Out in the Field

Querido Familia,

Hola! Hay muchas cosas quiero compartir con ustedes pero no tengo mucho tiempo. Primero, this is the address to my place of living. 
Elder Ian A. Nobmann
2003 Palace Dr
Smyrna, GA 30080

This is the address to my mission office just in case. But dont send all my letter here because it will take an extra 2-3days to get to me. Bueno!
Georgia Atlanta Mission
112 Governors Square Ste A
Fayetteville, GA 30215

Well, im here in Atlanta, well outside atlanta living the life of a missionary. My new companion is Elder Porter and he's from Ogden, Utah. He's been out for 9 months. Oh, i get to speak spanish out here ahah. Im in a spanish area so I use it everyday. I still get to use english and teach some english speakers because their parents speak spanish but for the most part, its all spanish. So, monday's are my P-days. DO NOT USE DEAR ELDER ANYMORE BECAUSE I WILL NEVER GET THEM. The last opportunity to get a dear elder was last monday so if you wrote one on monday or later their is a high chance I didnt get it. I did get one from Niki though:). So being out here is great. I still have up and downs but I take that as a sign that I just need to find something to do. You all will find this funny but I've found comfort in cleaning. When it's lunch break and I feel sad or down, I start doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. I know, funny right? We even have a dish washer but we havent been using it becuase i like wahsing the dishes by hand haha. Anyways, teaching people is amazing. I've been able to teach a lot of people with Elder Porter. We try to talk to everyone, bless everyone(through the authority we have as missionaries. It is a mission rule out here to try and bless people so we try to do it as much as possible), and commit people to be baptised in the first visit. It is some great stuff. We have some high goals for this week that we prayed about and feel we can do but we're going to have to work hard every min and be 100% obedient in all things. I mean everything! I'm so committed to be 100% obedient that i dont clean my ears with Qtips anymore because they said not to use them in this mission. Sounds gross I know (dont worry, i was my ears in the shower haha...with a lufa and my dedos(fingers). I that's not commitment, I dont know what is;) ahaha) but Jesucrist suffrio para mi, yo puedo suffrir para el! The goal is to convert and baptize. Lets get to it! 

Cool story! Elder Porter had tracted into a family before I came here that wanted the him to come back and try to help their daughter. They said their daughter worshiped Satan and needed help. So, Elder P and I went to their house to see her. I was so nervous because I didnt know what to expect. When we walk up to the house, her dad is in his truck blasting music with his friend getting "HAMMERED DRUNK" haha. We ask if she's come and he told us to go check. When we knocked she came to the door. This 14 year old 8th grade mexican was not what i expected because Elder P forgot to tell me how old she was. I was expecting some 20 year old girl haha. Anyways we start talking to her on her front porch while her dad's music was blasting (heard some new songs haha. And that Dezmond Trufant got drafted in like the first round. But dont worry, I was obedient... i did not focus on the music. I focused on Emily) Emily basically told us that she believes when we die we die and thats it. She said thats all she wants because she wants to be sad. She kept saying that she wanted to be sad and she likes that. As we were teaching her she also said she cuts herself (I could see the scares on her left forearm). It was so sad. While we were teaching I felt like I needed to share why I'm here. I told here a quick version of my life story about Eric and told her that I was here so that no one had to live with pain in there life (I feel like I can relate really well with her because of all my past experiences). Elder Porter shared why he was here and our testimonies really hit her. Then I looked her straight in the eye and bore my testimony about our message and told her that I know for a fact that she doesnt like being sad and a couple other things that I cant remember (power of the spirit. Open your mouth and it shall be full). She just looked at us then started to cry and told us it was to hard to be happy. I wanted to break down crying right there it was crazy. We taught her about the spirit and she told us she could feel it. Anyways, it was amazing. we've had one another lesson with her after that and she is doing so much better. She would have come to church with us but her dad said no. I have a deep love for her and the people out her. Oh fun fact, that lesson was in english and we teach her in english but I spoke in sacrament meeting this past sunday....only in spanish haha. Another quick story because i love stories. I feel like stories jazz people up and get them all hyped up on Mountain Dew or soemthing. We taught a nonactive memember named Jose in english. He was baptised when he was 13 and is 16 now but doesnt know if the church is right for him. he is a really smart kid and is well spoken. While we taught him he kept saying that he doesnt know but hasnt prayed. By way of the spirit we were bold with him. I told him to turn off the tv and i looked him straight in the eyes and guided by the spirit was bold as can be. I told him if he doesnt live his life the lords way in this gospel, he will always be missing something in his life and will never fulfill his potential. I said God has a great plan for him (Remember that I'm listening to the spirit here so i wasnt just saying things to say them). Then Elder porter shared some powerful scriptures with him. I felt like he needed some guidance so i asked if he wanted a blessing. He said yes and asked if I would do it. His blessing was crazy! I literally said that through his hands thousands of people will be blessed and helped. Also, that he will be blessed with his desires. It was nuts! It said that he was blessed with knowledge but the only way to obtain these things are through heavenly father. He was totally different after. He said he would come to chruch but never showed up but I know that blessing is making him think right now. He was such a cool guy and he really can do so many great things in life. I love you all. Talk to you soon. Write me:)

elder Nobmann#22

Shake and Bake!

Weekly Letter - 29 Apr 2013

Dear President Harding,

I am super happy to be here in Atlanta and to get to work on my Spanish but also being able to speak English. I love the area and branch that I'm apart of. I love my new companion, Elder Porter. Heavenly Father truly knows what I need and blessed me with it all. This first week had been filled with its up and downs. Sometimes I get a sad because I miss my family and loved ones. But when I start teaching the gospel all the pain goes away and I'm reminded of why I'm out here. It really is true, the only way to be happy out here is to work. That's all i want to do. I want to be obedient and work. I know my mission is the foundation of my life so I'm trying really hard to build good habits and work. I think one of my biggest fears out here is not being obedient. I don't ever want to do anything that is against the rules. Even going to bed a min late is disobedience to me. I'm trying hard to learn all the rules so I make sure I am a 100% obedient missionary. I know that through 100% obedience Heavenly Father will open up
doors to teach more people and if I'm not 100% obedient those doors wont be opened. I cant live with the thought of someone not receiving this gospel because I broke a rule or because I didn't open my mouth. I'm here in Georgia and I know that I'm supposed to be here. I am so thankful for this mission. I love the rule about blessing people. I hope I'm allowed to take that with me where ever I serve. Thank you so much! 

Yo Son the Missionary

Dear Loved Ones,

 

I dont have much time to write but I'll get to the point. So, my visa has not come yet so Ive been reassinged to Atlanta Georgia for a little bit until my visa comes. ATL here I come. Im about to eat me some SOUL food. Mom, remember when I used to say I wish I was half black...well blessings come in masterious ways haha. I leave Tuesday and I get to call home while Im at the Airport:) Also, I get to call home tonight for about 5 mins to tell you that im going to ATL :) Ill probably call about 9ish UTah time of course. Im super pumped! The blessings of the Lord have begun haha. Mom, I have a little less than 100 cash on me and i havent gone to the atm yet but I need to have 200 cash on me in case of emergeancy. I love you all. Read Alma 26:12...it is so good. Zach, keep your head up with football and life. Expect a letter from me soon and Ill explain more but think about maybe sharing the gospel with Conner. I think he could really use this church right now in his life. Heck, all the guys do but Conner has been on my mind a lot. Oh, cool thing happened. Elder Scott (of the 12) gave a devotional here on tuesday. Talk about feeling the spirit! He was so great and I loved it. the coolest thing was that he gave everyone watching an APOSTOLIC BLESSING. I heard that those arent given out that often...soooo I'm feeling pretty cool ahah. Oh, Zach, send me a list of all the guys emails and jason, orion, and cyrus' if possible. Sorry this letter is so short but I'm rushing and have little time. 

 

Wolf pack....stay strong in these times of trial...finals! I sent dirty harry a letter. It is basically directed to all of yall. Oh...and Ethan....ROLL TIDE...ATL baby...not bama but close enough....I'll get a little tast of the south before Argentina. Dirty harry, ethan, and Jared (take me home ...to west virgina haha). Texas doent count as the south because it is a country...

 

I love you all so much and I promise my next letter will be much better haha. 

Letter 4

Querido Familia,

 

I love you more and more each day. Happy Birthday wishes to Uncle Bob! Make sure everyone tells him I love him. Also late Happy Birthday wishes to Uncle Chas. In two years, it's time for some games.

 

I hope everyone is doing great. I love all the letters and I swear I can feel the prayers. Well, here are some updates....

The consult for Argentina came to meet with all the missionaries going to Arg and sign some paper work for our visas. It turns out that there is like a 90% chance that I will be reassigned somewhere for a little bit before Arg. They are taking forever to get those visas through. Its all good though. Also, I found out that Arg has a slower mail system then the US so letter will take up to 10-14 days to get from me to you or you to me when I get down there. Mom, I have $100 on me right now. I dont know how much is on my card. They have a zions bank atm here and I think I can pull money out of that. When I leave they say I need to have about 200 on me in cash just in case of emergancy. Cool cool. 

 

So my mission has getting better and better. I still miss and love everyone but the scriptures really help me. I'm going to change topic about a Spiritual experience that I hold very sacred. You may share it with those you feel it is ok to do so with. 

 

Well this Monday was kind of a rough day for my whole district. It was right after conference and we had to get right back to work and everyone was a little sluggish. The spirit just wasnt strong that day in the class. One of my teachers asked my companion and I if we would have everyone talk about what was going on at the end of the day instead of study spanish. We started talking. At first everyone was a little hesitant to share how they felt but I shared how I was feeling how I felt the adversary was trying to mess with my conecction to the spirit. After that more people started to share and it was going really good. I could tell one of the Sisters wanted to share something but she wouldnt say anything. After a few seconds of silence I asked how she was doing. She started crying and shaking because her anxioty was breaking her down (her father and her aunt both had to leave their missions early because of their bad anxioties). As a class we all went to her side and gave her scriptures and tried to talk with her. I could tell that her anxioty was far greater than anything I have ever felt and what I had felt almost destroyed me. As we were sitting there talking with her I started to ponder about the topic of healing blessings that grandma annie and I had talked about and the blessing I had given you mom. I wasnt sure what to do because elders are not allowed to give sister missionaries blessings unless it is a healing blessing that is in dire need. I sat there as my heart pounded and the spirit was telling me that this needed to be done. I told the class "I feel like you might need a blessing" a couple of the sisters said that they felt the same way and I knew that was confirmation that this needed to be done. The new district leader, my companion, went and asked the zone leaders because he didnt want to break any rules, and neither did I. He came back and said that they advised that we give a blessing of comfort. I felt the spirit so strong say that a blessing of comfort is not what she needs. I told him that but he wasnt sure. I told him he needs to pray and make a descion right now! Right then the zone leaders came in and said to them, "I know you advised a blessing of comfort but I truly believe that she needs a healing blessing". The head zone leader looked at me and said "right when you spoke, I felt the spirit say that's what you need to do". We had all of the sisters, except the one who would receive the blessing leave the room. I asked her if she believed in the power of the priesthood and that she could be healed from her anxioty. She said yes. I told her that by recieving this blessing she would be making a comittment with God saying that she had faith in Him to be healed and that she would not open up old wounds or think about her anxioty. She said yes. All the elders gathered and after putting on the oil, we all put our hand on her head and gave her a healing blessing. It was one of the most powerful blessings I have ever taken part in. The words that were coming out of my mouth were from God. My voice was different. I could tell that my voice was different. I think of it like when Joseph Smith comanded the guards at the jail to be silent because they were talking about killing mormons. It felt like that. The spirit was overwhelming and so powerful. In my mind I could see either our Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ dressed in white and open his arms to embrace this sister. I felt something very strange. As my hand were on her head I could feel the top of her head move . It was like I could feel her being healed. I remember thinking that as I was speaking. It was crasy. After the blessing the spirit was so strong. I was so mentally and physically drained. I felt so tired. 

 

Anyways, I know that the power of the priesthood to be real. I am so thankful that I have this knowledge because I was able to act as an instument in Gods hand and give peace to that sister. I keep thinking that my Heavenly Father only gives me trials that I can handle, and the greater the trail the greater the faith He has in me. I dont know how many people I am supposed to help out here on my mission but I do know that every trial I have been through in my life especially Eric, has made it so that I can grow. It's humbling to think that God allowed me to go through the trial of Eric to make me who I am today. From day one he has helped me build a connection with Him and the Spirit. And I know it wasnt just for me, it was for now, my mission. A time when my purpose is to serve others. I love this Gospel and share all this with you because you are my family. Remember that all this is sacred to me and very careful with whom you share this with. I do not want my Heavenly Father to ever feel that I;m trying to glote or show off or that I will share sacred experiences with everyone. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you all. 

 

Oh, thank you so much Beau for the letter. I love you! I love my whole family. I am so lucky!

Pics 3

I love you all! NIKI....I LOVE YOU A LOT....and you too mom:):):):):)

 

Elder Nobmann#22

3rd Letter

Dear Family,

 

Thank you so much for all the letters and scriptures. That have helped me so much! When ever i feel like the adversary is trying to bring me down i turn to all of your letters, the scripture verses, prayers, and hymns. This week has had it's up and downs but nothing like the week before. I believe that it has to do with how I handle it. I no longer dwell on it and let it affect me because I ameadialty turn to those things I listed above. Yesterday I was having a down part of the day but I started to re-read a letter that I got from Aunt Heidi. In it is the scripture Luke 22:31-32. You should read it. After I looked it up I felt like every trail that I have is to help me become more converted to the Lord so that I can teach with the Spirit and greater power from it. That day was probably one of the hardest this week but it seems like everyday or every other day I get a letter from someone that lifts my Spirits to the point it is impossible to be sad. Oh, by the way, happy late Easter. Easter here at the MTC is so great because they have an extra devotional in the afternoon before the devotional at night. I love the devotionals here. It is so cool to have a great love and desire to hear the devotionals. I am so excited for General Conference this weekend. I can honestly say I have never been this excited to watch GC. It's like I'm going to a BYU football game for the first time. Also for the first time in my life I am FEASTING on the Gospel. In one of the devotionals here the speaker said that this is the greatest message that we could ever share and we should be jumping out of bed every morning excited to share something so great. I dont know about the whole jumping out of bed thing haha (especially since I'm on top bunk and I've already had a few close calls getting down in the morning). Let's see what else. Oh, i'm no longer district leader. They call a new one after 2 1/2 weeks so that each district will have 2 different ones. It was a very cool experince serving as district leader. I remember a few times when the spirit told me I needed to talk about something with the district and I had no idea why but I did it anyway (always listen to the Spirit!) and the result was amazing. The district only got closer. Oh, so in my district there are 5 sisters and 4 elders (including me). They are all so great. They all have taught me things and helped me draw closer to the Lord. I remember one day (around the time I was going through a rough patch) I was feeling so down and was trying to keep the tears back but couldn't and the Elders and Sister missionaries were giving me scripture after scripture to help me out. It seems like everyday someone is giving someone else a scripture to help them out now. Anyways, I have good news. This coming up wednesday the consult for Argentina is coming to the MTC so that we all can get our visa's. They say it may take about two weeks or so after that to get our visa's but we'll see. I'll find out in a couple weeks if I'll get reassinged somewhere else for a few weeks before I go down to the MOTHER LAND. Well, I love you all with my whole heart. Every letter you send me only helps me to help others. Every scripture you send me I share with other missionaries that are having a hard time. It feels like I have like a whole team of companions helping me serve this mission. Please make sure that more of the family gets my emails, because I only have a few peoples email. Niki said it right when she said that my family is amazing! I mean how lucky am I that I get the opportunity to feel sad and homesick because I have suck a great family to miss. Thank you all again for all the emails. Shout out to my WOLF PACK, thanks for the letters guys! Congradulations Dirty Harry. No one will hurt you in Honduras because your woman will end them haha. Love you all.

 

Elder Ian Nobmann (Riddle)

 

P.S Love you Mom, Dad, Zach, Jack, Grandma Annie, and Niki! Make sure the rest of the family knows I love them and tell Heiders thank you for me!