Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Elder Ferguson

              Always dressed in a white shirt and a suit, Nathan Ferguson wanders around Oregon finding those who are lost, not physically, but spiritually. Nate, as his friends and family call him, is a Mormon missionary serving in the Portland Oregon mission.
            Nate left his family 23 months ago to search out those who are looking for the truth. “My mission…it is amazing!” he exclaims. There is no place he would rather be. Growing up he always wanted to serve a mission. His parents never had to force the idea on him. Once he had “grown a foot or two” he would be off to serve.
            Throughout the mission Nate has seen many miracles. “One being the change within myself. I have loved having the spirit so strong in my life and I love how much better of a person I am still becoming.”
            While out, he noticed that there were many Spanish people who did not know English. Because of this, he decided he needed to learn how to speak Spanish so he could teach them as well. “I hate knocking on a door and having someone open and say they don’t know English. I want to talk to everyone!” It has been said that those who read the Book of Mormon in a different language would be able to grasp the language better. Nate has decided to test this for himself. He is thrilled to be able to read the Book of Mormon and comprehend it. “I understand all of it too, so I don’t miss any of the meaning. God is helping me a ton!”
            Being out in Oregon Nate sees many rainstorms, but he says that there are few with lightning and thunder. Those are the best parts of the storm to him. As he and his companion were out riding bikes he turned and said, “I wish we could see some lightning. Out of the nine months I have been out, I have only seen lightning once.” literally moments later he heard a “huge crack” and saw a “lightning bolt race across the sky…[God] knew it would put a smile on my face.”  Although it was just a simple thing Nate felt very blessed that day.
            Now that his time is almost up, Nate does not want to come home “I don’t want to stop being a fulltime missionary!” He declares. With mixed feelings Nate counts down the days until he has to leave his “second home.”

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