Week 87 & 88: Big Island Struggles and Wins!

 

Aloha everyone! This email summarizes my first two weeks serving on the Big Island (The Island called Hawai'i). The ward here is absolutely amazing! I'm not sure if I mentioned it in my last email but my first missionary companion served here for a really long time and so when I mention I was his companion, I guess it sort of helps people open up. But even so, everyone is so nice and laid back Hawaiian-style! My first impression of serving her is that it's similar to Kauai...except much bigger.

On my first Sunday here I got to meet my ward. It's a family ward and there's many older people. But boy, their testimonies are strong! My first Sunday was the Sunday that the congregation bear their testimonies open mic style. The spirit was especially strong as I listened to the men and women, boys and girls who shared they're testimonies. My heart was touched by their sincerity and my love for this ward grew. I truly am privileged to serve here.

Now I'd like to tell you about the people we try to teach! As well as some major breakthroughs and some....struggles .

_______

PAHOA AREA

There's a lot of people that the missionaries try to teach every week. One of them is a man named Mike who has tried to be baptized before. He had some struggles, but when we taught him the first time I felt how much he really wanted change in his life. We haven't been able to see again since, but we'll see him soon.

We have a friend named Robin who we read/ taught the lesson called the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was inspired by what he felt! In the next lesson, we read the introduction to the Book of Mormon with him and 3 Nephi 11. I haven't read that chapter in a while! It's really good! You should read it! Then we invited him to watch general conference with us at the church building! He however told us he wasn't interested. So we might not be able to teach him for a bit. Please pray for Robin .

We have a friend named Sheldon who I met recently. He's been taught by missionaries countless times before but fell out of contact because he felt ashamed about something. But when I met him, he said he was ready to make some changes! We read some of the Book of Mormon with him and then retaught the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson and talked about the prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and prayer. He said he'd like to get baptized! Let's go!! He's aiming to be baptized this month! Please pray for him as we help him prepare to be baptized.

That's about the majority of people we're teaching in the pahoa ward area!

____

KA'U AREA

We technically cover two areas of teaching. I believe our area is the biggest teaching area in the whole mission! I'll send a picture of where we serve. It doesn't look big, but to get to our other teaching area called Ka'u, we have to drive an hour and forty five minutes! Over in that area, we teach a guy named Jisen who's our age. We've only met him once and he is trying to overcome some struggles and wants to get better at reading the Book of Mormon.

One boy named Blaze that we've taught is on track to be baptized this month! He's 9 years old and his family is less active in the church. He and his brother Zyren. They're really funny . We taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson and talked about the blessings and the reason we get baptized.

There's a man named Chad and his wife Kella that we haven't been able to meet yet .

There's others that we're trying to visit but haven't made contact yet. I'll tell you about them when we see them.

__________________________

General Conference was amazing! I loved how the main theme of most of the talks that were given were focused on Jesus Christ. I particularly loved President Nelson's talk on becoming peacemakers. If you want to become more like Christ. A great first step is to seek to be a peacemaker. 

On the Sunday session, I started feeling pretty sick in the stomach. Then I came down with food poisoning . I hated it! We were going to watch the afternoon session with Sheldon but had to cancel because I was sick! I certainly wasn't fun. Good thing it didn't last more than 1 day though . 

Well that's my area. I'm really proud of it. It's an awesome area to serve! There's so many opportunities to serve around here and I can't wait to keep serving. This is likely my last area that I'm serving in so I'm gonna give it my all! I love the Lord and I love being a missionary! Amen!

Love, Elder Nielsen

Week 86: Bound To Hilo! Woohoo!

 Aloha! Transfer news: I've been assigned to be a zone leader in the Hilo zone on the Big Island! (The biggest Hawaiian Island) 

My last week in the Mililani Wahiawa area was a good one. We had our interviews with our Mission President on Tuesday. It's nice being able to tell him about any questions you have about missionary work and such. He's an awesome guy that I really respect.

On Tuesday, me and Elder Carlson went around one area to try and meet some less active members of the church. We decided we didn't want to drive so we walked with umbrellas in the rain for about an hour and a half. It was great! It led us to meeting our two friends Jacob and Sharon! They were in a hurry but said they wanted to learn about Christ. We had dinner with a member named Sister Pearl who had never fed missionaries before. It was so fun! We had to eat outside, but the weather allowed us to and the food was delicious! Her family had missionaries over when she was growing up but was very proud to finally feed the missionaries. Thanks Sister Pearl!

I've finished filming another video that I made with the other missionaries in the Mililani area. It's about temples! If you want to learn about what a temple is or why we have them, then this video is for you! We filmed in some pretty cool locations. A botanical garden, the beachside (but not on the beach), and next to our church buildings. I hope it comes out OK.

We met with Juana again following her baptism. Missionaries will typically re-teach the basic lessons after someone is baptized in case they forget anything. While we were teaching her, I felt the strong presence of the Holy Ghost. And I realized it was because Juana now has the gift of the Holy Ghost and now it could be with her always. It was a really cool and touching experience. When I said goodbye to her on Monday, I told her that her testimony makes her a light to other people and that she should never abandon her testimony. She assured me she wouldn't. We're so proud of her!

We met an awesome guy named Paul! We were eating our dinner next to a river running through a park and he was fishing. He came up the hill where we were and we just started talking. He had met with missionaries before and wanted to see us more again. We shared a brief message about how God will always provide a way to keep his commandments (1 Nephi 3:7) in the Book of Mormon. I hope he'll be able to find peace that comes through Jesus Christ.

Straight up miracles happened on Sunday! After church, I started getting a migraine. So I took a power nap that lasted 3 hours. I was mad that we couldn't go see more people but at least I felt better. After a short comp study, I felt like stopping by a friend of ours named Lee. We taught him the Plan of Salvation last time when I met him and we wanted to try and teach him the message of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We were able to see him and we taught him in his home! We also found out that his wife was a member of the church and she passed away and so did his son. After sharing the restoration with him, I felt prompted to tell him about how families can be together forever through keeping covenants made in the temple. He said he absolutely wanted to be sealed with his wife and son and he committed to be baptized! I asked him if the 2 months (the month of May) was a good time to be baptized. He said he wants to be baptized on his anniversary, May 17th. He's now going to be baptized soon! I'm not in his area teaching him anymore, but he's in great hands now.

I'm now serving in the Hilo side of the Big Island and loving it so far. My trainer and companion Elder Clapper served here for a long time in the beginning and the end of his mission so a lot of people here know him. It's an awesome area! 

I know that the Lord provides us with experiences that test us, make us wiser, and fill us with joy. Sometimes the joy is not found in the moment, but the Lord promises us that we will obtain Heavenly rewards in the end. I've loved serving in the Wahiawa area with Elder Carlson and Elder Mulitalo. I learned a lot while I was there and I hope that I will continue to learn and grow the rest of my mission.

Love you all and thanks for your love and support! God bless!  

Love, Elder Nielsen

Week 84 &85: Juana Leon is Baptized!

Aloha everyone! Great News: Juana is finally baptized!

I first met Juana when I went on exchanges into the area where she lived over a year ago. She was so anxious to be baptized! She's known the gospel is true for years and her dream finally came true. Now she is an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Her baptism also led to many miracles.

We have a friend named Logan who is of another faith and has had a lot of questions about our church! The day before the baptism, we texted some of our friends and less active church members and invited them to attend and Logan was one of the few who accepted! We sat next to him and answered his questions and he said he had a good time. Later on, we found out that Logan got in touch with the Young Single Adult ward missionaries and attended an activity and church on Sunday! 

The other miracle was that Juanas husband Tony came! He hadn't been feeling great the last couple days and was able to take work off to attend Juanas baptism! He was greatly welcomed and I think even made a few friends while he was there. I haven't met Tony yet and it was a miracle that we were able to meet him.

Other less active church members came which was also a major blessing.

It's amazing to me how one person and one righteous act can lead to so many blessings for so many people through the one. Juana's a shining example of the light of Christ and is a light that CANNOT be hid.

Other blessings that happened the last couple of weeks...

We got a shiny new car! The mission department is trying to replace all the car and we got a new blue one! Pretty nice whip.

I've started making another video! Me and other missionaries were inspired to make a video explaining the temple, why we have them, and why they're just so amazing! That's been a big message from prophets and other church leaders; to attend the temple more frequently and to complete all the work that the temples at a quicker pace. It's a really exciting topic for me since I've grown to love the temple so much.

I got to give some people a copy of the Book of Mormon through Facebook marketplace! We gave them a copy with our number if they would like to learn more.

We have two friends named Jayden and Virginia. They've been friends with missionaries for a long time. Recently, we felt prompted to share a message with them about prayer. We weren't sure what they're religious background was, but prayer was something that they really connected with! Recently, we've seen them kinda more often and Virginia said she had been praying for guidance about a big trial in her life. And through prayer she felt that received an answer to how to handle it! Virginia's experience is a good reminder that prayer can be for the most simple things. Chances are if it really matters to you, then it matters to God as well. Pray often because it works .

Unfortunately, our friend Lee (whom we taught the Plan of Salvation to) hasn't been feeling well and is going in for some surgeries soon. Please pray for him. But trying to see him led us to another miracle!

After trying to go see Lee one day, we went and sat down on a bench to fill out records. Then, a lady in a chair pulled up next to us and said she just wanted to say hi! We made conversation and then I offered to share with her a scripture that talks about "Enduring to the end." {2 Nephi 31:20} She said she loved that scripture! She immediately wanted to learn more! Her name was Delcyne {Del-seen) and she had some comments that for some times felt like she might be opposed to what we taught. But after starting to teach her about prophets, the great apostasy, and then the Restoration of The church of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith, she was astonished! 

She repeated to us, "You know Elders, I've studied with many different religions...but you've peaked my interest!"  She was so cool!

Danielle hasn't been feeling too great. We went by this week and she told us of the MANY church responsibilities they've given her on top of having a swollen leg and frequently being sick. We basically told her we'd give her a break. Please pray for Danielle and that she'll be physically able to see the missionaries again soon.  

On Sunday, Juana was confirmed a member of the Church. She was almost late!  Right after church, she was interviewed to go to the temple! But the thing is she couldn't get one because her membership papers were still submitting. She's still a very new member. But she'll be attending the temple VERY soon! We're so proud that she wants to go .

The Lord supports those who keep his commandments and follow what He wants. And he makes them an example to others. If Juana hadn't chosen to be baptized, we wouldn't have had those other miracles happen! But because she did, people including members of the church were inspired by her decision.

Remember that when you do something good, other people notice. What I've been taught all my life is that if you want others to do good; lead by example. A good deed will be contagious and others will follow.

"...but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." {1 Timothy 4:12}

Hope you all have an amazing week! Love you all.

Love, Elder Nielsen

Pictures: 

***Note from Mom***So Tyler hasn't been including captions for pictures but he included a pic of him and someone he contacted on base. Lincoln people see if you recognize him :) If he looks familiar and you don't remember his name it's Bryan Hooper! He and his companion went to find members of their ward they haven't seen or met yet and after they started figuring out that they were both from Stinkin' Lincoln Bryan shared he was in the 3rd ward. Tyler was so excited. He doesn't remember him because he was little when the Hooper boys were in YM with Trev. How cool is that?!? I just know Pam Hooper is so happy that the missionaries found him. He said his car was broken so he wasn't able to get to church but they were able to set up a ride for him. Miracles are happening in Oahu!

Week 83: Juanas Official Baptism!

 

Aloha everyone!

I'll make this pretty quick since there weren't too many crazy things going on this week.

I finally put out the video that I've been trying to get out since January . When it comes to videos, unless it's either a job, calling, or life or death, I'm really bad with making deadlines. So it took a bit to finish but I'm happy with the final result. I felt the urge to finish it because of another project I needed to start planning. So far, I think I know what the next video will hopefully be about and it's gonna be amazing! A very special topic that's been addressed a lot in church recently....I'll leave you on a cliffhanger .

The Mililani zone, Kaneohe, and Hon-West zones had a combined zone conference this week! Me and two other Elders did a musical number playing guitar and singing "I am a Child of God." The training during the zone conference was all about the importance of studying and how to increase your companionship's effectiveness. Those are big words . Elder Owen, my first mission companion at the MTC, is an AP now! So he gave a really good training. President Sloat gave a few remarks on how to properly give a talk (or sermon in church). I really appreciated that training. Because I want to get better at public speaking in general, I got a lot of good tips on what to do and what not to do.

Every week we meet with this family of less active members and we usually share a message to just their kids. They are the Miyashita family. The younger girls are recently baptized and really want to come to church but the parents are saying no. But soon, we're bringing a lady in our ward who teaches children in Sunday school who wants to help befriend the family and help them get to church.

Danielle has been really sick! She canceled one appointment because she woke up with a cold and felt really bad about canceling. Next thing we know, she's telling us that she is having stomach problems and needs to visit the hospital! Please please please pray for Danielle Kaokai and her husband Walle. They're amazing, faithful people and need your prayers.  

On Thursday I went on exchanges with my old companion, Elder Thompson! You know. The really tall one that I served with for 5 months in h-tech. We met a really nice man named Lee! He's an old man who was very nice and we offered to share with him a message about God's plan of love for his children. He really loved the message! In the middle of the lesson he also asked if we had a church he could attend! Unfortunately he didn't come last Sunday, but I'm sure he'll want to come soon. 

During that exchange, we had a lesson with Waske. He hasn't been keeping up on commitments unfortunately and wasn't super engaged when we were teaching him about commandments. But then I mentioned a bit about the plan of salvation lesson that he really liked and basically told him..."Waske, we follow the commandments so that we can learn to be with God again one day." He understood after being told that. But I also understand that choosing to keep the commandments can be hard to someone who's not heard about them before. Please pray for him as well.

Juana is officially being baptized on March 11th 2023! She finally has a set date! She is so ready and excited for it. In our last lesson, we shared a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that says...

"And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits....and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church." 

We taught her about the blessings that follow baptism and how important it is to prepare for it. We're so proud of Juana and we know the Lord is too.

On that same day, our friend Jolyn was supposed to be moving! Out of the blue! We showed up to their house to help but not one was home and no one was answering their phone . So we waited for like an hour and finally left. We came to find out later that they had already moved out. Oh well. Bye Jolyn!

On Saturday, we had a really fun service in the morning helping clean out garden plots at the community garden. We saw about 50 centipedes! And I don't know how much you know about Hawaiian centipedes, but they really sting! I've never been bitten by one. But I've heard horror stories. And these were huge. Like as big as my hand! The service was for some less active friends of one of our members. They really appreciated the service and a lot of people turned up!

It was actually a great week. But also really fast. I loved the emphasis in zone conference about study. Studying the gospel  daily is crucial as a missionary and/or faithful Christian. My biggest advice for anyone who feels like they are lacking in testimony, has questions about the church, or is going through a serious crisis in their lives, is to read scriptures regularly and daily. It makes such a huge difference!

I confess, before my mission I wasn't really good at reading the scriptures daily. But with questions, trials, and obstacles I've faced as a missionary, the biggest help to me is reading the Book of Mormon  . I've seen it work miracles in other people's lives too! I know people who wanted nothing to do with the church. But then we start reading the Book of Mormon with them and they want to know more! I know people who were recently baptized but still have serious questions about the church, but are building their testimonies because they read the Book of Mormon every day.

And I, myself, have never known a book that fills me with more peace and has taught me more personally than the Book of Mormon. And I'm not saying it's the only thing you should read. But if you want to come to understand the nature of God and Jesus Christ, then studying their word should come first. I promise infinite blessings from keeping this commandment. 

Well that's basically my spiel for this week. It was awesome. There were other moments this week where I got discouraged. But I've learned to just keep going. And I love being a missionary! 

Thank you all for your prayers and I love you all so much!

Love, Elder Nielsen

Happy Birthday Dad!