Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Beautiful Family!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I love this holiday. It' s one of the happiest out there. Did you know that nothing is happier than being grateful? Seriously. There's so much that we already have, and all we have to do is focus on that and POOF we're happy! I hope you're all happy too. I also wanted to let you all know that I'm grateful for all of you. You are the most loving and supportive family, full of the most bright and caring people. Plus you're the perfect people for me. So thank you. I love you all.

Well. Want to hear my news this week? I stayed in Tolo Harbor! Yay! I haven't had to move! That's a blessing, now isn't it? And my companion, Sister Lin, is doing well, and we're having a good time together.

The other blessings are that life is wonderful, and I am happier than I've ever been. Really, I think I've never been more at peace or just happy day-to-day. This work is a blessing, even if it's not easy. Right now in my apartment are the Tai Po sisters, one of whom is Sister Lier, my MTC companion, and it's been fun to talk with her about this whole thing. We've come to the conclusion that you can still only sum things up in trite phrases that can't contain the real thoughts. Really, as you lose yourself in this work, you feel closest to your real self. And you are happy. And the biggest reason we would ever want to move on with our lives at the end of this short mission time is because we miss our families. A lot. But that this time here is so precious. Yup. That's the best I can sum things up so far.

Well, want to hear the events of the week? Oh good! So, we had a big multi-zone conference this week and learned lots of very important things. Life lessons, really. In fact, I can feel that this mission is really training for life. Truly.

And the rest of the week was full of miracles and tender mercies. I kinda feel like my time here in Shatin/Tai Wai was kinda hard and slow-going at the beginning, but that was so that the Lord could show me that the good things to come later are going to be because of His power and His blessings. Not from us ourselves. Very humbling.

So the good things that have come? Well, there is this girl named Yuki who is 12 years old whom I might have told you about last week. Well, her mom's a member but Yuki isn't. She's been going to church for a long time now, though, and is really ready to be baptized. All it took was someone kinda asking and letting her know that it is worth it. So we are here. My first Sunday in this area, we gave her a baptismal date. Because of scheduling issues, it has now been moved up to Dec 2!!!!! So soon! And she is so prepared. Yesterday we taught her some commandments and scheduled her baptismal interview time. She's such a fun, open, and thoughtful girl, especially for being 12. Wow. What a blessing to get to be here for her baptism. This has been years in the making.

Another tender mercy: this week on Monday we had FHE at our Tai Wai bishop's home and guess who somehow heard about it and came? Vina!!!! From Kwai Fong! She knew some members here. And she came to say hello to me. Ah, I love that girl. She's doing great. Helping the missionaries in her ward all the time. Wow.

Another amazing thing: this week we got to teach this LA sister, Choi JM, who wants to come back. She is truly penitent is and ready to get her life in order. I admire her so much. I think that takes amazing courage and I really think it's an honor to get to teach her. It was humbling to get to teach her.

Ah, another cool thing from this week that proves that Heavenly Father wants to help me feel loved: this Saturday we got to teach two girls from Mainland who were in HK for the weekend. They are from Guangzhao and can speak Cantonese, which is why we taught them. Their aunts are members of the church and used to take them to church whenever they were in town. These sisters, Sandy and Haley, are super prepared, have come down to hear lessons 2 times before, and came down this time to finish off the lessons. So we taught them all of the commandments and the gospel of Christ in 2 hours. Phew. I felt pretty worn out afterwards. That was my first time teaching anyone from Mainland like that. But they are amazing! They sound like members already. They just have to set up with our mission and with the area authority in China a time that they can come down to be baptized. It was, again, humbing to see people so prepared. All they need is the information and they are willing to do all it takes to follow the Lord.

And the last miracle I'd like to share with you: We got a new investigator this week! Yeah! And get this, his English name is Ammon. He randomly picked it from the internet. He didn't even remember how to spell it correctly. Well, we pulled out our Books of Mormon and SHOWED him how it's spelled! Hee hee. So cool. He's a very prepared investigator in other ways too. The story? Well, this week, I found his phone number in a list of potential investigators, called him, and he was willing to see us. He's 13 years old, and very inquisitive and bright. Well, he goes to church at another church, and is the only member in his family who goes, so he's a good kid. Well, we also managed to find a fellowshipper who used to go to that SAME church as Ammon! Definitely the Lord's help in finding that. And we taught Ammon two lessons this week already. He mostly got the idea of what we were teaching, but I am realizing how hard to grasp the Restoration can be for some people. But anyway, this Sunday he went to his church and heard some pretty negative, untrue things about our church. Sigh. In fact, his friends told him not to even answer our phone calls anymore. BUT he called us that evening! And we told him that he needed to pray and ask God if the things we shared are true. So he did, over the phone with us. He said that he felt a little better, and he was willing to see us this Saturday! I was praying so hard during this phone conversation, but I really felt Heavenly Father helping me know what words to say. There is so much opposition out there. But it helps me know even more, that this work is true.

Well, that's the reason I'm here serving. Because I know that this work is true. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt because He's answered so many of my prayers already. All we need to do is be worthy and willing to listen for the answer and willing to act on it.

I love you so much, each and every one. I encourage you to keep looking for the answers the Lord has been and will give you. He loves us!

And I love you.

Love,
Sister Nielsen


P.S. Here is my entry for the Thanksgiving table cloth this year: "I am thankful for missions and the opportunity of getting to serve one! I am thankful for families (especially for their support on my mission). I am grateful for the joy of gratitude. I'm thankful for all of the answers Heavenly Father has given in response to my prayers, and most importantly of all for Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for us." Thanks. Sorry it's kinda long.