Week #32

This week, Tracy and I were in NYC. We went to the top of the World Trade Building and I took a picture of New Jersey. When I sent it to Jack, he said he could see where he lived from there. It was so hard to be so close and not be able to see him, but he's happy. So if he's happy, we are happy. Here is what Elder Nielsen has been up to this last week. 

This week was so busy and it went by super fast. So I'll give you the play by play.

Monday night we went to the Tlatalpas house and they had everyone over to wish me goodbye and I was super happy. They're all my best friends and they told me how much they loved me and it made my heart explode. And we ate a lot of food there and then I went home and packed. Tuesday came and we went to Short Hills and everything and I got my new companion! You guessed it. Elder Harding! Man I love this guy.
He's super super shy but super humble. And living in our apartment is the best because the AP's and I get along super well. I love those guys. There's this member named Elaine that calls them like 10 times a day and makes us pray with her and she's super funny. She gave all of us nicknames and I'm Seashore and that's pretty fitting I think. Elder Harding is Dodo Head. But we had a super good week! I love being in a walking area even though two days ago it covered me in snow. We were walking in the snow for a long time and then we went in to get some hot chocolate in a DD (Dunkin' Donuts) and this member from Jersey City was there and she bought us an entire box of donuts. Super nice. And we've been able to meet a lot of members and do a lot of good work this week despite being doubled in.  ("Doubled in" is when both missionaries are replaced in an area.)

Attached is a picture of our double in notes which were a JOKE. Whenever missionaries are getting doubled out they're supposed to write some notes on what's going on in the area to help out the new missionaries and they are so funny. So we started with nothing but we've already made good friends with a lot of members and less actives. We also met some super cool people that we're going to teach this week. Also, I taught my first district meeting this week! It went super well and I'm super homies with all the members in my district. I know about all the people they're working with and I started this group-text-prayer thing which has been super cool. But anyway. I start working every morning at 6:30 and then I don't really stop until 10:30 at night. I fall asleep in like 2 seconds every night because I'm so tired by the end of the day. But it's super fun and I love Elder Harding and the AP's and my zone leaders and basically I'm just a happy guy. Elder Harding doesn't know any Spanish and he's super timid to talk in lessons so I've been talking a ton and I realized how good my Spanish is this week. Like I can understand even the fastest Spanish and I can express myself perfectly. I'm still learning obviously but being a trainer has helped me out a ton with the Spanish and with a lot of other things as well. I'm just a really happy guy!

So basically I'm just working really hard and loving my family very much. I love my area and I love my companion and I love my nice apartment and I love my Savior.

I asked Jack later what the happiest part of his week was. This is what he said;

The happiest thing that happened to me this week was when we were walking on the street late at night and this woman came out yelling from a house and it turns out she was a member that had lived in the US for 2 weeks and she was sad because she didn't know where the church was and she prayed that Elders would walk by her house and that same day we walked by. She called us angels and the smile on Elder Harding face made my heart grow three sizes.

Thanks for your letters and prayers to this sweet boy. It means so much to us. Have a great week!!