No Letter - Just Pictures

The hills in Tijuana that I walk up and down daily



This is a street name - also what I often get called

houses

Baptism

Creepy but really helpful!

Hello hello!

This is gonna be a rushed letter. Sorry about that! Lets see if i can find my agendo so  i know what happened this week. I have lost it so many times this week. A taxi driver hunted us down to give my agenda back. Creepy but really helpful!

Cleaning Party at the new house!

Cleaning Party!

Eating with the Relief Society

Moving Day

Cheap Easter Candy

We made an OREO

Hermana Maya

Elder Cruz

This week we are only going to talk about highlight (and lowpoints) of the week. I don't have a ton of time. 

Our investigator that was progressing really well broke up with his girlfriend (member) and didn't cmoe to church :( :( :( 

Our baptism for friday cancelled last minute because her stepdad said no. but we talked to him and next week she can get baptized.

We had a relief society activity on saturday and the food was really good.

We moved houses and I really like our new house. 

We had 5 investigators in church. That was awesome.

I'm really sorry. I'm the worst. I have to organize my time better. We'll see if next week i can do better. I have 2 more mondays to try to improve. jaja!

Love you all

Hermana NIelsen

Scary. But awesome.

Buenas tardes!

Yay. Another week that went buy insanely fast. You'd think that after a while, I wouldn't be surprised by how fast time goes. Nope. Still gets me every time. Lets see what my agenda says we did this week...

Monday. Just a normal day. We found an investigator that we hadn't been able to see for a while. She accepted a baptismal date and has a ton of interest. So we are excited. We had a lesson with an investigator that is progessing. He is going to get baptized in May. :)

Tuesday. We had our District Meeting like normal, had some good lessons and went to our Coordinacion Meeting. Except our Lider Misional didn't come...so that wasn't very successful. We are planning an activity with the ward. Right now we are announcing it as a secret activity so that the members get curious and go. It should be fun. I hope everything works out.

Wednesday. We had a multizone conference with the Presidente. They asked me to do part of the capacitación (training). So I had a 25 minute Presentation. It went really well even though I was super nervous. I didn't die. So that's a plus. I spoke on a talk from Elder Tad R. Callister of the 70 that he gave in the MTC in 2008. About being Misioneros Consagrados. Super good talk. AFter the conference we just ate with a sister from the ward and had another lesson before we went to Ward Council. That was fun because we just sat and listened and they didnt even give us time to talk... Love when that happens.

Thursday: Planning! Its the best part of the week. We put a goal for a baptismal date with another investigator for 8 May. That's pretty much it.

Friday: We got to visit one of my recent converts who is doing awesome. She is so great. She's reading the Book of Mormon and even though she doesnt understand it completely, she loves it and is excited to follow what it says. We ate with the Presidenta of RS and she is making me a dress so we did the measurments. I'm so excited. Friday night we met the Sisters from Olivos in our church building and we did exchanges. I went to Olivos and Hna Urbina (from my generation) stayed with my comp.

Saturday:

 I worked with Hna Garcia. It was a really successful day. The members of her ward pretty much know me now. They don't get surprised when I show up because they know its just for a day. We got back to my ward in the evening and had to go have the traditional "Thrifty" ice cream. Its Ice cream from the US. But I have never heard of it before the mision. Its super delicious though.

Sunday. Was good. We ended up having to go to a super boring meeting in the STake Center. It aws the elders turn to go, but because I am so nice and generous, we took their turn. jaja. 

Fun facts of the week:

They are closing a bunch of Chinese Restaurants here because they found out the were using dog instead of pork...That's gross. But its fine because Ive never eaten Chinese food here in Tijuana. The members are dying though. So mad!

Last month our ward baptized more than all the wards in the mission. (11 baptisms) So that's kinda cool. 

We are looking to change houses. So that should take place this week or next week. We'll see how things go,.

That's all I have to report for this week. Hope all is going well for everyone there. For those who havent talked to my parents lately, the countdown is at 29 days. Scary. But awesome. 

Love you all!

Hermana Nielsen

..so that ruined our plans

Hola Familia!

Not much to report this week seeing as how I was in the house pretty much the entire time. I've decided to stop working. Haha JUST KIDDING! My companion was sick and seeing how all of Mexico goes on vaction during Semana Santa, we coudln't find 2 hermanas to help us (one to stay with my comp and one to go with me). So I stayed with her and cleaned. 

Last monday we went to walmart again and may have accidentally bought shoes at a store right there close. But it was worth it. I spent 149 pesos (about 10.50 dollars) on a pair of cute shoes for Sundays

Tuesday was the District meeting. Pretty normal and boring. 

Wednesday we had the Leadership Council like we do every month. Except in the conference, they announced that we aren't going to have them every month anymore. Just once a transfer. So that was my last one. Really sad about that. I love those meetings. While I was in the council, my companion stayed here with a joven that is getting ready for her mission and they kept working. But when I got back, I saw that my companion was still coughing and not feeling very good, so I took her to the doctor. (She did NOT want to go. She was a little mad at me.. oops) The doc told her she had bronchitis and a whole much of other stuff and gave her meds. Also told her she couldn't walk around in the sun...so that ruined our plans.. I think she doesn't know what missionaries do...haha

Thursday we planned. Well. I did. The meds made my comp really tired and she slept a lot. After that, I cleaned, updated my journal, cleaned, studied, cleaned, ate, studied and went crazy. I do NOT like being in the house all day.

Friday. I had 2 sisters that were going to be able to accompany me and the both cancelled last minute. Spent another ful day inside.... :(

Saturday Conference! yeah. Loved it. The missionaris there (the oldies) got really excited when they called Armando Carreon as a 70. (the old mission president.) We even were able to watch half a session in English. I loved the talk about the music of the gospel! My favorite. After that we went home to take her meds and she got kinda dizzy so she laid down..and fell asleep. More time inside...

Sunday! Conference. Woohoo! I almost died when they announced the temple in Bangkok! I turned to my companion and told her "I think my mom just died." haha 

Like I said, not much to report. 

Love you all!

Hermana Nielsen

Beginning of the End!

Well. I can't believe I'm starting my LAST TRANSFER as a misionera. That's sad.. and happy..but sad.. I don't really know. I have pretty much accepted it. Before when people asked me how much time I had in the mission, I always said  "About a year." Now, I don't lie. I've become comfortable with the idea. haha Today is transfer day, but seeing as how my companion is still in her training, we obviously stayed together. 

Well. This week was pretty uneventful. They have started getting more strict making sure we are contacting and knocking doors. The goal is 70 contacts a week and 42 doors. So they call every day to make sure we are doing it. Its hard because a lot of times we don't have time. But we are getting there. I forgot my agenda this week so lets see if I can remember what happened..oops

Monday: We went to the Macroplaza to go to walmart! Quite the adventure.. But not really. We visited some new investigators that are kinda awesome too. Good day.

Tuesday: We had a meeting with the Zone. They trained us in how to contact using the giveaway cards for "Gracias a que El vive" for easter. If you haven't see the video, go see it. And share it! I can't share in on FB seeing as how I would get in a lot of trouble, so you guys do it! Please!

Wednesday: Pretty normal day. We were able to contact a LOT and have a bunch of lessons so that was awesome. 

Thursday: Planning. 3 hours of torture. haha Its our favorite part of the week if it wasnt obvious. Not a super successful day, but it was fine. We contacted a lot and got to knock a bunch of doors.

Friday.. Yeah. I don't remember. So sorry! 

Saturday: I don't remember a lot, but the womens conference was awesome! Loved it. 

Sunday: Pretty good too. 3 members brought friends to church and introduced us. All three are awesome and super prepared. Super excited!

Funny things from this week:

I discovered that the word "llama" (yahmah) in Spanish means 2 things in english; flame and llama. Its really funny when you accidentally translate wrong in your head. 

My companions Spanglish is worse than mine. She accidentally busts out some english words in the lessons more than I do.

Hope everyone is doing well. We are doing great. ITs getting hot, but we are fine!

Love you all!

Hermana Nielsen

This is study time when you are reading the Isaias chapters in spanish. Spanish Libro de Mormon,  Spanish Biblia, English Book of Mormon. Just to make sure I understand

That pile of blankets is my companion. She doesnt feel good.(she's fine dont worry. Shes got a really bad cold)  This morning she laid there for like 15 minutes telling me over and over , "Hermana...I'm sick.." Don't worry. I filmed it. jaja

A weird rash showed up on my leg...

Bueno!

What a fast week. Its just getting crazy. I don't know how anyone has time to do ANYTHING with how fast the days are going! Lets get to the weekly report:

Monday: We visted a really cool investigator in the afternoon and some really awesome people at night. They gave us food. Everyone always wants to feed us. Its making losing weight really hard! guess that's gonna have to wait... jaja

Issac being enlightened by the scriptures

Tuesday. District meeting. Found 2 new investigators. Then we did intercambios. I went to Tecate. Wooho. Its about an hour and a half drive. but with traffic we made it there in 2 hours. Traveling always makes me tired. But we had a fun English class that night. I worked there with Hna Hernandez. 

Wednesday we walked around all of tecate. The good thing it wasn't hot outside. But i still got really tired. We made it back home around 9.

Thursday was planning day. yay! fun... we found a new investigator that is super awesome...but doesn't live in our sector :( boo! We also did intercambios again that night with the hermanas de Florido. They are both close to going home.. One goes home next week, the other next transfer (with me) They are both pretty dead as missionaries...so that's fun... I went to the doctor for a weird rash that showed up on my leg (no i didn't think to take a picture...sorry!) She told me it is an allergic reaction to the stuff floating around in the air when its windy.. and I made it spread because I kept scratching. She gave me a cream to put on it, but forgot to tell me that you can'

 

Intercambios en Tecate. I found a Thai gym

And a Stardrinks.. NOt starbucks. Dont be confused

 

I went to the United States...well my arm did...

My tierra! (My land!)

 

t be in the sun after putting it on... Learned that the hard way. What happens? you may ask.. IT burns the skin and irritates the area even more. Lots and lots of pain. But it only lasts about 4 hours.. no worries...

Friday: I worked with Hermana Leon (that goes home this week). She walks SOOOOOOOOOOO SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! I almost died. Shes a good missionary. But doesn't really see the point in looking for new investigators... or contacting. It was a long day..When we got home, I found this note from my companion in my agenda after i came out of the bathroom. I think she had a rough day too...haha

Saturday Pretty normal day.

Sunday too. No investigators came to church..thats a bummer. but 3 got confirmed! woot woot!

thats about all for this week. Sorry its not to long. In a rush as usual

Love you all

Hermana Nielsen

my companion tries to preach to pigeons.. They aren't interested...

Hola!

 

Hope all is well with everyone. Things here are going well. Its getting hot. Really hot. But that's to be expected. Actually.. Nothing is to be expected. Tijuana is loco! They are expecting rain agian this week. Should be cold. I'm excited. But who knows. The weather changes so fast here its ridiculous.

This week went well for us. Monday not so much. After calling the entire world to try to find someone to have a Family Home Evening with, we couldn't find anyone. So we visited a menos activo that has a lot of health problems. She was so happy to see us. She fed us pancakes. We should visit her more often.

Tuesday was Zone Conference. About 15 minutes before it started, the ZLs told me that they want the Sister Leader to help in the trainings now. So..I helped...ish. haha but it went well. In the afternoon we found this really cool lady who is super interested in listening. When we were about to finish the lesson she asked if we were Mormons and we said yes. Turns out she got baptized at age 14 but stopped going about 20 years ago. but she is interested in coming back and now are teaching her 3 kids too. Kinda awesome.

Wednesday. Not too much to report. Just a normal day of citas falling through. but we are doing well. It did start getting hot Wed though. That wasn't super fun.

Thursday: We didn't get to have a ton of lessons. But its okay because we had a baptism! yay! Karen is really awesome and has been preparing for a while. She spent a while not knowing if she wanted to get baptized or not and in the end we let her choose her baptismal date. She chose her birthday. Everything went really well...except there wasnt gas..so the boiler didnt work...so she got baptized with really really cold water. But she was okaywith it. Super happy. She's great.

Friday. We found another awesome lady that has 25 years less active. She's great though. has a lot of health  problesm. But thats normal here I think.. 

Saturday: We found 4 new people to teach. So that made us feel really good. They all have really great potential too. We had Stake Conference at 7 that night which was cool. They did like a panel/discussion about the Area Plan for this year. It was interesting.

Sunday: Stake Conference. Went well. But not a ton happened after that.

Things are going really well here. Really busy. Really hot. But I'm enjoying myself. People keep reminding me that I don't have much time.. and I dont like that. But I'm excited. I'm really excited for Allyse this week. I can't believe she is already getting home. That's crazy. And DeeAnn too. We're all getting there. I can't believe how fast time goes.

Funny Things from this week:

During a lesson this week, Me: "Issac (recent convert 13 years), do you remember what Priesthood is?" Issac: "I used to know. But yesterday I was reborn and I forgot"

 

During a contact on Thursday a guy gave us a pineapple.. We don't have a knife..so we still havent eaten it.

When we cant find anyone to contact, my companion tries to preach to pigeons.. THey aren't interested...

Well. Thats' all for this week. Love you all! Thanks for everything.

Hermana Nielsen

Except her cats are super mega creepy.

Muy buenas tardes!

 

Intercambios with Hermana Jimenez

Things are going well here. I feel like the closer I get to the end, the more they ask how much time I have left. I don't want to remember! This week went really well though. We had some really awesome experiences.

Lunes: We wanted to go to the Macro plaza, but it was raining and we didn't want to walk. It stopped raining about mid day and didn't rain very much afterwards. We were only able to have a lesson with Issac to get him ready for Tuesday. He was so excited. Also they gave us food. So that was fun. :) We like food. 

Meet Issac.  He's pretty cool.Me, Issac,  Hermano Efrain,
 Sara (Issac's mom) Hermana Maya

Martes: I had to go to the leaders meeting in the morning. Thats always my favorite. Actually I really do enjoy those meetings. They are kinda cool. Its a break from the normal and its fun to know that you have a say in what's going on in the mission. After that we had a cita with a new investigator. Between the appointments we have had with her she has heard a lot of rumors about the church ( a big problem here) so we had to clear up a lot of what she had heard. After that we went to the chapel to make sure everything was ready for Issac's Baptism. Everything went perfectly. Well...not really, but close. We accidentally took a long time getting ready and taking pictures and some of the members got impacient waiting. But it wasn't a big problem. 

Miercoles: Was a good day. It was a normal day. We got to have all our studies and the entire day to work. Well until Ward Council. But we didn't stay for the whole time. We just went long enough to get a word in. Then we went back to work. 

Jueves: Weekly planning. That's always fun. It means we only have personal study and then we plan until 12. Later I looked back and realized that what we planned in our agendas is exactly what happened that day. Not one single cita fell through. That never happens. Its a good reason to celebrate. We celebrated with Intercambios. I went to Los Olivos to work with an awesome misionera over there. We accidentally got home late though because our ride had to give a class real quick in the chapel. 

Viernes: I left Hna M with Hna Garcia (also in training) and was a little nervous, mainly because I was afraid they would get lost. And they did. But just a little. And they did some good contacting. So it was fine. :) I met some great investigators of the hermanas and enjoyed myself over there. But we also made it home again late after changes because the buses took forever to pass. That's what happens when you don't have a car (...cough Elder Nielsen cough...)...Not that we are jealous...We ended up having a member from Olivos drive us home. They're awesome.  

Sabado: The citas fell through in the morning...back to normal mision life. jaja We ended up visiting a menos activo member who also doubles as a crazy cat lady. Its fun. Except her cats are super mega creepy. We found  anew family to teach. They are kinda AWESOME. Super excited. Love them already and we have only visited them once. They're 9 year old daughter is super cute and hilarious. 

The ward had 6 baptisms. Everyone dressed in white...and the sisters...

Domingo: Church! Wooho. After the services, the District Leader came to do the Baptism Interviews (3 of them). All went well. Then we went and ate some good food and went back to the chapel to prepare everything for the baptism. It was a good day for our ward. We baptized a married couple, Ramon and Angie. And the elders baptized 2 couples. It was super sweet to see everyone there dressed in white. The kid that took the picture with my camera was standing at a weird angle. So I'll try to find a better picture and send it. Lo siento! After that we had to go to a super awesomely boring meeting of the misioneros from the stake. Then we went home. Good day. 

Angie and Ramon with some awesome missionaries. 

Like I said, we had a pretty good week. This coming week should be pretty good too. I like Tijuana. I'm glad I get to be here for the last part of my mission. I can't believe we are starting week 4 of this transfer. Soon we have transfers again, but we are almost 100% sure we will stay together. The members always make comments about how well Me and Hermana Maya get along. Someone yesterday told us that they like how "unidas" (united) we are. I am really enjoying my time with her. 2 weeks ago was all rainy and cold so this week we had a lot of sunshine. I may have got burned a little. The weather here is crazy. Today its cool and breezy. Who knows what we have coming this week. I don't know what to expect anymore. 

Well. I can't really think of anything else worth reporting. That's pretty much it.

Hope all is well with you guys. Have a great week! 

Lots of love!

Hermana Nielsen

Yep thats sarcasm. :)

Bueno!

This week went especially fast and I'm sure this next week will go fast too. We have had some conferences and this week we have more. Should be fun. Okay lets get started:

Monday: When we got here to write last week the crazy man that owns the internet cafe told us that because of the rain, there was no internet it all of mexico! Turns out we walked to the closest colonia to us and they had internet. Guess it was just Guaycura...haha After we started working, we had a FHE with our investigator that will be getting baptized this week and another family. It was fun! And they fed us tortas! 

Tuesday: District meeting, eating delicious food. Working with some investigators that are getting ready for baptsim and then a super fun coorelacion meeting. Yep thats sarcasm. :)

Wednesday: Basically a normal day. We had a lot of citas fall through. When we went to Ward Council that night, they reminded us that every last wednesday of the month is the Priesthood meeting instead and kindly told us we werent invited. So we got an extra hour to work that night!

Thursday we had a conference with the President. They told me last minute that now they are having the Sister Leaders help with the Training.. So I had a part to teach. I think it went well..I hope. After that we just worked. We are struggling to find new people to teach so we are just working a lot with what we have.

Friday: we found one new person! She seems pretty cool. Then we went and did intercambios. I went to Tecate with Hermana Eye and left my companion here with Hna Eyes trainnee. I didnt want to do it that what but thats what the zone leaders told me. It turned out really well.

Saturday: We didnt end up working becuase she got sick and we spend a long time in the doctors office. But everything is okay. Then I came back to Tijuana and we had one more cita. 

Sunday: we ended up being able to have some good lessons and some investigators in church. It rained all day and made it a little miserable to walk around all day, but it was fine. We had a good day.

About 2 hours ago its stopped raining finally. Its been raining for 3 days straight, and they say itll continue this afternoon. Its been fun. haha

Things are going well here. its cold again, which i like. We are working well together and have some awesome baptisms coming up.

Thanks for all the love and support!

Hermana Nielsen

One is a little crazy but we'll see how that goes...

Buenas!

Guess I'm gonna have to quickly fit 2 weeks in this letter seeing as how last week I couldn't write. The good thing is that last week wasn't that eventful. So it shouldn't be that hard. 

Monday we found 2 new investigators, a couple Ramon and Angie. They were listening to the missionaries before but said they weren't ready at that point. They smoked and drank and liked their life. But suddenly 2 weeks again, Ramon showed up at church and said they were ready to be baptized. We are teaching them now and they are progressing awesomely. They are going to get baptized 10 of March!

Tuesday Zone Conference. Also, lunch with a super racist family. That was funnnn

Thursday we found a lady while contacting that invited us in and listened. She has recieved  the misionaries before and likes listening but it looks like we are going to have problems with the husband... like usual. haha 

Friday we pretty much knew Hna W was going to leave so everyone wanted to eat with us. We ate 2 times on firday (and 3 on saturday) so everyone could say goodbye.. so much for trying to lose a little weight before the end of the mish...

Saturday. We ate a lot....They called us to tell us the changes. I stayed here in Tijuana as STL and training. Hermana Wiscomb went to Mexicali...oops

Meet Erik

Sunday After church we had a baptism. Erick has been listening since The end of december. He is 17 years old. It was really great. We were super happy.

Erik and his family

Monday we had to drop Hna W off at 7 at the bus station, I stayed with an hna from our ward that lives across the street and then she took me at 11 to the capilla in paraiso to meet my companion. We had a special meeting for everyone that was going to be training, then we met our companions but they didnt tell us who was going to be comps with who, then we had another meeting. Then they gave us our comps. My companion is Hermana Maya, 22 years old, from Distrito Federal. Then we ate, then we went home, she unpacked and we started working.

Nothing too exciting these days. Just getting to know a companion. 

Meet Hermana Maya. She got here last Monday. Its been fun!

Friday they told us to be in the capilla for a special meeting in the morning. I saw some of my old comps and it was way fun.

Saturday Normal work day except all of our citas fell through almost! but hey, that happens. Thats when you get to know new people n the street and teach them instead.

Sunday - We met 4 new people and started to teach them. That was cool. One is a little crazy but we'll see how that goes... We have 5 people in church so that was cool. getting close to some other baptisms. 

I should have more to report in the coming weeks. Thats all for now

love you all!

 

 



Ran into old friends at the conference



Sometimes it pours on us when we are contacting in the streets. and we get really wet...

Wet!

Only 4 minutes to email

Alexa didn't get a chance to write a full email today - they had changes and were only allowed 4 minutes to send a quick message home.  This is what she said:

"Things are good. today we had changes. Hermana W went to Mexicali. I am here with Hermana Maya. She is my trainee. I'm still Sister Training Leader. Should be fun. Its getting hot, but we deal with it."

 

So - she is still in Tijuana where she will probably stay for her last two transfers and she is now training a greenie who I am assuming is Latina.  Guess we will learn more next week!

I talk about food A LOT

Hola Familia y amigos!

 

Companions

 

 Here we are again. I feel like I have spent half of my mission in this chair writing letters home. Which is awesome because I like doing that. But weird because time passes so fast.

This week just flew by. We are now starting the last week of the transfer which means we may have changes next week. Its kinda likely. Should be fun. :)

Monday: was the day we went to walmart and then learned how to make gorditas and tortillas. As Hna Allen told me, I just noticed I talked about food  A LOT last week. It could be because we are starting a diet... :( dang. haha

Tuesday: I had to go to the Leadership meeting. It was a lot different than normal. We formed counsels and made plans on how to make the mision better. It was actually really cool. But long. But then they fed us awesome food so it was fine.

With  a favorite family

Wednesday: Normal day. And then Ward council. Kinda a long day but we found 1 new person to teach. Her name is Amparo and she is kinda old. But cool. Shes Adventista. (7th day adventist) Should be interesting. 

Thursday: We had planning in the morning and then Interviews with the Presidente. It went well. Right after that we had intercambios (exchanges) and I went with one of the hnas in Olivos. It went well. She is so cute. :)

Friday: After studies in the morning we went and changed back. 2 new people to teach in the morning, and lessons with some awesome investigators. Fun day. 

Birthday Cake

Saturday: Kinda a long day. A little frustrating because we couldnt really find many people in their houses. And its starting to get hot again. The cold only last for like 10 seconds this year. :( I miss it. 

Other Birthday Cake

Lunch at Chilli's

Sunday: Nothing special. Oh yeah. Except my birthday. That was kinda awesome. An hna from the ward gave me a pair of earrings. The hna in the comida made us lasagna and spaghetti. It was so delicious! And at the end of the night we went with our favorite family and ate more cake. haha! So great.

Today we ate at chilis to celebrate some more. :) Again with the food...guess i'm a little obsessed. haha It was a good week. 

Sorry not a ton to report. Hope all is well.

Love you lots!

Hermana Nielsen