Fabulous Weekend!

Hola Hermana Nielsen,
 
Well we had a great week/weekend.  The Elko boys team beat Spring Creek by about 25 or something on Friday night and then beat Lowry 52-30 on Sat. to win the regional championship.  So we will go to state as the number one seed from the North and Lowry will go as #2 seed.  We play either Desert Pines or Clark, the same as last year.  This year state is in Reno so that will be better for us.  Cody did not score any points in either game, I believe 0-3 in both games, but he played well on defense.
 
Then Bob Peppin got baptized on Sat. afternoon, and mom and I went over after the game and caught the last half.  Amber's missionary buddies came in on Sat. for her homecoming talk.  She had sister Wright and her mom, sister Smoot and Sister Hudson and 3 Elders who served in her areas.  Sharon and Brian came over on Sunday with Cameron and his girl friend and DeeRay and Charlene came over on Sunday as well.  It was a big group but fun as well.  All of Amber's missionary buddies came over and hung out at our house Sat. night and 2 elders slept in our home with us.  Amber and all the sisters had a motel room and slept there.
 
Sunday morning, Amber had to report to the high council at 7 am so we went with her to that.  She has changed alot for the better.  I did not expect that much change but she answered their questions really well and deep with doctrine, and she did very well on her talk with out really preparing any thing.  She spoke for 40 minutes and the spirit was really strong.
 
Well we really need your photo and your favorite scripture, they keep buggin us every week.  Keep praying for the gift of tongues and Heavenly Father will bless you with that gift and you will be able to understand everything and say everything you want to say.
 
We love you and are happy you are on a mission.
 
Love,
 
DAD

Hola Hermana Nielsen,

How is the mission?  Your last letter with all the dead doggies sounded pretty disgusting, but your teaching pool and the families sound wonderful.  Do you walk a lot? Or do you used public transportation?  Is Rala big city? 

We had such a great weekend.  Amber's missionary buddies came and they all had a fun time together.  Elder Earl came  on Sat. afternoon, so he went with us to the basketball game.  The rest came around 4pm and so they all came over for dinner.  We had taco in a bag.  The Gouldings had given us a bunch of the snack sized chips and so it worked out perfect.  I just heated up some chili and threw on some cheese, avocado, salsa, etc. They sat around the table for hours talking, reminiscing and laughing.  It was nice to finally meet Sis. Wright.  It was obvious how much she and   Amber loved each other.  Elder Sorenson (he and sis. wright are dating) and Elder Tripp stayed in the Lamby suite at our house, and Sis. Smoot, Hudson, Wright and her mom and Amber stayed at the Marriott.    On sunday, we met with the High Council and got to hear Amber report her mission. She answered all their questions and did such a good job.  She seems so much more eloquent now.  She expressed her feelings so well.  Later that morning Sharon, Brian, Cameron and his girlfriend Amelia came.  Charlene and DeeRay soon followed.  They helped with my dinner prep., then we went to church.  Amber did such a good job.  She talked about the 4 principles of the gospel and then went into a story from her mission that illustrated her points on each one.  She didn't use notes she just spoke and it was wonderful.  Then everyone came for lunch, except two of the missionary friends had to get back.  Dad invited the 3rd ward Elders too.  There was 18.  We had pulled pork sandwiches and a bunch of different salads, and Hawaiian Wedding cake for dessert.  Everyone  enjoyed it.

We are going to State as the #1 team in the North.  We beat SC fri. night and Lowry on Sat. Afternoon, by 22 pts. The place was packed and the Lowry fans were loud and yelling things, but we won. Whew!  Cody guards Connors and does a good job on him.  He only scored 4pts I  think, but not when Cody is playing D on him.  Cody didn't have any points.   He shot 3 times, but missed.  Girls lost on Fri. night to SC (again).  Then Lowry beat SC girls by 1 PT on Sat.  So they are the #1 team.  We go to Reno this weekend for the State Tourney should be a lot of fun...If we win.

Bob Pepin got baptized on Sat. too.  there was 180 people there.  It looked like a Sacrament Mtg.  Sis. Bradley taught him :)  Sis. Pepin is really happy.

Well, have a great week, love you, Mom