Happy New Year

Hello Sister Nielsen,
 
It was great to talk to you on Christmas Day.  Everything sounded the same as if you were up at BYUI.  I am glad everything is going well.  Mom gave the missionary mom talk on Sunday in Sacretmeeting about you.  She was really looking forward to that. 
 
We have had a down week with not much happening.  Since Brian and Chelsea are here, we have not done much.  We went sledding at angle park hill one day with the kids and that was fun.  Adelaide wanted to do it all by her self.  We only had one sled so when someone else was going on the sled, she would slide down the hill on her back with her feet in the air.  She loved it and was not afraid one bit.
 
This morning, it was -9 degrees below zero.  Mom lets chica sleep inside on cold nights and days and Connie went in and asked Chica if she wanted to go out and go potty first thing this morning.  Adelaide said, "She is a dog mom, and dogs can't talk".  Nothing gets by that girl.
 
We had a good Christmas.  We went to Carrie Elwoods reception, she married Adam Billins from Spring Creek.  And the Radvansky girl was there with her mom, and she got her mission call to Portugal.  I believe she goes to MTC in March.  The Hieser girl got her call and I don't remember when or where she is going.  Kayla Esplin is expecting and Chelsea and mom went to a baby shower for her on Saturday.
 
We received your box of goodies and everyone loved it.  Thank you, but don't worry about having to shop for everyone.  Your mission is more important.  Adelaide wore her dress to church and look really cute.
 
I can't believe we are starting a new year 2013.  I am not sure where 2012 went.  But 2013 is here.  I know 2013  will go by just as fast.  I am working today and worked Friday and Monday.  I took Christmas and the next 2 days off and I will take tomorrow off.  I have been trying to build some shelves for mom in the fruit room, to get the basement more organized.
 
Yesterday was my last day with Adelaide in the nursery.  She will be a sunbeam next Sunday.  She is talking alot and growing up too fast.
 
Chelsea and Brian will leave Wed. to go back to new mexico.  It was fun having them here.  Cody and Erin have home bball games here this Friday and Sat.  Erin just told us today that she had her interview with the coach and she told Erin that she was the 'go to girl' on the team this year.  Hellooooooo.  She was the go to girl on the team last year.  We watched some of the state bball game last night on family videos and I am quite confident they would have won if she would have played more.
 
Cody's knee is still sore and stiffens up alot after he plays.  I wish he would get back to 100% with that knee.  How is your shoulder?  Grandma Nielsen asks all the time and I said, she never mentions it.
 
Do you really have a life jacket and snorkel and fins in your tsunami kit?  Or was that a joke?
 
Any way, we love you and are so happy that you are serving a mission.  I know the joy and benefits that one gains from serving a faithful and honorable mission.
 
Keep up the good work.  We hope you have a great week.
 
Love DAD

Aloha!! Merry Christmas

Sister Nielsen,
 
Well how was your 1st week without Sister Wright?  You never did tell us who your new companion was.  Perhaps you did not know when you sent last weeks email.  Any way, I hope you had a great week and was able to get the baptism for the person set last Saturday.
 
This past week was pretty hectic.  The kids got out of school at about 1:00 pm on Friday and we drove over to Utah for a Nielsen family party.  Cody went over there on Thursday for a bball tourny through Sat.  They lost to Clearfield a 5A school on Thurs. and they lost to Logan on Friday by 5 points.  But they won on Sat. against Layton Christian academy.  It was in Overtime and Cody was tied for high scorer with 17 points.  He and Nate and Tuby had 17 and Brandon had 16.  But he went knee to knee on his good knee on Friday and now he says they are both sore and swollen.  So he will have to rest it quite a bit this week.  Erin had 18 points on Wednesday against Twin Falls and was high scorer.  She had 9 on Thursday and I don't know how many on Friday and Sat.  The girls were up in Boise for a Tornament.  But she was sick fri and sat and said she could hardly breathe.  She thinks she has broncitis.  So we have a Dr. appt with her this afternoon.
 
We finally got some snow over the weekend.  We have about 6 inches now, and we are suppose to get more tonight and tomorrow.  This new storm coming in is suppose to be a big one.  Provo is suppose to get 12-20 inches of snow.
 
Chelsea and Brian drove up to Utah on Saturaday and were able to make it to Codys game as well.  Then they followed us over to Elko yesterday.  We are planning on going to the Twin Falls temple one of these days this week.
 
The Nielsen Christmas was fun.  We did our normal thing at the church, played elimination and played games and the kids ran around.  When we 1st got there, all the kids were running around and Adelaide was sitting at the table trying to eat her food, but watching all the kids running around for about 5 - 7 minutes, and then she said in all seriousness, "I'm faster".  I guess she thinks she is faster than all the other kids running around.
 
Last night we were having family home evening and Erin was teasing Adelaide like she always does, saying, I'm a princess, and I have beautifull hair, etc.  Adelaide was saying, "well, I have sharp teeth",  and "I'm going to get married".  Any way, after a while when Erin finally makes Adelaide mad, she says, "I don't like you any more".  Well, they finally made up and Erin said something else to tease her, and Adelaide said, "Don't say that any more.  I like you now."
 
She is a funny kid.  We came back Sunday morning in time for the 3rd ward sacretment meeting as the chior was singing and Erin had a couple songs with Choroliers and a few of the young women.  The roads in Nevada, were not very good.  The left lane was snow packed and the other lane was slushy. So we were traveling about 45 to 50 miles an hour.
 
I hope you and your companion have a wonderful C-mas and are blessed with all the blessings and gifts that Hevenly Father can give you two.  We love you and pray for you daily.
 
Have a wonderful and productive week.  We are looking forward to your call tomorrow. 
 
Love Dad.

Counting down to Christmas

Hola Sister Nielsen,

I'm not sure if you got my email last week before you sent yours, but I sent it 10 minutes after you mailed yours.  Well we are assuming that either you or your companion got transferred this week.  We will be sad to see you two broken up as you were so good together, but life moves on and I'm sure you both will have plenty of success in your new adventures.

Mom and I have talked about it and we would like you to see some other islands and get to know more of Hawaii, like Sister Duke.  However, the Lord will send you where ever you are suppose to be.  That I know for sure.

This week Erin had 3 games.  One in Jerome Idaho and they got killed.  The entire team only scored 18 points and Erin had 8 out of the 18 and only played about 2 minutes the 2nd half.  The coach said they were not playing like seniors and nobody was stepping up to be a leader. So none of the juniors or seniors played much the 2nd half.

Friday and Saturday both Erin's and Cody's team won.  Erin had 6 points on Friday and 11 on Sat.  She was 2nd high scorer on Sat.  Cody had 1 point in Sat. game.  He actually ended up starting Sat as Marshall Dumas took an elbow to the head on Friday and they did not let him play for precautionary reasons.

But it was good to see them both doing so well.  Cody is about 70%, he still can't run too fast, and is timid by not attacking the basket and not looking for his shoot.  But that is ok, until we get him healed.  I don't want him being too aggressive and injuring his knee again.  Sat. they played Dayton, and that is the team where it was a football game last year during the bball game.  They have 3 players that all they want to do is hurt people and give cheap shots.  So I was glad to get out of that game with no injuries.

We had the missionaries over for dinner yesterday.  We asked them in church, and they said they had an appointment, but we got a call Sunday afternoon, and they were wondering if we had started dinner yet.  We told them we were just sitting down and they asked if they could come over as their dinner appointment forgot about it.  And we said sure. They must feel comfortable with us asking us if they can come and eat.  We were just fine with it.

Well, I can't think of much else to tell you.  We love you and pray for your success every day. It will be nice if we can skype on Christmas day.  How much time do you get.

Keep up the great work.  Your letters bring tears to my eyes when I read them.  I think it is because I loved my mission soooo much and I can relive mine again through your service.

This gospel is true and it is truly beautiful.  You are doing exactly what the Lord would have you do.  

Love you,

Dad

Aloha!

Hola Sister Nielsen,

We are so happy and impressed with you and Sister Wright and the job you two are doing in the mission field.  November was a great month for you two.  You two accounted for 6 of the 18 baptisms in your zone.  How many missionaries are in your zone?  Have you had an interview with your mission President lately?  I wonder what he thinks about you two.  You guys are great together as companions.  But next week will be transfer week, and they usually do not allow a companionship to be together longer than 3 months.  But  there are always new adventures over the horizon.

I believe mom told you about Cody and his bball team.  They looked great on Thursday night against Spanish Springs and on Sat. against Douglas high school.  Douglas was suppose to be the number 1 team in the Northern part of the state.  They went to the state simis last year representing the north.  They have a 6'7'' guy who had offers to play at Stanford and other colleges but decided on playing at Harvard.  But Elko's defense was great and held him to 17 points.  Cody played Fri. and Sat. but did not have any points.  He got off his crutches on Wed. and played on Friday.  He said his legs felt like jello.  He was only going about 70 - 80 %.  But he did okay.  You could tell he was a little timid with his knee, which is the way he should have been.

Erin's team won Thurs. and Fri. and lost Sat.  She was high scorer on thurs. with 11points.  She had 5 on Friday and 2 on Sat.  She said they played horribly on Sat.  They both play at home this Friday and Sat. for league games.  So that will be fun.  I am doing the clock and books for both of their games.  But it is fun to watch these young kids do so well.

Yesterday, when Adelaide was waking up, I said we have to hurry so we can go to church.  And Adelaide said, 'I love going to church'.  Which is a good thing.  She will go into Sunbeams at the first of the year.

My mom is doing well.  DeeRay and Sharon and Darhl and Charlene are taking care of you well and spend a lot of time over there, cleaning the yard, house and going through every thing in the basement.  DeeRay asked her the other day, "Mom, how long are you going to live?' as we are trying to figure out all her finances.  And she responded, 'Until I die'.  Well put, I guess we will all live until we die.

Today is our 24th anniversary.  I can't believe is was 24 years ago that your mom and I got married.  That is 1/2 of my life time.  We are ready for another 50 years of marriage.

I have not had a chance to do any C-mas shopping this year.  I think we will do the Chelsea thing and not receive any gifts this year.  It makes it a lot easier.  Not much else is happening here.

Well, I can't think of any thing new.  We are so grateful you are serving a mission and representing the Savior so well.  Keep up the great work.  We love you.

Dad

Prepping for Christmas

Aloha Amber,
 
How is every thing?  We are doing fine here.  I spent last week in Orlando Florida for training, but spent the entire time at the hotel and surrounding area.  We did not get out to see any thing.  It was overcast the entire time and we finally saw the  sun on Thursday.  I don't know if you have heard, but I ran into Tiffany's parents at the creche festival and she said that Tiffany and Tucker are doing well. But, Tiffany's younger sister (Lindsey??) received her mission call to San Diego CA, spanish speaking.  She goes into the MTC in February, 2013.
 
I am also attaching some copies of e-mails that we received from your Bishop in Hawaii and Sister Wrights mother.  It sounds like you two get along so well and are two peas in a pod.  With you 2 being obedient and working hard, and getting along so well, that is why you 2 are having so much success.

 

Adelaide, was giving the FHE lesson last night.  She was cute.  She was going on about Joseph Smith and Jesus and witches.  She said 'the witch cut off my arm and my head and then Jesus killed the witch..... BUT....'  I video taped it and if I can, I will try to send it to you one of these days.  She is also saying "whateverrrrr', now, I don't know where she learned that.

 

Mom probably told you last week that the Dr. put Cody on crutches to try and heal his knee.  He tried to play the 1st week and it was swelling up and painful.  Hopefully it will heal and he will be ready to go.

 

I can't think of much else to write this week.  Summer's bball team has a 2 game winning streak, and she is doing better every game.  She has made a huge improvement since the beginning of the year.  I'm working on her shooting form and it is getting better, but in the games, she pushes the ball up there.  As she gets stronger, she will get better.  Her defense is by far the best on the team.  She also is really fast.  I think we have a runner on our hands.  She runs effortlessly.  It doesn't look like she is running hard, but she goes pretty fast.

 

Well, I better let you go.  We love you and are so excited to have you on a mission.  We love your letters and can feel your testimony and spirit growing each week.  Erin is planning on going on a mission for next December 2013.  She thinks she will go to GBC for a semester and then go on her mission which I think would be great.

 

Thanks for you letters,

 

We love you very much,

 

Dad

An attitude of Gratitude

My beloved daughter,

     I am so happy for the Salimeda Family!  what  a memorable Thanksgiving for all!  How great of the ward for being so supportive.  Bishop Lung sent us an e-mail on Thanksgiving.  Dad thought at first it was from you.   He read "Aloha thanksgiving" and  thought maybe they let you send an e-mail on thanksgiving.  He expressed how grateful he was for you and Sis. Wright and for all your efforts in behalf of his ward.  He also thanked us for sending him such wonderfully prepared missionaries.  He sent it out to both us and Sis. Wright's family.  It was a nice thing to add to our already wonderful weekend of Blessing Acknowlegement.  We went over to Utah on Wed. about 11:30 am.  We will continue to go to Ut. as long as Grandma is still alive.  Cody had an impression taken for a retainer about a month ago and it never arrived in the mail.  The ortho. said he would have to come to the office to take another impression, and the only time he would be in the office was on the Wed.  before Thanksgiving.  So, I had to approach Klekas, explain the situation and see if he would let him out of prac. that afternoon.  He was understanding.  But that was only half the battle, I had to get Erin out of her Prac. too.  Camille was actually OK about it and said she would just have to prac. with the JV (as well as varsity) on fri. to make up for it.  Chee Hoo!  Got over that hurdle, now I just had to get someone to do papers, Chica and cover the early out cross guard at Northside.  Got it covered and we were headed," over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house" . 

       I HAVE TO TAKE A BRIEF INTERMISSION AND TAKE CODY TO PRAC.  I AM GOING TO SEND YOU THIS MUCH JUST IN CASE YOU OPEN UP YOUR MAIL BEFORE I GET BACK. I will continue then.

love you,

mom

I'm  back!

Ok continuing story... We went straight to the ortho. and took care of that stuff.  then we went to Grandma's.  She was happy to see us.  We were going to have the dinner at a church, but Sharon offered her home since there was only going to be 13 of us this year.  Everyone was going to the other side of their families this time.  I invited Ken to come and he was very happy to come.

We had a great dinner, I made a chocolate pudding pie and a non-bake apple cider cheesecake, since we are still w/o an oven right now.   Cameron ate outside on the patio table with the little girls.  (it was a nice day, a bit chilly though)We played the game Outburst, after dinner.  We had a lot of fun.  Grandma was getting tired and someone asked her, "Are you getting tired, do you want us to take you home?"  She replied in typical grandma funniness without trying to be funny, "yeah, that's where I live".  Black Friday sales started on Thanksgiving day.  I swore I would not go out into that madness again this year, but there was a Cannon Rebel camera on sale at Target, and that's the one that Erin has wanted for awhile, so she and I went over there-- stood in line outside for about 15 min.  It was a long line but once it started moving it went pretty fast.  We went straight to the electronics, nabbed the 2nd to the last camera, paid for it right there, then we had to bob and weave around carts and people to get out of there, but we did it in under an hour from the time we left to when we got back.  Chee Hoo!  What exactly does that mean?     Great story... I was in Seagull Book over there wed. night waiting to pay and I heard some lady say that her daughter was on a mission in Hawaii.  I immediately said "Who's daughter is on a mission in HI?" because I wasn't sure who had said that.  Well, this lady was Sis. Duke's mom (from So. Jordan)  She said her daughter had been out 9 mos.--had just hit her half way mark, and she was serving on Kauai--her third island so far.

I told her about you and you were comps. with Sis. Wright, she thought that that name sounded familiar.  She said her daughter "loves" it, I said the same.  It was so fun! I felt like hugging her because we had this connection.  Maybe you guys will be comps. someday (?)  Who knows with so many newbies on their way.

     Our family spoke on sunday in Sac. mtg. on "gratitude".  Carly and Summer, then Cody and Erin, they actually did really well. I was alittle worried when they were prepping sunday morn.  I actually prepared all week.  Every time I thought of something I wanted to say , I put it in a notebook.  I looked up every scripture on Thankfulness in the BOM, it was a great experience.  the talk went OK, but I got so much more out of it than anyone else.  I spoke on "an attitude of gratitude", how things that don't always seem like the most fortunate thing will always have an underlying blessing.  One example:  When we went on the trek, we weren't fortunate enough to secure a spot in one of the private vehicles going over, we got to ride on the yellow school bus for 9hrs!  But, on the way we sat by the Bishop of the 1st ward and his wife.  They're a young family, he manages Home Depot.  They were so cool, we became good friends.  What a blessing tucked inside a wild ride on a school bus.

      Erin played awesome in the Alumni game on Sat. night.  She came out shooting-- made 11 pts, high scorer.  She looked fit, confident and very relaxed.  She was smiling and laughing, and having a good time,  WE hope Camille took notice.  Cody didn't play in his game.  His knee was feeling sore and was swelling with all the practices, so we took him to the Doc. and he said the meniscus is fine; that's healed, but that bone bruise to the femur tuberosity was still not fully healed and when he practiced and pounded on it, it reacted by swelling.  He took out more fluid and gave him a cortisone shot to speed up the healing.  He's on crutches for 2 weeks to try and take all pressure of it, then we'll see.  He's been so diligent in crutching around, I really hope and pray he won't lose out on this season too.

     I'm sending you a box for Christmas, make any request now for any mainland delicacies.  They asked about your plaqued picture sunday, so send one soon.

I'm praying for High water, a surging miracle!

Love You, 

..mom      

 P.S. Addie story... I was going to the bathroom and Adelaide walks in and she says,"You going potty mom?", I said, yes, I was going potty, and she smiled and said, "That makes Daddy happy!"   (Dad always tells her how happy it makes him when when she goes potty.)

ALOHA!

Hello Sister Nielsen,

 

Well I finally got all the deer meat cut up.  So that is a big relief, but I still have a couple more tax returns to get out.  Every thing is well here.  Summer's team is yet to win a game.  They have lost 2 games in OT and a couple more by 2 points. That is because I'm not the head coach.  We don't work on any of the fundamentals in practice.  I just help out when they need something. 

 

I hope the Salimeda family is able to get baptized this Thursday.  That would be a great Turkey day blessing.  We are going over to spend he day with mom.  She is anxious to see us all . She keeps asking, when are you and your family going to come visit.  She is doing well.  She loves to watch the Utah Jazz basketball and her entire schedule revolves around those games.

I have been meaning to write to you about a couple of neat stories, so here they are:

 

Brandon Dunn had the following dream on the early morning of October 31, 2012, which is Dad's birthday and he did not realize that:

 

I walked into the house and Grandpa was sitting on the recliner by the door to the kitchen that he always sat in. Grandma was asleep on the couch next to him. I sat down on the floor by Grandpa, patted him on the knee and asked him how he was doing. “I’m doing great! I haven’t been this busy in years” he responded. I joked that he sure looked as if he was busy sitting in his chair like that. “They let me come down here quite often and check on Grandma” he replied. I acknowledged what a great man and great example he always was and he answered by saying “But we all still have a long way to go to get to where they want us to be. But we will get there.” Then he looked at me and I woke up.

 That is pretty neat isn't it.  Those words sound exactly like what dad would say.  And if you think about what was in the dream to these, it makes perfect sense and to the doctrine taught by the brethren.

 "As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

 Elder Richard G Scott said this in the April 2012 conference:

Another example of revelation is this guidance given to President Joseph F. Smith: “I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. … We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break. … If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, … how much more certain it is … to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond … can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. … We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves.”¹

Relationships can be strengthened through the veil with people we know and love. That is done by our determined effort to continually do what is right. We can strengthen our relationship with the departed individual we love by recognizing that the separation is temporary and that covenants made in the temple are eternal. When consistently obeyed, such covenants assure the eternal realization of the promises inherent in them.

 

Then about a month ago, mom (grandma) said she was sound asleep and heard dad calling her name "Ralene" just as clear as day she said.  It woke her right up.  I asked her what she did, and she said she just acted like she was still sleeping and did not look up.  I asked her why she did not look up and she said, I did not want to see any one.  I think she thought dad might be there to pick her up to take her with him.  Any way that was funny.

 Then Brenna, Jedd and Jana's 10 year old had a dream about a month ago that there was this big white castle with gold on the doors and she went up and walked in and there was grandma, sitting on this big white chair with gold trim, etc (she had lots of details of everything, but I can't remember).  She said grandma was dressed in the same clothing that dad was buried in, (his temple clothes, which I'm sure that was the 1st time she had seen them)  Then she saw grandpa, sneaking up to them crawling on his hands and knees, and it scared her, so she screamed.  And grandma, said, you don't need to be afraid, its just grandpa.  And then Grandpa picked Brenna up and threw her up in the air and caught her.  I think he said, this is the best he has felt in years.  She had a lot of detail, and Jana will write it all down and I will send you that dream.  She had not told any one about it as she would remember it in school and forget to tell her mom about the dream.  Then when she heard Brandon's, she remember hers and told her mom.

    Pretty cool.  Lastly, Sharon had given a few names from the Nielsen side that she had found doing genealogy to my cousin for them to do the work in the temple.  And my cousin's wife was doing initiatory work for one of the names, and the lady that was doing the ordinance, started freaking out and gasping, grabbing her chest.  My cousins wife, thought she was having a heart attack.  But then she regained her composure and finished that part, and when she was done, she said to my cousins wife,  "Did you feel that?  She was definitely here with us today." And she thank her for coming in and doing temple work for her kindred dead.  My cousin's wife said, "I must be the devil as I did not feel anything."  So we put a star by her name, and I want to be there when we doing the sealing for that lady.

 Adelaide is still as cute as ever.  You know how I am always trying to take away their ipods when they are using them during scriptures, dinner, FHE, etc.  Well Adelaide went into Erin's room a few days ago and she was on her ipod.  And Adelaide put one hand on her hip and had her other hand held out and said,  "Alright Erin, give me your ipod".  Erin said she had to give it to her as she was pretty insistant.

 Chica this morning went with mom into the living room to go on their walk and saw your  picture cut out in the living room and started barking at it.  I guess it scared her as well.

Then on Sat. night, a lady from the ward came to pick up their daughter we were watching and,  she asked Adelaide, who is that, Addie said, that's Carly, she is my sister, the lady would ask pointing to another, who's that, "That is Summer, she is my sister", and another down the line through all her sisters.  Then she pointed to Cody, who's that?  "That is Cody" The lady said, is he your brother?  Addie said, "no, he stinks".   I guess the lady got a good laugh over that.

I am not sure if mom told you, but Elder Klunas here in Elko, knows that elder from Morgan Ut that wrote Erin a letter.

 Well, I better go.  We love your letters.  That was a pretty mean trick the ZL's played on sister Wright.  But we are happy you 2 are still together.  You seem to work and get along very well with each other.

We love you.  Happy Thanksgiving. Dad

Hey, Baby lets go to Vegas

Amber,
 
I have been trying to cut up the deer, so it is cutting in on my writing time.  I'm glad to hear that Tai got baptized.  You two are doing great.  We love you.
 
Dad

Soccer, Chica, Tiff's recep

Dear Sis. Nielsen,
     Wow, your first tsunami, congratulations! I tell everyone that asks how great you are doing.  You make us so happy with your letters and love for your mission.  Erin is at mission prep. class right now.  Pres. Shumway started a class  a few weeks before the announcement. It's being taught by a young couple that are both RMs.  Pres. Shum.  felt that it should include the senior boys.  Then the question came up ,"well what about the sr. girls?" They thought about it and decided to include them as well.  Then BOOM the announcement came out.  Our stk. presidency is pretty in tune.  

    Erin had her regional soccer game yesterday against S. Tahoe, that's the team that they lost to in state last year.  It was here in Elko.  We scored early--about 5 min. into it. then it was a very physical game.  then with about 5 min. left in the game.  they got to kick a penalty kick just over the midline.  It was kind of a flukey thing.  It was a big kick and it bounced just around the goal box and then it bounced up and went just over the fingertips of Raelynn and in the net.  We were all stunned.  So, then we had to go to OT for 15min. But they stunned us again by scoring pretty quickly and that was it.  The rule is first one to score in OT wins. We were all bummed, but we still go to the state tourney in Vegas.  We may be playing them again for the state title.  We will be ready for them!  Erin played her usual tough game.  She is fun to watch.  

     I forgot to tell you last week about Chica.  She hurt her eye.  I had put her in her kennel when we had left to go to one of Erin's soccer games because she had been getting out.  When I got home I went to get her out, and I noticed she was wimpering with her nose down by the bottom of the gate.  When I opened the gate, her head was moved with it.  She had been biting on the chainlink trying to pry open a hole and somehow got herself fishhooked onto a piece of chainlink wire.  It went in through the inside of her eyelid and out about 1/2 in. under.  I had to straighten out the wire to unhook her. She didn't damage her eye luckily, but she looks pretty pitiful.  At first it was all stretched out, then it swelled, oozed, and now its scabbed over.  We didn't take her to the vet.  I think she's going to be Ok.  she's just not going to win any dog shows.

     Well, we all went to Tiffani and Tucker's reception sat. night, and there you were (your cut out) all cute and smiling behind the guest book table.  It was so good to see you! I gave you a hug.  Erin and Cody took some pics. with you, and you and Cody were about the same size.  I guess those cut outs only come in 1 ft. increments, so it was either a 5 ft. Sis. N. or a 6 ft. Sis. N.  Lets just say you've grown physically as well a spiritually on your mission.  The reception was really nice; a little rowdier than Chelsea's.  Those De Angelo sisters can really bust a move.  It was kind of like a Stk. dance with the music they played.  I gave Tiff and Tuck a hug and delivered your message, " Amber says to tell you that she loves you".  His parents were really nice.  I introduced myself as your Mom and they were so excited, I guess they had heard all about you--the little matchmaker.  Tricia brought "you" over to us to keep, she said she wanted us to have it. We have your smiling face in the living room against the wall with all the pictures.  I felt again that she really appreciated every thing you have done for Tiffani. Heck, you hooked her up with her husband!

     Tomorrow is the big election.  I have been praying for Bro. Romney to win, I even fasted.  At first I wondered if that was the right thing to do, I always wanted to pray for byu to win big games,but felt that that was frivolous.  But this is different, our country is at stake! Did you get your absentee ballot in?  I am actually going to be an exit poll surveyer out at spr. crk. middle school, on election day.  Sadie Goulding has worked for this research co. and they called her up and asked if she wanted to do it.  She passed the offer to me and I took it.  I have to be at the polls all day and ask every 4th person to take a survey about who they voted for, and then 3 times that day I call in the results and they use it for the national tracking on the news. I get paid $250 for 12hrs of work.  Not bad.

     We love all the Elders that serve here, but Sanft was special because he was from HI and we felt a connection to you.  Elder Cruz is from Uruguay, but moved to Ut. when he was 11.  He's been out as long as you and is now training Elder Clunas who is a greenie from Morgan Ut.  they were both in the MTC the same time as you.

   I have to speak at Eve. in Excellence this thurs. I get to talk about my Faith Value project-- the garden, the one that got destroyed by Adelaide.  There should be a good analogy  with that.

Well, I love you to pieces.  I pray for your investos. and fasted for Alex and hid dad, but mostly I pray for you, and I think it's paying off!  You are awesome!  Have another incredible week,

love,

Mom  

Hello from Elko

Hello Sister Nielsen,
 
It was great to get your email last week and to hear how well you and your comp. are doing.  18 lessons, 11 w/ members and 8 investigators in church, that is awesome!!!!!  Keep up the great work.  Elder Sanft said, 8 investigators in church in Hawaii is awesome.  You two will be setting the bar for others to follow if you continue.  I hope the 10 year old boy was able to get baptized and if not last week, then this week.  Elder Sanft got transferred yesterday on an emergency transfer.  He was made a zone leader in Sparks and he has only been out 10 months.  He came by the house at 9:30 Friday night to say good bye as Cody and I were out deer hunting.  Friday was Nevada day and the ward had their harvest festival so the girls and mom were in goofy costumes, Cody was in the shower and he got out and had his bath robe on and I was all beat up and bloody from the deer hunt.  I am sure we looked like the Adams family or a bunch of wackos.  His family will not know what to think about us.  Erin's soccer team beat Spring Creek last week, and they start regionals this week here in Elko.  They will be ranked #1 going into regionals.  Codys JV team went undefeated again this year in football and all 3 teams beat Spring Creek in Football on Thursday.  So that was good.
 
On Friday, Cody, Clancy and I went deer hunting up in the Ruby Mountains.  We went on the back side of the mountain from Ruby valley.  We hiked and hunted all day long.  It snowed the previous 2 days here and on Thurs. the high was in the low 40's and low was around 13 degrees.  So on Friday, we were seeing deer all over the mountain. We would go after a couple of bucks and then see more and go after them.  Well we had hiked a long ways back in there almost to the top (I think about at least 6 miles).  I shot me a 3x4 deer about 3:15 pm, and I told Cody and Clancy to go try and get Cody's deer but to be back by 5:00 as it starts to get dark at 6:00 while I take care of my buck.  I don't know if I told you, but a week ago thursday, I got hit by an elbow and I think I broke my ribs.  I have been in alot of pain.  But my buck had a huge body and I could not even hardly budge him with my ribs.  But I heard Cody shooting and he was getting further and further away every time he shot.  The last shots were about 1.5 miles away and it was 5:20.  Mom had made us a lunch but we left it in the truck.  So I was thinking, they do not have any food or water, and I am going to have to go look for them. I did not want to climb the mtn which they went over as it was straight up.  Any way eventually I saw them coming back over the hill and Cody had shot a real nice 4x4 , but it was about a 700 yard shot according to cody and they did not have time to go look at it.  He said they watched it for 20 minutes and it was still alive but could not move.  So they came back to me.  Any way, we took my hind quarters and packed it back to the truck and decided to come back and pack the rest out on Sat.  We did not get back to the truck until about 8:00 and we were starving.  So we got home about 9:30 and we were beat.  Clancy decided after all that hiking that he was busy on Sat. and could not help us pack it out, so we recruited Erin as our "pack mule".

 

So Sat morning, we do the same thing, eat a bowl of cereal and head out to pack out our deer.  Mom made us a lunch and we left it at home.  So day 2 on the mountain hiking through snow up to our waist, no food, and we are tired.  Erin said, this is alot better than the trek, as we were starving, snow up to our waist, wind blowing, Erins and Codys feet and toes were frozen and they were complaining the entire time.  This is more like what the pioneers went through.  Any way we got them back down but we were hiking and packing for 10 hours.  Erin said, I should count this as my 10 hour service project.

 

Every muscle in my body hurt on Sunday.  We were glad for a day of rest.

 

Well I better let you go for now.  We love you and pray for you daily.  Erin called mom on the phone last Friday from her dance and Adelaide answered it and she gave the phone to Mom and mom asked who is it?  And Adelaide said, I think it is Amber Lee.  So she still remembers your voice as you two sound alot alike.  We got a good laugh over that.

 

I hope you have a super week with lots of success.  We listened to Hollands conf talk again last night for FHE and we will have to review alma 5 and 6 and give you our report.

 

Dad

 

Every thing else is going well.