Sept. 28th email pics...

Here's a picture of Elder Nik last week posing by a couple of sea lions who were just chillin on the boat ramp! WOw.

This is his companion Elder Poujols and his "mamita." (the lady who cooks and cleans for them!) He says he doesn't know what exactly that dinner was but that is was GOOD! He loves the food there.

All is well! He's learning the language more each day and has become very humble. He loves this Gospel!!

September 17, 2009 email...

sorry only two pictures ha i had to send the one taking a pee...

K so whats cracking everyone!!! This is Elder Nikolaus and its p day and i took a bunch of pictures today and im trying to figure out how to send them to you guys! Hopefully it works but its only gonna be like three.. oh man these pictures im gonna send you all are sweet i wish you could see all of them!! But im gonna be at this tree... this tree is at the top of this huge hill that on the outskirts of the town. Its so sick though for real.. Its just this tree and from this tree you can see forever.. its tight. This place is beautiful and there is a pretty dang big river that runs right through the town too it kinda reminds me of Durango.. i´ll send one of the river some other time though.

Family wow.. im sorry that took a long time haha but another week is gone and i cant believe how fast the time goes here. I have been on my mission for almost 3 months.. thats so nuts.. haha i love it i love it i love it.. the food is money. Its not eating out.. in fact i have only eaten out one time since i have been here.. haha so sorry i had to write my friends all a big old letters and make them know that i still care about them.. i mean seriously where would i be right now without good friends and an amazing family? Shoot ill tell you.. i would be a lving down in the valley trying to survive on my own and with a dang messed up life.. haha but no im here in chile preaching every single day of my life to the people in chile.. and im preaching the only church that has all the truth.. Every single church on this earth has truth in it. But i know without a shadow of a doubt that the authority of the gospel was lost when the apostles died and that through joseph smith we have to restored gospel.. we needed the authority and it was lost.. but its so simple to understand that for us.. when the people open their hearts and realize that is when i see miracles. And wow have a seen miracles.. all i can really do is bare testimony but i bare it with my whole soul and heart into those words that I KNOW that this church is true and the joseph smith saw God the father And Jesus Christ.. what could be greater to do in my life besides that? Nothing. I have been given everything in my life.. everything.. i have never had to do anything because our father in heaven has blessed me beyond anything i can imagine. Seriously. Wow have i been humbled these last 3 weeks... sure it stinks to have fleas biting my winker at night time haha and to be freaking cold all the time but all i have is two years to spread this church to all i can.. these people live on nothing.. this lady i know in the word makes like 6 mil a day.. a mil equals like 2 dollars in us... so thats 12 bucks a day. And she works all day long.. from 8 to 8.. thats ridiculous.. i feel so so humble.. you have no idea... i know i already told you guys this but the last year i prayed for humility in my life.. and i know that God answered my prayers with my mish.. haha i always have so many things i wanna tell you guys but can never think of what to say when i get on here.. haha.. so theres a family here. And a man named marcos and elizbeth are the man and wife.. wow.. my first day here and it was my second lesson!!! They are now preparing to be married and to be baptized.. we have taught them so much and the ward has finally helped us out.. a lady in the branch i mean.. found elizabeth a job. Money is so low in this town.. its hard to survive.. literally. The houses here are like 60 years old and all of them look like rats live in them and you can see spiders webs everywhere.. its truly humbling in my life how humble these people are.. holes in the floors that go down to the ground. Insects and wow.. its just amazing.. truly amazing.. i hope you guys like my pictures if they work! Haha i took one peeing on top of the hill with the sweet tree.. ah man its gorgeous here. Haha and its bigger than clay springs mom.. and cj i wanted to tell you something brother.. i love you man.. holy cow man i love you so much.. remember the picture that you gave me before i went to fort lewis.. well i have it and everything that your wrote on the back helps me out so much.. i have only cried twice in my mission and yesterday when i read what you wrote to me i started to cry.. it says,, there will always be hard times but never forget that hes there... oh man that phrase just stuck out so hard.. im so grateful for your example ceej.. mom dad.. what can i say? I wouldnt be the person i am without you guys.. i owe it all to you.. dad haha i laugh so hard at your letters.. stop trying to be a gangsta and talking like youz from the hood.. haha and when you put your signature dont put BIG poppa jon haha cause i know that your not any bigger than you were when i left.. haha your bigger.. haha just playin.. haha i will write more to you guys more next week.. haha im doing great though.. my testimony grows and grows.. mom i havent got my package but i got the letters... chelsea i love you girl.. you know it.. even though i was a jerk to you.. you know how much i love you. Dont forget that you can ask me anything that you need and i will give it to you.. mom your gonna have to send this to cj and ann for me cause i dont have time to put their addresses in the letter.. thanks i love you.. ann thanks for all the support i also enjoy your letters and all your advice... freak check it out!!! Im listening to i just died in your arms tonight!! Its on the radio! Yeah i love the music from the states.. haha cause i can understand the words.. chelsea stay good girl.. jena.. i liked your letter too. Haha you nerd.. your not a little girl anymore.. youve grown to a young woman.. remember who you represent jena.. thats my goal for my mission.. to always remember who i represent.. Our savior Jesus Christ. I love you all so much.. Eternity with my family.. wow nothing could be better......... Elder Nikolaus

Los Lagos, Chile

Elder Nikolaus has safely arrived in the region of Los Lagos, Chile! Here is the email from his Mission President....

I just wanted to let you know that your son, Elder Nikolaus, arrived safely in Osorno, Chile. We had all the new missionaries here in the mission home for training, interviews and dinner. Yesterday morning he met his new companion and left for his area to begin work as a missionary in the Chile Osorno Mission. He has been assigned to Elder Poujol from Honduras to be his trainer and first companion. They are serving in the Los Lagos Branch. This is about one hour north of Osorno. It is a beautiful area of the mission and his companion will be an exceptional trainer. You will receive additional information by mail, but I wanted to get you this information as soon as possible. Thanks for sending your wonderful son to our mission. He will love it here.

Pte Kenneth D LovellLa Gran Mision de Chile Osorno

MTC Pics

Elder Nikolaus and his District outside of the Provo Temple.
One side of his mouth got infected from getting his wisdom teeth removed so he was able to bust out of the MTC for a couple hours to go to the dentist. :)
Here he is showing off his swollen cheek....

It's comforting to know that he's with such good company while in the MTC....

Elder Nik flies to Chile on Monday, Aug. 24th!!! He seems to be way excited about it....Keep him in your prayers por favor! Gracias!

July 14th

this is the conclusion of Elder Nik's email to his dad last week....

...."share this quote with mom i like it a lot and i heard it the other day from a fellow missionary...
"Missionaries leave their families for 2 years so others can be with theirs for eternity."
...Now thats legit :) and the knowledge/conocimiento of that is so rewarding that I can do this great work for the Lord so others can experience what i have been able to have my entire life."
Elder Nikolaus

The days prior to entering the MTC...

The day of his farewell... great day! He has such a sweet spirit. This is just before pulling out of the driveway, on his way to Salt Lake. He's just enjoying a Dew with Jonny and C.J.

His final requests included Olive Garden, a few games of BOWLING, and...

..................................P.F. CHANGS!!

This was about 20 minutes before we dropped him off. He was SO READY! His family was driving him crazy, and he was ready to do The Lord's work! We all knew it.

Good luck Jord!! You will be an amazing missionary! We love you!!!

March 12, 2009

Friends...

and family....

gathered around in anticipation....Here it goes.... where will it be!?!?!............

OSORNO CHILE!

... And he was THRILLED!