12/25/17 - Pics of the Week

Shoe shining service activity - (pretty sure this is staged hahaha)

Playing soccer Christmas Day

Happy Elders

Merry Christmas - Fa la la la la, la la la la

12/25/17 - Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! It's been a fun day. We played soccer this morning and I'm getting a lot better. I'm sooo out of shape tho and we played on a big field. It only took about 15 minutes for the cramps to hit. It's getting really hot but its great and I'm excited for this week.

We baptized a man this week!! He's 28 and has Tourette's syndrome, the problem that just random stuff comes out and it doesn't make any sense. It was so great to teach him because he understands so much - it's amazing. It was so great to watch my son, Elder Alegre with his first baptism. He was over the moon - it was so cute. 

We cleaned and shined shoes for free this week and it was great service! We also had a service project with kids whose dads are in prison. I ended up giving the talk idk how but it was good! Just crazy to think it's Christmas again. It doesn't feel like it at all, but Merry Christmas! I'm so grateful for Jesus! 

Love,

Elder Nielsen

12/18/17 - Pics of the Week

Merry Christmas from Peru!

12/18/17 - It's About Him

This week was really good. We are working hard and we have come a long way. We are teaching a single mom named Vanessa Marcos. She has 5 kids and as of about a month ago her husband killed himself. When we got there you could just feel the overwhelming power of depression, sadness and evil. It was really hard. However, as we have been teaching her and her kids things are turning around. The other day we were teaching and the scripture that is found in Matthew 11:28-30 hit me like a train. When she read it the spirit testified that it is true - that He is the only one that can lighten our burdens, that He is the only one that can heal us. We celebrate the birth of Him at Christmas and being here in Peru has given me a whole new perspective. I love this mission and Peru. Christmas here isn't about me - it's about Him. It's about the Prince of Peace. In Him there is safety, in Him there is peace - just like the hymn says. Please pray for Vanessa - her family is just the worst. They hate us, they always lie to us and don't want us to visit her. Please pray to soften their hearts - we are just trying to help.

My companion is just the best. He has this overwhelming fear of talking to people and we are working hard on it - talking to people in the street, people in our ward and other missionaries. He's come so far and honestly I'm learning so much from him. He's so incredibly humble. He's so kind and feels the real true love of Christ for people which is just great. I know I've had all my companions for a reason and I'm so grateful for all of them. 

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and remember why we have Christmas - remember Him and may the spirit be with you all. 

Love,

Elder Nielsen

12/11/17 - Pics of the Week

Elder Nielsen and his "son," Elder Alegre

12/11/17 - Light the World

This week was really solid. We are working hard and all is well. We went to Lima for 2 days and it was so fun hangin' out with my friends whom I haven't seen for a long time. Elder Bacilio is going home - he's finishing his mission and I'm going to miss him a lot. I look up to him so much. He's such an excellent excellent missionary and person. He's going to try to come to Utah. I hope you all meet him. 

My son and I are working hard. We are getting ready to baptize Moises Nieto and Venessa Fernandez. Please pray from them. We are working a lot with the "light the world" campaign from the church and it's great! I love Christmas. There is just something so special about being on a mission during Christmas. It"s not all about you and it's really kinda nice. I love Peru. We don't have a cook anymore and we are just eating in restaurants and it's so much better. Holy cow the food here is sooo good. I had a talk in church and it was fun - my ward is so cute. 

Do something nice for someone today. Please pray for us and our investigators. A lot of stuff is happening here in Huacho!! I love you all! Thanks for everything!!

Love,

Elder Nielsen

12/4/17 - Pics of the Week

Elder  Nielsen and Elder Alegre - "it was his first time seeing an ocean. He's only seen ponds. He was so excited!"

12/4/17 - I Love Christmas

I have a son. His name is Elder Alegre, which means happy, and he's from Bolivia - surprise!!! - like most of my companions. hahaha Yep, I'm training a new missionary and it's so great. It's a really new experience but it's good and we are working hard and seeing the results. We had cambios and I'm staying here in Huaura which is just awesome. All is well. 

All in all life is good and time is flying - it's honestly insane how fast time is moving. The First Presidency Christmas Devotional yesterday was great! I love Christmas and I can relate a lot to the speaker who is a Seventy who talked about his experience in Chile. However, this Christmas it's different. I understand now. I love the country of Peru now. The people are my family and my friends and I'll always have a love for this country. 

Mom, thanks for the Christmas decorations! We live above members who have a little restaurant for breakfast and cakes and stuff. I gave them to them to decorate. I'll send a picture next week- it's so cute!  It's way better there than in my room.

Love,

Elder Nielsen