Elder Tyler Nielsen- Hawaii Honolulu Mission: Week 50, 51 &52: 1 Year Finished. 1 More To Go.

Aloha Elder Hoarsley!

Aloha!

I wasn't sure how fast this day would come. It seems in some way unfair that it seems just yesterday that I began representing the Lord. I have now been a missionary for a full 365 days. One WHOLE year. It seems so unreal to me. Missionaries who went home last transfer told me, "It just doesn't feel like I'm going home. It probably won't set in until I actually get home." Well my current thoughts are, it hasn't quite set in yet that I'm here serving a mission. It really feels like just a dream. I hit my year mark last Tuesday, the 19th. I couldn't help but shed a few tears. I'm so happy to be on a mission. I can't wait for the next 12 months here in Hawaii amidst some of the best of humanity.

I also sincerely apologize for not emailing as frequently as I would towards the beginning of my mission. A few days ago, I set some goals for myself for how I want to conduct the rest of my time here. One of those things is to email every week. I realize it's just all about time management. So I'm going to work on writing every single week for the rest of my mission. (I'll strive my best ).

These last couple weeks have been unforgettable. For me and my companion, and also for Kekaha ward as well. Transfer news: me and Elder Tipa are staying here for at least 3 more weeks now. 3 weeks ago, me and my zone leader, Elder Horsely, went on exchanges so I could get more guidance on the area. Elder Horsely served there for a few months. We finally saw Jason who said he no longer wants to be baptized. I'm happy that he was able to have contact with the missionaries and be ready for another time.

On that same exchange, we made 2 new friends! A 16 year old girl named Gwen and a woman named Kwailan. Fast forward, Gwen is very receptive to our lessons and we recently found out that she's good friends with a girl in the ward! And we just saw Kwailan yesterday after losing contact with her for a while. We taught her all about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how if she has faith then she can follow the commandments of God.

Marsha is still on date for baptism on August 20th. There were some misunderstandings the last couple weeks about baptism, but after pondering it for herself, she decided that baptism is indeed something that she should do. We're so proud of her! I say every time we see her. "Marsha, Heavenly Father is very pleased with your decision and He's going to help you along the way." We're so excited!

We are also working closely with this girl named Alana. She is a teenager but isn't baptized. We talked to her family yesterday and she definitely wants to be baptized! She wants to refresh the lessons and see if she's ready first. Dawson is also actively being taught by us, but is frequently busy. He wants us to constantly remind him of the assignments we give him. Our current strategy is to help him understand the Book of Mormon more.

There's half a dozen other potentially-progressing people we have right now, and we're continuing to see miracles with all of them!

The last couple of weeks have also been great opportunities to hear and learn more from our new mission leadership. President and Sister Sloat are so amazing! We had interviews and zone conference this week with them. In our interview (just getting to know me. Not for a promotion or anything) he asked me how I was and how the work is and we shared a few laughs and I assured him everything was great. In conference the next day, he stressed a lot of importance on striving to be obedient.

That's one of the biggest takeaways that I've learned so far on my mission. If we strive to be strictly obedient, then we'll be blessed. It's that simple. Anytime us missionaries desire to see miracles, we have to be striving to be obedient first and then miracles will follow.

However, striving doesn't mean we're perfect. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the last principle we teach is Enduring to The End. It means the same thing. God doesn't ask us to be perfect. He wants us to strive to be the best we can. He knows our hearts and our minds, and he will help us along the way.

Many times while serving in Kekaha, the area will seem slow and that no work could be done there. But every time we persevere, we see an overabundance of miracles.

Miracles will never cease as long as there's faith.

I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you. I'm sorry again for not being a perfect writer, and words sometimes can't project how I feel.

But I can assure you this: I love being a missionary. There's no place I'd rather be right now. Nothing else has ever meant more to me than what I'm doing at this very moment. Every time I even try to comprehend going home, my heart sinks.

I know now more than ever the effect that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has on people and how his atoning sacrifice makes any change possible.

1 year is a short time to do anything. Better not waste this last one. I'll strive my best

Love, Elder Nielsen

P.s. Does anyone have any questions about what Hawaii/missionary work is like? It's a pretty cool/weird place