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
Monday, December 13, 2010
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
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