To Tyler

Hi everyone,

This week was good, we did a lot of fun things!

Monday we played frisbee golf with our District, and unfortunately the Nielson name was tainted by both me and the Sister Nielson in our District performing poorly :(

It was fun though! We went out with Zach (priest) and Brother Hobbs in the evening, and it was super fun to drive around town in his Jeep! A lot of people we visited had moved, bit we had a great lesson with Robert where we encouraged him to keep reading and praying! He's doing well, and is honestly seeking truth. We don't want to push him into baptism before he's ready.

On Tuesday Jack picked us up at 10 am, and stayed out with us until 9 pm. It was so fun! He came to District council with us, and then he took us to In-n-out for lunch. In the afternoon we went up to Wylie/Rowlett, and visited some people that haven't been visited in a LONG time. We talked to a very interesting guy named Jerzy Franklin, and he said he would love to come to YSA activities! We also walked around a bit and talked to some people who were out and about and unfortunately nobody was even slightly interested haha--We saw some crazy cool cars as usual though! 

For dinner Jack took us to this Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse, which was really good! Reminded me a lot of Bonzai. The fried rice and Japenese beef I got was super good. We also got some sushi which was pretty good as well. In the evening we went and taught the Davis family, and then went up to Greenville! One of the places we visited was definitely an abandoned Crack house, sadly nobody answered. 

Wednesday our exchange got canceled cause Elder Morriss got sick, so we had a pretty normal day! We visited some people in a Hispanic neighborhood, and met a guy named Efren who is interested in learning more! We went out with Sam (priest) and Feki in the evening, and had a cool lesson with Marvin! Hes YSA aged, and interested in the Book of Mormon! Both Sam and Feki were able to relate to him, and invited him to activities and church. 

Thursday we did service at the Thrift store, and got to help someone move! They had lots of records and old CDs which were fun to look through. We had dinner with a very interesting family, who call themselves "radical" Mormons. And they have a lifesized doll in their living room. 

President Fisher took us and 2 priests out in the evening. We shared a lesson with the Smarts, and the Barisof's (who are a PMF)! The priests were able to contribute some good insights, and President Fisher is always fun to talk to as well. We talked about how the new mission president transition will work!

On Friday we had MLC, in which they talked a about working with members (I agree), and about how we are here to baptize and we shouldn't be wary of saying that (little less sold on that one, I think there is much more to missionary work). The drive home usually takes 40 minutes, but it started POURING and there were several accidents, so it took us 2 hours instead haha--luckily I love driving in the rain! In the evening we went out with Spencer, and went out to Quinlan. It was still super rainy, and it was dark and there was lots of lightning as well. We were also driving along dark forest roads, so the whole night felt like an adventure! 

Saturday we helped Ruth with some yard work, and went out with Brother Boyles. One of the people we talked to was Brother Hewitt, who's 92 and is still working 5 days a week cause he wants to haha--he has SO many tools and machines, and can basically make anything from Guns, to violins! We also had a lesson with Jack, and helped him get his Patriarchal blessing set up as well as his church account so he can be an FSY counselor. 

Sunday was crazy as usual but the main event was when President Pauga from the Stake Presidency brought his neighbor with him to the YSA! Later that night we went over and taught him, and apparently he was prompted by the spirit to ask about President's beliefs the day before! Since that point President Pauga taught him the Plan of Salvation, the Law of Chastity, the Word of Wisdom, Tithing, and the Book of Mormon! We taught him the Restoration, and then President put him on date for May 20th! So thats exciting, it all happened so fast.

-Abe