February 29, 2016--Week 29

Hey everyone, hope everything is going well for all of you! 

Things are going pretty well here, we found a couple people last week, but only one of them is looking even remotely interested, so the finding continues. Elder Kim and I are both working on improving our contacting skill. If we are doing it for several hours a day, and most people are going to slam the door no matter what we say, then we might as well get better at practicing new things and at getting bold. We have made a decision that we will never walk away from a door, until they have closed it on us. By doing this, we guarantee to ourselves that we were bold enough. Yeah it's obnoxious to all those people, but to me if it means finding someone and watching them change their life, then I don't care how many people I annoyed. 

Elder Kim and I just starting working with a couple who are super nice. Sister Vanderlinden is a recent Jewish convert, and Luke is some religion from India, but I don't know the name. They are super awesome people and we have loved working with them. We are meeting with the today and we will see how it goes.

Yesterday I gave my third talk in the English ward here in 5 months and I gave my talk on the Book of Mormon and how it relates to the bible. I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that through it's reading and study, we can grow so much closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the Book of Mormon. It truly is a miracle that we have it today to hold in our hands, to read and study the message in it. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Elder Jacob Nickerl

P.S. Here is a photo of a few of the Korean kids in the branch. They all wanted to download Minecraft on my iPad... But yeah I love Korean kids. They are the best.

February 22, 2016--Week 28

Hey everyone,

Sorry about the lack of weekly emails recently. I have been really busy on P-Days and haven't been able to send one. I'm hope you are all doing well.

Here in New Jersey things are pretty slow. Elder Kim and I have been focusing almost all of our effort on Korean and as such we have had a lot more contacting time. But we are confident there are people here who are ready. Also the members have begun to bring their friends to activities and we are really excited about that because through the members we will find a lot more success. We aren't really teaching anyone who is super progressing right now, but we are looking to be able to find them soon. I feel that my Korean language ability is not moving anywhere quickly. I can't really see rapid improvement or anything, but to be honest I haven't really had the time or mental energy to put a ton of effort into language study. The stresses from added responsibilities this transfer are beginning to set in and hopefully I can put more energy into Korean.

The only really exciting thing that happened this week was on Tuesday at district meeting President and Sister Taggart came randomly to my district meeting (not for my birthday) and so that put a lot of extra stress on the meeting (I would not have chosen to have that happen).

In studies this week I came across this quote from President Taylor, “Come, follow me, as I follow Christ.” This simple statement embodies so much of what we are striving to do here on this Earth. If we are not ourselves striving to follow Christ, we can in no way, invite others to do the same. The best way to teach or lead anyone is to show by example and invite them to do ghe same themselves. This church is true, because Jesus Christ is at the head. He is our example, and he is who we strive to follow. As we do so, we invite others to do the same. I'm so thankful for the example of our perfect older brother, Jesus Christ and for all that he taught, teaches, and will continue to teach.

I hope you all have a great week and that things are going well for you all!

-Elder Nickerl

February 1, 2016--Week 25

Hey everyone,

We have some big changes after this week. Transfers are going on today/tomorrow. Elder Koo is leaving and my new companion will be Elder Kim. Elder Kim came out at the same time as me, and he is in the English program learning English. His English is similar to my Korean, maybe a little better, so there may be some communication barriers at first, but it will be good for both of our language practice. He has been in my zone for the whole time I have been out, is an awesome guy, and I'm excited to be with him. I'm a little bummed to have Elder Koo leave, because we are just starting to really work together well. President did tell me this was just going to be a short temporary companionship with Elder Kim, because he needs to go back to the English program and because next transfer another native Korean is coming to NJ and President made it sound like I would be training him. Looks like I’ll be in the walking area for the rest of the winter. :/ I'm super excited though. 

Outside transfers, not much is happening, we found a few new solid investigators and are looking at some good progress for the area. To all of you who have been praying for me, I truly can feel it and I testify that I can not do it all on my own and I feel and am thankful for the prayers. I know that many times the Lord works in his own way to help build us as people, right as we begin to become comfortable, we are faced with a new challenge that helps build us as people. I'm thankful for change even though it can be hard, I know it builds us as people and helps us grow closer to God. I know this church is true! 

I love you all, if I can do anything for you, let me know. If not, have a great week! 

-Elder Nickerl

P.S.  Here is Elder Kim, my new companion, this is from exchanges a little bit ago.