Smile and Wave!

Hola!
Oh man this week has been loco. Lots of crazy stuff has happened. 

First we moved apartments. It was quite the under taking. We moved across the complex to a two bedroom apt. because the complex doesn't allow 3 missionaries in a one bedroom apt. It was kind of a struggle because it was so last minute. The real struggle came when we had to move our stuff. We were without the car this week (so we walked everywhere), and we decided to haul our stuff by ourselves to our new apt. We could've walked all the way around the apartments but that would've been like half a mile. Or we could cut through in between some apartments and cut our distance in half. So that's what we did, and it would've been fine and dandy, but it's been pretty rainy lately and it was especially rainy that day. The short cut had two hills that formed a ditch which had an impromptu river running through it. Long story short - imagine three girls carrying everything they own traversing the slippery muddy slopes. After a couple hours the Elders came to help (also without a car) Now you have 5 missionaries covered head to toe in mud and soaking wet. The washer and dryer was difficult to move, but we got it there in one piece. 

My companion threw out her back moving, and we had to stay inside on Friday. But we really hit the ground hard tracting this week. It can be a vaguely interesting experience, especially when you speak Spanish. My favorite contact was a man named G-------. He seemed very interested at first, and when we started talking, he told us he was studying with the Jehovah's Witnesses. He also dissed on Mormons for like 10 minutes not realizing we were Mormon. Imagine a bible bash with a JW in full Spanish. I was more than thoroughly confused. When they talk really fast, I get about every third word and that's about how fast the topics changed. 

I really love the south. If you say the word Jesus, they are immediately your best friend. And Latinos love you if you speak Spanish, and they give you nicknames and stroke your hair. They are so great. 

They also make you pupusas. It's El Salvadorian, and it is so delicious. The Latinas are the best cooks. I have tried so many delicious things, and they love to eat with their hands, which I also love. We eat usually 3 times a week with members. The food is face melting good and different. The Latinas are impressed with my high spicy tolerance! I am practicing my cooking skills to really impress you! I'm going to be Aunt Regina status when I get back.

We had to change P-----'s baptism from this Sunday to next Sunday because she hasn't been to church 3 times in 5 weeks. :(  It is so sad because she is so prepared and excited. 

Another great story - Last Tuesday we got caught in a heavy rainstorm on the way to an appointment, and we got so wet. We showed up to the appointment and could ring out our skirts and shirts and dump water from our bags. It was so fun! We are teaching some

incredible people who have such faith.
A miracle this week - We were able to get our apt. It was such a struggle. We had until Thursday until we would be outside the grace period of having three in a small apt. We prayed that we could find something and the next day we got word we could move in on Thursday!

My mission president is awesome, but they leave this June to go home. They really are awesome! In my first interview, President Andersen told me if I am perfectly obedient, I will see many miracles. I will see success through obedience. I try to do that everyday like the stripling warriors. Also, Elder David A. Bednar is coming to visit our mission on March 19th. Can't wait.

The work really is amazing! I love service! Les quiero muchisimo! (I love y'all)

Hermana Nielson

Here is a picture of my zone. Yes, I am the mountain woman in the back.