Week 60: October 31, 2011

Molweni

That means Hello (to more than one person) or something

Well I am doing great, the week was pretty exciting although hectic in some ways. We all received some letters from the mission office informing us that we needed to get another police clearance from our home towns in order to one day serve in Namibia, not a certainty just a possibility. Since Elder Scicluna and I had the same situation being our residence has changed since being on mission we had no Idea how we were going to work it all out. the letter asked us to give ourpower of attorney to someone who could acquire the police clearance. I was under theimpression that it had to be from Issaquah, WA just because that is where I came from. So I put Bishop Tanner down as the one who would be able to do that, I felt kind of bad doing that but It seemed like there wasn't much option otherwise. I hope that is alright, and mom I think you mentioned that in another Email but I think I have forgotten.

One of the pictures is us cooking some food for the week, it works out pretty well. The other is the district going to Queenstown for interviews and training, which is quite a long drive (3 hours). Living with four Elders is never boring, there is always something happening and something to talk about. These two African's are just hilarious together, we have a lot of laughs and really enjoy each others company. Since all of us were born in different countries there are a bit of differences with each of us so it makes for a very interesting time.

We have a baptism coming up on the 12th of November, and she is just a golden investigator. Another cool thing is that we are getting a bunch of new investigators outside of University. We met a couple of them at one house, four actually and we have high hopes for them. They seem really interested and willing to learn. We will see how that goes, so far the transition out of the university is going really well.

Grandma and Grandpa thank you so much for your letter a couple of weeks ago, it put a smile on my face to hear from you two. Thank you for the update on how you are doing, I am glad to hear that you are well. Grandma you are truly amazing for continuing to work, that is a great quality. I pray that you two will continue to do well and have a great week!

Mom & Dad, sounds like you both were kept busy this week, I bet you are happy that you don't have to stress and worry about enrolling children into school mom. I wonder how it went getting the license plate for the new car HA. I know that you love the search for a new home and that will sure keep you busy for the next couple of months, I can't believe tomorrow is November 1st, Far out! (very Australian term now-a-days) Dad I wish I could teach 127 people at one time, what an experience that would be. Most of those golf courses you are talking about don't sound familiar, are they new or the same as before?

Have a great week.

Love,
Elder Nielsen

Week 59: October 24, 2011

Greetings

Hello everyone,

Everything is doing great and this past week was a good one. We had a bunch of investigators come to church on Sunday which always puts a smile on a missionaries face. We have had some pretty good success in getting new investigators as well. There are a lot of people who are willing to hear our message, so we are really busy with teaching people about the Restored Gospel.

We have this one investigator who is really sweet, she has an incredible sense of truth when it comes to the Gospel. She is our Golden investigator right now, we plan on having her baptized on the 12th of November. More updates on that and other possible baptisms.

Thank you all so much for your letters, I can't believe it's almost Halloween what day is that exactly October 31st? wow I am sure all the young ones will have fun trick or Treating. That is always fun, there is no holiday like that here is SA.

Colin, that would be awesome if you landed a job for Delta what a cool experience that would be. I bet hearing President Uchtdorf's talks inspire you in more than one way. Actually I think they might inspire all of us in more than one way but for you probably a bit more ha. Wish you luck with all of those ducks you are hunting and also with this pursuit towards a career, wherever you end up you will do great. I sent you a letter, let me know if you get it because I wan't to know if it actually gets to you. I have heard that it is risky putting letters into the post from the Eastern Cape so just keep me updated.

Sister, I can imagine you doing the mommy thing, and it's a good picture. I bet you are absolutely loving it, I can tell from your e-mail that you are. Love you. Also thank you for sending that document I am on top of it and trying to send it onwards. have a great week!

Dad, your office is pretty sweet looking! those machines are beastly and sophisticated at the same time, Impressive. I am sure you are enjoying your new work and love that you are back in business. Colin told me Idaho had a bye week, maybe they can use this week to figure it out and salvage a couple of wins. Don't they play BYU this year?

Momma, thank you for your update, I hope all goes well with you this week. The only thing I can think for Christmas Ideas are socks, maybe one short sleeve shirt and a long sleeve shirt as well, and a super small wallet. Preferably a small leather one that you can slide cards into and have it be very discreet, the one I am thinking about is only a little bit bigger than an actual credit card. I don't really feel comfortable with a big and bulky wallet with all of these totsies around. Thank you!

Love you all,
Elder Nielsen

Week 58: October 17, 2011

Hello Family

I am still in the same area with the same companion, so transfers didn't really affect us, but however Elder Itina left the district and Elder Lewatle replaced him to be companions with Elder Ruzai. We are pretty excited to be together for another transfer, we have a lot of good investigators who will really be progressing well throughout the next couple of weeks. However it is unfortunate that most of our investigators are from the university and soon all of those students will be going home for summer break, which means we have got to focus a lot on finding new ones. That will be fun to put a whole bunch of work into the area, especially finding Father-led families, that would really help out the branch and strengthen it for the years to come.

We watched General Conference this weekend and all I can really say is, WOW, That was awesome! That talk about the Book of Mormon was really helpful for missionaries. We frequently get asked this question when an investigator is a bit unsure about the additional book of Scripture, revealed by God through his prophet Joseph Smith, called The Book Of Mormon, they ask "Why do we need The Book of Mormon if we already have the Bible?". I think it was Elder Tad Callister? who gave the talk with the example of the Bible, posing a question as to how many straight lines we can draw through it, he answered saying that an infinite number of Straight lines could be drawn through it. Each line drawn through it representing all the different interpretations and therefore all the different churches, which however Straight they were there were still many different interpretations. Then he entered into the equation the Book Of Mormon, and asked a similar question," how many Straight lines can you draw through the Book of Mormon and the Bible", and again he answered saying "One", again the line means the interpretation of our Heavenly Fathers word. So basically the answer is that with The Book Of Mormon and the Bible together we have the correct interpretation of God's word. I found that talk very interesting and useful in missionary work.

Hey Ariel, Happy 23rd Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day and have an extra piece of cake for me :)

Momma, thank you so much! I am happy for you and glad that you are able to feel some of that southern heat and humidity! One thing I like about being in Mthatha is that at the end of a hot day we usually get some thunderstorms which remind me of those thunderstorms in Georgia. Love them! As far as me going home, I think it would be best to go home where you two are staying, wherever you are is home. Seattle would be a bit challenging and uncomfortable living out of a suitcase for anytime longer than I have to.

Dad, I knew it wouldn't take you long to get those Golfing memberships ha, that is a pretty sweet deal there and I know it puts a huge smile on your face. One Upside I can see for you in this winter is that you will be a bit used to the more mild temperature of Seattle and will feel totally comfortable with playing a round of Golf in a Georgian winter. Let me know how that goes. Have you thought about getting a golf cart yet?

Good luck to all those who I was not able to give a shout out to, Love you

Elder Chase Nielsen

Week 57: October 10, 2011

Hello Family, Another Transfer

Thank you for the pictures those were fantastic! and that Jeep looks pretty sweet! looks like a sweet ride! I am glad you all had a good week, Dad likes his job and probably is already a member at all of those golf courses In PTC and is loving life. Momma's back in town with all of her old friends from Georgia, I am really glad you are enjoying it, you both deserve it.

My week was pretty enjoyable as well, the second picture of the ones I attached is from Thursday, basically we caught a mole that has been digging around in our yard after our weekly planning/ Lunch time. We were both in shock to actually have caught it because we were just playing around. All we had to do was pour large amounts of water into the whole and he came swimming up, it was really cool never actually seen one of those guys. A part of me wanted to have those smoke sticks that Dad and I used to get those moles from our yard in Serenity lane.

Other than that the missionary work is going really well here, It is amazing to me how Heavenly Father puts people in our path, this week I think we had a couple of people placed in our path who have been prepared by the Lord to hear our message. One in particular is a Lady named Nomveliso. I think the way we found her was totally inspired. On exchanges with Elder Ruzai on Tuesday one of our appointments fell through at university, so we decided to ask around where our investigator might be instead of giving them a call. As we were talking to a few people we ran into Nomveliso who inquired what we were doing wearing smart clothes, it was a perfect opportunity to tell her all about us and our message. She was so receptive and willing to learn I was amazed, we taught her all about the message of the Restoration and left her with a Book of Mormon to read. She was so excited to have additional scripture to read from our Heavenly Father, that day I really felt like I was truly an instrument in the Lord's hand reaching out to his beloved children. There is no better feeling than that.

Mom living with three other Elders is very entertaining, we all have pretty good personalities so it makes it interesting and fun. We have a whole lot of fun and enjoy each others company a whole lot, overall It is just a good experience,

I know that you will all enjoy your week! I pray that you all will and that you will be successful in everything that you do.

Love,
Elder Nielsen

Week 56: October 5, 2011

Sorry for the lack of letter this week

We have been having some internet difficulties this week so we haven't been able to get online and write our e-mails.I hope that everything is going well with the move and the new apartment you are staying at. Good luck looking for a house, I know you will find one that you absolutely love. Everything is going great, teaching a whole lot and preparing people for some baptisms coming up in about a month or so. Thank you so much for the pictures, It's nice to see everyone's face, like you say a picture is worth a thousand words.Sorry I was just able to read the e-mails and send this quick note, next week on on Monday hopefully the internet is still good and I will be able to write a bit longer of a letter.

Enjoy the picture, we took that in a place called Mandela Park.

Love you,
Elder Chase Nielsen