Just another day in.. Paradise! 25 Mar 2013

Alooooooha! 

Wowza! Thanks so much for sending the pictures! I LOVED THEM! You guys never send me pictures. And Erin, you look freaking GORGEOUS! Ahh the pink blush dress looked dang good! I was showing some of the Elders here and they said "you guys are twins." Not the first time I've heard that. But I'm ok with it. You're gorgeous girl. :) Oh and you looked good too Cody! Workin Dad's suit. Mmmhmm. Wouldn't expect anything less. I'm glad you guys had a fun time. It's so weird that it's prom time already. Is time flying or is it just me?

Summer.. How are you doing? I'm sure you just as happy and smiley as always. Carly, are you enjoying school? Ready for summer? Adelaide, I am so happy you remember me! I miss you little rug rats!

We had a good week here in Ewa Beach. We're working a lot on finding the prepared. We have some investos.. But they are not as solid as the elders before said they were. But I know there is someone in this area ready to be baptized. And we're going to find him!

With our finding efforts I've really felt impressed that we need to work with members and get member referrals. We have a really nice area and tracting isn't as effective as it was in my last area. So in every dinner appt we're really making an effort to remember to ask for referrals. Sis. Hudson is really good at. But it was really interesting.. Last night we had dinner with a young family and they invited some other families in the ward over for dinner. All of the wives were return missionaries. And everyone was in and out, by the time for us to share a message it was just two of the wives and their children. So we showed them the Doc. of Christ DVD and then asked if they knew anyone who needed the gospel. And these two women, have been missionaries before, they know the importance of missionary work and sharing the gospel. Yet they struggled with our request. I know that life takes over when you go home, and that they have their families to worry about, but I was really disappointed. How many times a day do we interact with nonmembers. Stay at home moms not as much.. But they do have neighbors! Why are we afraid to just open our mouths? I had a Zone Leader always say "Fear is the first defeat of a man" I may have already told you this before because I really like this quote. But I then was thinking about Katherine, she was a member referral. I don't even know if they were really great friends, but she knew that the gospel would help her in her life and all she did was talk about how the church would help and if she would meet with the missionaries. I'm just learning a lot of things of what I want to do when I go home. Be anxiously engaged in missionary work. Maybe I just have high expectations because of Dad.. Either way. I need member referrals.

Sister Hudson is so awesome. She is so solid and so prepared for this work. Her testimony is going to change lives! Training is good. It's different than I expected, but I am learning just as much as she is! It's helping me remember the basics, and fundamentals of missionary work. 

This last week I was a little frustrated with my new zone. Both our Zone Leaders are really new to their calling, and I was getting frustrated because things just weren't as focused or.. Idk. I just came from an awesome zone with dedicated zone leaders, and they are going to hit high water this month. I've definitely learned patience this last week. I've also been praying on how to be a better leader, and how I can be the best trainer for Sis. Hudson and help Heavenly Father develop her into the missionary he sees in her. I read a talk this morning from last conference that was SOO perfect for every situation I'm in. Help Them Aim High by Henry B. Eyring. Read it. I was just so perfect. Heavenly Father is so good and answers our prayers.

Well I better go. But I love you all so much! Have a wonderful Easter! He is risen. :) So the rest of us will live again.

Much aloha and LOVE! 

S. Nielsen 

Life and Adventures in Waipahu. 19 Mar 2013

Aloooooooha! 

Happy Birthday Dad! I'm glad to hear that you had a good birthday Dad! Are you now 49 or 48? I really can't remember. Sorry! Don't worry though, everyone will still mistake you for a 17 year old. ;) But it sound like you guys all had a good time in Utah! Cody's going to prom!? He's not old enough yet.. Is he? I don't even want to think about that. Mom: I got your letter! Thanks so much, I'll round up all the accessories from the camera and then do.. everything that you said. 

I am now in the Waipahu Zone! Which is different than anticipated. I am still on Oahu, but after this transfer I'll have at least been in every sister's area in Oahu for one day. (Counting exchanges.) Waipahu is known to be the most ghetto out of everywhere else. Lots of language wards, Samoan, Tongan, Marshallese, Philippians people.. And there hasn't been sisters in the zone for a while. Our area is nice though, a lot of town houses. We're whitewashing into the Ewa Beach 2nd ward. Opening up a new sister area. I white washed with Sister Wright, but I don't remember it being this difficult! We've gotten lost a million times. And our area book (in picture) is a disaster! Apparently the elders before had 5 with date, but I have no idea who they are because nothing has been recorded.  So this last week has been a lot of cleaning our pad (the elders said it was clean.. But it wasn't), and trying to get our area book in order. Our ward/Bishop is all gung-ho about missionary work and is SO excited to have sisters. The whole ward is. But they do "ministering" every tues. wed. and thurs. nights. Meaning like splits with the ward. Wowza! It's so awesome, but I don't know how to handle it! I feel like their trying to run but I'm still trying to figure out who everyone is! So different from Aliamanu. 

I have a new baby! Her name is Sister Hudson, she's from Toole, Utah and kind of Oklahoma. And yep she's 20! Our Bishop keeps calling her FOB- Fresh off the boat. She's so awesome! She's got greenie fire in her and is ready to work! It reminds me of when I first got here and was so excited about the little things. We're going to see miracles happen. I just know it. 

Soo yesterday was ZLC (Zone Leader Council) and since I'm a sister trainer I got to go. And Sister Wright is a sister trainer as well so she was there too! We actually picked her up from the airport Sunday night and she stayed with us. It was sooo fun! Oh my goodness we had SO much to talk about. Her hair has gotten really long. I can't believe it's only been 3 months that we haven't been together. But so much has happen since she's left! It was so good to see her. ZLC was good too! It was interesting to be in a room with all the leaders of the mission. But it was really good!

They just changed the email policy, Pres. Monson sent a letter to Pres. Dalton and we're now able to email, basically anybody. Except those of the opposite gender living in mission boundaries. Craziness! I don't know if I like that.. I enjoy getting and writing letters. But if it's from the prophet I guess he's got a reason for it. :)

I love you all! I hope you have a fantastic week! I love being a missionary, this work is so great.

Love, 

S. Nielsen 

I'm getting a baby! 11 Mar 2013

Aloha! 

Holy cow.. I really can't believe it's March. Where you guys talk about the weather and how it's kinda starting to warm up it reminds me how long I've actually been out. Weird. Stink, tell me about how you got asked to prom. Pretty please. :)

Well.. It was a good week for us here in Hawaii! Lorenzo got... Drum roll please.. BAPTIZED! It was crazy how much the adversary was trying to stop this from happening. We had no way of trying to get in contact with Lorenzo because he didn't have a phone and was living in a homeless Men's shelter. So he would call us if he found a phone, but he called us on Tuesday when we were at the temple so we missed it. And then he called again on Wednesday and said he wanted to see us that morning. But due to some miscommunication we never met. I thought he said meet at this plaza but he was meaning the church. :/ Stink. So then he calls again on Thursday. (I was so happy he was so persistent!) And we FINALLY get to meet with each other at the church. He's just moved here from Arizona and has taken all the lessons there, he wanted to be baptized but some obstacles make it so that that couldn't happen. And then he moved here! So when we saw him we briefly reviewed all the lessons and prepped him for his Baptismal interview. Then our district leader came interviewed him and he was good to go. The only problem now was his schedule. He's trying to get a job and he had an interview Friday and he didn't know if he was going to have to work on Saturday  So he was trying to push it to Monday or Tuesday morning. And morning time is hard because our bishopric has to work. Soo I really didn't like that idea. So we were to wait and see what happen during his interview and if he was to work on Saturday. He called us Friday evening and said that the interview got moved to Monday! Hallejuiah! Then after talking to our Bishop, he said he found out that the shelter he was living in was in another ward. So I talked to President during my interview on Friday and he gave me the authority to make it happen in our ward. So we whipped everything together and had a baptism Saturday Evening. Small things, but Satan was trying really hard. But it happen! And Lorenzo is BAPTIZED! He's so solid. He had the desire and has such incredible faith. 

Some exciting things are happening this week. It's transfers again! 11 New full pros sisters. That's nuts. And I am leaving the Aliamanu ward and training a new missionary. I'm excited! But I don't think that it's actually hit me that I am leaving.. I love this ward. And I've learned a lot in this area. With covering to wards and everything else. Next email I might be on a different island! Which will we fun, I'm definitely needing a change. I haven't lived somewhere for 7 1/2 months straight in a long time! But all will be well. :) The Missionaries in my Zone are guessing that I'm going to Big Island. But we'll see. A lot of new sister areas are opening up. And we have 3 sisters who've only been out for 5 weeks who are training. Sister Wright's group is the oldest sisters in the mission now! That's so weird.

Well.. I don't know if I have much more to say either. I am learning new things everyday. My perspective is changing about the little things that matter. One thing that's been on my mind lately is why are obedient and keep the commandments. And I've learned that there is 2 reasons. The first is duty, we feel obligated to, we do things because we feel like we HAVE to. And we probably are grumbling the whole time. Where as the second is because of love. We love our Savior and we WANT to follow him. And keep the commandments that He has given us because we love Him. And we understand the scripture, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Our Bishop just got called to be in the Stake Presidency, but he has not been released as bishop and it's been about 2 months. And I've wondered why.. And I think it's because there are so many priesthood in our ward that are military, but also who are not fully committed. They are sitting the bench and would rather watch someone else work and sweat then becoming a starter. But in the end, your team still wins, but you didn't have to do anything. Maybe I'm wrong..  But just things that have been on my mind. 

I love you all so much! Make this next week the best week of your life!

Much Aloha! 

S. Nielsen 

This is Lorenzo's baptism. No we didn't even plan to match! And our matching skirts that 'grandma' made. The elders in our zone have matching ties. :) 

Love you! S. Nielsen 

 

I Love To See the Temple. I went inside .. today! :) 5 March 2013

Alllllllllllllooooooooooooha!

Wowza! So much mail to read today. But that's ok. I do enjoy mail. :) I'm sorry to hear that you lost the games, sounds like it was an awesome season though. And that everything is going well! Is it really prom season already? And Erin.. You're graduating!? What the what? When did that happen?.. Hmm.. Well I'm happy you found a dress! Be sure to send me pictures! I never get to see anything, remember I can't get on facebook. :) You guys are great!

Weeeeeellllll I feel like this has been such a long week! But good things are happening! We had a guy come to church these past few Sundays, he just moved here from Arizona, he's taken all the lessons, and wants to be baptized! I don't know why he didn't do it while he was in Arizona, but I'll be happy to baptize him! So.. I'm crossing my fingers, but I'm hoping it happens this weekend. He lives in a homeless shelter, and doesn't have a phone. So it's been kind of hard to get a hold of him and try to set up a time to meet. His name is Lorenzo. Yep. Just like the prophet. :) Other than that we don't have a lot of people we're teaching. We baptized everyone. :) So a lot of recent convert lessons and tracting.

Goodness, I feel like so much has happen. But I just can't think of anything to say! I went on exchanges this last week with the Kaneohe Sisters (my old 3 week area) and it was good! I still don't really know how to be a Sister trainer besides being an example. So with exchanges and evaluation and comp reports are all still new to me. Guess we'll figure it out as we go! But we have awesome sisters in this mission. I really don't have to do much 'training'.

My two areas, and two companions are good. Still crazy and will always be crazy. But at least we always have something to do! Yesterday I was really feeling burnt out. I love my companions, but with them being international sometimes I have to do a lot of everything. And sometimes people don't understand them. But today we were able to go to the temple! Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVE the temple SO much! It was exactly what I needed. I feel like I hadn't gone in so long. I've been waiting all transfer for this. In college I tried to go every week. So every 3 months seems like forever! But it was just so great! There is nothing like the feeling of being in the Celestial room. Baptisms in the basement are great, but in the Celestial room is incredible. I think it's Heavenly Fathers way of giving us a little bit of motivation to just keep going. That's what we get to have for eternity! If we keep our covenants  I learn something new every time I go. Ahh. The temple is just so great!

Well I better get going. Thanks so much for the love and prayers! They are felt over here on the island. Transfers are next Wednesday. So we'll see what happens. I really have NO clue what's going to happen this time around. I've been in my greenie area forever. But idk! We'll see.

I loooooooooooove you all so stinkin much! Have a fabulous week! Do good things! (<-- Like always. :) )

Much aloha,

S. Nielsen

I Know That My Redeemer Lives. 25 Feb 2013

Aloha Mi Familia!

What the what.. I don't get to find out who won the championship games!? .. Darn. I'll just have to wait till next week. Well I hope and pray that all went well and that you had an awesome time in Vegas, whatever the outcome. :)

Well.. This week was good. I don't think there are really any major events that happen. We're just working hard and trying to cover both areas. Just trying to keep going and push strong to the end! (March 13th-transfers.. aka Kahala and Aliamanu get their own miissionaries again! Phew.)

We had one baptism for the Kahala ward this week! Her name is Brianne, she's 16 and just the sweetest spirit ever. She was introduced to the church by a ward member who works at her school. Auntie Fine, her husband is the Bishop. She noticed that some of the girls were mean to her and so she told Brianne that she doesn't need them that she would be her friend. She later invited Brianne to church and she fit right in with the Young Women. She's been coming to church since like October, but her parents just barely decided to let her get baptized. Her parents actually came to the baptism as well! It was an awesome service the spirit was really strong.

I had to give a talk in church on Sunday (Aliamanu ward) on the Plan of Salvation. And Bishop just said to take it from preach my gospel and split the lesson between Sis. Kuok and I. It was kind of a hard talk to prepare. Speaking in church is way different than teaching a lesson. Especially when your used to teaching to people who don't know anything about the gospel. So my first bullet point was the atonement. And I'd been studying that all week, and I felt like I'd learned so much, yet I was having such a hard time to decide which way I wanted to take it. Some things I've learned that stood out to me is that the atonement is not only for the sinners but it's also for the saints. (Mosiah 3:19) That we need to rely on in order for us to become better. The atonement makes bad men good and good men better. I wish I could share all of my new discoveries and insights. I love personal study, I learn so much everyday.

I love seeing how the spirit is able to use me as an instrument in His hands. There are so many times that I know they spirit just takes over my words and is able to touch the hearts of the people I am serving. I feel like I am learning so many different things, my thoughts and perspective is changing. Alot because of the things I observe and the experiences I have. Being a missionary is not a cake walk, but I absolutely love it! I am so happy I made this decision to serve.

Well I better get going. I love you all! I hope you have a fabulous week and have some time to breathe and relax. I know it's tax season, don't stress out too much! :) And take time to do the things that matter most.

I loooooooooooooooove Mom, Dad, Chelsea & Brian, Erin, Cody, Summer, Carly, and Adelaide! All you guys! And I am so grateful and blessed to have you as my family here on earth. :)

Much Aloha,

S. Nielsen

P.S. Pictures are of Kehnie's Wedaptism. And my tri-panionship in our brand new Corolla. :)

My Sisters are Dropping Like Flies! 18 Feb 2013

Aloha! 

Well.. What an exciting week for you guys! Sounds busy. I'm so excited
you're going to Vegas Go! Fight! Win! Get better Erin and Cody! I love
you guys and cheering for you an ocean away! 

 I feel like this week for me has been a blur as well. I don't even
know where to start. SO much has happen. So many emotions, good and
bad. Everything is so good. And I love this gospel. I love being a
missionary. I know I say that all the time, but there are so many
things that I learn everyday I could not have learned at home. I know
that my mission is preparing me for.. basically everything!

Wednesday.. I went on exchanges with the Sisters in Kahala. I went
with Sister Fong to her area, she is from Japan and is also a visitors
center sister. Being full pros is a lot different. We had a good day,
and it's so interesting to be in the leadership position on the
exchange. I'm not very good at.. taking charge? But hopefully just
loving and leading by example. 

 Thursday.. Kehnie got MARRIED and BAPTIZED!! It was the best
Valentine's Day EVER! I was going to send pictures but.. I forgot my
camera. Sorry. Next week for sure. It was seriously the best thing
ever! I was so happy I got to be there to see it. I met Kehnie the 1st
or 2nd day I was in Hawaii and he's had to overcome a lot. He's so
awesome. I am so happy I was able to be a small part and see the
miracle and changes he's made in himself. My heart was so full that
night, their whole family came and the spirit was sooooo strong. I
really wish I could put into words how it was, but I really just..
don't know how. But I definitely know that it was one of the reasons I
needed to come back to Hon-West. 

 Later that night I got a call from President. He told me that Sister
Fong's companion Sister Johnston, was going to go home. She got in a
car accident 3 months ago and in her MRI found something on her
thyroid. So now.. I am in a 3-some and we are back to covering both
areas. Kahala and Aliamanu. I was so high and then all of a sudden
became very stressed. You know me. I don't stress! But for some reason
as a missionary I.. Stress. I think it's because I know this work is
so important! And I focus and try to give it my all everyday and make
sure I'm being the best missionary I can be for our Heavenly Father.
So I now taking over both area and trying to meet the expectations
that come with both.. Heavenly Father is definitely building me for
something. 

 Friday.. We picked up Sister Fong at the mission office that night.
And said our goodbyes to Sister Johnston. It was so sad because I came
out with her and I imagined myself going home right now. And.. Oh boy,
I'd rather take over 2 areas than go home. It's just cannot be over in
6 months. That's way too short. But Sister Johnston had a really good
attitude and she knew that that was what she needed to do. She's
probably going to go get married. Let's be real. Sister Woodruff, (the
sister who got in a car accident in Kaneohe) went home the week before
as well. I can't handle all my sisters leaving! I need them here! 

 Well.. That's basically been the most important things in my week! It
been so.. stretching? Is that the right word to use? I feel like
Heavenly Father is teaching me so much. I love my two companions.
Sister Fong and Sister Kuok are awesome. But with them being
international and visitors center.. I'm the one leading out a lot. I
kinda feel like I'm training, but not really. Just with little things.
The VC is in it's own world. 

 I love you all! Have a safe drive to Vegas and make me proud! I'll be
looking forward to hearing what happens. Thanks for the emails!
They're the best! 

Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove,
S. Nielsen

Ambazon? 11 Feb 2013

Aloha Family!

Well.. I got your package Mother! Mahalo! I loved EVERYTHING. And that peanut butter dakine is SO good! But.. it's 89 calories a tablespoon! Yikes! Eat sparingly. :) And.. You really call my card board cut out ambazon? How disrespectful! You need to be treating me lovingly and with kind words. And bring it everywhere you go! FHE, dinner, basketball games.. Just kidding. But really? Ambazon!?

You're all probably wondering what happened this last week with transfers!! Weeeeeeeellllllll... I am now BACK in Aliamanu. So I left for 3 weeks. A little vacay to Waimanolo, and now I'm back to Hon-West and in the concrete jungle. I know weird. But it's all good. I really did miss it here. I had an intersting experience with coming back too, it was on Thursday I think, I was thinking about why Sister Smoot left, and why I came back and thought about how the transfer could have been different, and then the spirit immediately chastised me and I just had this strong impression, "There are experiences you need to have HERE." I didn't feel like I was complaining about being back, but I had obviously offended the spirit by even thinking or questioning if everything was inspired I guess. It was really interesting, and VERY humbling. Almost as if it is a blessing to be back, I just don't know it yet, and I just need to be grateful for.. everything! It was crazy. Everyone in the ward was excited to have me back, I got a very warm loving welcome. I must say.. I learned SO much in those three weeks away. Getting transferred is a lot different than I had anticipated. But I loved it there. And I love it here. So all is well. :)

My new companion's name is Sister Kuok. She's from Macau, which is next to Hong Kong. She's so tiny and stinkin cute! She's been out on her mission for 3 months and is serving in the Visitors Center. So she's out with me for her 2 transfers full proselyting. She's still learning English, but she does a lot better than she thinks. She went to school in Beijing and graduated in fashion design. Which she's going to need to help me with, because since I've been a missionary, my 'fashion' has gone to the pits! And I only wear whatever is most comfortable! Whatever. But she's teaching me a lot about her culture and how things are different. It's really kind of fun! She has the coolest Chinese book of mormon!

Miracles are continuing to happen! I feel like I'm just picked up right where I left off. Kehnie and Erika are getting MARRIED on Thursday! And then Kehnie is getting baptized! I'm so excited! Best V-Day ever. They are so ready, and we've been working with them ever since i got on my mission, so I am so blessed to be able to be here for it! Erika is too. She didn't like that I got transferred.

On Saturday there were a bunch of names in our ward list that I didn't recognize. So I wrote some down and then planned of just going and visiting with them. One of them, this lady answered the door and we asked if this person lived there, she then said no, so then we used the prayer approach with her and she let us right in! She said she had just been reading her bible and looking for comfort as her mom just was rushed to the emergency room that morning, she had a blood clot in her lung. And this lady, her name is Molisha, was really just distressed. We prayed with her and she definitely felt the spirit! We invited her to be baptized and she said YES! I then briefly explained the about the Book of Mormon and gave her 2 Nephi 4 to read.  We set up a return appt for Sunday.. I was SO excited! It was So cool to be a part of that! We went over yesterday and she wasn't home.. :( But we'll for sure try and contact her sometime this week!

I love you all! and I'm so happy your beat Spring Creek. :) Have a suuuuuuuuuper week! Happy Valentines Day! I loooooooooooooooooooove you!

S. Nielsen