Productive Week

FROM THE VIDEO CALL - Elder Nielson reports that they had a productive week this week. They had 7 investigators to church a week ago and were able to set baptismal dates for 4 of them. L--'s mother wasn't able to come to church due to work obligations, but she is progressing well and should be baptized soon also.

He confirmed that he will be staying an extra transfer due to the government extending missionary visas. He is excited about that. So he will arrive home October 16th instead of September 3.

As part of his duties in the office, Elder Nielson helps schedule flights home for missionaries. He was dealing with one stake president who wasn't happy about the arrangements that had been made for one of the missionaries, but it was the best route available. It could be the missionaries family was putting pressure on the stake president and he was representing the family's concerns. So he was trying to figure out the best way to handle things to resolve the issue.

Janice was in Logan this weekend with Maci for a choir concert. So Elder Nielson got to chat with Uncle Wayne, Aunt Shellie, and Grandma Caldwell was there also.

This week is sounds like they will be doing some moving of missionaries to new apartments.

It's a blessing to be able to see and talk with our missionary. He is healthy and happy in the work.

Easter

This week was pretty normal. We were pretty blessed to see some of our investigators progress throughout the week.  We hope that all that have committed to go to church this week can make it.  We will go searching tomorrow morning to try and bring as many as possible.

We had Zone Conference and there were several talks that really spoke to me.  We had to prepare talks on fasting and the pre-mortal plan for the conference. That's something that President Houseman does. He has everyone study a topic and come prepared to teach about it if called upon. Sister Houseman spoke about our priorities and used a pretty cool visual. Our training was about planning.  President talked about teaching accordingly to each individual investigator.  It was really a great conference, and I had a great experience.

I finished the book "Saints". It is such a great history of the Church. It's incredible to feel so inside of what was happening. I was really happy with the work that was put into it, and it got me excited to read the next one when it comes out.

We got a white shirt and tie for L--. The shirt was left by Elder Price, and there is a local store that sells pretty good quality ties for cheap. So I called L-- and asked him what his favorite color was. He said black. I asked what his second favorite color was. He said red. So I bought him a red and black tie. He was really excited. The shirt fit like a glove, and we helped him tie the tie. His mom kept telling him to take the shirt off before he got it sweaty, but he really liked it and kept it on.

Other than this, it was just your usual week.

Love,
Elder Nielson

Howdy!

This week was pretty good.  We couldn't get anyone to church, and that left me a little sad.  I got to thinking of how many people live here in Recife, and how many that the Lord surely is preparing.  I started praying and searching for help to find these people, and the Lord gave us a miracle!  We were walking down the street this week and a man in a wheelchair called out,  "e ai Elders!" We stopped and started talking to him.

He is a member of the church but moved about two years ago to Recife, and hadn't gone to church since.  But he said he never stopped living the principles he learned.  He doesn't drink coffee, he doesn't buy anything on Sunday.  He explained that he had been preparing some families that live in his building to hear the gospel.  That they had been asking why he doesn't do these things, and he was waiting to run into the missionaries to invite them over to meet with them.  As we were talking more, he told us that he also wanted us to teach his son.

His son doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, doesn't drink coffee, and doesn't live with his fiance. He also invited us to teach them and help them to be married in the temple for time and all eternity.  He bore a strong testimony that he knows the church is the only true church of Christ on the earth.  We will go there tonight, and we will meet all these people. 

Heavenly Father is so good to us!  He hears and answers our prayers.  He does the little things, and we need to learn to be grateful for that.  I can't explain how happy I was to meet someone that in spite of not knowing where the closest church was, set an example and taught of the truths to his neighbors. 

That is my cool story for this week.  Here are some pictures of Leo´s baptism.  (my camera was in the Houseman´s car, so I couldn't send them last week)  Hope you enjoy!  I love you guys!

Love,
Elder Nielson