Last Letter to Elder Nielsen

Dear Elder Nielsen,

We really enjoyed your last email summing up your last two years. I printed it off and shared it with about 8 people at work and students. I think it would be good for missionary efforts here in Elko.

Monday after work our family went to clean the church. Tuesday evening after mom got done with scouts, we went over to the Mierins house for Rose Harris' home coming. There were a few other families there from the ward and we had a good visit. We did not get home until after 10 pm.

Wednesday night we watched the NBA finals game. The Warriors are playing the Cavs. The Warriors are up 3-0 and have swept every team in the playoffs so far. They played again on Friday night and the Cavs beat them. So now it is 3-1. The Warriors were up last year 3-1 and ended up losing the series.

Friday was the last day of school for the kids. Friday night was the high school graduation, but we stayed home and watched the NBA game. The spanish family wanted us to go watch their twins graduate, but we had too much to do around the house. We are trying to get it ready for when you get home. But you might be helping us get it ready for when your sisters arrive.

Saturday we worked around the house again and went to senior parties for Cade Christiansen and Ashlynn Olsen.

Today, Sunday, we had our church meetings. After church we went to pick up 2 more beds from the GBC President's house. At 2 pm I had our young men presidency meeting and at 6 we had a Priesthood Encampment meeting. 13 stakes in Nevada are getting together this week for the encampment. I have to plan everything even though I will not be attending.

Finish up strongly boy. Work to the very end. Enjoy every minute you have as a full time dedicated missionary. We love you and are happy for the way you have served.

Love,

Dad

Dearest Elder Nielsen,

Well, this is it my last official email to you as a missionary, I don't even  know when you'll get to read this.  We are busy here trying to  get things ready for all the family that will be here this next weekend.  It was the last week of school, so for Carly and Adelaide it was "Party Time" all week.  Summer had finals the last 2 days of school, so it wasn't so much fun for her.  Monday, we cleaned the church.  Then Tuesday  I had scouts with the "wild Bears".  It was really hot that day--93 degrees, I think it was a tie for record heat. We had popsicles  for a treat. Ads had a music concert that day, and then we all had a hot dog lunch in the outdoor ed. area.  She lost another tooth last week.  It took the tooth fairy a couple of days to get to our house (she' s kind of a ditz) so she could cash in on her canines.

Her mouth really looks like a Jack O' Lantern now.

We watched the NBA Finals game  thursday night.  The Warriors went up 3-0 in the series against the Cavaliers.  They hadn't lost a game in the entire playoffs 15-0, until they played game 4 on friday and lost by 16.  The Cavs were shooting "lights out", and refused to loose. 

They play tomorrow night, so we will see if they pull it off.

We didn't go to graduation, but hit a few parties on Saturday.  I remember when you and Jacob went party hopping to all the grad parties all day long.  We went to Cade Christiansens and Ashlynn Olsens.  That was just perfect--lunch and dinner.

Rose Harris gave her Homecoming talk today.  She shared some neat stories from her mission.  One was a guy that came up to talk to them while they were street contacting and he was an athiest.  He looked sad and depressed.  He didn't live in their area so they passed him over to the other missionaries where he lived.  Two months later, she and her comp. got permission to go to his baptism and she said the countenance of that guy had changed so much.  He had the light of the gospel in his eyes.  It was amazing to see.  He was happy and had a purpose to his life.  That is the power of the gospel, to change lives.

We love you and are so blessed by the service you have given.  I know you were a very obedient, faithful missionary, thanks for making us proud.  (in a very humble way)
Love, Mom