Cindy Nelson Rowlett posted

In our ward we currently have two sets of missionaries serving.  They have divided our ward in two so that we know which set we are assigned to.  My area has the Sister Missionaries and they are just awesome!  There is such a different spirit with the Sisters and I have enjoyed having them over for dinner and visiting with them.  Last week they called and left a message on my phone asking if I would go with them to an appointment that they had with an investigator.  My first reaction was, "No, I don't want to do that.  That isn't how I want to spend my evening."  Then two different thoughts followed.  I had been reading a book that talked about how crumbs are left in our path and all we have to do is follow them.  The crumbs are there to guide us to either a person we need to meet, or something that we need to do, that will make a difference, or influence in our lives.  This invitation could be a "crumb" that I was supposed to follow.  The second thought was that here was a perfect opportunity to have a missionary experience that I could share on our family blog.  Putting those two thoughts together (the crumb leading to the missionary experience) I knew that I needed to accept the Sister's invitation to go with them to this Sister's home.

We all three went and met with Debbie who had lost her husband to cancer about a year ago.  She has still been struggling with his loss and the loneliness that she feels.  The Sisters felt like we should teach her about the Plan of Salvation.  Debbie was very warm and friendly as we visited with her.  Her attention often left our "agenda" of what we wanted to talk about, but her stories gave us insight into who she was, and what her husband had been like.  She loved to talk!  The Sister's kept re-focusing the discussion back to the lesson and Debbie did ask some questions.  We all bore our testimonies at different times and shared experiences that had helped us to know our Heavenly Father's plan for us.  She agreed to read the pamphlet on the Plan of Salvation and to have the Sister's come back.  

Although there wasn't an instant conversion that night, I felt that Debbie knew that we cared about her as a person and that because we cared maybe she would be more open and receptive to letting us share the gospel with her.  I don't know what will become of the visits with Debbie, but I think the Sisters were brought to her home and into her life at a time where she really needed someone to listen to her and know that she is loved by her Heavenly Father. I know that for myself I will try harder to follow the breadcrumbs that are in front of me and accept opportunities to share the gospel.

Allison and Peter Nelson wrote

In 2011, we joined a small branch in Yonkers, NY where Peter S. Nelson served as the YM President.  There were only a handful of young men, and Peter felt especially drawn to a shy, awkward African-American youth named Drew Suber.  Drew sat by himself in classes, at activities and during Sacrament Meeting.  He didn't engage in conversation easily, and appeared ready to bolt at any opportune moment.  Over time, Peter showed him friendship and encouragement.  He bought Drew a suit and tie; he enrolled him in the Boy Scouts program and took him to the meetings and on the campouts.  The next summer, Peter felt impressed to take him along on a family vacation-reunion to Arizona.  Drew met the extended family and started to blend in and have fun.  We took him to the Mesa Temple and toured the grounds and visitor center.  He performed baptisms in Manhattan a few times.  He went to the family reunion again the following summer.  We became emotionally attached, and soon began bringing him along on road trips such as Palmyra, Boston and Niagara Falls.  We learned how little family support he had at home - absent father, no siblings, and a mother who worked long hours and seldom attended church.  Life in south Yonkers resembles the ghetto, so his school experience wasn't optimal either.  We threw out the idea of how wonderful it would be to take Drew with us to Arizona (East Valley) where he could have a more quality upbringing with daily seminary attendance and more LDS friends.  Peter is due to finish residency in June 2015, and Drew will still have two years of high school left.   Our wishful thinking soon became vocalized as we wanted to ascertain both Drew's and his mother's reactions.  Drew was ecstatic and his mother embraced the opportunities we could offer him.  The reality of the situation overwhelmed us, and yet we feel peace and excitement.  We have two small children ages two and 10 months.  Wha do we know about parenting a teenager?  We hope to use the next 16 months before Drew comes to live with us in preparation.  Our greatest hopes for Drew involve serving a full time mission, attending college, and marrying in the temple.  We've begun having him over for dinner and FHE once a week with the missionaries to study Preach My Gospel as a family.  We all try to study it during the week as well.  We hope to grow closer to him and to invite our friends and his friends to participate in experiences where they can feel the Spirit.  We are blessed to have these goals and opportunities.        

Stephanie Nelson Jones wrote

I wanted to share a portion of our son Landon's letter from this past week. He has been out just over a year serving in the Mexico, Mexico City North Mission.

Yesterday (March 2nd) was one of the most special days of my entire mission. We had the privilege of baptizing 6 people. We baptized the Garcia family (Luisa, Nelson, Alma, and Neiry) and Betty with her daughter Dennise. Juan (the dad of the Garcia´s) didn´t get baptized for some word of wisdom problems but we are going to keep working with him. What made yesterday even more special was the fact that it was the same day that I got baptized on. March 2, 2002. Little did I know that exactly 12 years later I would be back in the baptismal font, only this time I would be the one performing the ordinance for others. The spirit was so strong as one after another were baptized and came up with a huge smile, something that I will never forget.