Laxaholic

Billy's Homecoming Information

2010-07-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Billy will be speaking at church in Virginia on August 8th at 9:00AM.

Kingstowne Ward
5911 Franconia Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22310

Billy will also be speaking at church in Salt Lake City on August 22nd at 1:10PM.

Mt. Olympus 1st Ward
4635 S. Lanark Road (3315 E. 4635 S.)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84124

Billy is excited to see all of his friends and family! Hope to see you there!

Sign Language Class & A Baptism

2010-07-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

4th of July Weekend--Pork Ribs & Corn

2010-07-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

Pictures from Zone Conference

2010-07-12T21:20:00.000-07:00

MOTHER’S DAY CALL -- LAST CALL HOME

2010-05-11T18:53:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful night as we sat around the family room awaiting Billy’s phone call. We had the speaker phone hooked up and every time the phone rang, we all jumped. We were fortunate to have Billy’s grandparents with us, they just happened to be in town for a business meeting. The phone call came in about 7:40 in the evening and to hear Billy on the other end, with such excitement, brought tears to my eyes. It was actually 5:00 am the following morning for Billy. He talked to us for about an hour and stopped just for a minute to wake up his companion. They were due to catch a plane back to Bangalore after visiting Goa. They had visited Goa to go on splits with the District Leaders.

His spirits were high and he was excited to tell us about four baptisms that took place last week and four more that are scheduled for next week. The Elders feel very blessed as they have baptized 32 people since January. Their numbers are higher than this time last year for Bangalore. Last year, in the area of Bangalore, there were 50 baptisms for the years. The Elders are all working very hard to make up for the fact that there hasn’t been any new missionaries assigned to India for about a year. The Government is not approving visas. The Mission President has pulled some Elders to work in the Mission home due to the fact that the missionary couples have all left because their visa’s have expired.

Billy’s companion is Elder Briggs, and he speaks very highly of him. Elder Briggs got an infection and had temporarily lost his hearing in both ears. He has regained hearing in one of his ears. Billy said that Elder Briggs can’t hear when others talk to him, he is only able to hear Billy. How blessed he is to have a companion that talks so loud. Elder Briggs and Billy worked with the Elders in the zone and they were able to find a total of 116 new investigators. Twenty five of those were found by Elder Briggs and Bill. By the end of May they hope to have eight baptisms.

Billy said that the deaf community has really grown in their Branch. He baptized the first couple in February and what a thrill it was to see their father baptize his children several weeks later. Several of their friends have since started investigating the church. Billy holds a class twice a week and has over 40 members are in attendance to teach sign language to the members of the Branch as well as other Elders so they will continue to communicate with the deaf community. There are two of his students that have done so well that they are able to help Bill translate in church. It has not been easy to teach the deaf because there is no formal training with sign language in India, so those who are deaf make up their own form of language, so at times this presents some problems.

At a District Leaders council, where all the district leaders meet with the Zone leaders and make goals for the upcoming month. They discussed the importance of getting investigators to a sacrament meeting. As they were talking, Bill remembered the time when he was in the 6th grade and how his teacher would encourage the students not to be “no zero heroes”! He presented this idea to the other Elders and they loved the idea, so they established the “NO ZERO HERO”. The Elders got so excited that they all showed up with new investigators. The zone had over 40 investigators that week and that is the highest it has ever been. That was only two days after they had discussed it.

Bill said that he is a little sad that this is the last phone call home. He said that it seems like just when he knows what he is doing, it is time to leave. If he could extend his mission, he would. He loves India and the people of India and has loved serving the Lord. He will stay strong and finish strong. He has registered for classes at BYU and has put a lot of thought into his future. Bill’s release date is August 2 and he would like to have his homecoming on Sunday, August 8th, which will be his 21st birthday.

The Elders that were arrested, were released after four days. They are now working in the Mission office because the government would like President Nichols to turn over their passports and if that happens, the Elders would be unable to leave India.

In March, they had Zone Conference, it was a wonderful experience. Elder Perkins, Quorum of the Seventy, and his wife visited the mission and it was nice to receive training from them. Elder Perkins told Bill that he knew his dad and he asked if he was the son of Bill Nixon, the Stake President in Virginia. He told Bill that he met his dad several times in Hong Kong. What a small world. Bill was suppose to conduct and he was very nervous, especially when you have a General Authority slap you on the knee and say, “Let’s get going”.

Bill in his own words:

I don’t think I could ever repay the Lord for what he has done for me. I came on my mission to serve the Lord, but I fell like I have received more blessings then I deserve. I am confident the Lord could do this work by himself, but he sent us so we can learn and grow from our own experience. If anyone would consider the mission as a sacrifice, they are ignorant of what the Lord is calling them to do. I feel like I am in the Mormon Battalion. I thought I could come to fight, but I have realized that I have come to learn. As I read the Scriptures in the Book of Luke, it hit home to me. Those who look to save their lives, lose them, but those who lose their lives will find them. I have discovered who I am, who I want to be. I understand more about the gospel and the Lord’s plan then I ever thought I would. I felt like these past two years have been constructing the foundation for my entire life. I am so grateful for the gospel and I am so grateful for the blessings Heavenly Father has given me.

New Pics-post to come!

2010-05-09T18:59:00.001-07:00

“The Perfect Storm” (From February 26th)

2010-03-23T19:32:00.001-07:00

It all started when I got hit in the head with a coconut. As Elder Briggs and I made our way down the road trying to catch an auto to take us to our next appointment, I felt as if a brick fell from the sky and hit me in the head. I turned to look behind me to see if my companion caught hold of what had happened. His eyes were wide opened as he explained to me that a dried coconut had fallen from the tree and nailed me in the center of my head, before breaking into two pieces. My head throbbed for a couple of minutes, but that was just the beginning of the headache that I was about to be put through.

We found an auto that would take us to the church to pick up a member who was going to come with us to our appointment. As soon as we picked up the member my phone rang. “Elder Nixon, this is Elder Sakamaki, right now we are in trouble with an irate Hindu man who is calling the police on us. I called Elder Satyadi and Elder Ludlow to come and help us; we are behind Indi Joe’s Restaurant.” Before even having time to listen further, I hung up the phone. I called the two Elders who they called for help and told them they are not allowed to go there, they were to report to the Mission Office as soon as possible and call me when they get there. Then I called President Nichols and told him what was happening in a 20 second summary. I called back the distressed Elder’s, and with a very calm voice I said, “Elder listen very carefully, get your companion’s attention and tell him to ‘run’. Both of you run as fast as you can. When you get away from the angry man, find an auto and go directly to the mission office. There, the Elders will wait for you and I will be awaiting your phone call from the office.”

We continued on our way to our appointment, when I got a call from the Elder’s who were in trouble. When I answered, I heard yelling and people screaming, “Get off the phone!” Through the loud noise I heard “Elder Nixon, things did not work out, we are in back of the police car!” The phone died, and my heart sank. I pulled the auto drivers left shoulder hard pulling the auto out of traffic and off to the side of the road. I jumped out of the auto thinking that is not time to react, but to act. I immediately called President Nichols who was in Sri Lanka for a couple’s conference and told him what had happened. President Nichols agreed to get a hold of an attorney to meet the Elder’s down at the jail. However the problem was that we did not know what police station they were going to. I agreed to find out where they were going. I sent a text message to the captive Elders, inquiring as to which Police station they were heading for. I said a small prayer in my heart and attempted a half-dozen calls to the Elders who were in the police car. Finally one connected, “Indiranagar,” when again the phone call was disconnected, this time it would be the last we would hear from those two.

I called to follow-up with President as to which police station they were at and President explained that he had sent the attorney. Both of us were optimistic as to thinking that we would get the Elders out that night. I was assigned to notify all the Branch Presidents, the District President, and all the Elders of what was going on. Then I got a call I was not ready for, “Elder Nixon, this Elder Fabrizio. I won’t be able to make it the baptism tonight, I am so sick I cannot get out of bed.” Elder Fabrizio is our District Leader and our Branch was holding a baptism service for two people this evening. While I was notifying all these people, I was franticly flagging down an auto to go and pick up the necessary items for the baptismal service.

When I contacted everyone, I followed up with President and informed him that everyone was contacted. When we arrived at Elder Fabrizio’s apartment, I could tell that he needed to meet with a doctor. I arranged for a member to take him to the hospital to get checked out. Then I raced back to the church to prepare for the service. It was a very spiritual service, and it was a blessing to see John Issac, the deaf brother I baptized, baptize his own daughter. I also had the opportunity to baptize a man by the name of Naveen. However, I was in and out of the service and on the phone, not only with President Nichols, but also with the member who had taken Elder Fabizio to the doctors. When the Baptism came to a close we were informed that Elder Fabrizio was doing great, that he was back at his apartment and was given medicine to take. President Nichols informed me that the Elders should be getting out that night. Everything was going to work out.

As we went home, I felt that we should stay at Elder Fabrizio’s to make sure that he was doing okay and that he would be alright through the night. When we got to Elder Fabrizio’s, we ordered some biryani from the shop next to his apartment. While we were waiting for the food, President Nichols called. “Elder’s we have a problem, the Elder’s that are in jail will not be released tonight. The complaint was going to dropped and everything was going to work out, until a government official who found out about all this, forced the complaining party to follow through with the complaint. It looks like they will be moved to central jail tomorrow and we will pick up with all of this on Monday when the police office opens again.” President told us that he was going to catch an airplane back on Monday from Sri Lanka and he would like us to meet him in his office at 11am Monday.

Sunday was a great day. Elder Fabrizio did not make it to church, but both people who were baptized the night before were confirmed. Sign language class was held after church and we had a great turnout. Over 40 people came to learn sign Language. We then went to go see Jenny, the girl who we had to emergency cancel on because of the circumstances on Saturday. We went to PEC and the branch President agreed to make a list of all the part members in the branch, so we could go teach all the members family members who are not members of the church. That night Elder Briggs and I went to follow-up with an investigator who we had found that week, and it was a great follow-up. They had kept their commitment to read and they had questions for us. We taught them a little more about the apostasy and then we spoke a little about eternal families. We went home that night pretty happy with how that day turned out.

Monday we met with President Nichols and discussed the situation with the Elders in jail. The story came out about what had happened. One of the Elders had listen to my counsel and ran, while the other did not because he thought he could talk his way out of the situation. The other Elder got away and realized that his companion was not going to run, so he had to go back to get his companion, and by that time it was too late. A group of angry people had formed which restricted them from running again and the police showed up in time for the two Elders to get thrown in back of the police car. President Nichols was pretty upset that the Elder did not listen to the counsel, if both Elders would have run, they would both have made it out okay. What a lesson! We need to always listen to our leaders. Apparently that Elder understands that he made a mistake because he has told the attorney countless times, “Please tell President Nichols I am sorry!” President Nichols was hopeful that they would be released on Monday night. He had us prepare an agenda for a Bangalore Zone Conference where the Elders would receive future guidance and hear the testimonies and story of these two Elders. This meeting would be held the day after they are released. He also had us go and gather some of the Elder’s things to take to the mission office, so the Elders who are in jail could stay with President a few nights after their release.

That evening we were informed that the Elders would have to stay another night in Jail. Elder Briggs and I went to bed optimistic that everything would work out. Well, that night at 1am I got a call. “Elder Nixon, this is Fabrizio, I am so sick and my chest hurts very badly.” I told Fabrizio to wait at his apartment and we would come pick him up and take him the hospital. I woke up Elder Briggs and told him to get his clothes on. I called Sister Nichols and told her that I was taking Elder Fabrizio to the hospital. We ran to the main road to catch an auto to Elder Fabrizios apartment and then on to the hospital. When we got him the auto he looked horrible. As we were half way there I heard a scream “Elder Nixon, are we almost there I can’t feel my limbs and I can’t move my hands.” Right as we made it the hospital I sprinted up the emergency ramp and demanded that the security guard get a wheelchair. I ran the chair down the ramp and put Fabrizio in it and ran him into the Emergency room. The doctors threw him on the bed and began to give him IVs to treat him. I went to the front desk and admitted him into the hospital. I called Sister Nichols and informed her of what was going on. I sent Elder Briggs back to the apartment with Elder John to sleep. I sat next to Elder Fabrizio the entire night and did whatever I could to help him. It was hard as he groaned in pain, but I am so grateful I was there to help support him. He finally got a little sleep, but as for me I did not sleep at all that night.

The next morning (Tuesday) the results came back and come to find out he had a very serious case of food poisoning. He was going to have to stay in the hospital for one more day. I arranged for Elder Briggs to come stay with him from 1pm to 8pm while I took Elder John to go to some teaching appointments. Going on no sleep, we went and taught some very powerful lessons. That night we returned to the hospital and I sent Elder Briggs with Elder John back to the apartment to go get some sleep, and again I stayed the night with Elder Fabrizio. That night I was informed by President Nichols that the Elders went to court and the proposal was rejected by the jury. They told them that they have two options, come with a different proposal or give up their passports to insure that the Elders stay and don’t jump bail. Well there is no way that would happen so they agreed to rewrite the proposal. Needless to say the Elders are in jail for another night. Sister Nichols called me to follow-up on Elder Fabrizio, and I explained to her that he was doing great. She told me something that meant a lot to me, she said, “Elder Nixon you have had to deal with the Perfect Storm. I am so happy because I feel that you handled things very well. I am very happy that you were there because I do not know how another Elder would have reacted in a serious situation like this one, you did exactly what needed to be done and I don’t think anyone could have done a better job.”

It was last night, as I lay down on the hospital floor, I just reflected on these past couple of days and was filled with so much gratitude. President Nichols on the phone said, “Elder Nixon this is preparing you to be a mission President someday.” How blessed am I for the experiences my Heavenly Father has given me. Not once did I think, “Why me?” Not once did I get caught up in negativity or get discouraged. There is no reason to ever get discouraged. This is true, the Gospel is real, and that counsel to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail is a principle we often overlook, all of our challenges are for our own learning. It makes me sad to think people complain because of all their problems and all there sufferings. Elder Holland beautifully illustrates how the path of discipleship requires us to take a step or two in the garden. When you have problems, welcome to the path of apostles and prophets, welcome to true discipleship where the Savior knows a thing or two about a “cross too heavy to bear” and a “cup too heavy to drink”. Salvation is not a cheap experience, and it is my testimony that everything is given to us for our own learning and to help us grow and mold us into what Heavenly Father needs us to become. I am so grateful for this week’s experience. I have received several confirmations that this is where the Lord needed me at this time. Believe me when I say that I know that this is the Lord’s work and that his hand is directly in this work. I am so grateful for this Gospel and the blessing I have to be part of a rich heritage of Proclaiming the Gospel. Nothing changes: “Mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calamity may defame, but the truth will go forth nobly, boldly and independent, until it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every nation, and sounded in every ear, until the purpose of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done!”

I woke up this morning full of energy. Today Elder Fabrizio was released from the hospital and I am optimistic that the Elders will get out of jail tonight. I came straight from the hospital to this computer to let you know that this is the Lord’s work and I am so happy to be a part of it. There is nowhere I would rather be than here in the service of my God.

Elder William L. Nixon

New Photos of Billy!

2010-02-23T18:07:00.000-08:00

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER: TALKING TO BILLY CHRISTMAS NIGHT

2010-01-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

We sat around waiting for the phone to ring Christmas night and we were told to expect the call around 10:30 PM. The time came and went and finally the phone rang about 12:15. It took five attempts before the phone call actually came through. It was so wonderful to hear the excitement in Billy’s voice. Although, according to the clock on the wall, it seemed like we talked to him for quite a while, but in reality the phone lines kept dropping the call and once again Billy would try several times before the call came through.

Billy just arrived in Bangalore and it is very different from the other areas which he has been serving. Almost everyone speaks English and it seemed like he was in America again. He never thought he would be so excited to see Pizza Hut, Hard Rock Café, McDonald’s. In other parts of India the weather is very hot, so hot that at the end of the day he could ring out his tie. When he arrived in Bangalore he said that he was cold and actually felt like he needed a sweater. He hadn’t eaten rice in a couple of weeks and that has been the staple in his diet since arriving in India.

Bill said that the reason his call was late was be because time is irrelevant in India, it is worse then Mormon time. Billy said that he loved serving in Visak because he was there so long that he felt a part of the Branch and was there when most of the Branch was baptized. He and his companionships have baptized 30 people total. When he first arrived in Visak there were only 30 active members in the Branch.

They still haven’t had any visa’s approved and they are really hurting. They have the Elders working In the office because the visas for the older couples haven’t come through. They only have 80 Elders serving right now, but with these 80 Elders they have had 575 baptisms this year. Last year, with 90 Elders, they finished the year with 475. Last year they had more Elders and more experience and they were a 100 short of their goal. This year before the Zone leaders left, they were pretty skeptical, so they set the goal for 450 and now they are finishing off the year with 575 baptisms. It is the highest baptism mission per capita in Asia.

Billy is Zone leader and presides over 14 missionaries. He has been traveling to Goa which is a 2 1/2 hour plane ride. They have to visit Goa every month and other companionships they visit every six weeks. Everyone is serving out of love. We teach correct principals and they govern for themselves. His relationships with his companionships have all been very different and they have had come from different back grounds. Billy has loved all his companionships. Billy said that he wishes he could get more work done and wishes there were more hours in the day.

The food here in India is really bad for you and that is why they don’t live very long lives. Growing up your whole life eating mounds and mounds of rice and everything is boiled in oil, that certainly isn’t good for you.

On Christmas Day, the Elders were invited to President Nichols home and they got to watch BYU beat Oregon State University. He even got to see the BYU game when they beat University of Utah.

President Nichols is a wonderful Mission President and Billy respects him and his counsel. Billy talked about all the wonderful letters and packages he has received from friends and family and is so grateful for their support.
__________________________________________________________

TAKEN FROM BILLY’S LETTERS

December 30th:

Billy was happy to see the article that was written in Meridian Magazine about the Christmas lunch that was held in the Capital with all the Missionaries in the South Mission.

Last Wednesday night, we ate dinner at an American members home in the 3rd branch. They fed us beef stew, bread and salad. We also had home made sugar cookies, it was like a party. We had permission to stay out late and we sang Christmas songs until 10:00 PM.

Christmas Day was wonderful. WE had an amazing breakfast at the mission home and then we watched the BYU Bowl game. I was happy to see BYU play with a little pride. It was a fun experience. We had a gift exchange and ended up walking away with imported gel foot insoles and it was truly an answer to my prayers. We spent the rest of Christmas with Church members. To finish the night, we had dinner at the Gebblers home, they are Americans in 2nd Branch. They gifted up two huge baskets of food. It was amazing!

January 6th:

Another great week! Happy New Year! It feels like yesterday that I came on my mission and now I only have 6 months.

Last Sunday some members invited their friends to come to church. I introduced myself to their friends and arranged an appointment to meet this family. It is a family of three members. They were so excited for us to come to their home and teach them about the gospel. I was on exchange with the assistant Elder Carver when I finally had the opportunity to meet them this week. The lesson was powerful. We spoke of the restoration of the Gospel, that infinate power to change. We explained how Heavenly Father loves them. With tears in their eyes they told us their past. They were Hindu, but had a love marriage which had them kicked out of their families home. The only education that the father had was a 5th grade education and he could not find a job after he had been cheated out of 100.000 rupees by his business partner. They are in debt and feel as if they cannot find peace in this world. They were very saddened. They met a member of the church who gave them a call and invited them to attend church. This member explained that if they come to church and speak with the Elders, their life would change.

This family came to church and that is the place I met them. They explained that their first visit to the church as being, “the peace that we have been trying to find in the world”, and “a source of hope”. After we explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ and taught the principles of the gospel, faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism for remission of their sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I bore my testimony on this power to change, and at the end of the lesson he looked up and said, “Brother I want this power, I want to leave my old life and I want to be new. “Please help me do this.”

It is amazing to see in a week how this can change lives. This gospel saves people. It is true! I have seen it with my own eyes the power of this Gospel.

January 13th:

This week was hard on me. The week started off well and I thought that it was going to finish well, but I was wrong. On Saturday night we had a huge Branch fireside where we announced the new 2010 Branch Mission plan. The entire Branch was there to support us in announcing this plan. We had spent hours putting together a power point which the Branch President used to announce the plan. I had a wonderful opportunity to interpret for the hearing impaired section. I know Heavenly Father has really blessed me, because I haven’t signed in over three years, but it is as if I remember it all very well. At the end of the power point, we had a huge cake hidden behind a door and we opened it in front of all the members and the members saw this 10kg cake which was a replica of the Golden Plates. On one side was a picture of Christ being baptized and on the other side was a scripture from 3rd Nephi 27. The members loved it!

Sunday was good and church was spiritually uplifting. However after church is when it went all down hill. We had a man that was preparing to be baptized next Saturday and we had been working really hard with him. It wasn’t to be.

January 20th:

This week was a lot better then last week. We are expecting 4 baptisms this Saturday. The deaf couple are being baptized and I am baptizing them in sign language. As we were sitting in PEC, it came up that they were going to be baptized this week and President said that someday when there is a deaf branch, they feel he will be the Branch President. He has such a glow to him and you can tell that Heavenly Father has big plans for him even though he and his wife are deaf.

The other family that I mentioned who were having struggles in their life are being baptized as well this Saturday. I cannot express in words the miracle that the gospel has been in their lives and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to see them baptized.

The zone is going very well and right now we are leading the mission in baptisms. Bangalore is on fire and things are going very well.

LONG OVER DUE: EXCERPTS FROM BILLY’S LETTER’S, Nov 4th thru Dec. 25th

2009-12-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

NOVEMBER 4:

It was a great week in the Lord’s vineyard. The sister who attempted suicide had a miracle recovery and it was absolutely amazing to see the hand of the Lord truly protect her and her family. She was the wife of a brother who was studying to be a doctor. She was from a muslim family and he is from a Christian family, they have a love marriage. She hasn’t received any blessings or support from her family and her brother would tell her to kill herself and that she wasn’t worth anything. It is very hard to explain the culture in India, but this incident was, in a way, a blessing for this family. They invite us over all the time and she is reading the Book of Mormon and praying everyday. I taught her the plan of salvation and you could feel the power of the spirit in the room.

I think it is time to live the word of wisdom. In my patriarchal blessing it speaks of the blessings of living the word of wisdom and I feel that I could do better. I really want to work on it. It is hard to work out sometimes because of all the rice, but I want to start working on it. I want to get back to skipping rope and running, so that I will be in great shape when I start playing lacrosse again.

We found a new amazing family. We were in a new area, I was with a member, and my companions were together in a different lesson. The lesson I was in had just ended and we were waiting for the other Elders. I felt that the member and I should knock on a door, so we knocked and we were received by a family of five. We knew prior to knocking that we had no pamphlets, nor did we have any copies of the Book ob Mormon. I felt we needed to teach this family.

We began to teach and the lesson was going very well. They expressed how they saw the flaws in all the other churches and that is why they did not go to church. They expressed that they had been searching for the truth, but did not know where to find it. All of their feelings and doubts were as if they were being quoted from the D &C. As the lesson drew to a close, I was kicking myself for not having a Book of Mormon. I pulled out my Preach my Gospel to show a picture of the first vision. After I shared the experience of Joseph in the grove, the father excused himself from the room. He came back with a copy of the Book of Mormon. He saw a picture of the Book of Mormon in my Preach my Gospel and he knew that he had a copy.

I was shocked. I asked where he had received a copy of the book and he shared with us that he received it two years prior from a worker in his office. Not knowing how to read English, he had held on to it for two years until someone could explain it to him.

We have continued to teach that family. Every time we see them, the father is full of questions. But not because he does not know the answers, but because he is testing us to see if we know the answers. He has studied the bible in depth and has asked us about the spirit world, final judgement, why Christ will return a second time and questions that other churches do not teach, but are a common teaching in the restored gospel. So far he has explained that this is the church he has been searching for and his family says that we were sent from God.

I love the work! Weeks just fly by faster and faster and I am loving everyday I have to serve. I hope all is well at home and I can assure you all is going well here! I have never been happier!

NOVEMBER 11th:

What a wonderful week... I am so jealous that you had the opportunity to go to the temple. It is so hard being so far from the temple. Every time we watch, Navoo: a Temple reborn, I feel the spirit is so strong and I get so excited to see the temple again.

Yesterday, as I was sitting in a lesson, I told a story about you and some of the things that you have gone through in your life, and because of the gospel, you have received so many blessings. The women we were teaching, sat in a small room with both arms around her children explaining how her husband walked out on her a month ago. She had tears in her eyes, but I can’t express in words the look of peace and comfort when I explained how you grew up in a home that experienced the same problem and how much the gospel blessed you and helped you through it.

Well, this week was nice. This week has flown by so fast. We should be having five baptisms in two weeks. The family we have been teaching is still preparing for baptism and it looks like it will be happening soon. A couple of weeks ago, I went on an exchange with Elder Cunningham and we found an amazing colony, a “steel plant.” We found amazing investigators and one of the young men we found is being baptized in a week and another young man we taught read the entire Book of Mormon in a week.

The work is going so well and I am loving every second of it.

NOVEMBER 17th: TRANSFERRED TO THE BIG CITY, BANGALORE

My companion was transferred to Bangalore to be the Mission Secretary. He will be great in the office. We just can’t get any visa’s right now so President needs to use Elders to fill in the shoes of the Senior Missionaries. President Nichols called me and let me know that I will be transferred on the 24th to Bangalore to be the new Zone Leader there. I am surprised that I am getting called to Bangalore, I never thought I would serve there. It only had 50 baptisms this year and it is the lowest in the mission. We have a lot of work that needs to be done there.

I am very sad to leave this area that I am in now, I have been in this branch for eight months and it feels like home. I love all the people here and I know I will cry all the way to Bangalore. Since I came here, I have seen almost 20 baptisms and this Sunday (my last Sunday) I will be baptizing six more people. Naveen, and part member: Paveen, an investigator and I have been teaching for two months: Joji, Prashanti, Teresa, Jamscie and Alakia (8th Birthday 3/27/10, a family who I have been teaching for two months and they are absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to hear that joji baptized his younger daughter. We told him that he would be able to baptize his own daughter on her 8th birthday and the look on his family’s face was worth a million dollars. You could see how proud they were to know that their father would soon be able to hold the Priesthood. I cannot wait to send you pictures next week of the baptism service. I hope everything goes according to plan. The work is going well, but we have been really just trying to prepare these six people for their baptism.

Naveen, the part member, will be baptized by his father. His father knows no English and cannot even read. We have been spending hours and hours helping him memorize the Baptism prayer so that he can baptize his son. They live in a little 5x6 cinder block home which leaks when it rains and he sits on the corner of the street everyday selling plastic flowers. He cannot even understand the teachings on Sundays, he only has the education of a third grader and yet, he has come to church for seven years because the feeling he has, entering the church house every week. If this is not a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel, I don’t know what is.

My next email will be from Bangalore. I am so grateful to be apart of this great work and I love every second I have to serve these people. I am heart broken that I have leave Visak, but I am sure I will love Bangalore just as much.

NOVEMBER 25th: A FAREWELL TO VISAG

This was the hardest move of my mission. I have grown to love Visag so much and I was heartbroken as I made preparations to leave. This weekend was also one of the greatest weeks in Visag has seen all year. On Sunday my companionship baptized six people and another companionship baptized a family of three which put us past the goal that the Zone had set for the year of 70 baptisms. When I came to Visag we only had 14 baptisms in the zone and we were 25 baptisms behind schedule to hit our goal by January first and this last weekend we hit the goal. I am so happy to leave the Zone with the goal completed.

Zone Conference was on Friday and it was a wonderful opportunity I had to speak about commitments and my experience with them. I based my talk around the scripture Jacob 5:41 and the assistants told me at the end of the conference that it was one of the best talks that they have heard on their mission. I am very flattered by the complement. President Nichols complemented me on my talk and said that he was proud of me.

Sunday was the last day of Visag. The Branch was wonderful, they asked me to bear my testimony at sacrament and then closed the meeting by singing, “God be with you til we meet again.” As they sang, tears rolled down my cheeks and I just didn’t want to leave. The rest of church went by so slow and I was so excited for the Baptisms. The entire Branch stayed for the Baptisms and everyone was so excited. It was the best baptism service I have ever seen. This was the biggest Visag has ever had in the first Branch. The best and most memorable part was watching Srinvas Gunta baptize his son Naveen. I have never met anyone who worked that hard to baptize their own son.

After church we went to Probaker’s home and they feed us homemade biryani because I was leaving. When I came to Visag he was inactive and now he is the in the Branch Presidency. Then after that, we visited Baven and another investigators home. Then we went to Joi’s house and let me tell you.... That was the hardest visit I have ever made. They made me a huge poster that said NIXON BILLY and had a message in the middle. It was the greatest gift I have ever received because it took a lot of time to make and it was from the heart of a family who cannot afford it. They made me biryani as well. As I left the entire family fell into tears and I thought I was going to hold strong, but as I was saying goodbye for the last time, I started to cry harder then I have ever cried. I walked away from that home crying so hard. Leaving people that you love so much. I still remember the first time I taught them and thought, “If they are not baptized, I will live my entire life in sorrow because there is not another family I would rather see in the Kingdom of God.” I am so happy I was able to see them baptized, but so sad that I had to leave them.

President took me and the assistants to breakfast the next morning before our flight. We ate at the Grand Bay Hotel and the breakfast was amazing! Pancakes, eggs, ham...!!!! Then we caught a flight to Bangalore. On the flight I had the opportunity to see an Indian Actor. His arms were huge and he looked like Arnold and I sat right next to him and taught him the entire restoration and then gave him a Book of Mormon and Ensign. He was very nice and he was very interested. He said he wanted to meet with the Elders. His name is John Kokhan and he has been in some big movies.

Bangalore is very nice and is very different. It feels like I am back in America. The food is a lot more western and there are American Hotels, Pizza hut, McDonald’s, KFC.... And I am so excited. The weather is very nice and is about 70 to 80 degrees. I thought I needed a sweater when I first got here, I was freezing. The English is very nice here and it is easy to communicate. My new companion is Elder Singh and he is great. I need to get back to work. I miss Visag, but I am sure I will love Bangalore just as much, I just need to give it some time.

DECEMBER 8th

Days just run together and it feels like the weeks are flying by so fast and I wish it would slow down a little. It bothers me to think that I have only eight months left to serve. We had Zone leaders council last Thursday at the home President Nichols and it was amazing. During lunch President Nichols played the final quarter of the BYU vs Utah football game. While we watched the game we ate wonderfully prepared homemade food. Sister Nichols prepared BBQ chicken and noodles. President gave amazing training on the skill of “listening” and then he also gave great council about “administering blessings.” I learned so much and loved it. We also came up with the new goals for next year. Our goal is 600 Baptisms! By July, we want 325! I was really pushing for 625, and 350 by July, but everyone else was thinking 550, 300 by July. So we settled at 600 with the promise that if (when) we hit 350, I will be asked to stand in front of the entire mission and tell them “I told you so”!

Elder Singh and I are working really hard. Our Zone is looking really good. I am still a little sad to have left Visag. During Zone leaders council, they showed all the break downs of Zones iin Visag, it blew everyone out of the water. It is funny that Elders use to say that “you can’t baptize in Visag!” But Bangalore is doing well and Elder Singh and I have high hopes for this promised and choice land. The culture here is completely different. I haven’t eaten rice in three weeks!

Last week we taught a young man who was a Muslim and then he converted to Christianity, but his family beat him so he ran away. He has had a tough life and was so afraid of religion and confusion that is causes. He was physically scared to to open the Book of Mormon to allow more confusion into his life. We taught him one of the most powerful lessons on the power of the Book of Mormon. I asked him to read a couple of scriptures out of Moroni 10. As he read those scriptures, the room filled with the spirit and no one said a word as he kept his eyes set on that scripture. It was silent for about 4 minutes and then he looked up with tears in his eyes and said, “I can really be unspotted from the world?” Teaching this young man is a perfect example of what Preach my Gospel talks about in chapter 1. We are all heavenly Fathers children and some of his children are looking for the truth but are confused and do not know where to find the truth. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to help teach and bring people unto Christ.

Today I met with President Nichols and had a routine personal interview. We spent an hour just speaking about some future goals and ideas that I need to begin thinking about. I really cherish President Nichols and dad’s council. I am excited for what the future has in store.

DECEMBER 16th:

Today we had a huge Zone activity and went to Mysore Palace. It is an old Palace on the outskirts of Bangalore. We toured inside the Palace and road on Elephants. It was really a fun experience.

This week has been really busy. I had the opportunity to arrange all the food for the Zone Leaders Conference, so I arranged to have lasagna, french bread, tossed salad and apple juice. It was the best lunch I have had on my mission, it tasted sooooo good. The Elders and the couple missionaries really loved it, it was amazing. The training was great and I learned the importance of Power Statements. I conducted the conference and I was so nervous. Over half the mission was in attendance, 54 Elders. It was the first time I have ever conducted a meeting like that. I do not know how Dad does it and I hope it gets easier.

I am leaving for Goa tomorrow morning at 4:00 am. It is a two hour flight north and it is suppose to be the prettiest place in India. It was settled by Portugal and the Catholics settled there hundreds of years ago. Actually the entire city is 80 percent Catholic. What happened was when the Catholic Church cane into Goa, they forced people to convert. They replaced Hindu Gods with crosses in the Hindu Temples so people would worship the cross as their idol rather then a Hindu God. The only difference between Catholics and Hindus is the God they worship, everything else is the same. This force of conversion is the reason why everyone in INDIA is afraid of the word “ conversion” and are so afraid.

Goa has really struggled this past year with only two baptisms. Elder Siingh and I have high hopes for Goa and are looking forward to going up there and helping the Elders.

DECEMBER 23rd:

It was remarkable to see the pictures of the Missionary lunch that was held at the Capitol, in Washington, D.C.. I must say that I am a little jealous about the lunch they were given, but mostly of the size of their mission. We only have 1/3 as many Elders in India and they have a group the size of an army in the Nations Capitol. I am happy to hear that the three Elders that I met in the MTC , who promised to look you up and say hello, finally got around to doing it. I am so grateful for the tender hearts you both have, as I read your emails and saw the pictures of the lunch, my eyes swelled with tears because I know exactly why mother went to all that work and I am so grateful for both of you.

Last week we went to Goa and the weather was perfect. We spent three days in Goa and we feel that we really strengthened the Elders there. We are working really hard on getting Goa back on top. It has a lot of potential and there is a special spirit there and I feel the church will grow.

The richest man in Goa and one of the richest men in India is the 1st councilor there. He owns his own company and has steel, orr mines and ship building companies. He played professional tennis and was in the circuit before he served his mission in Haiti.

We woke up Saturday around 4:30 am and got back into Bangalore at noon. We had our branch Christmas Party and then attended church on Sunday. We worked hard for two days and then on Tuesday morning at 4:00 am we woke up and caught a 3 hour bus ride to KGF, KGF was amazing and it has a neat history. It is a little village outside of Bangalore, it was opened by the British and is one of the largest gold mines in the world. It was shut 8 years ago because they didn’t have the money to keep it open, but the gold is still there. Now because the British opened this town, a good portion of these villagers not only speak English, but they have a Christian background.

We worked hard and I was on exchange with Elder Frederick from Utah. We found 9 new investigators and met so many people who are interested in meeting the missionaries. It felt like everything went right on that trip. We went to bed and Elder Singh and I woke up at 4:00 am this morning to catch a train back to Bangalore. It has been a long week and I wish I had time to catch up on sleep. Being busy is a lot of fun, but it is also pretty exhausting.

Well less then 48 hours until Christmas and time is flying. I am so grateful for my Savior that the love that he has for me. I’m grateful for the atonement and it’s power to clean us form all iniquity. I know that everyday we come closer to our Savior as we are obedient to the commandments and endure faithfully til the end. I know the Gospel is true and it gives up the power to change. The Savior is my everything and I do not think I will ever be able to repay him for his sacrifice and the love he has shown me.

I cannot wait to talk to you on Christmas!

Zoo Trip and More!

2009-10-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

We went to the zoo last preparation day and got to play with the elephant and had the opportunity to stand within 3 feet of a white tiger and her cubs, a tiger, and a jaguar. It was a very neat experience. Only in India.

SEPTEMBER 9th:

The Chief Minister Ready, died in a helicopter crash and the state of Andra Pradesh was up in arms. People in India have a tough time with death and there were big riots in the streets and all the shops in Andhra had to close for three days. While this was happening we had the opportunity to go among the people in the riots and teach the plan of salvation. I AM JUST JOKING, we were on lock down and we were not allowed to leave our home.

Things are back to normal and better then ever. Elder Ludlow was transferred to Chenni and my new companion is ... Elder Schmidt!! I was so excited about that and I am so happy to be companions with him. (Elder Schmidt is the grandson of Coach Schmidt who was the coach for Billy’s dad when he played for Skyline High School) We have a lot in common and it is great to be with him during football season here in India. Elder Schmidt has already taught me so much, he is a great teacher and truly loves the people. He is very funny in his lessons and I can barely stop laughing every time he talks.

I have been waking up early so that I can work out before I get the day started. It has been hard and the motivation is not there. I know looking back I will be happy that I did it. I wake up and do 50 push ups and 25 pull ups and then depending on how I feel, I will either do some band exercises or skip rope. The hardest part is finding enough protein to eat. In India, they eat very little meat or protein. I eat about 24 egg whites a day and I have really felt a great difference. I am working hard on avoiding rice. It is very hard not to eat rice in India.

Yesterday we helped Karhik clean his house. It was a service project for the week. I was happy when it was done, it took us about three hours. I feel like the thing to bring him back to church will be love and charity. I believe that someday he will be a leader here and it all starts with him just getting his life back to normal and coming to church.

SEPTEMBER 16th:

Elder Schmidt and I are getting along great. He is a lot more relaxed then I am and he knows how to have fun, make me laugh and still get work done. It was a little hard because football season is here, but we have put that in the back of our minds and we are focused on the work. I’m sure that there were times that dad thought about football on his mission. Today, Elder Schmidt and I spent 4 hours talking to everyone at the beach on Sunday. We passed out about 50 pass-a-long cards and bore our testimony.

This is a letter that I wrote to the Ward members, please pass it along:

Dear Friends and Family of the Kingstown Ward,

My experience on my mission has been wonderful and I have loved everyday. The hardest part of my mission is the thought of going home and leaving the people I love. There are no wards, stakes or temples, only faithful saints who are working diligently to lay a foundation for a special place in the Lord’s vineyard. It is not about me, this is about them, the children of our Heavenly Father. These are out brothers and sisters, those we loved before the foundation of this world, those we stood next to in the grand beginning, and those we look forward to seeing in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. I wish I would have learned this sooner, but I am grateful that I know it now.

There is no greater desire in my heart then to return with my brothers and sisters again. I know this gospel is true and the atonement is real and through the atonement all can be healed. There is no greater work to be done and I have never been more happy in my life. Thank you for all of your prayers and the many letters I have received. For those who haven’t written me yet, I still have 10 months. Just kidding!

Love,
Elder Nixon

SEPTEMBER 23rd:

This week we have found a family who is prepared to hear the Gospel. On Thursday morning, Elder Schmidt and I were walking down the street and we stopped at a house and asked if we could take a picture from their roof top. The brother followed us up to the roof. As we began to take pictures, the brother asked us about what book I was holding in my hand. I normally carry the books in my bag and it was unusual that I would be carrying it in my hand, but this day I felt like I wanted to carry it in my hands as we were trying to find people to teach, the first time on my mission. The man asked if he could have it... another first on mission.

I am embarrassed to say that up until that point, I did not think that this Hindu brother would take and interest to our message. But when someone asks for a Book of Mormon, the sirens go off! We went downstairs upon his request and began to teach him. We taught him the message of the restoration and spoke the majority of the time about apostasy and the restoration. He has a wonderful understanding and the lesson went great. In the end we asked him to pray and he accepted the invitation. He said a silent prayer and then when he concluded he looked up at us with tears in his eyes, “I have never in my life felt this way and I want you to come back as much as possible.”

As we were leaving he explained that he was undergoing surgery the following day and after his surgery he wanted to meet with us again. We surprised him the following day at the hospital and it was more of a surprise to us. He said, “at the conclusion of the operation I had a desire to speak with you, and wanted to call you, but I did not because I feared that I might disturb you.” It was the best welcome greeting I have received on my mission. We sat down and spoke to him and just talked about his family and his life. He then picked up the pamphlet we gave him the day before and told us that he read it right before the surgery and he wanted to hold on to it while he was in the hospital.

We taught his wife, and his 12 year old son in the hospital and gave them a copy of the Book of Mormon in Telegue. As we handed it to her, he said, “don’t just give it to her. Make her promise you that she will read a chapter a day!” Elder Schmidt and I were dumbfounded. We are visiting them tonight and we are more than excited. They have faith in Jesus Christ and they desire to follow him, but they told us they don’t know how. He even told us that a few weeks earlier he had seen us walking down the street and he told his son to run and catch us, but he was too late. I know the Lord sent us to him and that this is the family who was prepared and who we had prayed to find. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and that this is His Church and His work.

Elder Schmidt is a wonderful companion and I hope our friendship lasts a life time. We have such a wide variety of common interests and he keeps me laughing constantly.

I got a call Tuesday night, I am no longer going to be Elder Schmidts companion. I am getting transferred to another companionship in the same Branch. I am going to be Elder Bartletts companion starting on Friday. I have been called to be a ZONE LEADER, to replace the Zone Leader who went home yesterday. I know that it will be challenging, but I am grateful for the experience and I know that it will help me grow.

SEPTEMBER 30th:

This week I met with President Nichols and we had zone conference in which I was asked to give a talk pertaining to “my purpose for coming on a mission, and my purpose now.” These are my thoughts. My purpose is becoming like my Savior, I am here on a mission to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I have come to know the blessings they have been promised.

My purpose is to help assist others in fulfilling their purpose. I have realized that this purpose is not just for a missionary, but this purpose is for all those who belong to this kingdom. My purpose goes far beyond that of teaching and baptizing, my purpose is more than inviting people to live a better life and join a better church. My purpose is to assist in opening the doors to the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God, and no one else can do this! I do not just want to baptize, I want to assist and encourage members to go to the temple, to live obediently, to help others that stand in need, and lift as many as I can lift.

That purpose is universal, to invite men to come unto Christ, to take part of His atonement. When we are baptized we are not just joining a church, the membership in the church wont help us return to Heavenly Father anymore then membership in Catholic church will. It is having faith, repenting, and accepting the Saviors atoning sacrifice through the sacred ordinances of baptism which in return wash our sins away and allow us to return to Heavenly Father. This is not my talk, just my thoughts.

This week was wonderful because we painted the stairway going up to the church. Many people spit tobacco on the walls leading to the church and I felt it was time to get that picked up. We scrubbed the walls and white washed them. Following that we used 3 bottles of acid to scrub the floors which were stained by the spit. It looks a lot better and my testimony of Emma Smith’s council to Joseph, grew tremendously. I now understand how she felt. It took 12 of us 4 or 5 hours to get the dirty deed done.

My new companion is great. Take the exact opposite of me and that is the best way to describe him. I am amazed at how much I am learning from him.

OCTOBER 14th:

This week has been very busy. We ended preparation day early last week in order to give a blessing to Shyam’s Uncle. His uncle underwent brain surgery and was not looking so good. We went to the hospital and made out way into the ICU. It was the worst situation I have ever been in, as I saw this man's head bandaged up and using machines to live. Right away my heart beat faster and faster.

There was only one little spot on his head to drop the oil and we had to beg the officials to allow us to place our hands on his head. The next day we found out that he had expired. I was at peace when I heard the news and I knew that it was the will of the Lord.

Transfer calls came in and I am still in Visak with Elder Barlett for another six weeks. However, there will be a new elder named Elder Sarapu.

OCTOBER 21st

We are beginning to think of goals for next year and it is really starting to hit me pretty hard that I only have 9 months left. I am starting to get overwhelmed with the thought of going home, I still have so much to do. President gave us training on delegation, setting people with baptismal dates and influence of leaders. Right now we are on track for having 550 baptisms for the year and we are leading the Asia Area in the work. The Lord has really had his hand in this great work.

We have 9 people set for baptism and we baptized two people in the last couple of weeks.

I LOVE YOU ALL

2009-09-08T17:49:00.000-07:00

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

Happy 20th Birthday!

2009-08-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to take a minute and wish Billy a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY this Saturday, August 8th. We are so proud of the wonderful young man he has become, and we look forward to all of the great things he will continue to accomplish.

Happy Birthday Billy!

We Love You!

Life in Visakhapatnam

2009-08-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from the Letters of
Elder William L. Nixon II

June 10th

I love and enjoy working with Elder Ludlow. He is disciplined and determined, and I have been very blessed with great
companions. Our teaching pool is growing so big and we are constantly teaching lessons. We have two baptisms set for this
Sunday and one for the following Sunday. There has only been one baptism in my area in the past seven months and the drought is coming to an end. We are hopeful that we will see several baptisms within this next transfer.

One of our primary objectives is to build the Branch and to strengthen the members. We put together a huge "Mission Board" where members can find tips to help with the mission work, the Branch goals for the mission work, updates on missionary firesides, and pictures of recent baptisms this year. This area has a lot of potential, and I know that with the help of the Branch members we will meet our goals. There is a new energy within the Branch and everyone is beginning to support the Elders. We have worked with the Branch President and the Mission Leader to develop a Branch Mission plan.

This past Sunday we brought a man by the name of Karthik back to church. He is a returned missionary and has been inactive for a year. I don't know why he went inactive, but every missionary attempt to bring him back failed. He knows more about the gospel and Preach My Gospel, then anyone I know. He quoted word for word an entire page from Preach My Gospel. I feel he will be a Stake President here someday, and I have never felt the Spirit as strong as I have in trying to get him back to church.

Last Sunday, he entered the chapel and you could hear a pin drop. You could see the tears in the eyes of several members when he walked through the door. He bore his testimony that day and it was truly amazing. His sister is the wife of the Branch President, and she said that she couldn't believe that he finally returned. It was the best moment of my mission so far. He has already committed to teach the Gospel Essentials class in Sunday School.

We had the opportunity to go back to Hyderbad for our Zone Conference and we had a great time seeing the members that we served with and converts that we have baptized. I love those that I have taught and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to introduce them to the gospel. Mother Stella, the older women that I taught and saw baptized, made me dinner and told me that she had missed me too much. Jay Raj and his family are doing great and it is amazing to see how much the gospel has blessed their lives.

Right now we have 16 different people who we feel will be baptized in Vizag. I am loving the mission, and everyday it seems like time is moving very fast—almost too fast.

June 17th

This week has been great. I had my first baptism in Vizag. The Spirit was strong and I am so grateful for the opportunity to a part of bringing souls unto Christ.

When I came to Vizag, Elder Jenks told me that they had walked the same streets and knocked on all the Christian doors and there is no one to teach. Right away I knew that we had a lot of work to do and it was going to be very hard. We attended church the following Sunday and there had been only about 40 members in attendance. The few returned missionaries from the branch were dressed in jeans and not very engaged in the meetings. The companionship that had been there for six months had tried very hard to change things, but it was very difficult. We had to gain the trust of the members, so we suggested a movie night and it was something that had not been done in the branch. It was a huge success and the members loved it.

One of our goals was to get all the returned missionaries back to church in their Priesthood attire and to use them to help us teach the gospel and baptize. Our objective is to get them into a leadership mode to take charge and build the Church. And I can attest that miracles do happen. Last Sunday was on of the happiest days of my mission. I walked in the chapel with tears in my eyes as I saw all the returned missionaries in their Priesthood attire and the Chapel was completely full. The whole branch stayed for the baptism that we had that day. I felt like we were making a difference. We were on the right path.

Last night I received a call from the Zone Leaders and they were calling to report on the Zone Conference in Bangalore and to let us know about the success of the Zone. They informed me that the Vizag Zone is number two in the mission. They thanked us for working so hard to build the zone.

June 24th

Things are going great and I love the mission! I have been really sick lately, but I am working hard to get better. We had another baptism and it feels great to have back-to-back baptisms. Sunday we found a family of 14 with perfect English and a great understanding of our message. We are going back to teach them tonight and I am hopeful that the lesson will go well.

My companion and I are working really hard to build the kingdom and things
are really starting to pick up here in the Vizak Zone.

July 1st

I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with President Nichols during our regular transfer interview. It was very spiritual and joyful. During Zone Conference they displayed the numbers of all the districts in the Rjumondy Zone and Vizag Zone. It was a thrill to see how far we had come.

Rajumondry is the leading baptizing zone in the mission. So far this year they have 80 baptisms and have doubled other zones numbers. My first Zone Conference in Vizag, our numbers didn't even reach a quarter of theirs. I told the other Elders in the Raj Zone that I was so inspired by their hard work and that they are an inspiration to us.

It is a blessing to be a part of a great work and see a dramatic change in the Zone. Right now our teaching pool is growing. Some days we have so many appointments and people to see that we have to go on splits with other Branch members. Last week we had 20 member-present lessons and 25 new investigators. I was a little disappointed with our sacrament attendance. We only had 15 investigators. Still, I really feel that things are going great.

I am loving life and I am so grateful for this Great Gospel and to be a part of this Church. I could never do anything contrary to the teaching of the Church, because I know that nothing is worth giving up the blessings promised to us. One of my favorite stories is when Moses sees the glory of God and then when God leaves Satan and tells Moses to bow to him.... And Moses’ reply is a clear testimony that nothing in the world compares to that of our Father’s Kingdom. Satan can offer us nothing that can even substitute for the reward we are promised. I have never been happier in my entire life, and this happiness comes by living the gospel.

July 15

The work continues! It is funny to think that I am almost done with the first year and I guess it is true what they say, "the first year is slow, but the second year is down hill from there!" I know that I have much work to do before the end of my Mission and I am even more determined. I know that the next year will go by fast and I don't want to waste a minute of it.

The first year of my mission has flown by and it is scary to think that I have less then a year left in India. I am so far from reaching my personal goal of baptisms on my mission and I have really reflected on what I can do better to bring more people the truth, faster.

July 22

We continue to work hard. Lately we are working harder then ever to help our investigators progress. We have done some things that we feel will help the people we teach and help them gain a stronger understanding of the Book of Mormon and receive a witness of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. The most important question that is asked is, "is the book true?" The difficulty of this question is that no one on this earth is able to answer that question. You must find out for yourself by reading, pondering, and praying. Our determination to find the answer lies within ourselves and our personal commitment to know it is true.

As a missionary, our job is difficult. Often people make the commitment to read, but most of the time the result is that they did not understand or they failed to keep the commitment they made. Elder Ludlow and I developed a 25-day scripture reading list. This took us about three hours of diligent studying, and the end result seems to be very positive. Within the 25-day reading list lay the scriptures which explain the Restoration of the Gospel, our personal Salvation, The Atonement of Christ, the relationship between our Father in Heaven and his children and the entrance into the Kingdom of
God. I feel that this is going to be very successful and I am more then excited. I know that if they follow the schedule accompanied with prayer, they will receive a witness of the truth of the Restored Gospel.

Everything is going great, and we are now working with a lot of investigating families. We are hopeful that there will be at least two baptisms within the next three weeks. Right now we are working with a family and they are keeping all of their commitments and the Father has already committed his family to baptism. Elder Ludlow and I are confident that they will be baptized within six weeks. I sure hope so because we love this family dearly. He calls us his angels and whenever we teach about the Prophets, he says that he thinks that we are going to be future prophets. We laugh. He is a funny man.

July 30

I want to let you know how much I love you. I understand that you are down in the Bahamas on business. I must say I am extremely jealous and wish I was down there with you. I think that our deep sea fishing experiences are some of my most fond memories, and I absolutely loved it. I really hope things are going well and that you are able to help the resort properties for Mr. Li and his company.

This week has been a little rough, I was sick again and I really just don’t know how to get feeling better. I am still working through it, and we had some great successes. A fireside planned for July 24th went very well, and we had 110 people in attendance. It was the most successful fireside I have seen thus far in India. The Chapel was packed and the Primary performed Pioneer story skits and we had a "curry cook off." I won "Best Man Made curry." I made three kilograms of Beef curry as a joke and it was all gone within five minutes. The People absolutely loved it. I don’t think they knew it was beef, though, because I almost guarantee if they all knew it would have not gone as fast. People really loved it. I used a tomato base rather than the Andra Special coconut base, and it was very good.

Last night I received a call from the Zone leaders after zone leaders council in Bangalore. They reported that Vizag Zone is now leading the mission. They also said that during the conference President Nichols spoke about leadership, how every leader has a vision and knows how to execute that vision. President had them watch Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and talk about it. The Zone leaders were very complimentary. They told me that as they watched that video they thought about our vision in Vizag and how we have been able to get the branch and Elders excited about that vision.

I was so touched by what they said and that they would take the time to call me about it.

Well, besides the success of the mission work, I have thought more about my plans for my future. I think that I am pretty determined to work for Policy Impact and I feel that I have thought of the way I want to go about doing it. When I get home I want to go back to BYU and major in public relations, then I want to go on to get an MBA from one of the great universities in Washington.

While I attend the evening program I want to also work on Capitol Hill and get some political experience under my belt, so by the time I about 30 I will have my graduate degree from a great school, experience on Capitol Hill and in the military. I feel politically it will be a very good start to a career in PR, and I feel that it is something I want to do. I think I will be in good position to join Policy Impact at this point. I don’t want to be like some sons who feel that things are owed them or who just get what their fathers earned and then spoil the company. I want to be self reliant and work hard to learn and to be able to lead rightfully. I want to prepare my self before coming on. Of course, my ultimate goal is to take over Policy Impact and help it continue to expand into the future.

Well my time is up, and I better get going. We could not email yesterday because the LDS server was down and I was unable to log on all day. So sorry for the delayed email. I love you so much and I am so proud to call you my parents. I love you.

Update From Billy -- July 10, 2009

2009-07-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

This past week gave me an experience in which I never thought I would have. I share this experience with you to show the tender mercies of the Lord, are over all those whom he has chosen.

Friday was a great day and filled with many wonderful appointments. The spirit was strong, we worked hard, and it was one of the better days of the week. We had our recent convert, Brother Shyam, with us on exchanges. He has such a wonderful testimony and he has really helped with the mission work since his baptism 3 weeks ago. As custom, when we take Brother Shyam, we treat him with ice cream to thank him for his work and his willingness to help us. The time was growing late and we really needed to be getting home. We rushed through the ice cream parlor and jumped into a auto to give us a ride back to our apartment. We made an agreement with the auto driver that we would pay him more if he dropped us off first and then he would take our member exchange home, the driver agreed.

As we were getting closer to our Colony, we made the decision to go the back way, which would put us at the top of the hill going down to our apartment building, rather than attempting to drive up a very steep and rocky road. As we looked down the steep road we could see our apartment building, it was several feet away. We were all having a great time laughing and joking around. Those laughs and jokes faded away as we began to realize that the brakes failed and the auto was out of the driver's control. The auto began picking up speed and we were bouncing fast down the hill.

I can recall, as clear as day, the feelings I had and the thoughts that ran through my mind. There was not a doubt in my mind that we were going to crash. I felt like the Lord was comforting me at that time and I felt very calm and at peace. Never have my thoughts been clearer than they were at that moment. I knew that whatever happened was the will of the Creator.

We sped through a small intersection and swerved to the right of a turning car. We barely scrapped past the turning vehicle and then landed right in back of a parked car. It was in slow motion as we were racing towards the back of a suburban. I won't go into any more detail about it, other than saying, imagine yourself as an empty coke can smashed under a child's foot. Right away, my companion and I jumped out of the auto as fast as we could. I hit my head hard and I thought it might have been cut open. But I knew I had hurry because I felt a sense of urgency, but at the same time I was calm and I felt no pain. My companion and I exerted all our energy trying to pry open the crushed auto so that we could pull the crushed driver out of the vehicle. He was bleeding badly and he was in very bad shape. I quickly tore my tie off and wrapped it around his head; he had a huge gash across his head. I got him to the side of the road quickly and a crowd began to form. His leg was shattered and he was cut very deep, but I felt like he was going to be alright once we got him lying down.

Then I ran to the member who was walking in pain. He explained that his knees hurt and that there was much pain. After a quick examination of his injury, I realized that he just had some bruises, but nothing serious. I am so grateful for the Athletic Training class I took at BYU. I turned my attention to my companion who I thought was fine and I realized that he was going into shock. He was white as a ghost. I told him to lie down quickly and try to control his breathing. I asked if he suffered any head injuries and he said that he was fine. I ran as fast a I could to a small shop to purchase water packets for the driver, the member and my companion. I bounced between the three of them until the ambulance arrived. They took care of all of us and then they rushed the driver to the hospital.

As we were leaving the area, a community pastor came up and asked how we survived, and then he said "God surely protected you." I know that my Heavenly Father was there the entire night with me. I have never been more at peace in my life. It wasn't until I jumped in bed that night, I realized that I had cuts across the top of my shins and I had bruises that had appeared all over my legs. As I laid in bed, I could not stop thinking how great is my God and I began to hum my favorite song, "Abide with me tis even tide" as I fell a sleep.

"For, Consider the Lilies of the field, how they grow---" What a beautiful statement of the Lord's hands in the creation of everything. I know that Heavenly Father has his hand directly in our life. We are the balls of clay in the Creator's hands, he molds us and forms us into a beauty that we cannot comprehend, but we must have faith, hope, and know that he does everything for us to bring us closer to him and help us prepare to receive all that he has. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the blessing
it has been in my life. There is not a greater power than that of the Atonement of Christ which grants us the "Power to change" and the possibility of always being able to receive the reward which our Father has prepared.

Love,
Elder Nixon

Billy's Testimony and New Pictures

2009-06-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you, I absolutely love my companion, and we are working harder than ever. I feel edified every day after working and I can tell that the Father in Heaven is well pleased with our efforts because I feel that He is constantly sending more people for us to teach. Since the phone call home on Mother’s Day I have an extra bounce in my step, and I literally am searching to gather the "elect" and bring them to Zion. Last week Elder Ludlow and I met with 22 new investigators, and it has only been two days into this week, but we have already met 10. It is back to back appointments, and while walking from appointment to appointment the Lord sends us people. I know baptisms are on the way.

I have dedicated some the past week of my free time to studying about Zion. When I completed my studies yesterday I was shocked to see that it came out to 14 typed pages on the matter. One of the most important things I learned was the truth that Heavenly Father is the same today, yesterday, and forever. I also know that everything that has been promised is coming to pass, that the Lord knew of the Great Apostasy and the Restoration far before man was sent to the Earth. The promise that the Lord made to Noah is being fulfilled. The veil of Darkness which covered the earth was lifted the moment Joseph Smith bore his heart to the Lord seeking truth in the Sacred Grove. The truth being brought forth out from the ground was fulfilled the moment that the Book of Mormon was uncovered from the Earth. And the Earth is being flooded by Elders of Israel sent forth to search after the elect.

So where are we now? We are preparing Zion and establishing Zion amongst our Wards, Stakes, Branches and most importantly our homes. We need to search after the elect and gather everyone who is chosen to a unity of the faith. We need to be of one heart and one mind, dwelling in complete righteousness. Which came first, Zion, or the Holy City?! Once we establish Zion then we will be able to gather to the New Jerusalem and walk with our God, the King of Israel. How great is this plan.

My study really strengthened me. As I walk everyday I feel like I am running from appointment to appointment, with "Come to Zion" singing in my heart.

Some Elders say this is the easy time in their life. No worries, no college, no having to work. Those Elders are missing out. This is the time where we need to gird up our loins and diligently assist the Father in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I love my calling and work hard to magnify it.

Update on Billy

2009-05-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

Billy’s mission is quickly approaching its first year, but then who’s keeping track of time, especially when so many exciting things are taking place in Visak, where Elder Nixon is serving as District Leader. Among his growing love for the people, Billy’s messages home reference the lifelong friendships he is making with companions and fellow missionaries in India.

Elder Jenks (They never really do use first names, so it makes it difficult for those of us keeping up the blog.) is one of those. He and Billy met first in the Mission Training Center, and Billy was excited to learn that they would be serving as companions. Both quickly realized that their excitement was not misplaced. Working along with the other missionaries in the coastal city, they quickly built a pool of investigators, spending long days in 110 degree heat.

Billy shared how his testimony grew as they were directed to specific individuals and used novel contacting methods to meet investigators in a nation that has an official ambivalence toward religious freedom and missionary work. They built their investigator pool to eight, despite the fact that all the missionaries battled illnesses, which seem to be ever present for the young men serving there. Billy at one point was hospitalized but knew better than to let his Mom know, at least until he had fully recovered.

Among those novel approaches, Billy and Elder Jenks organized a movie night the local church congregation, showing The Prince of Egypt. Striving for authenticity, Billy even succeeded in tracking down a popcorn machine, another completely novel idea in India cinema. The evening was a success, but not to the level that Billy’s earlier open house had been in Hyderbad, where he showcased the life of Christ in video and the remarkable photographs of Mark Mabry.

Reporting on the success of the movie night, Billy said the members and the visitors loved it. The Elders had arranged to bring in a big movie screen, large speakers, a huge projector, and they borrowed rope lights that were run along the floor in
the aisles. At the end of the movie when the song “Miracles” came on, you could feel the spirit was so strong. “It was priceless,” he said. At the end, he bore his testimony of living prophets and the fact that there is one on the earth today—that they receive revelation from God. He said that is the strongest testimony he has ever shared concerning prophets. While he spoke, there was complete silence. “You could feel the emotion as well as the strong spirit in the room,” he said.

Along with the spiritual work, Billy and Elder Jenks challenged each other physically, working out regularly, despite the heat, and getting together with the other Elders to play football on the beach during their preparation day. For the game, Billy and Elder Jenks had special shirts made up that had their names printed in Telugu with their numbers on them—NFL Indian style. The shirts hit the comedic chord, and Billy admitted that while his competitiveness may have decreased this past year, his love for making others laugh has not.

The walking and exercise has taken weight off of Billy, which is noticeable in the photographs. “When we come home at the end of the day we can actually wring out our shirts and ties,” he wrote. “There is so much perspiration that we have a puddle on the floor.” With it all, he is enthusiastic, reporting that being with Elder Jenks is like working with his best friend. Their personalities are infectious as they work to make people smile and laugh in the streets, and challenge each other to set and keep goals. Billy wants to return to his lacrosse, and Elder Jenks has been inspired to go out for his university’s soccer team when he returns home.

April and May were also good months for Billy and his parents. For Easter he received a CARE package with new ties, his much love licorice, and most importantly insoles for his shoes. In May he was able to call home for Mother’s Day and let Tammy hear his voice and the family feel his enthusiasm and love for the gospel. There is no question that an already disciplined and mature young man is changing into a remarkable leader, even though his brother Joseph thinks his accent is funny. In his voice you can hear a genuine love for the people and an understanding of the importance of the work and the transformational power it has in the lives of those who embrace the gospel.

“I have never been happier,” he told us, expressing his love for his mission president and for all that he is learning. “It is a remarkable journey, and I can feel direct blessings in my life as we love and teach the people.” It was also during the telephone conversation that he admitted to his hospital foray. “I was running a temperature of 104. I went for a couple of days hoping it would go away, trying to work through it.” It did not abate. In fact, it was soon accompanied by abdominal pain and at the insistence of his companion he called the Mission President and checked into the hospital.

“It’s important to be very careful on what you eat,” he said, explaining that the only American food they have is pizza, though it does not taste like anything we’re used to in the United States. Still, his spirits are higher than we have ever seen, with the only let down being when Elder Jenks was transferred from Visak to the Hyderbad 1st Branch on April 29. “I feel like I have lost a great friend,” Billy said, but then quickly rebounded with, “But I know that we will continue our friendship.”

The family excited to talk to Billy on Mother's Day. He had sent his Mother a beautiful traditional India dress with a strand of pearls. He expressed the love he has for his family and he feels like if he had it to live life over again, he would focus more on his family and be less concerned about friends. He has seen the worst living conditions and yet the people seem happy and are very friendly and loving. “The most important possession to have is your family,” he said. “That is what matters most in India. The families are very close and live near one another.” He said that he has come to appreciate that family and the Gospel are the real essentials in life.

His new companion is doing great, and Billy is really enjoying working with him. He is a great Elder to train, hard working and eager to learn.

So Long Hyderabad, Hello Visak.

2009-04-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

I’ve been transferred!

After three months and two baptisms, Billy has been transferred from Hyderabad to Visak. He just had the first baptism in Hyderabad in over 8 months and a second investigator was due to be baptized the following week. Upon hearing of his transfer, Billy’s companion was very emotional and took the transfer hard. Billy said that there were many tears and he struggled to say good-bye.
Billy loves the people of Hyderabad and said that you never realize how successful you are or what an influence you have been until you see how many people you have affected. He feels that he did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do and thereby strengthened the members. Between he and his companion, they were able to baptize two young men and he feels like he helped his companion gain the confidence he needed. His companion expressed to Billy that he helped him a lot and he would miss him.

Billy expresses frequently how much he loves his mission and India. He says that if this is the way he feels over being transferred, he doesn’t know how he will feel when he leaves India at the end of mission. It is hard to say good-bye to those you love and respect.

For his transfer, Billy took a flight to his new area of Visak and upon his arrival, he felt like he landed in the Bahamas. It is not as big, and certainly not as western as the Bahamas, but the weather is amazing. He even likes the humidity in the air and loves seeing the ocean. There are cocoanut trees everywhere and the people are very loving. Billy is now a district leader and said that his area is so small that he can easily walk it in a day. In his last area, Hyderabad, there were more people in just his area than there are in the whole city of Visak. They don’t have a church building so they use a small rented office to conduct their meetings.

Billy’s new companion is Elder Jenks. They started their mission together and now they are companions. They are exactly alike and they haven’t decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing. The other night Elder Jenks and Billy were in their beds and they heard a loud banging that woke them up. They were a little scared—OK A LOT SCARED. It sounded like someone was banging something in their apartment. Elder Jenks grabbed Billy’s football and Billy grabbed his belt and they set off to investigate. They were determined to beat whatever had gotten into their apartment, so they ran into the kitchen. Elder Jenks had forgotten that he put about 10 eggs on to boil several hours ago, much to their surprise, the eggs were exploding all over the kitchen. Billy said that he had no idea that eggs exploded. There were eggs everywhere—ceiling, walls and all over the floor. Billy and Elder Jenks couldn’t stop laughing at the situation.

The mission is going great. They have set some high goals for the area. They walk in the hot sun all day long, teach lessons, and love feeling the spirit of Lord beside them.

Thank you for all of you who have written and continue to write. He truly appreciates all your letters and hopes that you will continue writing to him.

Update from Hyderbad

2009-03-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

I’m sorry that we haven’t updated Billy’s blog since Valentine’s Day. We had asked friends and family of Billy’s to participate in a Valentine Surprise package. We wanted Billy to receive a package filled with cards and letters from those who love and support him. The box was chalk full of letters from well-wishers, and he was so excited to hear from everyone. He was surprised and grateful for all of you that participated. Thank you.

One of the packages we had sent to Billy was a copy of the book “Reflections of Christ” with its accompanying DVD. He was so taken with the photographs of Christ’s life that he spoke with the Branch President about having an open house where the missionaries would talk about the different organizations in the Church, and end conclude the meeting with the DVD and the pictures of Christ in the chapel. They printed over a 1000 cards to pass out, and ended up with over 200 people in attendance. 50 of them were investigators! Billy was really excited with the turn out, and they feel that it was a great success. A BIG thank you to Mark Mabrey for being inspired to take such beautiful photographs of the life of Christ, so that we all have this as a wonderful missionary tool.

Billy and his companion have been teaching a 14-year-old boy who is scheduled for baptism next week. This will be the first baptism in this area in over eight months!

Billy is enjoying his mission and loves the people of India. There is a young man who travels two hours each way to attend church every week. He takes the bus and has to transfer four times to get to church. Every week he works hard to earn money for his transportation, and the thing that touches Billy’s heart is the fact that this young man has polio and has a manmade wheelchair at home. He uses his crutches to travel, but when the time comes to bear his testimony in church he struggles to the podium without his crutches, and he is always the first to bear his testimony.

Cooking with every type of curry has certainly become a fun thing for Billy to do for investigators as well as the other missionaries and the zone leaders. They are surprised that the food tastes so good and that Billy has mastered the art of cooking Indian cuisine. It is a special event when Billy cooks 20 lbs of rice, chicken, and curry for all, and they look forward to Billy’s tasty meals. He is always telling us about the different types of curry to cook with and he is excited about showing his skills to us when he comes home.

We got a sweet email from the daughter of the Mission President who had the opportunity to visit Hyderbad and to attend the Zone Conference with her 10-year-old son Ethan. After the Zone Conference Billy was assigned to be Ethan’s companion for the day and had the opportunity to show him around. According to Ethan’s mother he really enjoyed being with the missionaries and his time with Elder Nixon. Ethan sat next to Elder Nixon during Zone conference, and Billy said that because they were mission companions he would have to go home with Ethan in ten days. Ethan thought that was pretty funny so he ran up and shared that with President Nichols. Billy got really embarrassed because he thought that President Nichols would think that he wanted to go home. President Nichols laughed more because Billy was so embarrassed. According to his mother, Ethan loved serving with Elder Nixon and he thought he was really fun to be with.

President Nichols told the Elders that they would be getting fewer Elders this year, so they are going to have to work harder. They talked in depth about baptism goals and how they still wanted to meet those goals with fewer missionaries in the field. He also said that the Lord has sent very dedicated, spiritual, and hard working Elders to India. Sister Gee mentioned that she could feel the spirit in Zone Conference and that it was so strong. We are so grateful to Sister Gee for sharing this wonderful experience with us.

Picture Time!

2009-02-24T17:31:00.001-08:00

Cruisin' Around India Style

2009-01-28T14:57:00.001-08:00

Hyderbad Happenings

2009-01-27T18:23:00.000-08:00

Things are going very well in his new area. Billy said that Heavenly Father didn’t drop him in a goldmine. He really has his work cut out for him. There has not been a baptism in this area for five months and the Elders that were there before him didn’t have any investigators. Billy said that he remembered a mission experience that his dad had in Spain. Billy’s dad was sent to a city that the Mission President was going to close because they had not had a baptism in over a year. The Lord provides a way for the message and the work to get through. With the success story that Billy remembers fondly, he is up for the challenge and knows that the Lord will be with him every step the way.

His new companion is from Idaho and they get along great. They had a little excitement last week when, at ten o’clock in the evening a pipe burst in the bathroom. Bill heard the running water but just assumed his companion was in there. After ten minutes went by his companion walked in and asked Billy what he was doing in the bathroom. You can imagine the mess, and the worst part is they had no way of shutting off the water unless it was shut off in the whole building. There would have been a riot on their hands for sure. Billy said that it is amazing what you can do with a shoelace, a stick, and a hammer.

Billy loves his new area and he has met some very loving families. He said that there was another Hindi holiday and they were flying kites everywhere. He said that he has finally found success flying kites after flying them with some of the families that he has met. Billy said that it reminded him of the movie The Kite Runner.

We have heard Billy’s testimony grow and there is no greater joy than serving our Heavenly Father. In Billy’s last letter he writes “The Lord will always bless us, but he will not make the trail easy. I am on the Lord’s journey and I am pushing on with faith. This is the hardest thing that I have ever done and I’m sure it will get harder and harder, but the reward will be greater and greater. I know that the Lord is perfecting me through this trial of faith and service. Every day I am grateful to be here serving, it is not easy, but it is by this journey, that we grow.”

Merry Christmas from India!

2008-12-24T13:06:00.000-08:00

We had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Elder Nixon on Christmas morning around 8am. Although we were given an hour, the time seemed to go much to fast. It was so wonderful to hear his voice and to hear first hand about his experiences in India as well as hearing a little bit of an Indian accent. He is currently teaching a family of eight, all interested in being baptized within the next couple of weeks. However, Billy has just been told that he will be transferred to another area of Hyderbad about 45 minutes away from where he is serving currently. Billy mentioned how difficult it was on Sunday to say goodbye to all the members of the Branch. He has been apart of their Branch for 4 months and he has really developed a love for all of them.

Before Christmas, Billy thought it might be fun to introduce some of our traditions with the members of his branch in India. He thought it would be fun to dress up like Santa for all the children. In order for him to do this he took to the streets of India looking for a Santa costume. Finding a Santa costume proved to be a challenge and Billy and his companion searched high and low in many stores for a Santa costume. He finally found success in a small store that was tucked away down an alley. He sent us a picture of him dressed up as Santa (see below).

Bill shared with us some of the Christmas traditions that they have in India. One of the things he mentioned was that they all buy themselves a new outfit to wear in celebration and prepare a feast with chicken and rice using a great assortment of different flavors of curry. They do not share gift giving. Most families are very poor, but at the same time they are eager invite the missionaries in for a meal and feed them very well. Bill said that it is sometimes difficult because families will offer them so much food that they begin to feel ill but they would not want to offend them by refusing to eat.

Billy sent us all gifts from India. He sent everyone pajamas (a family Christmas tradition) and few popular Bollywood and Tollywood movies. The most precious gift was when he sang a very meaningful Christmas song to his mom. This particular song has a special meaning to Billy and his mom and there was not a dry eye in the house.

Our home was filled with the Christmas spirit. We are very blessed to have a missionary like Bill who loves the gospel and is serving the Lord.

I would like to thank those of you who have taken the time to write to Billy and let him know that you are thinking of him. It has meant a great deal to Billy and us as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T07:48:00.002-08:00

The Elders had a Thanksgiving celebration at a Marriott hotel. A couple of turkey's were flown in for the festivities. Billy said that it was wonderful! He said that the food was fantastic and that while he misses home, he feels that this is the best Thanksgiving ever because he is serving the Lord.

TURKEY BOWL!

2008-11-27T07:48:00.001-08:00

Of course Billy wouldn't miss out on the opportunity for a good game of football. Naturally, he was the one that put a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl together for the missionaries. Looks like they had a good time!

Another Baptism!

2008-11-26T17:34:00.000-08:00

NEW PICTURES!!!

2008-11-01T20:27:00.001-07:00

To keep the true essence of Billy, we decided that all this post would include is the pictures Billy sent and his hand-crafted captions. Enjoy!

This is the funniest sign I have seen in India. This place is so dirty and there is trash everywhere! I once asked a man for a trash can and he said, "Sir, you are in India, you are standing in it!" He wasn't joking, people throw trash everywhere!

You travel in a posh car... I travel in a tin can! Sometimes this automobile can get up to 30 Miles an hour, going down a very steep hill. *This is an auto. It charges by meter and the people who drive them live in them. They are very interesting people who tend to cheat people out of money. But, if he doesn't give me my change, I have been known to steal his chupples (sandals)! Just until he gives me my change that is. I always give them back! Ha ha.

Billy's First Baptism...

2008-11-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

Fireworks, fireworks, everywhere fireworks. It was wonderful to hear from Billy. He described last night as being remarkable. He started off by asking if we remember seeing the movie, Aladdin. Specifically when Aladdin flies on the magic carpet to India and there are fireworks everywhere. Well, that is what Billy and his companion experienced last night during a celebration of Dewali that went on all night. The Elders were told to stay indoors because of the danger of all the fireworks. Billy said they all went up to the roof so they could see the huge fireworks that filled the sky. He said he has never seen such a display, and he doesn't think any other firework show would come close to this one. They felt like if they reached out, they could actually touch them and the noise level was unbelievable. The forth of July doesn't compare to this holiday. Billy said that nothing can be compared to a Devali night on the roof of a eight story building.

The work in India is very hard, but very rewarding. Members is India are so excited about the missionary work, and they dream that one day they will have a temple of their own.

Last Sunday, Billy had his first Baptism. He baptized a sister by the name of Sujatha Judke and Elder Tyler baptized her husband. They have been teaching the couple for about a month and a half and it was a so wonderful to help them make that necessary covenant with the Lord. They are a great family and are very dedicated. The Judkes travel an hour and a half by bus to get to church every Sunday. Walking to their home in dress shoes is hard on the feet, but trying to run from their home to the bus stop to catch the last bus at night is a real challenge. There is a reason that the Lord sent athletes to India. You definitely get your speed up.

It is very interesting how the Lord prepares people. As a missionary, we can tell who is prepared to receive the message and who isn't quite there yet. There are three ways you can tell if someone is prepared: (1) they know you are representatives of the Lord; (2) they keep the Commandments; and (3) they are looking for the truth, but do not know where to find it. The hard part of any mission is finding the people who are ready. Once you find them it is remarkable to see how fast they grow and how fast the spirit teaches them.

Currently, Billy and his companion are teaching a family of four.

A funny story. Billy said he realizes how hard a domestic mission would be. Last week he and Elder Tyler had the opportunity to talk with an American women who happened to live in Washington DC at one time. It was so nice to talk with someone from home. She asked why we were in India and they told her that we were serving a mission for our Church. She laughed and said to save it for someone who cares. She was quick to say that she and her husband didn't have time for this and they really don't care. After she walked away, Billy's companion asked what religion he thought she was and Billy said, "American." He said that it is so disappointing to hear and see how hard-hearted so many Americans have become. He related it to the story of Alma, when the Nephites become prideful and lived in wickedness. The Lord cannot bless one wicked son over another.

Billy loves serving the lord and is truly enjoying the people of India. Transfers are coming and he is hopeful that he will be able to remain in the same area for a while. He loves the members and he feels like he would love to have the opportunity to see the people he has been teaching commit to be baptized.

October 15, 2008 e-mail

2008-10-21T18:45:00.001-07:00

Billy writes that things are going well. He is still with his same companion. They are working hard, they are both recovering from being sick, but they have been keeping up on the work. Apparently part of the problem with the acceptance of Christianity and the people who preach it, stems from catholic missionaries paying people to convert.

He says that India is great. “I have already felt I have changes a lot.” He doesn’t understand how people in America can complain about their living conditions. Many people live in one bedroom or smaller, and have many family members with them. He says that the people are so loving and grateful for what they have. “Family is very important and I really hope our family can stay close like that.”

He says that the environment problems here in American are minimal compared to where he is. The pollution is pretty bad, and his white shirt looks black at the end of each day. In order to dispose of trash it is burned and the smell can be difficult to take at times.

Many people chew tobacco. He says that he is taking a new approach to missionary work. “Everyone I see that is chewing or smoking I approach. Teach them about the word of wisdom and how they are polluting a gift from God. One time I even went up to a stranger as he was about to put it in his mouth and I told him to throw it away and he did.” He goes on to say, “I really think that I want to come home and be a dentist.”

They took a zone trip to Ramiji Film Studio and he said that it was a lot of fun. “It was like a very very very small Hollywood. It was nice to take a break and see something that reminds me a little of American and home.”

He appreciates the care packages he has received. His favorite thing that we sent him was the peanut butter and jelly because he can’t get it over there.

“I love it here and I love studying the scriptures. The more I study the harder I desire to work. I realize that I am an unprofitable servant and I have a lot of debt to pay for the wonderful blessings I have received in my life. I love the gospel and it has helped me grow so much.”

He says that he has been trying to work out every morning but it is so hard because at the end of the day he is so tired and his body is so sore from all of the walking. “Missionary work is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is so rewarding. Even on very hard days I am so grateful for the blessing of being on a mission.”

“There are a lot of times I miss home and wish I was back there but I know that this is more important. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I am so grateful for the love I feel.”

“We watched general conference last Sunday and I loved it. I learned so much. Please work hard to help with this great work and help bring this church to a unity of faith.”
With regards to the BYU football updates my dad sends Billy he says: “I loved dad’s e-mail report on the game. Man I am so happy BYU is doing great. For every door I knock BYU gains a yard. I promise to keep knocking on those doors.”

Finally Some Pictures!

2008-10-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally got Billy's first REAL letter from India. It takes a little while for them to come. We have gotten a couple of short e-mails from him, but he says that he only gets 30 minutes on the computer once a week so there is not a lot of time to read and write e-mails. He appreciates everyone's letters and e-mails but again asks to please write him letters instead of e-mails since he is not allotted very much computer time.

Okay, I'm done lecturing onto some news! He says that things are going great. The people there stare at him and his companion because they are white. He said "it is neat to see how much people care about religion here. People would rather go to church than live in big homes. Above every door people hang flowers which represent what faith they believe in. Many people allow us in their homes, but they won't convert because their families do not support it. Family is huge here. Everyone lives together or around each other, and no one moves away." He says he feels like he can fit in because Ben and I are temporarily living in the same house as mom and dad (ha ha very funny Billy) and that the only difference is that the house the Indian people are sharing is about the size of our garage. He goes on to say "for being so poor the people here like to party a lot. They have many festivals, some of which restrict mission work."

There is no American food there and India has a different smell to it. He says that there does not seem to be any major effort to keep the land clean and free of litter, and personal hygiene traditions are different from Americans which takes some getting used to.

He is currently in Hyderabad which is the leading baptizing area in the mission. He has already taught many lessons and has a couple of baptism dates. He hopes that he will be able to baptize someone in the next six weeks. He really likes his companion although he will not be with him next transfer because his companion is a zone leader and he will be assigned another senior missionary in Hyderabad. He says he loves his area and hopes he won't be transferred yet.

Not long ago he and his companion had a dinner appointment with an Indian couple. It came out during dinner that the lady remembered meeting our dad four years ago when he was visiting India and spent sometime with the senior missionaries there. Billy was pretty excited about that. It definitely proves that it is a small world!

He says that it is sometimes very very hard and he wishes he could just come home. However, he says that "at the end of the day this is the most fulfilling work I have ever done. It is so amazing to see how much Heavenly Father helps me everyday. This is not my work, this is the Lord's work."

He asks that we all eat "cookies and good food" for him, and he sends his love!

Very QUICK Update!

2008-09-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Just so I don't have to take any of the blame on this one, this update is quick because Billy's last letter was really short! He is doing well still and loving his mission. He said that he feels that his speed has improved because of having to chase buses everyday, which he hopes will show on the lacrosse field when he gets back. He has expressed an interest in studying to become a dentist having seen some of the people in India, and says that he would love to be able to return one day and help improve their quality of life. He did say that he appreciates all of the e-mails, but he doesn't have much time to read and respond to them since their time on the computer is so limited. He asked that people would please send hand-written letters instead and that he will try to respond in a timely manner. He promised us pictures next week so we'll see if they come!

INDIA!

2008-09-10T17:46:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys, I know I've been shirking on my duties as Billy's blog manager but the new school year has been keeping me pretty busy. I promise I will try to be better about posting. In the meantime here is a nice update on what Billy has been up to...

Billy did leave for India last Wednesday, so he has officially been there one whole week! He called my parents from the airport in Salt Lake Wednesday morning, and then called us again from Germany at about 2:30AM. I had the pleasure of talking to him during the 2:30AM call although I don't recall much of the conversation except that he sounded very excited to be on his way to India and he was quite tired.

According to the e-mail from the Mission President he made it there safely. He spent a couple of days with the Mission President and his wife, and was able to attend a zone conference his first full day in India. He and Elder McKay were both sent via airplane to Hyderabad to meet up with the zone leaders who would be their companions.

Okay, so after hearing from the Mission President, we got an e-mail from Billy. He wants letters. He has already taught dozens of lessons and committed two people to baptism. His first baptism will be in a couple of weeks. He says that India is a very different since there are no traffic rules, and he says that "trying to cross the street should be done to the Indiana Jones theme song." He says, "I know why they send athletes here, you need to be able to run and jump to get on the bus and that's not even the hardest part, wait until you try to get off!" He also says that "there are a lot of cows roaming the streets and they are the only ones that get the right of way, no one will hit a cow."

He goes on to say that the people there are wonderful and that they come right up and hold your hand. They have been instructed not to wear their name badges and to be very careful because three days ago two of the elders were thrown in jail for being Christian missionaries and they are still there. He says that "the truth is spreading like wildfire and it is amazing seeing and being apart of this." Many stray dogs live on the streets and so do people. A lot of the people in his area live in apartments or tents. He says, "I'm living in the Ritz and it would still probably make mom cry."

He loves it there and he loves his mission. He said he is so happy to be there and that he loves the people and loves the gospel. He can't wait to send pictures soon and he promises they are coming.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

2008-08-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. We got word that Billy and his companion will be heading to India on Wednesday September 3rd. He is really excited to finally be on his way and is glad that his companion is doing well after surgery.

Steadfast & Immovable

2008-08-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Billy waits for Elder McKay to recover from his operation last Tuesday. Billy's trip to India was delayed due Elder McKay's need for surgery before departure. Billy offered to stay behind with Elder McKay while he underwent surgery so that they could travel together upon his recovery. They are awaiting their departure date which will be sometime this week. Billy is enjoying his time in the MTC, and has expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Lord. He continues to study diligently as he prepares to head to India.

Last Letter From The MTC!

2008-08-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Billy sent the family a care package from the MTC. Mostly it was letters for everyone, however he included some black licorice for my mom and dad, some pictures, and a wonderful little newsletter he put together.

Click Here For Billy's Newsletter

Billy's 19th birthday was on August 8th, so he was sure to send pictures of himself opening the care package we sent him. We stuffed it with some of his favorite things such as twizzlers, beef jerky and homemade cookies. We also filled it with practical birthday presents such as speakers for his CD player, stationery, pens and highlighters. He seemed to enjoy what we sent him, and we are glad he got it in time for his birthday.

Billy is leaving the MTC for India bright and early Monday morning August 18th. He is really excited to get there, however I'm not sure he is so thrilled about his 30+ hour flight. If you are planning to write him make sure you write the India address (on the right hand side of this page) so he will get it!

BREAKING NEWS...

Billy just let the family know that he will be staying in the MTC an additional week. One of the missionaries in his district needs to have surgery, and Billy volunteered to wait to leave so that the elder did not have to travel to India by himself. So, if you want to get a quick letter to Billy while he's still at the MTC you have one more week.

Working Hard and Playing Hard!

2008-08-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

We just got a letter from Billy today. It sounds like things are going well in the MTC. He says he is working hard and is giving his all to his calling as District Leader. He also assured us for as hard as he is working he is playing hard as well. He FINALLY sent us some pictures and from what I could tell, it looks like he is having a blast.

The First Letter Home

2008-08-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

We finally received our first letter from Billy today. He is doing wonderful in the MTC, catching up with old friends and making many new. Billy was given the assignment of District Leader which he is a little nervous about, however we all know he is going to do a fantastic job. I've updated his contact information on the side bar so be sure to write him if you have a minute!

Billy Enters The MTC

2008-07-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

Billy entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on July 30, 2008. He has finally begun his mission! Billy will be in the MTC for three weeks before departing to India. As I am sure you can tell from the pictures, mom had a difficult time saying goodbye. We know he is going to be a wonderful missionary and we are so excited for him! His address is listed on the right hand side of his blog so be sure to write him if you get a minute!

Billy asked me--his amazing older sister--to take over his blog and keep it updated while he is on his mission. He promised that he would write often and send pictures whenever possible so that I can keep it current for friends and family. Please remember to check back for the latest in Billy news!

Final Farewell... Love Elder Nixon

2008-07-29T21:40:00.001-07:00

Well I am now officially Elder Nixon. My Stake President (My loving Dad) set me apart right after my wonderful open house at my Grandparents house. My Mother and Grandmother sure know how to host a wonderful party. It was wonderful to see all of the people I care about in Utah come to the open house tonight, I don't think I could have asked for it to go any better. It feels really overwhelming because I am the first grandson to go on a mission out of the United States and it is very exciting. I am very close to most of my Aunts and Uncles and it was sad to say goodbye knowing I would not see them for two years. I am really going to miss my family। However, I would not trade the opportunity to go on a mission for anything। I cant wait to spread the Gospel to the people of India (I hope the recent bombings in India do not effect my mission)! I know that the Church is true and Heavenly Father needs me in India.

A day of goodbyes and “Farewell(s)”

2008-07-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

When I opened up my calling a couple of months ago I was so excited about it I felt like ready to leave the next day. Well, the day of departure seems to be coming faster than I can handle.
Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to speak in my home ward. I feel bad because I monopolized the meeting and spoke a little long. My talk was mostly about missionary work and how I have prepared to serve. After my talk my sister played a special musical number on the saxophone, and we had the opportunity to hear from the mission President and his wife as well as my dad.

Following the meeting, my mother prepared a fantastic open house in my honor. Everyone that knows my mom probably has already assumed that the open house was amazing. Mother decided to go all out and have a wonderful Indian buffet. I of course was excited because I enjoy eating Indian food, but I am sure that after two years of it I will be ready for a good American hamburger and fries. I would love to say that the hundred plus people that attended the open house were there just to see me, but I have feeling that when ever people hear that my mom is throwing a party they come running, and to top it off my sister made an

amazing three layer Indian looking cake with an elephant on top. I hate to admit it but I am one lucky Elder, because I have a wonderful family that supports me.

While the open house was wonderful because I had the opportunity to say goodbye individually to all my friends and family it was very emotional. Although I am very excited to serve the Lord, it is very weird to think I am going to be putting my life on hold for the next two years. It is hard to think that I am going two years without the blessing of football on television and playing lacrosse. However, I cannot express in words how much love I have for my Savior and the gospel. I know that when I put the Lord first everything works out.

Show Time

2008-07-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

My family and I had the opportunity to attend the Lion King at the Kennedy Center. It was amazing, and I will even admit I thought about crying. (But I didn’t)
I have heard many people express their feelings toward the performance prior to my viewing. So I went in with high expectations. Well it was more amazing than I had ever dreamed. From the very beginning to the very end I thought I had died and arrived in Musical Heaven.

THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!

The Move... and Addiction!

2008-07-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, my name is Billy Nixon and I am a addict... a Twilight addict. I know it is very sad, I didn't even see it coming. I wanted to be a nice brother and went up to Syracuse, New York to help my sister Brittany and her husband pack up their house and move down to Virginia. Well there was some down time and the television was packed, so in my boredom I decided to go to Borders to pick up a book. I read the first chapter and was addicted! Twilight's addictive power is worse than even the hardest of drugs. I am embarrassed to say I finished the first two books in a matter of days and am working on the third as we speak.

Now about the move, It was really fun spending time with Brittany and Ben. We packed all week and our goal was to load the truck by Friday and be down in D.C. by Saturday. Well we began packing the truck at 9AM on Friday and finished at 9AM Saturday. Yes, we pulled the quintessential "all-nighter" reminiscent of many my freshman year of college.

The drive down was a journey in its own. We had a very special truck... the "little engine that could" if you will.

I know everyone knows the story of The Little Engine that Could. Well this truck gave that story a whole new meaning. All three of us wondered numerous times if our truck was going to make it as it would only drive at 30 mph uphill. Well it did eventually make it, but I am sad to say I never want to be with a truck like that again.

Overall the trip was really fun. I am glad I had the chance to help out Brittany and Ben. But most of all, I am happy I had the chance to read.

I would be remiss not to mention the opportunity I had to go see the Hill Cumorah pageant on Friday night before we left town. It was amazing, and worth the lack of sleep and speeding ticket my brother-in-law got because of it.

A “Gay” Old Time at the Ball Park!

2008-06-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

The day after I returned home from the beach I was woken up with a wonderful surprise, my mom was offered 4 club seat tickets to the Nationals vs. Angels baseball game which was scheduled to be played that night. Being such a huge fan I could not pass up the wonderful opportunity to watch my Nats play a little ball. I went to the game with my brother-in-law Ben, my little brother Joseph and Joseph's friend Cole.

At the start of the game, I noticed that there was something unusual about the choir that was walking out to perform the National Anthem - they where all men. So I decided to be funny and I turned to Ben and told him that it was the

National Gay Men's choir. Well I was shocked when I found out that I was right, in fact it was “Gay night” at the Ballpark. Please understand I don’t discriminate and I don’t want to offend anyone, but the last person I wanted to sit next to during a situation like this is my brother in-law. I defiantly think we gave the wrong impression to some of the spectators because we received plenty of unwanted winks.

Aside from that the game was very enjoyable. It was fun being there to see Ben at his first MLB baseball game and I enjoyed watching him eat his first ballpark frank. It was a fun night.