Amber's Pre-wedding reception in Weiser Idaho

Hola Elder Nielsen,

We just got home from Weiser, Idaho. It is a 4 hour and 40 minute drive from our house to Kevin's and it is 300 miles. It was a very nice trip. We left on Friday around 3:45 pm and drove to Boise and stopped in Eagle to see Suzie Martin, mom's roommate from college. It was great to see them. They fed us dinner and we visited until about midnight. It was a good visit. Then we drove up to Kevin's home on Saturday and got there about noon. We went and helped them set up the old train depot, built in 1906, where they had their reception. We went back to his house, ate lunch and got ready for the reception. 

Weiser is a small farm and ranching community of about 6000. But the people were down to earth and very nice. Kevin has a wonderful family. Amber is marrying into a great family and she chose very well. Kevin's dad is in the stake presidency and his brothers' and sister's families were very nice.

We stayed there and went to church with his family and ate a ham dinner afterwards and then drove back to Elko. It was snowing and blowing going up on Friday and coming back tonight. We went up through Owyhee and you have to watch out for black cows all over the roads. You can't see them at night and it is very dangerous. I also saw a rooster pheasant driving to church today, just past Kevin's drive way. That made me happy. I have not seen a wild pheasant for about 20 years. We might have to do some hunting up there when you get back.

Last weekend, Elko played Dayton and they 10 run ruled them all three games. Yocum threw a 1 hitter, struck out 15 of the 21 batters he faced in the 1st game. Benton hit 2 homeruns and so did Whitted. Kyle Whitted got named Max Preps player of the week for the west. He pitched the 2nd game and threw a 2 hitter. Over the 3 games he went 11 for 12, with 2 homeruns and 2 doubles. A batting average of 917 and on base % of like 933 or something. So that will get him recognized. I was talking to Guilligan and he said the Tanner Harris got caught drinking again a couple weekends ago, so he is off the team for good.

The final 4 in NCAA is North Carolina a 1 seed, Villanova a 2 seed, Oklahoma a 2 seed and Syracuse a 10 seed. I was not able to watch any of the games this weekend.

I wanted to hurry and write you this letter before you wrote yours. So we hope you have a great week. We love you and are so thankful for the wonderful family and kids we have been blessed with. Keep working hard. Today was easter but we did not celebrate it, only in church. It is because of the Lord and we do and live the way we do. The atonement and resurrection is a wonderful gift. Keep working hard.

Love 

Dad

March Maddness

Hola Elder Nielsen,

March madness started on Thursday and it has been a little crazy like always.  We had a PAL tournament game on Wednesday. We were the 6th seed playing the 3rd seeded team from Spring Creek. We played them on March 10th and they beat us 37-7. So I was hoping we could give them a better game. We were leading most of the time through the 1st half, and then we had a couple of turnovers late in the 1st half and they went ahead. But we ended up losing 23-18. But I thought our girls played great. We basically have very little talent on our team, but we were able to compete with them. The other coach told me we had them worried. I don't like to lose, but I was very happy with the way our team played. And I am glad it is over now and we can get our evenings back.

On Tuesday night, I had to go to the church to meet with  a guy that was receiving assistance from the church to set him up on a budget. I had another appointment with another couple on Thursday to do the same thing, but they never showed up. I can't image how much of the bishop's time is consumed with welfare issues. None of these people are members of the church.

On Thursday, for YMYW, the youth were playing basketball with the 4th ward youth, and there were about 3-4 players (cole smith and others from 4th ward) on 1 team who played for the high school team. I wasn't dressed to play, in work clothes and work shoes, but finally, I had watched enough as those guys were trying to show off, so I joined the game. I made about 30 3 pointers and was sweating like crazy. My entire shirt was soaked in sweat. My leather suede shoes were even wet with the sweat coming from my feet. I had to show them up.

On Friday, before work, I was eating my breakfast and I am starting to get this acid reflex thing, where I can't swallow and the food gets caught in my throat or tubes. It happened in Wendover a few months ago when I was eating lunch. But I can't get any thing down my throat. I was throwing up 3-4 times for about an hour and finally, I threw it all up and was able to swallow again. I am not sure what it is, but maybe I am like my dad and need to swallow 2 before every bite.

In March madness, Utah won their 1st game and then got beat by Gonzaga by 28 points. I was happy for that. Yale won their 1st game ever in the NCAA tourny. Michigan State a number 2 seed was upset by some team. I love this time of year when the underdogs go in and beat the big schools.

BYU is in the NIT and they are hosting it. They won their 1st 2 games and if they win the next one, will go to Madison Square Garden for the semis in that Tourny.

The Gouldings were in So. Carolina for the week, so we had the 4 youngest Goulding kids over here from Sat afternoon until now, when mom just took them home. The house was very noisy with 7 kids running around here. We all went to church and I loved it with 7 kids. It was like old times taking our entire family to church and we took up the entire bench. I miss having those 7 kids of ours running around the house.

We had our team dinner here last night as well, spaghetti and home made bread sticks. The girls all loved it and thought it was great. Our refrigerator is still out, so we need to get that fixed.

Have a super duper week. Keep working hard. I guess AJ Jordan is an Assistant to the President, so that is good. He comes home in a couple months. Easter is next Sunday and we will be in Weiser Idaho for Amber's reception next week. We love you and pray for you all the time. Keep up the good work.

Love

DAD

Cruisin' through March

Hola Elder Nielsen,

Another week in the books. On Monday evening after work I went over to Gabriela and Jaun Marquez house to prepare their taxes for them and Gabi's mother. Tuesday we had PAL practice. On Wednesday, I went to Elko high school to interview members of the junior class for the pretend job interviews. On Wednesday evening we had PAL practice. On Thursday, I had the compensation and benefits committee meeting which I am the chair of that committee. So I had to get an agenda prepared and items to go over. I am always glad when that is over. Thursday for Young men, we fixed flags for the boys scouts to do their flags with on the holidays. A lot of them we replaced the wires on them with plastic tie cords. Friday at work, I had our Nevada system financial aid directors meeting all day. Friday evening, we did not go any where as that was the only day of the week, I could relax and stay at home.

On Saturday, mom and I did the paper route and then we went to Summers volleyball games. After her games we went with the Hiles and the Wilkenson's to clean the church. The girls wanted to shoot the basketball afterwards. Then we came home and I worked on taxes all afternoon. 

Sunday we went to church, we had the missionaries over for dinner. Then I went to talk to a non-member about budgeting who is wanting assistance from the Bishop, but his roommate said he was asleep and sick. Mom and I went home teaching to the Sargeants and the Christiansens. I love visiting with the families we have to visit. They are great people. They all ask how Cody is doing, and we tell them, great.

Today was the selection Sunday to see who is going dancing for March Madness. I don't think BYU will make it this year as they did not win their league or the Tournament and did not have any big wins against big teams.

Summer and I have been working on family history trying to find her 5 names to take on trek. I got an email this week that said there was a name on my line that needs temple work and I looked her up and I think there are a great many more related to her that need temple work done. So it was a mini gold mine for family history work. We have not had time today to go in an do more research.

I just checked and the number 1 seeds are Kansas, Oregon, North Carolina, and Virginia.  Utah utes are a 3 seed and Weber state made it in as a 15 seed. So we will see what happens. This is one of my favorite times of the year -- March Madness.

Also, I was talking to someone about the elko baseball team and the suspensions, and I guess Colt Jorgenson was one that got caught drinking that night as well, but he got caught again the 2nd time, so he his not allowed to play high school sports any more. So that is a huge loss. Elko played that tourny in Reno and they lost 2 games and tied McQueen 4-4. So we will see how this year goes.

Any way, not a whole lot more to report. We love you and are pleased that you are a missionary.  Take time to think and reflect on how special this time period is, when you are the Lord's special representative. Enjoy every second as the time passes by too quickly. Have a super week. I believe the PAL tournament starts this week, so we will see how that goes.

Keep working hard and being exactly obedient it every regard. The Lord will bless you for your faithfulness.

Love

DAD

Elko Bball Crab Feed

Hola Elder Nielsen,

Another good week has passed us by. On Monday we had PAL practice. On Tuesday, we had another PAL practice but Mom had a relief society activity at the church and I had to drive to Round Mountain, NV that day for a FAFSA night. It was 240 miles each way and I only had 1 student and 1 parent that showed up. I got home after 9:30 pm. Addie was sick with a cough and a cold and I think I started catching it that night. Mom started catching it over the past few days. 

On Wednesday night we had a PAL game and we got beat badly.  Carly got fouled and was 2 for 2 at the free throw line. She now has a sweet little shot. Her form is very good and from 6 feet and closer she is deadly. She just needs to get bigger and stronger. She is still a little stink. On Thursday, the teachers were over the combined YMYW activity and we watched Ephraim's Rescue.  I still love that movie, but I thought it would be good for the youth to watch as it relates to the trek they will take this summer. We had Brother Scott Christiansen bring his projector and speakers and we watched it in the gym. We had a pop corn maker, nachos and cheese, licorice, pop, etc. Just like the movie theaters. It was a good evening, but I am glad it is over so I don't have to worry about it any more. Good movie, good food, + good company = enjoyable evening.

Thursday morning, I had to go to Elko High school and talk to 3 class periods about financial aid, and then I went over to the Juvenal detention high school and talk to them about high school, so I talked for 4 hours. In one of the classes there was a girl named Maria, who was wearing her BYU sweat shirt and she said she was planning on going on a mission. I recognized her face, but I don't know where I know her from or if she is in our stake or not.

On Friday, I had meeting all morning for the committee I am on for the retirement system in Nevada. I was feeling miserable all day with this cough and cold, so I came home and went to bed early. Summer and Carly went over to the Gouldings for a late night.

Saturday, we watched Summer in her volleyball games. Then we played the club team from spring creek in PAL and they beat us badly as well. But our girls are getting better. We have 2 that have never played bball before, then we have 2 5th graders on our team as well. So I would say, we did fairly well. Summer was 2 for 2 from the free throw line. We only had 7 points and they had about 30. I was talking to the Filipino girls dad again and he asked how you were doing. And he said, his daughter Victoria, I think was her name, was in your grade and had a class with you or something. Do you remember a Victoria, Filipina girl? 

The Harris' had extra tickets that their family had bought for the crab feed but did not come and they gave them to us. So mom and I had all you can eat crab last night for our date.  I was talking to Eric about his season and he said to tell you hello for him. Nathan was there as well. I guess he was on spring break. It was good, but since we don't drink I don't think it was worth the $60 per tickets that people pay for that. I was also talking to Dustin Baum there and was wondering how the baseball team did over the weekend in Reno, and he said not too well as they were short handed. Benton is sill not ready to play, but should play when their league opens. He also told me the Harris kid, Kyle, Yocum and Weston all got caught drinking in the parking lot of a football game last fall, so they are missing a few games as well. That is half their starting players out. The paper said they should have a pretty good team if they can avoid distractions this year. I guess that is what they were talking about. Our refrigerator stopped working again yesterday, so we will see if we can get that working again. It seems like it is always something going out.

Had good meetings in church today. I always love fast Sundays.  We were suppose to have the missionaries over for dinner today, but another family wanted to switch with us for next week. So we will feed them next week. 

We hope you have a great week. Keep being exactly obedient and do all you can to have the guidance of the holy ghost in your teachings and daily activities. We love you and pray for you daily. We have been have some nice weather, but last night the wind started blowing and it is suppose to snow here again the next couple of days. The sierras are suppose to get 18 inches of snow. It was raining and snowing today, but it has all melted thus far.

We are very happy you are on a mission. You are doing exactly what you are suppose to be doing at this stage of your life.  Enjoy being that special witness.

Love,

DAD