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