This week has been a busy week. We have been all over the place. We had transfers on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. So Elder Gardner and I went to Glouster to pick up my new companion and drop off Elder Gardner. It was quite a long day. Life with my new companion is good. We are getting along really well. He has not been out in the Mission Field much longer than I, so it is nice to not get a companion that is close to going home and is anxious and not wanting to work. His name is Elder Doty and he is from Seattle. My mom has been telling my how cold it has been in Idaho lately and that they missed a day of School because of that, I had to laugh about the to cold to go to school. Here in Worcester, it has been 40-50 degrees and the best news is that it has stopped raining for the last few days, but no promises that the rain will stay away.
Thursday we had a pretty good day. We have been talking to people in the streets most of Thursday. The luck of our Mission is that we have investigators during the transfer but as soon as one of you is transferred out, everyone drops. It is frustrating but I have learned to just deal with it.
Friday was a fun day, we had the Mission Christmas Party. So bright and early at 6:52 in the morning we got on a train to get to Glouster. Then onto a bus at 8:30 for a two hour bus ride to Birmingham. It was worth it in the end. The most spiritual part of that day was when the Mission President told all of us Missionaries how much his wife like the LDS Hymn I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, so all of the Missionaries the Hymn loud and proud. It was pretty cool. The Spirit was really strong and I really enjoyed just belting it out with the others. The Spirit that comes from singing Hymns and praises unto our Savior is very uplifting to me and often brings a tear to my eye. This was one of those times and will be another memorable highlight of my time here in England. It was really fun to see all the Missionaries and to talk to ones that I haven't seen for about 6 months. We had Cafe Rio pulled pork burritos for dinner. That is the first time I have had any type of Mexican food since I have been on my Mission.
I think the best thing that happened this week is we found two Chinese people to teach. I have taught a Chinese person once and that was with a Mandarin speaking Elder. So Elder Doty and I, two guys from the US, went to the library to teach them on Sunday. We walked out of the Library like deer caught in headlights. It was very rough. It was hard because we did not have the Book of Mormon in there language. So note to self that we needed to get one for them by the next lesson. But we will see what happens when we teach them again.
Church was also fun. I got to play the piano in Priesthood and translate in Sign Language the lesson. With two former Elders being transferred, I have become the "head Signer" for the Missionaries in this Area. So pretty much that means I translate everything. I decided this was a great way to become better at Signing, just jump right in and get it done. It wasn't that bad until we got into the lesson. The teacher had decided to talk about parables. I learned a couple of new signs that day like the ten virgins and stuff like that. It is all fun though and a great experience.
I am so thankful for the modern technology. I have the last two General Conferences on my Ipod so I can read the talks or listen to them while riding trains or when I have down time it is right at my finger tips. I am finding that most if not all of the talks in the last General Conference, Oct. 2013, are mostly about Missionary Work. My mom and I have been swapping our favorite talks as we read and listen to them. The Lord is Hastening His Work and needs all of us to be Missionaries. In Doctorine and Covenants Section 4 the Lord tells us how we can be good Missionaries.
1 Now behold, a marvelous time is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Remember that our Savior loves us and has a work for us to do during these latter days. I love this Gospel and all that it teaches. I love our Savior and rejoice in this Christmas season to celebrate Him.
Love, Elder Nielsen
No comments:
Post a Comment