Allllllllooooohhhhaaa Oe

Well, I've started to tell people how long I've been out on my mission instead of just the "about a year" answer (I did that so I wouldn't have to explain to every person I meet my plans for after my mission haha) but I'm over 18 months now and my ministerial certificate has expired so I've started to really realize how soon my mission will be over. It's definitely been an interesting experience for me and I've learned soo many things, but most importantly, I feel like by this choice to serve, many other people were able to learn about Jesus CHrist, come closer to Him, and change their lives for the better. Not every single person I talked to was baptized, or even wanted to meet with missionaries, but I did my best to "invite others to come unto Christ" in any way I could. And I've been able to feel the Holy Ghost apart of this work, guiding, comforting, healing, cleansing, etc and I'm so grateful that God has given me this opportunity to grow personally and to serve others in countless ways. 

This past week has been full of the visitors' center and online. I had many experiences (as usual) with people wanting to Bible Bash or argue about different doctrines and teachings and history. I know I can't explain or answer every question people have, but everyone's concerns or questions are soo all over the place, that it really is so true that with just the Bible, there is no way to have the answers to all the questions people throw at us. Honestly if it wasn't for the Book of Mormon and modern revelation, there is no way for us to know clearly all the truths of the gospel or the answers to some of life's biggest questions. So I've been more appreciative of the gospel in that way. God really has shown a great amount of love for continuing to try to give His children the gospel!

I know that God loves us and wants the best for us, every if we can't recognize it ourselves, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that his priesthood authority and power is on the earth today, and that when we are obedient to the commandments our lives are blessed soooo much!! These are things I've come to know more. Oh and also that the Book of Mormon does draw me closer to Jesus Christ. When we make time to study the word of God, we will know what we need to do!

I'm going to be home so soon, but I know that life will continue to get better and if we put our trust in Jesus Christ, everything will be okay! 

LOVE YOU!!

Sister Nielsen

Hiiii!

Aloha!! 

This week has been really great. We had our ward camp, exchanges with our sister training leaders, new bishopric in the ward, and of course many miracles/people who's lives are being changed by the gospel!

My Sister Training leader suggested I tell a little about the poeple we meet in one day's shift in our VC haha. Every day has  new people and different experiences, but example is Wednesday

At first we did some online which I forgot to write down about the people from online (sorry! haha), but then we came out to the front and Kealoha (the sort of homeless guy that hangs out at the VC) walked in and said "guys! Someone stole my moped! but at least I found this glass ball on the beach" and walked away haha. Then came in this rockclimber lady from New Zealand. We got a nice little "tour" with her and shared about the temple, next was this young couple, the boyfriend is a super strong member, and the girl isn't, and got to share the blessings of the gospel, then this part member family that was so funny, the members kept making it so awkward for us to talk to their nonmember family. There was this japanese tour bus that stopped in, then a Russian bright yellow tour van stop through, and of course Chinese buses! These sweet young adult girls from Canada came in wondering what the temple was and we got to give a super great tour to them and share about the gospel. Next this man who looked a little scruffy came in named Brian. He needed some food cause he is homeless. So we talked to him for a bit and he has an interesting story. He is also a missionary in his own sense, he fasted 10 days, almost died, and Apu the tuna fish man on big island nurtured him back to health haha, and he shares how God is real, but also he's on the search for his future wife (who he's seen in a dream-she's from Spain, but maybe not living in Spain... it's a long story haha), anyways, our wards bishop was the one assigned to get him food, so he went to the ward camp! So we got to see Brian a lot this week!! Even today!), and then on the tram, this wonderful family from California came in. 4 teenager kids and then a red haired mom, and mexican dad, and they were soooo "golden". They are Catholic but don't understand any of the beliefs and are really interested to learn more! 

Every day is different, and different people bring different experiences, but I'm so happy to be serving here in such a unique place. I can't even explain any of what happened, and the spirit that is here is so hard to explain, but I know that every person that comes here is guided and is helped along their path, even if it's just a little closer to God. 

I love love love ya and sorry to say it, but I can't think of any good souvenirs so far, so none of ya might get something hahah. But You can have me back! I'm getting excited to come home, but also very sad and can't really believe this is almost over and I'm leaving this place. I really love it.

Love you!

Sister Nielsen

Happy 4th of July!!

My beautiful 4th of July Lunch haha

I am loving that today is my preparation day. We got to spend this afternoon with one of my favorite families here. Sister Jones is my mother in mission haha, always caring for us! It was fun :) We started this day stuffed with assorted meats and probably will end the day that way too :) GO hawaii!! haha

So this week has really flown by. I still love it, and have really seen the difference God can make in our lives when we ask. I kept talking to all the people that did NOT want to talk to missionaries in the VC and was being really rejected haha, but I said a prayer to God and in the end of the day we were able to have some very good conversations and be able to testify and share copies of the Book of Mormon with many wonderful people. I know that we don't always see the good we are doing, but I’m grateful that God let me see some of the seeds I planted! 

Elder Swintons usual speech on VC stats lol so cool though!

I really loved the training we had today, and just wanted to share a little of it. Elder Swinton was teaching us how our testimonies are like brick walls. Some peoples testimonies might be complete and full (so rare) but most of us have some pieces of testimony that we really know concerning different doctrines and such. When we really remember and look back we can remember some or many different experiences or spiritual experiences that have lead to our testimony of that certain thing, but there still might be pieces missing. That's okay, and we are all on our journey. The key is that we keep learning and searching, and as we go, God will teach us piece by piece, the truths so we can have a stronger and stronger faith and knowledge of the restored gospel. I loved it. I don't know if it makes sense from what I'm saying haha, but I really do know that through Jesus Christ we can find forgiveness, healing and overcome any evil or fears in our life. Also that through the priesthood is one of the ways we can access those blessings. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!! Love you so much! 

Sister Nielsen

Cutie Sister Hamano