A categorized list of reasons
Reasons why it's been okay to be underemployed this summer
#61 spontaneous trips to Walden Pond and the beach
#17 free lunch from Harvard catering
#24 meeting all kinds of interesting people at temp jobs
#70 my social experiment with EBT
#11 finding that weird dead centipede while volunteering to clean the temple
#58 reading badly written vampire love stories
Reasons why I love public transportation
#9 guy in lobster suit asking if he could be my boyfriend
#44-49 that group of like 4 black kids with one Asian that fits right in with them
#2 the moment when the red line crosses the Charles River
#72 the lady at Sullivan who yelled at me continuously until I got on the bus because she saw my Book of Mormon
Reasons why I love East Cambridge
#27 Inman Square
#10 all the magnified noise at night--metal scraping, sirens, yelling, trucks unloading, semis
#11 okay that was a lie.
#38 roommates (more on this later)
#89 Lechmere
#68 H&M at Cambridgeside
#45 LDS boys around the corner
#46 Camilla a block away
Reasons why I love Somerville
#1a Colleen (met her first)
#1b Rachel (met her second)
#2 Taco Bell
#65 community softball
#21 firemen neighbors
#90 Foss Park
#43 LDS boys downstairs
Reasons why I love living in Boston
#1 newness
#96 city lights
#20 history
#21 revolutionary spirit
#4 pistachio macaroons at Mike's Pastries
#13 Indian food everywhere
#73 making connections with people
#74 missionary opportunities
#22 Longfellow Park wards
#31 mingling of cultures
#56 the beach
#48 land of the ancestors
#17 proximity to other places I want to be
#100 autumn approaches :) :) :)
Friday, September 5, 2008
just one fascinating day of the best year ever
It's late and oh how I want to sleep, but I don't want today to fade before I write about it. It's been too interesting to lose.
I worked this morning as an usher for a Steven Pinker lecture at Harvard. About 25 minutes transpired from my designated arrival time at Memorial Hall to when the theater manager came to debrief us on the event. The wait saw a most bizarre group dynamic emerge among the seven others who also worked there. Each of the more eclectic members of the group initiated a conversation topic that was in no way related to the previous conversation string. It started with how the one lady refused to take the 79 bus that morning, went to one of the ladies (and I don't believe her) telling a tale of working for a company that was worth $120 or something a share, then plummeted to four shares for a dollar, from getting promised a six figure raise to paying the cleaning lady out of her pocket. Topic abruptly changed to another lady complaining about some ignorant girl that had said recycling isn't important, to which the girl next to me--who had until then been silent--chimed in about recycling is more about the chemicals than the trees. There were no transitions between topics, no logic in how this conversation progressed. It was unreal. One of the ladies coughed, and she did sound like she had tuberculosis, and another reacted by commanding, "don't come near me!"
I did end up having meaningful, completely sequitur, interactions with most individuals of this motley group, enjoyed them, and avoided catching TB.
Oh but the lecture! It was basically about how we use language. I think Steven Pinker is a psychologist, but his presentation incorporated linguistic concepts and even some rational choice illustrated by the game theory model, a staple of economic/political scientific thought. Right up my mosaic-tiled I'm-interested-in-everything-and-most-especially-humans alleyway. Let's see if I can recount this.
What captured my attention then and since was his statement that "When a relationship is ambiguous, divergent understanding can be costly (awkward)." If two people in a relationship (when I say relationship I mean an interaction of any duration or nature) have mismatched perceptions of what their relationship is, discomfort results. I think we all know exactly what this means. :)
Pinker used this to explain why people veil their invitations (a bribe, for example) even though both parties know exactly what they mean. A bribe changes the relationship from one of dominance (a police officer or a maitre d' has power in the speeder's or diner's life) to one of reciprocity (a relationship of mutual benefit). If both the briber and the one being bribed agree to change their relationship to once of reciprocity--if the bribe is accepted--there is no social awkwardness and the exchange occurs. But if the one being bribed is honest, the relationship will become strained because one party wants to maintain the relationship of dominance and the other wants a relationship of reciprocity. An honest police officer can arrest the briber. An honest maitre d' will react with indignation.
That's for the choice between bribe and no bribe. But there's another option--veiled bribe. Example: "I think we can settle this here, officer." A dishonest officer will pick up on the bribe and the transaction will follow. An honest officer is free to overlook the request because he has no outright evidence or basis for arrest. The overall cost of the veiled bribe is lower than the cost of the direct bribe because there is no chance for arrest but there is still chance of getting away with the offense. Indirect language minimizes social cost without compromising payoffs.
Did that make sense?
Then there was something about the importance of making individual knowledge become collective knowledge by communicating. Collective knowledge is the foundation for relationships. I...don't...remember what else.
Fascinating topic. Also fascinating was eavesdropping on the ladies' conversations during the reception after. The lecture was actually an event for a society of retired people who want to continue their education. The attendee's average age was 75. Another group dynamic emerged: that of collectively hating Sarah Palin. It was nearly as bizarre as the earlier conversation to witness the ladies I listened to contribute to each others' unnatural suspicion and fear of the VP candidate. I heard the words "dangerous" and "scare." I imagined the words "stone her! drown her!" It was like "beware the Ides of March" but "beware the Sarah Palin." I would say "beware the tyranny of group dynamics."
Then I got another free lunch--Asian salmon salad--and an extra to take home for the next day. So timely, these free lunches.
My dad called while I walked home from Harvard to tell me his friend had a connection with a state senator who is looking to hire someone and if I gave him my resume within the next couple of hours, he would pass it to her himself. I actually love the idea. The state senator is a Democrat, and I had to tell my dad that I've known a few and I actually kind of like them. :)
Annie waited for me to go to Nahant Beach after work. The waves were way better than the last time I was there for the ward beach day. AND I didn't even get sunburned. I fell deeper in love with New England. I hope New England feels the same way about me. I wouldn't want our relationship to be ambiguous.
I worked this morning as an usher for a Steven Pinker lecture at Harvard. About 25 minutes transpired from my designated arrival time at Memorial Hall to when the theater manager came to debrief us on the event. The wait saw a most bizarre group dynamic emerge among the seven others who also worked there. Each of the more eclectic members of the group initiated a conversation topic that was in no way related to the previous conversation string. It started with how the one lady refused to take the 79 bus that morning, went to one of the ladies (and I don't believe her) telling a tale of working for a company that was worth $120 or something a share, then plummeted to four shares for a dollar, from getting promised a six figure raise to paying the cleaning lady out of her pocket. Topic abruptly changed to another lady complaining about some ignorant girl that had said recycling isn't important, to which the girl next to me--who had until then been silent--chimed in about recycling is more about the chemicals than the trees. There were no transitions between topics, no logic in how this conversation progressed. It was unreal. One of the ladies coughed, and she did sound like she had tuberculosis, and another reacted by commanding, "don't come near me!"
I did end up having meaningful, completely sequitur, interactions with most individuals of this motley group, enjoyed them, and avoided catching TB.
Oh but the lecture! It was basically about how we use language. I think Steven Pinker is a psychologist, but his presentation incorporated linguistic concepts and even some rational choice illustrated by the game theory model, a staple of economic/political scientific thought. Right up my mosaic-tiled I'm-interested-in-everything-and-most-especially-humans alleyway. Let's see if I can recount this.
What captured my attention then and since was his statement that "When a relationship is ambiguous, divergent understanding can be costly (awkward)." If two people in a relationship (when I say relationship I mean an interaction of any duration or nature) have mismatched perceptions of what their relationship is, discomfort results. I think we all know exactly what this means. :)
Pinker used this to explain why people veil their invitations (a bribe, for example) even though both parties know exactly what they mean. A bribe changes the relationship from one of dominance (a police officer or a maitre d' has power in the speeder's or diner's life) to one of reciprocity (a relationship of mutual benefit). If both the briber and the one being bribed agree to change their relationship to once of reciprocity--if the bribe is accepted--there is no social awkwardness and the exchange occurs. But if the one being bribed is honest, the relationship will become strained because one party wants to maintain the relationship of dominance and the other wants a relationship of reciprocity. An honest police officer can arrest the briber. An honest maitre d' will react with indignation.
That's for the choice between bribe and no bribe. But there's another option--veiled bribe. Example: "I think we can settle this here, officer." A dishonest officer will pick up on the bribe and the transaction will follow. An honest officer is free to overlook the request because he has no outright evidence or basis for arrest. The overall cost of the veiled bribe is lower than the cost of the direct bribe because there is no chance for arrest but there is still chance of getting away with the offense. Indirect language minimizes social cost without compromising payoffs.
Did that make sense?
Then there was something about the importance of making individual knowledge become collective knowledge by communicating. Collective knowledge is the foundation for relationships. I...don't...remember what else.
Fascinating topic. Also fascinating was eavesdropping on the ladies' conversations during the reception after. The lecture was actually an event for a society of retired people who want to continue their education. The attendee's average age was 75. Another group dynamic emerged: that of collectively hating Sarah Palin. It was nearly as bizarre as the earlier conversation to witness the ladies I listened to contribute to each others' unnatural suspicion and fear of the VP candidate. I heard the words "dangerous" and "scare." I imagined the words "stone her! drown her!" It was like "beware the Ides of March" but "beware the Sarah Palin." I would say "beware the tyranny of group dynamics."
Then I got another free lunch--Asian salmon salad--and an extra to take home for the next day. So timely, these free lunches.
My dad called while I walked home from Harvard to tell me his friend had a connection with a state senator who is looking to hire someone and if I gave him my resume within the next couple of hours, he would pass it to her himself. I actually love the idea. The state senator is a Democrat, and I had to tell my dad that I've known a few and I actually kind of like them. :)
Annie waited for me to go to Nahant Beach after work. The waves were way better than the last time I was there for the ward beach day. AND I didn't even get sunburned. I fell deeper in love with New England. I hope New England feels the same way about me. I wouldn't want our relationship to be ambiguous.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
a new superpower
It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it is street sweeping day. On this day (repeated the first Thursday of the month; can't wait for tomorrow), all the cars in already overparked Cambridge must somehow fit on one side of the street. I found one spot that would have been fine had I been a rockstar parallel parker, but after bumping both cars, being asked a few times whether I'm coming or going, and having a lady yell "it's too small!" as she drove by, I abandoned it. The spot I finally found is on Fulkerson at Thorndike (There! I've written it down. Now I can find it later), which is four blocks out of my allowed radius with the current pass I have. I'm hoping for leniency. I left my house at 8:47 am to move the car and returned at 9:23.
This anxiety and time wasting leads me to yearn for a new superpower. I've entertained the idea of being able to fly (I feel pretty experienced at this since I fly in my dreams at least weekly) as well as less predictable powers like always having the right amount of money in your pocket when you need it and always knowing exactly how others feel. Today I feel urgent about having the superpower that allows me to move cars with my eyes to minimize those agonizing wasted parking gaps--you know, when three cars take the space of five because of awkward parking choices. An alternate, and probably cooler, superpower that addresses this problem is being able to shrink stuff. I could shrink the Batmobile or someone else's vehicle and everyone would fit. But that would be both more alarming and more conspicuous. I generally try to keep my superhumanity undercover. Who doesn't?
Are these expectations unrealistic? Maybe I should just learn to parallel park.
This anxiety and time wasting leads me to yearn for a new superpower. I've entertained the idea of being able to fly (I feel pretty experienced at this since I fly in my dreams at least weekly) as well as less predictable powers like always having the right amount of money in your pocket when you need it and always knowing exactly how others feel. Today I feel urgent about having the superpower that allows me to move cars with my eyes to minimize those agonizing wasted parking gaps--you know, when three cars take the space of five because of awkward parking choices. An alternate, and probably cooler, superpower that addresses this problem is being able to shrink stuff. I could shrink the Batmobile or someone else's vehicle and everyone would fit. But that would be both more alarming and more conspicuous. I generally try to keep my superhumanity undercover. Who doesn't?
Are these expectations unrealistic? Maybe I should just learn to parallel park.
Monday, September 1, 2008
a pocketful of change
Today's project is trying to focus long enough on packing to allow me to move today/tomorrow morning. As I've gone through my room, I've found a collection of coins and memories. I need to get rid of these papers but I want to keep the words somewhere.
A letter I wrote to the Daily Universe in May 2005, which was referenced in the next week's letter from the editor (I wanted to write something positive as a nice contrast to all the angry letters):
On the first day of school this spring term, I set out for my Theories of American Politics class, resenting its early start time with every drowsy step. But along the way I noticed the grounds employees, who assuredly got there long before the 8 o'clock hour, planting the most luxuriant plot of tulips I had ever seen (and I've seen plenty of tulip plots). I didn't know purple came in so many colors.
Promise me you'll pass by the trees lining the sidewalk between the Kennedy Center and the engineering building to notice the contrast of the light green--Crayola calls it "spring green"-- against the deep magenta. Glance at the mountains on a gray day and see a million colors that you can't distinguish when the sun shines.
I may envy my friends who send me e-mails from Vienna, Tirana, Bangkok, and Campinas, but the majestic protection of the mountains and the delicate beauty of the flowers help me appreciate the cool, quiet stillness of every too-early Provo morning. I study in just about the most peaceful place in the world.
SAVANNA NILSEN
Longmont, Colo.
And here is a poemy thing that I probably wrote during summer 2006, when I went back for some more BYU after I'd finished all my requirements just because I wasn't ready to leave. Pretty sure it's about becoming ready to leave. Also pretty sure I studied a lot that summer because it's not that good, but it is sincere.
There stands a young girl
dying so sweet
as a woman steps away
from a place I once belonged.
She's losing but not lost
considering the cost
just trying to fit in
in a place I once belonged
She awkwardly resents
those who still fit there
can I be detached
from a place I once belonged?
Everything she'll want
she knows it isn't here
so I'll try to escape
a place I once belonged
It's not that easy
to find somewhere to love
a place you'll fit in
a place I once belonged
But would it be wrong
to pretend for a day
to hold on a little more
to a place that once was more than home
to a place I once belonged
A letter I wrote to the Daily Universe in May 2005, which was referenced in the next week's letter from the editor (I wanted to write something positive as a nice contrast to all the angry letters):
On the first day of school this spring term, I set out for my Theories of American Politics class, resenting its early start time with every drowsy step. But along the way I noticed the grounds employees, who assuredly got there long before the 8 o'clock hour, planting the most luxuriant plot of tulips I had ever seen (and I've seen plenty of tulip plots). I didn't know purple came in so many colors.
Promise me you'll pass by the trees lining the sidewalk between the Kennedy Center and the engineering building to notice the contrast of the light green--Crayola calls it "spring green"-- against the deep magenta. Glance at the mountains on a gray day and see a million colors that you can't distinguish when the sun shines.
I may envy my friends who send me e-mails from Vienna, Tirana, Bangkok, and Campinas, but the majestic protection of the mountains and the delicate beauty of the flowers help me appreciate the cool, quiet stillness of every too-early Provo morning. I study in just about the most peaceful place in the world.
SAVANNA NILSEN
Longmont, Colo.
And here is a poemy thing that I probably wrote during summer 2006, when I went back for some more BYU after I'd finished all my requirements just because I wasn't ready to leave. Pretty sure it's about becoming ready to leave. Also pretty sure I studied a lot that summer because it's not that good, but it is sincere.
There stands a young girl
dying so sweet
as a woman steps away
from a place I once belonged.
She's losing but not lost
considering the cost
just trying to fit in
in a place I once belonged
She awkwardly resents
those who still fit there
can I be detached
from a place I once belonged?
Everything she'll want
she knows it isn't here
so I'll try to escape
a place I once belonged
It's not that easy
to find somewhere to love
a place you'll fit in
a place I once belonged
But would it be wrong
to pretend for a day
to hold on a little more
to a place that once was more than home
to a place I once belonged
Saturday, August 30, 2008
more-than-semi-charmed kinda life: today's miracle
I have a charming life, whether considered on its own or all things considered.
Not that I should admit this, but today at "work" (I put this in quotation marks because I don't really have a job; I'm on temporary assignment at the Harvard Kennedy School Office of Career Advancement) I was feeling financially overwhelmed. Overwhelmed bordering on outwardly emotional and inwardly distraught. My first installment of rent will take all of several paychecks. I have $17 spending money I've allotted to myself until who knows when, some of which will go to a car wash. Lunch time found me hesitant to pay for the food I needed but hunger trumped my tentativeness. As I walked through a neighbor office toward the cafeteria, the office manager told me to go grab a leftover boxed lunch from some event they had. So I got a Taubman sandwich--chicken salad with grapes and brie--with pasta salad, a great cookie, and Fresca. All on the house...the house of providence!
I'm poor right now, but not in poverty. This I must remind myself on days like this.
What was YOUR miracle?
Not that I should admit this, but today at "work" (I put this in quotation marks because I don't really have a job; I'm on temporary assignment at the Harvard Kennedy School Office of Career Advancement) I was feeling financially overwhelmed. Overwhelmed bordering on outwardly emotional and inwardly distraught. My first installment of rent will take all of several paychecks. I have $17 spending money I've allotted to myself until who knows when, some of which will go to a car wash. Lunch time found me hesitant to pay for the food I needed but hunger trumped my tentativeness. As I walked through a neighbor office toward the cafeteria, the office manager told me to go grab a leftover boxed lunch from some event they had. So I got a Taubman sandwich--chicken salad with grapes and brie--with pasta salad, a great cookie, and Fresca. All on the house...the house of providence!
I'm poor right now, but not in poverty. This I must remind myself on days like this.
What was YOUR miracle?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
see you at the airport!
I don't want to write much today. I'm not bringing many things home, mostly treats. That way they won't become more stuff in the house, and food is more memorable anyway :)
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
Monday, April 21, 2008
see you at the airport!
I don't want to write much today. I'm not bringing many things home, mostly treats. That way they won't become more stuff in the house, and food is more memorable anyway :)
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie Fraser, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
We ran into this beautiful girl our age by her car who told us she's Muslim but her brother would want to talk to us, so we went and met him in the house, and he brought out this stack of books two feet high he's received from various people who have come proselyting--he has a Book of Mormon, good news Bible, a big red Bible, several other Bibles, a Bahai publication, etc. He gave each of us a Qu'ran, which I was really excited about because I've been wanting one for a few years now, and I was very inspired by his passion and reverence for his scripture. I think all missionaries should have such an experience near the start of their mission so they can incorporate such excitement into their speaking of the Book of Mormon.
Catherine told us this week she didn't want us to come anymore :( and John didn't come to church like he said, but he's still in the game.
People say that if you just say do it quickly like ripping off a band-aid, saying goodbye is easier. But this hurts a lot more than pulling off a band-aid. One less-active lady we've been visiting said she feels like she's losing a daughter, and Garren and John wanted hugs and I had to tell them no, and after my talk on Sunday Bishop Skibbe thanked me and my companions and told everyone we've been very committed sisters. (I sometimes wish I could see this myself; we often feel acutely our weaknesses and mistakes more frequently than what good we've done...) This beautiful little 3-year-old girl, daughter in a family we're teaching that is returning to church, the one who called me Mr. Mousen, glued some feathers and puffball things onto a page for me.
We've found a LOT of new investigators this week, which is what I wanted so I could leave the new sister that's coming in with lots of appointments and things to do so she'll be happy in the beginning of her mission (Sister Fangupo is training someone new). One is Anne, a lady from Vanuatu. When I saw her walking down the road I wasn't sure whether she was an Indian man, hehe, and it was tough to grab her, but we got an appointment and had a great lesson with a member on Friday night. The member was perfect--she's just what we've been hoping for. She invited Anne to church, and said she wanted her to come over for dinner, and asked if she could just stop by sometimes, and shared a very personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. Another new investigator is Daniel, son of Julie Fraser, the lady who believes Christ has visited other people around the world and who fought against our church being built here.
We're going to play roller hockey again (it was great fun... ummm... I'm not going to claim that I've discovered a hidden talent) today so it's time to go. I do want to say though my gratitude is bubbling over for this strange wonderful enchanting agonizing enabling experience I've had for the past year and a half in the Australia Melbourne (East) mission. My trainer, Sister Wang, wrote me from China last week and reminded me that I'll be connected to these people eternally. Having responsibility for their welfare has etched them into my heart... I guess I know a little what Christ meant when he said "I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands" because I can feel that too. I know a little more how it works. I feel that I know my Saviour much better, and I know how to serve Him. I have received knowledge that no man can dispute about the truths of eternity, about the way God chooses prophets and gives them authority to teach us and allow us to make covenants. The prophets God calls, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson now, hold the key of power from God. God is our Father, our Heavenly Father, and there is no selfishness in him. He wants our happiness. These holy truths comfort the soul.
I'll see you in Denver on Wednesday afternoon!
I love you.
Sister Nilsen
Monday, April 14, 2008
one last week
I just found out I'll be speaking in church, reporting on my mission, in Longmont at 9 AM on 27 April, the building at the intersection of Alpine St and 17th Avenue, on Sunlight Dr or Red Cloud Rd or wherever it is. Come and see! :) :)
Hi, I'm going to write this fast because I just found out we're going to Dandenong to go roller skating, roller hockey to be specific. Ha, I had a dream a couple of days ago that I went roller skating. I'm preparing to be embarrassed. That's not new by now.
My last zone conference was so nice. Someone from the Church missionary department visited our mission recently and saw that we need more practice crying repentance. Our zone leaders, Elder Standley and Elder Levin, did a training and I was captivated. I didn't want them to stop talking. They did a role play where Elder Levin was the investigator, a man, Catholic, devoted to his family, and Elder Standley explained that what keeps families from being together forever is sin. It was so powerful because usually missionaries sit with the investigator and explain the steps of repentance, but this time there was some actual spiritual work going on because Elder Levin, even as a posing investigator, was actually making decisions to change. It was sooooo powerful and made me want to have an intense, deeply personal lesson with the people we're teaching. I also had to do my departing testimony, which took me by surprise. I knew I would do it, but when it was time, it felt so foreign.
Later that day we ran into a Swedish-Australian girl and I was looking forward to hearing a good Swedish name (because I feel part Swedish), but she said her name is really personal to her and she wouldn't tell us. Just after that we met Kim, an Aussie with an American accent, a mother with two small boys who's going through a divorce. Her husband moved in with someone else... she said she's at a time in her life when she'd be receptive to the message, so we're excited to get to know her.
We didn't get to teach John this week because his wife didn't want us to when her dad was staying with them. Arrrgh.
General Conference. I hope I will always remember standing with the Australian saints to sustain President Monson and the other General Authorities. Elder Holland fulfills my ultimate image of what a prophet is, and it was so nice to see Elder Bednar speak after meeting him last month and knowing him a little more personally. He repeated teachings I'd thought he'd told only to us. :) . General Conference always refreshes my spirit. I wish it happened every three months. Nikki, Nakia, and Hailey came to the Sunday afternoon session. We didn't think we'd had any investigators attend, which was really disappointing since there were 4 sessions we could have had people at, but as we walked out, a cheerful little blonde person with two long braids had her little arms around me. It was such a happy moment.
So, that's it for now. I will probably write again next Monday for my last time.
See you next week!
Sister Nilsen
Hi, I'm going to write this fast because I just found out we're going to Dandenong to go roller skating, roller hockey to be specific. Ha, I had a dream a couple of days ago that I went roller skating. I'm preparing to be embarrassed. That's not new by now.
My last zone conference was so nice. Someone from the Church missionary department visited our mission recently and saw that we need more practice crying repentance. Our zone leaders, Elder Standley and Elder Levin, did a training and I was captivated. I didn't want them to stop talking. They did a role play where Elder Levin was the investigator, a man, Catholic, devoted to his family, and Elder Standley explained that what keeps families from being together forever is sin. It was so powerful because usually missionaries sit with the investigator and explain the steps of repentance, but this time there was some actual spiritual work going on because Elder Levin, even as a posing investigator, was actually making decisions to change. It was sooooo powerful and made me want to have an intense, deeply personal lesson with the people we're teaching. I also had to do my departing testimony, which took me by surprise. I knew I would do it, but when it was time, it felt so foreign.
Later that day we ran into a Swedish-Australian girl and I was looking forward to hearing a good Swedish name (because I feel part Swedish), but she said her name is really personal to her and she wouldn't tell us. Just after that we met Kim, an Aussie with an American accent, a mother with two small boys who's going through a divorce. Her husband moved in with someone else... she said she's at a time in her life when she'd be receptive to the message, so we're excited to get to know her.
We didn't get to teach John this week because his wife didn't want us to when her dad was staying with them. Arrrgh.
General Conference. I hope I will always remember standing with the Australian saints to sustain President Monson and the other General Authorities. Elder Holland fulfills my ultimate image of what a prophet is, and it was so nice to see Elder Bednar speak after meeting him last month and knowing him a little more personally. He repeated teachings I'd thought he'd told only to us. :) . General Conference always refreshes my spirit. I wish it happened every three months. Nikki, Nakia, and Hailey came to the Sunday afternoon session. We didn't think we'd had any investigators attend, which was really disappointing since there were 4 sessions we could have had people at, but as we walked out, a cheerful little blonde person with two long braids had her little arms around me. It was such a happy moment.
So, that's it for now. I will probably write again next Monday for my last time.
See you next week!
Sister Nilsen
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
sometimes the ups outnumber the downs
On a mission you don't have time to breathe, by the way.
I appreciate so much the responses I get to what I write. My emails are so personal and often revealing and sometimes I feel hesitant to share things that may not mean as much to someone else as they do to me. So thanks.
Let's just walk through the week.
Thursday we watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD with Catherine--from Chile but verrrrry Australianised--and her four children. Children are so lovely and trusting. I think I'll need to watch that DVD every week for the next 40 years. It's so comforting.
If all Church members were like Dieter Lawrenz, an old German convert in the ward, every member and most nonmembers would be looked after. He came with us to visit Steve Farrell, the recovering alcoholic who lives in a shed in someone's backyard and plays the limbo song, who wasn't up to a lesson, and who hadn't read his chapters. But that didn't deter Dieter; he proclaimed we must keep working with him and he is a child of God with a few problems. It was such a relief... sometimes I get protective of my investigators because of some peoples' reactions to them, but I don't need to worry about that with Brother Lawrenz!
Thursday we were meant to have dinner with an American couple who moved to Australia soon after their marriage 50 years ago. She's a member; he's not. She wasn't feeling well so he wanted to meet us at Hungry Jack's (this means Burger King). He'd made it clear that he didn't require a lesson at every visit so we just sat and talked to him about his life and experience as a peacetime naval radio operator, and I tried to remember anything about the battle of Coral Sea that I did a paper on a few year ago so we'd have more to talk about. On Saturday we learned from Joy, the wife, that he'd had a great time--he's terrified of missionaries, and this visit helped soothe his fears.
Did I mention that I saw some camels in a field, as well as my first wild kangaroo, a couple of weeks ago? Oh, and we met a less-active member with some Scottish deerhounds, these beautiful, gentle, mystical-looking dogs. Their uncle was in the latest Harry Potter movie. I don't know what's wrong with me. I used to not like dogs at all but now I would kind of like one. The only problem is all the breeds I like happen to be Australian rancher herding dogs and they would be bored in suburbia. (I don't blame them.) Anyway.
Funny quote of the week: "I thought Canada was like on top of Russia." --a teenage less-active girl after I drew her a map of the US to show her where I live :)
We taught John Romero on Friday night, FINALLY, and brought up some questions of the soul--does God answer prayers? What does God expect of us? and tried to help him recognise the answers he's already received, and invited him, again, to be baptised, to take a leap of faith like in Indiana Jones when Indie thinks he's going to fall into that crevasse but the pathway is there. We think he'll have stronger spiritual experiences and really feel his answer once he makes a decision and takes a step toward it. John said "no, not yet," and assured us he'd be at church but he WASN'T. Sunday was a hard day. We'll get to that.
On Saturday the ward had an activity for the whole family called "afternoon tea with a bushranger" about family history with ancestors' food and costume, and it was a little disappointing because 1) not many members came 2) the Steele family didn't come, but Russ came (that American man discussed earlier) and we felt like we were there for him. We ate Joy's amazing peanut butter brown sugar fudge. We watched a video presentation about the new familysearch.org and I am feeling SO inspired and excited about family history...haha. Really though, the new system is powerful and I'm beginning to understand what that guy meant a couple months ago who said "Mormons are the most powerful people in the world... because of their family history database. Knowledge is power." I laughed a little but now I think so too. I think it would be a cool profession to specialise in a certain type of family history, like Scandanavian or African-American. Detective work + travel + making people happy. Sounds nice, but I don't know if I could do it.
We saw Jay Pilai and his wife on Saturday evening. Usually our visits are pretty dramatic and frustrating, with him asking us seemingly innocent questions but then citing scripture theatrically to illustrate our error. This visit was nice though, and I have a new strategy to avoid conflict: "oh, good question, you should look for the answer in the Bible." Last night he asked some questions, and listened, and found that he is theatrical in other ways, like in imitating a black preacher he once saw. Anyway, we hope he comes to Conference this weekend. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
So, Sunday was hard. It was April 6 and fast Sunday and we were expecting big things, but then George Steele, father of our dream family, called to cancel our appointment for that day and future visits, and we felt so devastated. They might still come to conference though and want to see the chapel. Huge disappointment. Then throughout the day we ran into people and had unpleasant experiences, like this lady explaining what she believes about reincarnation then suddenly going into a storm: "why are you looking at me like that? that's really annoying!" and stomped off. I felt so bad because I was just trying to listen to her. John didn't come to church. Then for the beginning of the testimony part Bishop spoke and I noticed tears coming out of MY eyes unexpectedly, and they didn't stop, and Sister Carabajal hugged me and gave me a tissue, and made it worse. I didn't expect to get so emotional for my second-to-last sacrament meeting. Then we didn't have an invite for dinner. Again. :)
Monday was GREAT though. We took the Pereira girls with us to an appointment with Kodge, and we had so much fun. We went to contact a different new investigator, but she wasn't there, but this intelligent funny vibrant 22-year-old Philipina was there and invited herself to be taught.
gotta go!
Savanna
I appreciate so much the responses I get to what I write. My emails are so personal and often revealing and sometimes I feel hesitant to share things that may not mean as much to someone else as they do to me. So thanks.
Let's just walk through the week.
Thursday we watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD with Catherine--from Chile but verrrrry Australianised--and her four children. Children are so lovely and trusting. I think I'll need to watch that DVD every week for the next 40 years. It's so comforting.
If all Church members were like Dieter Lawrenz, an old German convert in the ward, every member and most nonmembers would be looked after. He came with us to visit Steve Farrell, the recovering alcoholic who lives in a shed in someone's backyard and plays the limbo song, who wasn't up to a lesson, and who hadn't read his chapters. But that didn't deter Dieter; he proclaimed we must keep working with him and he is a child of God with a few problems. It was such a relief... sometimes I get protective of my investigators because of some peoples' reactions to them, but I don't need to worry about that with Brother Lawrenz!
Thursday we were meant to have dinner with an American couple who moved to Australia soon after their marriage 50 years ago. She's a member; he's not. She wasn't feeling well so he wanted to meet us at Hungry Jack's (this means Burger King). He'd made it clear that he didn't require a lesson at every visit so we just sat and talked to him about his life and experience as a peacetime naval radio operator, and I tried to remember anything about the battle of Coral Sea that I did a paper on a few year ago so we'd have more to talk about. On Saturday we learned from Joy, the wife, that he'd had a great time--he's terrified of missionaries, and this visit helped soothe his fears.
Did I mention that I saw some camels in a field, as well as my first wild kangaroo, a couple of weeks ago? Oh, and we met a less-active member with some Scottish deerhounds, these beautiful, gentle, mystical-looking dogs. Their uncle was in the latest Harry Potter movie. I don't know what's wrong with me. I used to not like dogs at all but now I would kind of like one. The only problem is all the breeds I like happen to be Australian rancher herding dogs and they would be bored in suburbia. (I don't blame them.) Anyway.
Funny quote of the week: "I thought Canada was like on top of Russia." --a teenage less-active girl after I drew her a map of the US to show her where I live :)
We taught John Romero on Friday night, FINALLY, and brought up some questions of the soul--does God answer prayers? What does God expect of us? and tried to help him recognise the answers he's already received, and invited him, again, to be baptised, to take a leap of faith like in Indiana Jones when Indie thinks he's going to fall into that crevasse but the pathway is there. We think he'll have stronger spiritual experiences and really feel his answer once he makes a decision and takes a step toward it. John said "no, not yet," and assured us he'd be at church but he WASN'T. Sunday was a hard day. We'll get to that.
On Saturday the ward had an activity for the whole family called "afternoon tea with a bushranger" about family history with ancestors' food and costume, and it was a little disappointing because 1) not many members came 2) the Steele family didn't come, but Russ came (that American man discussed earlier) and we felt like we were there for him. We ate Joy's amazing peanut butter brown sugar fudge. We watched a video presentation about the new familysearch.org and I am feeling SO inspired and excited about family history...haha. Really though, the new system is powerful and I'm beginning to understand what that guy meant a couple months ago who said "Mormons are the most powerful people in the world... because of their family history database. Knowledge is power." I laughed a little but now I think so too. I think it would be a cool profession to specialise in a certain type of family history, like Scandanavian or African-American. Detective work + travel + making people happy. Sounds nice, but I don't know if I could do it.
We saw Jay Pilai and his wife on Saturday evening. Usually our visits are pretty dramatic and frustrating, with him asking us seemingly innocent questions but then citing scripture theatrically to illustrate our error. This visit was nice though, and I have a new strategy to avoid conflict: "oh, good question, you should look for the answer in the Bible." Last night he asked some questions, and listened, and found that he is theatrical in other ways, like in imitating a black preacher he once saw. Anyway, we hope he comes to Conference this weekend. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!
So, Sunday was hard. It was April 6 and fast Sunday and we were expecting big things, but then George Steele, father of our dream family, called to cancel our appointment for that day and future visits, and we felt so devastated. They might still come to conference though and want to see the chapel. Huge disappointment. Then throughout the day we ran into people and had unpleasant experiences, like this lady explaining what she believes about reincarnation then suddenly going into a storm: "why are you looking at me like that? that's really annoying!" and stomped off. I felt so bad because I was just trying to listen to her. John didn't come to church. Then for the beginning of the testimony part Bishop spoke and I noticed tears coming out of MY eyes unexpectedly, and they didn't stop, and Sister Carabajal hugged me and gave me a tissue, and made it worse. I didn't expect to get so emotional for my second-to-last sacrament meeting. Then we didn't have an invite for dinner. Again. :)
Monday was GREAT though. We took the Pereira girls with us to an appointment with Kodge, and we had so much fun. We went to contact a different new investigator, but she wasn't there, but this intelligent funny vibrant 22-year-old Philipina was there and invited herself to be taught.
gotta go!
Savanna
Thursday, April 3, 2008
there's a storm a-brewin
The weather is so weird today. So windy. We've seen tree branches everywhere on the road. The power went out in Moorabbin and this factory outlet I've been planning to go to there for months, and finally got permission to go there, was closed and a bunch of unhappy women were sitting in the chairs just inside the entry. :)
Today we and the Dandenong sisters, Sister Wakeley my old companion and Sister Melendez from the Phillipines went to have lunch with Richard and Jackie and say "see ya sometime" to them. It was so sad. I was doing fine but then Jackie had to go and he asked me for a hug and I couldn't give him one and then I realised that saying goodbye to everyone and this mission and this land is going to be really difficult. I hope to see them again in China or in America someday soon-ish. They make the best food, by the way. Wow.
We found this wonderful family--I think I may have written about them last week. The Steele family. The father, George, requested a Lamb of God DVD for his children and we had a great conversation with them. They have this amazing, beautiful 9-year-old daughter Stephanie. She's just enchanting. We brought over a children's Book of Mormon stories and she read aloud to us the first chapter, the story of Joseph Smith and how we got the Book of Mormon. I asked her to tell the story to us in her own words and she gave this beautiful, detailed recitation of the whole thing. Her father was astonished. I then asked her how she felt while she was telling me the story and she said simply "I feel that it is true." How powerful is that, for a father who's just being introduced to these ideas to see his daughter do that.
There's this less-active family here who once were very strong members but some tragic things happened to them and they didn't do very well in coping with it all and they feel unwanted and jaded... they have three children who haven't been baptised yet. We were assigned by the ward leadership to visit her and just help her find strength, so we gave her a project, to read 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon we selected for her and then write a one-page summary on the Atonement. I wish I could express how I feel toward her, but I can't. I just want for her to find the healing she's looking for. Our next project for her is going to be to make a scrapbook page of her testimony, because she's a super-scrapbooker and we think that would be the most personalised way for her to review who she is and what means the most to her.
John Romero came to church on Sunday with his son Adrian, so things are looking up for them again. We went and saw Steve on Tuesday and gave him a Book of Mormon (Steve is the alcoholic man who lives in a shed in a guy's backyard) and he is so cool. He's like "Maaaaaaate, you can't go! You have to stay in Australia." I'm glad at least someone wants me to stay.
Yesterday we were walking around in Pakenham and ran into this lady. She's between 18 and 27. Vague, I know. Rachel. She was wearing a purple beanie and purple pants. It was a pretty cool day. She'd heard about our church and our book from her church. It was evident that she was very nervous to be talking to us because her voice was just shaking, but she was doing well at still being confident. It was also evident that she thought we were very mistaken and very misled, because she asked to pray for us. Just before she did, I shared with her my personal experience of seeing one of the original copies of the Book of Mormon and how I knew so deeply that it was true, and there is only goodness in its pages. (this was strategic) She prayed right there with us, and it was actually quite sweet. She felt responsibility for us as we did for her. The whole conversation I had a prayer in my heart that she would feel our love for her and that she wouldn't feel the need to be so nervous. After her prayer she said, I asked if I could give her a hug, and I did and Sister Fangupo did. Rachel took a Book of Mormon and walked away. Sister Fangupo told me she'd had the same idea, to give her a hug, so I know it was inspired. I just wanted her to feel loved, and not intimidated, and that she didn't have to be scared. It is a strange story to relate, but it was a powerful experience for me. I can't believe still that I can have feelings of love for people whom I don't even know, or even for people who are rude to me, or for people that mock us. It's hard sometimes but sometimes it works.
Another small victory yesterday: we ran into this proclaimed atheist, and I perceived throughout our conversation, which was mostly him acting as if we are fools for believing something we can't see, that he really wanted to believe in God but just couldn't find it within himself to believe. He did finally listen to one of my explanations: you are a physical person, and you are a spiritual person. You need physical evidence to learn physical things. You learn by sight, touch, hearing, by reading, by someone else who knows. You learn spiritual information only in spiritual ways. It was another conversation that would have been very difficult without the gift of charity which I know didn't come from me, but which was actually rewarding and easy when accompanied by concern for his welfare and peace.
It's time to go.
thanks for reading.
I look forward to seeing you!!!!!
Love
Sister Savanna
Today we and the Dandenong sisters, Sister Wakeley my old companion and Sister Melendez from the Phillipines went to have lunch with Richard and Jackie and say "see ya sometime" to them. It was so sad. I was doing fine but then Jackie had to go and he asked me for a hug and I couldn't give him one and then I realised that saying goodbye to everyone and this mission and this land is going to be really difficult. I hope to see them again in China or in America someday soon-ish. They make the best food, by the way. Wow.
We found this wonderful family--I think I may have written about them last week. The Steele family. The father, George, requested a Lamb of God DVD for his children and we had a great conversation with them. They have this amazing, beautiful 9-year-old daughter Stephanie. She's just enchanting. We brought over a children's Book of Mormon stories and she read aloud to us the first chapter, the story of Joseph Smith and how we got the Book of Mormon. I asked her to tell the story to us in her own words and she gave this beautiful, detailed recitation of the whole thing. Her father was astonished. I then asked her how she felt while she was telling me the story and she said simply "I feel that it is true." How powerful is that, for a father who's just being introduced to these ideas to see his daughter do that.
There's this less-active family here who once were very strong members but some tragic things happened to them and they didn't do very well in coping with it all and they feel unwanted and jaded... they have three children who haven't been baptised yet. We were assigned by the ward leadership to visit her and just help her find strength, so we gave her a project, to read 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon we selected for her and then write a one-page summary on the Atonement. I wish I could express how I feel toward her, but I can't. I just want for her to find the healing she's looking for. Our next project for her is going to be to make a scrapbook page of her testimony, because she's a super-scrapbooker and we think that would be the most personalised way for her to review who she is and what means the most to her.
John Romero came to church on Sunday with his son Adrian, so things are looking up for them again. We went and saw Steve on Tuesday and gave him a Book of Mormon (Steve is the alcoholic man who lives in a shed in a guy's backyard) and he is so cool. He's like "Maaaaaaate, you can't go! You have to stay in Australia." I'm glad at least someone wants me to stay.
Yesterday we were walking around in Pakenham and ran into this lady. She's between 18 and 27. Vague, I know. Rachel. She was wearing a purple beanie and purple pants. It was a pretty cool day. She'd heard about our church and our book from her church. It was evident that she was very nervous to be talking to us because her voice was just shaking, but she was doing well at still being confident. It was also evident that she thought we were very mistaken and very misled, because she asked to pray for us. Just before she did, I shared with her my personal experience of seeing one of the original copies of the Book of Mormon and how I knew so deeply that it was true, and there is only goodness in its pages. (this was strategic) She prayed right there with us, and it was actually quite sweet. She felt responsibility for us as we did for her. The whole conversation I had a prayer in my heart that she would feel our love for her and that she wouldn't feel the need to be so nervous. After her prayer she said, I asked if I could give her a hug, and I did and Sister Fangupo did. Rachel took a Book of Mormon and walked away. Sister Fangupo told me she'd had the same idea, to give her a hug, so I know it was inspired. I just wanted her to feel loved, and not intimidated, and that she didn't have to be scared. It is a strange story to relate, but it was a powerful experience for me. I can't believe still that I can have feelings of love for people whom I don't even know, or even for people who are rude to me, or for people that mock us. It's hard sometimes but sometimes it works.
Another small victory yesterday: we ran into this proclaimed atheist, and I perceived throughout our conversation, which was mostly him acting as if we are fools for believing something we can't see, that he really wanted to believe in God but just couldn't find it within himself to believe. He did finally listen to one of my explanations: you are a physical person, and you are a spiritual person. You need physical evidence to learn physical things. You learn by sight, touch, hearing, by reading, by someone else who knows. You learn spiritual information only in spiritual ways. It was another conversation that would have been very difficult without the gift of charity which I know didn't come from me, but which was actually rewarding and easy when accompanied by concern for his welfare and peace.
It's time to go.
thanks for reading.
I look forward to seeing you!!!!!
Love
Sister Savanna
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
this week
Maybe if I just write about yesterday it will be a good enough email.
After district meeting, Sister Fangupo and I took the train out to Pakenham and had a strange, fun day. Just outside the station, we met a guy who was drinking in a park pondering on his life and had a nice talk with him and promised him that if he kept the commitments we'd ask him to make, he would be able to overcome his problems and be a better father and give up alcohol...he said he'd be willing to do anything for his kids because he loves them so much. We contacted a former investigator who wasn't interested and asked for referrals. He said "Steve wouldn't be interested. He's an alcoholic. He's hard to talk to" We said "who's Steve?!?!?!" and went to meet him--he was living in a shed in Lawrence's backyard. He was actually really nice and wanted us to come back later. As we left his house, we heard Steve playing the limbo song. So hilarious.
Then we saw another former investigator who said he receives communcation from the holy spirit and records it on a tape and that he knows where God lives.
We went to visit a former member that President Lindley had met and asked us to visit. He has concerns about the origin of the Book of Mormon. It was very strange. He got angry and offended about our mission rule that we couldn't come in with just us two, and then the conversation was a little normal and he asked us to send some elders, who could come in. I was addressing his concern about who wrote the Book of Mormon, and I said something that I never would have expected would offend anyone: "no one has ever proven the Book of Mormon is false," trying to say that you can't prove its authenticity in any way other than reading it and praying about it, but I didn't get to that because he got angry and said "no one has ever proven it is true either! Don't ever come back!" Strange.
We went to the train station to catch the 8:13 train and got the 8:11 instead... after a few minutes, we looked around. "This train is really nice... it's going pretty fast... is it an express? it's not stopping at any stations... there goes the Berwick station... there goes our car... there goes the Narre Warren station..." ha, it was a train into the city, and we're defintely not allowed there because it's out of our boundaries. The train stopped in Dandenong and we got a late walk around downtown. So funny.
I have about a minute left.
Cameron dropped us.
We've been doing a LOT of finding lately, and have gotten several new investigators. I realised yesterday that sometimes Heavenly Father sends missionaries to people who just need love, even if they aren't ready for the gospel. He cares even if we have a hard day.
BYE
Sister Nilsen
After district meeting, Sister Fangupo and I took the train out to Pakenham and had a strange, fun day. Just outside the station, we met a guy who was drinking in a park pondering on his life and had a nice talk with him and promised him that if he kept the commitments we'd ask him to make, he would be able to overcome his problems and be a better father and give up alcohol...he said he'd be willing to do anything for his kids because he loves them so much. We contacted a former investigator who wasn't interested and asked for referrals. He said "Steve wouldn't be interested. He's an alcoholic. He's hard to talk to" We said "who's Steve?!?!?!" and went to meet him--he was living in a shed in Lawrence's backyard. He was actually really nice and wanted us to come back later. As we left his house, we heard Steve playing the limbo song. So hilarious.
Then we saw another former investigator who said he receives communcation from the holy spirit and records it on a tape and that he knows where God lives.
We went to visit a former member that President Lindley had met and asked us to visit. He has concerns about the origin of the Book of Mormon. It was very strange. He got angry and offended about our mission rule that we couldn't come in with just us two, and then the conversation was a little normal and he asked us to send some elders, who could come in. I was addressing his concern about who wrote the Book of Mormon, and I said something that I never would have expected would offend anyone: "no one has ever proven the Book of Mormon is false," trying to say that you can't prove its authenticity in any way other than reading it and praying about it, but I didn't get to that because he got angry and said "no one has ever proven it is true either! Don't ever come back!" Strange.
We went to the train station to catch the 8:13 train and got the 8:11 instead... after a few minutes, we looked around. "This train is really nice... it's going pretty fast... is it an express? it's not stopping at any stations... there goes the Berwick station... there goes our car... there goes the Narre Warren station..." ha, it was a train into the city, and we're defintely not allowed there because it's out of our boundaries. The train stopped in Dandenong and we got a late walk around downtown. So funny.
I have about a minute left.
Cameron dropped us.
We've been doing a LOT of finding lately, and have gotten several new investigators. I realised yesterday that sometimes Heavenly Father sends missionaries to people who just need love, even if they aren't ready for the gospel. He cares even if we have a hard day.
BYE
Sister Nilsen
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