Dearest family,
Ok, I think I got this whole email thing figured out, who to send it to and all that stuff ;)
Ok wow. These past two weeks have been incredible and I have learned so much more about myself, language, Gospel, and most importantly what is most important in this life! haha Though I don't know all of these even close to perfect yet... I will try and share what little knowledge I have.
First, the language. WOW, this is incredible, What an opportunity I have to really just immerse myself into this language with a companion who is barley 3 months older than me. President Brown emailed me some very encouraging things. I love that man.
Ok I'll tell you a little bit about Elder Hamner. He was just in college at West Point Military Academy. (pretty smart kid) He is a very extremely disciplined elder. I would do well to learn from him :) He is an incredible missionary and really works with all of the attributes that D&C 4 says we should work and strive for. It nice to learn so much at a time... He does everything at the very fastest pace he can, It's awesome! Not a minute wasted! Pray that I can have the strength to keep up with him, because I know that if i can I will see SSOOO much growth. It'll be awesome!
I'm so thankful for the time I had with Elder Quinn, he really was the perfect trainer for me. He taught me how to be a missionary and really be humble and everything good like that, he is the MAN! hopefully you guys will meet him someday! He is going to do great things with his life, I firmly believe that!
Wow, so many stories, so little time. Stake conference was amazing! It really was the spiritual boost that I needed! It was in a city named Tampere, one of the biggest cities in Finland (I think), but we saw a little miracle. We drove to Tampere and no one in the car really knew Tampere very well, all we had was the address. Haha, so we went and I know that we were helped, because when we went to ask someone how to get to that, it was straight down the street. Eli (in other words) we were on the right street. Pretty cool! Little miracles, small and simple things like that are such a testifer to me of how much God really is in control. I'm not going to lie I was scared driving from Pori to Tampere, but with a little faith we made it there and learned tons!
There was a children's choir, it took me back to the days when our little Elwood primary would sing and you could see which children were not happy to be up there singing. And then the ones who sang with all their heart but couldn't ever seem to find the right note! I chuckled a little, and realized again that we are all God's children. We all are similar, we all came from the same place and I think that we carry a lot of the attributes that we learned there. That is why little kids in Finland, singing in Finnish are so similar to the ones in Elwood singing in English! Oh man, I love little testifers like that! This Church is true!! I love it!!!
I learned so much from this conference (even though it wasn't in my mother language :) ) but one thing I liked was President Brown's talk, in Finnish, I have never really heard him talk that much in Finnish. He is the exact same loving, caring, inspiring man in Finnish that he is in English. I really do have the best mission president in the world. Although Kyle's was pretty good... not quite as good though ;) Oh man President Brown is a man of humility and power, what an example.
During this conference I learned a lot of who the person I want to become. I think the person I would like to become is very similar to the man that President Brown is. He carries such a powerful testimony of the scriptures and yet he is so humble about his knowledge and about everything. He knows all, but wants you to learn by your own means. He provides a way that you can be taught those lessons in life that can't be learned other than experiencing it.
I wish that I could truly express how I feel... because it is an incredible indescribable feeling of love for everyone in this world! haha wow...
Pori is doing great! I actually think that we are in a super warm-spell, because we have stayed in the positive degrees for a while, the other day our car thermometer said it was 9 degrees celcius (like 45-50 f)! wow! sounds like it Utah is colder than that! haha but I'm so prepared for winter here, I'm just waiting for it to come! With all the warm stuff mom packed and the giant coat I bought, it's impossible to get cold :)
I'd like to share some thoughts I had as I read the Book of Mormon this week. This is actually something that I learned in the MTC but I'm reading through the Book of Mormon again. ALMA 5:45-46 (I don't remember if I shared this in the MTC) but, Alma the younger says he came to a knowledge of this gospel not because the angel he saw, but the small things like prayer in his life. I love it! I loving searching for other small things I can do to strengthen that knowledge! I challenge all of you to do the same! Search for what you can do to strengthen that knowledge so that when times of trial come, nothing can stop you. Man, what if our whole family just became this unstoppable force for good in this world, we could help find and save our other brothers and sisters in the world! We have been blessed with so much! What a better time to remember that than this Thanksgiving week! Remember what the Lord has blessed you with and pass that same love and tender feelings on to others. I've seen joy come to the faces of the hopeless (Janne) There is nothing in this world that feels better than seeing that joy illuminate people ohhh... It's indescribable.
I thought (as I was reminded by that awesome Thanksgiving package) about how every year we always express what we are thankful for before we eat our thanksgiving meal. I thought about what I would say, I'm with out words. I think that 2 Nephi chapter 22 states it better than I ever could. This gospel is everything to me now because I know that through it we (our family) can live together forever. We can return to that loving Heavenly Father who has given us everything we have! I wish it hadn't taken me this long to realize this. But now I know more than ever!
Little girls/Ryan/Kyle/Nate/mom/dad! thank you for all that you do for me! You are all such examples to me! I love you all! I thank you for the amazing things I have learned from all of you. This is the true church, through it we can be together forever
Love
Vanhin Thomas Nielsen
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November 20, 2009
Dearest family!
Wow... So this has been an insane week wow... I'm in Helsinki emailing you guys (4 hour train ride) because I'm getting a new companion. He is actually sitting right next to me! His name is Elder Hamner, He is my grandpa finn. Eli (in other words) My group replaced his group in the mtc. So we are a pretty fresh companionship in Pori. Both of us together total 4 transfers old haha. I hope we will be able to communicate to people in Finnish :) I wasn't able to email on monday because our library was closed. This is going to be a really short email sorry...
Glad to hear that Kyker is safe and sound... Oh man that is scary. I'm so grateful for his example of missionary work! what champ. man I have so many good examples in my life! haha So I have 2 packages waiting for me in the other room you guys are awesome :)
I will try and remember everything for next week because I have a ton of good stories! Thank you all very much :)
love you all, Have a great week!
Love,
Vanhin Thomas Nielsen
p.s Next weeks letter is going to be better! promise!
pps you guys played ping pong with Katelin and Karen? fun!
Wow... So this has been an insane week wow... I'm in Helsinki emailing you guys (4 hour train ride) because I'm getting a new companion. He is actually sitting right next to me! His name is Elder Hamner, He is my grandpa finn. Eli (in other words) My group replaced his group in the mtc. So we are a pretty fresh companionship in Pori. Both of us together total 4 transfers old haha. I hope we will be able to communicate to people in Finnish :) I wasn't able to email on monday because our library was closed. This is going to be a really short email sorry...
Glad to hear that Kyker is safe and sound... Oh man that is scary. I'm so grateful for his example of missionary work! what champ. man I have so many good examples in my life! haha So I have 2 packages waiting for me in the other room you guys are awesome :)
I will try and remember everything for next week because I have a ton of good stories! Thank you all very much :)
love you all, Have a great week!
Love,
Vanhin Thomas Nielsen
p.s Next weeks letter is going to be better! promise!
pps you guys played ping pong with Katelin and Karen? fun!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 9, 2009
Dearest family,
Wow, Zone conference was everything that I had expected/been dreaming about for the last few weeks! President Brown is the man! I think Kyle’s mission president hit it right on the head when he said the President Brown is one of the most spiritual people in the world. He teaches with such an amazing understanding of the scriptures. He shared experiences that were truly from his heart. He corrected with complete and uttermost love! Oh man it was amazing! He taught us a lot of the vision we need to attain here in Finland. I started thinking as I started this email of how applicable that is to each of your lives. Anything can be done as long as it is expedient of the Lord and as long as we have the faith and the “vision” necessary to achieve it. To me what I learned from the discussion about the vision is that if we can truly attain the “Vision” of what we are supposed to do we will have that eternal perspective that I talked about last week, and once we get the vision and eternal perspective we have the power and motivation to do what is expedient of the Lord. Then we won't let anything get in our way (in a good sort of way) for example this language, we will see the need to constantly strive to do better so that we can portray to the Finns how much God loves them, and how important this life is. haha I love it! I hope that make sense, or at least I hope there is something in there applicable to each of you in your lives.
President Brown talked about a change happening in the mission as we become better and more obedient missionaries. It is amazing, I caught a little glimpse of how he uses Zone conference to teach missionaries about how they can act and learn and grow. He sets it up so we will use the 6 weeks in between to test some of the things he said, to really understand what he talked about. Then (at least from what he said) we will be ready for the next Zone Conference. We will have the experience needed! He is just molding Finland into a machine through which the Lord can do what is expedient :) I love President Brown so much.
We talked about some amazing things… maybe I will send a letter home because I don’t have my notes with me and I don’t think I could do it justice, just know that I was truly inspired and nurtured from an amazing Leader! A little bit about President, he was a CES Teacher for like 30+ years I think, he worked in their main office. He truly understands how to portray the feelings and thoughts he has… as I write this email I realize how much I lack in that aspect. I will hopefully get better because I want to be able to truly express how much I have learned here in Finland, and in the MTC. :) I know that there is no other way to learn some of the things that I have learned, Fromage you need to help the youth realize the benefits of a mission! Teach your young women to teach the young men! haha because I know at least for me that’s how I learned best ;)
This week in Pori was an amazing week! Not because of some of our numbers, we didn’t have any investigators in Church. :( but we had 5 less actives come to church. It was amazing to see them as I passed the sacrament, take it and the light in their face as the realized what they had been missing, Some of them for 17 years. Sister Salmi is one lady who knows the Church is true, but quit going to church because she got offended at one of the members. She has come for 2 weeks in a row, last week (yesterday) she gave the prayer in sacrament meeting. From what I understood she really gave a true heart-felt humble prayer and it was inspiring! Some of these people here are going to affect the way I live for the rest of my life. She is such an example to me! I don’t know if I have shared an amazing scripture finding story with you about her, have I? if not I will send it in my next letter home!
Let's see… what else happened, I went on splits with Elder Ranzemberger (my papa finn) at conference and that was amazing, we saw some miracles and help from the Lord. I’m going on splits with Elder Horne (MTC companion) on Wednesday!
haha I’ll tell one quick funny story, I was actually going to tell it in last week's email but I forgot. So my hair was getting long and I decided I needed to cut it, so I did. Fortunately we have a razor in our apartment; I busted that thing out and just started to go to town. I was feeling pretty good about it, got the top and sides looking nice, then I did the back and that’s when I almost started to cry. I guess I pushed to hard and the razor “clicked down” from a level 9 to a level 3 haha uhhh ohh I put two huge streaks in the back of my hair before I realized what I had done, it looked awful, but thanks to a little help from Elder Quinn I’m looking as good as ever… almost ;)
Good to hear all is well! I LOVE the Hall boys, they are champions! I still remember the day when alex’s beat me in an arm wrestle in like 2 seconds flat. That hurt my pride a little because he is like 4 years younger than me haha. He is a stud! Next time you talk to them say hi from me! The Halls and the Fronks truly are remarkable people, I’m grateful for their examples in my life!
Sounds like you guys had a blast! Good to hear! Those are always needed to help relax from all the stresses of life!
Fromage don’t even worry about the letter/package ordeal. Letters get forwarded to us from the mission home the day they are sent. So only Vanhin Quinn saw my lack of letters hehe. It really is O.K. as for packages, could I get some filler paper (like loss, lined paper like 800 sheets) that is 8.5x5.5 inches and like 3 or 4 black binders for them! just the little ones that fit that paper! That’s what I want for Christmas, deal? And some face stuff, I ran out ;( haha other than that I’m set. so don’t worry about sending anything else! maybe a letter for me and something little for my companion!
Holy cow I finished my whole checklist for my letter home! haha Love you all so much! continue to do what you are doing right now, Be Great! ;) Love you Love you Love you! Someone go play fetch with Rocky for me, He is prolly getting fat ;)
Love,
Vanhin Nielsen
p.s Is there anything Mitzi is missing from Finland?
Wow, Zone conference was everything that I had expected/been dreaming about for the last few weeks! President Brown is the man! I think Kyle’s mission president hit it right on the head when he said the President Brown is one of the most spiritual people in the world. He teaches with such an amazing understanding of the scriptures. He shared experiences that were truly from his heart. He corrected with complete and uttermost love! Oh man it was amazing! He taught us a lot of the vision we need to attain here in Finland. I started thinking as I started this email of how applicable that is to each of your lives. Anything can be done as long as it is expedient of the Lord and as long as we have the faith and the “vision” necessary to achieve it. To me what I learned from the discussion about the vision is that if we can truly attain the “Vision” of what we are supposed to do we will have that eternal perspective that I talked about last week, and once we get the vision and eternal perspective we have the power and motivation to do what is expedient of the Lord. Then we won't let anything get in our way (in a good sort of way) for example this language, we will see the need to constantly strive to do better so that we can portray to the Finns how much God loves them, and how important this life is. haha I love it! I hope that make sense, or at least I hope there is something in there applicable to each of you in your lives.
President Brown talked about a change happening in the mission as we become better and more obedient missionaries. It is amazing, I caught a little glimpse of how he uses Zone conference to teach missionaries about how they can act and learn and grow. He sets it up so we will use the 6 weeks in between to test some of the things he said, to really understand what he talked about. Then (at least from what he said) we will be ready for the next Zone Conference. We will have the experience needed! He is just molding Finland into a machine through which the Lord can do what is expedient :) I love President Brown so much.
We talked about some amazing things… maybe I will send a letter home because I don’t have my notes with me and I don’t think I could do it justice, just know that I was truly inspired and nurtured from an amazing Leader! A little bit about President, he was a CES Teacher for like 30+ years I think, he worked in their main office. He truly understands how to portray the feelings and thoughts he has… as I write this email I realize how much I lack in that aspect. I will hopefully get better because I want to be able to truly express how much I have learned here in Finland, and in the MTC. :) I know that there is no other way to learn some of the things that I have learned, Fromage you need to help the youth realize the benefits of a mission! Teach your young women to teach the young men! haha because I know at least for me that’s how I learned best ;)
This week in Pori was an amazing week! Not because of some of our numbers, we didn’t have any investigators in Church. :( but we had 5 less actives come to church. It was amazing to see them as I passed the sacrament, take it and the light in their face as the realized what they had been missing, Some of them for 17 years. Sister Salmi is one lady who knows the Church is true, but quit going to church because she got offended at one of the members. She has come for 2 weeks in a row, last week (yesterday) she gave the prayer in sacrament meeting. From what I understood she really gave a true heart-felt humble prayer and it was inspiring! Some of these people here are going to affect the way I live for the rest of my life. She is such an example to me! I don’t know if I have shared an amazing scripture finding story with you about her, have I? if not I will send it in my next letter home!
Let's see… what else happened, I went on splits with Elder Ranzemberger (my papa finn) at conference and that was amazing, we saw some miracles and help from the Lord. I’m going on splits with Elder Horne (MTC companion) on Wednesday!
haha I’ll tell one quick funny story, I was actually going to tell it in last week's email but I forgot. So my hair was getting long and I decided I needed to cut it, so I did. Fortunately we have a razor in our apartment; I busted that thing out and just started to go to town. I was feeling pretty good about it, got the top and sides looking nice, then I did the back and that’s when I almost started to cry. I guess I pushed to hard and the razor “clicked down” from a level 9 to a level 3 haha uhhh ohh I put two huge streaks in the back of my hair before I realized what I had done, it looked awful, but thanks to a little help from Elder Quinn I’m looking as good as ever… almost ;)
Good to hear all is well! I LOVE the Hall boys, they are champions! I still remember the day when alex’s beat me in an arm wrestle in like 2 seconds flat. That hurt my pride a little because he is like 4 years younger than me haha. He is a stud! Next time you talk to them say hi from me! The Halls and the Fronks truly are remarkable people, I’m grateful for their examples in my life!
Sounds like you guys had a blast! Good to hear! Those are always needed to help relax from all the stresses of life!
Fromage don’t even worry about the letter/package ordeal. Letters get forwarded to us from the mission home the day they are sent. So only Vanhin Quinn saw my lack of letters hehe. It really is O.K. as for packages, could I get some filler paper (like loss, lined paper like 800 sheets) that is 8.5x5.5 inches and like 3 or 4 black binders for them! just the little ones that fit that paper! That’s what I want for Christmas, deal? And some face stuff, I ran out ;( haha other than that I’m set. so don’t worry about sending anything else! maybe a letter for me and something little for my companion!
Holy cow I finished my whole checklist for my letter home! haha Love you all so much! continue to do what you are doing right now, Be Great! ;) Love you Love you Love you! Someone go play fetch with Rocky for me, He is prolly getting fat ;)
Love,
Vanhin Nielsen
p.s Is there anything Mitzi is missing from Finland?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
No News
Nothing this week from Elder Nielsen, but we did hear from his companion, so we're sure all is well. A computer glitch of email draft deletion is our best guess at why he didn't write. We're hoping for an extra good one next week, otherwise his mother is liable to call the mission home.
Monday, November 2, 2009
November 2, 2009
Dearest family,
I totally forgot to tell you that last week I was going to the temple! haha uhhh ohhh. I was able to go because Elder Quinn was going to Kieli Koulu (language School) and it is in Helsinki. Kieli Koulu is when a missionary has been in the country 6 weeks and they just barely started this, but when they are in the country 6 months. Pretty much they just answer Language questions you have, and I heard that you get to make smoothies... yumm :) It's Kinda funny that I get to go to the temple this early in my mission because Vanhin Quinn still has even been.. :D lol but he will go when I have my Kieli Koulu in like 3 or 4 weeks.
I would like to share some things I learned from that visit, that I think apply to everyone not just missionaries. I challenge you guys as I share this to find a very personal way that applies to you and see how you can more better be a servant of the Lord, a better example, or whatever you feel you need to do better on. I know you will be able to because that's what this gospel is essentially based on, Eternal progression. Which kind of leads to one to the most eye opening things that "dawned on me" It was that I need to always keep my mind in a very eternal perspective. If you force yourself to think in this manner a whole new world opens up. You aren't bound by the little day to day problems, the financial burdens of today, the catastrophic ailments that are plaguing the earth (that's pretty profound, I can't believe that came out of my head) and once you are free from those you can start to think cleary about Christ and Everything that he did on our behalf. Then you realize the importance of living life in a manner that is pleasing to him, Which in turn makes your life happy and blessed and blesses the lives of others around you! It's like the Circle of Life in the lion king... but a little deeper ;)
This led me to think about how important it is to help other people, because if we truly understand how much God loves people we will feel, in a very finite way, that same love. We will do anything to help them realize It because it become "most desirable fruit" as Lehi put it. His example is the kind of attitude we need to have, he started searching for first his family, and everyone that he could share it with. (I might have added a little, But really everyone is our family so i guess not really :) ) We will go out to Germany (dad) and work our little hearts out and be just as obedient as we can. We will come home find an amazing wife (mom), who loves this gospel just as much as you do. We will live according to the gospel so that they will want to do their absolute best in life and achieve the full potential and that we can return to live with them forever! They will do the same because that was how they were shown to live life! I hope that all made sense, so in other words, I would like to thank you mom and dad for your powerful examples to me. Dad always living a life with an eye single to the work (or word) so that you could always be worthy so that you could, when the time called for it, bless the lives of others. I know God's power is real! I can't believe I haven't realized it until now (although I'm sure that I will be schooled again and learn just as much as I did last week) The priesthood is amazing!
The last thing I kinda talked about (actually they all kinda molded together as I typed haha sorry) was about about the Love and Sameness of that love throughout the world. The session was in russian, but there were finns, and a few americans! haha but I saw them and this overwhelming feeling came to me and testified, God knows each of them and loves them just as much as he loves you and knows you Thomas (Elder Nielsen) it was amazing!
Then throughout the week I had some amazing Scriptures studies! I learned about the power of example, I don't have time to share all the things I felt, but just know they were good! I was in mosiah and I saw the insane contrast between King Benjamin and King Noah and how the people that looked up to them acted according to what the saw! study that! deal?
Those were my "spiritual spankings" for the week. Can I say that? (mom If i said anything blasphemous or shared anything too personal you need to edit it, I don't have time haha)
Just the other day a lady when she realized what we were doing in finland, trying to help people. She just started crying and said (from what I understood) that people, especially young adults, need to hear this message so that they can have hope and be obedient essentially. She was very nice. That was just a little tender mercy I thought I would share :)
I've been humbled like crazy! it's good stuff! My first zone conference is Thursday and Friday, I can't wait. President Brown is the man.
Haha every week for the last month the missionaries (Quinn and I) had a part in sacrament, Pretty much just bearing testimony, lol I'm always feel a little sheepish going up there in Finnish bearing my testimony. I found a scripture that was brought forward through my talk with kyle. Alma 26;12 so good! read that and remember what it says :)
Good to hear you got my package and everything. I bought a coat in Helsinki, it was only 60 euros that about it for this week!
Love you all so much! you are the best family in the world! mom I hope you could read all my handwriting for the pictures! love you all so much!
Elder Thomas Nielsen
p.s. Mom could you find out from the teachers, if they could pick one candy bar or something of similar size and value from Finland, what would it be. Because I think I'm going to send them a package... Because they are pretty cool ;)
I totally forgot to tell you that last week I was going to the temple! haha uhhh ohhh. I was able to go because Elder Quinn was going to Kieli Koulu (language School) and it is in Helsinki. Kieli Koulu is when a missionary has been in the country 6 weeks and they just barely started this, but when they are in the country 6 months. Pretty much they just answer Language questions you have, and I heard that you get to make smoothies... yumm :) It's Kinda funny that I get to go to the temple this early in my mission because Vanhin Quinn still has even been.. :D lol but he will go when I have my Kieli Koulu in like 3 or 4 weeks.
I would like to share some things I learned from that visit, that I think apply to everyone not just missionaries. I challenge you guys as I share this to find a very personal way that applies to you and see how you can more better be a servant of the Lord, a better example, or whatever you feel you need to do better on. I know you will be able to because that's what this gospel is essentially based on, Eternal progression. Which kind of leads to one to the most eye opening things that "dawned on me" It was that I need to always keep my mind in a very eternal perspective. If you force yourself to think in this manner a whole new world opens up. You aren't bound by the little day to day problems, the financial burdens of today, the catastrophic ailments that are plaguing the earth (that's pretty profound, I can't believe that came out of my head) and once you are free from those you can start to think cleary about Christ and Everything that he did on our behalf. Then you realize the importance of living life in a manner that is pleasing to him, Which in turn makes your life happy and blessed and blesses the lives of others around you! It's like the Circle of Life in the lion king... but a little deeper ;)
This led me to think about how important it is to help other people, because if we truly understand how much God loves people we will feel, in a very finite way, that same love. We will do anything to help them realize It because it become "most desirable fruit" as Lehi put it. His example is the kind of attitude we need to have, he started searching for first his family, and everyone that he could share it with. (I might have added a little, But really everyone is our family so i guess not really :) ) We will go out to Germany (dad) and work our little hearts out and be just as obedient as we can. We will come home find an amazing wife (mom), who loves this gospel just as much as you do. We will live according to the gospel so that they will want to do their absolute best in life and achieve the full potential and that we can return to live with them forever! They will do the same because that was how they were shown to live life! I hope that all made sense, so in other words, I would like to thank you mom and dad for your powerful examples to me. Dad always living a life with an eye single to the work (or word) so that you could always be worthy so that you could, when the time called for it, bless the lives of others. I know God's power is real! I can't believe I haven't realized it until now (although I'm sure that I will be schooled again and learn just as much as I did last week) The priesthood is amazing!
The last thing I kinda talked about (actually they all kinda molded together as I typed haha sorry) was about about the Love and Sameness of that love throughout the world. The session was in russian, but there were finns, and a few americans! haha but I saw them and this overwhelming feeling came to me and testified, God knows each of them and loves them just as much as he loves you and knows you Thomas (Elder Nielsen) it was amazing!
Then throughout the week I had some amazing Scriptures studies! I learned about the power of example, I don't have time to share all the things I felt, but just know they were good! I was in mosiah and I saw the insane contrast between King Benjamin and King Noah and how the people that looked up to them acted according to what the saw! study that! deal?
Those were my "spiritual spankings" for the week. Can I say that? (mom If i said anything blasphemous or shared anything too personal you need to edit it, I don't have time haha)
Just the other day a lady when she realized what we were doing in finland, trying to help people. She just started crying and said (from what I understood) that people, especially young adults, need to hear this message so that they can have hope and be obedient essentially. She was very nice. That was just a little tender mercy I thought I would share :)
I've been humbled like crazy! it's good stuff! My first zone conference is Thursday and Friday, I can't wait. President Brown is the man.
Haha every week for the last month the missionaries (Quinn and I) had a part in sacrament, Pretty much just bearing testimony, lol I'm always feel a little sheepish going up there in Finnish bearing my testimony. I found a scripture that was brought forward through my talk with kyle. Alma 26;12 so good! read that and remember what it says :)
Good to hear you got my package and everything. I bought a coat in Helsinki, it was only 60 euros that about it for this week!
Love you all so much! you are the best family in the world! mom I hope you could read all my handwriting for the pictures! love you all so much!
Elder Thomas Nielsen
p.s. Mom could you find out from the teachers, if they could pick one candy bar or something of similar size and value from Finland, what would it be. Because I think I'm going to send them a package... Because they are pretty cool ;)
October 26th, 2009
Dearest Family,
Wow I love it here in Pori. Ok, so here is how this email is going to go. I'm going hopefully write about the last two weeks if I can remember everything ;) and then I will answer your questions that you asked, I will answer all of them. (Fromage you have my permission to delete anything boring that you don't want to send to the rest of the family) and then I will ask some of my own questions, deal?
Ok so, these last two weeks have been the most amazing weeks of my life. It is insane how much the Lord prepares people, something came to mind when I was thinking about that. Something that Veli said in my final interview with him. He said "Working for the salvation of His children is what God does" It has been amazing to actually see that first hand :) I told you that story about Pauliini last email (the one you actually got) and I guess it is all the little things that I have seen recently that have really stuck out to me, Because it isn't always going to be "big" stories like that bring people to the gospel. It is in the little things like feeling the Holy Ghost bear testimony of the truthfulness of things after a First Prayer. One of our investigators (English speaking) Darryl gave his very first prayer with us and I was amazed at the sincerity of his prayer he gave. It really was like He was talking with God, He knew he was there, Awww It was amazing :) So I guess I would like to tell you all about the power of prayer and that He really does listen and that He really does care about us all individually. His love is so infinite I can't even comprehend it! Crazy! So I Challenge you each to find a way to make your prayers little more sincere and I promise you, that you will see a huge difference. I love this gospel.
hmmm… I’m trying to think of some other things that have happened these last couple weeks, maybe I will just talk about some of our investigators. We had 8 Last week but this week we only have 4 because we had to talk to a lot of them that weren’t progressing that we can’t spend as much time with them I felt really bad because I love these people but P.M.G says that we need to spend time looking and teaching those who are willing to keep commitments. But we are going to go back and hopefully they will feel what they have been missing and then they will know that it is the Holy Ghost and that God loves them and it will be awesome.
Ok so one of our investigators names is Janne, He is like 24 years old and he decided that he wants to change his life. He has been meeting with the missionaries for the last couple months and it has just been the last week or so that he has really decided to change. He quit smoking and he quit drinking! This is a HUGE step for him, because before he hasn’t really seen the importance for it. It has been amazing to see his countenance change as he has really decided to do this, love it! So tonight we are going to go clean his house, because there are cigarette butts and alcohol bottles everywhere I guess. I think this will be such a good thing for him. It made me think of dad when he cleaned “wild bills” house, I hope the end results are better though ;) haha. I will give a more detailed description of the apartment next week because I haven’t seen it yet! I’m excited! lol
Pauliina is still in Africa, on her honeymoon. She gets back a week from today! She is such a spiritual person. She would really be a huge strength to the ward if she were to become a member, and I think her husband is actually very supportive of her, good stuff.
Alright that’s the rundown on the investigators, here are some funny stories I guess you could say. The language is coming faster than I thought I have grown a lot since the MTC but there are still Infinite amounts of growing to be had yet. (does that make sense) Ok so we were at a less active ladies house, Sisar, who is an amazing lady, but became offended at some of the members in the ward so hasn’t gone to church in a while but does everything else. We were at her house and I saw a spider plant, (the one plant I gave you (mom) when I was in 5th grade) and I said minun äitini on samaa kukka, but I meant to say minun äidillani on samaa kukkaa. Translated (if I spelled it all right) I said my mom is the same flower, when I meant to say my mom has the same flower. Kinda a dumb story, but I thought it was funny.
Alright time to answer some questions.
You said 12 weeks. Is each transfer for you twelve weeks (normal is six), or just this one?
a normal transfer is 6 weeks but when you are with your trainer you usually stay with him for 2 transfers (knock on wood)
How many Elders traveled with you?
My whole district 7 elders and 1 sister. Didn’t I already say that? haha but I should have pictures and labeled all their names in my package I sent you, have you guys got that yet? because there was some delicious chocolate in there;)
What is the basic temperature? Are you freezing? Can we send you anything to warm you? Have you had time to get a coat? Boots?
It’s not way way cold yet it stays above freezing in the day. no I fine mom, the two sets of under-armor shirts and pants and sweaters and everything else you sent with me is still holding up fine, It’s only been two weeks! haha but I might go buy a Coat what do you think about that? give me feedback, If I don’t see a super warm one for a super good price this week I’ll just wait till next week and you can give me some specifics on what kind of coat you want me to get.
When you say good food, what type are you talking about?
Everything you could imagine! we have 3 Dinner appointments this week and we just went to the store and bought amazing bread and all sorts of Finnish goodies (sorry MTC teachers, you are missing out on some amazing cheese)
Where is Elder Quinn from?
Elder Quinn is from Park City. I have talked all about Elder Quinn haven’t I? he is the man! out 6 months and already training me! Crazy! He really knows how to work! its awesome! Dad, guess what his dad served in Frankfurt Germany from 1976-1978 I think, When were you there? Did you know an Elder Quinn? How random is that! I thought that was pretty cool!
Did you guys get my package? I hope my SD card isn’t broken when you send that back can you take some pictures of the whole family on it and rocky, oaky, our house, whatever else sounds good. haha and there is a huge cut in the letter because I was making the box and I.. ya but I taped it back together! that is all! tell me what you think about the chocolate? I enjoy it. I’m trying to think if there is anything else…. The Book of Mormon is powerful! I love it! Read it and keep tract of some of the feelings you have, It is amazing to re read those!
Glad to hear all is going well with Kyle. Give him a hug from me as he heads to college… I love him. I love you all! I’m so grateful for all the examples you set for me! you are the best and I want you to know how much this work means to me! It is an amazing experience and I have learned so much already! I’m being humbled left and right.
Love you all
Vanhin Thomas Nielsen
p.s FINLAND IS AMAZING!!!!!
pps this email is big :)
Wow I love it here in Pori. Ok, so here is how this email is going to go. I'm going hopefully write about the last two weeks if I can remember everything ;) and then I will answer your questions that you asked, I will answer all of them. (Fromage you have my permission to delete anything boring that you don't want to send to the rest of the family) and then I will ask some of my own questions, deal?
Ok so, these last two weeks have been the most amazing weeks of my life. It is insane how much the Lord prepares people, something came to mind when I was thinking about that. Something that Veli said in my final interview with him. He said "Working for the salvation of His children is what God does" It has been amazing to actually see that first hand :) I told you that story about Pauliini last email (the one you actually got) and I guess it is all the little things that I have seen recently that have really stuck out to me, Because it isn't always going to be "big" stories like that bring people to the gospel. It is in the little things like feeling the Holy Ghost bear testimony of the truthfulness of things after a First Prayer. One of our investigators (English speaking) Darryl gave his very first prayer with us and I was amazed at the sincerity of his prayer he gave. It really was like He was talking with God, He knew he was there, Awww It was amazing :) So I guess I would like to tell you all about the power of prayer and that He really does listen and that He really does care about us all individually. His love is so infinite I can't even comprehend it! Crazy! So I Challenge you each to find a way to make your prayers little more sincere and I promise you, that you will see a huge difference. I love this gospel.
hmmm… I’m trying to think of some other things that have happened these last couple weeks, maybe I will just talk about some of our investigators. We had 8 Last week but this week we only have 4 because we had to talk to a lot of them that weren’t progressing that we can’t spend as much time with them I felt really bad because I love these people but P.M.G says that we need to spend time looking and teaching those who are willing to keep commitments. But we are going to go back and hopefully they will feel what they have been missing and then they will know that it is the Holy Ghost and that God loves them and it will be awesome.
Ok so one of our investigators names is Janne, He is like 24 years old and he decided that he wants to change his life. He has been meeting with the missionaries for the last couple months and it has just been the last week or so that he has really decided to change. He quit smoking and he quit drinking! This is a HUGE step for him, because before he hasn’t really seen the importance for it. It has been amazing to see his countenance change as he has really decided to do this, love it! So tonight we are going to go clean his house, because there are cigarette butts and alcohol bottles everywhere I guess. I think this will be such a good thing for him. It made me think of dad when he cleaned “wild bills” house, I hope the end results are better though ;) haha. I will give a more detailed description of the apartment next week because I haven’t seen it yet! I’m excited! lol
Pauliina is still in Africa, on her honeymoon. She gets back a week from today! She is such a spiritual person. She would really be a huge strength to the ward if she were to become a member, and I think her husband is actually very supportive of her, good stuff.
Alright that’s the rundown on the investigators, here are some funny stories I guess you could say. The language is coming faster than I thought I have grown a lot since the MTC but there are still Infinite amounts of growing to be had yet. (does that make sense) Ok so we were at a less active ladies house, Sisar, who is an amazing lady, but became offended at some of the members in the ward so hasn’t gone to church in a while but does everything else. We were at her house and I saw a spider plant, (the one plant I gave you (mom) when I was in 5th grade) and I said minun äitini on samaa kukka, but I meant to say minun äidillani on samaa kukkaa. Translated (if I spelled it all right) I said my mom is the same flower, when I meant to say my mom has the same flower. Kinda a dumb story, but I thought it was funny.
Alright time to answer some questions.
You said 12 weeks. Is each transfer for you twelve weeks (normal is six), or just this one?
a normal transfer is 6 weeks but when you are with your trainer you usually stay with him for 2 transfers (knock on wood)
How many Elders traveled with you?
My whole district 7 elders and 1 sister. Didn’t I already say that? haha but I should have pictures and labeled all their names in my package I sent you, have you guys got that yet? because there was some delicious chocolate in there;)
What is the basic temperature? Are you freezing? Can we send you anything to warm you? Have you had time to get a coat? Boots?
It’s not way way cold yet it stays above freezing in the day. no I fine mom, the two sets of under-armor shirts and pants and sweaters and everything else you sent with me is still holding up fine, It’s only been two weeks! haha but I might go buy a Coat what do you think about that? give me feedback, If I don’t see a super warm one for a super good price this week I’ll just wait till next week and you can give me some specifics on what kind of coat you want me to get.
When you say good food, what type are you talking about?
Everything you could imagine! we have 3 Dinner appointments this week and we just went to the store and bought amazing bread and all sorts of Finnish goodies (sorry MTC teachers, you are missing out on some amazing cheese)
Where is Elder Quinn from?
Elder Quinn is from Park City. I have talked all about Elder Quinn haven’t I? he is the man! out 6 months and already training me! Crazy! He really knows how to work! its awesome! Dad, guess what his dad served in Frankfurt Germany from 1976-1978 I think, When were you there? Did you know an Elder Quinn? How random is that! I thought that was pretty cool!
Did you guys get my package? I hope my SD card isn’t broken when you send that back can you take some pictures of the whole family on it and rocky, oaky, our house, whatever else sounds good. haha and there is a huge cut in the letter because I was making the box and I.. ya but I taped it back together! that is all! tell me what you think about the chocolate? I enjoy it. I’m trying to think if there is anything else…. The Book of Mormon is powerful! I love it! Read it and keep tract of some of the feelings you have, It is amazing to re read those!
Glad to hear all is going well with Kyle. Give him a hug from me as he heads to college… I love him. I love you all! I’m so grateful for all the examples you set for me! you are the best and I want you to know how much this work means to me! It is an amazing experience and I have learned so much already! I’m being humbled left and right.
Love you all
Vanhin Thomas Nielsen
p.s FINLAND IS AMAZING!!!!!
pps this email is big :)
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