Hello Dearest family!
I love you!! Soooooo much! And Merry Christmas too. Though I am not with you, a large portion of my love is. Hooray!
First
off, I apologize that I didn't get to write you yesterday. This should
not be a regular occurance. We were just so busy yesterday, is all. We
had a Christmas activity as a mission (about 100 missionaries total) and
it was so much fun to see my MTC district and everyone else too. It
seems like my MTC district is really doing very well (and learning a lot
of Cantonese!), which is exciting to see. Later when I get a card
reader I will email you some pictures from that.
Speaking of Xmas, the ward members here have been very
generous to us and have very much been taking care of us, making sure we
have a nice Xmas. Meaning to say, we currently have a riduculous amount
of chocolate and other food in our apartment. It is very sweet.
Also, people have been fairly open to talking to us. In
fact, I want to tell you about my own wee miracle I experienced. So,
while we were doing caroling as a zone again (today's our last time
doing that, sigh), I was doing some contacting (my comp and I were apart
but within sight) and there was this school girl walking by and I just
felt like I needed to talk with her so I did. Now, let us first remember
that when I speak in Cantonese, I don't make sense. But still, she
talked with me. And I ended up teaching her the about the restoration
(the 1st lesson) in a fairly confused but sincere manner (hey, I think
the main points got across) and she even agreed to let us pray together
right there on the street (it sounds awkward but when you're having a
conversation that relies entirely upon the Holy Ghost for you to make
sense, it really it not weird at all. It is necessary). She doesn't live
in my area, but the sisters who serve in her area were right there, so I
introduced her to them and they scheduled an appointment to see her
again the next week! Hooray! I really hope that she continues learning.
The feeling that I got afterwards was just that Heavenly Father was
giving me a huge opportunity to participate. I very much felt inadequate
to the task - like a little kid holding the fine china like I've
mentioned before - but that Heavenly Father really was the one doing
this all. He's prepared people to hear this gospel and if I just do my
small part, He does so much of the rest. It strengthened my testimony
that this really is not my work, it is the Lord's. In fact, we really do
so little. We had a former investigator call us and say that she wanted
to learn more - she had some questions - and we taught her this week.
We honestly didn't even do anything. That was all the Lord working with
her. Miracles, I tell you. Also, we have 4 people scheduled for baptism!
Crazy, is it not? The trick is to help them actually get there. Several
of these investigators have already pushed back their dates at least
twice so far. So, we shall press on because we and they both know that
there's a lot of happiness to be found.
Also, and by the way, there is no way I would be able
to learn this language as fast as I am if it were not the Lord's help.
It's kinda ridiculous. It's hard because I still have oodles to learn
and I still don't always make sense when I talk, but really, gratitude
where gratitude is due.
The main point is that I definitely know that God is
real. There really is evidence all around that He lives. And He loves
us. I see His hand in this work and I feel His support. It's amazing but
I really don't feel alone at all. In circumstances where I could be
feeling very alone, I don't. There you go.
Speaking of that, I am excited for Xmas here. It is
unusually warm for Xmas for me, and there are a lot more people and a
lot more new things to eat than usual and all that, but that only makes
it the more festive. I shall try hard to take some photos of the
decorations that are in all the malls and streets here.
Oh,
by the way, the other Nielsens sent me a Xmas package which was the
sweetest most unexpected thing ever. They're wonderful people.
By the way, your new ward sounds nice. It also sounds like a nice opportunity to meet new people and serve in new ways. Hooray!
Well,
my dear family, I hope you have a good Christmas. I am excited to call
and talk to you soon. I think you're all tops. I feel so lucky to have
you and to have your support. I'm off doing the hardest yet most
exciting thing I've ever done, and I thank you for letting me go off to
do it.
I love you! I know that this message I'm sharing with
everyone is true! It is the most important thing anyone could learn. And
also, it's remarkable simple. Don't forget that. That's something I
can't forget either.
I love you!
Love,
Sister Nielsen
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