipher the radar. When Joseph Smith prayed and asked God what church was true, God chose Joseph to be a prophet and restored the authority God gave to the apostles. We now have someone who can understand the radar, who can teach us God's plan. Joseph Smith was commanded to call 12 apostles and restore Jesus Christ's church to the earth.

Brother Bazil looked more humble then I have ever seen him. Elder Ludlow said, "Brother Bazil, as I look into your eyes and those of your daughter's and wife's, I know you can feel the Holy Spirit. I know that you know this message is true." The spirit was very strong and they did not need to answer Elder Ludlow's question for us to know the answer.

"It is true," Brother Bazil responded. "I know it."

It was a remarkable lesson last night, and a great way to tie off a remarkable week.

August 12th

This was a great week. I was able to perform a baptism last Sunday, I always love the baptisms and they really make the week great. The best birthday gift in the world is bringing someone into the Gospel. I am so grateful that I was able to baptize Brother Kumar the day after my 20th
birthday.

On my birthday I was fed so much that I think that I'm 4kgs heavier for the past 5 days. In India, people like to feed you on your birthday. I did not go starving that day. We started out the morning teaching and then Elder Ludlow and I went to pick up a birthday cake he had ordered for me. The birthday cake was the face of a girl and the cake said "Happy Birthday Elder Nixon, Love Sister Nixon!" I loved the cake! This is the only girl I have been able to hold in the past year! We cut cake with all my converts and Missionaries at the church, then we went to eat at a members home. Later that day, we taught some great lessons which was the best part of the day. Then finally we ate at another members home for dinner and they made us banana bread in celebration of Birthday.

It was fun, but I have to say that a birthday is not a birthday without family. I am so grateful for the love and support for the people here in India. I received Uncle Randy's package on my birthday and it was amazing, he packed it with very nice treats and homemade jerky.

This week has moved by so fast and many great experiences happened. One day we had been knocking all day and we came upon this man that looked very surprised to see us. He quickly invited us in and we went and began to get to know him. After a few moments of introductions, he looked at us and said, "I need you, I know the Lord sent you to me, I have waited for you," He had tears in his eyes and he confessed that he has some serious struggles that he is dealing with. It was not the first time we have had an experience like this, but this time I was very humbled as I sat back thinking that here is a man that has a family, he is in his 50's, he has a career, he had children in college, and he is looking for help from a 20 year old.

I am constantly humbled by situations like these. I know that the Lord has really blessed me with such a wonderful calling which allows me to help people through their struggles. I had another experience this week with an investigator who is a 65 year old University MBA professor and knows English better than me. He has struggled with tea and he just couldn't get over it, his confidence was low and my companion and I really didn't know what to say. We went in and taught him the importance of obedience and how this is the way to honor our Father in Heaven. We then taught repentance and how when he repents he will fell that guilt completely leave his body. The next day we came back and he was so happy. He was celebrating that he did it! He did not take tea and he repented and felt a literal weight taken from him. He explained it was the greatest of all the feelings he has ever had, and he is so grateful for us and he knows that as he keeps the covenants is making, "His Father" is very happy. I now realize the importance of the gospel. Some of the people I teach have money, families, cars and other materials of worldly value, but they are all not happy because they are missing the gospel in their lives.

My favorite part of the mission is watching the Gospel change the lives of families.

August 19th

This was a great Birthday!!!!! I am so grateful for you and dad. I'm grateful for all you have done for me and continue to do for me. I love my family and miss you all.

The work is going great. I have to tell you a funny story. There are 12 girls that came to Visag for a summer exchange program, from BYU. They really stick out like sore thumbs because they are all white as snow, like they have not seen the sun in a very long time. Rumors are flying around the city of Visag that a "dozen American Girls brought swine flu to Visak!" I guess the swine flu is starting to spread through Visag and people believe that these girls from BYU brought it with them.

September 8th

I loved hearing about my lacrosse buddy, Neil Watterson and how he walked on and made the BYU football team. He was quite the football player in high school and I know that he will be a great asset to the team.

This week has been kind of emotional because I look and see the end of the tunnel and realize that I have 11 months left on my mission and I feel like I have so much work left to do.I love the mission so much and I am shocked looking back in time to see how far I have come.

On my way back to Visag, after interviewing with the President Nichols, the train ride back was 13 hours long and it gave me time to reflect and think about my mission. In reading D&C section 15 verse 6, this is why we are all here. This is what makes me tick, The greatest desire of my heart is to dwell with my brothers and sister in the Celestial Kingdom. Everyday serving these people is the greatest blessing of my life. I am so grateful to be here and to be working diligently to bring my brothers and sisters to a knowledge of their Redeemer.

On Sunday, as Elder Ludlow and I were walking through a neighborhood trying to find people to teach, we came across a bunch of workers who were tearing down an old two story flat. Now in India, they do not use power tools, they use sledge hammers and picks to tear down a building made of concrete. We felt like we should give the workers a rest, so we picked up hammers and began to work. We worked and worked and worked ......We worked until our hands were literally bleeding and so badly blistered, we couldn't shake hands, let alone pick up our bags. By the time we were finished and leaving, we noticed the entire neighborhood was hanging out their windows and on their roofs watching us. We met a lot of people and received a lot of contact that day. It was a great experience.

I challenge you to read the scriptures and study by specific topics. I promise the things that you discover are worth a lot more than any earthly possessions. I am grateful our family has worked hard to follow the teachings of the prophets.

I love you,
Elder Nixon