Elder Holland's Classic Easter Message...

This message on the Atonement of Jesus Christ is perhaps the most powerful testimony of His mission and message that I have ever heard. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke of the sacrifice of Christ and the unique way it applies to our own lives. He gave this address on Sunday morning, April 5th, during a General Conference address for the church. I have never felt the spirit as strongly as I felt it at that time. Take a few moments to listen (again and again if you like!), learn, and love our Lord and begin to understand His love for us. Happy Easter!

Elder Holland's Address: None Were With Him.

He's really there...

Well, David has spent the last 5-6 months in South Africa. When we first got pictures of him, it looked like he was just a few miles down the road. However, he's finally sent us some photos that really do look like he's in the middle of nowhere, so it must be South Africa. This picture was taken just a few "klicks" outside of Secunda, where he and his new companion, Elder Dondashe, are preaching the Gospel. The largest coal refinery on the African continent is in the far distance behind him. (Many of the people who live in Secunda work at that coal refinery -- Sasol.) Above all else, David constantly reminds us that he is "loving the work" and "working hard" to share his testimony of the Gospel with the South African people. (When many people find out his last name is "Nelson" they often ask if he is related to Nelson Mandela. He smiles and points to his face. Then he tells them he is not Xosha, but from the tribe of SoCal. Everyone seems to accept that just fine.)

What a cutie

I know I've been neglecting my personal blog, but with work and school (combined together) I rarely take any time for myself. However, the most important people in my life -- my family -- deserve some attention here, so, in an attempt to continue this blog, I'm inserting a couple of video clips my daughter, Rebekah, took of my grandson, Chase, last month. It's particularly difficult to simply watch when I want so badly to be there. Nevertheless, Chase is undoubtedly the cutest baby ever! I absolutely adore this video. Rachel and Chase are playing "peek-a-boo" and Chase seems to be loving every second of it.

Okay, I've been meaning to do this for the past two months, but honestly, I've been so busy that every time I think about it, I'm in bed and simply too tired to take care of it. HOWEVER, I'm now ready to tell you about these AWESOME kids...
On Friday before school started (August 29th to be exact) the principal of the high school where I teach asked me if I would take over the journalism classes (since the journalism teacher left for another high school). He told me that if I didn't take it over, he would have a brand new English teacher take the job. "Of course!" I said, not really knowing anything about how journalism classes work now.
So far, I've learned two new computer programs -- Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop -- and I'm learning how to send digital newspaper pages online to an FTP address so that our paper can be submitted, printed and delivered in a 24-hour turnaround. I'm also writing a journalism curriculum (scope and sequence) for my Stull evaluation this year, so it's been a sort of "learn as you teach" experience.
Now, this is my totally AWESOME newspaper class! My editors (Brenna, Mike and Courtney) are so adept in this class (and at newspaper publication and everything that goes with it) we finally produced our first incredible issue the beginning of October. ALL these kids are the best writers, editors, photographers and workers I've ever seen in a classroom. They are devoted to the paper, and make my job incredibly easy. I'm quite certain that I wouldn't have survived these first two months without their expert help. Quite honestly, this is undoubtedly my favorite class of all time. They are self-motivated, dedicated, and excellent journalists, and I am very proud to work with them.
Now, the only problem we have is that the district expects this to be a class, not just a club, so we need to publish a newspaper every month -- but the school site has only given me enough money to print three issues. We've been trying to sell all kinds of ads to add to our budget fund and be able to print additional issues, but so far we are still a little short. I've never prayed for money before, but I must admit, I'm doing it now. It's not for me; it's for these unbelievable kids, the paper that they love, and the preparation for the journalism profession they are all looking forward to in college. If you have any ideas on where to get another $3000, I'm willing to listen and work. :)

What?!? South Africa?!?

On August 21st, after weeks of patiently waiting, my "baby," David Clark Nelson, received his mission call. Honestly, most of the family thought he would be going on a domestic mission. After all, the only members of our extended family that served in the United States are David's uncles, Brad and Neal. Because our immediate family members had served in Asia, Europe, and South America, we thought there wasn't any other place left except the U.S.
Then, on Thursday, August 21, 2008, David received his mission call in the mail. He decided to wait until 6pm that evening for Jeff to call from somewhere in the South Pacific (serving on the USNS Mercy -- probably in Papua New Guinea), so we tried to find lots of silly things to do during the day to keep our minds off the huge envelope he stashed in his closet. Right on schedule, Jeff called, so we also called Rachel and Ross in Utah on another phone and had a sort of "conference call" going. David slowly and solemnly opened his call, paused for what seemed forever (I think it was probably only 15-20 seconds), then began to read with a choked voice and a slight tear. "You are called to serve in the Johannesburg South Africa Mission."
We probably all cried at the same time, "What?!?!" I thought he would probably end up serving in the Southern States here in the U.S., but noooo...he's serving in the South -- probably as far south as you can go in this world without hitting Antarctica. I figure he's going to be serving in a mission farther away than even Mikel was in the Philippines -- about 8,000 miles away or more.
A couple of weeks after he received his call, David received his travel plans. He's going to the MTC in Johannesburg, and flying out of San Diego two days before Thanksgiving. He got his passport and medical shots finished, so he'll be ready to make his first international flight. I'm just a little sad that we can't go to the MTC with him, but somehow I'm sure this will be the best experience for him. Instead of relying on General Authorities to inspire him, he will have to rely on the Spirit.
It's now two weeks before David actually leaves; last weekend we went shopping and bought his suits, shoes and shirts. Now all he really needs is socks and ties -- and I'm hoping his brilliant siblings will do some thrift shopping and get him some "cool" and dispensable ties he can not only wear, but share on his mission.
I can't believe it! My BABY is going to South Africa! This means that we have had someone serving a mission on every continent in the world. When Jeff's patriarchal blessing said that his future family would take the Gospel to "every nation, kindred, tongue and people," we thought it was just a euphemism for going on a mission -- but it was the truth! And I know my son will be taking the truth to those who have not heard it yet. I know Heavenly Father will bless him, and I will pray and support him always, especially during the next two years.

The New "Mountain Movers..."

The "Mountain Movers!"

The individuals in my life that seem to have made the greatest impact on me recently have been my students. I've learned to laugh and cry with them, use my "mother" look when they misbehave, and love every essay, every PowerPoint presentation, and every speech/debate they've ever completed in my classroom. They've not only grown incredibly, but they've also taught me to be a better teacher, a better person. My memories are so fond of each one of them, it was particularly hard to say "goodbye" at the end of the school year.

However, I just wanted them to all know that they inspired the title of my new blog. At the end of the year I always read a Dr. Seuss book to my classes, and this year was no different. As I began reading aloud to them, and watching their faces, I knew that these were not only my students, they were my friends, and I believe in their hopes and dreams for the future, and for their success. I've seen them thrive on "changing the world," on finding their own niche and moving forward. I am so grateful that I've had the opportunity to play a small role in their futures by helping them build a strong foundation as successful high school students. Kids, I know YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS! Come by and see me sometime! Much love and prayers for success -- Mrs. Nelson