It is Finally Warming Up Here

Dear Elder Nielsen,

How was your week?  Ours was good, busy as usual and quick. Monday was President's day, so I had the day off and the kids were out of school. We stayed home and I worked on taxes and cleaned around the house.  It was a nice break. We did not go any where.

On Tuesday, we had a normal day of work and after work, I had to go out to Spring Creek for the FAFSA night. We only had about 10 people there, so it was a small crowd. Mom had to practice alone with the PAL team.

On Wednesday, I had meetings from 8:30 to about 1 pm. Then I met with a few tax clients to do their taxes. We had a PAL game and we won by 5 to 8 points, but it was close. We were ahead for most of the game, but they only had 5 players, so they were tired. Angel the Filipino girl whose family was taught in our house by the missionaries was playing on the other team.

Thursday, we had PAL practice in the evening and YMYW, but the both of my teachers were out of town with the band for the regional games, so I did not go.  The Elko girls lost to Lowry by about 15 points. Lowry girls team is playing a lot better. Our team has not been playing well the past month. So the girls are done. The Elko boys played on Friday night against Fernley. We had a very slow start and Fernley was leading most of the game until the 3rd quarter and our defense picked up. We ended up winning by about 10-12 or something. The pressure gets to Eric and he does not play well. Baum had a big game. Saturday Elko played South Tahoe in the regional championship game. So. Tahoe beat Lowry the night before and Lowry had beaten them 2 during the regular season. In the boys championship game, South tahoe was leading almost the entire game.  We did not play well again, and struggled making shots. But we ended up winning by 2 points. South TAhoe had the ball at the very end and threw up a half court shot that hit off the front of the rim. That shot would have won it for So. Tahoe. The Lowry girls ended up beating Fallon girls who were undefeated up to that point. So we play Clark next week in the state semis and Desert Pines plays So. Tahoe. We will see how that goes.

We have a trek meeting tonight with Summer. She will be going on Trek this week. I saw Mr. Dumas at a meeting this week, and he asked about you. He said he misses you and the rest of the boys this time of year. Summer had 2 volleyball Adobe games on Sat. and they won both. She does not play that much, but I thought she did very well. She had two kills with her left hand that looked great.  That is hard to do. I was very impressed.

Keep working hard and being obedient. We love you and are happy you are on a mission. The best place in the world for you at this time. Remember who you serve and always be His representative.

Love

DAD

Dearest Elder Nielsen,

It has been quite warm a few days this week and the mounds of snow are shrinking.  Our backyard is almost all melted except for the shady parts.  Carly noticed the robins are out and about, so that is a sure sign that Spring is just around the corner.

This past week has flown by... again. Monday was President's Day and so the kids didn't have school, so we all just hung out at home and it was nice and relaxing.  We had PAL stuff every night this week; either a practice or a game.  We had a game on Wed. night and it was a close at first, but we ended up pulling it out.  Summer made a lay-up, but missed some other shots.  The girls are really fun to work with and  have great attitudes.  Some of them have never played ball before, but they listen to what we say and try their best.  

Elko boys bball team went to Reno for Regionals this past weekend.  They were 1st in league for the 5 th straight year so they earned a bye for the first game.  Elko girls played Lowry and got whipped by 15, Sianna Carsrud had four fouls before the 1st half was over and they just struggled shooting.  They are done.  The boys played Fernley on Fri. and we beat them, but it wasn't their best showing, they pulled away in the 2nd half.  Then yesterday we listened to the game on the radio as they played So. Tahoe.  That was more exciting than was comfortable.  We had just beat them handedly the last game of the season and then we struggled playing them, the boys trailed most of the game and then finally in the fourth  we made some shots and went ahead and held.  Regional Champs again!  We have thought of going over to watch them this next weekend, but we'll see.  Those are fun games to watch.

Well, I'd better end this we have to head over to the church for a trek fireside tonight.  We haven 't been asked to Ma and Pa, so it looks like we won't.  It would be good to let some other couple have that experience.  

I am so happy you got your package, I was getting worried that is was lost forever.   Prayer is a good thing. Have a super week, I am praying for your investos and all others to "go to church" ! I love you tons kid, Love, Mom

PS  Sam Brown says Hi, and thinks missions are a great thing for young men.  so, true :)