Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Let it Snow

It was a great week just super busy and kind of crazy.  We had a zone conference on Thursday which was cool because we were right by the temple.  I got some great pics that I haven't figured out how to send you from my new camera.  Elder Christofferson is coming this Friday and Saturday to talk to us.  That is super exciting that a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is coming to our mission.

It has been snowing for 3 days straight which is crazy.  I was driving to the church and we got stuck in the snow so we had to have 20 missionaries push us out.  My companion had to go the doctor in Chilliwack which is about an hour away to get an ingrown toenail fixed.  The next day he was sick and his toes hurt really bad and he couldn't walk so we just stayed in the apartment.  It was weird.

I got a new haircut before Elder Christofferson comes because my old one was so bad.  We had an investigator make us pancakes for breakfast one morning which was way fun.  We dis some more service for the Gaspar family.  We also got 6 new investigators this week which was great.  Besides that not a lot happened just a ton of snow!!!

I still can't get my pictures off the new camera.  I've got to have someone help me.

I love you all.  Have a good week.

Elder Nielsen

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

New Companion

I got a new companion this past week (on Feb. 13th actually).  I think everyone was a little surprised because you are usually with your first trainer for at least 12 weeks.  I was only with Elder Van Fleet for six.  My new companion is from Vancouver, his name is Elder Hudson and he is 24.  He has epilepsy and has had seizures in the past so they want to keep him close to home.  He knows the scriptures really well and is a hard worker so I am learning a lot.

We have three general authorities coming to our mission the first week of March.  We are all a little nervous but super excited too.  President Tilleman says they want to come see how one of the best missions in the church operates.  I hope that is true.

We have been doing a lot of service lately because no one seems very interested in our message.  We talk to a lot of people but most of them just want to argue about why the church isn't true.  We have found that isn't a very effective way to teach the gospel and everyone just ends up mad.  So we are doing service instead which is good.

One of these weeks I will remember my camera so I can send some more pics.  I hope everyone is doing well.  I love and appreciate all your support!

Elder Nielsen

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

First Baptism

Missionary work this week was super crazy.  We found so many new investigators and I baptized Anthony on February 1st.  This was my first baptism.   He was supposed to call us early Saturday morning, but we never heard from him until 4 p.m.  We got kind of nervous because the baptism was at 6 p.m.  We had problems with the font so I ended up baptizing him in like a foot of water and he almost hit his head on the bottom.  Anthony bore his testimony after he was baptized and said he knew the church was true and this is ONE for the Lord and ZERO for Satan.  He has such a powerful testimony.  The bishop and I just sat there amazed, it was such a spiritual experience.  After the baptism the font wouldn't drain so we had to get buckets and pour the water down a different drain.  It took us forever.

We also met another lady on the street and she argued with us about the Book of Mormon.  We told her to read the book and we'd be back later in the week to talk to her about it. I'm just praying that she read it and is waiting for us to come back.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I love and miss you all.

Elder Nielsen