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