'Another One Bites the Dust!'

Before I begin my letter, I would just like to send you the temperatures here for the next few days. 100, 98, 100, 100, 102 With a low of 80 degrees. It is getting HOT to say the least! 

We had another great week last week. We had a decent number of investigators in church last week, however, our investigators are still not quite where they need to be. They are still developing their testimonies and understanding of the truths of the Restored Gospel more and more everyday. We do not want to rush their preparation for their baptisms so we are going to reschedule their baptisms for May in order to insure that they are prepared and ready for the covenants that they will make at their baptisms. 

We are having a lot of success with the less active families here in our area. Over the last few weeks, we have been trying to find and teach all the less actives who live in area. Many of the less actives whom we found have already attended church two or three times. Last Sunday we had over 10 less actives attend church. Less actives usually want to come back to church, but they are just waiting for the invitation from others. 

Last week, we had the privilege of going on exchanges with the Kapyian Elders and Elder Ouabe. Elder Hopoate and Elder Ouabe worked with me for the exchanges. Elder Hopoate is a very mature and loving missionary. He is still very young in the mission but he has a good understanding and knowledge of the scriptures and Preach My Gospel. His Tagalog is that of a typical foreign missionary only 4 weeks in the mission, as was expected. Despite being new and not fluent in the language, he tries very hard and teaches well. Elder Ouabe is also a great missionary. Elder Ouabe is a kind and soft-spoken missionary. He is a little timid and shy when he speaks English, but he opens up a lot more when he converses with other in Tagalog. He is a good listener and solves the concerns of the investigators effectively. Elder Ouabe could improve by being a little bolder in lessons and speaking a little louder and confidently while teaching lessons. Overall, both Elders are talented and wonderful missionaries. 

Last week we attended a marriage reception. The person that got married lives in my old area in SDJM so at the reception I saw all the old ward members in the Francisco Homes ward. That was a wonderful and fun reunion. 

We also participated in our ward choir for our ward conference on Sunday. Watch out!

BUT.. The big news for the week came last night at about 9 o'clock when President Bertin called. He asked Elder Richards to be the next Assistant! ( " He is all grown up and saving China.. :')  "  ) But there is a slight catch. President called two assistants. So now there are three assistants in the office. haha, That is because President and I are "Batch" so he goes home in one more transfer too. He wanted to help the future mission president out a little bit. Elder Richards leaves tomorrow and heads to the office. I will be  left as a lone ranger to hold down the fort. Not really, I will be in a threesome with my kabahays for the next week until transfers. It should be a blast!

Well take care fam! Enjoy the cool weather! Love ya heaps!

Nagmamahal,

Elder Nielsen 

Back in Camarin

Last week was very busy, nonetheless, we still able to have another great and successful week. Unfortunately, due to exchanges, zone interviews, service projects and choir practices most of our time last week was spent out of our area, and we were not able to work in our area as much as we would have liked. Nevertheless, we still had a decent amount of investigators in church and we were also able to find a few new investigator families this past week. 

Despite the progression our area has shown, we are still not content because we know how much potential our area has. We are still searching and OYMing trying to find the prepared and elect individuals and families who are currently living in area. We know that if we continue to have faith and earnestly seek the Lord's help and guidance that He will either guide us to His prepared sons and daughter or He will lead them to us. 

So last week on Tuesday we had our zone interview in Camarin and later that evening we had exchanges with the Assistants. That evening, while we were just hanging out in Camarin we went exchanges with the Elders in my old area in Camarin 1st. I was able to see all my RCs and all the members in that area. Then the next day we had exchanges with the Assistants so I got visit all my RCs and ward members in the Camarin 2nd ward. It was great seeing all the members and the RCs again! 

There were a few problems that occurred last week in the San Jose North zone, We had a few little drama problems and an ET. So it was kind of an exciting week in those terms. But besides that, it was another normal week in the zone. 

The weather has also been unbelievably hot the last few days. It has been almost unbearable. Welcome to summer in the Philippines! :) 

That is all I can think of right now.. It was another busy and great week!

I love you all! Take Care!

sumasainyo,

Elder Nielsen 

Conference 2K17

We had another great week last week. Last week, we continued to find and focus on our progressing investigators. The Hitosis family is still reading and progressing. Sister Hitosis and Ronalyn Hitosis were both able to attend General Conference yesterday. Their family is doing well. They are continuing to learn and grow and have been keeping all of our commitments that we have extended to them. 

Sister Josephina is also still progressing. She has already attended church numerous times. The only reason why she has not yet been baptized is because she and her husband/live-in-partner are not yet married. However, the Relief Society in our ward has already started fundraising for Sister Josephina and her marriage. In the next few weeks, Sister Josephina will hopefully be married and baptized. 

The missionaries serving in SJ North zone are still doing well. All the companionship in the zone are working hard and are striving to achieve our zone finding goal. All of the companionships in this zone, except one, we able to reach the Mission Standard of Excellence for new investigators. At this point, we do have any concerns or problems with any of the missionaries or companionships in this zone.

General Conference was once again a very inspiring, spiritual, and beneficial event. It is always a privilege to be taught and instructed by Lord's authorized representatives during General Conference. My favorite talks were by Elder Bednar, Mark A. Bragg, Ronald A Rasband, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf. But overall it was a great conference!. 

Last week, we went to MLC. I saw Elder Narciso for probably the last time last week. He goes home in May. 

Sorry. It was kind of just a busy week, with not a lot of fun stories.. But it was definitely a good time. 

Overall, we had another great week last week. Take care! Love you all!

sumasainyo,

Elder Nielsen 

Ps. Ask the Filipina Sister. Where she is from or if you want to try it in Tagalog. "Taga saan Ka?"  

Mga Veterano vs the Young Bucks

We had another great week last week. As a companionship, we are currently focusing on building up our teaching pool. Our area is progressing, however, our teaching pool is not very deep. We tend to visit the same households a few times a week, and consequently, have limited people in our teaching who we can teach. As of now, we are really focusing on finding and adding more investigator families in our teaching pool. 

Our area has been a little neglected in the past years. We went through the are book last week and looked at all the old RCs. There has literally been two convert baptism in the last 3 years. Let's just say the old missionaries did not work as hard as they could have.. SO our goal is to transform the area. Meaning, finding. Last week we have 35 new investigators, and our goal is to have 35 new investigators every week to start turning the area around. 

As for investigators, we have a few main families and individuals that we are focusing on and teaching frequently. The Estocis family is a fairly new investigator family that we have been visiting and working with. They were a referral from an active member that lives nearby. Their teenager daughter has attended church a few times but they have not been able to attend church as a family. However, yesterday, we were able to pick their family up and and accompany them to church. At the close of the church services, they made a remark that they enjoyed attending church. We are hoping attending church will become a weekly tradition and desire for the Estocis family. 

The SJ North zone is doing well. Last week, we introduced a new finding activity. It was called Mga Veterano vs The Young Bucks. So basically, we divided up the zone into two teams, the old missionary companionships and the newer missionary companionships. I am the team captain of the Veterans and Elder Richard is the captain for the Young Bucks. We made weekly competitions to try to motivate the missionaries in the zone to work harder and find more. It was kinda of fun, and we are hoping it will help the zone. The zone seemed to be excited and willing to accept and achieve the new zones goals that we established for the upcoming weeks.

Last week I received this text from President Bertin. 

"Elder Nielsen- Here is a quote from a missionary that landed in your last area: "This is exactly what an open are should be like! The area map is updated. The area book is updated. There are investigators. The ward likes us. I wish I could give Elder Nielsen and Elder Peterson a big hug. Elder Frias and I have very very big plans that  believe we can achieve!"  What a compliment. Way to go!!!" 

I am still a little sad I will miss their baptisms, but I am super happy fro them! 

Overall, Elder Richards and I had another great week. We are hitting the pavement and working our tails off. The next few weeks should be pretty busy with MLC, General Conference, and Zone conferences and interviews. 

I am super excited for Conference! I already have all the old talks memorized and I need some new materials! I hope all of you have a great week! Choose the right! 

Love you all,

Elder Nielsen