Week 4: Visit from President Nelson =]

Hi Family,

it’s crazy to think that time has just flown by here! it’s been 4 weeks! a lot has gone on this past week. last week we went to the temple twice because it’s going to be closed for the next month for cleaning. Elder Packer of the 70 came to visit it us. He gave an excellent talk on the savior’s atonement. then we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear and QUICKLY meet president Nelson and his wife. Sister Wendy Nelson talked on the spirit and how to be an effective missionary. she also spoke of the love that she has for us and how she got a distinct impression from each one of us just through shaking our hands. she also said how like Nephi we need to be desirous for the welfare of other people’s souls. she really knows how to give a great talk!

President Nelson talked about what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. we need to be willing to not only learn the word of god but to apply those rules into our own lives before telling others to apply them to theirs. it’s amazing to hear from such a great man. He gets around quite well for his age Too! 93, that’s crazy! at the very end of the meeting he gave us an Apostolic Blessing.it was such a cool Experience! he blessed us that we will safe in our travels, that we may have health and vigor, that we may fulfill our spiritual potential, that we may serve a complete mission, apply the saviors teachings into our life, and lastly he bless all my loved ones back at home.

yesterday we also did a really unique activity, we wrote letters to god, then translated them to Spanish. I told him how grateful I was to be where I am now, at the end I asked him to bless me with help in understanding the language. at the end our teacher told us that they were going to mail the letters to the lord (it kind of reminded me when we would write letters to Santa as a kid) our teacher then explained that they were going to take them to the temple and explained that it works the same was as putting names into the temple. it was a really unique experience and something that i would have never thought to do.

over all its been an amazing, spiritual week! being able to meet President Nelson was such an amazing experience. we were talking about it after and even from just shaking his hand you could feel just how strong his spirit was. I’m so thankful and blessed to have had this opportunity not only to Meet such a great man, but to also serve a mission. thank you all for the love and support you have given me. i love hearing how you guys are doing.

I love you all Very Much, Elder Rios