Ya I totally forgot transfer calls were this week until we actually got the call. We got them on Saturday and I was on an exchange with Elder Evans in Sylmar. the district leader there called us and told me that I was leaving and I was so surprised completely forgot! I was kind of heartbroken. I love being in Burbank. It's so nice and I love the people, even though I haven't been able to teach as much as I would have liked too. Its just such a tight nit family oriented community that is just clean. I love it. But the Lord is calling me out to another place to work with his children there and I'm excited for the new experiences and happenings that I get to be a part of there. I'm staying zone leader and my guess is that I'll either be going to Van Nuys again into the other area there, or up to Stevenson Ranch. Elder Cumming's area in the Burbank 2nd ward is combining with the other area there again and he'll be covering the whole ward with one of the missionary's that's already there. Elder Smith will be staying here in the Burbank 3rd ward. We're sad that we're getting split up. It's been a great transfer filled with miracles and a lot of fun, and we were able to finish it with a baptism that Saturday night.
George Tello's baptism was amazing. Definitely one of the most spirit filled baptisms I've ever been too. The whole room was packed with friends he has made from both the first ward and the second ward. A lot of his friends from school came to support him and his whole immediate family along with some extended family came too. The talks given were spot on and very nonmember friendly. The musical number was awesome, and during the actual ordinance the spirit just flooded the room and his whole family, especially his girlfriend and his mom shed some tears. It was so cool to see them feel the spirit testify to them that what their son and friend were doing was right. At the end he bore powerful testimony of knowing that this was the path that God wanted him to take, that god had testified through his spirit to him that the book of Mormon was true, that joseph smith was a prophet, and that president Monson was his living prophet today and that this was Gods church. We went to dinner with his family afterwards and had a real good time with them. We had already met his dad since we went bowling with him and George for pday last Monday. His family really likes us and hopefully they'll be more open to letting us teach them as we re-teach George the lessons. Previously they haven't been open to it, but I fell like the barrier between us and them is breaking. On Sunday I had the privelage of confirming George a member of the church and giving him the gift of the holy ghost. That was truly amazing as well. That was my second time ever confirming someone and I was led by the spirit for sure in knowing what to say. His family came to see that as well and they all felt the spirit again. I hope that I will be able to see them all as members one day. I'm going to keep in contact with George throughout the rest of my mission and afterwards. He's an amazing kid and will be a great a member of the church. Just thinking about his story makes me so happy! The start of a series of miracles that propelled him into becoming a member was a simple invite to seminary. That's all it took. You never know how big of an impact an invitation will make on somebody. I really do have a testimony of inviting. I hope all of you invite people you come in contact with to so something that will bring them closer to Christ. Something as simple as praying, coming to church, seminary, mutual, reading the book of Mormon, etc. could change someone's eternity.
To give you update on Dawn Vasquez, her progression has completely halted. We don't know what to do with her. She's starting to fall off the radar. She won't keep appointments and most likely won't make her date for the 7th. We haven't given up on her though. Hopefully she'll come around and we'll be able to meet with her on a regular basis again and she'll start coming to church weekly.
We also had dinner with the Sanchez family this past week as well. We had a really good lesson with them about baptism and the temple and the blessings that come from keeping covenants. We invited them to come back to church but they said they weren't ready yet. We also asked them if we could go to the temple visitors center with them. They seemed to like that idea and said that next time we could set up a date and a time to go up together. I love that family and I'm sad to leave them. They're great. I hope and pray that they'll gain the faith to come back to church.
Yesterday at church I said my goodbye's to a lot of the members. I really have loves serving with them and helping the ward out. I stopped by bishop last night and thanked him for everything he's done for me and for the great ward he gets to lead. Yesterday was ward conference and the whole stake presidency was there. They gave great talks and afterwards I thanked President Walker, the stake president for all he's doing. He's a great stake president and I'm glad I got to work with him even though it was only for a real short time.
I'm ready to go though! New area, new companion. I've done it before and I'm excited to see what the Lord wants me to learn and to do wherever I'm going. Thanks for all the support and love you all send me! I love you all!
Elder Nelson
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