The new duo: NEILSON - NELSON

Elder Neilson & Elder Nelson Ochoa family says a teary "Good-bye" to Elder Tondevold

"Sweet Ties" Elders: Blood, Owen, Tondevold & me

Ovalle at twighlight

hey everyone how is it going? well i dont have that much time to write this week...i had a nice birthday. we had companion changes that day as well. elder tondevold got changed to Villa Alemana and i am staying here in ovalle for another 6 weeks. people here are pretty upset that he is leaving but hey, its the mission...my new companion is elder neilson. Yes, NEILSON...they will have fun trying to keep our names straight. he has 18 months in the mission. he is cool and we should have a good time working together. well gotta get goin. talk to ya next week. take care! chao elder nelson

Happy Birthday Jaren!....and you hit your 1/4 mark

Happy Birthday! Mom sent me my favorite...a Funfetti B'day cake mix! Not sure if the oven would bake it or not as it has 2 settings: On & Off! But it was great!

Carla Vega's baptism - 2/14/09
Yep! That's me stuffing it.

hey everyone how are things going? things are going good down here in Ovalle. i am a little sick with a sore throat but its not too bad...Today is the last day of the third change of my mission. Tonight we have changes. i really have no idea if i am staying or leaving. honestly either one works for me. i love the people here and the weather should start getting a bit more mild after this past month and a half of scorching weather.
So this week has been a busy one. this past week we had a zone conference. the mission president couldnt be there. it was only our zone and the assistants. it was a good conference. The baptism was at 6 and was really nice. we made homemade raspberry-blueberry cheesecake and brownies for the baptism which turned out really good. they were both a huge hit and when we brought them out, immediatly like 4 ladies from the branch were asking us how to make them and the recipe. they went nuts. that evening we played basketball with a few guys who thought they were pretty hot stuff.
this sunday i confirmed carla. it was a good experience for me. later that evening we went on divisions with a couple members from the branch. it was a good time.
This morning i got all packed just in case i leave i can visit people this evening. our president told us that we should be able to pack in 30 minutes if we needed to so i practiced this morning...didnt do it in 30 minutes but got it done...thanks to those of you who wrote me this week. take care and next week i guess we´ll see where i´m at...chao.

Chile Soccer Cup - Congratulations Ovalle!

Cheesecake we made - YUM!!!!!!!
You know I love it!
I make an awesome omlet too!
KATA a member in our branch and her cool shades!

Our Zone Activity....a day off...kinda

and Mexican Food at El Relajo!

We meet again....Elder Owen from the MTC now in my area.

Hey everyone how are things going? its all going good down here! its hard to believe that its the last week now of the change. We are having a baptism this saturday! Carla passed her interview on saturday and went to church on sunday so she is all ready. She has found a happiness in her life with the gospel. This week we are going to have a conference and interviews with the Mission president in La Serena. It should be fun.
So there is a big soccer tournament going on in chile called the chile cup. anyways, the New York Yankees of the league down here, Colo Colo, lost to OValle! haha ovalle is a div. 3 team that beat a pro team. how embarassing.
Well gotta go. Thanks for all the emails. Next week i´ll do a little recap of the change.

Chao - Love, Elder Nelson

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Hey everyone! Happy Groundhog´s day!
Things are going good down here in Ovalle still. As I say every week, and its still true, it sure gets hotter!
So our investigator Carla is progressing well and will probably be baptized on Valentine's day.
A member who lives in Santiago came back up to Ovalle this past week and will be here for another couple weeks. His name is Jonathon Farias. He served his mission in Paraguay 2004-2005. He has gone out with us almost everyday this past week. It is sweet to have a native come with us to give lessons. we were able to give 9 this week.
Today we are having a zone activity. We are going to a mexican restaurant called "El Relajo." It is sooo good and is a nice change from the chicken and rice we have been getting lately. Afterwards, we are going to the church and playing basketball and futball. For this, we get to wear regular "street clothes" all day until our district meetings this evening at 6. it is pretty nice walkin around in jeans and a t shirt for a change but still feels kinda weird at the same time...
Thanks to all those who wrote me this week. take care.
chao, elder nelson