I know! Time has flown! Tomorrow is my official year mark on my mission. And yet it seems but yesterday I was walking into the MTC, all fresh and new. I have definitely been in a once-in-a-lifetime type experience with its ups and its downs, but I have never gotten to do anything so worthwhile or fulfilling before in my life. Oh how blessed I am, to get to be a missionary. Full-time one, I mean. I do love life.
Well, I hope you're all doing well too. I love hearing your little notes and updates. You're all such wonderful people.
So, wanna hear the latest stories? Yes yes yes?
Ok, well, today I got to have a special experience. I got to go to Wan Chai for P-day and meet up with the other missionaries who were with us together in the MTC and who started at the same time as me. Remember that district of 6 missionaries? Yup, we all celebrated our year-mark together by eating real American pizza in Wan Chai. And then we all had to run off to appointments and buying groceries and things like that. But it was the best. These people will always have a special place in my heart. It's been neat to see us all grow. In fact, all three of us sisters are training at the same time, and all of our trainees are Chinese people who have grown up in different countries. It's cool to see. What a fun time. I've sent oodles of pictures of our little get together. Also one picture from the wetland park last week.
And next week's going to be incredibly exciting too! Though I kinda dread it. Next week is transfers.....And I never want to leave Yuen Long EVER. But you know, I've been here for 6 months and it's probably going to happen...Sigh. I will miss my companion, too if I go. She is so capable and amazing. And British. Anyway, I know the Lord will arrange things as they need to be. We shall see. Also, it may be exciting because the area's changing too. There is a new chapel opening in the area soon, and ward boundaries may change as well as mission districts, but we'll see about all that next week. Big things are coming. But really, part of my heart (ok, lots of it) will always be in Yuen Long. I love the people here.
Speaking of that, wanna hear how people are doing? Good.
Remember Sherman and his mom? The cute little 10 year old with a dry sense of humor and his sweet and loving mom? Yup, we call them and chat every once in a while, but the dad still won't let them see us. We've been praying for them a lot. Well, Sherman has still been praying and reading scriptures on his own, and one day last week, he just called us up to chat because he was alone and bored. We are friends! It is exciting. I know that the Lord will help arrange things so that someday this whole family can hear the gospel.
Next, remember Karen? She is Shayla Leung's friend, and we have given her a baptismal date already, even though her parents might oppose. Anyway, she continues to be amazing. Shayla and her mom, Leung Leung Jimuih, have helped us teach Karen, and I think it has been so good for Karen to see this mother and her daughter in the gospel together. I think it has helped her get more courage to talk about the gospel with her parents. She needs lots of encouragement to go and talk about this with them. But besides that, she is so prepared to hear this message.
Next! Bessie. Oh Bessie. She's so willing to learn, but she still hasn't gotten any answers yet, she says. We are afraid that it's because she hasn't really had a change of heart yet and hasn't really felt Heavenly Father's realness yet. We know that she can. She has been relying on her son's testimony a lot lately, but we want her to be able to feel it herself.
Lastly, Ming Fai's family is definitely being prepared by the Lord. Ming Fai's cousin's grandma is in town (she's the original one the missionaries found) and we have been teaching her again (really fun to teach her. We usually begin by chatting about the price of vegetables lately and then we move on to prayer. I love popos). We think this whole family could really accept the gospel. Ming Fai's parents haven't really been interested lately, but we're thinking they might be soon. This is because Ming Fai's cousins' parents have been having marital problems lately, and Ming Fai's mom asked Leung Leung Jimuih (their fellowshipper) how to help them. The gospel is what is going to help them, is what. They need it so badly. Everyone does. It is the only way to overcome every problem.
OH, also, last week we missionaries put together a fun activity for the YW in Yuen Long 1st ward. We made snickerdoodles. Turns out snickerdoodles appeal to the Chinese palate. In case you ever need to know that.
Well, I'm out of time again. I love you all so much, and I pray for you all the time. I'm grateful to get to be here, serving, and I know that it is a privilege and blessing to get to serve. I hope that you can all feel Heavenly Father's love for you, as well as my love. Go forth with faith! You're the best family a girl could dream for.
Love!
Love,
Sister Nielsen
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