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

Week 27:It's ball y'all (football that is)

Hello everyone! This was the last week of the transfer. It's crazy! I've been out for 6 months! That's a third of my mission. This week we had some amazing lessons with Trey, Tripp and his friend Colton, Heidi, and Mayson.

Mayson chose a date to be baptized on October 5th! She is still a little hesitant feeling that she is ready, but we know she is and we'll help her prepare. She is awesome and has such a sweet spirit. Heidi is so receptive to the Spirit! She is so open and real. She is so amazing! I am so excited for her :) 

Trey we had another good lesson, but then he texted us and decided to not keep meeting with us. It was really sad, but he said he was still going to keep reading the book of mormon, so I know eventually he will feel the spirit and come to know it is true.

Tripp brought his friend Colton to the lesson and he was very interested. It was a good lesson and sister ferris heard tripp say that was amazing. So we are super excited! 

We saw blessings from obedience and one of the blessings was 3 girls showing up to institute because one girl's boyfriend came the night before with his roommate who is a member. We are so excited to meet with them! 

I found out that I will be staying here in Athens for another transfer. I'm excited to be here for football season. It will be a great transfer. Go Dawgs!

Love, 

Sister Nielson :D

Week 26: Howdy all y'all

This has been another good week. We had a lesson with a guy named Trey who took the religious survey we did and he is very open! He is super interested in reading the Book of Mormon and when we taught him the restoration the spirit was so powerful! I'm really excited for him to read and feel the same spirit and now that it is true! There is so much joy and getting other people to experience it is so amazing! The best part of being a missionary. 

We met two girls, Hillary and Andrea, who moved up from Peru. Andrea got baptized in Peru and has brought Andrea to church. She is interested and wants to know what she can do to prepare for baptism! They are so amazing!

We had four week follow up this week which is where all the trainers and new missionaries meet up and discuss how training is going. It was such a good meeting! Very inspiring. I had been trying to work on being better and new the Lord was trying to direct me. I got part of my answer at district meeting on Tuesday, but was really not seeing how I could apply it, and Heavenly Father new I was trying, but also knows how much I struggle haha, so someone had to directly say what I needed to hear for me to finally have it click. I am grateful the Lord has a lot of patience with me. Answers will come, I can promise that. But sometimes it is on the Lord's timing, or we are not understanding it. But if we are doing all we can, we will receive our answers eventually. 

We also had a branch activity that we got to go to and eat burgers and talk with the branch. It was so fun and I am enjoying having everyone back and being one big loving accepting family. We also had our first English class and had 3 people come :) Pablo and his wife Nicole, and Chris, their friend. They all moved from Chile recently. We also invited the girls from Peru to come this week :) it was fun and I hope they continue to go well. 

This has kinda been an interesting week. Lots of people have dropped us, so that was kinda disappointing, but I'm excited to work with those who are ready. There is an urgency in the work and I can feel it. We must prepare and be prepared and if we are not willing to act then we will not be ready. So please, act and be ready :) that's all for my preaching today haha

Love you all!

Sister Nielson :D 

Week 25: Who let the Dawgs out!?!?!

Hey y'all! It's been a good one!

We got fed twice this week! It was amazing :) we also had zone conference on Wednesday. They went over a families and temples discussion we are focused on in this mission. Its specific to our mission, but it is really cool. I understand it, but never have had too much practice with the full thing since we focus on just pieces with the young single adults. So it was nice to have them go through it all in detail, since all of us who have been out less than a year haven't had a training on it. It's really been successful because families are so important to everyone and having something to relate all the principles we teach to helps people really understand the importance and blessings of the gospel. 

Also on Wednesday sister Trussell had a little bike crash. She was going too fast and hit a trash can and landed on some rocky ground. She's okay, just some bruising on her ribs. But it's on the mend. So now all of us except for sister Coleman have fallen off of our bikes. 

We had zone conference which is always so powerful. That many missionaries and the spirit is just so strong. They did some trainings on the family and temples discussion that we are focused on here. It was very helpful to hear all the details of it. 

We were able to go to campus this week since school started! Woot woot! I have never seen so many people on campus! Even when I first got here at the end of last semester there weren't this many people out and about. It is quite intimidating and terrifying, but we have been able to have some great conversations with people. I believe we will be lead to those who are prepared to act and receive the gospel.

I know this is the work of the Lord. It is a joyful work, but is a work. God is truly extending His hand, but Satan is working hard to deceive many hearts to turn away and not accept His offer of peace and eternal life. Please, take the time to notice God's hand, but most importantly REACH BACK! Draw near to Him in prayer and scripture study.

Love,

Sister Nielson :)