Tuesday, January 28, 2014

January 27, 2014

Yesterday in church the speakers ended 5 minutes early and the bishop said Elder Nielsen would you mind coming up and sharing a few thoughts with us.  I was freaking out.  When I got up there my mind went blank so I talked a little about being a new missionary and bore my testimony.   The congregation was laughing and the Bishop said wow you are a funny guy Elder Nielsen.  It was crazy but I'm fine.

We had an investigator invite us over for dinner on Thursday.  The guy is in his 60's and it was super nice that he invited us over.  I was excited because I got to use my Canadian drivers license for the first time.  I drove around with Elder Sly, he is one of our zone leaders.  It was fun to drive again.  Anthony one of our investigators is getting baptized February 1st.  We are super excited.  That will my first baptism!!

I got to play basketball with a bunch of missionaries last P-day at the church.  It was fun and the first time I've done that since I've been in Canada.  I miss playing basketball.  

Elder Van Fleet and I are both out of money on our mission cards so we have been eating eggs (which a member brings us everyday) and Macaroni and Cheese every meal.  I have to say I'm kind of sick of both.  I can't wait for February 1st so we can have something decent to eat again.

I'm getting a new camera today because the old one doesn't work.  Then I can start sending some pictures along with my weekly e-mail.  Although the haircut I got from Elder Van Fleet a few weeks ago is so bad I'm not sure I want to show it off.

Have a great week everyone.  I love you all.

Elder Nielsen


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

General Authorities

Hi Everyone,

We found out last week there are four General Authorities coming to our Mission on March 4th.  We don't know which four yet, but that is super exciting.  President Tilleman hasn't said anything about why they are visiting us.  It should be fun.

Elder Van Fleet and I had a weird experience last week.  This girl came up to us and said do you want to meet my friend and I at Tim Horton's for dinner.  I had the weirdest feeling like we shouldn't go, but Elder Van Fleet said it was fine.  We met them and part way through dinner this guy come in and said can I join the conversation.  It felt so weird and I wanted to leave but didn't say anything.  This guy started yelling at us and quoting from the Bible in Revelations.  Everyone in Tim Horton's was looking and us and I finally told Van Fleet we've got to get out of here.  It was the weirdest experience.

We been working with three investigators.  Thomas is super poor and has nothing, he just smokes all day.  We got him a white shirt and tie and he came to church with us on Sunday.  He smelled so bad, it seemed  like he was smoking in church.  There is another guy named Anthony.  We are not sure why he won't get baptized.  And this couple in their 80's.  They are super funny.  The wife just loves me and is always telling me how cute I am.

The weeks are flying by.  My first transfer is February 6th.  I'm not sure if I will get transferred or not.

I love you all.  Have a great week.

Elder Nielsen

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

2014


We had hoped to go the Bishop's house on Christmas day, but ended up going to this poor ladies house instead.  She has four boys and no husband.  The week before Christmas her house was broken into and they had a whole bunch of stuff stolen.  We went to their house and I shared a Christmas story with them.  It was great!!

I got to go on splits with Elder Higgins from Lehi last week.  He has been out for 23 months.  It was crazy we were literally running from door to door, the good news is we found three investigators.  It was great to work with Elder Higgins I learned a lot from him.  I told Elder Van Fleet that we need to start running from door to door because we found so much more success that way.  Not sure why, but we did.

I've completed one month of my mission.  It some ways it feels like it has gone fast and in other ways it has been slow.  I love being a missionary and I know this is where I need to be.  I love and miss you all so much.  Have a great week.

Elder Nielsen