The Dept of Ed Audit is Finished

Dear Elder Nielsen,

Here we are on the 26th of June. It was the 24th of May that I got the call from the auditors and I really can't remember any thing of the past month except for working to prepare for the auditors. I had signed up for at least 8 vacation days and lost most of them, but my boss said she would work with us to try and make them up.  

The auditors arrived Monday morning at 8 am. We showed them the room where they would be working and at 9 am we had an entrance meeting with the all the big wigs from the college and myself to get the week planned out. We were there from about 8 am to 7 pm every day getting them documents that they requested and working and explaining things. They found like 3-4 items that they were thinking were items they were going to write us up on, but I worked and supplied documents trying to prove our points and positions. It finally came down to the $10 application fees and late payment fees of $25 are not considered educational expenses and cannot be covered with financial aid dollars. And we had been netting them against their financial aid and giving them the refund. But basically, the two auditors said there would not be any financial penalties for the college and that it might come down to us making a new policy and procedure that those fees be coded a different way so that financial aid will not cover them.

On Wednesday night when they were done working, I thought it would be good to show them Lamoille canyon, so Tawny and I drove them up the canyon so they could see that. Being from San Francisco, I am sure they do not see that kind of beauty on a regular basis. It has been in the 90's here this past week, and up the canyon it was 67 degrees. It felt soooo nice and the snow is melting fast and the rivers are full and running like crazy. The one auditor was Filipino from Hawaii. So of course after I met her and found that out, I had to tell her in Tagalog, that her arm pits stink. (A great ice breaker). They enjoyed the "field trip". They left Thursday afternoon around noon. They were originally scheduled to be here until Friday. But I came home around 2 pm on Thursday and slept for 3 hours. I was still waking up at 3 am worrying about things and trying to come up with arguments to combat their findings. But I was so relieved to know that we would be getting off with no fines. They said their bosses have to make the final decision but they think every thing will be fine and that we were a great college. 

Now we have to deal with the internal auditors from the Nevada system. They have been auditing us since last August and want to have a exit conference on Tuesday. These guys have found some findings, but at least we will not be penalized for them. I will be glad when they are out of our hair as well.

Tyler Gowans is home from his mission. I saw him in church today and he looks great. Clean cut, smiling from ear to ear. I spoke spanish with him but I will have to go over and visit with him.

I met with a non-member lady today at church who is looking for assistance from the church. Bishop Olsen has me meet with all people looking for assistance and go over a budget with them. This lady is going through a divorce and has been on Meth and drugs for the past 8 months, and I told her she was the on the correct path and this is the most important point in her life. I bore my testimony to her that this was the true church of Jesus Christ and that only the Lord can heal her wounds and her life through his atonement. Don't look back, don't go back, just move forward and I promised here that her life would be blessed beyond what she could ever imagine. The spirit was very strong and tears were pouring down her cheeks. She said I believe this church is true. Any way it was a very special experience.

We had the old BYU baseball coach and his wife in our ward today passing through. He said he coached Scott Nielsen who played for the Yankees. I told him my name is the same and spelled the same. They were a good couple. Their son is thinking about moving here to Elko as a Doctor to replace Gunnell.

We love you and are happy you are on a mission. Take every opportunity you have to share your testimony with everyone you meet. Thank you to all my children for the wonderful words on Father's Day. That was a great day and we have the best children in the world. We are well pleased with all of you and the way you live your lives. Keep working hard and be obedient in every way.

Listen and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost as it directs you every day on your mission.

The church is true.

Love

Dad

Summer is home from trekkin'

Dear Elder Nielsen,

This week was trek week and mom decided to stay home with me and the kids. It was actually a good thing as I worked long days, 9+ hours on Saturday and still have things to do before the auditors get here tomorrow. Our system was down on saturday at work so all I did was clean my office and go through old paper work that I have been needing to do for the past 11 years. I had not thrown any thing away from the old director as I did not know if I would need it or not. But now after 10+ years in this position, I know what I might need and don't need, so I was cleaning out everything. There is not a paper on my desk.

We had to take Summer down to the church at 5:45 am and that was getting mom all bummed out as it was making her wanting to go. All the kids were excited and were bouncing off the walls.

I basically worked the entire week with no break. I can't believe we are on the 20th of June already and I have worked non stop for the past month except for Sundays.

The NBA finals was on tonight and Cleveland came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Golden State 4-3. We were really disappointed as we do not care much for Labron James. Curry fouled out on Thursday's game and was ejected from the game for throwing his mouth piece. But he was getting some horrible calls against him. Both he and Steven Kerr their coach got fined $25,000 each for criticizing the refs. 

Summer got home Saturday about 6 pm. She enjoyed trek. I guess it was really windy and cold during the evenings. They slept under the stars the last night as their tent would not hold up and she caught a cold. The river crossing was also up so high that she was holding the rope swimming across as it washed her feet out from under her and it was up above the brethren's waist to chess area. I guess they had 4 brethren, Bishop Talbot, and a few other tall guys in the river making sure the kids did not get washed down stream.  Summer's favorite time was the testimony meeting and being with her family. She was with Bishop and Sister Howard from the 4th ward.

All the youth spoke in sacrament meeting today and then they all went around to the different wards to hear the others speak. So that was fun for them. Mom and I went home teaching tonight. I had a good father's day. I heard from all my kids and mom made Lasagna. So I had a great day and tomorrow I meet the auditors. I have been waking up at 3 am thinking about all that I need to do or finish and have not been able to go back to sleep. So I will be glad when this week is over. Hopefully, we will come out ok.

Keep working hard. We love you. You have almost been out 1 year. The 2nd year is the most productive as you now know the language and you have your teaching skills down. So now you can focus on the spirit and just follow it where ever you should go. Keep whipping your district into shape. It is going to get hot here this week, we should be getting into the 100's.

Have a super week.

Love

DAD

"Schools out for Summa"

Dear Elder Nielsen,

Another week has come and gone. It has been a very busy week for me as I have been working long hours, not taking a lunch break and working about 12 hours per day getting ready for the auditors. On Monday, we went to Carly's school as she was recognized by her teacher (Mrs. Wilkinson) as the student of the quarter. Her teacher says she tries really hard and works hard to finish all her work and corrects them when she does it wrong.  Her teacher is very nice and we think would make great members of the church.  Her son played against you in baseball and football, Sheldon Wilkinson. That did not take very long and I went back to work.

On Wednesday, we went again to Carly's school and she got first place out of all the 5th graders for her illustrations in the book she wrote. There were a lot of 5th graders, so that was quite the accomplishment. That is basically all I did this past week was work and go to those activities. 

The Warriors are playing Cleveland in the NBA finals. The Warriors are up 3 games to 1, which makes me happy as I don't like Labron James much, but I do like Stephen Curry.  

On Saturday I went in to work for about 4 hours in the afternoon. The kids got out of school for the summer on Friday. Summer and the youth in the stake are heading to Wyoming for the Trek on Monday morning at 5:45 am. We also went to Hattie Conklin's and Mariah Esplin's high school graduation party. Jacob, LA Jones and Marcus were at Hattie's. I talked to Jacob for a little and he said he is back home working for the summer and working out everyday. I asked him how he did this year, and he said he got his fast ball up to 88 mph a couple times this year. I told him to come visit us some time.

I am happy you are in the promise land. You will need to get those other Elders worked into shape. You set the example and they will follow. We love you and are so happy you are serving a mission. It is the best thing that you could be doing at this point in time in your life. You have now been out for almost a year, so as you get the language mastered, this next year will be a great productive year. Keep being exactly obedient in every thing and you will be blessed.

I am attaching a story about President Monson, which I heard today and loved, so I thought I would share it.

Keep working hard and being a dedicated missionary.

Love 

Dad

This story of President Monson was shared in our sacrament meeting today and I love it. So I thought I would share it will all of you kids if you haven't heard it before now. We can all use the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives as President Monson does.

One weekend in August 1974 an unexpected change of conference assignment came, sending Elder Monson to the Shreveport Louisiana Stake. The Saturday afternoon schedule was filled with a busy slate of meetings. Rather apologetically, the stake president asked Brother Monson if time would permit him to provide a blessing to ten-year-old Christal Methvin, who was afflicted with cancer. Brother Monson said he would be pleased to do so and then asked if she would be coming to the conference meetings or if she were confined to a Shreveport hospital. Almost reluctantly, the stake president said Christal was unable to leave her home many miles from Shreveport.

Elder Monson examined the meeting schedule and found that there simply was no available time. As an alternative, he suggested that she be remembered in the public prayers which would be offered throughout the conference. Surely, he consoled, the Lord would understand and bless the Methvin family accordingly.

Prior to the stake conference, and unbeknown to Brother Monson, Christal had lost her leg to surgery, only to discover later that the cancer had spread to her tiny lungs. A trip had been planned to Salt Lake City, where she might receive a blessing from one of the General Authorities. The Methvins knew none of the Brethren personally, so they placed before Christal a picture of all the Church leaders. She pointed to the photograph of Elder Thomas S. Monson and said, “I would like him to give me a blessing.”

But Christal’s condition had deteriorated so rapidly that the flight to Salt Lake City had to be cancelled. She was growing weaker in body but not in faith. She said, “Since a General Authority is coming to our stake conference, why not Brother Monson? If I can’t go to him, the Lord can send him to me.” At about the same time, Brother Monson received the unexpected change in his stake conference assignment which sent him to Shreveport.

As one final favor to Christal, the family agreed to kneel by her bedside and ask for just one more blessing; the chance to enjoy Brother Monson’s personal visit.

After receiving word from the stake president that Brother Monson would be unable to visit Christal because of the extremely tight meeting schedule, the Methvins were understandably very disappointed. They knelt again around Christal’s bedside, pleading for a final favor on her behalf: that somehow her desire for a blessing at the hands of Brother Monson would be realized.

At the very moment the Methvin family knelt around Christal’s bed, Elder Monson was shuffling his notes, preparing to speak at the concluding portion of the Saturday evening session. However, as he began his move to the pulpit, a voice whispered in near-audible tones a brief but very familiar message: “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

His notes became a blur. He attempted to pursue the theme of the meeting as outlined, but the name and image of Christal Methvin would not leave his mind. Then, ever faithful to the precious gift so demonstrably his, he responded to the spiritual message. He instructed that changes in the next day’s conference schedule be made, whatever the cost in confusion and disruption. Then the meeting continued.

After a very early Sunday drive over many miles, Elder Monson gazed down upon a child too ill to rise, too weak to speak. Her illness had now rendered her sightless. Deeply touched by the scene and the Spirit of the Lord which was so prevalent, Brother Monson dropped to his knees and took the child’s frail hand in his own. “Christal,” he whispered, “I am here.”

With great effort she whispered back, “Brother Monson, I just knew you would come.”

A blessing was pronounced commending a sweet child’s body and spirit to the loving watchcare of her Heavenly Father, who surely must have been observing that tender scene. Her barely audible “Thank you” gave eloquent benediction to the blessing and to the sweet life of faith she had lived. The next Thursday, as she was being remembered in the prayer circle of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve where Elder Monson had placed her name, Christal Methvin’s pure spirit left its disease-ravaged body and entered the paradise of God.

One more week of school

Hello Elder Nielsen,

How was you 1st week in the new area? I hope you are learning all the area and people so that you can make that area the promise land again. We are doing well here at home. I worked a ton of hours this past week. I worked most of the Saturday before Memorial day, all day on Memorial day, and 12 hour days through the week and most of the day yesterday. We had our stake conference, so I went to work before the leadership meeting and the adult session and then I went back and I was at my office until after 11 pm. We have to have a lot of information sent to them by Tuesday. At least we now have most of our policy and procedures done now, but still a lot to do this week.

Who is your new companion? Gringo or Filipino? I had a question on our credit cards and called and the girl I was talking to sounded like she was Filipino, and I asked her where is was from and she was from and living in the Philippines. So I obviously had to tell her that her arm pits stink and good afternoon, thank you, etc. All the words I know. And she asked me who taught me and I told her you were in Quezon City. Kind of fun.

On Thursday, I had to go give out the scholarships for Elko high school. Benton cleaned up for the boys and a couple of Hispanic girls, who I did not know cleaned up for the girls. But I did not get home until after 9 pm. The girls have one more week of school left, so they are really excited. Carly's teacher called me this past week and said that they are having an assembly tomorrow and that she was chosen as student of the semester and was going to be recognized. Then her teacher called back on Friday and talked to mom and said that Carly's illustrations in book she drew got chosen as the best illustrations in all the 5th grade. But they are both surprises, so she does not know yet. She will be recognized again on Wed. for that. I will be busy again this week, but then hopefully, I should have everything ready for the auditors. We will see.

Golden State is playing the  Cavaliers in the NBA finals. Same 2 teams as last year. Golden state won game 1 and they are playing game 2 tonight, but we will not watch as it is Sunday. 

For stake conference, we had Elder Brad Foster from the 1st quorum of the 70 and Elder Villareal from the area authority. They talked a lot about family counsels and counsels in general as that is the way the Lord runs his church.

Foster said and this applies to you as a district leader, father, bishop, stake president, that it is easier to run a ward than to inspire a ward ... or district, stake etc. But it is our job to inspire whoever we are over not run it.

In counsels, we are suppose to share our vision of our family, zone, district, ward, etc, and then ask them "will you counsel together with me on how we can make that happen?" Then we just sit back and listen and stop talking." If we tell someone what to do, we are telling them to be just like us. " They need to be their own individuals and when they counsel together, they will get the revelation of what they need to do or change and then we have that buy in from them and they will change for themselves and become converted.

Our progress in this life is    testimony--conversion---sanctification--exaltation.

Testimony is not enough, he said there are a lot of inactives out there with testimonies.

3 suggestions for couples

1- Be brutally honest with each other. Be politically incorrect. Tell your spouse every thing. As Satan works in the dark and secrets.

2- Don't love any thing that can't love you back.  ie... you job, car, money, sports, etc.

3- He is tired of hearing saints say how hard the gospel is to live or enduring to the end is hard. He said this life will be gone before we know it and we need to "enjoy it to the end, not endure it" The gospel is very enjoyable as is this life.

Any way, some good counsel that I think all of us can use in whatever calling or capacity we are serving in the church.

We love you and pray for your success. Keep working hard and be exactly obedient and the other trunky elders will follow your lead.

Have a super week!!! It is really hot here this weekend in the 90's. So we are feeling your pain a little bit, but not the humidity.

Love,

Dad

ps, I drew a area 10 buck deer tag and an area 10 cow elk tag. Summer drew area 7 buck deer tag.

That was all I applied for.