1 DOWN, 1 TO GO December 26, 2016

Happy Boxing Day to all of you English fools out there! Man, my heart is full. I cannot even begin to explain what a high-emotion, crazy, anticipated. and all around humbling day. I am forever grateful for the condescension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To take up this 'tabernacle of clay' and experience mortality just like every one us. Christmas is quite different here in Nicaville, but God has his elect and I was able to experience my most rewarding Christmas yet!

On Christmas Eve, one of our members invited us over to eat some dinner with her and all of her family. Just over a month ago, her husband passed away because of a brain problem. To see her, still smiling, still going, still enjoying life, humbled me down to my very core. I was just sitting there, enjoying some BBQ chancho, singing some Christmas hymns, and that is when my eyes were opened. I was called here to lift the hearts and the spirits of those who are on the verge of giving up. I was called here to find those chosen elect of God. I was called here to do the will of my Father in Heaven, because that is the only uniquely personal thing that we can literally give to him. I was able to share my strong testimony with them in my simple Spanish, and man, the Spirit was there. I am forever grateful for this calling I've been given.

CHRISTMAS DAY: We had a little shaky morning with all of our investigators, but I GOT TO TALK TO MY FAMILY AFTER! I cannot explain the joy that came to me during this moment I shared with them.

I am so grateful for all of you and for this time of year. I read a story in Luke the other week about the 10 lepers. Always show that gratitude to the Lord, even in your trials! Remember what he did for us. 

Another wonderful work in the Lord´s work completed. HAPPY NEW YEARS! Bring on 2017.

Elder Campbell 

Scrips:

Luke 17:11-19 ¨Where are the 9? Be the one who returns to Christ!¨

D&C 78:19- Gratitude, baby!

FOTOS:

¨A hen gathering her chickens under her wings¨ MERRY CHRISTMAS YA´LL

Merry Christmas!

Tatum "mustache" if you are having a Merry Christmas?

Brayden got to skype our family on Christmas Day!  BEST DAY EVER!!

THE MOST NICA THING EVER December 21, 2016

SO, I was in Mangaua and I saw thee most Nica thing I have seen yet. A mom literally pulled down her son's pants in the middle of the bus station (super, super crowed area) and just let the kid pee all over the pants. IT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN.

Hey, I love you guys with all my heart. I am SO excited for the 25th to see you all. Sorry I couldn't get a lot of emails out today, this has been the craziest week of my flippin' life. I am coming with questions for Skype, so be ready! MERRY CHRISTMAS

Elder Campbell

THE NAVIDAD SPECIAL December 21, 2016

HAHA I AM STILL ALIVE! I apologize for my lateness on the email this week fellow friends and family, we had a few meetings/parties to attend in Managua! And, of course, we had ANOTHER miracle this week. We baptized our little friend, Blanca! Her Father never ever wanted her to get baptized with the other missionaries. As we've talked to him the past 2 or 3 weeks, I've really seen a softening of his heart. We have prayed over and over again to allow him to experience a little change of heart. Boy, was that puppy answered! A critical time came after we had a lesson with Blanca and her father. I asked her if she really wanted to get baptized and she said 'yes!' in front of her father. As we talked a little more, he finally agreed that this was something important for her and that she needed to be baptized. He never wanted anything, but he had the knowledge to let his daughter experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I honestly know that one day he will realize just how special this Church truly is. The Lord really does answer our prayers! We just have to have the faith to continue walking and working, knowing that the Savior is right next to our side.

At our Christmas party, they let us watch Captain America, so that was a little Christmas Miracle. 

We enjoyed a ton of other fun things and just took the time to celebrate the life of our Savior!

Well, this concludes my saga. I cannot explain how much I love this work. I love my Savior with all my heart and soul and I am more than happy to put aside my self and give him 2 years of my life to help bring to pass his 'work and glory' (Moses 1:39) Be good this Holiday season, don't party too hard without me! Just give me 1 more Christmas, then I'll be back.

FELIZ NAVIDAD TUS ANIMALES LOCOS!

I cannot wait to Skype my family. I believe my mother would enjoy a few boxes of tissues as her Christmas presents to help her prepare for my call. LOVE YOU MOM!

Elder Campbell 

Scripture:

LUKE 2:10-11 a savior, man.

FOTOS

Blanca's baptism

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HITTIN' YAGUAREZ RUNNING! December 12, 2016

Beloved family and friends, I am back for another short hour to describe just how awesome this first week was with my new companion, Elder Herrera! He is from the Dominican Republic (2/2) and he is beyond excited to be out here serving the Lord. He's a recent convert of just over a year and is the ONLY member in his family. He's an inspiration to me that this Gospel really can change any heart and that it truly is of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the blessings that the Lord has given me and I am pumped to describe how our week went! Shoutout to my cousin, Syd, for hitting the big 20 TODAY! Still not engaged right?!

On Tuesday, hauled on down to Managua for the meeting of the new missionaries. I learned so many tips and tricks from the APs on how to be a kick butt trainer. After lunch, met big boy Herrera (I'm upset that he's taller than me) and we took off.

Wednesday, Elder Ochoa of the Seventy came and spoke to us in our Multi-Zone Conference. I am proud to say that I understand EVERYTHING in Spanish. He gave an inspiring message with 7 grand tips on how to be the best missionary possible.

Miracle of Katherine:

As we began this week, we didn't know one thing in our area. No members, directions, investigtors, nothing. We worked super hard to receive referrals and help from the members, but we faulted a baptism. On Thursday, we went to work with a member named Cindy. She brought her cousin, Katherine, a NON-MEMBER. We talked a little, and she told me she's been to church a few times before and is interested in the message. I had a prompting to ask her to get baptism this Saturday and she accepted! We taught her all 42 principals of the 5 lessons in 2 days. I asked her if she believed that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and she told me that, ¨I don`t believe he was a prophet, I feel that he was a prophet.¨ On Saturday, we had the humbling chance to baptize her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After her baptism, she shared her testimony with us that she felt a giant weight lifted off her shoulders and that she wants to prepare to missionary one day! Quite the miracle!

I also had the chance to baptism a investigator of mine from Sor Maria, named Maurwan. He is the coolest little muchacho! He loves the primary because they give him food and sing I am a child of God! HAHA!

I believe that God is always preparing people for us. I am humbled to be a servant for my Savior, especially this time of year. I know that as we draw closer unto him and do his will, that is when we will experience true joy.

I love you every single one of you. Keep preppin' for the 25th! Campbell OUT.

Elder Campbell 

Scriptures:

1. John 6:66-71 Lord, To whom shall we go?

2. D&C 67:3 Elder Ochoa shared this scripture with us. There is no room for fear in our hearts, only faith.

¨We are ambitious for Christ when we serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, and partake worthily.¨ Elder Yamashita

Pictures:

LOTS OF LOVE FROM ELDER CAMPBELL

SON & POPS

Herrera actually baptized Katherine, we just had to do plan Nica and switch white pants after I baptized Maurwan because he didn't have any!

DECORATIONS FROM MOM

ADIOS SOR MARIA/I'M GONNA BE A DAD! December 5, 2016

OY! On Saturday, I was blessed to find out that I am going to be training a brand new companion from the CCM. He's named Elder Martinez and we are opening up an area in Matagalpa called Yaguarez! I am super excited and humbled for this chance that the Lord has given me, but also a little sad to leave Sor Maria and all of the awesome people over there.  I am also grateful for the teaching and experience I gained from Elder Mendez this past 6 weeks. We sure did give them some heaven! Also, Elder Rush is my new DL and we are sharing an area. LETS GO!

I drove past the Central Park here in Matagalpa the other day and they were setting up all of the lights. It looked just like Temple Square, only without the temple and a whole lot uglier. But hey, I got my Nica pride! 

This week we had quite the experience while we were teaching a family of 13 that we found through a member of the 7th Day Adventist Church (HAHA!). We taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and had a super spiritual lesson. At the end, we invited them to all be baptized. Of the 13, 8 said yes! We both felt like Christ at the Sermon on the Mount just teaching a whole bunch of people. At our church, we only had a humble number of 22 that attended. The little miracle was that we invitied 4 little kids off the street and they actually came. Later, 6 out of the 8 that we invited to be baptized went to church with us! BENDICION!

I cannot believe that it is December and 90 degrees every day. Enjoy the snow you lucky dogs! I have been reading a lot of the Gospels this week and I love nothing more than reading the miracles that our Savior performed. The greatest of them all was his humble atonement. I read/listened to a talk by Elder Neal A Maxwell called APPLYING THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST. All I have to say is wow!

I hope you are all preparing for Christmas! Expect big things from the boys in Yaguarez this coming month! If you feel like sending me some love through mail or package, I wouldn't even mind. HAVE A KILLER WEEK!

Elder Campbell

El Guapo

Scripture/Quote:

1. Isiah 2:2-3 The temple is where we learn to me more the like the Lord. Also, Isiah saw the SL Temple in this vision! Go to the temple for me because I don't get to for 2 years!

Christ created the universe, however in little Galilee, he was simply known as the carpenter`s son. -Neal A. Maxwell 

FOTOS:

JUNGLE CHURCH

LAST DINNER CON BIANCA

PEACE OUT MENDEZ

MILAGRO DE BIANCA Y DARI November 28, 2016

Beloved friends and family of the Northern Continent! Happy Day of Action and Thanks, I honestly hope you all pounded a mountain of Turkey and watched football. My apologies for not writing an email last week, but I am back! I had such an awesome week with Elder Mendez in Sor Maria! We baptized 2 of our long time investigators Saturday night. I'll explain there story a little later! We went to the Selva Negra this morning too and saw A TON of monkeys. They started throwing their poop and fruits at us. NICARAGUA! The hurricane that passed through only destroyed Mataglapa and my house a little bit...

STORY OF BIANCA Y DARI:

When I first arrived in Nicaragua, Elder Hobbs and I visited a returned missionary and his wife, who wasn't a member, named Darwain and Bianca. Darwain was struggling with coming to church so we wanted to pass by and invite him to come back and also teach Bianca. We taught and taught and always invited her to be baptized, but she always said no because she was baptized as an evangelical 7 years back. She always came to church with Darwain and loved reading the Book of Mormon with us, but never wanted to make the commitment. 

After Elder Hobbs left, Elder Mendez and I taught her a few times every week with her cousin, Dari. They both started progressing really well and we had so many awesome lessons with them. We taught Bianca and Dari about the Atonement about a week and a half ago using Isaiah 53, and the Spirit was strong. We invited them to be baptized again, and they said YES! As we prepared them for their baptisms, we talked a lot about the Temple and I have never seen a family so eager and ready to make the moves to bring themselves closer to Christ. Finally, the night before her baptism, Bianca shared a little testimony with us. She said, ¨My intentions were to only help Darwain reactivate in the church then go back to the Evangelical church. I never had plans to get baptized or make a long term stay in the church. But, with all of the lessons and Spiritual experiences I have received, I got converted along the way. I am ready for this step.¨ I LOVE THIS WORK SO MUCH.

To see the Gospel change 2 people´s lives forever and open the door for a family to be sealed in the temple. This is what missionary work is all about.

I want to share something that President Poncio shared with me a little while back. He told me that when we are having a ton of success in life, often the Lord will pull us back down to Earth to let us know that we need to stay humble. If we stay on the path and pass through our trials with joy and long suffering, that is when the Lord will put us back on top.

I love you guys all so much! Enjoy your weeks! 

Elder Campbell 

PICTURES:

BIANCA Y DARI

ELDER RUSH

SELVA NEGRA

HURRICANE OTTO November 23, 2016

Subject: Huracán

Dear Parents, family and friends of our Missionaries:

Pres. Poncio wants you to know that all the missionaries are fine and are being instructed to be

prepared for the hurricane, Otto, that is coming.  We will let you know as soon as the storm passes

if there are any problems. 

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Elder and Hna. Lee

Queridas familias, parientes, y amigos de nuestros Misioneros:

Presidente Poncio quiere que sepan que todos los misioneros están bien y han recibido

Instrucciones de prepararse para el Huracán, Otto, que viene.  Les informamos después que

pasa si hay unos problemas. 

Gracias por su apoyo y oraciones.

Elder Y Hna. Lee

TRUMP DUMP November 14, 2016

Hermanos y Hermanas Amados, como estan? Elder Campbell is still alive and super excited to talk to you guys and tell you how my week went! First, I need to know how the States are rolling with the election of Mr. Trump. EVERYONE here in Nicaragua is losing their minds. I stand out like a fly in milk (Elder Shoemaker too) and everyone asks me if I wanted to Trump to win. NEVER ANSWER! Second, 10 more days until Thanksgiving. Time is flying by. This morning we hiked up to that giant cross in Matagalpa!

Tuesday I got asked the question, "Who is Jesus Christ to you?" I just reflected for a minute and got thinking. Do the same! 

Wednesday was the day I found out Trump won and in just about every lesson I got asked if I voted for him. I started telling investigators that I am from El Salvador. They bought it :)

Thursday we had another Reunion de Nevuos in Managua! We left the house around 4:45 to catch our bus. A dude at the bus stop lost his mind and me and the other white Elders because Trump won. He was going on and on about how he is the Devil and other wack. He finished by yelling, "GO HOME! YOU'RE IN MY COUNTRY!" HAHAHA, I love the Nicas. The Reunion was awesome! Poncio gave an awesome talk on remembering that we are representatives of Christ every morning when we put on tag!

Friday, I had divisions with Elder Rush! Coolest thing ever. To think I was backpacking Coyote Gulch with Brigham Rush 8 months ago, and now we are hiking mountains together in Nicaragua, teaching people about their Savior. 

Saturday was my Happy 2 Months in Nicaragua. Congrats Big Boy :)

Sunday we had a Meeting with all of the branches in Matagalpa with President Poncio and his wife! They both gave powerful talks that the members needed to hear. I wish you guys could meet Pres. Poncio and Hermana Poncio. Some of God's Elect for sure!

Yet another saga added to the life of Elder Campbell. I hope you enjoy reading these letters for you 5 or 6 that actually do! ;) Keep saying your prays, reading the scriptures, and watching football. That is what life is all about. Much love! Campbell Out (until next Monday)

Scriptures:

1. Acts 20:35- More blessed to give than to receive.

2. Acts 20:36-38- "They cried together and kissed his neck" What happens when a missionary is about to leave home. 

3. Matthew 25:21- Well done, faithful servant

4. Alma 26:22- The Power we have.

"In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the Gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Pictures:

ENJOY! 

Reunited with Elder McCord

Elder Campbell and Elder Rush

KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON November 7, 2016

Beloved family and friends! I have returned in full swing to deliver you another weekly update in the life of Elder Brayden Campbell. This week in Nicaragua, they had their elections just like the United States. Looks like both countries are about to dictators as their rulers ;) Also, this week was the celebration of the dead in the Central American countries. Shout out to my Grandpa Campbell watching over us upstairs. Here's how the week went for Mr. Brayden:

Wednesday was a really hard day for Mendez and I. We were going to teach one of our investigators who was preparing for baptism this upcoming weekend, but when we got to her house, her kids were at the door. In their hands, the Book of Mormon we gave them along with all the pamphlets and a letter from their mom. The letter said to never visit us again and that we already have a bible and we like it better. This moment honestly made me hate Satan so much! We were devi

stated, but just wait till you here what happened with this lady later in the week.

Thursday, President Poncio came to Matagalpa with his wife to take the entire zone out to lunch to celebrate our 40 baptism record! You will not believe what happened before. Mendez and I were studying about the 2nd Coming (super awesome) when he got a call on our phone. "Mendez! Are you at your house?" "Yeah?" "Good. President is on his way over right now." CHUPA! Both of us scrambled like crazy because our house was SO gosh dang dirty. If you have seen The Best 2 Years, it was basically the same experience when their President came to their house. He laughed at our house and macheted us hard. Definitely a wake up call for us. :(

Friday, we passed by our investigator's house and she actually let us in! She looked really upset that we passed, but we had an awesome hour long lesson on the Atonement with her.

Sunday, we were walking to the church in Matagalpa after a super frustrating morning in our area. Both of us were bummed out, when we passed the bus stop and there stood our investigator. We ran over to her and invited her to come to church with us at 2:00. SHE ACCEPTED! The members bore their testimonies (I bore mine in my dreadful Spanish) and the Spirit was strong during the meeting. After, we talked to her, and she loved the testimonies. She agreed to start taking lessons again and preparing for baptism. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL SO MUCH! In the MTC, Elder Anderson said that the Lord personally directs and guides this work. My testimony of this grows more and more every day.

Get preparing for Turkey Day all you lucky suckers back home! Soon the lights at the temple will be up too. Enjoy your weeks and know that you are loved from this dude down in Nicaragua! 

Elder Campbell

Scriptures:

1. Mosiah 4:19

2. Alma 40:23

3. 2nd Nephi 1:21 ''Arise from the dust and be men"

4. Leviticus 26:3-13 "I fell in love with these verses. Keep the commandments and we will LACK nothing that we need in this life."

Pictures:

1. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

3. SUBWAY (Elder Bauman makes better sandwiches still.)

4. MATAGALPA

2. Garment fires and Machetes.

Elder Mendez having his first twinkie!

Christmas is coming

WELCOME ELDER MENDEZ TO SOR MARIA October 31, 2016

Family and friends in a land far away, how goes it Happy Halloween to begin and shout out to Maddie and Tanner Withers for officially hitting your anniversary. Last week was a little early of a shout out. ALSO. shout out again to Tanner, turning the big 23! I love you big bro! Keep cheering for those dreadful Cougars while Im away! My new companion, Elder Mendez, arrived to the land of Matagalpa and we worked like mules, just like the Hobbs/Campbell duo. We baptized 2 more of our investigators and saw SO many miracles. I love this work more and more every day! I got a package from the fam on Wednesday (GRACIAS) full of twinkies and oreos. Elder Mendez ate a twinkie for the first time and it was the funniest thing. He called me a fachento chele. Matagalpa zone broke a mission record with 40 baptisms this month! Best zone in the mission, no doubt! Heres how the week went:

Tuesday worked duro duro with the new dad!

Wednesday we watched the Restoration with a few recent converts and investigators. The Spirit was super strong and I got to bear my testimony on Joseph Smith to everyone in my rugged Spanish!

Thursday, yet another day of duro work! We found one of investigators, Eliza, in her house after not seeing her in 10 days. We talked for a little and invited to get baptized and she ACCEPTED without even thinking. Miracle it 'twas!

Friday I worked a little with Elder De Leon and found more and more awesome people.

Saturday we baptized 2 of our investigators, Guillermo and Eliza. I had the chance to do the baptisms and I can tell you that the feeling of helping these people take those steps closer to the Savior are unexplainable.

Sunday rolled on by! Had an awesome attendance at church and had another little miracle with Eliza. She wasn't answering her phone all morning and she ended up missing her confirmation. We passed by her house but she wasn't home. After church, Mendez and I got on our knees and just begged the Lord to help us find her. We passed by her house a little later in the afternoon and there she was! We got special permission from Pres. Poncio to confirm her at her house. What a testimony builder that was for me with prayer. God really does care! After, one of our investigators made us this AWESOME soup for dinner. Lovin'the people here!

I wish you guys could see how amazing this place is. I honestly am seeing miracles every single day! We have high expectations set for this upcoming week. I hope everything is going well. Trick or Treat like champs tonight!

Elder Campbell

Scriptures:

1. D&C 130: 18-19

2. Alma 7: 14-15

3. Acts 9: 4

4. Revelations 3:20-21

Pictures:

2. CAKE DAY- MAYCOL

6. The first date. (Love you FAMILY)

3. Eliza at her Baptism! (She got close to me, I swear)

4. GUILLERMO!

1. Backpacking w/ a BOM

5. Cuajada Sopa y Leche

Eliza's Baptism