Week 17: January 3, 2011

Hello again family,

This week was very interesting with all the holidays going on and new years. New years is the only day in the year that we are told not to go out into our areaso it was a little different. Elder Kogo and I wore our P days around the flat for a little bit then got bored so we went and hung out with the Milnerton Elders. It was fun Cape Town every year has a fireworks show but to be honest it was nothing compared to little Peachtree City.

Nonetheless it was fun to see people celebrate for a new year. Since all of the holidays were happening and kids here are basically on their summer break nobody was home investigators, members, fellowshippers so work wise this week was very slow but thats alright we just pushed through it and were able to get through it just fine. Seems like everyone back home had a wonderful holiday season thats good to hear and now I guess its back to school this week. Man am I glad I don't have to go to school right now I'll take mission life any day.

Hopefully this next week will be a good one as far as missionary work goes, and of course I hope all of you will find success as well.

Love,
Elder Nielsen

Week 15: December 20, 2010

Yes so this week was pretty interesting for me, I was transferred to Bellville and Bellville is to Cape Town as Bellevue is to Seattle. So I am really in the thick of things which is awesome. My new companion is Elder Kogo from Kenya and he is a super cool guy I am really going to enjoy serving with him. Bellville is probably the biggest areas in the mission so its a little bit of a change from the smallest area in the mission. I wasnt too sad to leave Paarl but i was kinda sad to leave a couple missionaries that are still serving there. I however love being in the car and I am the designated driver since E.Kogo doesn't have a license which most Africans don't. It is a little interesting to drive on the left hand side of the road but i have gotten used to it. Every day I get a great view of Table mountain and it's just breathtaking, one of these Pdays we are going to hike it as a district. Pdays here are going to be much more exciting than in Paarl, im so excited to be serving around Cape Town and for the chance to get to know the area.

Although the work here in Bellville is said to be very challenging because it is a white area and not many people are receptive to our message. I do look forward to knocking doors at Bellville Hill which is where all the rich people live and man they have HUGE homes, i'm just interested in finding out what those people do for a living and maybe making friends with them and maybe teaching them a little about the truth haha. But yeah i guess im bound to be a white area missionary which is fine with me because I can deal with being rejected and I think president knows that. Ahh this is going to be a transfer that I dont want to end because E Kogo is just too cool, I really took for granted my first companion so im really going to cherish this one. Also the district here is a six man with Milnerton ( 2 month Elder Zimunhu, Zimbabwe, 22 month Elder Carver, UTah) and Panorama ZL's (Elder Anderson Utah, and Elder McChargue Rocklin Idaho haha) yes but everyone in the district is nice which is a really good thing.

But yes i can tell you all about whatever you want to know on the phone saturday I will most likely call collect from a members home.

Mom I havent yet recieved my package but the Zl's have some post that they want to give to us later on in the day so maybe its in there. Oh and dont send any M&M's last time they melted and spilled on the bottom of the package but no big deal nohing was hurt.

Dad wow Walgreens is up 10 bucks from where i bought it! I dont know what that trend looks like but i am up on it a little. whatever you feel is best on that one maybe a target mark of.

I look forward to talking to all of you on the phone saturday and have a Merry Christmas!