Yesterday we had a zone P-day which means that we had to drive to Cape Town to attend and since we are the "banished" Elders in Paarl it takes up time with travel. So that is the reason i wasn't able to send out an email yesterday but luckily today we are able to do so. Everything is going well here and it is transfers week so its kind of exciting and yes mom i did get the thanksgiving package and I LOVE that blanket, although now its summer time so ill just have to wait to actually use it.
The zone Pday was nice and it kind of had a Christmas feel which was cool and also its sweet to see Elders in my Transfer. Congrats Ariel that is awesome thanks for sending me that ultrasound and wow close to dad's Bday thats great! wow ill be 10 months on mission when the baby is born. I am excited for both of you and Brian!
yes so this past week I printed off some of the pictures I had compiled onto my SD card and sent some photos out to you Mom and Dad, this time of year in Paarl is very beautiful and also very hot. But yes i just wanted to give you two a visual of what South Africa looks like.
The missionary work here is going well we have found some good quality people to teach who seem genuinely interested in the gospel, although they have their own church they are willing to learn more and accept our commitments that we leave them (such as reading the book of Mormon, Praying to recieve a witness of truth through the holy ghost and coming to church). But yes most of the people here are stubborn and tell us "no I already have Jesus in my life and I dont have time for you" but thats O.K. we just go on to the next door. Its hard sometimes to see such people drowning in their pride and its impossible no matter how hard you try to break down their walls and defences they built without ever knowing it. We as missionaries just want to help people find the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we ourselves have already found for ourselves. I must say it is an awesome experience to finally have that opportunity to sit down with people who are willing to listen and to learn, it gives me at least loads of joy. After this thursday I will no longer be a trainee and will become a Junior companion yippie!
On Christmas day I will probably call aunt Sondra's home around 11 am or 12 noon which will be about 7 or 8 pm my time. I will be able to talk for 40 minutes (which is according to the White Handbook) and yeah im excited for it, it will be nice to hear everyones voice again. Hope all of you have a wonderful time leading up to Christmas!
Love,
Elder Nielsen
Showing posts with label Elder Maja. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elder Maja. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Week 13: December 6, 2010
Wow thats cool! haha my companion has never seen snow so i showed him the pictures you sent me mom, thank you so much. The new house looks really nice, man i wish i could have shoveled that drive twould have been fun. I can tell that i have really put on some weight here in Paarl, but whats cool is that its not fat but rather muscle. My butt is getting bigger cuz its filling out my pants. I actually enjoy this new found weight ive been looking for it a long time.
Uncle Kirk I am praying for you and I hope you are doing well at this time.
Anyways this week was nice we had district exchanges and zone leader exchanges aswell. At our zone conference on wednesday we learned that transfers are going to be one week early because of Christmas (if transfers were a week later it would be on the 23rd) so that is exciting. Im not sure if i will be moved or not im just going to wait and see what happens come what may i suppose. We have found some potential investigators this week so it will be interesting to follow up with them. Instead of riding bikes this transfer we have decided to walk which is good because walking is a much more effective way of doing missionary work as far as i am concerned. Everything is going well with Elder Maja we get along alright.
Mom I have not yet recieved the package you sent me but im expecting it this week or the next. It sounds like you are really looking to find something to do haha hopefully you find a career that you will enjoy ill keep that in mind as i pray this week. I like that new ornament yes finally done with high school! All those ornaments are packed full of wonderful memories.
Dad, that vandal game would have been awesome to be at! Im sure that dome was booming haha, oh man i can recall all those close games we attended in that place what fun those are! It sounds like you are well on your way to getting some good clients, that is so cool.
Ariel and Brian wow how awesome that is you are gonna be parents! Im excited for you. When is that baby due?
Colin and Whitney yo that is sweet that snowmobile day that would have been awesome! Whitney are you going to be like a student teacher for a certain period of time or is it a full time gig in Idaho falls?
It sounds like everyone is doing well and i hope everyone has a wonderful week leading up to Christmas.
Elder Chase Nielsen
Uncle Kirk I am praying for you and I hope you are doing well at this time.
Anyways this week was nice we had district exchanges and zone leader exchanges aswell. At our zone conference on wednesday we learned that transfers are going to be one week early because of Christmas (if transfers were a week later it would be on the 23rd) so that is exciting. Im not sure if i will be moved or not im just going to wait and see what happens come what may i suppose. We have found some potential investigators this week so it will be interesting to follow up with them. Instead of riding bikes this transfer we have decided to walk which is good because walking is a much more effective way of doing missionary work as far as i am concerned. Everything is going well with Elder Maja we get along alright.
Mom I have not yet recieved the package you sent me but im expecting it this week or the next. It sounds like you are really looking to find something to do haha hopefully you find a career that you will enjoy ill keep that in mind as i pray this week. I like that new ornament yes finally done with high school! All those ornaments are packed full of wonderful memories.
Dad, that vandal game would have been awesome to be at! Im sure that dome was booming haha, oh man i can recall all those close games we attended in that place what fun those are! It sounds like you are well on your way to getting some good clients, that is so cool.
Ariel and Brian wow how awesome that is you are gonna be parents! Im excited for you. When is that baby due?
Colin and Whitney yo that is sweet that snowmobile day that would have been awesome! Whitney are you going to be like a student teacher for a certain period of time or is it a full time gig in Idaho falls?
It sounds like everyone is doing well and i hope everyone has a wonderful week leading up to Christmas.
Elder Chase Nielsen
Monday, November 29, 2010
Week 12: Novemeber 29, 2010
Aah the e-mail after Thanksgiving! I had to prepare and know that I was bound to hear about the feast that took place without my presence, oh well i had a great feast of my own. Some corn flakes with an added amount of raisins and oats, it was nice nonetheless. In all honesty i didn't even realize that it was Thanksgiving until another elder in my district pointed it out, and then i tried not to think about it so much. It seems like everyone had a good holiday, i have really done some thinking as to the importance of holidays, gathering of family and how they can be such great times for development of memories but I could only have learned that by not being present at one shame..
You know I Chris Vance is totally correct on that one, i mean you can learn two different ways off someones example, either you want to be like them or.. you don't. Its so true how living with someone and being around them for 24 hours at a time is quite challenging but you learn so much from it, and again you see how others behave and you decide if you want to be like that or not. But that's pretty cool that those guys came over and stayed at your new home Mom and Dad they are all good guys who were really good examples and friends to me.
Wow so i was telling my African companion about the day after Thanksgiving and how it is known for the busiest shopping day of the year, yo uncle Kirt bought a new gun that's awesome hahaha! but yeah i had to tell my comp almost everything about Thank giving because he didn't know anything about it. Surprisingly i was able to remember the history of how the colonists didn't know how to plant in the sandy Virginia soil so the natives showed them how to fertilize with fish meat in order for the seed to get nourishment and all that mumbo, then i told him harvest time came around and the colonists had a big feast with all the natives. Thus we have Thanksgiving still today.
That's too bad BSU was beaten by Nevada, there pistol offence must be pretty potent this year, oh well there is always next year for a shot at the title. What do i care I'm in SA where football is played with a soccer ball and rugby is popular. You know dad most businesses don't have positive numbers within their first five years but luckily your line of business doesn't have many fixed costs associated with it, just as long as you can retain all the information that is in your brain, most people write a book for those purposes though. Anyways that is something to be grateful for, and I'm sure that as you continue to get your name out there the gigs will start coming in like butter.
Anyways this last week was hard, we barely have any investigators worth mentioning and we go door after door with not much success but we continue on unhindered. To me it doesn't seem too bad because this is just the missionary life that i know. But other missionaries in other areas are just packed full with investigators and are really having success. It was great to hear from all of you this week and I am glad that everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
Mom yes i plan on calling around 8 Pm my time which correct me if i am wrong will be 12 noon your time in Twin Falls?
Toodlu,
Elder Nielsen
You know I Chris Vance is totally correct on that one, i mean you can learn two different ways off someones example, either you want to be like them or.. you don't. Its so true how living with someone and being around them for 24 hours at a time is quite challenging but you learn so much from it, and again you see how others behave and you decide if you want to be like that or not. But that's pretty cool that those guys came over and stayed at your new home Mom and Dad they are all good guys who were really good examples and friends to me.
Wow so i was telling my African companion about the day after Thanksgiving and how it is known for the busiest shopping day of the year, yo uncle Kirt bought a new gun that's awesome hahaha! but yeah i had to tell my comp almost everything about Thank giving because he didn't know anything about it. Surprisingly i was able to remember the history of how the colonists didn't know how to plant in the sandy Virginia soil so the natives showed them how to fertilize with fish meat in order for the seed to get nourishment and all that mumbo, then i told him harvest time came around and the colonists had a big feast with all the natives. Thus we have Thanksgiving still today.
That's too bad BSU was beaten by Nevada, there pistol offence must be pretty potent this year, oh well there is always next year for a shot at the title. What do i care I'm in SA where football is played with a soccer ball and rugby is popular. You know dad most businesses don't have positive numbers within their first five years but luckily your line of business doesn't have many fixed costs associated with it, just as long as you can retain all the information that is in your brain, most people write a book for those purposes though. Anyways that is something to be grateful for, and I'm sure that as you continue to get your name out there the gigs will start coming in like butter.
Anyways this last week was hard, we barely have any investigators worth mentioning and we go door after door with not much success but we continue on unhindered. To me it doesn't seem too bad because this is just the missionary life that i know. But other missionaries in other areas are just packed full with investigators and are really having success. It was great to hear from all of you this week and I am glad that everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
Mom yes i plan on calling around 8 Pm my time which correct me if i am wrong will be 12 noon your time in Twin Falls?
Toodlu,
Elder Nielsen
Monday, November 22, 2010
Week 11: November 22, 2010
Hello once again!
This past week has been pretty good, early on the transition to a new companion was a little rough and there were some things adjusted that allows us both to live in harmony. It is interesting to go from an American companions perspective to a natives perspective, i can't quite explain it but nonetheless it is cool to see. WOW i cant even comprehend how it is nearly thanksgiving, the weather sure doesnt give me any hints towards the holiday season. I am really glad we have out holiday season in the winter, people in the southern hemisphere have it all wrong haha.. the time out here goes by so much quicker, day's pass in the blink of an eye.
So there is some snow in Idaho, let the snow sports begin? and yes mom i do miss it hah but I wont be seeing any of that while im here. It has been one long summer time for me, its nice though i have a super sweet farmers tan! Its good to hear that all of you are doing well and gearing up for the holidays, This Guy is for sure going to miss turkey, stuffing, ham, rolls, pie, egg nog, and all those nice foods that just make you feel Good. People down here dont know what Thanksgiving is, and if they even celebrated such a thing it wouldnt be in Spring/Summer but rather Fall/Winter or harvest time. Anyways I am excited for you guys to have such a wonderful holiday even though i will not be present.
yeah so everything has been worked out with the new companion and things seem to be going well with he and I. We dont have much of a teaching pool but we are working on getting a lot of new investigators. This past week we tracted a whole bunch and didn't really find all that much success but we continue on with no worries. I don't find it hard to live with another person for 24 hours a day, I just try and be as non intrusive as possible. Not like im walking on eggshells but just aware of things I do that might be annoying or offensive to my companion. Although Elder White and I basically could not offend each other, Elder Maja and I will most likely do so but it seems that we are aware of each others standings on how things should go.
Mom, I am such a lucky son to recieve a package every month from you what a treat! About my clothing i think it would be wise if I had maybe one or two more pairs of pants, and maybe it would be easier if i were to just purcase them here. But other than that everything is going well in that front. Yes the other Elders in the district have a washer, so we take our laundry over there and then hang our clothes up in our flat. Oh and before Elder White left he and I made a Laundry bag for me, it is neon yellow mesh fabric and we just sewed it on up, that way i have a laundry bag and something to remember my first companion by. So i hope everything is going well in the US im keeping all of you in my prayers
Until next week,
Elder Nielsen
This past week has been pretty good, early on the transition to a new companion was a little rough and there were some things adjusted that allows us both to live in harmony. It is interesting to go from an American companions perspective to a natives perspective, i can't quite explain it but nonetheless it is cool to see. WOW i cant even comprehend how it is nearly thanksgiving, the weather sure doesnt give me any hints towards the holiday season. I am really glad we have out holiday season in the winter, people in the southern hemisphere have it all wrong haha.. the time out here goes by so much quicker, day's pass in the blink of an eye.
So there is some snow in Idaho, let the snow sports begin? and yes mom i do miss it hah but I wont be seeing any of that while im here. It has been one long summer time for me, its nice though i have a super sweet farmers tan! Its good to hear that all of you are doing well and gearing up for the holidays, This Guy is for sure going to miss turkey, stuffing, ham, rolls, pie, egg nog, and all those nice foods that just make you feel Good. People down here dont know what Thanksgiving is, and if they even celebrated such a thing it wouldnt be in Spring/Summer but rather Fall/Winter or harvest time. Anyways I am excited for you guys to have such a wonderful holiday even though i will not be present.
yeah so everything has been worked out with the new companion and things seem to be going well with he and I. We dont have much of a teaching pool but we are working on getting a lot of new investigators. This past week we tracted a whole bunch and didn't really find all that much success but we continue on with no worries. I don't find it hard to live with another person for 24 hours a day, I just try and be as non intrusive as possible. Not like im walking on eggshells but just aware of things I do that might be annoying or offensive to my companion. Although Elder White and I basically could not offend each other, Elder Maja and I will most likely do so but it seems that we are aware of each others standings on how things should go.
Mom, I am such a lucky son to recieve a package every month from you what a treat! About my clothing i think it would be wise if I had maybe one or two more pairs of pants, and maybe it would be easier if i were to just purcase them here. But other than that everything is going well in that front. Yes the other Elders in the district have a washer, so we take our laundry over there and then hang our clothes up in our flat. Oh and before Elder White left he and I made a Laundry bag for me, it is neon yellow mesh fabric and we just sewed it on up, that way i have a laundry bag and something to remember my first companion by. So i hope everything is going well in the US im keeping all of you in my prayers
Until next week,
Elder Nielsen
Monday, November 15, 2010
Week 10: November 15, 2010
Hello!
So you guys are all starting to get cold up there in North America, i can just see all the fall colors and beautiful scenery but those are just imaginations for me. Its generally around 93 degrees just about every day here and the members say it gets much hotter, man i have no idea what I'm going to do then just yesterday it was almost unbearable. oh well such is live with the black name tag, yea so i have a new companion and his name is Elder Maja and he is from Limpopo SA and he has been out on mission for about 18 months. I am still in Paarl which is alright with me because i really like it here, there are some spectacular views at sunset and sunrise. As for the people though.. ahh i guess they are alright ha most of them are really confused. Since transfer day all Elder Maja and i have done practically is tracting, and 99% of the people just say "ohh it doesn't matter what religion you are just as long as you believe in god and go to church", man what a lackadaisical statement that is wow satan works in very cunning and wise ways to distract the children of men. Sometimes i just want to tell them to read Matt 7 and then tell me all religions work.. they dont there can only be one, and if you call yourself a god fearing person and you truly are.. you Will listen to our message and you will read the book of Mormon and pray to know the truthfulness of it. just like Bruce R McConkie said "We need to cast away the philosophies of man, the wisdom of the wise, and harken unto that great spirit that teaches man all things". Im sure anyone who has ever served a mission experienced people who have hard hearts and think they know they have the truth, "when they are learned they think they are wise".
Anyways that has been my week in a nutshell, walking from door to door in the scorching African sun trying to find people ready to receive our message. Oh and Mom i did recieve those pictures in the email, the new house looks nice and cozy, i like it its nice. i like the picture of uncle Kirt and Dad standing in front of that empty truck haha i bet that was a relief to finally be done moving all that furniture. It sounds like everything is going well back home, that's good to hear man do i love reading all the emails you guys send me you have no idea how much it means to have news from home. Wow mom that's really neat how driving through those old neighborhoods gives you and myself all those memories of Idaho. Im excited for both of you and all the things that are ahead. Christmas list ok.. keep the ornament, USB drive, pictures of family, and anything else you may think i would want for Christmas as a missionary.
Oh man those Hamilton boys are oh so creative they definitely had the best costume, beasts. keep well and inform me on when Phillip and Jordan send in their papers. A whole lot of Elders from Washington are being called to Cape Town.
well its about time for me to wrap up this email but first i would like to have a list of all the addresses of family members so i can start writing letters for Christmas.
Have a great week everybody,
Elder Nielsen
So you guys are all starting to get cold up there in North America, i can just see all the fall colors and beautiful scenery but those are just imaginations for me. Its generally around 93 degrees just about every day here and the members say it gets much hotter, man i have no idea what I'm going to do then just yesterday it was almost unbearable. oh well such is live with the black name tag, yea so i have a new companion and his name is Elder Maja and he is from Limpopo SA and he has been out on mission for about 18 months. I am still in Paarl which is alright with me because i really like it here, there are some spectacular views at sunset and sunrise. As for the people though.. ahh i guess they are alright ha most of them are really confused. Since transfer day all Elder Maja and i have done practically is tracting, and 99% of the people just say "ohh it doesn't matter what religion you are just as long as you believe in god and go to church", man what a lackadaisical statement that is wow satan works in very cunning and wise ways to distract the children of men. Sometimes i just want to tell them to read Matt 7 and then tell me all religions work.. they dont there can only be one, and if you call yourself a god fearing person and you truly are.. you Will listen to our message and you will read the book of Mormon and pray to know the truthfulness of it. just like Bruce R McConkie said "We need to cast away the philosophies of man, the wisdom of the wise, and harken unto that great spirit that teaches man all things". Im sure anyone who has ever served a mission experienced people who have hard hearts and think they know they have the truth, "when they are learned they think they are wise".
Anyways that has been my week in a nutshell, walking from door to door in the scorching African sun trying to find people ready to receive our message. Oh and Mom i did recieve those pictures in the email, the new house looks nice and cozy, i like it its nice. i like the picture of uncle Kirt and Dad standing in front of that empty truck haha i bet that was a relief to finally be done moving all that furniture. It sounds like everything is going well back home, that's good to hear man do i love reading all the emails you guys send me you have no idea how much it means to have news from home. Wow mom that's really neat how driving through those old neighborhoods gives you and myself all those memories of Idaho. Im excited for both of you and all the things that are ahead. Christmas list ok.. keep the ornament, USB drive, pictures of family, and anything else you may think i would want for Christmas as a missionary.
Oh man those Hamilton boys are oh so creative they definitely had the best costume, beasts. keep well and inform me on when Phillip and Jordan send in their papers. A whole lot of Elders from Washington are being called to Cape Town.
well its about time for me to wrap up this email but first i would like to have a list of all the addresses of family members so i can start writing letters for Christmas.
Have a great week everybody,
Elder Nielsen
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