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
Monday, October 25, 2010
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
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)