Whoa! Family and Friends it has been another week in this place we jokingly but really are quite serious call eternal summer. The days are long but the weeks are short. Is that good? I'm really not sure but I'm going to call it okay. As you are all aware Kers (Christmas) was this last week and it sure has been an interesting one to say the least. I especially enjoyed the spirit of Christmas and finding truly understanding what Christmas in July means.
Our adventurer begins on December 23rd.
Exchange to Uitkijk:
The night of the 23rd my companion and I rode to the middle point in the long/not-too-long road between our area and Uitkijk's area. We exchanged companions and then I rode with Elder Tullis to Uitkijk. Elder Tullis is from Logan Utah. He is awesome. He spent a year at USU going through Marines ROTC and wants to join back up with the Marines when he gets home. Although, I have no intention of joining any of the military branches his stories almost make me want too. Hopefully, I won't be his companion for a long time before I come home or I might be shaving my head and enlisting.. .Just kidding... Kinda of... Either way we had a great time working together on the twenty-fourth of December and I think we were fairly productive. We didn't do a ton because Elder Tullis still doesn't know Uitkijk a ton but we did our best and I'm proud of what was accomplished
Christmas Eve:
We got back in at 6pm on Christmas Eve because we were told we would get picked up right around then. Only to have to wait for an hour and an half for Elder Jansen to finally come... I didn't use to handle being late that well as most people can attest, but I'm getting better. Suriname is making me be better. Especially when Sacrament meeting starts late and it is the first meeting of the day. So we went to the Jansens and had snacks such as hot chocolate (It was 85 or so degrees outside) and other things such as pretzels and others. It was pretty nice. The Jansens then gave us all a Christmas gift of a nice fluffy white towel with West Indies Mission and the Suriname flag stitched into it. It was really nice and they brought them all the way over from the Netherlands. They are the nicest. After that we headed to the Zone Leaders so we could hang out together. We exchange our secret santa gifts and I got one of those boards where the pen has a magnet on it and you place it on the board and can write things. The last few days I've changed it to something motivational every few hours to make me feel good about everything. We then went to bed because it was about 2am.
Christmas Day:
Christmas day started at 6:50 with us all rolling out of bed and getting dressed quickly so we could go sport. We went and played soccer and then a bit of ultimate Frisbee. I, naturally, got my goal during soccer and had a few good plays during Frisbee. Didn't win but that is okay maybe next time? We then went showered and got changed so we could head to the Jansens for breakfast. Pretty good breakfast to say the least. Always gratefully for what they do for us. Then we went to the Old Folks home requisitions a few of them and took them to the church. At the church, we sang for them and talked with them and I got an opportunity to bear my testimony in Dutch about the birth of Christ. It went really well and they really seemed to enjoy it. The coolest thing, in my opinion, is that most of them were sitting in nice blue wheel chairs that had all been donated by the church a few weeks ago. Gotta love that. After that we headed to a baptismal service and saw a child of record and a convert get baptized. Both baptism had a few problems so each was rebaptized a few times :P At least it got done right? Then we went to the ZL's apartment and started to watch Toy Story 3. I didn't get to see all of it though as I had to make my family phone call. It was worth it though as I'd much rather talk to my family then watch the movie. Although I was the one who suggested it and fought for the idea and everyone thought it was the best movie ever. I guess I was right again! After all of that we had two hours to go home rest and sleep before we had to start a normal day of Sunday work. Overall it was a great Christmas.
Everything is going really well for me right now and I love you all. I also hope you all love illegal aliens because I'm about to become one! More on that later.
Love you all,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
25th Week
Hello dearest family and friends,
It spites me that I was unable to write a family email to ya'll last week, but I was so busy and caught up on other required things, reports to President and such, that I was unable to find a time to write this letter. I'm sorry. Either way, I've dedicated a full 30 minutes to this letter so hopefully it turns out to be something you will all be proud of.
First off, it has been an interesting week to say the least. A week that was rougher then I expected and taught me quite a bit. I guess that is good. If everyone was great you wouldn't know the bad right? Either way, we strive to do better and to be better every day. Truly it seems that missionary work is not about changing your investigators but rather changing yourself and helping them want to make the change. The spirit changes people, we don't. I don't know if I've seen any major miracles yet, but I feel like I see the foundation of miracles every day. When you talk with someone and you see the spark in their eye that says, "This might be true." or "I want to learn more." It really is indescribable but it is a marvelous experience and one that I'm sure everyone missionary has on a daily basis. One you strive more, One you hope for, One you yearn for.
On that note let us talk about last week and what has occurred
As you can see by picture number one. I took a spill onto the pavement earlier this week. It was an interesting experience I'd rather not soon repeat. I was riding along the side of the road when my tires slipped off the road. Not a big deal happens all the time. I hurried to recorrect and did not anticipate the change of direction with my speed. Next thing I know, I'm rolling on the asphalt, my helmet is flying away, and my companion is starting to laugh. As I was sitting there to be honest, in a bit of pain, I hear my companion say, "Hold on! Don't get up! I need to get a picture!" Thus we have now digital evidence of my pain and anguish. Luckily no permanent damage just an inside-the-pants skinned knee. Maybe also a bruised ego, but probably not. We've had a good time joking about it to say the least.
The only other things that I think is of note is something I ate this last week. That would of course be a fresh watermelon. I appreciate that most of you are in places that is not very warm right now! The benefit of eternal summer is you get to eat eternal summer fruits such as watermelons! I love it!
The other photos I attached are one of an investigator and myself, Weasly. He was the investigator under house arrest. Also a picture of a sunset captured while riding my bike, probably not safe in retrospect, and also a picture of my every cluttered desk. They say a cluttered desk is evidence of a cluttered mind. I say a cluttered desk is evidence of a missionary you doesn't have time to clean off his desk.
Probably the biggest lesson I learned this last week was one of perspective. My old basketball coach, who didn't win a whole lot, used to have a saying on the wall of his classroom. Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are correct! The key to missionary work, and it is work, is believing that it is possible. The minute you walk out the door saying, "Well today is ruined, we aren't going to have any success." You don't have success. You have to always have the perspective that everyone you meet will be baptized, confirmed, endowed, and sealed. If you don't have that, you might as well not even begin.
I love you all, and although I haven't received any letters in a while I know it is because they are on the way, right? I wish you the best this Christmas season and with the First Presidency join in saying that we must have a good perspective for Christmas. I just got to hear the Christmas Devotional a few days ago and I love it by the way. What inspired leaders we have. They surely are the best leaders in the world. I love them so very much.
Once again, I love you all. I wish you the best. I pray for you all when I can remember too!
Elder Nathan John Nielson
PO Box 2932
Paramaribo Suriname
South America
It spites me that I was unable to write a family email to ya'll last week, but I was so busy and caught up on other required things, reports to President and such, that I was unable to find a time to write this letter. I'm sorry. Either way, I've dedicated a full 30 minutes to this letter so hopefully it turns out to be something you will all be proud of.
First off, it has been an interesting week to say the least. A week that was rougher then I expected and taught me quite a bit. I guess that is good. If everyone was great you wouldn't know the bad right? Either way, we strive to do better and to be better every day. Truly it seems that missionary work is not about changing your investigators but rather changing yourself and helping them want to make the change. The spirit changes people, we don't. I don't know if I've seen any major miracles yet, but I feel like I see the foundation of miracles every day. When you talk with someone and you see the spark in their eye that says, "This might be true." or "I want to learn more." It really is indescribable but it is a marvelous experience and one that I'm sure everyone missionary has on a daily basis. One you strive more, One you hope for, One you yearn for.
On that note let us talk about last week and what has occurred
As you can see by picture number one. I took a spill onto the pavement earlier this week. It was an interesting experience I'd rather not soon repeat. I was riding along the side of the road when my tires slipped off the road. Not a big deal happens all the time. I hurried to recorrect and did not anticipate the change of direction with my speed. Next thing I know, I'm rolling on the asphalt, my helmet is flying away, and my companion is starting to laugh. As I was sitting there to be honest, in a bit of pain, I hear my companion say, "Hold on! Don't get up! I need to get a picture!" Thus we have now digital evidence of my pain and anguish. Luckily no permanent damage just an inside-the-pants skinned knee. Maybe also a bruised ego, but probably not. We've had a good time joking about it to say the least.
The only other things that I think is of note is something I ate this last week. That would of course be a fresh watermelon. I appreciate that most of you are in places that is not very warm right now! The benefit of eternal summer is you get to eat eternal summer fruits such as watermelons! I love it!
The other photos I attached are one of an investigator and myself, Weasly. He was the investigator under house arrest. Also a picture of a sunset captured while riding my bike, probably not safe in retrospect, and also a picture of my every cluttered desk. They say a cluttered desk is evidence of a cluttered mind. I say a cluttered desk is evidence of a missionary you doesn't have time to clean off his desk.
Probably the biggest lesson I learned this last week was one of perspective. My old basketball coach, who didn't win a whole lot, used to have a saying on the wall of his classroom. Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are correct! The key to missionary work, and it is work, is believing that it is possible. The minute you walk out the door saying, "Well today is ruined, we aren't going to have any success." You don't have success. You have to always have the perspective that everyone you meet will be baptized, confirmed, endowed, and sealed. If you don't have that, you might as well not even begin.
I love you all, and although I haven't received any letters in a while I know it is because they are on the way, right? I wish you the best this Christmas season and with the First Presidency join in saying that we must have a good perspective for Christmas. I just got to hear the Christmas Devotional a few days ago and I love it by the way. What inspired leaders we have. They surely are the best leaders in the world. I love them so very much.
Once again, I love you all. I wish you the best. I pray for you all when I can remember too!
Elder Nathan John Nielson
PO Box 2932
Paramaribo Suriname
South America
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
23rd Week
Hello Family and the rest of ya'll,
It is that time again for another Elder Nielson family letter.
The last week was a good one with a lot of hard work and not a whole lot of time to do it all. I'm starting to think that is the normal when it comes to missionary work but what can you do right? Either way the biggest highlight was Thanksgiving and then I have a few other short storiesh things for ya'll.
Thanksgiving in Suriname.
Thanksgiving is only an American holiday for those who are not aware. Because of this they don't celebrate it at all. Saying this though, the 25th of November in Suriname is their version of Independence Day so interestingly enough this year we had a holiday nonetheless. But, Brother and Sister Salijo didn't want us American missionaries to go without our Thanksgiving so they invited us all to come over and have thanksgiving with them. In fact Sister Salijo wanted it to be as American as possible so she made Butterball Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and some type of bread resembling bread sticks (I personally think they were hot dog buns that they had cut in half, buttered, seasoned, and then put in the oven. They were good). She also made some type of pie but unfortunately all the other missionaries ate that before I could get there. Overall it was pretty cool to have a Thanksgiving even if they don't celebrate it here and we also got to see a Brazil Air Show honoring the country.
Language Mistakes
I thought ya'll would enjoy these.
First I was with an investigator who had his baby on his lap. So I tried to say, "Dat is een grote baby[pronounced baybee, the same as in English]." (That is a big baby). Unfortunately it came out, "Dad is een grote bahbee[again trying to say baby but I messed it up for some reason]." Well I soon discovered that baybee means a small child recently born but bahbee means breast in Sarantango. Imagine my surprise when Elder van Meeteren told me that later.
Second, I was in Munder and I was talking to an investigator trying to say that with the priesthood we can perform miracles. Well I don't know how I did this one but my companion thought I said, "With the priesthood, we can make waffles!" So that apparently explains why waffles at an Elders Quorum event are soo much better right?
Finally, I learned last night that overladen (literally laid off) does not mean unemployed but rather means someone has died. So when our investigator said her husband was dead and I thought she said unemployed and as such went briefly over what happens after the death instead of going into a lot of detail as would have been nice. I don't think this will cost us too much because we recovered nicely and I think she didn't notice my mistake or the weird looks when she kept referencing her laid off husband in regards to death...
Things are going really well here in Suriname. I'm really loving the country and the people. My only complaint is once again the heat but I'm starting to kinda of like it too. We found a pretty solid investigator a few days ago and had a great lessons with her last night about the Book of Mormon. We'd love to baptize her on Christmas and that is the plan for right now. I guess we'll see how it goes!
I'm out of time again and I've gotta run, but I love you all and I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply to every individually. I'll do that next week.
Much Love,
Elder Nathan Nielson
ps. Your right it is only a game, but it is much better when Utah wins!
It is that time again for another Elder Nielson family letter.
The last week was a good one with a lot of hard work and not a whole lot of time to do it all. I'm starting to think that is the normal when it comes to missionary work but what can you do right? Either way the biggest highlight was Thanksgiving and then I have a few other short storiesh things for ya'll.
Thanksgiving in Suriname.
Thanksgiving is only an American holiday for those who are not aware. Because of this they don't celebrate it at all. Saying this though, the 25th of November in Suriname is their version of Independence Day so interestingly enough this year we had a holiday nonetheless. But, Brother and Sister Salijo didn't want us American missionaries to go without our Thanksgiving so they invited us all to come over and have thanksgiving with them. In fact Sister Salijo wanted it to be as American as possible so she made Butterball Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and some type of bread resembling bread sticks (I personally think they were hot dog buns that they had cut in half, buttered, seasoned, and then put in the oven. They were good). She also made some type of pie but unfortunately all the other missionaries ate that before I could get there. Overall it was pretty cool to have a Thanksgiving even if they don't celebrate it here and we also got to see a Brazil Air Show honoring the country.
Language Mistakes
I thought ya'll would enjoy these.
First I was with an investigator who had his baby on his lap. So I tried to say, "Dat is een grote baby[pronounced baybee, the same as in English]." (That is a big baby). Unfortunately it came out, "Dad is een grote bahbee[again trying to say baby but I messed it up for some reason]." Well I soon discovered that baybee means a small child recently born but bahbee means breast in Sarantango. Imagine my surprise when Elder van Meeteren told me that later.
Second, I was in Munder and I was talking to an investigator trying to say that with the priesthood we can perform miracles. Well I don't know how I did this one but my companion thought I said, "With the priesthood, we can make waffles!" So that apparently explains why waffles at an Elders Quorum event are soo much better right?
Finally, I learned last night that overladen (literally laid off) does not mean unemployed but rather means someone has died. So when our investigator said her husband was dead and I thought she said unemployed and as such went briefly over what happens after the death instead of going into a lot of detail as would have been nice. I don't think this will cost us too much because we recovered nicely and I think she didn't notice my mistake or the weird looks when she kept referencing her laid off husband in regards to death...
Things are going really well here in Suriname. I'm really loving the country and the people. My only complaint is once again the heat but I'm starting to kinda of like it too. We found a pretty solid investigator a few days ago and had a great lessons with her last night about the Book of Mormon. We'd love to baptize her on Christmas and that is the plan for right now. I guess we'll see how it goes!
I'm out of time again and I've gotta run, but I love you all and I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply to every individually. I'll do that next week.
Much Love,
Elder Nathan Nielson
ps. Your right it is only a game, but it is much better when Utah wins!
Friday, November 26, 2010
22 week
Hello Family!
What a wild and crazy week we've had its been one of ups, one of downs, and we even got someone in the font on Saturday which was amazing. This email hopefully will be a bit longer and again I've attached pictures but I'm not sure if they are going through or not so hopefully they are... If they are not then I apologize and beg your forgiveness. Let us begin.
Weslyn:
Apparently just before I got here Elder van Meetren and Elder Freeman contacted into a man that said we could find him at the local Police Station. Well we went back to see where we was and what was up with him. To our surprise, he is actually under house arrest at the Station. We actually have no idea why but we got the approval to continue to teach him. So we are. He's the best type of investigator because we know exactly where he is and if he is available or not.... Interestingly enough though, he speaks seven or so different languages. So if I ever pick up Portuguese he could still understand me. He also is very interested at least it seems so. For some reason, I think it might be because we are the only ones to stop by and see him every so often, but who knows! Hopefully, that nagging reason is incorrect but we'll see how it plays out when he is released at the end of the month.
Ricky:
Ricky was baptized on Saturday but to tell his full story, I've got to go a little bit back. First a week ago, we were teaching him and knowing that the baptize was coming up we finally taught about the Law of Chasity. He accepted the law with no problems and so we asked, "Do you have a girl?" He replied, "Ik heb een Vrouw niet een meisje." Translation, I have a woman not a girl. That always makes you worry but luckily there were no problems. So we got to Thursday of last week and Ricky had his baptismal interview. Everything went well, but the District Leader said he needed a seconded interview. We were confident that he'd be able to pass so we got it set up and ready to go. Only to have the person doing the interview, District Leader of the Suriname District(Basically the Stake President, but not really) cancel on us a few hours before it was scheduled. He rescheduled instead of Saturday morning. Again no problem right? Actually no. The District Leader was then an hour and half late for the appointment. Which by then Ricky had left his house and went into the city. Elder van Meetren and I spent the next 5 hours trying to get a hold of Ricky with no success as we also attempted to fill the font. We finally got a hold of him, but then the District Leader couldn't do the baptism because he didn't have time. So we had to call Elder Jansen, the senior couple in the mission, and have him come out to do it. Luckily he was able to do so, but around this time we got back to the church only to find that the font had overfilled! We got that mess cleaned up and by the time we talked with Elder Jansen again we discovered that our District Leader who did the first interview misunderstood Ricky and the second interview wasn't needed. What a mess! It was a really happy moment though when he was baptized and we were also super stoked when he was confirmed. I've attached a picture of us all at the baptism. I love Ricky and he'll be a great member of this branch, he better be.
Other then that, we had a short sleep walking incident. I guess I sleep walk sometimes. No one was hurt but we actually are not allowed to talk about this story... Maybe after my mission I'll tell you.
We also got the mail on Friday! So thank you for all that sent me a letter I loved them and I appreciate them deeply.I'm doing great though I want to mention that I am now 90% of the man I used to be. That is of course two weeks old but isn't that great. Thats quite a bit of weight if you think about it.
Gotta go,
Love you all,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
What a wild and crazy week we've had its been one of ups, one of downs, and we even got someone in the font on Saturday which was amazing. This email hopefully will be a bit longer and again I've attached pictures but I'm not sure if they are going through or not so hopefully they are... If they are not then I apologize and beg your forgiveness. Let us begin.
Weslyn:
Apparently just before I got here Elder van Meetren and Elder Freeman contacted into a man that said we could find him at the local Police Station. Well we went back to see where we was and what was up with him. To our surprise, he is actually under house arrest at the Station. We actually have no idea why but we got the approval to continue to teach him. So we are. He's the best type of investigator because we know exactly where he is and if he is available or not.... Interestingly enough though, he speaks seven or so different languages. So if I ever pick up Portuguese he could still understand me. He also is very interested at least it seems so. For some reason, I think it might be because we are the only ones to stop by and see him every so often, but who knows! Hopefully, that nagging reason is incorrect but we'll see how it plays out when he is released at the end of the month.
Ricky:
Ricky was baptized on Saturday but to tell his full story, I've got to go a little bit back. First a week ago, we were teaching him and knowing that the baptize was coming up we finally taught about the Law of Chasity. He accepted the law with no problems and so we asked, "Do you have a girl?" He replied, "Ik heb een Vrouw niet een meisje." Translation, I have a woman not a girl. That always makes you worry but luckily there were no problems. So we got to Thursday of last week and Ricky had his baptismal interview. Everything went well, but the District Leader said he needed a seconded interview. We were confident that he'd be able to pass so we got it set up and ready to go. Only to have the person doing the interview, District Leader of the Suriname District(Basically the Stake President, but not really) cancel on us a few hours before it was scheduled. He rescheduled instead of Saturday morning. Again no problem right? Actually no. The District Leader was then an hour and half late for the appointment. Which by then Ricky had left his house and went into the city. Elder van Meetren and I spent the next 5 hours trying to get a hold of Ricky with no success as we also attempted to fill the font. We finally got a hold of him, but then the District Leader couldn't do the baptism because he didn't have time. So we had to call Elder Jansen, the senior couple in the mission, and have him come out to do it. Luckily he was able to do so, but around this time we got back to the church only to find that the font had overfilled! We got that mess cleaned up and by the time we talked with Elder Jansen again we discovered that our District Leader who did the first interview misunderstood Ricky and the second interview wasn't needed. What a mess! It was a really happy moment though when he was baptized and we were also super stoked when he was confirmed. I've attached a picture of us all at the baptism. I love Ricky and he'll be a great member of this branch, he better be.
Other then that, we had a short sleep walking incident. I guess I sleep walk sometimes. No one was hurt but we actually are not allowed to talk about this story... Maybe after my mission I'll tell you.
We also got the mail on Friday! So thank you for all that sent me a letter I loved them and I appreciate them deeply.I'm doing great though I want to mention that I am now 90% of the man I used to be. That is of course two weeks old but isn't that great. Thats quite a bit of weight if you think about it.
Gotta go,
Love you all,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
21st Week
Hello Family,
I hope all is well because I pray for ya'll nightly so it better be, just kidding, kind of. Either way the work goes on in Suriname and no unhallowed hand can stop its progression! We had a busy week which including moving to a new apartment, a prophet, and many more experiences that I'll never be able to speak about again to say the least. So lets get this party started.
First on Monday we received transfer calls and I was transfer from the City to the Country. From Munder to Koewarasang. I guess a good way to explain the difference is that if we say a chicken in Munder it was usually dead or by itself as a lone random chicken. In Koewarsang we have a pack of Chickens living next door and on the side street leading to our apartment. I frequently have the chance to moo at the cows and gaggle at the turkies we see. I find a lot of pleasure in that to say the least. My companion probably finds it a bit weird. My companion is Elder van Meetren from Plains City Utah. He has been out a year this Thursday and it has been a blast to work with him. He is a funny Elder and I think we make a great companionship to say the least. We were really busy this last week mainly because we are always busy in Suriname but also because we have a baptism that is scheduled for this Saturday. We are hoping and praying that it'll go through so we'll have to see how it plays out but I have the faith.
Also in this area we've now run into a Prophet and a Medium (Talks with Spirits). I can't wait what else will fill out the rule of three. Maybe a seer? I don't know but I'm excited. There are quite a few random/crazy people that we run into but its a good time so I'm okay with that to say the least.
I always forget what I'm going to write about just as I start writing so sorry about that. I guess the important thing to know is that the work continues. We are mostly safe. Not dry at all. In fact we were riding our bikes down the road when we started getting a little rain when my companion said, "I'm putting on my rain slick." I don't have one so I just scoffed and continued to ride. Two minutes later we just got pelted by water. It was probably the worst soaking I've had so far. It made me decide that all missionaries sent to the West Indies have to be just slightly off. If they were not so, we wouldn't be able to handle the maddening heat, depressing rain, and the off-the-wall people.
I've attached some pictures. One of Elder van Meetren and myself with orange quarters in our mouths. One of two kids from the ward who loved the pictures of themselves. One of the sky here that I thought looked cool. The last of Elder van Meetren doing bike repair. We do that a lot.
I love ya'll
Elder Nielson
I hope all is well because I pray for ya'll nightly so it better be, just kidding, kind of. Either way the work goes on in Suriname and no unhallowed hand can stop its progression! We had a busy week which including moving to a new apartment, a prophet, and many more experiences that I'll never be able to speak about again to say the least. So lets get this party started.
First on Monday we received transfer calls and I was transfer from the City to the Country. From Munder to Koewarasang. I guess a good way to explain the difference is that if we say a chicken in Munder it was usually dead or by itself as a lone random chicken. In Koewarsang we have a pack of Chickens living next door and on the side street leading to our apartment. I frequently have the chance to moo at the cows and gaggle at the turkies we see. I find a lot of pleasure in that to say the least. My companion probably finds it a bit weird. My companion is Elder van Meetren from Plains City Utah. He has been out a year this Thursday and it has been a blast to work with him. He is a funny Elder and I think we make a great companionship to say the least. We were really busy this last week mainly because we are always busy in Suriname but also because we have a baptism that is scheduled for this Saturday. We are hoping and praying that it'll go through so we'll have to see how it plays out but I have the faith.
Also in this area we've now run into a Prophet and a Medium (Talks with Spirits). I can't wait what else will fill out the rule of three. Maybe a seer? I don't know but I'm excited. There are quite a few random/crazy people that we run into but its a good time so I'm okay with that to say the least.
I always forget what I'm going to write about just as I start writing so sorry about that. I guess the important thing to know is that the work continues. We are mostly safe. Not dry at all. In fact we were riding our bikes down the road when we started getting a little rain when my companion said, "I'm putting on my rain slick." I don't have one so I just scoffed and continued to ride. Two minutes later we just got pelted by water. It was probably the worst soaking I've had so far. It made me decide that all missionaries sent to the West Indies have to be just slightly off. If they were not so, we wouldn't be able to handle the maddening heat, depressing rain, and the off-the-wall people.
I've attached some pictures. One of Elder van Meetren and myself with orange quarters in our mouths. One of two kids from the ward who loved the pictures of themselves. One of the sky here that I thought looked cool. The last of Elder van Meetren doing bike repair. We do that a lot.
I love ya'll
Elder Nielson
Monday, November 1, 2010
20th Week
I may, or may not, have said this in a previous email, but I don't have time to check. Probably the greatest thing about being in an area where you bike all the time is the amount of thinking you get to do. I find myself quite often thinking about and pondering over may different topics and subjects as I ride my bike down the streets of Paramaribo. Sometimes its about Gospel subjects and other times its random things that popped into my mind. I once thought about thinking.... That one was difficult to say the least. Either way, I guess it is always good to take some time for ourselves and think. I would encourage you to do that this week.
Suriname is still the same. It is hot. The biggest difference is what starting happening on Friday and what occurred on Saturday. Apparently, the United States of America and Suriname have some agreement in regards to medical patients here in Suriname or something. Either way, a US Ship is currently sitting off the coast of Suriname and they are using Chanooks (SP?) to ferry people from the binnenland (Interior of the Country Forest Area) onto the ship for medical surgeries and to provide care. So we will be biking along when we'll just see a random helicopter or two over head, heading back and forth between the Zorg and Hoop Airport and the ship it's been pretty interesting.
On Saturday, there was a baptismal service where 14 different individuals were baptized. It was so amazing to watch each one of those people enter into a covenant with their Heavenly Father. The spirit was strong and it was a great opportunity. It was amazing.
Sorry for such email but I'm out of time.
I love you all,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Suriname is still the same. It is hot. The biggest difference is what starting happening on Friday and what occurred on Saturday. Apparently, the United States of America and Suriname have some agreement in regards to medical patients here in Suriname or something. Either way, a US Ship is currently sitting off the coast of Suriname and they are using Chanooks (SP?) to ferry people from the binnenland (Interior of the Country Forest Area) onto the ship for medical surgeries and to provide care. So we will be biking along when we'll just see a random helicopter or two over head, heading back and forth between the Zorg and Hoop Airport and the ship it's been pretty interesting.
On Saturday, there was a baptismal service where 14 different individuals were baptized. It was so amazing to watch each one of those people enter into a covenant with their Heavenly Father. The spirit was strong and it was a great opportunity. It was amazing.
Sorry for such email but I'm out of time.
I love you all,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Monday, October 25, 2010
19th Week
First I feel a confession is in order, I stole the subject line from my Father and an email he had sent to me but I think it works nonetheless.
Today is Oktober 25th and we are sitting in an Internet cafe in Paramaribo, Suriname. It has been a long, hot week but it hasn't killed me so hopefully it will make me stronger. I'm not sure what to start with this email so here we go and I hope it doesn't ramble too much.
As you can see I've attached some photos I hope you like them. I believe the first is a giant chicken which was in front of a gas station in Athens Tennessee. It always made me laugh so I thought I'd share it with you. The second is a mini-birthday cake I had on the 12th of Oktober for Dad. The third is one of me taken by some members kids at their house. They really liked the camera so they were playing with it and I don't think it's too bad of a photo. The last is a sunset in Suriname always very beautiful. I tried at least we'll see if this works.
We've put in a lot of bike riding this last week. By a lot, I mean a lot. We probably spend some 60-70% of our time out on our bikes riding around and talking with people and such. There is two reasons for this. First, we actually live outside the bounds of our area so we have a good 20 minute bike ride every morning before we really even starting working and then because we've had a hard time scheduling appointments in such a manner that they are not half way across the area each time. Oh well, what can you do but smile and bear it?
I still don't believe I've ever lived anywhere or been anywhere where it is so stagnate. Nothing changes. The sun sets and rises at the same time every day it is the same temperature every day and so forth. Really the placement of the people sometimes changes and sometimes it rains and sometimes it doesn't but I hear that is just because we aren't in the rainy season yet.I wish I could tell you something about investigators but we currently don't have any we are working with. So sorry about that. We'll have to work harder and I plan to have someone to talk about next week when I send the email. I also don't have any members to talk about but that is mainly because I can't understanding anything they are saying really yet. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can't its fun. My favorite was someone who walked up to me one day and just started talking to me. I couldn't really understand them so I kinda of just smiled and nodded and then they asked me a question. So I guessed... I was wrong. Oh well! It comes and goes and I guess I just need to pray harder and work harder... It'll come.
Either way, I love you guys and I'm out of time for the day. Feel free to email me whoever you are, but if you are not direct family I'll have to snail mail you something so don't be disappointed if you don't hear from me for a while I promise I'll write you back so include your address on the email.
From Suriname With Love,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Today is Oktober 25th and we are sitting in an Internet cafe in Paramaribo, Suriname. It has been a long, hot week but it hasn't killed me so hopefully it will make me stronger. I'm not sure what to start with this email so here we go and I hope it doesn't ramble too much.
As you can see I've attached some photos I hope you like them. I believe the first is a giant chicken which was in front of a gas station in Athens Tennessee. It always made me laugh so I thought I'd share it with you. The second is a mini-birthday cake I had on the 12th of Oktober for Dad. The third is one of me taken by some members kids at their house. They really liked the camera so they were playing with it and I don't think it's too bad of a photo. The last is a sunset in Suriname always very beautiful. I tried at least we'll see if this works.
We've put in a lot of bike riding this last week. By a lot, I mean a lot. We probably spend some 60-70% of our time out on our bikes riding around and talking with people and such. There is two reasons for this. First, we actually live outside the bounds of our area so we have a good 20 minute bike ride every morning before we really even starting working and then because we've had a hard time scheduling appointments in such a manner that they are not half way across the area each time. Oh well, what can you do but smile and bear it?
I still don't believe I've ever lived anywhere or been anywhere where it is so stagnate. Nothing changes. The sun sets and rises at the same time every day it is the same temperature every day and so forth. Really the placement of the people sometimes changes and sometimes it rains and sometimes it doesn't but I hear that is just because we aren't in the rainy season yet.I wish I could tell you something about investigators but we currently don't have any we are working with. So sorry about that. We'll have to work harder and I plan to have someone to talk about next week when I send the email. I also don't have any members to talk about but that is mainly because I can't understanding anything they are saying really yet. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can't its fun. My favorite was someone who walked up to me one day and just started talking to me. I couldn't really understand them so I kinda of just smiled and nodded and then they asked me a question. So I guessed... I was wrong. Oh well! It comes and goes and I guess I just need to pray harder and work harder... It'll come.
Either way, I love you guys and I'm out of time for the day. Feel free to email me whoever you are, but if you are not direct family I'll have to snail mail you something so don't be disappointed if you don't hear from me for a while I promise I'll write you back so include your address on the email.
From Suriname With Love,
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
18th Weesk
You wouldn't believe what happened to me...
On Wednesday my companion and I were tracting around about 3:30 when the mission office called us. Because we'd received a few calls from the office that day about this and that we thought it was no big deal. When Sister Mortenson answered the phone she asked for me. Elder Badal handed it over and the Sister said, "Do you have your running shoes on?" I replied I didn't but we'd be happy to do whatever she needed. She then proceeded to inform me that our visas were on the way and we needed to be in Farragut at 930am and to be ready to depart right then. We went back to the apartment got everything packed and I was ready to roll. We got to the Office at 9am. (Gotta be early) Then we found out our visas were coming Fedex and may not be there until 10:30am at the latest and we had a 11:25 flight out of Knoxville to Dallas. It is also a 30 minute drive from the office to the airport. Luckily, our visas got there at 10 and we were able to make it airport with no problems. We quickly checked the bags and away we were off the see the world. We got into Dallas and had a quick turnaround so we were back on the plane in no time. We were flying on a 777 and I guess the church had to get us business class tickets which were pretty sweet. The plane had a few problems so were off 30 minutes late which forced a run in between gates in Miami to make our flight to Trinidad. What this really meant is that we had absolutely no time to call Mom and Dad at home and I guess they didn't find out until Tennessee called them. Sorry we meant to call, I promise.
We arrive in Trinidad only to find out the Church hadn't given us very good instructions or at least clear instructions. I got through immigration but Elder Lundgren got held and we got separated which was the longest 30 minutes of my life. In a foreign country separate from your companion with no idea what to do. I proceeded to get my bags with the idea of trying to find our pick up outside. Apparently President Gamiette heard we had problems so he was able to save Elder Lundgren and we were out of the Airport and into the apartment for the night at 2am in the morning. We were up the next day and were in the Mission Office at 10am trying to get things taken care of, paper work and the such. We had dinner that night with President Gamiette's wife and then flew out to Suriname and arrived sometime around 2am in the morning. Gotta stop those early mornings.
Since then we've been working in Suriname in the oppressive heat and humidity. There is only two rooms in the apartment with air conditioning, the bedrooms. So when you are in them the door is closed and the air condition is on. We bike everywhere which is interesting to see the country and I don't speak Suriname Dutch I've found. I speak MTC Dutch which is no where close to the same.
I guess ultimately, I've got a lot to learn and little time to do it,
I love ya'll hope you are doing well.
Elder Nielson
ps. My new address for mail/packages/whatever is:
Elder Nathan John Nielson P.O. Box 2932
Paramaribo, Suriname
South America
Be aware that anything and everything sent will probably be inspected and opened so no money or really expensive things the only way to send things securely is through FedEx but I've heard that is super expensive. For letters and such emails are probably the best way to do things. Though I'd like a letter or two sometime.
On Wednesday my companion and I were tracting around about 3:30 when the mission office called us. Because we'd received a few calls from the office that day about this and that we thought it was no big deal. When Sister Mortenson answered the phone she asked for me. Elder Badal handed it over and the Sister said, "Do you have your running shoes on?" I replied I didn't but we'd be happy to do whatever she needed. She then proceeded to inform me that our visas were on the way and we needed to be in Farragut at 930am and to be ready to depart right then. We went back to the apartment got everything packed and I was ready to roll. We got to the Office at 9am. (Gotta be early) Then we found out our visas were coming Fedex and may not be there until 10:30am at the latest and we had a 11:25 flight out of Knoxville to Dallas. It is also a 30 minute drive from the office to the airport. Luckily, our visas got there at 10 and we were able to make it airport with no problems. We quickly checked the bags and away we were off the see the world. We got into Dallas and had a quick turnaround so we were back on the plane in no time. We were flying on a 777 and I guess the church had to get us business class tickets which were pretty sweet. The plane had a few problems so were off 30 minutes late which forced a run in between gates in Miami to make our flight to Trinidad. What this really meant is that we had absolutely no time to call Mom and Dad at home and I guess they didn't find out until Tennessee called them. Sorry we meant to call, I promise.
We arrive in Trinidad only to find out the Church hadn't given us very good instructions or at least clear instructions. I got through immigration but Elder Lundgren got held and we got separated which was the longest 30 minutes of my life. In a foreign country separate from your companion with no idea what to do. I proceeded to get my bags with the idea of trying to find our pick up outside. Apparently President Gamiette heard we had problems so he was able to save Elder Lundgren and we were out of the Airport and into the apartment for the night at 2am in the morning. We were up the next day and were in the Mission Office at 10am trying to get things taken care of, paper work and the such. We had dinner that night with President Gamiette's wife and then flew out to Suriname and arrived sometime around 2am in the morning. Gotta stop those early mornings.
Since then we've been working in Suriname in the oppressive heat and humidity. There is only two rooms in the apartment with air conditioning, the bedrooms. So when you are in them the door is closed and the air condition is on. We bike everywhere which is interesting to see the country and I don't speak Suriname Dutch I've found. I speak MTC Dutch which is no where close to the same.
I guess ultimately, I've got a lot to learn and little time to do it,
I love ya'll hope you are doing well.
Elder Nielson
ps. My new address for mail/packages/whatever is:
Elder Nathan John Nielson P.O. Box 2932
Paramaribo, Suriname
South America
Be aware that anything and everything sent will probably be inspected and opened so no money or really expensive things the only way to send things securely is through FedEx but I've heard that is super expensive. For letters and such emails are probably the best way to do things. Though I'd like a letter or two sometime.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Early Morning Call
We just got a call from the Tennessee Mission Secretary Sister Mortenson asking for Nathan's address in the West Indies Mission so she could forward his mail.... Unfortunately we thought Nathan was still in Tennessee. Apparently he has moved to the West Indies. We look forward to his next letter.
Monday, October 11, 2010
17 th Week
Man,
I don't really know how to describe this week. It's been an interesting one. One filled with suspense, surprise, and Murder! Okay maybe not murder but that seemed to naturally fit with the suspense and surprise. We continue to work everyday here in Athens like it's my last day in the Knoxville Tennessee Mission because quite likely it may be so. Saying this, there has been no word on any visa developments and so we continue to work. I hear you get three transfers until you are permanently reassigned. Transfer One ends on the 20th and so transfer two begins. Of course this could just be a silly rumor that gets floated here and there. Either way, if that were to occur, I think I'd be happy here in Tennessee. The work is the same, the people children of God, and the Church still true the difference is simply the language (or Taal for Dutch Speakers).
We are currently still working with two investigators mainly as the others have: dropped themselves, been dropped, or disappeared (like magic). I guess that is the ebb and flow of missionary work and you just do your best to keep your ahead above the current and do as much work as you possibly can do. I've learned another valuable lesson this last week and that would be Diligence. In my short, I don't think it's short but it is relatively short when you consider eternity, life, I've met people who go on through the toughest obstacles of life and I've met some that quiver at the sight of an ant hill. The truly successful in any endeavour, including missionary work, are the individuals that can diligently work. I guess, if I had to define diligence it would be by using a synonym such as perseverance or tenacity. It is the ability to have 999 doors slammed in your face by baptist, Methodist, and the occasional Wicca and still say that door 1000 will contain someone who will be baptized. It is the willingness to awaken at 6:30 every morning when you know getting up at 7am doesn't really affect your ability to be prepared for study at 8am. It is the willingness to not waste a second doing something that will not further the cause and trying to spend as much time as you possibly can furthering the cause. I have by no means perfected what is means to be diligent and surely Christ is again the greatest example of someone who is diligent. I have learned thought, that it is only when you are diligent in everything that you start to see success. You start to receive referrals and to find new investigators. I think some missionaries forget this, and certainly a lot of people in the world have as well. I guess my challenge to you is to be diligent. Will you be diligent this up coming week? I can promise you if you do you'll see the blessings of the Lord coming to you as you need. You'll have what you need and be able to accomplish any task placed before you as required.
Enough of that! The work continues. I'm doing great and I don't need anything, but I do always appreciate letters. I'm buying more stamps today so I need more people to write, and can only do so when I have you address which interestingly enough comes upon the letters you send me! Be diligent in writing to your favoriate Dutch speaking, Tennessee Knoxville Missionary currently serving in Athens and he will be diligent in writing you back!
Love,
As Always,
Tot Ziens,
Elder Nathan J. Nielson
I don't really know how to describe this week. It's been an interesting one. One filled with suspense, surprise, and Murder! Okay maybe not murder but that seemed to naturally fit with the suspense and surprise. We continue to work everyday here in Athens like it's my last day in the Knoxville Tennessee Mission because quite likely it may be so. Saying this, there has been no word on any visa developments and so we continue to work. I hear you get three transfers until you are permanently reassigned. Transfer One ends on the 20th and so transfer two begins. Of course this could just be a silly rumor that gets floated here and there. Either way, if that were to occur, I think I'd be happy here in Tennessee. The work is the same, the people children of God, and the Church still true the difference is simply the language (or Taal for Dutch Speakers).
We are currently still working with two investigators mainly as the others have: dropped themselves, been dropped, or disappeared (like magic). I guess that is the ebb and flow of missionary work and you just do your best to keep your ahead above the current and do as much work as you possibly can do. I've learned another valuable lesson this last week and that would be Diligence. In my short, I don't think it's short but it is relatively short when you consider eternity, life, I've met people who go on through the toughest obstacles of life and I've met some that quiver at the sight of an ant hill. The truly successful in any endeavour, including missionary work, are the individuals that can diligently work. I guess, if I had to define diligence it would be by using a synonym such as perseverance or tenacity. It is the ability to have 999 doors slammed in your face by baptist, Methodist, and the occasional Wicca and still say that door 1000 will contain someone who will be baptized. It is the willingness to awaken at 6:30 every morning when you know getting up at 7am doesn't really affect your ability to be prepared for study at 8am. It is the willingness to not waste a second doing something that will not further the cause and trying to spend as much time as you possibly can furthering the cause. I have by no means perfected what is means to be diligent and surely Christ is again the greatest example of someone who is diligent. I have learned thought, that it is only when you are diligent in everything that you start to see success. You start to receive referrals and to find new investigators. I think some missionaries forget this, and certainly a lot of people in the world have as well. I guess my challenge to you is to be diligent. Will you be diligent this up coming week? I can promise you if you do you'll see the blessings of the Lord coming to you as you need. You'll have what you need and be able to accomplish any task placed before you as required.
Enough of that! The work continues. I'm doing great and I don't need anything, but I do always appreciate letters. I'm buying more stamps today so I need more people to write, and can only do so when I have you address which interestingly enough comes upon the letters you send me! Be diligent in writing to your favoriate Dutch speaking, Tennessee Knoxville Missionary currently serving in Athens and he will be diligent in writing you back!
Love,
As Always,
Tot Ziens,
Elder Nathan J. Nielson
Monday, October 4, 2010
16th Week
Hey Family and Friends,
I learned a valuable lesson this last week. Although, we as missionaries are important to the work of the Lord, no matter what we do we cannot stop it. We can hinder it and we can slow the progress of it, but we cannot stop it. This last week, we had companion exchanges and my temporary companion and I struggled to say the least. He is a good Elder with a good heart, I think, but has been abit lax in his ability to follow the rules. As such, we struggled. I still found though that although everything seemed to be crashing around us the Lord's work is the only thing that continued its course.
Other then that things have been really great. I'm not going to lie and say perfect but definitely great. Conference was greatly refreshing and I learned a ton and had a lot of questions answered for myself. In especially enjoyed Priesthood session and the Sunday second session. I think there were a lot of great talks on faith and I think that is because faith is the first step in the Gospel of Christ. The missionary purpose as found in preach my gospel is to: Invite others to come onto Christ by helping them receiving the restored gospel of Christ through Faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As we can see nothing else can happen until we have Faith in Christ. Repentance is impossible, Baptism is meaningless, and although we may have received the gift of the Holy Ghost as President Bednar put it so perfectly, we must strive to have the Holy Ghost with us and that can only be done through faith. I love being out here and watching the faith of members, investigators, and missionaries grow. Surely if we all had more faith in our lives we would be so much better off. Better able to withstand the temptations of the day, and to succeed overcoming them.For the branch member of the week highlight it would have to be Sister Tedrick. Sister Tedrick actually passed away last Saturday night at 9pm but she was a pillar of the community and inspired all to do well. My fondest moment of her was having a sandwich at her place with chips and having her look at me and say, "Put down the chips and eat your sandwich!" I was righteously chastised to say the least. My companion, Elder Badal, and I are going to her graveside service today and they've asked us to sing. I hope I can get through it but I guess we'll see eh?
I love you all and I wish you all the best from good old Athen's Tennessee!
Elder Nielson
I learned a valuable lesson this last week. Although, we as missionaries are important to the work of the Lord, no matter what we do we cannot stop it. We can hinder it and we can slow the progress of it, but we cannot stop it. This last week, we had companion exchanges and my temporary companion and I struggled to say the least. He is a good Elder with a good heart, I think, but has been abit lax in his ability to follow the rules. As such, we struggled. I still found though that although everything seemed to be crashing around us the Lord's work is the only thing that continued its course.
Other then that things have been really great. I'm not going to lie and say perfect but definitely great. Conference was greatly refreshing and I learned a ton and had a lot of questions answered for myself. In especially enjoyed Priesthood session and the Sunday second session. I think there were a lot of great talks on faith and I think that is because faith is the first step in the Gospel of Christ. The missionary purpose as found in preach my gospel is to: Invite others to come onto Christ by helping them receiving the restored gospel of Christ through Faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As we can see nothing else can happen until we have Faith in Christ. Repentance is impossible, Baptism is meaningless, and although we may have received the gift of the Holy Ghost as President Bednar put it so perfectly, we must strive to have the Holy Ghost with us and that can only be done through faith. I love being out here and watching the faith of members, investigators, and missionaries grow. Surely if we all had more faith in our lives we would be so much better off. Better able to withstand the temptations of the day, and to succeed overcoming them.For the branch member of the week highlight it would have to be Sister Tedrick. Sister Tedrick actually passed away last Saturday night at 9pm but she was a pillar of the community and inspired all to do well. My fondest moment of her was having a sandwich at her place with chips and having her look at me and say, "Put down the chips and eat your sandwich!" I was righteously chastised to say the least. My companion, Elder Badal, and I are going to her graveside service today and they've asked us to sing. I hope I can get through it but I guess we'll see eh?
I love you all and I wish you all the best from good old Athen's Tennessee!
Elder Nielson
Friday, October 1, 2010
15th Week
Because we are all wicked we all must repent. My branch president informed the ward council of that yesterday, I laughed very, very quietly.
Things are going great in the Great State of Tennessee, which is what the locals call it, things are always great when UT wins and they did on Saturday albeit by a close margin, from what I heard. We have had a jam packed week for never ending excitement. I think that what you could call it at least. Although our tracting hours were down a bit we taught a lot more and even committed someone we found on the 14th to Baptism! I think the Lord gives us rainstorms so we appreciate the rainbows.
I guess the biggest highlight of the week was challenging and having Ronnie accept to be baptized on the 16th of October. We tracted into Ronnie on the 14th of September and had a short lesson with him. My comp and I were both not too impressed by him but we set a return date for that Friday. Because of mileage complications, we decided to not go out to Etowah, which is where he lives, on Friday and thus were not able to see him. Instead I struck a bargain with my comp which allowed us to go back on Wednesday. When I walked in Wednesday with the teamup, Brother Tedrick from the Branch, Ronnnie looked at me and said, "Where were you on Friday?" I was shocked he remembered so I apologized and then taught him. At the end of the lesson we gave him a restoration pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and set a return date for next Friday, or the 24th. When we got there he informed us that he had read all the way to 2nd Nephi 27! We didn't believe him, I hate to say it, so we tested him by asking him what the Tree of Life was! HE KNEW! We committed to baptism right then and we are going to get him there I know it.Other then that our investigators are progressing. Carrie Smith is our biggest frustration. We were supposed to baptism her on the 2nd in between conference sessions. Sadly, we couldn't get her moved out of her exboyfriends apartment on time so I guess we'll have to push it back. She frustrates me because I know she knows its true. I know she knows.
Brother Wisemen makes the branch member spotlight today. He is a convert to the church for eight years who used to be a baptism. A great example of who he is took place last Friday. We were driving with him at 9pm on a dark, windy, and dirt road going maybe 60 mph or more when he turned off the head lights screamed, "The power of Chirst compels me!" Laughed like a mad man and then turned them back on. He is scary but a lot of fun. Baptist are the best for everything but tracting and they make me laugh. He is an extreme example though. He frequently tells his wife, "Be gone devil and go into the swine!" Reminds me of my father and if Dad was a baptist this is who he would be. He's also the Elders Quorum President. Church outside of Utah is the best.
I guess, I'm a weird one because I'm still loving tracting and following the rules even if my comp hates me for it, just kidding we get along great.
Love ya'll
Elder Nielson
Things are going great in the Great State of Tennessee, which is what the locals call it, things are always great when UT wins and they did on Saturday albeit by a close margin, from what I heard. We have had a jam packed week for never ending excitement. I think that what you could call it at least. Although our tracting hours were down a bit we taught a lot more and even committed someone we found on the 14th to Baptism! I think the Lord gives us rainstorms so we appreciate the rainbows.
I guess the biggest highlight of the week was challenging and having Ronnie accept to be baptized on the 16th of October. We tracted into Ronnie on the 14th of September and had a short lesson with him. My comp and I were both not too impressed by him but we set a return date for that Friday. Because of mileage complications, we decided to not go out to Etowah, which is where he lives, on Friday and thus were not able to see him. Instead I struck a bargain with my comp which allowed us to go back on Wednesday. When I walked in Wednesday with the teamup, Brother Tedrick from the Branch, Ronnnie looked at me and said, "Where were you on Friday?" I was shocked he remembered so I apologized and then taught him. At the end of the lesson we gave him a restoration pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and set a return date for next Friday, or the 24th. When we got there he informed us that he had read all the way to 2nd Nephi 27! We didn't believe him, I hate to say it, so we tested him by asking him what the Tree of Life was! HE KNEW! We committed to baptism right then and we are going to get him there I know it.Other then that our investigators are progressing. Carrie Smith is our biggest frustration. We were supposed to baptism her on the 2nd in between conference sessions. Sadly, we couldn't get her moved out of her exboyfriends apartment on time so I guess we'll have to push it back. She frustrates me because I know she knows its true. I know she knows.
Brother Wisemen makes the branch member spotlight today. He is a convert to the church for eight years who used to be a baptism. A great example of who he is took place last Friday. We were driving with him at 9pm on a dark, windy, and dirt road going maybe 60 mph or more when he turned off the head lights screamed, "The power of Chirst compels me!" Laughed like a mad man and then turned them back on. He is scary but a lot of fun. Baptist are the best for everything but tracting and they make me laugh. He is an extreme example though. He frequently tells his wife, "Be gone devil and go into the swine!" Reminds me of my father and if Dad was a baptist this is who he would be. He's also the Elders Quorum President. Church outside of Utah is the best.
I guess, I'm a weird one because I'm still loving tracting and following the rules even if my comp hates me for it, just kidding we get along great.
Love ya'll
Elder Nielson
Monday, September 20, 2010
14th week
Man, Tennessee is one hot place. Its just hot hot hot. Perhaps that is because of me though...
Either way, another week has come and gone and we remain. While in the MTC, I picked up that sentence, the first sentence of this paragraph, as a way to describe the fact that Elder Lundgren and I were there longer then we had originally expected to be there. It was a bit of a joke but there was some deeper meaning behind it, that I will allow you to interpret for yourself. I now see that thought of remaining as perhaps a good thing. I guess the only thing we can hope for is that our Heavenly Father will allow us to remain in one area long enough to do the work there that needs to be done. I couldn't think of anything sadder right now then being sent to an area for two weeks and then being reassigned to go work somewhere else for two weeks and so forth. It takes time to make results happen. It takes time to see the fruits of your labours, It takes time to grow. I guess then the greatest thing you can hear from Heavenly Father is the fact that you will remain to continue your labours in the area of the vineyard that has been assigned to you. We have all been assigned a vineyard and of course some vineyards are older, browner, and perhaps even desolate but there is always hidden somewhere a grape that needs to be cared for, to be watched over, and then to be harvested.We've had some success this last week in our 20 hours of tracting that we were able to do. I guess this mission encourages no more then 20 hours or then you show a use of time unwisely... I don't know! We were able to find 9 new investigators this last week and taught 38 other lessons. Things have been going well and I absolutely love to pound the pavement in search for those souls that are searching. The only problem is the heat and I don't mix well together, should have thought about that when I opened my call to the West Indies. I can handle the work, the sweat is the annoying part.
In the Branch report I have to highlight our branch Mission Leader, Brother Rommeich. Brother Rommeich is part-Cherokee and very proud. When I heard this I thought I could use my Native American roots to get an in with him. Sadly, when I told him I has part Choctaw he looked at me and sad, "I hate the Choctaw." We have a pretty good relationship though and he's pretty awesome, his racism aside. He likes a good racist joke. For example, I've learned quite a few words that I can't repeat for fear that I'd drive the spirit away faster then usual. He also calls Thanksgiving, Thankstaking. Ultimately, Bro. Rommeich is a great assist to the branch and he absolutely loves the work. I've never met a ward/branch mission leader who is as dedicated as he is and I'm glad to be working with him.
Also of note is that two days ago on Saturday, we caught a lizard in the apartment. After an epic struggle, we were finally able to capture the lizard in a plastic Tupperware container. We were going to participate in a catch-and-release program, but our team-up for the night, Jonah, released the lizard back into our apartment. I guess we'll have to struggle with him again. I'm not too worried though. We'll get him. I've got pictures don't worry.
Ultimately things are good. The work continues and I'm really starting to believe the saying that the church must be true or the missionaries would have destroyed it.
More next week,
Love ya'll
Elder Nielson
Either way, another week has come and gone and we remain. While in the MTC, I picked up that sentence, the first sentence of this paragraph, as a way to describe the fact that Elder Lundgren and I were there longer then we had originally expected to be there. It was a bit of a joke but there was some deeper meaning behind it, that I will allow you to interpret for yourself. I now see that thought of remaining as perhaps a good thing. I guess the only thing we can hope for is that our Heavenly Father will allow us to remain in one area long enough to do the work there that needs to be done. I couldn't think of anything sadder right now then being sent to an area for two weeks and then being reassigned to go work somewhere else for two weeks and so forth. It takes time to make results happen. It takes time to see the fruits of your labours, It takes time to grow. I guess then the greatest thing you can hear from Heavenly Father is the fact that you will remain to continue your labours in the area of the vineyard that has been assigned to you. We have all been assigned a vineyard and of course some vineyards are older, browner, and perhaps even desolate but there is always hidden somewhere a grape that needs to be cared for, to be watched over, and then to be harvested.We've had some success this last week in our 20 hours of tracting that we were able to do. I guess this mission encourages no more then 20 hours or then you show a use of time unwisely... I don't know! We were able to find 9 new investigators this last week and taught 38 other lessons. Things have been going well and I absolutely love to pound the pavement in search for those souls that are searching. The only problem is the heat and I don't mix well together, should have thought about that when I opened my call to the West Indies. I can handle the work, the sweat is the annoying part.
In the Branch report I have to highlight our branch Mission Leader, Brother Rommeich. Brother Rommeich is part-Cherokee and very proud. When I heard this I thought I could use my Native American roots to get an in with him. Sadly, when I told him I has part Choctaw he looked at me and sad, "I hate the Choctaw." We have a pretty good relationship though and he's pretty awesome, his racism aside. He likes a good racist joke. For example, I've learned quite a few words that I can't repeat for fear that I'd drive the spirit away faster then usual. He also calls Thanksgiving, Thankstaking. Ultimately, Bro. Rommeich is a great assist to the branch and he absolutely loves the work. I've never met a ward/branch mission leader who is as dedicated as he is and I'm glad to be working with him.
Also of note is that two days ago on Saturday, we caught a lizard in the apartment. After an epic struggle, we were finally able to capture the lizard in a plastic Tupperware container. We were going to participate in a catch-and-release program, but our team-up for the night, Jonah, released the lizard back into our apartment. I guess we'll have to struggle with him again. I'm not too worried though. We'll get him. I've got pictures don't worry.
Ultimately things are good. The work continues and I'm really starting to believe the saying that the church must be true or the missionaries would have destroyed it.
More next week,
Love ya'll
Elder Nielson
13th Week
Hello Family and Friends!
We are currently sitting in the Library in Athens Tennessee. Athens is a smaller city, I'd almost compare it to Vernal Utah in terms of size but I'm actually not too sure that about. I'm quickly learning the town the through the powers of tracting but more on that later.
Transfers were Wednesday and as such we drove down from Oak Ridge to Farragut. We met at the Mission Home and had breakfast and then went over to the stake center where are the groentjes (Nederengels for Greenies), like myself, were set into a room and instructed on the ways of the field. Later the trainers came in and I discovered that I was assigned to Elder Badal from Ogden Utah. Elder Badal has been in the field from 11 months now as hits his year mark next month when we'll be together. He's a great guy who likes to laugh and works pretty hard. I've been getting him in line with the White Hand Book, luckily he wasn't too far gone, and so things have been going great between the two of us so far.Like I said I've been learning the streets through the power of tracting. Since I got here in Athens on Wednesday, we tracted for a total of 19 hours, 18 in the Sun and 1 in the rain. Looking back on it, I think I preferred the hour in the rain because I wasn't sweating like a dog during that time. I love tracting and I find that here in the Bible belt we are greeted with one of three different replies generally. 1st - I'm sorry, I'm baptist and I'm not interested. 2nd - I'm sorry, I'm christian and I'm not interested. My favorite 3rd - They look at us through the window notice the name tags and yell through the door, "I'm not interested go away." I haven't been damned yet but apparently my companion was last transfer so maybe tomorrow or even tonight? The best was last Friday night we were walking through downtown (Not much of one) and we ran into who we are now calling Obnoxious Oscar. He started to bash with us and informed us we belonged to a false church. My 2nd favorite part is when he said we didn't baptize in the name of Christ. I was like what? Then my favorite part is as we were leaving my companion shakes his hand and the guys looks at him and says, "That a pretty tie." My companion was hot over that one all night. I harass my companion every few minutes with a good, "That a pretty tie."
The other thing of note is the branch here in Athens. It is a good enough size to be made a ward but it lacks the proper amount of Tithes payers among other things to get it there. The branch president is a former mission president, who if you ask me, is a bit crazy and a little out of control. He chewed me out the first night for not being fluent in Dutch, and then in PEC on Sunday said something along the lines of, "and I know there are a few people in here who's families are not having family prayer. Brothers that is not acceptable you need to do better." Trust me it wasn't said in the kindest most gentlest way. During sacrament meeting the 2nd speaker of three was MIA for a few minutes. I was waiting for the Elder Nielson your new come speak to us. I was ready though.Things have been going great and if Elder Badal could shake the snake that is after him things would be perfect. That is a story for another time.
Love
Elder Nielson
We are currently sitting in the Library in Athens Tennessee. Athens is a smaller city, I'd almost compare it to Vernal Utah in terms of size but I'm actually not too sure that about. I'm quickly learning the town the through the powers of tracting but more on that later.
Transfers were Wednesday and as such we drove down from Oak Ridge to Farragut. We met at the Mission Home and had breakfast and then went over to the stake center where are the groentjes (Nederengels for Greenies), like myself, were set into a room and instructed on the ways of the field. Later the trainers came in and I discovered that I was assigned to Elder Badal from Ogden Utah. Elder Badal has been in the field from 11 months now as hits his year mark next month when we'll be together. He's a great guy who likes to laugh and works pretty hard. I've been getting him in line with the White Hand Book, luckily he wasn't too far gone, and so things have been going great between the two of us so far.Like I said I've been learning the streets through the power of tracting. Since I got here in Athens on Wednesday, we tracted for a total of 19 hours, 18 in the Sun and 1 in the rain. Looking back on it, I think I preferred the hour in the rain because I wasn't sweating like a dog during that time. I love tracting and I find that here in the Bible belt we are greeted with one of three different replies generally. 1st - I'm sorry, I'm baptist and I'm not interested. 2nd - I'm sorry, I'm christian and I'm not interested. My favorite 3rd - They look at us through the window notice the name tags and yell through the door, "I'm not interested go away." I haven't been damned yet but apparently my companion was last transfer so maybe tomorrow or even tonight? The best was last Friday night we were walking through downtown (Not much of one) and we ran into who we are now calling Obnoxious Oscar. He started to bash with us and informed us we belonged to a false church. My 2nd favorite part is when he said we didn't baptize in the name of Christ. I was like what? Then my favorite part is as we were leaving my companion shakes his hand and the guys looks at him and says, "That a pretty tie." My companion was hot over that one all night. I harass my companion every few minutes with a good, "That a pretty tie."
The other thing of note is the branch here in Athens. It is a good enough size to be made a ward but it lacks the proper amount of Tithes payers among other things to get it there. The branch president is a former mission president, who if you ask me, is a bit crazy and a little out of control. He chewed me out the first night for not being fluent in Dutch, and then in PEC on Sunday said something along the lines of, "and I know there are a few people in here who's families are not having family prayer. Brothers that is not acceptable you need to do better." Trust me it wasn't said in the kindest most gentlest way. During sacrament meeting the 2nd speaker of three was MIA for a few minutes. I was waiting for the Elder Nielson your new come speak to us. I was ready though.Things have been going great and if Elder Badal could shake the snake that is after him things would be perfect. That is a story for another time.
Love
Elder Nielson
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
12 th week
Well after a daring adventure and a mad dash we've finally escaped the gates of the MTC, never minding the fact that they always leave the front gates open... Either way, a bit of a travel log for ya'll (See I'm southern again).
Wednesday:
We woke up at 2am in the morning to shower, dress, and square away the last of our bags. Much like usual, I had not problems at all making this deadline I was way too excited. We walked up to the Travel Office and got our travel information before meeting the shuttle. We got to the Airport at right around 4am in the morning and the fact that we were off into the wild blue yonder didn't really strike me until we were driving past downtown SLC and could see the Salt Lake City Temple. It was a cool moment but kinda of foreboding when the temple when out of view for the last time. We got through security, at four in the morning not a whole lot of people to wait in line behind, and got to our gate. Our plane left for Dallas at 6am and we arrived in Dallas at 940 local time. We boarded the sky tram got to our correct terminal ate at Subway and then called home. It was great calling everyone, and I know there are a few of your I didn't get to call, but I just didn't have time sorry! We left Dallas at 1240 local and arrived in Knoxville at 340 local. It was a smooth flight and President Griffin, his wife, and the AP's were there to great us. We drove around for a bit and stopped by the Mission Office before going to the Mission Home and having dinner. President Griffin made steaks, sweet potatoes, and a chocolate bun cake I think. It was impressive. He next interviewed us both separately and then we drove off to Oak Ridge where we'd be staying with the Zone Leaders (Elder Smith of Layton and Elder Platt of Evansten[SP?] Wyoming) of that Zone until transfers which are tomorrow(September 8th).
The other days have really started to merge together and it is kinda of hard to distinguish between individual events. Ultimately though everything is going great. We've been teaching, finding, and doing the other things that missionaries do out here.
Because we were with the ZL's I actually got to go on exchange with Elder Smith to the Harrogate Area where we worked with Elder Struthers (Vernal Utah, We actually had Seminar together my senior year and his sister was in my grade). Harrogate has been struggling a bit and it was cool to go out tracking with the other two because in the space of about four hours we were able to track into four different potential investigators. Hopefully, they will have some success teaching those individuals as they work with them this week. We also had a really good lesson last night with a part member family the Rigby's. Brother Rigby is a member and his wife and her son are not. We taught the first lesson, the Restoration, and I think it was the best real lesson that I was a part of. I was able to share a few Scriptures and experiences and it may have been the first lesson that I was with that I felt like a member of the missionary team instead of the new guy that didn't speak. It was good. The spirit was there and we committed them to Baptism on Oct 1st. Why so late? Sister Rigby is 9 months pregnant and a week over due. So hopefully with an Oct 1st baptism she'll be ready to go!
We are transferred out tomorrow but in this mission, and perhaps all of them out there now a days, mail is sent to the Mission Office and then forwarded out to the missionaries depending on where they are. So the address is:
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Tennessee Knoxville Mission
11320 Station West Drive Suite 101
Farragut TN 37934
I hope that letter is a bit coherent. If nothing else, everything is going well. I love it here in Tennessee. The church is true. People are great.
As Always,
Elder Nielson
Wednesday:
We woke up at 2am in the morning to shower, dress, and square away the last of our bags. Much like usual, I had not problems at all making this deadline I was way too excited. We walked up to the Travel Office and got our travel information before meeting the shuttle. We got to the Airport at right around 4am in the morning and the fact that we were off into the wild blue yonder didn't really strike me until we were driving past downtown SLC and could see the Salt Lake City Temple. It was a cool moment but kinda of foreboding when the temple when out of view for the last time. We got through security, at four in the morning not a whole lot of people to wait in line behind, and got to our gate. Our plane left for Dallas at 6am and we arrived in Dallas at 940 local time. We boarded the sky tram got to our correct terminal ate at Subway and then called home. It was great calling everyone, and I know there are a few of your I didn't get to call, but I just didn't have time sorry! We left Dallas at 1240 local and arrived in Knoxville at 340 local. It was a smooth flight and President Griffin, his wife, and the AP's were there to great us. We drove around for a bit and stopped by the Mission Office before going to the Mission Home and having dinner. President Griffin made steaks, sweet potatoes, and a chocolate bun cake I think. It was impressive. He next interviewed us both separately and then we drove off to Oak Ridge where we'd be staying with the Zone Leaders (Elder Smith of Layton and Elder Platt of Evansten[SP?] Wyoming) of that Zone until transfers which are tomorrow(September 8th).
The other days have really started to merge together and it is kinda of hard to distinguish between individual events. Ultimately though everything is going great. We've been teaching, finding, and doing the other things that missionaries do out here.
Because we were with the ZL's I actually got to go on exchange with Elder Smith to the Harrogate Area where we worked with Elder Struthers (Vernal Utah, We actually had Seminar together my senior year and his sister was in my grade). Harrogate has been struggling a bit and it was cool to go out tracking with the other two because in the space of about four hours we were able to track into four different potential investigators. Hopefully, they will have some success teaching those individuals as they work with them this week. We also had a really good lesson last night with a part member family the Rigby's. Brother Rigby is a member and his wife and her son are not. We taught the first lesson, the Restoration, and I think it was the best real lesson that I was a part of. I was able to share a few Scriptures and experiences and it may have been the first lesson that I was with that I felt like a member of the missionary team instead of the new guy that didn't speak. It was good. The spirit was there and we committed them to Baptism on Oct 1st. Why so late? Sister Rigby is 9 months pregnant and a week over due. So hopefully with an Oct 1st baptism she'll be ready to go!
We are transferred out tomorrow but in this mission, and perhaps all of them out there now a days, mail is sent to the Mission Office and then forwarded out to the missionaries depending on where they are. So the address is:
Elder Nathan John Nielson
Tennessee Knoxville Mission
11320 Station West Drive Suite 101
Farragut TN 37934
I hope that letter is a bit coherent. If nothing else, everything is going well. I love it here in Tennessee. The church is true. People are great.
As Always,
Elder Nielson
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
11 th Week
Ready or not, Knoxville here he comes. Nathan flew to Tennessee today. He was able to call between flights and sounded thrilled to be on his way. He said that even if he spends the next 2 years in Tennessee he is grateful to be able to serve a mission. Can't wait until he is able to write.
Friday, August 27, 2010
A phone call?
Nathan called last night and he is going to serve in the Knoxville, TN Mission until his visa comes. He flys there on Wednesday, Sept.1. He is very excited to be leaving the MTC. We joked that he might not use Dutch there but his Okie will come in handy.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
10th Week
An email that I received from my Mission President nothing confidential I think so I think you'll like it.
Either way, here is my family letter,
Hello Family!
We still remain! My companion and I see this as a blessing and we've been working really hard to make it so but as I said, we remain. We don't know when we will be reassigned or if we will be. As far as we currently know we stay at the grace and mercy of the travel department in Salt Lake City and they'll in conjunction with the Missionary Executive Committee will decide our fate. Oh well! We keep working as I said and we want to use this as a jumping off point for our mission to jump straight into success. So we continue to work hard and do our best. A few highlights of the last week.
Thursday:
My name tag got stolen at gym time. Apperently there is a Spanish speaking Elder Nielson. He accidently grabbed my tag instead of his own and walked away with it. That is the conclusion of the story but it was hilerous with how it played out. We got back to the tag pick up and my companion looked at me and said "hey isn't that your tag right there?" I looked over and almost grabbed it before I read how the church's name was spelled and it was definitly not Dutch, it was Spanish. So we conlcuded what must have happened and then we walked away. Well as we got to breakfast I realized I didn't have my card to get in so we had to go back to the apartment. As we were walking out I noticed the name Elder Nielson on a name tag and stopped the Elder. Sure enough he had my tag and was just taking it to the information desk. It was quite funny for us. I was walking around for awhile saying, "They stole my name tag." Much like my father did when they stole his ball.
Tuesday:
They reopened the Gym on Tuesday for the devotionals because the bleachers have been reinstalled. We got pretty good seats and for some reason they didn't announce who the speaker was. During the second prelude hymn in walks Elder Holland of the Twelve and the chatter just began. We all stood up and watched him walk in and sure enough he spoke to us for a hour and a half. It was fantastic and probably the best devotional we've had while we've been here.
Other then that it is work as usual and we continue to work that is for sure. Things are great and we love being here. I hope you are all doing well as well!
Elder Nielson
Dear Elders and Sisters,
Baptisms this week 3
Baptism August 18
Hard date next week 9
Magic number: 55
Sacrament meeting attendance 2471
Melchisedeck Preisthood 399
I gave my letter the title Elder Wilkinson, because I have learned alot from him this past week. Elder Wilkinson has given a new dimension to the words "DEDICATION TO THE WORK".He is a new Elder he arrived 6 weeks ago he served in Trinidad and worked with great dedication to reach his goals with his companion. When suddenly he had to be taken to the Hospital for some serious health problem,
As We visited him, he had a hard time breathing and speaking required great efforts. Elder Wilkinson only concerns were the contacts he had made and that he could not call back, he talked to me of an investigator, Lennox, that they were teaching that was making great progress, and how crucial it was for him to come to church. he wanted me to make sure that Lennox was at church so that he can be baptized.
As he was trying to write the names on a piece of paper his hand was shaking. After 5 days Elder Wilkinson is still in Intensive Care Unit, When I asked him Elder Do you want to talk to your mom, he looked at me and said " No, President?!! It is not Christmas". his only desires are to his mission.We are honoured to have such a great young man with us. Today as I went to the branch he was serving in, I looked for Lennox, he was there, Elder Wilkinson was right, Lennox is great, I asked him if he would come and visit Elder Wilkinson, he came, the joy that this young Elder had as he saw his investigator walk in the room, said so much about his love for the work, the Savior and the people he was teaching.
Trully he has forgotten himself to have an eye Single to the Glory of God.Then I thought about all of us that are serving now and I realized that you all are just like Elder Wilkinson dedicated to the LORD and Desirous to establish his church to love the peolple and forget about yourself,
but sometime some of us get trapped with sins that destroy our focus and our faith and our hope and our charity.
The scriptures say " Charity Seeketh not her own,... beareth all things, hopeth all things and endureth all things".
How Can Sin and Desobedience destroy our Faith, Hope, and Charity???
If one sin or be desobiedient can he hope to have a place at the right hand of God? NO
If he can not why would he Love the God that will not accept him at the last day and how could the spirit manifest to him the love of God, unless he repents and come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
So can he devellop Charity or receive Charity from the Spirit as a gift from God for the true disciples of his sons? NO (see Moroni 7:48)unless he repents he cannot and Shall be rejected at the Last day.
But then if he has no Hope nor Charity can he have faith in Christ????
Faith is not beleiving only (see James 2:19,20) but he that say he has faith and sin is a lier for faith in christ push to action and good works, because of Hope and then come Charity as a result of obedience and submission to God and the Promise of eternal life given to all that serve faithfully.
Yes SIN destroy what is the most beautifull in us and instead of focusing on the work we get concern about ourselves and our interest, we act in improper manner and the eye single to the Glory of God is far gone.
SIN Is a poison that would kill anyone that mess with it, but the Lord has payed for the cure, It is called REPENTANCE, OBEDIENCE, and one must confess and forsaske the sin to be forgiven.(see D&C 58:43)
Two are going home this week, and I rejoice for them; for even thou they leave the mission they are on the way to repentance and better of for eternal life. How many of us need to refocus and put on the altar all that the Lord really requires of us.We all dream of establishing the Church and see great and marvellous miracles. but how many want to give it all
D&C 121:34,35 says "...Many are called, but few are chosen. and why are they not chosen?
because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world......"
Yes, we are all like Elder Wilkinson with great righteous desires but some can not make those desires lead their lives because they are to worry still about themselves.
2 years is so short what will we say at the end, yes, I have given every things and more, or will we say it knowing that we could have done better.
I have felt so desapointed with myself when I comtemplate that one year as already pass by and that we have not make any significant progress toward our goals of establishing the Church in the West Indies.
The Lord says in D&C 105:5 " ...Zion can not be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive it unto myself."one of the law of the celestial kingdom is the law of consecration. giving every thing that we are to the Lord.
even bed ridden be so concern about investigators and contacts, willing to keep all rules with exactness and carring for those that were brought by others.
I do not ask you to work when you are sick, but to reconcider where you stand in your consecration to the Lord, to be able to establish Zion where ever the Lord calls you.
We will not reach our Goals for this year and we would have to go to the Lord seeking for forgivness, but if we have to fail can we fail with Glory ?!!!.
PLEASE remember Elder Wilkinson in your prayers that he may recover, be better and leave the hospital able to serve as he dreams of, remember also his example and let him be in his dificulties a source of inspiration to come to the Lord be united all to The Savior, in that unity that is pleasing unto God, an EYE SINGLE TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
We Love you and are honoured to serve with you, and want over all to establish ZION in our hearts and in the Mission, the Districts, the Branches, the Homes
President and Sister Gamiette
Either way, here is my family letter,
Hello Family!
We still remain! My companion and I see this as a blessing and we've been working really hard to make it so but as I said, we remain. We don't know when we will be reassigned or if we will be. As far as we currently know we stay at the grace and mercy of the travel department in Salt Lake City and they'll in conjunction with the Missionary Executive Committee will decide our fate. Oh well! We keep working as I said and we want to use this as a jumping off point for our mission to jump straight into success. So we continue to work hard and do our best. A few highlights of the last week.
Thursday:
My name tag got stolen at gym time. Apperently there is a Spanish speaking Elder Nielson. He accidently grabbed my tag instead of his own and walked away with it. That is the conclusion of the story but it was hilerous with how it played out. We got back to the tag pick up and my companion looked at me and said "hey isn't that your tag right there?" I looked over and almost grabbed it before I read how the church's name was spelled and it was definitly not Dutch, it was Spanish. So we conlcuded what must have happened and then we walked away. Well as we got to breakfast I realized I didn't have my card to get in so we had to go back to the apartment. As we were walking out I noticed the name Elder Nielson on a name tag and stopped the Elder. Sure enough he had my tag and was just taking it to the information desk. It was quite funny for us. I was walking around for awhile saying, "They stole my name tag." Much like my father did when they stole his ball.
Tuesday:
They reopened the Gym on Tuesday for the devotionals because the bleachers have been reinstalled. We got pretty good seats and for some reason they didn't announce who the speaker was. During the second prelude hymn in walks Elder Holland of the Twelve and the chatter just began. We all stood up and watched him walk in and sure enough he spoke to us for a hour and a half. It was fantastic and probably the best devotional we've had while we've been here.
Other then that it is work as usual and we continue to work that is for sure. Things are great and we love being here. I hope you are all doing well as well!
Elder Nielson
Dear Elders and Sisters,
Baptisms this week 3
Baptism August 18
Hard date next week 9
Magic number: 55
Sacrament meeting attendance 2471
Melchisedeck Preisthood 399
I gave my letter the title Elder Wilkinson, because I have learned alot from him this past week. Elder Wilkinson has given a new dimension to the words "DEDICATION TO THE WORK".He is a new Elder he arrived 6 weeks ago he served in Trinidad and worked with great dedication to reach his goals with his companion. When suddenly he had to be taken to the Hospital for some serious health problem,
As We visited him, he had a hard time breathing and speaking required great efforts. Elder Wilkinson only concerns were the contacts he had made and that he could not call back, he talked to me of an investigator, Lennox, that they were teaching that was making great progress, and how crucial it was for him to come to church. he wanted me to make sure that Lennox was at church so that he can be baptized.
As he was trying to write the names on a piece of paper his hand was shaking. After 5 days Elder Wilkinson is still in Intensive Care Unit, When I asked him Elder Do you want to talk to your mom, he looked at me and said " No, President?!! It is not Christmas". his only desires are to his mission.We are honoured to have such a great young man with us. Today as I went to the branch he was serving in, I looked for Lennox, he was there, Elder Wilkinson was right, Lennox is great, I asked him if he would come and visit Elder Wilkinson, he came, the joy that this young Elder had as he saw his investigator walk in the room, said so much about his love for the work, the Savior and the people he was teaching.
Trully he has forgotten himself to have an eye Single to the Glory of God.Then I thought about all of us that are serving now and I realized that you all are just like Elder Wilkinson dedicated to the LORD and Desirous to establish his church to love the peolple and forget about yourself,
but sometime some of us get trapped with sins that destroy our focus and our faith and our hope and our charity.
The scriptures say " Charity Seeketh not her own,... beareth all things, hopeth all things and endureth all things".
How Can Sin and Desobedience destroy our Faith, Hope, and Charity???
If one sin or be desobiedient can he hope to have a place at the right hand of God? NO
If he can not why would he Love the God that will not accept him at the last day and how could the spirit manifest to him the love of God, unless he repents and come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
So can he devellop Charity or receive Charity from the Spirit as a gift from God for the true disciples of his sons? NO (see Moroni 7:48)unless he repents he cannot and Shall be rejected at the Last day.
But then if he has no Hope nor Charity can he have faith in Christ????
Faith is not beleiving only (see James 2:19,20) but he that say he has faith and sin is a lier for faith in christ push to action and good works, because of Hope and then come Charity as a result of obedience and submission to God and the Promise of eternal life given to all that serve faithfully.
Yes SIN destroy what is the most beautifull in us and instead of focusing on the work we get concern about ourselves and our interest, we act in improper manner and the eye single to the Glory of God is far gone.
SIN Is a poison that would kill anyone that mess with it, but the Lord has payed for the cure, It is called REPENTANCE, OBEDIENCE, and one must confess and forsaske the sin to be forgiven.(see D&C 58:43)
Two are going home this week, and I rejoice for them; for even thou they leave the mission they are on the way to repentance and better of for eternal life. How many of us need to refocus and put on the altar all that the Lord really requires of us.We all dream of establishing the Church and see great and marvellous miracles. but how many want to give it all
D&C 121:34,35 says "...Many are called, but few are chosen. and why are they not chosen?
because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world......"
Yes, we are all like Elder Wilkinson with great righteous desires but some can not make those desires lead their lives because they are to worry still about themselves.
2 years is so short what will we say at the end, yes, I have given every things and more, or will we say it knowing that we could have done better.
I have felt so desapointed with myself when I comtemplate that one year as already pass by and that we have not make any significant progress toward our goals of establishing the Church in the West Indies.
The Lord says in D&C 105:5 " ...Zion can not be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive it unto myself."one of the law of the celestial kingdom is the law of consecration. giving every thing that we are to the Lord.
even bed ridden be so concern about investigators and contacts, willing to keep all rules with exactness and carring for those that were brought by others.
I do not ask you to work when you are sick, but to reconcider where you stand in your consecration to the Lord, to be able to establish Zion where ever the Lord calls you.
We will not reach our Goals for this year and we would have to go to the Lord seeking for forgivness, but if we have to fail can we fail with Glory ?!!!.
PLEASE remember Elder Wilkinson in your prayers that he may recover, be better and leave the hospital able to serve as he dreams of, remember also his example and let him be in his dificulties a source of inspiration to come to the Lord be united all to The Savior, in that unity that is pleasing unto God, an EYE SINGLE TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
We Love you and are honoured to serve with you, and want over all to establish ZION in our hearts and in the Mission, the Districts, the Branches, the Homes
President and Sister Gamiette
Thursday, August 19, 2010
9th Week
I was hoping we would have good news about Nathan's flight plan, but no such luck. I was in Provo on Monday and how I longed to drop by the MTC and demand they let me see my baby. (Nathan has asked several times that I not refer to him as my baby but once my baby always my baby)
Nathan was allowed to call home and it was beautiful to hear his voice. Although the call was only 5 min. It was enough time to make me homesick for the guy and to hear the happiness in his voice. It makes a mom's heart full to hear that happiness.
As my last email to the family mentioned we are delayed in the MTC. There is more information to the story though!
So we knew we were delayed before I sent my last email and so I was able to let you know. On Thursday/Friday though the other companionship in our district discovered that they were too delayed. Well sort of. They have been delayed from arriving in Netherlands/Belgium but they were reassigned to Mississippi. So while my companion and I wait it out by ourselves in the MTC as the lone companionship in our district the other three get to go off into the big scary world of Mississippi Jackson Mission. I may sound a bit bitter and I won't lie its a bit frustrating but what can you do? Just gotta keep working and not worrying about it I guess. The funny thing happened today when we tried to check our email. When we tried to login it said, "I'm Sorry you can only check our email on PDays or for less then 30mins on that day." We hadn't been on yet and it was our pday so we were a bit interested. We checked with IT who told us our daily schedule had been deleted off of the system because we were supposed to have left... So we checked with scheduling office and they actually had 4 new elders moving into our room which only contains 4 total beds. We nearly had to repel a room invasion by the groentjes (A bit of nederengels basically it means greenies). We were told we won't be leaving or hearing about it probably until a week which will be the 23rd. I guess I'll probably get another Pday at the MTC.
Things are going well ultimately. Dutch is coming along we are teaching well and getting along quite well. Things are good.
Elder Nielson
Nathan was allowed to call home and it was beautiful to hear his voice. Although the call was only 5 min. It was enough time to make me homesick for the guy and to hear the happiness in his voice. It makes a mom's heart full to hear that happiness.
As my last email to the family mentioned we are delayed in the MTC. There is more information to the story though!
So we knew we were delayed before I sent my last email and so I was able to let you know. On Thursday/Friday though the other companionship in our district discovered that they were too delayed. Well sort of. They have been delayed from arriving in Netherlands/Belgium but they were reassigned to Mississippi. So while my companion and I wait it out by ourselves in the MTC as the lone companionship in our district the other three get to go off into the big scary world of Mississippi Jackson Mission. I may sound a bit bitter and I won't lie its a bit frustrating but what can you do? Just gotta keep working and not worrying about it I guess. The funny thing happened today when we tried to check our email. When we tried to login it said, "I'm Sorry you can only check our email on PDays or for less then 30mins on that day." We hadn't been on yet and it was our pday so we were a bit interested. We checked with IT who told us our daily schedule had been deleted off of the system because we were supposed to have left... So we checked with scheduling office and they actually had 4 new elders moving into our room which only contains 4 total beds. We nearly had to repel a room invasion by the groentjes (A bit of nederengels basically it means greenies). We were told we won't be leaving or hearing about it probably until a week which will be the 23rd. I guess I'll probably get another Pday at the MTC.
Things are going well ultimately. Dutch is coming along we are teaching well and getting along quite well. Things are good.
Elder Nielson
Friday, August 13, 2010
8th Week
The talk at the dinner table is when does Nathan fly to the West Indies and how we wish we could go to the airport. Remember the good old days when the family could go to the airport and see their missionary off. Of course in those days there wasn't email so you never knew when you would get a letter either. When I think about it, I will gladly trade seeing my son at the airport for regular letters. Nathan will get to call between flights. When we got todays letter we were expecting to receive his flight plans but as you can see he is delayed. Please pray for his visa <./em>
Another week gone by and another beginning,
This last week has been extremely exciting for us all and actually just ended with a bit of a bummer. We got our travel plans in the mail last Friday and we were super excited to be leaving on Monday the 16th at 3am in the morning for the Aiport to catch a 6am flight to Dallas-Fort Worth. Instead though, we just found out about an hour or two ago that my companion and I, the only Dutch speaking missionaries in the entire MTC going to the West Indies, have been been delayed at least a week beacuse our visas have not arrived. As I've mentioned in my earlier emails this isn't unusal as the last 4 groups of Dutch West Indies have also been delayed at least a few weeks. So we will be here at least one more week and then if we don't hear anything about our visas we'll be temporarily reassigned to a English speaking USA mission. I'm hoping for Washington DC or somewhere pretty cool. Either way we'll go where we are supposed to go. Everything else has been going great. We've been keeping busy focused and excited about the work. My companion and I have been teaching really well and things are great.
Some interesting things that have happened to me in the last week:
In our weekly personal interview with one of the two teachers, Brother Griffin asked me to, "Stop answering all the questions so quickly." Apperently, both teachers feel like I'm answering the questions too quickly and not giving the other elders a chance to think about it and then answer. So I've been working really hard on not being so smart... It's hard for me, I won't lie. It made me laugh and think about being in Law School. In Law School they have a term for someone who answers all athe questions all the time at that is the Gunner ( The person gunning for the A ). The saying goes that if you don't know who the class gunner is then it is probably you... Whoops I guess I'm the gunner in the Dutch district 36E.
Loving the MTC, but I don't know if I love it enough for another week... Just kidding
Love
Elder Nielson
Another week gone by and another beginning,
This last week has been extremely exciting for us all and actually just ended with a bit of a bummer. We got our travel plans in the mail last Friday and we were super excited to be leaving on Monday the 16th at 3am in the morning for the Aiport to catch a 6am flight to Dallas-Fort Worth. Instead though, we just found out about an hour or two ago that my companion and I, the only Dutch speaking missionaries in the entire MTC going to the West Indies, have been been delayed at least a week beacuse our visas have not arrived. As I've mentioned in my earlier emails this isn't unusal as the last 4 groups of Dutch West Indies have also been delayed at least a few weeks. So we will be here at least one more week and then if we don't hear anything about our visas we'll be temporarily reassigned to a English speaking USA mission. I'm hoping for Washington DC or somewhere pretty cool. Either way we'll go where we are supposed to go. Everything else has been going great. We've been keeping busy focused and excited about the work. My companion and I have been teaching really well and things are great.
Some interesting things that have happened to me in the last week:
In our weekly personal interview with one of the two teachers, Brother Griffin asked me to, "Stop answering all the questions so quickly." Apperently, both teachers feel like I'm answering the questions too quickly and not giving the other elders a chance to think about it and then answer. So I've been working really hard on not being so smart... It's hard for me, I won't lie. It made me laugh and think about being in Law School. In Law School they have a term for someone who answers all athe questions all the time at that is the Gunner ( The person gunning for the A ). The saying goes that if you don't know who the class gunner is then it is probably you... Whoops I guess I'm the gunner in the Dutch district 36E.
Loving the MTC, but I don't know if I love it enough for another week... Just kidding
Love
Elder Nielson
Thursday, August 5, 2010
7th Week
Hey another week and another letter. Nathan sounds great. Reading Nathan's letters makes me happy. Not the fluffy happy from eating a candy bar or ice cream but the all the way to the bottom of my heart happy. I love knowing that he is doing the right thing at the right time and he likes it.
Sounds like the MTC is a little brutal. Nathan please becareful. Those other men at the MTC are younger than you :)
Well Week Seven (Sefen) is now officially over!
Woot!
To sum up with last week is quite simple, pain. I've picked up more knocks and nicks this last week then I have since I was playing football in high school. I think most of them come from the time I've been spending in between the cross bars during gym. I've started to play goalie during the soccer games and I actually do okay. I think though, that this work has me picking up some bruises and others knocks. The worse came on last Thursday. I don't remember how it happened but I got up after one time diving for the ball and my foot was killing me, the big toe to big exact. I walked back to the apartment and the pain was incredible to say the least probably the worst I've had for some time. We went to the MTC clinic and they thought it might be broken so we then ended up going to the BYU Health Clinic here on campus. Luckily enough there was no break and it is probably just a sprained ligament or tendon in the toe. I've had pain and discomfort since but nothing so bad that it wasn't bareable. They said that I should be fine for leaving on the scheduled departue date. The next night I woke I had a pretty awesome(horrible) cramp in my calf on my left leg. Although not the most comfortable week I've see had a really good and enjoyable week to say the least.
The devotional this last Tuesday was from Elder and Sister Kendrick from Baton Rouge LA. They spoke on obedience and on faith. Both were excellent talks and I enjoyed them immensely. Probably, the funniest part is when Elder Kendrick asked, "Does anyone have a girlfriend out there?" after a short pause he said he wanted to address our concerns about whether or not they would be there when we got back and so he followed up with, "Don't worry, they will be gone when you get back. Girlfriends do not hang around for two years, although internal companions might, a girlfriend that couldn't make it through two years would never make it through eternity. With his southern accent and the people around it was quite an amusing moment. I wonder sometimes about the devotional speakers. They must truly all be inspired as we've yet to have someone come that didn't speak on something that was important to us in some meaningful way. The devotionals are amazing.
As you can see everything is going well. Thank you again for all the letters I appreciate them immensly and I enjoy them all. I try to respond to everyone, but if I've neglected I'm sorry and I'll try to do better next time!
One Love,
Elder Nielson
Thanks Nathan for making my day and my week.
Sounds like the MTC is a little brutal. Nathan please becareful. Those other men at the MTC are younger than you :)
Well Week Seven (Sefen) is now officially over!
Woot!
To sum up with last week is quite simple, pain. I've picked up more knocks and nicks this last week then I have since I was playing football in high school. I think most of them come from the time I've been spending in between the cross bars during gym. I've started to play goalie during the soccer games and I actually do okay. I think though, that this work has me picking up some bruises and others knocks. The worse came on last Thursday. I don't remember how it happened but I got up after one time diving for the ball and my foot was killing me, the big toe to big exact. I walked back to the apartment and the pain was incredible to say the least probably the worst I've had for some time. We went to the MTC clinic and they thought it might be broken so we then ended up going to the BYU Health Clinic here on campus. Luckily enough there was no break and it is probably just a sprained ligament or tendon in the toe. I've had pain and discomfort since but nothing so bad that it wasn't bareable. They said that I should be fine for leaving on the scheduled departue date. The next night I woke I had a pretty awesome(horrible) cramp in my calf on my left leg. Although not the most comfortable week I've see had a really good and enjoyable week to say the least.
The devotional this last Tuesday was from Elder and Sister Kendrick from Baton Rouge LA. They spoke on obedience and on faith. Both were excellent talks and I enjoyed them immensely. Probably, the funniest part is when Elder Kendrick asked, "Does anyone have a girlfriend out there?" after a short pause he said he wanted to address our concerns about whether or not they would be there when we got back and so he followed up with, "Don't worry, they will be gone when you get back. Girlfriends do not hang around for two years, although internal companions might, a girlfriend that couldn't make it through two years would never make it through eternity. With his southern accent and the people around it was quite an amusing moment. I wonder sometimes about the devotional speakers. They must truly all be inspired as we've yet to have someone come that didn't speak on something that was important to us in some meaningful way. The devotionals are amazing.
As you can see everything is going well. Thank you again for all the letters I appreciate them immensly and I enjoy them all. I try to respond to everyone, but if I've neglected I'm sorry and I'll try to do better next time!
One Love,
Elder Nielson
Thanks Nathan for making my day and my week.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
6th Week
If John were here he could tell how many days are left but I don't know. I'm starting to realize how close it is getting to Nathan actually leaving the country. I don't like to think about that part. It will be nice for Nathan to actually be in the mission field but he will be so far away.
Nathan sent a letter in the regular mail and we received it Monday. He wrote each of us a note, thanking us for our support. At least he thanked John and I. I'll let you be the judge on what he wrote Abbey and Tempest. "woof, wooof, woooof and ruff". I'm not sure if he was thanking them or telling them to get off the couch.
Here is this weeks letter.
Hello the Family!
Another week gone and an another begins! Can you believe that? I know I keep saying that but so it is. It seems like Thursday - Thursday goes by really quick but Thursday the day seems to take forever. This past week has been a good one. One of growth, one of learning, and one of success. I can feel the growing and learning taking place and its quite amazing. As I have frequently commented to my brothers in the District, to see how far along we are after only six weeks compared to where we were in two years of German is amazing. I look forward to seeing where I am when I land in Suriname and then seeing where I am when I come back. A lot of growth will need to take place between now and then but I know it can be done. We've had more appointments with our progressive investigator and things have been going okay. He seems to be really hung up on the question of why a just/loving god would allow for such pain to take place in the world. We are moving on to teach him about the Plan of Salvation(PoS) and hopefully we'll be able to invite the spirit and have the spirit be the teacher. The past week we had two devotionals. The first on Sunday night was Brother Allen whom, if I remember correctly, is in charge of the entire missionary department. His talk was a bit random but we enjoyed it nonetheless he played a lot of the old Mormon ads for us and then talked about them and how we can take their message and make us better missionaries. It was okay. After that we had the usual weekend movies to choose from and my companion and I went to a CES instruction video by Elder Holland about teaching. We enjoyed it and hopefully we'll be able to apply it for our own advantage. Furthermore, on Tuesday, President Gene R. Cook, Emeritus Quorum of the Seventy, came and spoke to us. He spoke on inviting the spirit and gave us seven different ways to do that. I don't have my notes so I don't remember exactly but I think they were: Prayer, Scriptures, Testimony, Music, Expression of Love and Gratitude to God and Man, Sharing spiritual experiences when appropriate and one more I can't remember. What great advice we were given and I hope I will be able to take that advice and run with it. I find here at the MTC when I have the spirit with me the day goes by so much quicker then it does when the spirit is lacking. I think this is probably true for life as a whole. The temple opened this last week so we've gotta get heading over to that so I'll see you later and I love you all!
Elder Nielson
It is great to get Nathan's letters and be able to tell he is working hard and loving it.
Nathan sent a letter in the regular mail and we received it Monday. He wrote each of us a note, thanking us for our support. At least he thanked John and I. I'll let you be the judge on what he wrote Abbey and Tempest. "woof, wooof, woooof and ruff". I'm not sure if he was thanking them or telling them to get off the couch.
Here is this weeks letter.
Hello the Family!
Another week gone and an another begins! Can you believe that? I know I keep saying that but so it is. It seems like Thursday - Thursday goes by really quick but Thursday the day seems to take forever. This past week has been a good one. One of growth, one of learning, and one of success. I can feel the growing and learning taking place and its quite amazing. As I have frequently commented to my brothers in the District, to see how far along we are after only six weeks compared to where we were in two years of German is amazing. I look forward to seeing where I am when I land in Suriname and then seeing where I am when I come back. A lot of growth will need to take place between now and then but I know it can be done. We've had more appointments with our progressive investigator and things have been going okay. He seems to be really hung up on the question of why a just/loving god would allow for such pain to take place in the world. We are moving on to teach him about the Plan of Salvation(PoS) and hopefully we'll be able to invite the spirit and have the spirit be the teacher. The past week we had two devotionals. The first on Sunday night was Brother Allen whom, if I remember correctly, is in charge of the entire missionary department. His talk was a bit random but we enjoyed it nonetheless he played a lot of the old Mormon ads for us and then talked about them and how we can take their message and make us better missionaries. It was okay. After that we had the usual weekend movies to choose from and my companion and I went to a CES instruction video by Elder Holland about teaching. We enjoyed it and hopefully we'll be able to apply it for our own advantage. Furthermore, on Tuesday, President Gene R. Cook, Emeritus Quorum of the Seventy, came and spoke to us. He spoke on inviting the spirit and gave us seven different ways to do that. I don't have my notes so I don't remember exactly but I think they were: Prayer, Scriptures, Testimony, Music, Expression of Love and Gratitude to God and Man, Sharing spiritual experiences when appropriate and one more I can't remember. What great advice we were given and I hope I will be able to take that advice and run with it. I find here at the MTC when I have the spirit with me the day goes by so much quicker then it does when the spirit is lacking. I think this is probably true for life as a whole. The temple opened this last week so we've gotta get heading over to that so I'll see you later and I love you all!
Elder Nielson
It is great to get Nathan's letters and be able to tell he is working hard and loving it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
5th Week
Waiting for a letter on Wednesday is becoming a habit. I wonder if the letters will be as regular when he leaves the country?, I hope so.
Our Home Teachers came last Sunday, John was busy so I was visiting with them while we were waiting. One of the home teachers made the comment that all of our children were great, so we hadn't had any trials. I would not sum up all of parenting years as trial free, but do agree we have great kids. I've always said that the Lord made sure we got great kids because he wasn't sure John and I would be great parents.
As you can see by the letter below Nathan is developing at the MTC and becoming the great man and missionary that we all knew he was capable of becoming. I can't wait to get his letters when he gets to the mission field.
Five weeks down and we are in our Sixth
Can you believe that? I think that is how I started my last email but what can you do? New Dutch elders arrive next Wednesday and we'll be the old pros by then.
We have been working hard, and definitely not hardly working. The teachers have been putting us to the grindstone like the taskmasters of ancient Egypt. We are loving it though in case you seem to get a sense of gloom and doom. My companion and I actually have been teaching a Progressing Investigator (Not a real one but rather a training one) in Dutch and that has been somewhat successful so far! We also taught the first lesson in Dutch in the TRC, which is the training simulator thingy, its a great idea and gives us a lot of practice before the real thing which is great. The lesson went great and we committed them to reading the Book of Mormon so you always have to love that. Other then that the devotionals have been as great as ever but they are currently reinstalling the bleachers in the MTC gym so we have to watch them in the administration building so its almost like watching an hour of general conference twice a week but perhaps better. The food here is starting to wear out I think they've reused the same chicken a few times but that's okay I guess. I'm currently leading the district in goals scored in soccer during gym time with 16 goals in 18 games! More important then that though is the spirit here at the MTC which is fantastic. I have truly enjoyed it here and have felt the tender mercies of my heavenly father multiple times. In my worst times here that has keep me going and happy. Of little importance, I was released as the District leader this last Sunday and my companion was called to that position. As well, the other three elders in the district were called to be the Zone Leaders. I guess that makes me the unimportant guy in the District :P. Thank you all for your letters so far. They brighten my day, keep me happy, and make me want to be here so please keep it up!.
I love you all!
Elder Nielson
P.S. my companion and I ran into a senior couple going on a CES mission to the West Indies so I guess we will see them around from time to time. Also, we've been hearing that the last four groups of Suriname elders have been delayed because of visas at least 3 weeks and some have even been dispatch to places in the us to await their visa. I'll keep you updated when I hear more. Also, we found out it is not uncommon to see 10 foot anacondas and other snakes and they like to eat iguana's in Suriname they are called bomkip
I don't think we should mention the snakes to Nathan's grandmother. He might be embarrassed if she drove to the MTC and demanded he not be sent to Suriname
Our Home Teachers came last Sunday, John was busy so I was visiting with them while we were waiting. One of the home teachers made the comment that all of our children were great, so we hadn't had any trials. I would not sum up all of parenting years as trial free, but do agree we have great kids. I've always said that the Lord made sure we got great kids because he wasn't sure John and I would be great parents.
As you can see by the letter below Nathan is developing at the MTC and becoming the great man and missionary that we all knew he was capable of becoming. I can't wait to get his letters when he gets to the mission field.
Five weeks down and we are in our Sixth
Can you believe that? I think that is how I started my last email but what can you do? New Dutch elders arrive next Wednesday and we'll be the old pros by then.
We have been working hard, and definitely not hardly working. The teachers have been putting us to the grindstone like the taskmasters of ancient Egypt. We are loving it though in case you seem to get a sense of gloom and doom. My companion and I actually have been teaching a Progressing Investigator (Not a real one but rather a training one) in Dutch and that has been somewhat successful so far! We also taught the first lesson in Dutch in the TRC, which is the training simulator thingy, its a great idea and gives us a lot of practice before the real thing which is great. The lesson went great and we committed them to reading the Book of Mormon so you always have to love that. Other then that the devotionals have been as great as ever but they are currently reinstalling the bleachers in the MTC gym so we have to watch them in the administration building so its almost like watching an hour of general conference twice a week but perhaps better. The food here is starting to wear out I think they've reused the same chicken a few times but that's okay I guess. I'm currently leading the district in goals scored in soccer during gym time with 16 goals in 18 games! More important then that though is the spirit here at the MTC which is fantastic. I have truly enjoyed it here and have felt the tender mercies of my heavenly father multiple times. In my worst times here that has keep me going and happy. Of little importance, I was released as the District leader this last Sunday and my companion was called to that position. As well, the other three elders in the district were called to be the Zone Leaders. I guess that makes me the unimportant guy in the District :P. Thank you all for your letters so far. They brighten my day, keep me happy, and make me want to be here so please keep it up!.
I love you all!
Elder Nielson
P.S. my companion and I ran into a senior couple going on a CES mission to the West Indies so I guess we will see them around from time to time. Also, we've been hearing that the last four groups of Suriname elders have been delayed because of visas at least 3 weeks and some have even been dispatch to places in the us to await their visa. I'll keep you updated when I hear more. Also, we found out it is not uncommon to see 10 foot anacondas and other snakes and they like to eat iguana's in Suriname they are called bomkip
I don't think we should mention the snakes to Nathan's grandmother. He might be embarrassed if she drove to the MTC and demanded he not be sent to Suriname
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
4th Week
It is hard to believe it has been 4 weeks. I've got to think of a new first line! Home life without Nathan is starting to feel normal. We pray for him nightly and have such a peaceful feeling. I don't worry about him and I'm thrilled he is getting this great experience.
Nathan mentioned in his first letter that he was concerned about speaking the language since he couldn't roll his R's. I was praying that he would have the blessing of being able to roll the R's and realised that he really just needed to feel peace. So I have been praying he would feel the Holy Ghost presence and he would be feeled with peace. I feel that the letter below shows that the Lord is blessing Nate.
When Nathan ran for Student body President in high school we made a sign that said Nate would be great. I feel that applies now. Nate Will be Great!!
And another week just rolls on by! We are now starting on vijf (fifth) week here at the MTC and things just seem to keep rolling along! District 36E is doing great we are learning the language we are unified and are working well together. We will official have been here for a month on the 16th which is only two days away. This week there isn't a lot to report but we did have two amazing devotionals. The first was Sunday which was from Jenny Oaks Baker who is a very accomplished violinist and the daughter of President Oaks. To be honest we were more excited when President Oaks walked in to listen to his daughter then about Sister Baker but it was quite amazing. She played for us throughout her talk and it was amazing. The devotional last night was Brother Halverson who is an emeritus member of the Quorum of the Seventy. He talked about having success on your mission and I quite enjoy his talk as well. I could have listened to him forever I think. I'm having a really good time and I'm really enjoying being here. It has been well worth my time to say the least. I love you all! Feel free to write to me and I promise I'll reply to all letters received.
Elder Nielson
Nathan mentioned in his first letter that he was concerned about speaking the language since he couldn't roll his R's. I was praying that he would have the blessing of being able to roll the R's and realised that he really just needed to feel peace. So I have been praying he would feel the Holy Ghost presence and he would be feeled with peace. I feel that the letter below shows that the Lord is blessing Nate.
When Nathan ran for Student body President in high school we made a sign that said Nate would be great. I feel that applies now. Nate Will be Great!!
And another week just rolls on by! We are now starting on vijf (fifth) week here at the MTC and things just seem to keep rolling along! District 36E is doing great we are learning the language we are unified and are working well together. We will official have been here for a month on the 16th which is only two days away. This week there isn't a lot to report but we did have two amazing devotionals. The first was Sunday which was from Jenny Oaks Baker who is a very accomplished violinist and the daughter of President Oaks. To be honest we were more excited when President Oaks walked in to listen to his daughter then about Sister Baker but it was quite amazing. She played for us throughout her talk and it was amazing. The devotional last night was Brother Halverson who is an emeritus member of the Quorum of the Seventy. He talked about having success on your mission and I quite enjoy his talk as well. I could have listened to him forever I think. I'm having a really good time and I'm really enjoying being here. It has been well worth my time to say the least. I love you all! Feel free to write to me and I promise I'll reply to all letters received.
Elder Nielson
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
3rd week
We celebrated the 4th of July this weekend by going to Stadium of Fire in Prove. You can imagine the temptation to drive by the MTC. We joked about parking at the MTC and visiting with Nathan before the program. We were good and didn't even drive by.
Can you believe another week is already done and gone? Starting today my district and I are now currently in our fourth week here at the MTC and how times has passed. This last week has been more normal then the others but its been good nonetheless. Last Thursday and Friday were normal class days and so there really isn't a whole lot to report about that. On Saturday, though, we got to attend a special devotional about the reformers and the restoration. Although the hair was horrendous the rest of it was great and the spirit was strong. It makes you realize who much effort, work, and blood went into what we have today. One part that really stood out to me was near the end when the Founding Fathers appeared to the then Temple President of the St. George Temple, I think it was Woodruff, and he has baptized for them all. I also enjoyed the very end where Moroni, President Smith, MTC President,, stood up and exhorted us to go and do the work that was required to bring people unto Christ it was very powerful. After the devotional they allowed us to go outside and watch the fireworks that were associated with the Stadium of Fire. That was fun and we really enjoyed it but it was bitter sweet to know that Mom, Dad, and Bone were just down the hill abit. They made us go to bed immediately after the fireworks so could get up by 6:30am on Sunday. Sunday's devotional was given by Pres. Craig who was just released from being the President of District A. He spoke on the three witness and likened their testimonies to that which would be given in a courtroom, I enjoyed that part.. Tuesday's devotional was given by Bro. Dallenbach who is an Emeritus member of the Quorum of the Seventy. He spoke on the Miracle that the Book of Mormon was it was good as well. On Monday morning we lost Elder Sanchez to the field. He actually got here six weeks before we did so his 9 weeks were up and he departed for the airport at 6am, but he made us walk him over to the travel office so we were actually up at 5am. Other then that there isn't a whole lot going on but what can you do? We'll continue to keep plowing away. I know the church is true and I know that Chirst is running it today. I also know that President Thomas S. Monsen is the prophet of the world today and he keeps us inline. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and I understand how powerful of a testimony builder it truely is. I love ya'll and I hope I hear from ya somtime.
One Love
Can you believe another week is already done and gone? Starting today my district and I are now currently in our fourth week here at the MTC and how times has passed. This last week has been more normal then the others but its been good nonetheless. Last Thursday and Friday were normal class days and so there really isn't a whole lot to report about that. On Saturday, though, we got to attend a special devotional about the reformers and the restoration. Although the hair was horrendous the rest of it was great and the spirit was strong. It makes you realize who much effort, work, and blood went into what we have today. One part that really stood out to me was near the end when the Founding Fathers appeared to the then Temple President of the St. George Temple, I think it was Woodruff, and he has baptized for them all. I also enjoyed the very end where Moroni, President Smith, MTC President,, stood up and exhorted us to go and do the work that was required to bring people unto Christ it was very powerful. After the devotional they allowed us to go outside and watch the fireworks that were associated with the Stadium of Fire. That was fun and we really enjoyed it but it was bitter sweet to know that Mom, Dad, and Bone were just down the hill abit. They made us go to bed immediately after the fireworks so could get up by 6:30am on Sunday. Sunday's devotional was given by Pres. Craig who was just released from being the President of District A. He spoke on the three witness and likened their testimonies to that which would be given in a courtroom, I enjoyed that part.. Tuesday's devotional was given by Bro. Dallenbach who is an Emeritus member of the Quorum of the Seventy. He spoke on the Miracle that the Book of Mormon was it was good as well. On Monday morning we lost Elder Sanchez to the field. He actually got here six weeks before we did so his 9 weeks were up and he departed for the airport at 6am, but he made us walk him over to the travel office so we were actually up at 5am. Other then that there isn't a whole lot going on but what can you do? We'll continue to keep plowing away. I know the church is true and I know that Chirst is running it today. I also know that President Thomas S. Monsen is the prophet of the world today and he keeps us inline. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and I understand how powerful of a testimony builder it truely is. I love ya'll and I hope I hear from ya somtime.
One Love
2nd week
Hey, here is the 2nd letter from Nathan. He sounds great, John and I are doing much better. We are still missing him but we have found a routine. John can tell you exactly how many days Nathan has left...
Hallo Jullie! (Hello Ya'll)
Ik ben Elder Nielson and ik kom uit Stansbury Park Utah. Ik weet dat God leeft and dat Jesus de Christus is. As you can see Dutch is coming along somewhat. It has been pretty difficult and I've struggled with it probably a bit more then I expected (It is well documented that I enjoy a small pride issue). Overall things have been good this last week with the exception of feeling a bit under the weather. My comp caught something last Wednesday and was kind enough to share it so I've felt pretty bad over the last week. That hasn't help much with the other things that have occurred. As I mention in my last email, we had the mission presidents training take place this last week and although I didn't get to meet any apostles, we did have Elder Oaks address us in a Special Devotional on Friday. It was a good message but a tad bit more appropriate for say General Conference then the MTC in my opinion... Don't get me wrong though I did enjoy it. Other then Elder Oaks we also got to here from Sister Dalton (YW President) and Brother Allen (Missionary Managing Group President[I think]). The devotionals are probably my favorite thing that happens here at the MTC, the spirit is undeniable and you hear a lot of very good speakers. Its too bad they don't happen more often and its a big bummer that its so compact as you have to either skip dinner or have extreme faith to find a seat. Classes are good and we seem to be learning a lot. We can now introduce ourselves, tell others are purpose, and a few other task in Dutch which I think is an extreme accomplishment for how short of a time we have been here. The food here is a bit bleh... It is cafeteria food which is worse then the U's and OU's and is probably more equivelent to Uintah High School. Things are going well and I miss you guys. Thank you for the prayers and the letters I need them and keep them coming.
Tot Ziens (Good Bye)
One Love,
Hallo Jullie! (Hello Ya'll)
Ik ben Elder Nielson and ik kom uit Stansbury Park Utah. Ik weet dat God leeft and dat Jesus de Christus is. As you can see Dutch is coming along somewhat. It has been pretty difficult and I've struggled with it probably a bit more then I expected (It is well documented that I enjoy a small pride issue). Overall things have been good this last week with the exception of feeling a bit under the weather. My comp caught something last Wednesday and was kind enough to share it so I've felt pretty bad over the last week. That hasn't help much with the other things that have occurred. As I mention in my last email, we had the mission presidents training take place this last week and although I didn't get to meet any apostles, we did have Elder Oaks address us in a Special Devotional on Friday. It was a good message but a tad bit more appropriate for say General Conference then the MTC in my opinion... Don't get me wrong though I did enjoy it. Other then Elder Oaks we also got to here from Sister Dalton (YW President) and Brother Allen (Missionary Managing Group President[I think]). The devotionals are probably my favorite thing that happens here at the MTC, the spirit is undeniable and you hear a lot of very good speakers. Its too bad they don't happen more often and its a big bummer that its so compact as you have to either skip dinner or have extreme faith to find a seat. Classes are good and we seem to be learning a lot. We can now introduce ourselves, tell others are purpose, and a few other task in Dutch which I think is an extreme accomplishment for how short of a time we have been here. The food here is a bit bleh... It is cafeteria food which is worse then the U's and OU's and is probably more equivelent to Uintah High School. Things are going well and I miss you guys. Thank you for the prayers and the letters I need them and keep them coming.
Tot Ziens (Good Bye)
One Love,
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Nathan's in the MTC
Wednesday, June 16 John and I dropped Nathan off at the Mtc. We arrived at the MTC at 1:28 and left at 1:31. Wow, that was it. We just hugged Nathan and drove off. It can best be described as "the best of times, the worst of times". I keep asking why does the one thing I want the most hurt so bad?
When we got home it was just John and I. We were lonely and sad.
Nathan's first letter...
Sorry for not responding sooner. My comp and I need to do something really quickly so we had to run out of the building and I'm just now getting the opportunity to use the computer again.
Hello Everyone!
The MTC has been quite the ride and I'm really enjoying it. There have been some great moments and some bad moments but such was to be expected so oh well! I arrived last Wednesday night and I met my companion and we had our first Dutch lesson. Dutch is hard to learn and it is going to take quite some time to get used to! Saying this thought I would like all the prayers I can get on that, I'll need the help.. The guttural sounds and the rolling of the R's are nearly impossible for me it seams and Natalie I wonder if that has to do with how I learned to speak, maybe you'd have to input on that?
On Thursday we had our "official" first day of classes and we spend about 1 hour on the gospel for every hour we spend on the language but I guess that works because we'll be here for nine weeks instead of the usual three. That night we met with the Branch President, President Lafferty, and he assigned the Senior Companions and the District Leader. I was called to be the District Leader but I must admit that I feel pretty inadequate for the role. I'll try my best and we will see what happens. Like Dad addressed in the previous email, we have six elders in our district. Five who entered the MTC the same day we did and the other we absorb because he was all by himself. They are mainly 19 year olds who have a year of college under their belt and a lot of growing up to do, just like myself. They all have testimonies and want to be out in the field immediately which is good. Friday and Saturday were classes mainly and not much to report but Sunday was awesome. We had sacrament meeting and priesthood, no Sunday school, and a few other meetings.. The coolest had to be the fireside that night. The speaker was the first councilor in the mission presidency and his wife and they spoke on remembering. We had another similar meeting this last Tuesday with President Lowell Snow of the Second Quorum of the Seventy it was quite good as well. He spoke on the Holy Ghost's role in conversion. We have these devotionals every Tuesday and Sunday nights and I'm excited for them. As a side note they are doing mission president training in the MTC this week so the Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency are supposed to be around. They are also doing a special devotion on Friday for missionaries and the mission presidents and their wives so maybe it'll be President Monsen speaking to us? The spirit is strong here and I love being here even with all the difficulties. I sent out letters today and the rest of the postcards so I hope you'll here from me if not send me a note and I'd be happy to write you.. My address is Elder Nielson MTC Mailbox 181 WST IND 0816 2005N 900E Provo Utah 84064. I've gotta go I only have 15 more seconds of computer time.. I love you all! Elder Nielson
When we got home it was just John and I. We were lonely and sad.
Nathan's first letter...
Sorry for not responding sooner. My comp and I need to do something really quickly so we had to run out of the building and I'm just now getting the opportunity to use the computer again.
Hello Everyone!
The MTC has been quite the ride and I'm really enjoying it. There have been some great moments and some bad moments but such was to be expected so oh well! I arrived last Wednesday night and I met my companion and we had our first Dutch lesson. Dutch is hard to learn and it is going to take quite some time to get used to! Saying this thought I would like all the prayers I can get on that, I'll need the help.. The guttural sounds and the rolling of the R's are nearly impossible for me it seams and Natalie I wonder if that has to do with how I learned to speak, maybe you'd have to input on that?
On Thursday we had our "official" first day of classes and we spend about 1 hour on the gospel for every hour we spend on the language but I guess that works because we'll be here for nine weeks instead of the usual three. That night we met with the Branch President, President Lafferty, and he assigned the Senior Companions and the District Leader. I was called to be the District Leader but I must admit that I feel pretty inadequate for the role. I'll try my best and we will see what happens. Like Dad addressed in the previous email, we have six elders in our district. Five who entered the MTC the same day we did and the other we absorb because he was all by himself. They are mainly 19 year olds who have a year of college under their belt and a lot of growing up to do, just like myself. They all have testimonies and want to be out in the field immediately which is good. Friday and Saturday were classes mainly and not much to report but Sunday was awesome. We had sacrament meeting and priesthood, no Sunday school, and a few other meetings.. The coolest had to be the fireside that night. The speaker was the first councilor in the mission presidency and his wife and they spoke on remembering. We had another similar meeting this last Tuesday with President Lowell Snow of the Second Quorum of the Seventy it was quite good as well. He spoke on the Holy Ghost's role in conversion. We have these devotionals every Tuesday and Sunday nights and I'm excited for them. As a side note they are doing mission president training in the MTC this week so the Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency are supposed to be around. They are also doing a special devotion on Friday for missionaries and the mission presidents and their wives so maybe it'll be President Monsen speaking to us? The spirit is strong here and I love being here even with all the difficulties. I sent out letters today and the rest of the postcards so I hope you'll here from me if not send me a note and I'd be happy to write you.. My address is Elder Nielson MTC Mailbox 181 WST IND 0816 2005N 900E Provo Utah 84064. I've gotta go I only have 15 more seconds of computer time.. I love you all! Elder Nielson
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The end of an era
I've considered this post for a bit now and to be honest I don't know what to say. That is quite unusual for me to be honest. I usually always know what to say, or at least what not to say.
The last week has been a very good one. It has been one of peace.
Saturday my parents and I drove to Logan, Utah. There we participated in a session at the Logan Utah Temple. I've really enjoyed the opportunities I have had to participate at the temple and I would highly recommend such service to anyone who is eligible to do so. After the temple, we attempted to go to the Pepperidge Farm outlet store but they were sadly closed. Hopefully, next time we'll be able to get the cookies we were hoping to get at that time. We soon returned from Logan and we spent the rest of the time just hanging out and enjoying a nice Saturday as a family.
Tuesday was Stake Temple day and as such I went with my parents to a temple session at 10am with my parents and then another at 7pm with my brother. In between I had lunch with my parents and the stake at the temple and dinner with my brother at Crown Burgers in downtown Salt Lake City. I also had the opportunity, while I was waiting for my bother, to walk around the campus of the University of Utah. I got to walk through the Library, the Union, and the Union Commons. Oh how I miss that campus. The Library is absolute beautiful now. The renovation work has been completed and it looks like it was well worth it. The Union and the Commons hasn't changed a bit since I was there but that is okay. I like the Union and I have many fond memories of sitting in the cafeteria with my buddies or hanging out at the Commons on the grass watching people walk by as I thought about doing homework. The University of Oklahoma has a very nice campus, but it is not my campus like Utah's is. After my short tour of campus, Chris and I went to dinner and then to the temple together. It was good to spend the time with my brother. Perhaps, for the last time, in such a manner. This isn't to suggest that I am dying or what not, but after my mission who knows where we will both be mayhaps we will be living in different states the rest of our lives.
Wednesday, I drove to North Salt Lake and met up with my dear Aunt Carole. Aunt Carole is my absolute favorite person in the world, but don't tell anyone I said that. She is the sweetest, kindest, and most sincere individual you could ever meet. I know for a fact that if I called my Aunt Carole for anything, she would do everything so could to help me fulfill what I needed. Either way, I drove up to meet her and then we went to the Bountiful Temple and I helped her stake do baptisms for the dead. I got the opportunity to baptize, confirm, and witness. It was a great opportunity and I enjoyed it immensely. I always love hanging out with my Aunt Carole, and I will miss her. My favorite memories of her is playing checkers with her. My family is very competitive and as such to win means you actually win. There is no gimmes. I can't tell you how many times my Aunt Carole and I have played and she has demolished me. Saying this though, I have beaten her before, but the record is still heavily skewed towards her.
Friday and Today my family has spent on the road. We left Friday afternoon for Cortez Co. in order to meet up with my Sister, Natalie, and her husband, Jacob. We first had to give Natalie her dog back. Pollie is quite the handful. She's a puppy. Meeting with Natalie and Jacob also gave me the opportunity to see Natalie and Jacob for the last time before I head out. Those two will go far.
I report to the MTC on Wednesday at 1:30pm. I'm super excited to report and I can't wait to start. The only consensus I've heard is that life is the not the same post-mission as it was pre-mission. To some extent, I'm pretty excited about that. In some ways, I'm a bit apprehensive about it. Either way as I have said many, many, many times before, I know what I'm doing is right and I'm extremely excited to do it. My parents will be taking me to the MTC on Wednesday and I know they are excited to get rid of me as well. The next few days will be interesting, hopefully I don't go too crazy.
I received my address for the MTC and it is:
Elder Nathan John Nielson
MTC Mailbox # 181
WST IND 0817
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
I hope I hear from you and I wish you the best. I will see you on the other side.
One Love
Nathan John Nielson
The last week has been a very good one. It has been one of peace.
Saturday my parents and I drove to Logan, Utah. There we participated in a session at the Logan Utah Temple. I've really enjoyed the opportunities I have had to participate at the temple and I would highly recommend such service to anyone who is eligible to do so. After the temple, we attempted to go to the Pepperidge Farm outlet store but they were sadly closed. Hopefully, next time we'll be able to get the cookies we were hoping to get at that time. We soon returned from Logan and we spent the rest of the time just hanging out and enjoying a nice Saturday as a family.
Tuesday was Stake Temple day and as such I went with my parents to a temple session at 10am with my parents and then another at 7pm with my brother. In between I had lunch with my parents and the stake at the temple and dinner with my brother at Crown Burgers in downtown Salt Lake City. I also had the opportunity, while I was waiting for my bother, to walk around the campus of the University of Utah. I got to walk through the Library, the Union, and the Union Commons. Oh how I miss that campus. The Library is absolute beautiful now. The renovation work has been completed and it looks like it was well worth it. The Union and the Commons hasn't changed a bit since I was there but that is okay. I like the Union and I have many fond memories of sitting in the cafeteria with my buddies or hanging out at the Commons on the grass watching people walk by as I thought about doing homework. The University of Oklahoma has a very nice campus, but it is not my campus like Utah's is. After my short tour of campus, Chris and I went to dinner and then to the temple together. It was good to spend the time with my brother. Perhaps, for the last time, in such a manner. This isn't to suggest that I am dying or what not, but after my mission who knows where we will both be mayhaps we will be living in different states the rest of our lives.
Wednesday, I drove to North Salt Lake and met up with my dear Aunt Carole. Aunt Carole is my absolute favorite person in the world, but don't tell anyone I said that. She is the sweetest, kindest, and most sincere individual you could ever meet. I know for a fact that if I called my Aunt Carole for anything, she would do everything so could to help me fulfill what I needed. Either way, I drove up to meet her and then we went to the Bountiful Temple and I helped her stake do baptisms for the dead. I got the opportunity to baptize, confirm, and witness. It was a great opportunity and I enjoyed it immensely. I always love hanging out with my Aunt Carole, and I will miss her. My favorite memories of her is playing checkers with her. My family is very competitive and as such to win means you actually win. There is no gimmes. I can't tell you how many times my Aunt Carole and I have played and she has demolished me. Saying this though, I have beaten her before, but the record is still heavily skewed towards her.
Friday and Today my family has spent on the road. We left Friday afternoon for Cortez Co. in order to meet up with my Sister, Natalie, and her husband, Jacob. We first had to give Natalie her dog back. Pollie is quite the handful. She's a puppy. Meeting with Natalie and Jacob also gave me the opportunity to see Natalie and Jacob for the last time before I head out. Those two will go far.
I report to the MTC on Wednesday at 1:30pm. I'm super excited to report and I can't wait to start. The only consensus I've heard is that life is the not the same post-mission as it was pre-mission. To some extent, I'm pretty excited about that. In some ways, I'm a bit apprehensive about it. Either way as I have said many, many, many times before, I know what I'm doing is right and I'm extremely excited to do it. My parents will be taking me to the MTC on Wednesday and I know they are excited to get rid of me as well. The next few days will be interesting, hopefully I don't go too crazy.
I received my address for the MTC and it is:
Elder Nathan John Nielson
MTC Mailbox # 181
WST IND 0817
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
I hope I hear from you and I wish you the best. I will see you on the other side.
One Love
Nathan John Nielson
Friday, June 4, 2010
The fro is no more
It finally happened. The hair was too long and possibly no longer up to missionary code.As such, I had my dad cut it off the luscious locks that reside upon my fair head last night. I'll probably have to trim it once again before the 16th, but the hope is that I can keep it short enough to be manageable all the way through the MTC, that would be nice.
Either way a short recap of a boring week or so is required, at least I think it is.
The only major events that occurred this last week happened on Saturday the 29th. On Saturday, my parents and I drove into Salt Lake City and attended a session at the Salt Lake City Temple. The Salt Lake City Temple and the Manti Temple are the only two temples in the world that perform the endowment live instead of through a movie presentation. I felt the spirit that day in the Temple the strongest I've ever felt it. It was ever present and it was an absolutely fantastic experience. Interestingly enough, just before we got up and left and the end of the session a former seminar teacher walked up to me and said, "You look familiar where did you go to seminar at?" Definitely not someone I thought I would run into ever again and I must admit I don't remember a lot about the guy but it was a good occurrence none-the-less.
After the temple we went and had lunch together at Sizzler and that was a good time as well. I'm going to miss my parents perhaps more then I will miss anyone else. I know they have a love for me that is unconditional. My father has said multiple times and I believe him that his greatest achievements in his life are the achievements of his children. Not a day went by, maybe a few but definitely not many, that I did not talk to at least one of my parents last year. I'll miss them over the next two years but I will enjoy receiving their emails and I know they are excited about what I'm about to do. Love you two!
Saturday afternoon my family and AJ, Courtenae's boyfriend..., went to the Real Salt Lake game.
Real Salt Lake was playing the Kansas City Wizards and were on a four game winning streak so we expected to win and were definitely not disappointed. Real won 4-1 and it was a pretty amazing game. I fell in love with soccer when I was a senior in high school. I was home one day, presumably sick?, and I turned on ESPN2 to find Chelsea FC playing Liverpool FC in the champions league. I was so enthralled by the game that even though Chelsea lost on penalties I became a Chelsea FC fan forever.
Other then that everything else has been pretty tame. I'm only missing two items for my mission now. A umbrella and a camera. Other than that I have everything and I'm ready to go. If only I could go today. I still have 12 days before I report and I report at 1:30pm on the 16th. Up until then I have a few things to look forward to. First tomorrow, my parents and I are driving up to Logan Utah to attend the Logan Temple for my mother's birthday. Second the 8th, is stake temple day and that should be fun. The 9th I'm helping my Aunt Carole with her ward's baptism trip at the Bountiful Temple. That weekend the 11th and 12th, my family is driving down to meet up with my sister and to give back her dog to her. After that, I'm going to the Ogden temple on the 15th and then I report on the 16th. So I have a full slate of temple trips ahead of me but other then that it is just the same.
There is of course one more bit of business that needs to be discussed. Obviously, after I report to the MTC on the 16th I will no longer be able to maintain this blog as I do now. As such, I will be making this blog private and my mother will be in charge of it while I'm gone. She will be posting my letters on here for your reading pleasure. Since the blog will be private though I will need to invite you to read it. Email me or post here or get in contact me in some way and I'd be happy to invite you.
I'll post one more time before I report but until then,
One Love
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I watch the clock everyday hoping it'll speed up just a little bit faster + Talk
It's been just under a week so I thought I might as well update today.
On Thrusday the 20th, my family and I drove down to the Mt. Timpanogus Temple and watched my cousin get married. It was the first sealing I've ever had the oppertunity to attend. After the sealing, my cousin and her husband had a short ring-exchange ceremony before my family left. It was an interesting experience that I enjoyed. Its interesting because the core, and most important, parts of the sealing are the same as all over sealings. Because of this, my brother looked over at me after the sealing and mentioned that even though I wasn't at his or my sisters marriage, I now knew what my brother and sister's marriage was like. What an interesting thought. Although I understood the importance of a temple sealing and look forward to one, one day, I did feel like I missed out on watching Chris and Natalie get married to Amy and Jacob respectively when the marriages occured. I have to think it must be even harder for non-members who may not understand the importance of it, and or, may not believe in it's importance. I think what Chris said was inspired and I have to now agree. I don't feel like I missed anything now. It is a comforting thought to have.
Nothing to report on Friday the 21st at least nothing worth remembering.
Nothing really happened on Saturday until that night. Friends from Vernal Utah drove in and we had a pretty good night playing card games and having a good time. We played phase 10 with 7 people. The result was a crazy game with the winner having over 400 points and the loser having somewhere around 600-700 points. I finished a close second when a late round point acculmation hurt my chances pretty bad. Oh well! Perhaps next time?
Sunday was the biggest day of the last week. As most of you will know, before a missionary reports to the missionary training center (or MTC) generally the ward will have the individual speek. I received my topic on the 20th just a few short days before I was supposed to speak. The topic was on Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk at a BYU-I devotional. The topics title was, "Strengthen Faith as You Seek Knowledge." It was an interesting topic and one that required a lot of work. I struggled a lot and I had to really think about the topic. If it wasn't for timely advice from my father, who kows what direction that talk would have taken. For those who were unable to make it, or have requested my talk since, I have decided to publish it on Google Documents and it is available here for your use. After church, we had everyone over for dinner and had a nice evening talking with and interacting with the individual who had driven out to support me. I'd like to thank everyone who came out whether it was a 3 hour drive or a five minute walk it meant a lot to me. So Many Thanks to you all!
Monday was a bit more laid back and included a shopping excursion with Natalie and Jacob. Natalie and Jacob recently moved to New Mexico and into an unfurnished apartment. As such, we drove down to Ikea in Draper in order to purchase some furniture for them. Ikea is an amazing store and to be honest probably the first stand-alone store I've ever been in that required a map. After Ikea, we hit up Target and then returned home.
Tuesday, I was fortunate enough to spend with my father. I had a doctor's appoint in the morning and as such I rode in with my father and spent the day with him at work. We first attended a HP seminar at a driving range and then got to take a short private tutoring session at the driving range with a golf pro. After that we drove to the appointment where everything check out just perfect, like usual. We had lunch and then I sat in his office on my computer the rest of the day while he worked. We both had a lot of fun, at least I did, and we returned home around 5pm that night.
Today, or Wednesday the 27th, has been a bit of a drag. With nothing to do beside watch TV and play with the dogs, I've really done nothing today. The young single adults in my ward were supposed to go to the Go-Kart track and race but I guess I got the information mixed up as I either showed up at the wrong place or at the wrong time. I'm hoping things will start to pick up and I'll have stuff to do between now and the 16th of June. There are only 20 more days till I report and I can't wait.
One Love
On Thrusday the 20th, my family and I drove down to the Mt. Timpanogus Temple and watched my cousin get married. It was the first sealing I've ever had the oppertunity to attend. After the sealing, my cousin and her husband had a short ring-exchange ceremony before my family left. It was an interesting experience that I enjoyed. Its interesting because the core, and most important, parts of the sealing are the same as all over sealings. Because of this, my brother looked over at me after the sealing and mentioned that even though I wasn't at his or my sisters marriage, I now knew what my brother and sister's marriage was like. What an interesting thought. Although I understood the importance of a temple sealing and look forward to one, one day, I did feel like I missed out on watching Chris and Natalie get married to Amy and Jacob respectively when the marriages occured. I have to think it must be even harder for non-members who may not understand the importance of it, and or, may not believe in it's importance. I think what Chris said was inspired and I have to now agree. I don't feel like I missed anything now. It is a comforting thought to have.
Nothing to report on Friday the 21st at least nothing worth remembering.
Nothing really happened on Saturday until that night. Friends from Vernal Utah drove in and we had a pretty good night playing card games and having a good time. We played phase 10 with 7 people. The result was a crazy game with the winner having over 400 points and the loser having somewhere around 600-700 points. I finished a close second when a late round point acculmation hurt my chances pretty bad. Oh well! Perhaps next time?
Sunday was the biggest day of the last week. As most of you will know, before a missionary reports to the missionary training center (or MTC) generally the ward will have the individual speek. I received my topic on the 20th just a few short days before I was supposed to speak. The topic was on Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk at a BYU-I devotional. The topics title was, "Strengthen Faith as You Seek Knowledge." It was an interesting topic and one that required a lot of work. I struggled a lot and I had to really think about the topic. If it wasn't for timely advice from my father, who kows what direction that talk would have taken. For those who were unable to make it, or have requested my talk since, I have decided to publish it on Google Documents and it is available here for your use. After church, we had everyone over for dinner and had a nice evening talking with and interacting with the individual who had driven out to support me. I'd like to thank everyone who came out whether it was a 3 hour drive or a five minute walk it meant a lot to me. So Many Thanks to you all!
Monday was a bit more laid back and included a shopping excursion with Natalie and Jacob. Natalie and Jacob recently moved to New Mexico and into an unfurnished apartment. As such, we drove down to Ikea in Draper in order to purchase some furniture for them. Ikea is an amazing store and to be honest probably the first stand-alone store I've ever been in that required a map. After Ikea, we hit up Target and then returned home.
Tuesday, I was fortunate enough to spend with my father. I had a doctor's appoint in the morning and as such I rode in with my father and spent the day with him at work. We first attended a HP seminar at a driving range and then got to take a short private tutoring session at the driving range with a golf pro. After that we drove to the appointment where everything check out just perfect, like usual. We had lunch and then I sat in his office on my computer the rest of the day while he worked. We both had a lot of fun, at least I did, and we returned home around 5pm that night.
Today, or Wednesday the 27th, has been a bit of a drag. With nothing to do beside watch TV and play with the dogs, I've really done nothing today. The young single adults in my ward were supposed to go to the Go-Kart track and race but I guess I got the information mixed up as I either showed up at the wrong place or at the wrong time. I'm hoping things will start to pick up and I'll have stuff to do between now and the 16th of June. There are only 20 more days till I report and I can't wait.
One Love
Thursday, May 20, 2010
It's too bad we can't just call the game after you've won the first quarter.
Well we have arrived. Technically the arrival was on Sunday, but I've been too lazy to post until then (In actuality I had a whole post typed up before I accidentally lost it[Don't ask{No really, Don't ask}]) Either way here we go!
My last post was on the 3rd of May and was the night before the first final of the semester. On the fourth was Torts, the seventh Civil Procedure II, the eleventh Criminal Law, and the fourteenth Constitutional Law. I am one of the lucky ones. I feel good about all four test. I think I did the best on Torts and probably the worst on Constitutional Law. Torts was my best class last semester and I think I carried the torch as well as I could have. I was able to answer all the questions fully and even finished with a few extra minutes. Civil Procedure II left me with a semi-sweet after taste because I felt I nailed some questions but some of them were perhaps not as good as I hoped they would be, I still feel pretty good about it. Criminal law I feel pretty good about. It has been my favorite class this last semester and I'm hoping I did pretty well. Constitutional Law is probably the class I feel the worst about. The professor kept us to a strict 1000 word limit. This both hurts and helps. It keeps you focused and to the point, but it also limits the amount of material you can cover and conceivably portray a knowledge of. I feel good about it which is more then some can say, so I guess there is no use worrying about something I can't change. Grades will be released on the 14th of June. This means I'll have the good fortune of only spending at the most two days lamenting any bad grades that, hopefully may not, occur.
Other then that a few other things have occurred over the past two weeks.
On May 5th the Elder's Quorum got together and played Cinco de Mayo American Football. All that occurred was a bunch of guys got together and played touch football with each other. It started out fun but to be honest it quickly deteriorated. Certain individuals took the game too far. Either they yelled and became disgusted with other individuals or they refused to play with anyone but their select few favorites. Perhaps I sound bitter. Yeah, I probably do sound bitter. What can you do about it? I guess, I was a little disappointed with the individuals who lost their cool. I expected more but I guess, as I well know, we all slip up from time to time.
On the 7th of May I got the awesome experience to watch my older sister and brother-in-law graduate with their masters from Oklahoma State University. My sister and I have always been close and it was exciting to watch her walk up to the stage and then receive her diploma cover. As well, Jacob is a great person and he may fit into this family better then Natalie does (Just kidding Natalie). I know those two will go far in life and will achieve far more then they could have by themselves.
The next day on the 8th of May, I was up bright and early and my father and I drove to Yukon, Oklahoma to the Oklahoma City Temple. I received my endowments and that is an experience that cannot be replicated. After visiting the temple, my family and I had a final lunch together before my brother left for the airport and I had to return to Norman to start preparing for finals. It was a great day all the way around and we all had a really great experience, at least I like to think so.
The day after that was the 9th of May and also my last Sunday in Norman, Oklahoma for a while. Church was excellent and I got to receive the last temple preparation lessons from Brother and Sister Gorshe. I have taken the temple prep classes multiple times and it was nice to finally receive the capstone lesson. After church, I got the opportunity to hang with a pretty amazing person. Lena bought me both lunch and dinner that night and we also got to watch Up together. I love that movie and it has to be one of my absolute favorite Disney/Pixar movies that is out there.
Not a lot happened on the 10th as I was swamped preparing for Criminal Law, but the 11th was fun. After an entertaining Criminal Law final that included Winnie the Pooh and Piglet both shooting Eeyore and Elmo getting run over by a garbage truck being driven by none other then Oscar the grouch, I once again had lunch with Lena before getting a pretty nice afternoon off. I took Lena out for ice-cream one last time. That night and I gave Lena a present. To be more precise it was a Missionary Letter Kit. It contained 35 pieces of paper, 20 envelopes, 20 stamps, and 10 pens. I'm hoping I get to see the benefit of that gift.
To tell the full story of the 12th, it is appropriate to relate a story that has never been mentioned in this blog before. You see on August 23rd, the Sunday before the first day of classes, my family was still in town so they decided to come to church with me. After a good sacrament meeting, that I enjoyed, my family and I were sitting by ourselves when Sunday School started. Cara Bowers was teaching the lesson and she noted how there were so many new people in the ward today because of school starting. She then decided we should all introduce ourselves. I stood up and introduced myself followed by my father and mother. I soon checked out and wasn't really paying attention when my mother soon shouted out, "Are you Curtis' and Robbie's daughter?" A bit embarrassed, but not surprised, I started to pay attention. The girl, who's name I did not catch, looked back at my mother and said, "Yes." My mother got excited and noted how she knew the girls parents. On my third Sunday in the ward I decided I didn't want to sit alone during Sunday School so I walked over to one Ms. Lena Tenney and promptly asked, "I guess our parents know each other and I'd rather not sit alone, can I sit by you during Sunday School?" Since then we've ate many ounces of ice-cream, watched more complete baseball games then I've watched in the past few years combined, and have shared a plate of buffalo wings. We've had a lot of good moments together and on the 12th I got to take her the airport on her way home to Ohio. I picked her up at 9am and we made our first stop at IHOP for breakfast. After breakfast, we made our way to the airport and Lena got checked in. I left her at the security gate and away she went. Our relationship has been one of crossed-wires and missed-signals (Mainly by me, She's smarter then myself), but I'm glad we finally figured it out. I wish her the best of luck and I have no doubt she'll do amazing. I'm hoping I get to at least take her out on one date when I get back, but we'll see how it plays out. Later that evening, on the 12th, my parents(both grand and standard) went to dinner together before playing card games. I beat grandma and that is all that is important.
The 14th was my last final for the year and as stated earlier I feel good about it. After my final was over my father and I packed my car and headed out of Norman for the last time until after I get home from my mission. Before we left though, we made sure to make a stop at Braum's for one last hamburger. Norman has been my home for the past 9 months and I hope it'll be my home for at least another two years. The drive took 7 and 1/2 hours. We spent the night at my Aunt's house.
Saturday the 15th was spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico moving my sister and her husband into their new apartment.
Sunday the 16th was a long 11 and 1/2 hours drive from Albuquerque to Stansbury Park, Utah. It was nice to be home, but I do miss the crowd from Norman. We had quite a scary moment in between Moab and Green River, Utah. I was driving and looked down at the gas tank and realized that we were out of gas. Luckily, we made it to the only gas station in between the two towns. This is the second time this has happened to my father, my mother, and I. The first time was on our way to Norman between Denver and Salina, Kansas. I guess this means we better stop traveling together.
It's been a bit boring the last few days. I received my second immunization from Hep A/B and should be good to go and I also bought new scriptures. Only 28 more days until I report to the MTC. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this blog but I'm still mulling it over as to what should be done.
One Love
PS. As always, any grammatical errors not my problem!
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