Tuesday, July 16, 2013

July 15, 2013

President Smartt,
            This week has been great. At the beginning of the week we were stuck down in Roseau because of the tropical storm that was hitting. We got back to Portsmouth on Wednesday and went to work.
            We have been trying to meet with the members in our branch to strengthen them and their families, and ultimately strengthening the branch as a whole. We met with the Lo family 2 weeks ago and when we were leaving, they thanked us and said that they really needed to have a nice discussion of the gospel. He said that he hadn’t really had a chance to do so since his mission. It must have helped them a lot, because they had us over again this week! They like having the missionaries in their house because they can feel the spirit and like to focus on what’s really important in life, and have a time where they can take their minds off of medical school. Their children like having us there too, and their parents like to have us be examples for them. We also met with two other families this week, the Russell’s and the Clyde’s. It is helping us a lot to meet with the members because when they trust us, they are more willing to work with us. We have been getting a lot of help from the members here and we are so grateful for that.
            We had a great lesson with one of our investigators, Peter, on Wednesday. His fiancé, Gina, was also there with us. Gina was the person who referred us to Peter. Gina is a inactive member, with all of her active family members living in the Salt Lake area. She was helping us answer some of Peter’s questions and helping to explain some things too. It was great to see her opening up and sharing some of her testimony of the gospel. Peter has been opening up more and more as well. At first, he was very hesitant about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. He was almost telling us that there’s no way Joseph Smith was a good man and that our church has “shady” history and all other kinds of stuff. This week, however, he accepted a book of mormon and was really excited about a scripture I shared with him. I shared Alma 26:12 and bore my testimony on it and he said “wow, that’s awesome. You’ll have to write that down for me.” It is amazing to see how the spirit works and how it can help to soften the hearts of others.
            Kelly came to church this week! We were so excited that she came. We met with her on Saturday and had a great lesson. She was very apologetic for last week and said that she knows that Satan was trying to get her to stop meeting with us and to stop reading the book of mormon because he knows that she’s doing a good thing. She had a question about where the book of mormon came from and what not, so we were able to explain it to her and help her to understand better. She said “OH! That makes so much sense now!” It was amazing. She also looked at us and said “You know you guys, you should really come by twice a week now, instead of just once. I’ll make more time for you guys because I need to know everything before I get baptized!”
She came to church on Sunday and loved it. She was so excited the whole time. You could really tell that she was paying attention and wanting to understand because in Gospel Principles she was asking great questions and also sharing her thoughts and opinions. When I went and sat down next to her to explain that the last hour would be Relief Society/Priesthood she turned and looked at me and said “What are you doing in here, you’re not a woman! Go to your men’s class!” She already knew! She was able to meet a lot of the branch members and really liked them. She has a baptismal date for the third of August. We are so excited for her and the progress she has been making.
I know that the Lord is mindful of us and that He blesses us according to our obedience. I know that this is his work, and that there isn’t anyone else in the world that wants us to succeed as much as he does. When we are successful, he is successful in bringing to pass His work and His glory (Moses 1:39). I know He lives and loves us, and I share that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Nielson

Alright, dad said he wants me to send my letter to president to you guys and that way i dont have to repeat stuff.
Anyways, Happy July Monday! Dominica has the most random holidays here. Today is called July monday. it's a holiday. why is it a holiday and what does it represent? That's a great question.
The storm last weekk was totally wimpy. on tuesday it rained real hard and was pretty windy in the morning, but other than that, not much happened. We're all good. Just cockroaches and humidity as per ushe. oh, the storm totally made it way hotter here. It was so miserably hot this week. Im pretty sunburned on my arms and neck.  
I feel like i dont have anything to really talk about this week. i wrote it all to president. 
OH! just kidding. totally have some crazy news. so president smartt took all of the elders off the islands. ALL of them. except for us. we're the only two out here in the islands now. all the other islands have sisters now. he said that he made all the changes in the islands and now they will be the same for SIX MONTHS. So looks like im not going to have a thanksgiving, christmas, or a birthday this year. well, i guess i dont really ever get a birthday anyways, no matter where I am. but yeah, looks like we'll be here for a really long time. I'll be an old man by the time that I'll get back to puerto rico. It's funny, though, because i feel like my spanish is improving while I am here, even though im not speaking it all the time. I speak to Fournier in spanish a lot of the time though, and i study in spanish sometimes. like this morning, i only had my spanish stuff with me and i studied for an hour and a half in spanish. Fue chevere. no tuve ningunas problemas. esoty tratando de aprender tan mucho como posible durante el tiempo que tengo con mi companero puertorriqueno. El esta aprendiendo mucho ingles de mi, y estoy aprendiendo espanol de el. Es perfecto!
Gracias por sus cartas y por su amor. Tengan una semana buenisima y siempre clamen al Senor. El nos ama y quiere que hagamos lo justo.
La escritura de la semana es helaman 7:16. Cuando la lei esta semana me asombro. Siempre necesitamos seguir al Senor. No podemos ganar la felicidad por las cosas del mundo. siempre necesitamos obedecer y ganaremos la felicidad eterna.
Como dice Nike, HAZLO.
Elder Nielson

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Jeff by the Atlantic Ocean


Calm Carribean Sea vs Choppy Atlantic Ocean




Love You, Whit!


Yummy Food to Eat

Boiled Banana


Chicken in my Egg.....smelled like the Great Depression....

Freaking Goats


I have freakin goats outside my apt window sometimes.. "i knew you were trouble when you walked in, now i'm lying on the cold hard ground.. AHHHGHGHHFGH.. trouble trouble trouble.." haha goats are so stupid

Tribute to LeBron


Always In The Middle


Shoes Before and After

I found some cool used shoes but they are brown instead of Black


Leather Dye is the coolest stuff ever.....

July 8, 2013

haha i can't handle dad's letters. they are so funny. The marines in afghanistan bit and the "i didnt know if she had been hit by a car, shot, or got a paper cut" haha so classic. it reminded me of the day i was having ear surgery and whitney "cut" her hand off. Love you whit!

I'm also pretty surprised that i didnt have 59 eemails from mom freaking out about the tropical storm thats gunna hit here tomorrow morning. I thought for sure with the weather alarms and all that she would be losing it. I guess you just don't care about me anymore... But yeah, we're not allowed to go out or really do anything until about thursday because it's raining super hard and really windy. I saw the radar thing this morning and it looks pretty big. We'll have to see what happens. our apt is about 12 feet from the shore, so who knows, we might be going swimming this week! My mission might turn into rebuilding peoples "houses" and shacks here. it'll be interesting to see what happens. 

Anyways, i hope you're feeling better this week whit! i'll be honest, the pictures of you in the hospital bed are pretty funny haha. we tease you because we love you. Latinos dont understand that . they take everything so seriously and get their feelings hurt. but not the nielsons!

Nah, i havent met my new mission president yet. He's from Alabama actually. Roll Tide. 

That'll be so sick to go to a tigers game in KC. i remember seeing the stadium from the freeway when we would drive through there. Hopefully miggy puts on a good show. that would be sweet if scherzer was pitching too, he'll killing it this season.

I've got tons of pictures to send this week, 2 weeks worth.

Here's the letter i sent to President. it kinda sums up the week:
President Smartt,

            Good morning! I hope you had a great first week here in the mission. I’m not sure how the weather is in Guaynabo now, but if it’s anything like it is here in Dominica I’m sure you were sweating quite a bit.

            This week was the best week that we have had here on the island so far. It seems as if every week improves and as we get to know the area better, we are able to be more effective. We had 10 member present lessons this week. The members of our branch here in Portsmouth really have the missionary spirit and love to work with the elders. We have been visiting the members too to get to know them better and strengthen our branch. The members are trusting us and they are becoming more and more willing to help us.

            On Saturday, we went to the next village down, Dublanc, and met with one of our investigators. The lesson was great, and the best part was that we brought a less-active member with us to the lesson. He hadn’t been to church since we’ve been here but he was willing to come with us. He has a testimony, he just has a hard time coming to church. He said that he has really bad ADD and if he doesn’t get enough sleep he can’t function during the day. We are going to work with him though and hopefully get him coming back to church.

            Saturday, also, we had a lesson with one of our investigators, Kelly. She was one of our strongest investigators. At the beginning of the lesson she just started crying and broke down. She said that she isn’t sure if God exists anymore because of the trials she has been going through. She wanted to be baptized, but said she doesn’t even believe he’s answering her prayers. We were there for almost 2 hours and by the end of the lesson, she was calmed down and went back to normal. She is just a little depressed and is having negative thoughts. We are really going to focus on her this week.

            My testimony of my Savior was really strengthened this week. I know that he atoned for me, personally and I am so grateful for that. It broke my heart to hear Kelly say that Christ isn’t real and isn’t there for us. I know that he is always there for us and that he will always comfort us when we need it.

Elder Nielson

OH! our AC is broken in our apt, but at least we had fans to kinda keep us cool. BUT, on friday night, i woke up to the sound of an explosion, literally. My fan motor blew up. awesome. not only was i sweating to death, i had to worry about shrapnel killing me in my sleep. It so bloody hot and humid here. my room is perfect breeding ground for those big ol cockroaches. mmmmmmmmm

For my missionary plaque, i want alma 26:12. I remember when I read that in the MTC for the first time. It really hit me. It's my favorite. make sure i have a good picture on there too, i dont wanna look like some scrawn like every other missionary does.  But 1 cor 14:34-35 would be legit too. thanks for the thought dad haha

I think that's everything. if i missed something, lemme know. I love you guys a ton and miss you!

Happy Birthday to Zach Attack!

Elder Nielson

We'll Miss You, President


Goodbye President and Sister Alvarado

Puerto Rico San Juan Mission:

It was an Honor working with you!

We love you. We will miss you!!

Keep up the magnificient job!!

Our Savior lives!

Just to always remember:

2 Nephi 31:2,7,13 &19-21

Mosiah 18:19-21

D&C 4:2

John 17:3

Love eternally,



The Alvarado's

*********************************************

Misión Puerto Rico San Juan:

Fue un honor haber trabajado junto a ustedes!!

Los amamos. Los extrañaremos!

Mantengan el magnÃfico trabajo!!

Recuerden:

2 Nefi:31: 2,7,13,y 19-21

Mosiah 18:19-21

DyC 4:2

Juan 17:3

Con amor eterno,

Los Alvarado

Monday, July 1, 2013

Oops Too Close


July 1, 2013

Hey so it's past 6 and that's when we have to be done with p day. so i'll have to write you next week. I didnt even have a chance to read your emails yet. crazy day, but all is well! I just wanted to drop a quick note so you don't freak out and think I died or something. Don't worry, i'll write for sure next week. I'm sure that is is EXACTLY the opposite of what you want haha. Happy Monday!  Also, 4th of July this week. Last 4th of July I lied in my underwear all day long and ate chocolate marshmallow mateys at BYU and watched the entire 3rd season of Prison Break. I highly recommend doing that. GREAT day. Party Hard.

Much love, 
Elder Nielson

Warning


Elder Fournier


Loving PDay


Screwing Around


Fournier Slips


Tag Falls


Water Falls


My Brother


Like A Boss


Hang Loose


Trafalga Falls


Prayer


Fish Fry


Happy Anniversary





Dead Cockroach


Jeff's Cockroach Friends


Cockroach


June 23, 2013

Haha im glad you liked the poem. I thought it was pretty good if i do say so myself...

Well, this week was eventful, that's for sure.

First, yesterday Elder Fournier and I performed a special musical number in sacrament meeting. I made up a piano arrangement combining nearer my god to thee and be still my soul. Fournier sang and I played the piano and sang. The second verse we sang in spanish and all the return missionaries in our ward were crying hah. The spirit was strong. it was really cool. everyone was like "ah, that was so awesome! thanks!"  Skyler, the young mens president, came up to me and was like /' ah, this guy's a gangster on the piano. throwin down, so cal style"  he's basically sam stucki.. it was cool though.

So, i've never been afraid of cockroaches before, but i found out this week that i am because they FLY! AHHHHH. what the freak man. if they just crawl around thats cool with me, but when they fly at me i lose it. I was freaking out, straight up. elder fournier was making fun of me so bad because i turn into a straight up female. it's embarrassing, but yeah, it is what it is. our bathroom is always dark and moist, so its a breeding ground for them. they live behind the toilet. im always worried they're going to come up and go inside of me while im going to the bathroom. they come up the shower drain too hah. it's just gross all around. but it's missionary work!

  hmm what else. well I had an experience on saturday that was awesome. Im not going to explain it because it was super spiritual, but just know that i KNOW that the priesthood is real. It is the POWER of GOD on earth, and "the rights of the prietshood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven" D&C 121:36.  Miracles are real. They havent ceased. I witnessed the almighty mercy of the Lord. It's true. It's true. it's true.

On saturday also, we were teaching a lesson and got to the point where i was going to sharre the first vision, and i began, but realized that i only know it in Spanish! i could say it 1000 mph in spanish, but i dont know it in english. well, i put my trust in the lord and just opened my mouth. my mouth was filled with the words by the spirit. D&C 100:5-6. I said it perfectly. after the lesson, i couldnt do it again. it was so awesome. we have to act though. faith is action. before the lord could split the jordan river for the guys to cross with the ark of the covenant, they had to step in the river (joshua 3 i think). he only does his part AFTER we do our part. the witness comes after the trial of our faith. i know there are challenges in our life, but we just need to trust Him. it's hard sometimes, but it's what we have to do!

I'm glad that you watched that broadcast last night. i was going to tell you to watch it. it was really good. Make sure you guys are the family that was in the segment while "i'll go where you want me to go." there are missionaries throughout the world, but the members are what will make the work progress faster. Be examples in all times, and in all things, and in all places (our baptismal covenant, mosiah 18:9). Be the family in the ward that everyone looks up to and that the missionaries know will always be willing to help. I know you are that family and that you can help strengthen a lot of people for the better. 

GO LEBRON!!!

Elder Nielson