My last days

March 7, 2016

Mis queridos familiares y amigos,

I have to say sorry for not writing a lot last week…. I lost track of time and my leaders were kicking me off the computers…. but this time I will write a lot for my last P-Day on the mission!

So, as many know I´ll be coming home this week…. and I’m overwhelmed…. I hate to leave this country, my friends, people that I consider family as well… behind once again… but I know that they are blessed for the gospel in their lives! But I can’t wait to be able to see the faces of my family once again and to be able to hug each and everyone of them =) I can’t say that last week I worked my hardest…. but I can’t say either that I didn’t work at all!!! We had a few events happen last week that made it difficult to be able to work efficiently… but we did what we could!

We were able to baptize 2 out of the 3 of the Argueta family! Yeni (Jenny), and Neris! They were really excited and REALLY NERVOUS at the same time LOL!!! They got a little shocked when they got dunked in the water but that’s because of the nerves that were extremely high!!! But it was a real joy for me to have been able to see at least two of them get baptized before I return home…. It has been a learning experience to have been with them every step of the way in their conversion process! I have seen a major change with in them and I feel sure that they will be faithful to the church and to the lord for the eternities!

sigh…. I don’t want to leave but I do want to see my family hahaha I’m so overwhelmed I haven t been able to sleep well for the past few days…. but I know its for the same reason that I’m filled with many emotions that my body can’t support it lol!!! But everything will be ok!!! To be honest I don’t feel like writing anymore… lol there really is a lot of things I would like to write but I would rather do it face to face! I’m going to finish this last email with 2 scriptures!!!

First 3 John 1:13-14

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

and last but not least D&C 34:12 with words changed a bit 😉

12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your [Son] and your [Friend]. Even so. Amen.

I love you guys! with all my heart! I will see you soon! ❤

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
"Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present." -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

(Mommy Moment: He comes home in three days. We are excited and nervous but mostly ecstatic!! Three Days!! I can't put into words how I am feeling but I know that the Holy Spirit can change your life if you want it. The mission has helped my son become a good man. That doesn't mean he won't make mistakes but I know that he gave the best two years of his life to serve those in El Salvador. He loved the people with all his heart. He loved the country and those he served. His companions were the ones that he would learn the most from, good or bad. I am so blessed that the Lord loved my son and wanted him to change for the better. The Lord knows each one of us and he helps each of us to become the best that we can become. If having to go through trials means we learn to be more like our Savior than I am happy to do that so I can be stronger and happier in the life to come. I know that Elder White will come a better person than when he left. I am so blessed that the Lord looked at his heart and can judge him by only what He can see. How blessed I am to have the Gospel in my life and that we have a Savior who loves each one of us. God bless each one of you. Do something good today and pass it on to the next person that you see. Change the world one step at a time. Give a hug, a smile, or just say hi. Love to all of you.)

Sorry!!

February 29, 2016

Sorry everyone I don’t have time to write something big… I lost track of time and now I gotta go….. but I love you guys and I’ll see you soon!!! =)

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

(Mommy moment: if Elder White wasn’t coming home in a few days, I think I would be on the next flight to El Salvador!! What in the hey…..Only 10 days until he returns.)

BAPTISM!!!

February 22, 2016

Hola Mis queridos,

So seeing that it takes me a lot of time to think of things to write…. I started writing in a notebook the things I want to write so that I may be able to express EVERYTHING that has been going on! or the most exciting parts hahaha!!!

So I don’t remember if last week I wrote about Karen Medina and her baptism last Saturday, but if I did, sorry I’m going to write it again 😉 So we finally baptized Karen!!! She has been an investigator for about 3 ish months and it took a good long while for her to feel ready to be baptized! Its been pretty rough to be honest…. We changed her Baptismal date 3 times!!!! and the last time we changed it she said, and promised, that she would work hard to be feel like its the day she’s suppose to be baptized! Well, her promise was completed! I felt for a long awhile that I wouldn’t be here for the day that she would be baptized but I’m glad that I was able to be present and a huge blessing to have been able to do the ordnance as well!

The Argueta family have been doing really well with their studies in the book of Mormon and everything! They have been to church two times and they only have to attend one more time and they can get baptized! The only thing is this, the mom, Neris, and her older daughter, Jennifer, want to be baptized, but the youngest daughter, Graciela, doesn’t feel like its necessary to be baptized again…. I may have explained or said this before but I’ll say it again!!! So we have explained everything to her about the authority of God, the Priesthood, and that only, only through this power will the baptism be made valid in the eyes of God. As well as receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands under the priesthood authority… We have shown every scripture possible but it just doesn’t stick in her HEAD!!! hahaha but I know that she needs time to be able to feel the spirit testify to her! I just want to be able to see the family make this decision together and to be able to see them get baptized!…. maybe that’s a little prideful of me but its something I want to see!!!

Well I gotta get going but I love you guys! I hate thinking of how much time I have left… for I don’t want to leave but I know my time is closing…. but I can’t wait to see you all again!!!

Love you all!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

Baptisms, and the Spirit

February 15, 2016

Mis queridos,

Well, I forgot to give wishes for Valentine’s day… But I hope the day was special for every single one of you!!! I enjoyed it! Not in a romantic way of course but we went to Fanny’s house to eat lunch and she prepared us hamburgers and fries! It was SO American xD!!!!! but I loved it!

So finally, the Argueta Family went to church with us Sunday and they LOVED IT!!!! I heard many comments that they participated in the classes! They felt confident and support from the members! They want to go again this Sunday and I hope that they do!!! If they don’t their Baptismal date falls 😦 I want to be able to see them get baptized! I also am worried that Graciela isn’t going to feel ready or that she needs to be baptized again…. We have taught her EVERYTHING about the authority and the restoration but I think that she needs to see a baptism and feel the spirit…. I believe then she will have the desire to do it!!!! But they are SO awesome!!!! They actually teach me what they have read or learned xD its awesome I never had investigators like this but they are wonderful!!!

Well, I don’t have much time now but I’m happy for Jesse and Austin!!!! I can’t wait to see them and to be at their wedding!!! I will not miss two important dates….. hahaha I love you guys and hope that everything is going well!!!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

(Mommy Moment: Only 24 more days until Elder White comes home!!)

Multi zone conference!

February 8, 2016

Buenas mis amado queridos!

Well, I don’t have much time now but I would like to say that EVERYTHING is going well here =D ummm my new companion is Elder Garcia, He is from mexico! He is really awesome! We have found that we like to do some of the same things! Music, Video games, hehehe we have been enjoying this!

Well, Things are going well here in Ozatlan! We are hoping to have at least 4 baptisms before I finish the mission!!! I’m hoping to be able to baptize Fanny’s daughter, Rebecca! But it will be very difficult seeing that my last day is the 9th of March…. and that’s when her birthday is as well…. Its terrible that it had to work out in that way…. but I hope that President will allow me to do it!

Well, I gotta go but I love you guys so much! And hope that everything is going well with you all!!! Be safe and always remember the Atonement of Christ!!!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

(Mommy Moments: Okay I am going to say it because we are all thinking this, what does the “title” of his letter have anything to do with the contents of his letter….blink blink…. Sometimes I think I should be in the loony bin and I can honestly say it wouldn’t be because of anything that I did!! OH well I am glad that Elder White is doing so GREAT!! I honestly thing the first part of the letter got lost in the mail somewhere!!)

My last stretch!

February 1, 2016

Buenas Noches mis queridos!!!

So this is a little change…. We weren’t able to write in the morning because our leaders had to go to a meeting in San Miguel…. and they didn’t return till like 3:30 and they started to write late…. So we have to spend the night here in Usulutan with Elder Tay and Elder Garcia!

So the transfer calls were called in and I get to stay in my area and my companion gets transferred out! Its going to be interesting who will be my last companion!!! I realized that I have had 12 companions and this next change I’ll have 13 companions its interesting how it all end with that number… hahaha! I hope that my next and last companion will be a good hardworking one! Its really sad to say bye to Elder Tay… Hes getting transferred to another area and I’m kind of upset about that… He’s been a real good help with many of the troubles that’s been going on and a great support to me in many things! I’ll miss him very much!

So, I feel so strange that i have made it to this last stretch of my mission… I feel nervous, worried, and scared for what will happen in the next step of my life… I don’t want to leave this country… nor my friends that I have made here in this country… It hurts to think that I’ll be leaving behind another big part of my family but returning to the open arms of my own family!

Well, This family, The Argueta Family, are progressing fairly well in the Gospel, the only thing that my fault is going to the church…. This has been a real pain in the neck with almost all of our investigators…. For the Distance and for the financial problems its REALLY difficult that they go to church…. So this is the only problem that they have… AND with coffee… this is the major trial for this country because they grow, and make their own coffee… Its really difficult but I have seen that if they are ready for the restored Gospel in their lives, they will obey all the commandments that the Lord has given us!

Well, I don’t have much left to write…. but all is going well for me here in El Salvador, Its been a struggle like always but a spiritual up lift! I ask of all of you to please put Elder Brandon Tay in your prayers… His Aunt has passed away this last week and hes been struggling really hard… He didn’t know for sure till today from the news of his family but Please keep him and his family in your prayers please….

Congratulations Ethan for your baptism!!! I wish I could be there… But know that I love you with all my heart and i hope you can feel me near this Saturday!!!!

I love you all and hope that this week will be a great one for all of you!!!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

(Update: We just heard that Elder White will be flying home March 10, 2016 instead of March the 17th!! We are so excited!!)

Elder Cook, Multi-Mission Meeting!!

January 25, 2016

Mis queridos,

Well, Saturday we got to have a multi-mission meeting, with Elder Cook! We got to shake his hand and we got to hear some prophetic words from him! I really liked how he focused most on how we are ward/branch builders and that we (the missionaries) are the message! We have to be warm, kind, and love the members of all the wards we are building up!

We also had a world wide devotional that was based on a world wide training meeting for the missionaries. They focused this devotional on this phrase, “Teaching Repentance and Baptism.” I really liked what Elder Bednar taught about the Holy Ghost and that we need to be worthy to bring that spirit into the homes of the people. He taught that we aren’t the teacher the people need, they need the spirit to testify to them in their hearts. It was really cool and really powerful!

So, in my area we have 4 ward missionaries and our ward mission leader lives in our area as well, so we leave on divisions with them almost every day! Mostly with Mario and Luis Guido. So Luis and I found a really good family that have, up till now, read the pamphlet of the Restoration and have prayed about the prophet Joseph Smith (wow its weird to say it in English hahaha). They almost came to church yesterday but something came up and they couldn’t go… but hopefully this next Sunday they will be able to come. I also am planning to put a baptismal date with them for the 5 of March….. I hope they are the ones that Heavenly Father has chosen and presented to me and that they are prepared for the Gospel in their lives!

Well, I don’t have much to say but I hope this week will be better for you all!!! I love you and hope the best this week!!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

Till We Meet

January 18, 2016

Querido familiares y amigos,

So in the space of 3 days we lost more than half of our investigators…. lol…. I have to laugh or I’ll fall into huge depression lol… but I realized that they weren’t ready for the gospel! They still have to mature a little bit more and maybe in the future they will listen and make those sacred covenants!

So Karen changed her baptismal date for February and its pretty upsetting… She knows EVERYTHING is true but she still feels like she’s not ready. she doesn’t want to be a hypocrite like the scriptures say and fall away in the future… she wants to be ready 100% and without hypocrisy… It would be a miracle if I’m still here to be able to see the baptism

Well, this Saturday we will have the honor to see and listen to Elder Cook!!!! He’s coming to El Salvador this weekend and its pretty interesting that I have this chance before I come home to listen to another apostle I feel blessed for this chance to have another apostle come to talk to us! I hope that I’ll be able to shake his hand like we did with Elder Nelson a good 6 months ago!!! It’ll be cool!!!

Well, I’m getting closer and closer to finishing and more and more stressed and anxious!!! lol… I find it hard to stay relax… all I’m waiting for is something similar to Doctrine and Covenants 126,

1 Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me.
2 I have seen your labor and toil in journeyings for my name.
3 I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take especial care of your family from this time, henceforth and forever. Amen.

NOT to be trunky but that’s what I’m waiting for hahaha…..

Well, thank you all for your prayers and for your love! I hope that this week will be good for you all!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨
-A.A. Mine

Not a lot of Time

January 11, 2016

Mis queridos,

Well, once again I don’t have a lot of time to write… but to give a little report about whats going on in the area I can do =D

So this Saturday we had a baptism date set… but I think Karen, that’s the name of the investigator, got discouraged… Reason one, she probably has to go to San Salvador with her family…. and reason two…. The family Medina is a little…. wild…. I guess I could say… there is a lot of disorder…. I can honestly say that its kind of how me and my brothers and sisters acted before I left on my mission, but a little bit worse than that…. I believe my brothers are a little bit more obedient and not THAT rebellious… hahaha, or I hope so haha. but I believe this is affecting the decisions of Karen… It doesn’t help that she lives there with her husband, Melvin, oldest boy in the Medina Family…. So we are hoping that next week, the 23rd of January she will get baptized! She could use some prayers…. =D

So, the church has changed a few things recently… So apparently Headquarters is tired of Change Meetings… hahaha so we won’t have any meetings where all the missionaries that has transfers get together and President tells us where we are going next… We may have to walk the dangerous roads of El Salvador with our bags, alone, to our next area… I’m grateful that I only have 10ish weeks left so I wont be affected by this that much =D hehehe…

Well, everything is going well here in Ozatlan! I’m hoping President will allow me to finish here at least… if not…. I’ll go and do what the Lord commands =)

I love you guys hope this week is a bright and cheerful week!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨ -A.A. Mine

January….

January 4, 2015

Entonces Mis Queridos,

The Year 2015 has ended…. and starts the Year 2016!!!! Many things to think about, many plans to make, many goals to accomplish!! I just hope that my Heavenly Father will help me stay focused these last few months of my time here on the mission… I sometimes feel like I can’t take it anymore…. haha…

So I’m pleased to announce that Fanny was baptized on the 31 of December, AND I had the honor to baptize her =X She’s a good example of faith, enduring to the end, and applying the scriptures in her life. She has pushed through some troubling times and has felt the Atonement in her life. It’s amazing to see how someone changes the moment that they hear and learn the gospel, in their life. That’s if they are prepared for it!

So, Everything is going well here in my area. my companion is very helpful and very caring?(I’m forgetting how to spell….. X_X) through the rough times. I feel bad when I don’t feel like or embarrassed to expressing myself of all the stress or frustration that I feel at times…. I don’t know why its so much different in this companionship then in all the others… I haven’t felt so alone like this since my training…. 2 years ago 😛 hehehe… But He’s a really good missionary and good companion! I just feel like its me that has the problem and not him 😛 I don’t understand why I’m like this but its something I need to change…

Well, I got nothing else to write… The work is the same… haha but I hope that all is well back home for you all!

Love you all!!!!

—
Elder Nikolas White
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission
“Yesterday was history, Tomorrow is a Mystery, But today is a gift… That is why it is called Present.” -Master Uguay

¨If ever there is a tomorrow when we´re not together. There is something you must always remember,
You are braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is even if we´re apart, I´ll always be with you¨ -A.A. Mine