Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Vernon Zone

That is a picture of the name tags of some of the Elders in the Vernon Zone.
That's Elder Fitzner (he is my zone leader) and I, we were doing exchanges in Vernon.  I love that guy.  He's so awesome.  I feel bad though because he goes home in a couple of months.
We had such an awesome week.  We set four baptismal dates and almost set a fifth, the lady just needs to quit drinking coffee.  We also had a little family we've been working with come to church and they loved it.  Their kids thought it was super fun.  I also got choked by a Southern Baptist guy.  We knocked on his door one night and he said I don't need or want you mormons knocking on my door.  He said I'm already saved.  We said okay and he grabbed me by the neck.  I'm not sure what I said to set him off, but he was big and mad.  Luckily he just let go and we got the heck out of there. It was super crazy.
I can't believe how I've caught the spirit of missionary work.  I love it.  I think Salmon Arm is my favorite place in the whole world.  My companion thinks I'm crazy because we run from door to door and I'm always betting him that we get a certain number of people to let us in the next ten houses.
When I first got to Canada I felt like I had to memorize the messages and that is what the people cared about, but I've learned it isn't a memorized speech it is the spirit, how we treat them, and what they feel that matters most.  That has helped me so much.
It was so great to talk to you all on Mother's Day.  I can't believe I have almost been out 6 months.  It is the best out here.  I really do love it.  I love you all.  Have a great week.

Elder Nielsen

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Staying in Salmon Arm


I'm staying in Salmon Arm but I got a new companion.  His name is Elder Johnston.  He grew up in Logan and Southern Idaho.  He's been out 16 months and seems really cool.  I'm not sure why I'm getting a new companion every transfer, maybe I'm hard to get along with?
The trip to the mission office to hear about transfers was crazy.  Almost five hours on a grey hound bus to Langley which is by the temple then another hour in a car to Richmond.  I learned I was staying so we slept on cots with no blankets or pillows in the Elder's apartments in Richmond then repeated the process to come back to Salmon Arm the next day.  It was a looong two days.
We have a couple of baptisms scheduled in the next couple of weeks.  I just hope they don't fall through because they usually do.  Things are starting to warm up here, but it still rains a lot and it is really cold when it does.
I hope everyone is doing well.  I love and miss you all so much.  I can't wait to talk to you all on Mother's Day.

Elder Nielsen