YSA

Aloha                                   

It's fun to see Joe without braces haha what a cool cat. best feeling ever. 

This week has been good, hard but good. Neither my companion or I really know what we are doing and how to work with the members. It has been a really slow work in progress, but it's fun to serve YSA. There are definitely a lot of struggling people my age... and it can be enjoyable teaching them... or really awkward haha but I have liked it. And I love married student wards haha they are so cute and love to feed us and it's fun to hear all their stories. Plus it seems like they are also having their struggles with so many new things in their lives, so it's good to be able to serve and try to uplift them. 

We still don't have any "investigators' but we do have a lot of less actives, like out of 114 girls in the ward, only about 50-60 come, so they need some help :) I hope we will be able to implement some of our ideas.

It has been a little hard with Sis DeLeon because her english isn't the best, so i don't think she always understands what people say, so I feel like i am very alone in teachings and conversing with people,.. and even when it's just us. But I am trying to learn humility and patience, there are so many things i lack.  Oh well, we try to spend more time online, which can be really good too.

I hope you all have a great week. 

Love you! 

love sister nielsen

ALOHA. 😘

This week has been pretty good! YSA is sooo different but of course I already knew that haha. But on campus YSA is even more different.. I like it so far, but we haven't really had much of a chance to meet any of the nonmembers. There are like 8 NM within the 5 wards, so actual potentials!! (crazy that that's a lot, huh? haha) But it's fun to get to talk to the freshmen because i know how hard that first semester can be, and also the RMs because they are so into missionary work. It's good. And Sister De Leon is so cute. Our personalities and pride don't always match up, but for the most part we enjoy each other lol. She's so giving, but pretty quiet. We still need to figure out how to teach together. 

My last day in H3 was awesome. I really love that ward and I'm so grateful it was able to end so perfect. I got to see Jojo, the Lessarys, the Bishops family(beattys), and Maile and Josh. <3. I am so grateful for those last 2 transfers. Maile gave me a thankyou note "from Liko" the 2 year old since we gave him a little birthday present. And the note said something like "thank you for teaching the gospel to my mom and dad. Now they are happy. We love you" and it really made me soo happy to leave knowing they are doing good.

In the visitor's center, i swear everyone I talk to is either from Utah, or from a random country (brazil, italy, armania, germany, turkey, etc) It is such a great experience to teach allll of God's children. One of my favorites was this couple from Turkey. I was showing them the Book of Mormons in different languages and the lady opened the Book and the rest of the time couldn't stop reading it. It turns out there was only one more Turkish BOM left, so it was such a blessing that we were able to give her one. I loved how much she was into it and that we could give it to her in her language!

We will get the chance to teach a recent convert from the Middle East. His wife is a RM and they are shooting for the temple, but he is slow in his conversion! So that'll be fun if we are able to help him!

I've really enjoyed reading about the church history. Sometimes I think of "strengthening my testimony of the restoration" as just reading the first vision and what not. But as i've read the Our Heritage book, I've learned so much and it's helping me understand more about the early church. I

wish I could study more about my ancestors haha.

Anyways, We survived the hurricane........... hahaha. I even bought extra water just in case. Everyone was saying it was a level 4 and then eventually turned into a 1, whatever that means. So it was never bad. Just windy which i loved cause it wasn't so hot!! But Friday we actually had a whole training from Red Cross so we could help at shelters if we needed to. I'm glad it never actually happened haha.

Also a funny experience, there was a wealthy bus of chinese, and then 4 of them started singing Hallelujiah, so we couldn't help laughing, but they kept singing like Silent Night and stuff, so I asked Sis Swinton if we could record them! And they loved being videoed of course haha but then the one guy (like 80 years old) pulled out this photo album. I guess he was this famous chinese actor throughout his years.... the pictures were him in different costume with these other famous people. All of us americans didn't know, but a few of the Asians recognized him lol. It was so funny. I can't even describe. I'll try to send the video sometime hahah.

But I love you all! I'm grateful for such a great family.

Go to the temple grounds, they're so peaceful and great! I would know haha

Love Sister Nielsen

BYU YSA

Sisters DeLeon and Nielsen

Well the news is that I'll be kicked out of H3 and moved back to BYU YSA but this time on campus...even less non members lol. cool. And surprise, I'm back with a little Filipina! Sister DeLeon. She has the cutest little laugh.  Well transfer news was a shock and pretty hard for me, but I think I'm ready to just get over it and try to do whatever BYU YSA sisters do. I haven't really had many good experiences online, but who knows, with hours and hours online every day, hopefully something will happen!
I am so happy for Josh and Maile. The baptism was so great!!! Everyone was on Hawaiian time, so at 5 almost no one was there but by 5:15 the place was full! I am so grateful for members that were willing to give an hour to help Josh feel loved. If you have a chance, always go support convert baptisms!! They might not have any family support!! Everything went well, usually elders teach like a 5-10 minute restoration midway through, but they taught a 30 minute one lol but hey you never know who was touched by it. Sister Lee and I tried this idea that an RM from Hannah Farnes mission did, giving index cards to everyone that came and having them write congrats/testimonies for Josh. It was a great idea so he will be able to see everyone that came and remember how he felt at the baptism :)

   

 We all spoke in church, Sister Lee and I took more time than we realized, but Maile got to talk and it was so good. She shared some of her experiences even when she was LA that God protected her, also she committed herself on the pulpit to really try and pray and read the scriptures. She was so kind about Sister Lee and I, it was such an awesome experience to have on my last Sunday in Hauula 3rd. She really has come such a long ways, of course I'm so happy for Josh, but the real challenge has been with Maile, and I'm grateful to see her heart a little softened! And even better, Kenneth and his family (have never come to church in this ward) came to church as well and really liked it. They didn't stay for class, but we got a text yesterday from Kenneth saying "jes to let you guys know we had a family scriptures 1st Nephi chapter one and chapter two" and then that it went really good so they plan to have scriptures reading every day, and then said "it was really amazing to go back to church felt really good being there..."

I wish I could stay in Hauula 3rd the rest of my mission haha it's where I've felt the most happiness and most purpose on my mission, but "we can have what we want, or we can have something better". I am praying that Sister De Leon and I will be able to make the most of our BYU YSA. I know it will be hard, but I'm sure there are many things to learn from it. On Sunday in Relief Society, they announced that the activity Wednesday for emergency preparedness would be canceled because there are 2 hurricane warnings.. haha ironic. But I heard it will be worse for big island, so maybe just really rainy for us?? I'm not sure.  We did hear we should buy water, so we got 10$ worth hahaha. 

Even our other less active, Jojo came to church which she only ever came once before, and she left early because she's pregnant and hurt, but it was such a great reward for me to see all these wonderful people experience the gospel and feel the peace and happiness that comes from it.

Anyways, I love you all, thanks for the letters from the 3 boys, i loved them haha :) I love you!!!!    Love Sister Nielsen😁

Let us be humble

Hi mom!                                         

sounds like you had a fun old week!! I got written by you dad jamie grandma and becca norton. so fun

That's so cute that you got to visit sister smith senior lol awww.   I went to a families party last night where they sang sunbeams and the little boys jumped around on the beams and I was so teary haha You never know the things you'll miss haha i miss my brothers. 

Also Josh our investigator had decided at one point of the week to wait till november to get baptized but then is back on track to get baptized on Friday!! Yay!!! At Stake Conference they got to meet the mission president (who btw is so great) and he told them that we would support whatever decision they made but an idea would be to get baptized sooner and then in November (because that's when Maile's family will be in Hawaii) to go to the temple together and do baptisms for the dead. THAT IS SERIOUS INSPIRATION. Because not only does that help josh but now it pushes maile to get a temple recommend!! We are excited, but transfers is coming up soon so it could be the end of Hauula ward soon :( 

The talk Beware of pride by president benson is so good. I am so prideful haha but "let us be humble" everyone.... 

Love ya!

Love your fav sister nielsen

One of my favorite families

My typical meal

Hellllllloooooooo.

Kenneth invited us over for dinner on Sunday. WHOOHOO. They didn't come to church which wasn't a surprise, but their whole household was there and we taught the Restoration and showed the movie. They loved it! I know for sure they all felt the spirit and they all were so much friendlier to us as we ate with them. They speak a lot of pidgin so I don't really understand their conversations haha but I feel like if we can keep this trust we've built with them, we might be able to get the help from ward members We've also met many great people along the way. With the Elders living in our ward area, they have been able to introduce us to some people and got us a service project (which btw is the first service in our area I think). So i'm very grateful.

I'm so grateful for Sister Lee. I have this real hope that we can stay together even just one more transfer :) But whatever is needed we will do, we have worked so hard together and seem to have built a lot more ward trust as well..

Also Sis Lee and I made enchiladas this week on our very own hahaha.

And we also finally got to help this homeless man. I am so grateful for the giving Christians in this community. There are so many homeless :(

Also a great scripture we read this morning, Moroni 6:8. its simple.

But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent , they were forgiven .

Don't ever forget it Ohana!!!!

Love you and Miss you! You're the best.

Love sister nielsen

I love my family!

time is going so fast today but i'll make it quick!

This week has been good. I have a little cold, but luckily i have 3 moms here hahah we are so spoiled up in here.

Also guess what. I got to meet some amazing people from all around the world. I would love to study more about different religions and cultures... it's so cool! But also, it's so fun to share what we believe with others. I give a few pamphlet as they leave and then sis lee gives like 5 more pamphlets and pictures... haha so everyone has all they need to know about the church if they don't throw it away! It's so wonderful how this gospel and God's plan really is all about family. The reasons people seem to be happy or unhappy in the world all revolves around family. And i love my family. So even when someone's family situation isn't very good, i can share how much the gospel really is why my family is happy. It's the teachings. And of course you can't make others live it, but even within each of us we can find true happiness in the gospel.

Our investigators and less actives are doing good. I love them so much. I wish we had more time/they would always be available when we are. that is the hardest thing-catching people home.

Also, it's so cool to see how many people get to come over to the VC every day (even though it's a slow time of year-like hardly anyone comes in the morning but the evenin is soooo busy) and also how with online missionay work we have been able t osee huge changes in even just the numbers. My first bible request person just got baptized! and did i tell you, francisca is getting baptized at the end of this month!! yayaya.

So many awesome things

But it's really only through God that real change happens. I hope he keeps working with the hearts of the people here!!!

Love you.

Love sister Nielsen

7 months!

This week was pretty good. Thanks for the letters <3

Our Youth Activity mini mini mini mission went really well! The youth were able to have family members come out to listen to them teach that us as missionaries couldn't get to join us! And they really learned a lot :) And so many funny stories as well. I loved doing it and want to keep thinking of ideas to help the youth be motivated to serve missions. 

I would love to share all these awesome things that happened this week, but I'll just pick a few ;)

Kenneth's brother was at his house when we went there, and i guess he has been less active for like 15 years, but just last sunday he went to church and had an amazing experience, so when we taught our little lesson to their family he bore testimony and i think it really helped kenneth to want to come back to church! And then for the first time in like eternity, we got to meet with him and his girlfriend as well! It's so amazing. they aren't totally motivated to make the changes in their lives, but I think they really can see through family and friends the difference that the gospel can make in the family. I love that. If anything, you can't deny that. The members might be judgmental, the bishop isn't perfect, and the meetings aren't always the most attention grabbing, but the spirit that comes from going to church each week is like the mormon message about the two trees planted, one in the shade and one in the sun light. You might not see the difference even in a year, but years later one is a strong big tree and the other is still a small little tree. Small things like prayers, scripture study, going to church, tithing, etc are all like the nourishment to the tree. maybe you don't see the immediate effect, but you can see it in lives of others! 

We spent a lot of time online this week, It's easy for me to feel discouraged when people are creepy or vulgar or even pranking, or when there is a language barrier/accent barrier. God will make it work, but I just have to be willing. 

Oh also we did a lot of tram this week as usual.... haha. I hate taking a tram by myself. I think im the only one that doesn't like it. But I bet none of you can even imagine me doing it.... it's horrible lol. Plus on the buses, we are like flying around the bus trying to stand and give the tour haha. But it's so crazy when Elder Swinton pulls out the numbers of guests from last year to this year. Just last month over 10,000 more people came to the VC than last year. SO maybe we wont have a slow season :) So amazing.

Aw man, i can't wait to just read you guys my journal when i get home haha trying to explain these moments over email is rough. But just know that it's going well! i Love sister Lee. She's so funny and unique. Just what i like :) And we work really hard together and are seeing so much success. Our ward is starting to get rolling on making a ward mission plan! And other amazing news!!!!! Kayla is getting married on Sept 10!!!!!!!!!! YAYAYYA I can't wait.

Anyways, Have a great week. I love ya so much

Love Sister Nielsen

ps my 7 month mark is this coming week!!!! so weird!!!!!!!! it goes fast and it goes slooooow hahaha but I'm so glad to be on a mission