Jarrett's Weekly Letter 12.2.213

This week was hard because my companion has been sick and so that means a lot of time indoors.  My companion woke up in the middle of the night and then he fell asleep on the couch so I woke up and did exercise in the room and same with personal and language study because I didn't want to wake him up. So basically I studied all day today from 8 in the morning to 5 at night. I did have a short break as we go and get grocerys today because we didn't get them yesterday.

 

Wednesday we woke up to snow on the ground it was honestly a nice sight I really do miss snow alot. We stayed in for most of the day and then for like a hour we went to a book store and did natural dendo and so we talked with this guy for about an hour about kanji books and what ones are the best and stuff. Nothing really came from it but we did get his number which is nice.

 

Thursday, we dendoed for a little and then I taught my first mogi lesson to a member family it was alright I felt like it could have for sure went better. But they said that it was really good. And also today in church during testimony meeting he straight up in front of everyone said I had such a strong spirit and that the lesson was unreal and that I am such a good missionary. I was like dang, like I didn't feel like it was that good... Also sitting crossed legged every time we are at a house kills my hips but hey who cares I don't need to worry about myself.

 

On Friday as we were dendoing my companion started not to feel good again so we came home and he slept again.

 

Well can you believe that it is already December! Well I can but at the same time I can't! The snow is almost melted which I do miss a lot. Another day of staying inside again  - you guessed it my companion is still sick and refuses any medicine I offer him. I basically just studied the Gospel and love it so much I wish I could spend just about everyday just filling my knowledge of the Gospel. I also started to study lesson 3 so hopefully I will be able to teach that soon! Also I guess I have lost some weight probably muscle because my suit coat is getting to big for me so that kinda stinks but I kinda like losing the fat if it is fat...

 

Tonigh we are going to a public bath  so that will be interesting!  The public bath is just all these people butt naked just chillin!! so yeah should be interesting it is like part of their culture!

Well that is about all for the week.

 

Elder Nielsen

December...

Well family.... where do I start... possibly the best week ever!!!! I can't even tell you how happy I am.  It truly was a week full of miracles.  It was so amazing.  

But let me just start off with getting some business out of the way... Theres 1 thing I want.. CARLOS.  a DVD with my mission call opening video on it. If that would be possible:) That is all.  Oh! andddd.... Aryleys showed me the pictures she put up on FB.  Im sorry family for that just hideously histerical photo she put up.  Every time I see it I cant decide whether I should just die of laughter or just want to hide myself.  hahahahaha jk, its hilarious!

Okay so now that thats done I'll tell you about my week.

It was so amazing!! So we started out the week in the Trio with Elder Franson, Elder Christensen and I.  It was tons of fun and weeeiirrddd having a car.  The other elders have the car.  Its way better just walking/running every where.  (Yes we still are running from lesson to lesson).  hahaha! 

So there is an investigator named Paco.  He was taught by Elder Franson and his old companion.  Elder Franson was telling me about him and how he was so ready and was getting super close to his baptism... but they compltely lost 100% contact with him like 1 week before I got here.  We hadnt seen him all last transfer.  Its been over 2 months since we've heard from him.  Well... I decided to try to give him a call on wednesday and of course.... no answer.  Well on Saturday we get a call..... IT WAS PACO!!! He called and sounded kinda sad and asked if we could meet with him on Tuesday.  So we'll see how that goes.  It was truly nothing short of a miracle. That NEVER happens.  Were thinking something had to have happened with him or his family or something.  Please pray for paco family.  

So this week there was something equivelant to Black Friday here.  Called "La Noche Blanca" and it wasSaturday night not Friday night. But let me tell ya... it was NUTS.  Lets just say not a single person stopped to talk to us that night.  I can't even begin to describe how crazy it was... BUT.  That morning Elder Franson and I baked those brownies you sent me! So that whole night we went from investigator to investigator and gave them each a few slices of brownies and invited them to church.  And guess what! We had more investigators in church then we ever had before! So thank you so much mom, for sending those! Each investigator was SO grateful.  And was so excited. 

This week we also had and awesome miracle! A return missionary.. named Romina is now the choir director for the ward.  She was at the church thursday night and said some person was just walking towards the church.  He recognized the sign! Hes from Poland and speaks like 4 languages.  He had a friend that was LDS, and he loved him tons.  His name is Miguel.  He doesnt smoke drink or any of that stuff.  And he really wanted a Book of Mormon.  We ended up getting a Polish Boook of Mormon for him! It was incredible.  He already knows tons about the church.  And the miracle is that he lives in our area!!! Every single member reference has gone to the other Elders.  Because they all live in the neighborhoods and cities outside of La Laguna Center.  We pretty much got all the University.  So that was truly a miracle.  Were SO excited.  He's a machine.  hahaha.  He knows more about sports than anyone I know.  Like sports statistics.  You can ask him anything and he knows it.  So lets just say we get along super well. haha! 

We also had an incredible experience with Fani and Ivan.  Remember them? Fani isn't a member.  Ivan was less active.  They are boyfreind-girlfriend and live together.  So fani cant get baptized.  Remember them? Well they are getting married Feb. 6th.  So she will be getting baptized just after that.  I think Ive already told you that.  But anyways.  Ivan is a machine.  Hes wearing a suit to church and everything now.  In preisthood he bore testimony to everyone about how big of an impact elder franson and I have made in there lives.  Also about how we invited him to come to a lesson with us. And that investigator ended up coming to church for the first time after that lesson.  He told that story, and just about started bawling.  And he's a big big guy.  Like 6 foot and 275 pounds. It was such a testimony builder for him, and for US!

Sounds like you guys had an AWESOME thanksgiving weekend!!!! I LOVED the pictures so much.  Thanks tons! I miss you guys, but I haven't gotten Home Sick/Trunqui once.... I dunno.  I never really have.  This is where I need to be, and this is where I want to be.  I love you all so much.  I have no doubt in my mind that the Book of Mormon changes lives.  I know that this church is Christ's church.  Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.  I owe my whole life to Him.  I know that there is no greater work in this entire world.  I know that there are people ready for this Gospel here.  I love you family! I am so dang happy! I love Pdays so much... but the whole day I cant wait for the clock to hit 6:30 so we can get back out to work! I love you all so much.  I've never been happier out here in my mission.  Things are going so amazing! Don't even worry, just keep prayin for me! But more importantly our investigators!

Much Love, Peace and Harmony (Shout out to Rocky)

Elder wEElson