Small Miracles

Hey Family and Friends,

Transfers are December 11, 2013 so it is time to work even harder just in case.

This week has been a fun one.  Once a year Missionaries get a list of AUF (address unknown on file) so we get to play detective for a while to find these inactive members or to see what we can find out about them.  We have been working daily to find these addresses and member and we stopped by one address and the members had moved.  So we tracted the area and found this really cool guy.  I was a little taken back by what he said when he answered the door.  Just imagine, he answered the door and a little puppy tried to run out.  You know how a little puppy makes you feel, it kind of melts you heart, so anyway, he grabbed it because it has not had all the shots yet so it can't go outside (one of the rules of England).  But we asked what he what he did for work.  He tells us he is a Guide and that the puppy is going to become a gun dog.  The look on my face must of been great, anyone who knows me and my brothers know that we love to read about guns and go out shooting on the range, etc.  I have never heard anyone here in England say the word gun and that they enjoy hunting.  That put a little spark in my step.  But we talked to him for a little bit.  He said that he wasn't ready to hear the Gospel, but the seed was planted for the next set of Missionaries and I hope that he had a good experience with us though.  So that's all that matters.

One of the biggest miracles that happened this week was also a stressful one.  I was asked after Priesthood to play the piano in Sacrament Meeting.  I said, okay whatever.  I was going to skip Sunday School to practice and go over the Hymns so I was at least semi able to play them.  But before I could get more than a brief run through of the songs the Ward Mission Leader grabbed us to have a meeting with him.  So I just looked at my companion and said "it is going to be fun".  But one of the songs I had never heard before. So I took the advice from Sponge Bob Square Pants, "Play as loud as you can so people think you are great".  So I played the opening Hymn really loud and fast and did quite well.  The sacrament Hymn was okay but it was the intermediate hymn I was worried about.  Out of all the book the chorister chose Jesus Savior Pilot Me listen here. The whole Sacrament Meeting I was looking at the music trying to see how to change it to make it easier.  It did not help that the Chapel was freezing so my hands where cold.  But when the time came I went and was about to play the intro and the music director said we are only singing one verse.  I was jumping for joy.  But it was a miracle.  It turned out really good.  My success was not from Sponge Bob but from the Spirit guiding and helping me.

I am thankful for that Spirit that guides me daily in my Missionary experience.  I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for trials that draw me closer to my Heavenly Father.  I am thankful for all of you that pray daily for me and support me.

Have a great Thanksgiving and be grateful for all that you have.

Love Elder Nielsen

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Flat 9 Sidbury house
3 college street
Worcester
wr1 2lt