Visit Gaylord Texan

13 Dec 2009 Missionary Journal

Today we attended Stake Conference in the Carrollton Stake. I am happy to report that the Saints here in this Stake are trying to build Zion here too. It was a great conference with many inspiring talks. Only one thing was missing, they had no choir, how unusual from our perspective.

Tuesday I was so excited about the day that I had to come right home and write about it. Tuesday comments: Some good things have happened today!! First I attended Sister Donna Toups’ Resume Class, she is a wizard at resumes. If you ever need help, be sure to see her. She knows so many tricks, just amazing.
Do all y’all remember my experience with the MTC Choir, in the choir of 750 voices a young sister missionary from Las Vegas sat down by me. In the course of conversation we found out we were both from southern Nevada, but she was not content and knew that we had met before. We finally figured out that I had helped her at the Las Vegas Temple the first time she went through. THEN we discovered we were both going to the Dallas Texas Mission. Guess who came into the Employment Center today – you guessed it, Sister, or rather Hermana Brooksby and her companion, Hermana Barber, who by the way is from St. George. She is assigned to work here in Carrollton/Dallas. I asked her where she is living AND she lives in these same apartment complex, the building right next to us. AND she goes to the same church building out in Farmer’s Branch but goes to the Spanish Branch. “God Moves in Mysterious Ways.”
We were so glad to see each other and give each other a hug. Due to flu season and swine flu precautions, we weren’t allowed to do that in the MTC.
Her and her companion have an invitation to go with a family on Christmas Eve – we will be going out to Kim Marshall Heaton’s. So we invited them over for breakfast on Christmas morning. I’m excited to be able to keep that little part of our family Christmas tradition going on out here.
I don’t know if I mentioned previously that the other Senior couple has been assigned to work and help the Dallas area stakes and wards; Jack and I have been assigned the Stakes and Wards in the Fort Worth area. An interesting thing that Jack and I realized today is that everyone that we have known to be out here is in the Fort Worth area, the exception being Beth Nelson’s brother, but we’ve been assigned to his ward. Kim is in the Colleyville Stake, that’s in our area. The Tuttle girl lives in Flower Mound and that is in our area too. Mom, I can’t remember her name and address, could you ask Shannon about it?
Tuesday evening we met with some of the Priesthood leaders in the Dallas 6th Ward and reviewed over the names of people who have not been assigned home/visiting teachers and who have not been contacted in a very long time. There are 158 households!! Sometimes I think city life is not good for you – I think you can either disappear or plain just hide with no trouble at all. Fortunately we had our GPS to find this home. It took many turns to get there. Can you say ‘affluent’? What a nice home. This ward has a great cross section of people and life styles, but the great thing is, in church service all are equal. So far we haven’t seen people look down their noses at others who are not as well off. I guess that’s a good thing or they would be looking down their noses at us!
With so many people to consider, we didn’t get home till after 11:00 pm that night. Wednesday we had another late night, well just until 10:00, with Ward Employment Specialists on a ‘web-i-nar.’ Our manager gave the presentation so we were just listening in. some days it seems we hardly have time to eat – so why are we still gaining weight? I’m not sure how that works.
Last week we were so busy trying to learn WHAT we were supposed to be doing, and this still continues on, but it seems that this week we were able to focus on the people who came in and be more focused on their needs. We have met some interesting people, in all kinds of circumstances.
One person called in, she is from California, met a man on the internet who is living in the Dallas area. He is her really good friend but she doesn’t know how to say his name. He is from Africa, here illegally, is getting kicked out of his house and doesn’t have a job, has not food etc etc. And he doesn’t know the address where he lives. She wants us to rescue him. He can’t make it into the Center, the list goes on. We have given him the names of Texas work force, told him where to go to get day jobs, since he can’t work here legally, told him where to call for social services help. Very interesting indeed. I’m not sure how they got on to us since they are not members of the church.
Another fellow called and doesn’t like his job anymore as a manager of an auto mechanic shop and wants us to find him a new one.
These people we try to work with to help them know how to go about finding a job themselves.
We also have worked with a lawyer, a couple of girls who have just graduated and others who are on the other end of the education scale.
One very pleasant young man, in his early 20’s I’d say, has come in nearly everyday this week. He is from Nicaragua and is excited to be here in the “Land of Dreams.” It has been interesting to talk to him and hear some of his story. He has had an opportunity to come to America and live. He has not graduated from high school, not because he is a drop out but because he has never had the opportunity to go to school. He wants to know how he can study and get his GED and then go on to higher education, particularly in computer/technology. He has a job during the day but comes over to the Center after work. He can get then at 4:00 and he stays until we close at 5:00, then he comes in on Saturday during our open hours. He seems to be very committed and motivated to get and education. He has grown up in poverty and wants to improve his life and help his family improve theirs.
Jack has been able to help him study for the GED and then he works on some computer training tutors that we have on the computers.
Yesterday I felt impressed to give him a Book of Mormon and a pass a-long card for the Christmas CD. I shared a little about it and he said he wanted to hear more of my testimony, so we went into our office where it was quieter. I looked around for Elder Nelson to come and help me but he was busy with another person so I was on my own.
He is still learning English but we were able to share with each other – our beliefs and learned some more of his background. He lived part of his time in the city but his mother’s family is from a native tribe in Nicaragua and they live in the jungle, harvesting beans and rice. He has spent quite a bit of time with this part of his family.
I shared with him the scripture in Moroni where it says that we can read these things and pray about them and we can know the truth. He seemed to really grasp that idea and felt like it would be a good thing to know the truth. He says that he goes to many churches, it doesn’t matter so much which one, we all worship the same person, which I agree with. He said maybe sometime he would come to our church with us.
So our prayers are with him that he will continue to have a desire to know truth and do the searching, studying and praying that is necessary to find this out for himself.
Friday was our P-day, it was nice to catch up on things here at the apt and go for a little ride. We went over to ‘Gaylord Texan,’ which is a hotel/resort area. It’s like Las Vegas w/out the gambling. They had some great Christmas decorations as maybe you saw in the pictures on the blog. It’s about 15 miles from here, still city but at least a little more spread out, things are not quite so tightly squished together there. Jack is so good at visiting people and finding out interesting places.
Friday evening we went to the Dallas 6th Ward Christmas party. They did all the great things, ham dinner, a little family scene w/dialog on stage, Primary Children singing and even Santa. We sat by Beth Nelson’s brother and sister-in-law. They are sure nice people, I appreciate Sister Laybrim (don’t know the correct spelling yet but that’s what it sounds like), she is so pleasant and kind to talk with. They have both made us feel so welcome.
Jack is a great visitor and loves getting to know people so he especially had a good time. The fellow across from us works for Amazon here and is just being transferred at the end of the month to Fallon, NV. So we were able to tell him a little about that area. He likes it here but its move or don’t have a job… he’s moving.
We have also found that 4-wheel drive is very handy in city traffic, you can jump up over those curbs without batting an eye!!. Jack is a very good driver and doing well with it all. I have yet to drive, I think I’ll wait till I get back to Logandale!!
The Bishop told us about a home not far away that really decorates for Christmas. So this evening after choir practice we went out and found it. It was truly amazing. They had so many, many lights decorating their home. In was in a neighborhood that you or might live in, but only in the city of course. Well the amazing thing is, when you get there you tune your radio to 95.9 and they have this marvelous light show, choreographed to the music. Lights coming on and off, all in time with the music. We sat there for a good 30 minutes and never did we see anything repeated, each song was different and each staging of the lights was different. It was very fun.
Time to sign off but want you to know how much we love and miss you all. Thanks for your prayers in our behalf. We feel of your love and support and it helps to sustain us each day. We hope that all of you are well and enjoying this season of the year. Thanks for the notes and letters you send our way. It means so much to have a little bit of home come to us.
We are grateful for this time to serve the Lord, our testimonies are being strengthened daily. We see and feel the Lord’s hand in our lives helping us find our way.
Love to all, Jack & Gaye, Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Aunt & Uncle
Elder & Sister Nelson

PS To answer a question of several, we live on the 1st floor, thankfully.


The Entrance into the Gaylord Texan Resort attraction What a fun visit on our day off.

A stop at the Gingerbread House

Sister Nelson is ready for a ride in the One Horse Sleigh

I, on the other hard, would rather ride the Texan Longhorn

Sister Nelson said, "No you take the picture!"

The Poinsettia Christmas Tree

Come on in for great Gingerbread!

That Santa kinda looks like my husband, Elder Nelson!

Ah, my friend Rudolf the Chi Plant

Come on, jump in!

Guess I will ride alone this time

What a fun day! Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

Brimming with authentic Texas style and hospitality, the awe-inspiring Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center invites you to experience the energy and excitement of the Lone Star State. Overlooking a beautiful Lake, You'll be amazed at the four and a half acres of indoor gardens and winding waterways. Within this lush landscape you'll find something exciting for you. This luxurious hotel is the pride of Texas. Back again and better than ever, Gaylord Texan's fifth-annual Lone Star Christmas event, featuring the awe-inspiring ICE! Exhibit. It provides a winter wonderland full of festive holiday events, activities, and displays for those of all ages to enjoy. Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan will dazzle visitors with magnificently decorated resort atriums featuring over 1.2 million holiday lights, electric train displays, a life-size Gingerbread House, and 15,000 sparkling holiday ornaments... just to name a few.

Jack n Gaye