Week43: Feliz Navidad

Hola! This has been another good week. 

We had zone conference this week which was absolutely amazing! It was exactly what I needed to get new ideas and re energized. We also got to sing a few Christmas hymns all together at the end and sister Marsh (mission president's wife) put up a fireplace video for "atmosphere" ha ha! 

We had exchanges with the STL's, which was a blast! They are also Spanish so that was great. I went to riverside with sister brooks and sister Gray was with sister zuniga. We were on bikes for the exchange which I actually liked. I miss biking, but I'm grateful for the car when it's really cold or raining. We also went caroling with their district which was really fun. Light the world is so amazing to just share light and love with others. 

Our miracle this week happened right after exchanges. We were over in the far corner of our area so we decided to stop by some people the elders had referred to us from others or contacts. We stopped by looking for angelica, but a woman named Alice opened the door. She had just moved in with this family the day before. And get this, on the plane ride from Chile she sat next to a missionary who was able to give her a copy of the book of Mormon with her testimony in it. We both know that we were brought together by God and are excited to get to work with her more and help her. 

We also did an activity with the elders in our district. We passed out candy canes with the light the world cards and invitations to the special christmas service on Sunday. It was really fun, and we did it out in front of a massive talpas supermercado. 

I am so excited for Christmas and getting to spend time with those we are teaching and the members. May we all continue to feel this spirit of love and giving. Christ's birth was not the end, it was what followed that really brought miracles and changed the world. 

Love y'all and Feliz Navidad!

Hermana Nielson :)

Week 42: Another Great Week

Howdy!

This was another good week.

We were able to stop by some people we had made contact with and have little lessons, which was great. I love getting to light the world! There is so much love and hope. And sharing with others just increases those. 

We have been teaching more private English classes which is going great! Ofelia is really loving meeting with us and really wants to come to church and activities, but has a hard work schedule. So we are really praying for her to have the opportunities she so wants. 

Catalina and Nicolas are reading the Book of Mormon and praying :) they really have noticed the difference in their lives from meeting with us. The spirit really works miracles and it is such a blessing to have the first row to see their lives becoming happier. 

I know the gospel is true and that God has given us everything he has to help us be happy. To be truly happy that comes from the inside out and lasts forever. We can be happy in whatever circumstances because this happiness comes from who we are, how we have the spirit with us, and focusing on gratitude.

Thanks for all the prayers and love!

Have a fantabulous week!

Hermana Nielson :D

 

 

Week 41: Always a little uncomfortable

Hello everyone!!

This was quite the week.

It started with finally moving in on Tuesday. Our new place is so nice! And it is actually by Hispanics. We are the 3rd floor so we were a bit sore after moving in haha. But this place has a gym, and resident ducks :) we love it!

President Marsh is doing great. Nothing was amiss and so he is good to go, but thanks for all the prayers. And things worked out for interviews on Thursday too.

The best part of the week was of course mission conference. Elder Bednar came!! It was absolutely incredible to learn from him. He had us prepare by studying four of his addresses. And then we got to ask questions and he would ask questions back or make suggestions. And then would have us notice the patter of learning. Ultimately we learned how we should learn. Along with our own personal answers. He showed us how to learn by the spirit one on one with a group of people. One comment he made about relying on the spirit was that if we are doing it right we will always be a bit uncomfortable. Because revelation takes preparation, but it is an individual thing specific to who, when, and where. So sometimes at stake conferences he would take peoples talks/notes and make them speak by the spirit. Crazy!! But it was a very powerful experience and completely draining!

Catalina and Nicolas are doing really well! They have been praying and when we come for lessons and ask them if they have their Book of Mormons with them they pull them out and immediately open asking what page we are going to. They are really amazing!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and takes time to notice and create Holy moments in their week

Hermana Nielson :)

Week 40: Two dinners

Hey everyone!

This has been a good but busy week. We are preparing to move into a new apartment so we had to get all our new house stuff and pack and clean up so I don't have lots of time. But we were able to have good lessons with Catalina and she is really opening up to us.

Also, thanksgiving was great! I got to talk with my family and have two dinners. One with the mission office couple and the other with a member family. I love the people here and am so grateful for their love and receptiveness.

My Spanish is getting better. I need to focus on understanding when others are talking to us, but we are coming along. Stay tuned because this Saturday we have a mission conference and Elder Bednar is going to talk with us! Woot woot! I'm so pumped! Any ways, love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Hermana Nielson :D

Week 39: Feliz Día de Gracias!

Hola a todos!

This week has been good. The first week of the transfer is off to a good start. We have been bopping to the new 2020 youth album haha. I think they make those specifically for missionaries :) we appreciate them. 

Things seem to be moving forward on the apartment but slowly. If everything goes well we might be able to move in December 2nd. So here is hoping! 

To help our english class and for reaching more people we have been making some videos for it. We did a news show thing to help explain thanksgiving and it was so funny. We did a few takes, but the missionary manning the camera figured out how to pause and then just hit play, so there are some funny blooper moments we left in to laugh at. So my Spanish continues to get better which is good.

We had a branch Thanksgiving activity which was great! And after eating they moved the tables and chairs and had a dance party. They pulled us in and made us dance haha. It was so fun and such a different culture of branch party. But they loved our dancing and we won their hearts. 

We had a miracle happen this week. We were out knocking on Saturday and met a guy named José. He is so prepared for the gospel! He is going through some things, and I know we were led to him now to help him come to Jesus Christ! I am so grateful to Christ for everything he has done. For creating the earth, being the perfect example, and being my savior and redeemer. I am so excited for this upcoming Christmas season and light the world! The new Christ Child video is absolutely amazing!! Please go watch it and share it with your friends, coworkers, and everyone. We all can use more light in our lives. 

Remember this week to focus on what is important- family and showing gratitude to the Lord for all He is and does. I love you all! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

- Hermana Nielson :)

Week 38:: Kikiriki

Hello everyone!!

I am so sorry I didn't send out an email last week. P-day was a zone activity that went all day, but was a ton of fun and very much needed :) 

But now to explain everything. So, from two weeks ago we had international zone conference. It was really awesome! We had a training on language studies and working with the members. It was great because we've been focusing on building our relationship with the members and helping them. Things have been going well with that :)  we also found out that the apartments didn't work out and so that's been frustrating. But I know it will all work out the way it needs to in the time it needs to. We had a scheduled time to stop by a part member family and we went early to knock around them, but they saw us and were excited we were early because she was hoping to feed us. So we got dinner too :) it was tacos and I definitely got on her good side by eating a lot. So that was good, and after we knocked around their neighbors and met a guy named Frank who had met missionaries before and had some questions about the Book of Mormon. It's just been hard to meet with him again because him and his wife work opposite schedules. We had exchanges with the STL's who are Spanish so that was actually really fun :) and we were the first time they actually exchanged with another Spanish companionship. They are so fun, I love them. 

This week we've had some private English classes which are really fun. It's such a blessing to be able to help people and see how grateful they are to God for this chance. 

We also did a challenge the counselor in the mission presidency over the languages challenged us to do. It was to knock for dinner. So we went around asking if people would be willing to feed servants of the Lord. There have been really cool experiences people have had with this. So we tried it and it was kinda scary. And we didn't get fed. I believe that it wasn't meant that we had to be fed to prove our faith, but that in doing it we showed and strengthened our faith. It's like having the faith to not be healed. So that was an interesting experience. 

We also found a husband and wife. We shared with Catalina and Nicolas 2 Nefi 1:5-6 and they loved it! It talks about being brought to this land by the hand of the Lord. It is so true. All these people are here for the opportunities they have, and most importantly the chance to hear the message of the restored gospel. We met with her again while he was at work in Mississippi. We are excited for them to receive the gospel and the blessings of it too :)

My Spanish has been coming a long well, I know my years in high school have really helped. God prepares us in ways we don't always know or understand. 

The title is what roosters say in Spanish. One day we were stopping by some less actives and this rooster came strutting out in the yard. He was cool, and sister Zuniga wanted to try and touch it but didn't get it ha ha, so of course I tried and decided to just go for it and got scared when he flapped his wings thinking he was coming for me haha. So I'm learning and growing, but still do bad ideas ha ha

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week :)

 

Hermana Nielson

Week 36: Juan Del Ban~o

This week was a good week, but had it's ups and downs. 

Tuesday night was the branch Halloween party. I dressed up like an old lady, my great great grandma Mary Ann Hurley Pratt. It was fun to talk with everyone, and the music was hilarious. They would play thriller or Ghost busters or some Halloween song and then some random spanish song. But that night was a lot of fun to see everyone dressed up and having fun. 

We had zone conference on Wednesday which was very inspiring. They talked a lot about truly becoming. Also how we can better plan and focus our lessons on helping the individuals prepare to receive blessings and make covenants with God. It was a really inspiring conference. 

Halloween night we couldn't be out knocking, so we had a zone activity where we got together and played 9 square and had a fire with s'mores. It was so much fun! I love 9 square and hadn't played in forever. 

This week we were also told to find an apartment again, so we looked around a lot and toured some and found one that should work. We should hear back today or tomorrow about it, so here is hoping. It is actually up in the area we are working in. So that has been kinda rough just rezoning our working area multiple times and not being able to quite settle down, but we are hoping to move in this week. Especially because the basement we live in right now is always 66° 

The title comes because we met Juan and set up an appointment for the next day. When we showed up he was just getting out of his truck and told us to go visit the neighbors because he had to use the bathroom and would be in there for a bit... so we went back a bit later and it smelled like weed, so we aren't sure if it was coming from the bathroom or the neighbors, but that was unfortunate. We think teaching the word of wisdom will help with his bowels haha. 

But we met some people this week and had lessons, but they usually flake and don't answer for our return appointment. It's sad knowing what blessings and happiness people are missing out on, but it is a reminder for all of us to turn to God openly to receive those blessings. 

Also, I bore my testimony! It was super simple and I wrote it down, but I shared it in Spanish for the first time. And I also taught the spiritual thought at our member dinner that night too. My Spanish is improving :)

Love y'all!

Hermana Nielson :D 

Week 35: Hola! My spanish is coming along!

Hola  todos!

I don't have tons of time, but I'll try and get something in. This has been a good week. We met some kids of a part member family who really want to learn about God. We are so excited to teach Eduardo and Jackie :) 

We got lost in an RV/Trailor park so fancy it had a church inside it. 

We got told by a guy that what we are doing is great, but if we read the bible we should know women are to worship in silence ha ha. It was pretty funny. 

For P-day we had a get together with other Sister missionaries in the area. We decided since it was Halloween this week we would make caramel apples deluxe

. Let's just say delicious.

We are settling into the area. We had some amazing tacos from a member and had so much food that night. Between the food and having a car, I am going to gain so much more weight ha ha. 

My spanish is coming back and I am making progress, but it will still be a while before I am able to really understand and speak back well. Thank you everyone for your prayers and love, it helps so much! 

Love, Hermana Nielson :D

Week 34: Lights, Ladders and Leaves

Hola todos!

This week was my first week in the new area and it is awesome! It has been a little bit stressful, but nothing too bad. We white-washed in as new sisters, meaning we are both new to the area. And we moved into the apartment of the old office sisters, and they left it really trashed. We spent the first two days cleaning and took 12-15 trash bags out.

 

My new companion is Sister Zuniga! She is from Washington and we get along really well. She is so funny. She has been serving her whole mission in Rome, for the last 11 months. So she switched missions when we gained that side of the mission. But she got switched to spanish right after she finished training so her 3rd month. So she knows what I am going to switching to Spanish. But I'm super excited for the transfer to get in working hard and getting to know the area, culture, and people.

We also live on the other side of the area from where all the Hispanics live, so we've been looking for an apartment up there. There are two sets of elders also working in the area and they have some plans and ideas they are sharing. It just has taken some time and effort to get that communicated. But it is a great area and the branch is great. 

My first Sunday, yesterday, I didn't know a whole ton of what was happening haha. But I'll get it as I get more used to being around spanish. I also learned how to scout where they live. If they have Christmas lights up, ladders and the white vans, and plants all over. It's actually fairly easy to pick out, but might be harder with the holiday season coming up haha. 

But we have been able to meet a few people and set up some lessons. The first guy we really met was named Oscar and we are pretty sure he is a single dad, which is pretty ironic. We were telling the elders that if they need help with single women or people who don't have men at home for the elders to be able to go inside we could help and the first person we find probably won't have a woman for us to he able to go in haha. But we are so pumped for this new area so stay posted! :) 

Also, I know that God is able to use what we give him to work with. The little Spanish I know, the little knowledge we have of the area, when we don't have as much time to get out talking to people can all be used by Him. And if we are willing to try our hardest and be open to his guidance he can cause miracles to happen. And that is how we were able to find Oscar. This is God's work and he just blesses us with the chance to help. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve him.

I love y'all!

Hermana Nielson :)

  We cleaned 14 bags of trash out of the apartment we moved into.

 

Week 33: Dawg Days are Over

Hola!

This week has been pretty good. 

I gave a training at district council. I talked about some of the ideas at conference like our defensive and offensive plans against satan and pulled out all my remembering of learning about the anatomy of castles from my family history class. It actually went pretty well. (*disclude from email- other than my companions not really paying attention and actually getting up to eat while I gave it because it was over video chat) 

We met some really cool people on campus. There was a Chinese girl named Xinyi who was super cute and nice. We also met a girl who seems really interested named Lisa, which is funny because the other sisters just had a Lisa get baptized. So hopefully these people continue meeting with us. 

Sister Trussell got a call and will be training a new missionary so we got to go down to trainers meeting. That was good as always. We went to eat with lots of the sisters after at a place called Don Pedro's. It was so cheap and soooooo good. 

Jeana is doing so well. She keeps growing in her faith and light. She came to church on Sunday and even got up and bore her testimony. It was awesome!!! 

So I am being transferred tomorrow. It's pretty bitter sweet. I'm excited to experience something new and a family ward, but I am going to really miss campus and the ysa branch here. They really have become family. But I got switched to Spanish so I will be learning that! And I am going to an area called Stone Mountain. It is down at the bottom of the mission, close to Atlanta and the mission office. They have two sets of Elders there right now, but we will be the first sisters there. My companion is sister Zuniga :) she was in the stake that got moved into our mission a few months ago. I've heard that she is the funniest. I am excited :) (*I'm also a little worried because I got a call explaining that we would be living in a members basement apartment, and that she has been going through some rough things and to just be my loving supporting self. So we will see how that goes. Especially since we are white washing and she is training someone in spanish. So lots of stress, but I know the Lord will support us and I think she seems pretty cool from the little I have met her.)

This week has really been a testimony builder about how much good can be done without knowing it. And how much love is the best influence. I've been able to create such good relationships with the branch members and have gotten to see little bits of how I was able to help lots of them personally just by loving and serving them. I'm really going to miss them, but I'll be back. Go Dawgs!!

Love y'all!

Sister Nielson

P.s. the place I'm going is the place we got Don Pedro's! 🌮

 

 

Week 32:Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!!!

Hey everybody! 

This was a good week full of lots of uplifting. 

We had sister's conference this week, which is like a big zone conference for all the sisters in the mission. It was really cool and very uplifting and motivating. It was out in Roswell and went over by two hours so it took the whole day, but it was so needed. 

There was one day when we had lots of lessons planned, but almost everyone cancelled or didn't show up. But, at the end of the day we had our lesson with Jeana and it went so well. It made up for everything else. She is sincerely looking for the truth and has finally found it :) she even came to the Sunday morning session of conference! And when someone, I believe president Nelson, talked about meeting with the missionaries she held up her water cup in cheers. It was hilarious! We are so excited for her. 

We have also been working with Brice and Stephen. They are very involved in their own church but are seeking more truth and have lots of great questions. Things are kinda slow but because I know they are honest seekers they will one come to know of the truth of what we share. But they are awesome! And Stephen looks kinda like my ultimate Frisbee coach and even plays Frisbee too ha ha.

General conference was amazing! We are so loved and blessed to be able to hear from the living prophets and apostles. Christ truly directs this church and has given much inspiration and revelation to the leaders of the church in how to best help the members live the principles of the gospel and move forward in strengthening and building the kingdom of God. Please take the time to go back and study, read, re-watch the talks because they answer our questions and let the spirit confirm truth and what we need to do. 

It's the last week of the transfer and I will probably be leaving. But I still have a week to do all I can and hopefully help leave the people here better than I found them. 

Love y'all! 

Sister Nielson :D 

Week 31: Ups and Downs

Hello everyone! It's been another week

We got a call on Tuesday and our quad was split into two companionships. We were basically functioning that way already so it wasn't too much different. Now we just don't do studies together so I don't get to do 12 week, the new missionary training anymore, but it's ok.

We met an amazing girl on campus named Jeana. She has been searching for the gospel without knowing it. She was wondering/worried about her brother in the life to come since he doesn't believe in Christ. She was so interested to hear about the Plan God has for us and the way Christ has prepared for everyone. I am so excited to meet with her she comes back from visiting her family! 

We also had our friend Heidi stop wanting to meet with us. She texted us really out of the blue, and so we don't know why. So that was really sad because we were seeing how much the gospel was blessing her life and bringing her happiness. But we can't force this on anyone, just share and hope they find the joy in it to stay.

We also got to help out at a family history youth activity on Saturday. We were in charge of teaching a rotation about family history journals and how to make them on their phones. I know there is strength in learning about our ancestors and their lives and stories. It really does bring a connection to heaven. I have seen the strength come from this and am amazed at the hard things they went through with cheerful hearts. Please go learn about your ancestors. It is such a blessing!

We also wanted to get the branch more involved with missionary work and feeling comfortable with sharing their beliefs and what is important to them, so we created a little challenge. We made an amazing race with different acts or ways to invite people or share the gospel for different amounts of points. They are in groups competing to win. And after we announced it everyone seemed really pumped and excited! We are so excited to see them really get out and sharing :) I know it is scary to go out and share the gospel, or sometimes we don't even know where to start, but member missionary work isn't a program, it is a lifestyle. So just talk about what you did with your ward, church, share a scripture that was meaningful to you. This church isn't a one day a week thing. It is what we live so it should be easy to talk about. I want you each to pray about a way you can share something this week and then to pray for the courage to do it. 

Have a wonderful week!!

Love, sister Nielson :D

Week 30: Stadium Service

Howdy y'all! This was such a good week :)

We talked with so many people and found quite a few who are interested in learning more and strengthening their relationships with Christ. 

We had zone conference this week which was probably the best zone conference I've been to. It was so inspiring and motivating. We got some great ideas and have had a sense of urgency in talking with people and helping them understand the importance of the restored gospel. We really liked an idea about sharing the why then the how, and then the what. It really helps show how it applies to everyone and is meant to help them each personally.  

After zone conference we had exchanges with the senior sister training leaders. One of them went back to UGA with my companions and I went to Lilburn with another. It was also a 3 way exchange with the Oconee Spanish sisters. It was such a fun exchange. They sisters I was with only have 9 weeks left in their mission and they are just absolutely amazing and powerful. I loved getting to learn from them about being able to follow the spirit in testifying in simple but powerful statements. 

One of the recent converts was ordained to the priesthood this week. It was wonderful to get to be there for that. And to see how excited Matthaeus is to be able to help people with God's power. It was a very wonderful night.

Then Saturday was Game Day!! We got to help put out the shaker pompoms on all the seats. A member in the branch is in the air force ROTC and invited us to come help. It was a lot of work and very very hot, but it was so fun!! And we were actually in the stadium! I touched the grass haha after we talked with tons of people, set church up, pulled out our table and lemonade and talked with more people. One guy saw us and said, "every time I've taken a card the dawgs have won Since the game didn't start until 8 people were getting really drunk, so we left just after seven to go home and do our studies. It was a long, exhausting day but so amazing!! 

On Sunday we talked about fortifying our lives and homes and learned from the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. I love when it talks about Captain Moroni because I look up to him so much and am trying to be like him. I love alma 48:13 "Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood." And it really hit me this time, haven't I made that same promise? I'm really trying to live by the same principles and motivation. I may not have to fight in a battle like him, but I still must live as righteously and valiantly as him with Christ central to my life. I cannot forget what truly matters most. And neither can you! So hold strong and find your purpose.

I love you all!

Sister Nielson :)

 

week 29: Hey Y'all

Hey y'all! 

This has been a good week full of laughing. We got to go to the temple this week! Always such a blessing :) I've been thinking a lot about having been anointed versus being anointed. Christ had been anointed, but also was and is anointed. It's not as much about the specific responsibilities or power than it is how we are living to fulfill them. That is the same with the covenants we make to God. The covenant is important because we live it. 

We had our semiannual deep clean this week. So everything was scrubbed and cleaned and organized.Cleanliness truly is near to Godliness. The spirit is more welcome and resides more easily when everything is clean.

We also had exchanges with the sister training leaders. Sister Witham came here and was mainly with me. 

She is amazing! I love her! And learned so much about how to try new approaches. Also, saturday was game day! Since the game started at 12 we were out at 9, so it was a long fun day! When it got hot after the game everyone was so excited for the lemonade :) and the dawgs won 53-0. Apparently we pay 

them to come play so that we can practice for the Notre Dame game. That should be a good one this week. 

Sadly, this week we took Elena off date to be baptized. But it is only going to be pushed back. Her dad wants to learn more and even come to church with her and do bible studies to become more familiar with the church and hopefully support Elena in being baptized. So in two months she can choose to continue with baptism! I know that she has a testimony of this gospel and will be baptized. I am a little sad that the blessings that await her after baptism will be delayed.

But overall it has been a good week :)

Love y'all!

Sister Nielson :D 

Week 28: 2 for the Dawgs!

So this week was a good week :)

I got to go to transfer meeting and see all the new people coming in and feel of the spirit there. It is so uplifting and motivating. You have that many missionaries together and it can't not be powerful. So that was a blessing to get to go. 

This week we found a cool guy named Brice who we taught the restoration to when we met him and he had lots of good deep questions. When we had a lesson with him he actually brought his roommate. So that is cool! We have been able to talk with tons of people, and I think we've all pretty much gotten past the awkward part and just stop people as they are walking even when they have headphones. It's amazing to see how much you can grow and overcome things with hardwork and relying on the Lord. I know He gives strength for us to accomplish anything He asks of us. He truly is my strength and I will boast in my God for I can do nothing without Him.

A girl named Lisa that sister Ferris and Coleman are working with wants to get baptized! She had been praying and saw one of the branch members on campus that she recognized and they talked. He shared his conversion experience and was the answer to her prayer. Right after was their lesson and she chose a date to be baptized on!! So exciting!

The Dawgs played Murray state and destroyed them 63-17! But what can you expect when Georgia is 3rd in the nation. (Trying to be humble over here 😉) but it was exciting. The game was at 4 and we were out all afternoon talking to people and passing out cards to everyone and their dog! Got a bit burned but not too bad. And then we went over by the stadium and we could see in from a road by the student center. It was amazing!! And so cool to hear the crowd as we biked up. We couldn't really see much but it was quite the experience! 

This is going to be a transfer to remember for sure! UGA football season baby!

Love y'all!

Sister Nielson :D