I love you! Lots! Really, you have no idea. I wouldn't be separated from you all for anything less important than a mission, is what I am trying to say. I hope you're all doing well.
Well, as for me, things are going well and I'm feeling useful, which is the best kind of feeling. And, yes, as the title states, things are starting to cool down just a little bit finally, which makes me so grateful. I have sweat more in this summer than I have collectively in my whole life, really.
But anyway, it's been a good and blessed week, and I love this work. It helps when you love all the people you are seeing and teaching and talking with, you know? The saddest bit has just been handing over investigators slowly to the areas to which they now belong. We are doing this process carefully so that no one gets lost, but I do admit that it's kinda heartbreaking.
So, the summary? Bear with me. Ahem. Well, yesterday we turned over Apple to the elders to teach. Sniff. I love that woman. I attached a picture we took with her cuz I realized I haven't sent one yet. She's the one wearing black. And here's the sweetest part of the story: apparently because of her health problems earlier she couldn't see us and was feeling guilty for having to say no, and didn't really want to see us. But then her husband, who is not an investigator (yet), persuaded her to keep coming to see us. He has seen it change her and wants her to keep coming. Yay! And it really HAS changed her. Even with severe language barriers. Also, we finally got ahold of a Thai sister in Kwai Fong who can talk with Apple, and from that one conversation, Apple learned that we don't drink alcohol...and promptly went home and threw out all of her alcohol at home. I love her! And when her friends sounded surprised that she had done such a thing, she explained that she is getting baptized in November. We're not even sure if she really knows what baptism is yet...Wow. Oh, one other fun thing: at last week's English class, no one showed up except for us missionaries and Apple. So we turned it into Thai class instead and had her teach us some Thai, finally. She was so delighted to see that we wanted to learn how to communicate with her more. :)
In other good news, turns out that Karen is even more amazing than ever...she finally got up the nerve and told her mom that she is seeing us missionaries! And got permission to come to church for the first time! She's really increased in faith, and I am so humbled to see her growth. I really think that she's going to be able to get baptized on the 21st of Oct. Yay! Also, we found out something about her we didn't know before: her father apparently passed away from cancer years ago. I know that the plan of salvation and eternal families are true, and when Karen understands them, it is going to make her so happy. I really am praying that Karen's mom will be willing to listen to our message too. It sounds like she wasn't ruling it out....We will keep praying.
The other funny thing is that just as we are moved out of Yuen Long 1st ward, we have had scads of new investigators turning up in that ward lately. We aren't even looking for them! It's funny but wonderful. For example, we went to go teach this referral that we'd tried to teach months ago, named Ng Taai (she's also in Y1 but we wanted to start turning her over to the elders), but when we showed up at her house, she had brought a friend and her daughter over! And so we had two new investigators where we'd only looked for one! Really, I think that sometimes the Lord helps arrange people to learn the gospel near the same time so that they can learn and grow together, and I really think that Ng Taai's friend,Winky, helped Ng Taai really consider our message seriously. We will see them again after Mid Autumn Festival.
By the way, I forgot to tell you that this weekend is Mid Autumn Festival. It is celebrated by eating food. As are all other Chinese holidays. I think they've really got the system right. :) Anyway, it involves some legend that no one really remembers, and eating these very fatty cookie things called moon cakes. I like it.
Also, I forgot to tell you a few miracles!
First, at church on Sunday we had 6 of our investigators at church! We have never had that many people at church in Yuen Long before. Ever! Also, we had tons of new missionaries serving in the area at church on Sunday (10 missionaries total!). I think all the faith the mission president is putting in the area is really showing in the miracles happening.
Second, we got to see Linda the Lovely British Lady again! I saw her once with Sister Cook ages ago. She stopped answering her phone a long time ago. And then Sister Cook had a prompting lately to call her, got ahold of her, and told us to call her. So we did, and we got to see her yesterday :) She's a wonderful and outspoken person, and I really hope that she's willing to really try the things we invited her to do. But, the main thing I felt yesterday was that Heavenly Father really loves her and is aware of every little detail of our lives. He even arranged for us to get to bump into the two members that Linda knows from before. Miracle! We hope to be able to turn Linda over to the International elders to teach soon. We really are turning almost everyone over....
Lastly, Bessie has a baptismal date for Dec 9! But we're still trying to help her get a testimony.
Well, there are lots of exciting things going on, but the main thing is that I really feel Heavenly Father preparing this area and preparing us. I know He loves us and wants all of us to find true lasting joy. We are working hard to find families and teach them. I know this gospel is for families, and I'm grateful I have such a wonderful one :) Love ya.
Oh yeah! The mission president called me yesterday and told me that my departure date is set for March 8th, and that I can't really move it. If you want to try setting up picking me up, you can probably talk to the mission office about flight tickets, etc. I have really mixed feelings about having a departure date, but luckily I don't really have to think about it. Yay!
Love you all!
Love,
Sister Nielsen
P.S. The other picture is with Ching Ching, the amazing 14 year old member in Y1. We were in a restaurant with her mom. I love this family, and I think you can clearly see why I love Ching Ching so much. She's just really open and comfortable with being herself and sharing the gospel. She was feeling lonely at church...so she brought a friend! Yup. Wonderful people.
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