Week 65: Howdy Howdy Spring and Frogs

Hello hello!

This has been another week down in quarantine. Our friend Juan is doing really well and opening up a lot to our beliefs. He has so much wisdom and is truly looking for God so it is really cool to be able to help him on his journey. He is going to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and Joseph Smith.

We had a mission wide zoom call with president marsh teaching about yellow pad prayer. And for those of you who haven't heard or remember what it is, basically it is a way to pray and receive revelation. It is a process of bringing our own ideas to the Lord and seeking confirmation as well as planning, and journaling. So lots of writing while praying. It is actually really cool, but hard to explain properly. 

 

We also had interviews. It is president and sister Marsh's last transfer, so our last interviews. So sad, but hopefully the restrictions will continue to lighten up and we can have one last zone conference or softball p-day with them before they go. 

Not too much to report other than that, but I hope everyone is staying safe and happy!

Love, Hermana Nielson :D

 

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Week 64: Holding down the fort

Hello everyone!

This week has been good. 

We had a mission zoom call with Elder Bednar and it was amazing! He has an amazing way of teaching by example. He perfectly exemplifies the pattern of learning he teaches. He teaches people how to teach themselves. I'm grateful for the chance to have heard from him twice, and this time with his wife. 

We had transfers but not much changed in our district and I'm so pumped to be staying here in coal Mountain or now the Azalea branch with sister Anderson for another transfer. It's going to be great and hopefully regulations will continue lightening up and we will be able to meet with the branch in person :)

Juan is doing well. He is growing his testimony and excited to learn more. He even joined our branch zoom call on Sunday and loved it. He was asking when the next one was. It makes everything worth it to help others find their way to Christ. 

That is what is so beautiful about missionary work. John 4:39-42

39 ¶ And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

41 And many more believed because of his own word;

42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world

We need to open our voices and share what we know and love, but more importantly is to lead people to where they can learn and grow to love for themselves. We must first have our own testimony and then share it to help others find the Man who can give them there own. That is the challenge for the week to share your testimony and invite them to learn something for themselves.

Love y'all!

Hermana Nielson  :D

 

 

Week 63: Howdy Howdy

Howdy howdy!

This week has been a bit crazy! We had 100 missionaries come in on Tuesday and Wednesday. And we have 40 more coming in this week. Also, transfers are this week, so we think they will be on Wednesday and we will get calls tonight to find out the news. But with more missionaries coming, we honestly don't know what will happen or if it will change soon. We didn't get anyone in our companionship, but the sisters we live with did. Her name is sister Thompson and she served in Indonesia before here. She is super awesome! It's fun to have her. And we are always with them, so we are basically one big companionship. 

But we had another lesson with Juan and he is so excited to learn the truths of the gospel and the beauties of the plan God has for us. It is so refreshing to know there are people in this world who are seeking God, and how happy they can be as they learn who He really is, and therefore who they really are. 

My birthday on Wednesday was wonderful! Thanks for all of the emails of love and support :) I'm very loved and very spoiled. And I got to talk with my parents 3 times this week because of that and mother's day. So of course, speaking of mother's day, my mom is my hero. I don't have words to express my gratitude for her. She has loved me unconditionally, she has supported me through my crazy life. She has sacrificed her body, time, and sanity for me. She lives her testimony and instilled in me the truths of eternity and a knowledge that my Heavenly Father loves me. Everything that I am, that I have become, is thanks to everything she has given me. And again to my grandmother's for their examples of the light of Christ, of selfless service, charity, and smiles. And being mothers to my parents. I am blessed with a loving family and the best gift of having them forever. I know that family is ordained of God and the purpose of our lives to have eternal joy with our earthly family now, and with them in eternities when we return to our heavenly family.

Stay safe and have a boppin' week!

Love, hermana Nielson :D 

Week 62: Hello, Hello, Hello

Hello hello!

Life is crazy as usual in missionary life- quarantine edition. 

This week we actually had a lot of lessons fall through. Mostly english classes, so not to big of a deal. Also our stake is the best, and we didn't have access to computers so we could only do limited things on our phones, but they got chrome books for the stake center so now we go there a lot to get out of the house and use the computers. 

This week we did have a miracle. Our international zone focus has been to find the one (juan). Knowing that God has prepared people to learn and accept his gospel we need to be ready to teach them and search them out. Well, our Juan (literally) reached out to us. He set up an english class or more of a lesson to talk and practice. But when we had it, it was completely gospel centered. He has a friend in Utah who is a member and suggested he take lessons from the missionaries. And he read a bit about the church and had questions about Joseph smith, the Book of Mormon, and if we believed in life after death. He was so open and grateful to talk with us. It was such a blessing to have God's hand directly in connecting us to each other. 

Thinking about it gave me a perspective to look at life and the way things happen. God has a plan, and a goal for us to be able to reach our potential. And we need to do all we can to prepare for it, and to actively work for it and seek it out. But sometimes despite all we do, it isn't within our power. But Christ is able to bring things to us as we need them and are prepared to receive them. We may not have found Juan, but we did what we could, and he found us. When we live our lives trying to follow God in the best ways we can, he will guide us to where we need to go and cause to happen what needs to happen. I'm so grateful Juan is seeking the truth and doing his best to follow God. Now we have the blessing to help him in his journey :)

This week while trying to not go too crazy from quarantine, think about who could use help in their life (hint: we all do), and who is trying to do the best they can. I invite you to invite them to read the Book of Mormon, pray, have a short conversation with the missionaries, join your come follow me discussion, share their favorite scripture or picture of Christ. Christ invited us to follow him, and to follow his example and best help his sheep, we are to invite. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love, Hermana Nielson :D