SOMEBODY!

Funny story to share. The day after my birthday the Culpeppers had us over for dinner. The Culpeppers live with their daughter Sister Bowers and they are getting up there in age. I think that they are 93. haha but anyways we were eating dinner and they kept asking questions like "what is the big occasion?" because I guess they never eat in their dining room. and Sister Bowers would explain to them that it was my birthday and all the grand stuff. haha but the best part was that they went to sing happy birthday to me and Brother Culpepper was singing the loudest and sang, "happy birthday to.........somebody. happy birthday to you." and then went on to eat his ice cream while all the rest of us were just dying of laughter. Old people are the best :) 

 

This week we were able to visit a less active family that has not been able to make it to the temple yet. It was a huge blessing because as we were eating dinner with them they brought it up. So they invited us back this week so we can help them reach their goal of going to the temple. It was great to see how this is the Lord's works. Missionary work is not always bringing someone new to the gospel but maybe inviting someone back. We are doing the Lord's work and we will do what He wants done :) 

 

I know that what I am doing is where I am supposed to be. Every day my testimony is strengthened and my relationship with the Savior grows stronger. I am grateful for the blessings that I have received all throughout life. I know that when we do what the Lord expects of us, He promised us blessings :) 

 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Love, Sister Nielsen

October miracles :)

We had a wonderful miracle yesterday! We had stake conference and we were just getting ready to leave and an Elder walked up with a girl that I had never seen before. We started to talk to her and found out that she was investigating the church in Texas and is now living with her grandma in Harrah. We are going to meet with her this Wednesday! I think this meant so much to me because these last couple of weeks have been a little tough because the work has been slow. But because of the knowledge that I have gained from experiences that I have had out my mission I know that we can expect miracles as missionaries. Three weeks trying to find people to teach or getting in with formers has been rough but it was all worth it to be able to meet and teach Mariah. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows us perfectly and knows exactly what we need to go through in order for us to progress.  

This one is for you family members. One thing that really has stuck out to me a lot from conference is being spiritually self reliant (I bet you know that because I bring it up all the time now!) haha but I want you to figure out what you know about the gospel and why you know it. Then if you just "believe" some things, try to develop that belief into a knowledge. AUSTIN AND EVAN. this will bless you as you grow up. I promise. Sometimes living where we do we sometimes get into a rut of believing things because that is what everyone else believes. I want you to know for yourself :) Be a better teenager than I was! I love you both.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week :) I love you all!

Shout out to my married bff :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL :)

Love, Sister Nielsen

Happy (day after) Columbus Day!

Can I let you all know of an experience that I just had? haha well here it is. I am sitting here emailing and there is a young man that smells heavily of cologne, almost to the point where I might be intoxicated by the time that I leave. Well I am sitting here and breathing in the fumes and I move a little bit and get a whiff of my smelly ear. bahaha I don't know what is better. My infected earring hole or young men that are cologne happy! Thought you all would like to know :)

 

This week was wonderful :) I think that I really found joy in the work. Just because of the companionship I am in, I have the opportunity to bear my testimony about my mission frequently and I am so grateful for that. I know that God's hand is in the little things of our lives. Even down to the companionship that I am in :) I am grateful for my time to serve.

 

This time that I have been reading through the Book of Mormon I have tried to notice anytime that the author states what they know. I love to tell people what I know to be true and as I have been reading through 1st and 2nd Nephi it is very powerful the things that him and his family know. Basically I love to read through their testimonies.

 

On fast Sunday, Brother Robar got up to bear his testimony and I loved it because it was about an experience that he and his wife had when they came out teaching with us and I am so glad that he shared it because it helped me to see the light in a rough situation that we had. On Friday, we went to go see two men that were not really interested in hearing the gospel as much as they wanted to tear us down. We were not able to share any of our message but you better believe that we didn't leave that place without bearing testimony about Jesus. Brother Robar brought up the fact that these two men did not testify of Christ but they were too wound up in logic and facts and proving that we were wrong. It was just great to know that the knowledge that I have is far greater than all of the facts you could ever have. I know that Christ lives and loves all of us because of the way that I have seen my life change through seeking His guidance in my life. He is always there but sometimes we don't show up because of the way we choose to live our life. I hope to always live in a way where I constantly want to be closer to my Savior.

 

I love all ya'll! haha have a blessed day :)

 

Love, Sister Nielsen

"Go to work"

Hey Hey Hey! 

 

Conference was wonderful! I hope that you all got to watch some of it. As I was listening to the Saturday morning session I really noticed the topic of being spiritually self reliant. I loved that, because as the days get a little bit more trying we are going to need to know where we stand and why. I am so grateful for the chance I have had to learn why I believe different aspects of the gospel, because that has helped me with my overall testimony that I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ. I know my Savior a little bit better because I have had to learn who He is to me instead of who He is to those around me. Elder Christoffersen said "Go to work," when he was talking about spiritual independence. We need to prepare now so that we can be strong enough to help those around us gain an understanding of where they should be firmly planted when the Savior will come. 

 

My favorite talk was by Elder Robbins, and how he talked about the way that we face. Do we face the Lord or do we face the world. Then he talked about how some try to bend themselves against the Lord's standards - that won't work. When we raise our standards to the Lord's standards, that is when we build our own testimonies and have the chance to really improve instead of being satisfied and comfortable. Sometimes satisfied and comfortable causes us to coast with little to no improvement. 

 

This week was wonderful, along with watching conference we also got to see "Meet the Mormons." What a wonderful missionary tool! Hopefully you all get the chance to see it too! 

 

I hope that October is treating you well :)

 

Love you!

 

Sister Nielsen