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