Week 24: Dog Tracting for the Win!

Hello everyone! 

This week we've had lots going on. People are finally moving back in so we've been finding lots of people!! It's so fun! We were out knocking doors one night and I saw a beautiful dog I wanted to pet so I said, let's go dog contact (probably my favorite way to contact) so we got to pet his dog and talk with him. His name was Thomas and he was awesome! He was down to learn more and meet again, so we went back yesterday and had a good lesson teaching him about the restoration of Christ's church and authority on earth. He seemed to understand everything well and had some great questions. We are so excited to meet with him again this week :) also, his dog is huge and decided it was a lap dog so he sat on me most of the lesson. I loved every second of it :) 

We also met some really cute roommates last week who were very faithful in their church. We talked about the book of Mormon and in setting up a time to bring some by and they actually invited us over for dinner! It was awesome! They are so sweet and supportive. They asked us questions and are very devout baptists but I didn't feel any hostility.  We are going to continue meeting with them to discuss things. It sounds like they want to take us out to an iron horse statue that lots of students go to and have a picnic. 

With the four of us planning is crazy. When we were weekly planning area book couldn't handle it and stopped working for us. So we had to take some time to bike out to the dollar store and get paper planners. Luckily we have area book working again because I am unbelievably grateful for it.  Plans change so much that it would all be scratched out and reschedule a bazillion different times. 

Sister Trussell and Sister Ferris spoke in church yesterday. And on Saturday I was asked to play the piano and we were asked to teach relief society. So we ran the show yesterday. It was so good to see so many people there and some familiar faces of people coming back to school and new ones too. 

Also, rush started this weekend. So all the sororities have tents up with tables and snack and tons of girls everywhere in rompers and sundresses and heels. It's quite interesting to see. I'll try and get a video of it. But the girls practicing were all screaming and it was crazy. Greek life is very foreign ha ha

Also, you'll be hearing a lot about the war chapters of the Book of Mormon because that is where I'm reading right now and I love them. But in Helaman 1 the Lamanites decide to march to the middle of the Nephite lands and take the capital city. The Nephites hadn't expected that and weren't prepared for it. But as the lamanites moved to conquer the rest of the lands the neophytes were able to surround them and win the battle. I think it is a perfect example to prove God's love. Bad things happen sometimes because of our choices, others, or just life, but as we turn to the Lord and do what we should he will make the best of the situation for us. He promises that our experiences will be for our gain. I know that is true. I am living that truth every day.

Love y'all!!

Sister Nielson :D

Week 23: Topsy Turrvey

Hey y'all! This has been a crazy week!


We had awesome exchanges this week with the Senior STLs. It was awesome to see how they do door approaches, connect with people, and teach principles whenever they can. They are so amazing. Exchanges always brings miracles and this was no different. We were able to find four new people while on exchanges. That's almost how many people we've talked to this summer haha. And we've kept the fire going and have found two more after exchanges too. 


We had a crazy thing happen. We got a call and found out we were getting another companion that night. So it was really quick and stressful to figure everything out. But she's cool. She's from the Cartersville stake so was in the GAM and has been out for 7 months. So we are now in a quadship, but we break off and work in twos. I think we are going to get UGA really going and have lots of work for both of our companionships. We are excited to learn and grow and see how this things go.


We have a tentative date for Elena to be baptized on September 28th and go to the temple on October 8th with her when the temple is open after cleaning. But we are all hoping to have it sooner. She said she just wants to make sure her family is there, so hopefully there is a day sooner that they could all go. 


I also got sick this week. We are pretty sure it was from exchanges, so they shared more than just finding ideas haha. But a branch member got us some medicine and I got a blessing, so hopefully I will be at full capacity again soon. Also, school starts on the 14 and we are so excited!

Sorry, I've been pretty scatterbrained with trying to think and problem solve and being sick. But rush is coming up next week. That's where all the sorority girls go around trying to join a sorority. I've heard its absolutely crazy. So more details to come. Also, I Know that God puts us where we need to be and that we can make the best of all situations because things done by revelation are always for our benefit and we just need to turn it to the Lord for Him to make it the best for us. This is how we grow and can be happy through the growing pains.

Love Y'all 

Sister Nielson:D 

Also sister trussell who I'm with the most is from Mississippi so I'm going to get a major southern accent going soon

Week 22: I'm humpty dumpty!

So this week was one full of bumps, bruises, and blessings. 

We had transfers on Tuesday! We got sister Coleman :) she is so sweet. She is from Kanab, Utah. We all get along really well which is great :) 

We had some great lessons with our friends and Shania is really progressing. We are really excited to see her continue. We actually got to go to the farmers market with her which was so much fun! We also had some stressful scheduling situations where people wanted to have lessons that day right after a lesson we had planned, but timing always works out because the Lord is in charge. 

Elena is back for the summer so we are hoping to get her baptized soon. Also, her sister is really interested so we met with them this week. It's so exciting when people see the blessings and happiness of the gospel.

One blessing this week was when sister Ferris' bike broke. The piece that holds the wheel in place broke. We were able to make it home safely and then the next day stopped at the bike shop on the way to the institute and gave us the piece she needed for free. Such a miracle! 

And the others came on Saturday. We were biking over a set of railroad tracks that we go over a lot. But this time I must have hit at the wrong angle. My bike was turned and ripped out from under me. The first blessing was that there were no cars at that time. The next that I was in sturdy pants that helped protect my legs some. Another that I wasn't scraped up too bad, just my hands, knee, and some major bruises. And finally that my bike wasn't broken. When we got home I had to fix the brakes on my front tire, but it was an easy fix and everything else was fine so we were able to bike home safely. So I'm okay, and just struggling with my bike. That was really the only crash I've had. But I have fallen off a few times in the last three weeks, but I've been protected. Still don't know why I'm struggling so much with my bike haha. 

I know the Lord helps us and that we may not be able to be saved from every bruise and bump in life, but as we are doing all we can to follow Him, He helps us and watches over us. Bad things still come in life, but we are able to have the strength and comfort to make it through. He is aware of us and puts those in our lives who can help us and who we are meant to help. Take note and thank them and help who you can.

Love you all!

Sister Nielson