Week 16: Bautismo

Buenas Dias! :)

This week was a great week because every day that passed made life that much less stressful :)

Tuesday was a stressful day because I was in charge. We were on interchanges so it was another missionary and I in my sector. It was stressful and pushed me a lot but we did well. We taught 7 lessons in one day, which is like 3 to 4 days worth of work. Then we had a lesson with an investigator who found out that I love completos and that we have Mondays free, so he invited us to his house some P-day to make completos, what a bro :)

Wednesday was good as well. We had lessons which went well and then we had a special one with Hermana C. She is a mostly deaf member and she loves missionaries. Anyways she got E' Cropper and I gifts (not Christmas gifts, just random gifts). She got us mugs of our soccer teams. To explain, there are 5 main pro teams in our part of Chile and everyone always asks what team you are from (support). As a missionary you just have to choose a team and go with it. I am from "The U" (The University of Chile) so she got me a "U" mug. It was a good day.

Thursday was a long stressful day because we were getting everything prepped for the baptism. We filled out all the paperwork, cleaned the font, and took care of some details.

Friday was a good day. We had the Christmas conference where we got gifts from the mission (A tin of cookies, a pen drive, and a hard cover copy of the Book of Mormon to read and mark) and lots of learning. We learned that starting next year the mission is going to change giving missionaries more control and less guidelines (like the next step of PMG). We had practices, which is kind of nerve wracking when an assistant to the president is sitting right next to you. After everything we got a big delicious lunch and went  back to our sector. L had her baptismal interview and Passed!

Saturday was good. We passed by lots of less actives, inviting them to church. After that we taught P, and 11 year old boy and he said he wanted to come to church (but then he didnt) and then we taught tata J who is doing well.

Sunday was a great day. Tata J came to church, the ward had a primary program which was super cute, and L and K got baptized!!!! It was awesome but also stressful because I had to give a short talk for L and then I had to give a 15 minute presentation to the ward by myself, without Elder Cropper there to save me, while they changed their clothes. We ended the day with a FHE with the B family and that was a great end to the day.

Spiritual thought for the week. We have all been given talents and gifts from God. As we know from the parable of the talents it is our duty to grow our talents and to gain more. It is our duty to figure out which gifts God has blessed us with and to grow them, while gaining the others. I encourage you all to read D&C 46:11-33 and Moroni 10:8-18 and look for which gifts you have been given. Then pick one that you would like to have and grow them, develop them. I know that if you do that you will become a better tool in Gods hands and that he will give you an opportunity to use that gift.

Stay Golden! I love you all!! :)

Love,

Elder Nielson

Week 15: A Murphy's Law sort of Week!

Buenas Dias!

This week was a tough one, by far the toughest one I have had so far. But we need these kind of weeks to learn and to grow.

Tuesday I had an interchange with Elder Call our district leader in his sector. It was a pretty good day. We had lunch and then some studies and went and taught some lessons. We walked a lot, but the lessons went pretty well. I got sunburned pretty bad, but oh well :)

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the days that made this week so difficult. They were emotionally taxing which was really hard and they are days that I definitely don't want to relive ever again. Mission work wise they were good days, but these days my comp and I had lots of discussions, we discussed what we needed to improve, what we needed to be more obedient in, and stuff like that. This made us kind of down, and after a moment of frustration with each other we had a good heart to heart talk where we both almost cried because we found out how each other felt. It was good to have this talk and helped us feel better :)

After these tough days we began Saturday with a little more Animo. In the morning we taught Diegeo (Lali's grandson) for an hour and basically taught him everything he needs to know to get baptized. After that we played soccer with him for a half hour until mutual started. After lunch and studies we went and taught Lali. In the lesson she said she was going to attend church which was great, but then we found out some information that makes getting her baptized a little more complicated. We now have to get our mission president involved in the process. Everything just seems to be as hard as it could possible be. Thanks Murphy for your law.

Sundays on the mission are always stressful. Trying to get investigators to church, making sure they have friends, and making sure they know where to go, all while maintaining a good relationship with the members is difficult, especially because some members get offended easily. After church and lunch we had studies and lessons. We taught Tata Juan who is doing well, but is feeling kind of sick from Dialysis. 

Monday morning we played soccer with the ward and it was super fun. I had a blast and did well! They were all surprised that a "Gringo" could play like I did ha ha :) It was a great morning and I feel like I impressed some of the members which was good :)

All in all it was a good week with a really rough patch. I'm glad that such a long week is over and I'm ready to start a better week :)

Love you all! Stay golden! :)

Love,

Elder Nielson

Week 14: A Michael Buble' Christmas

Buenas Dias!

This week was a pretty good one. I was suffering from a "Man-Cold." but I persevered even though I didn't have my mommy there to make it better :( But we are definitely getting into the Christmas spirit! We bought a Christmas tree and decorated it with ornaments we made out of paper haha :) We jammed to the only Christmas music we have "Michael Bublé Christmas" haha but it was great :)

Tuesday was good! We encountered a new investigator named Matias who seems pretty interested. It was nice to encounter another new investigator. After that we had a lesson with Lali. It was awesome because she was awake and animated and smiling, unlike the tired, sad, droopy Lali who is normally there. She talked about church and members who called her to check on her. It is awesome to see the gospel changing her life for the better. I'm also forever grateful to the members who called her. Member support makes a huge difference in missionary work.

Wednesday was a good day as well. We taught Lali and she is still doing great! She had a couple other lessons which went well. My throat started feeling better but my body was exhausted. 

Thursday was pretty good. We had lunch with a member and it is the most I have eaten in forever! We each got half a pan of lasagna and it was a ton of food! After that we met with a lot of less active members and we taught Matias some English (Everyone in Chile wants to learn English). After all the lessons we went and got completos and ended the day.

Friday was pretty good, it was a roller coaster ride of emotions. We had a 3rd companion for part of the day because his companion had a meeting. He is from Bolivia and it was great Spanish practice. We were all talking and I felt good, but then we had a lesson with Matis and I felt like I Botched it so I was feeling pretty frustrated. But then I got a Christmas package from home! We put the gifts under the tree. I also got letters from my teachers quorum and I loved them :) Then we ended by celebrating Thanksgiving (A day late) at the Riversos because they wanted to celebrate a gringo holiday with us :) We ate pizza and had a great time. I always love it there because I feel comfortable so I am myself and make them laugh.

Saturday was a good day. All of our appointments fell through... Puro exito! (Pure success) But we stopped by some less actives and they appreciated the visit. The best part of the day was the night. My companion and I don't really like to do street contacts but we were challenged to do 4 on Saturday. We did 5 and I started the 1st one! I started 3 of the 5 and participated in all of them. I don't mind contacts anymore :) It was a good day because I can honestly say I completed my motto and had "-No Regrets."

Sunday was a frustrating day. None of our investigators came to church. Then after church we had to stay after because of some ward drama that has to do with our (Elder Cropper and Myself) secret assignment. I don't think I have mentioned this before but Elder Cropper and I are here in Villa Dulce on a specific (kinda secret) mission from president because of some stuff that happened with a family here. Anyways things were getting pretty delicate so we had to stay around for awhile. We then ended the day with a FHE with a family. I will give the whole lowdown of our assignment next week.

My favorite scripture right now is Alma 48:17 which says if we are like Moroni then Satan will have now power over us. Alma 48:11-13 teaches us how Moroni was and how we need to be in order to overcome Satan. He forgot himself and worked for the well being of his people. I know that if we overcome the natural man, or in other words, forget ourselves and serve others, Satan will have no power over us and we will receive a new level of blessings.

Overall it was a great week! I love you all and hope you are all golden! :)

Love,

Elder Nielson

Week 13: My first kiss!! (Chilean, not French)

Buenas Dias!

Last Monday we had a funny moment. After doing E-mail we went to a completo place to eat lunch and while we were there a lady who works for movistar, a big phone company in chile, offered us jobs as salesmen and told us we looked cute so we would get more business. It was a nice ego boost but we said no ;)

Tuesday was interesting as well. An inactive ladies mom died so we set up the chapel and funeral service, participated in that, and then went to the burial. After that we went teaching lessons and ate cake at one of the appointments. It was good, and now I am getting even fatter (But i started working out harder in the morning so I won't be fat for long!). After some teaching appointments we got an assignment from the bishop to go find a lady with mental problems (crazy) who had been kicked out of her house and to find out where she was and how we could help. We found her at a persons house who had found her freezing in the street and took her in. What a loving person! After discussing with her what happened we gave the info to the bishop. I am getting all kinds of crazy experiences!

Wednesday was changes and... I am staying in Villa Dulce with Elder Cropper for 6 more weeks. Woohoo! :) After studies and lunch we bought groceries (Which I love doing now). After shopping we worked. We had a couple lessons and went to the house where the crazy lady was staying and found out that she had run away. As we went to leave I got my first Chilean kiss! In chile everyone kisses each other goodbye, cheek to cheek or lip to cheek. As missionaries we aren't allowed to do that so we just shake hands to say goodbye (like an awkward child after a date) but non members don't know that so the older lady kissed us good bye (cheek to cheek). It was surprising and hilarious because the bishop made fun of us for it haha :)

Thursday was a good day because we had weekly planning. We realized and acknowledged that we weren't working as hard as we needed to/wanted to so we made good plans and got pumped. After doing some service we had some lessons and one with Lali. The lesson was awesome and the spirit was so strong! She said that when we were there she felt like she was in the presence of god. I know I am a representative of Jesus Christ and that I am here to help people come to him. It was a testimony building moment. At home I wanted to eat one of my hotdogs but Elder Cropper wouldn't let me (Jokingly) because I am trying to stop gaining weight so we ended up wrestling and I dove into the kitchen but he picked up my legs and dragged me out as I desperately clawed at the tile floor. It was a perfect and classic movie moment :) After that I ate my hot dog :)

Friday was one of the best days of my mission! We had interchanges and I was with a Latino companion for the day. But it was awesome because my Spanish just clicked. I understood almost everything. I taught a guy basically by myself and he understood me. Then we visited another family and like the whole family was together. We talked and laughed and taught. And I was finally myself in Spanish! It felt wonderful to be myself. By the end I had made everyone laugh a ton and they loved me! They were all sad when I left because they wanted me to come back but I can't cuz it isn't in my sector. They all said super nice things when I left and the older lady gave me a Chilean goodbye kiss. IT was fantastic to be myself and make people laugh!

Saturday not much happened. We taught some lessons, some appointments fell through and not much happened. The youth of the ward were selling empanadas for a fundraiser so we each bought 2 and they were a nice treat to have :)

Sunday Lali attended church and loved it! She is going to be baptized the 7th of December with her 2 grand kids! It was a good day of church for sure! Plus hermana Rivero got my companion and I A&W root beer which was super delicious :)

Thats my crazy week!

I love you all and stay golden! Until next week!

Love you all,

Elder Nielson

Week 12: I find your lack of faith disturbing

Buenas Dias!

This week was definitely not as action packed as last week, it was actually pretty tranquilo :)

Tuesday was very very uneventful. We went and got one of my rabies shots and taught a lesson and then had 3 hours of ward meetings. Not much really happened.

Wednesday was a pretty good day. We had a zone meeting which we have once a month and it was pretty good. After the meeting and lunch we went and taught Lali's grand kids. While we waited for Lali to show up we played some keep away soccer with the flat soccer ball (Everyone has flat soccer balls here, fully pumped up ones are super rare) That was fun and there was an awesome moment where I turned around, kicked the ball through a kids legs, and then rainbowed the ball perfectly :) Now they call me Alexis Sanchez (Chile's famous soccer player). After that we had a couple more lessons. At night we opened a package that elder croppers parents sent. Among the stuff he got there were matching shirts with Darth Vaders face that say "I find your lack of faith disturbing" It was an awesome shirt and has an awesome double meaning now that I am on a mission :)

Thursday was a good day. We taught hermano Juan and he is doing good. He is going to receive the priesthood this next week. After that we taught English class to a guy we are teaching. He is really... Interesting :) After that we taught familia Araya. I loved the lesson because we showed them exactly what they nee3d to do to have eternal life and live together as a family forever. I also loved it because I talked and shared a lot. My Spanish is improving slowly but surely!

Friday was the day of RECKONING! Friday we did interchanges with the zone leaders (Our bosses). I was with Elder Valencia, who is from Ecuador and only speaks Spanish. It was kinda nice to practice my Spanish and I felt like I did pretty well. When we taught lessons he treated me like a normal companion and made me teach a lot which helped me grow. It was also a good day because I got my rabies shot in the morning which means I only have 2 left!

Saturday was a pretty normal day. We finished interchanges so I got my companion back which was nice. Then we taught hermano Juan and he is still doing well. Then we taught Lali and she promised to attend church and loved the lesson.

Sunday was a FRUSTRATING day. We had 10 people who said that they would come to church and none of them came. Which means that Lali who was planning on being baptized this month can't be baptized this month. After church all 3 appointments we had fell through which was frustrating as well.

All in all there is definitely room for this next week to be better! Changes are on Wednesday so on Wednesday I will know if I am staying with elder cropper or if I am changing :)

I love you all! Stay golden!

Elder Nielson

Week 11: I Got SHOT....S!!!!

Buenas dias!

This week was a good, interesting, and different week to say the least haha :)

Monday after all of our shopping, we got our haircut :)

Tuesday wasx a pretty good day. We did service for a lady who has cancer and hoed the grass and weeds out of her "Yard" (Area with greass and weeds in front of her house/appartment). We contacted a few people, one of which was named Lali who is now an investigator.

Wednesday was a good and bad day. In the morning my back seized up to the point where it hurt to breathe and move. That made the day long. But after our district meeting we got to work. (Now my back is completely fine). We visited Lali who has a tought life but problems that the gospel will fix. We did more work and ended the day planning the ward activity with the Rivero Family. They are awesome and we had hilarious conversations and I acutally felt like my normal self! (Talkative, funny, enthusiastic). (The ward activity had to be cancelled so we aren't doing it any more).

Thursday was an alright day. My back was still kind of hurting and tight so the nurse told me to put hot towel's on my back to relax it and while I was laying with one hot towel on my back I accidentally left the other one in the microwave to long so it got... well done. The rest of the day our appartment smelled like smoke hah :) The rest of thursday was alright. A super nice lady in the ward gave my companion and I some sunscreen (A bottle for each of us) which was super kind. After that we spent alot of time contacting and I felt kind of discouraged.

Friday was a VERY INTERESTING day to say the least. We had interchanges and I was with Elder Call our district leader (He is superbueno). We had a successful early afternoon until we visited hermana margarita. We visited her and when she opened the door her dog (Lots of people in Chile take stray dogs off the street and have them as pets, which I am assuming that she did) ran out of the house and bit me on the back of my left calf!! It ran away and we left. After that we spent the rest of the day cleaning it and visiting hospitals and clinics trying to get rabies shots. I didn't get them but Saturday I got them. Like I said, Interesting day, But I got to visit Valparaiso (For the hospital) so that was pretty cool! :)

Saturday was interesting as well haha. After studies Elder Cropper and I went looking for a place to get my rabies shots. A member was super nice and drove us to all of the hospital places. Finally we found a place to do it. For those of you who know me, I HATE SHOTS! The needle was the LONGEST, THICKEST, MOST SCARY DEATH STICK I HAVE EVER SEEN! After getting the shot (and not crying at all :)) I found out that I have to get 4 more shots for a total of 5 over a period of about 2 weeks! At least it makes for a pretty good story haha :) Afterwards we taught Lali and put a bautismal date with her!! :)

Sunday was a hectic day. Lali couldn't attend church but her 4 grandkids did and boy were they a handful!! Dealing with them was stressful and difficult but they liked church :) We taught and put a baptismal date with the oldest grandson, Diego :) At church Hermano Juan was confirmed a member which was awesome! :) He is just the greatest guy ever. After church we had lessons with some people and they were good :)

Like I said, it was an interesting and out of the ordinary week! I am doing great and love Chile! Stay golden,

My mission address for those looking to send me gifts ;)

 The address is 1112 4 Norte, viña del mar chile :)

Love you all,

Elder Nielson

Week 10: The bathroom can wait, their salvation can't!

Buenas Dias!

This weeks theme was definitely "The bathroom can wait, Their salvation can't!" Never in my life have I had to go to the bathroom as bad as I do on the mission. With our busy schedule you can either go to the bathroom or go to an appointment and as peoples salvation is slightly more important than relieving myself of the natural waters of life, I always tell myself and my companion "The bathroom can wait, Their salvation can't!"

Tuesday was a pretty good day. We went out and worked in a part of our sector that we haven't worked in much. Our sector is Villa Dulce which is divided up into Villa Dulce Norte, Villa Dulce Crav, El Olivar, El olivar Norte, and Canal Beagle. Tuesday we worked in Canal Beagle and had a great contact with a guy named Carlos who seems pretty interested. We gave him a Book of Mormon and plan on visiting him soon. The afternoon wasn't very productive. All three of our appointments fell through which was frustrating.

Wednesday was a good day. We had our district meeting and it was good. We talk about the attributes of Christ and today we talked about virtue and Charity. Afterwards we went and visited Juan and his family. I love them so much! Then we visited a less active lady who is coming back to church. Finally we visited the familia Araya who have been investigators for 4 years. They hadn't done any of the things we had asked them to do. We had a great lesson and they agreed to come to church! This Sunday we will see if they do it.

Thursday was alright. We had weekly planning and a far away lunch so we didn't leave the house to work until 5 so it was a shorter day. We went and visited a less active member. After that we went and planned a ward missionary activity that we somehow got put in charge of. Then we had a short and sweet lesson with Juan. We ended the day buying completos which always makes the day better :) A funny thing that happened was as we were looking for an investigator we stopped at his house and there were 3 guys outside on the patio smoking Marijuana! We talked to them and they calmed not to be the investigator but we could tell that one of them was. But it was super funny to talk to them because they giggled about everything.

Friday was pretty uneventful because it was Halloween. On holidays the people all go to the Mall and the Plaza so no one was home. We ended the day teaching Juan and eating empanadas with him. 

Saturday was basically the same as Friday because it was another holiday called Dia de los Evangelicos. We talked to Carlos and his woman friend Camella and then went to stake conference.

Sunday we went to Stake conference and then worked. We ended the day at Juans house because a new investigator was going to meet us there. But he never showed up so we taught them a lesson and left. I am sick of people making appointments and not showing up.

I love you all!! An awesome scripture that I encountered was Proverbs 29:18, I would encourage you to read it!

Love,

Elder Nielson