Last Letter!

July 25, 2016

Wow the last letter. Time flies when you are serving the Lord and I am so happy to serve him. These two years have been the best and I have learned so much during this time. I know that there are going to be so many trials that are going to come but now I just have a lot more security that I will be living with my Father in Heaven if I am faithful. I have learned so much about his plan and a lot about how the gospel can change lives. Well really I just want to end with my testimony saying that I know that this is the true church and I know that I am called of God. I know that my Father in Heaven lives and his son lives. I know that they love me and I love them so much. There are so many things that happen in our lives, the good and the bad but if we look to God with faith and confidence we will be able to overcome every challenge that comes our way. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He was called in that time to restore the gospel here on earth. I am so happy that he could do that and I am so happy that he could translate the Book of Mormon. I love that book and I know that it is the word of God. There are so many things that we can learn everyday and I want to strive forward and learn every day. I also know that even though life isn't easy, we just need to put a smile on our face and have a good attitude. If we do that we will be able to have happiness in our lives. There are so many things that come to my mind right now but it will be amazing to tell you guys these things next week. But I love you all and thank you all for all the support that you have given me in these two years. But I will talk to you guys next week and I love the heck out of all of you. haha

Elder Nieman

July 11, 2016

Wow this week was really good. I absoulutly am super stoked for these next couple weeks. We are going to work so hard to help people come to Christ and I just love the mission. It is funny because everyone says that I am dead but really I dont feel dead. hahahhaha but it is great. Well this week was super great because we got to find a lot of new people to teach. In this week we were able to teach a mom and her daughter in the chapel and it was one of the most amazing experiences that I have had. haha it was great because we started to talk a little bit and we started to get to know them. Well we decided to say a prayer and during the prayer I had a prompting to invite them to be baptized. It was really funny because I was like, i hardly even know them and I dont know how they are going to react. haha but when we finally said amen. I started off immediately saying will you guys follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone that has the authority to do so. hahaha wow I have never said that in english before. But wow it was amazing because they just looked at us and started to say yes we would love to do that because we love our saviour. Wow that was so awesome and I am happy that we were able to listen to the spirit and invite them to be baptized. We are planning on putting a date with them in august because we can only teach them one time each week. But that is ok because I just feel happy that they have the desire to follow their saviour. it was amazing and also we were able to go to the temple with Ricardo and Angela to do baptism for the dead. It was great but also kind of sad because the names that she carried didnt have the code so she wasnt able to baptisms. But she was able to do baptisms for other people and it was super great. We were able to be the witnesses and it was an amazing moment. I love my mission because the temple is in our mission. That gives me a chance to go a lot and also learn a lot. It is super great and they were so happy to do baptisms. But wow this week has been super great and really the weeks are going by so fast. haha but I hope you guys have a good week and I will talk to you next week. ohhh and interviews next week with president. the second to last interview. wow how crazy is that. ok love you all
Elder Nieman

Elder Enamorado which means Elder in Love haha!

July 4, 2016

Hi son! Happy 4th of July!!!

ha happy 4th of july how is it going.

It's a pretty average day...Dad is putting some curbing in the back yard. I painted the front door too! Haha! Not much excitement yet. Later Kaylee and the boys will be coming for a barbecue. Joni and Hayden will be doing horse pulls so we probably won't see them all day. We'll go watch Hayden do his thing tonight though :)

oh wow sounds like a bunch of fun. That is super cool. Hey the commission of a missionary is cool. I have it memorized in spanish. I love it and we always say it here in this mission. But wow it sounds like everything is going well

That is so awesome! I saw it and I thought it was so impressive! I didn't know it is actually a statement that missionaries say though. Cool! So do you think you'll be able to get your temple recommend renewed in the next couple of weeks?

Yeah I will be able to do it when I have interviews with president Boswell. It will be super great. also I will ask him how you guys are going to get to where I am. I was thinking that you guys could go to the temple. Maybe I dont know. but wow time is getting closer and closer

That will be amazing to go through the Lima temple with you :) Is the temple close to the mission home? We should be able to get where we need to go in our broken Spanish haahaha! We want to be extremely flexible so that you can do the things they have planned for your last day.

hahah but I think I might try to come get you guys or something. We will see. but the temple is really close to the mission home. So that should be great. But dont worry about anything. I will try to help you guys a lot. haaha have you guys been studying spanish lately

The first few hours in Lima will be an adventure! But as soon as we get with you we will feel more at ease! Dad says that we've been going to Taco Time a lot so our Spanish should be golden ahahahahaha! Honestly, we don't know any more Spanish than when you left...we're slackers! But hey, we have Google Translate so we're good :)

ok yeah just I want you guys to know the prices that are fair. hahaha because they might say something crazy like 100 dolars. haha but just ask for soles nothing more. But still I am going to try to pick you guys up. haha

I've been reading a lot about what fair prices are for taxis and so I have an idea of what to expect. It would be so cool to have you come get us but we just don't want to interfere with your last day :/ We want that day to be a special one for you and we get to have you forever on xoxoxoxo

haha yeah ok but I will think about it still. hahaha but it will be great and you guys wont interfere with my day. It will be good because we could probably visit some people in that time with you guys. haha but everything is going to be great and the members here have been showing me so many things about machu pichu and things like that. hahaha but it will be awesome.

That sounds like a wonderful plan! Would we need to be dressed up a bit or will our travel clothes be okay? You'll be able to give us some good hints for Machu Picchu. Everyone I talk to about going to MP has said that it is absolutely amazing and breath taking! Or they say it's on their bucket list. Do a lot of people from Lima go there?

Well when we go to machu picchu we will probably be in normal cloths but when we are in lima I am going to have my shirt and tie. You guys can decide or not but I will be wearing my shirt and tie and my plaque. I am going to miss my plaque. haha but yeah there are a bunch that go there and always tell me cool stuff that's there.

okay that sounds good...we might be looking pretty ragged because we'll be coming off a flight that is pretty darn long ahahah! and an all nighter! Has anyone talked to you about getting altitude sickness? I don't think Dad and I will have much trouble with that because we're coming from 4500 ft but I worry a little about you because you've been at sea level for the past two years. You should ask some people about that

Yeah I actually heard that I am going to get sick but I can take pills or something like that. You will have to figure that out with mcklaynes family. hey when does he end his mission. Also it is ok if you guys want to sleep that day. hahaha but I will probably visit some people that day maybe.

That's a good idea. We'll ask them when they get back and we'll have you all taken care of. You're probably young enough that it won't affect you but we're old geezers so it might be us! hahaha! I'm quite sure that there will be no sleeping on the day that I see my son again!!! We'll just kick in the after burners and pull a 48 hour stretch

hahaha but wow I still have a bunch of time left. exactly 28 days left or something like that. haha it is hard not to think about it because it is just wierd. I still am working hard but i just got to fight it out to the end. haha this week I gave my testimony in front of everyone at a multizone conference and it just hit me that these two years have changed a lot of what I think and do. I didnt cry but I could feel the spirit really strong. It was great and these next weeks are going to fly by. haha but probably you guys and I are not going to sleep when we see each other. haha I heard it was awkward when a missionary sees their parents but we will see how it goes. hahahah

I can tell from your letters that you are really focusing on the work. You will be so happy that you did! Endure to the End son and you will have no regrets. But it is totally expected that you are looking forward and understanding that your mission is almost done. I think it's good to make that gradual transition ;) Joshi....no way will it be awkward! (Dad says for mom it won't be but it might be for you) So we'll see! All I know is it won't take long at all for everyone! I'm sure using a lot of exclamation points....I'm kinda EXCITED!!!

hahahah yeah but mom you have got to sleep. hahaha but I am excited too but we will see how it goes. haha but hey just thinking about it, all this time I forgot to write a letter. I am so sorry. I dont think I have time to write a letter. hahah sorry. ohhh and cool scripture in 1 nefi 13:37. love it about enduring to the end. but yeah

I will try and keep calm...I did get a pretty good night sleep last night haha! Dad just told me that he told you I can't sleep because of my excitement...he snitched on me!

hahahaha yeah but just sleep because you need to sleep. hahahaha but yeah sorry I only have like 3 letters left so I will try hard in these next weeks. hahaha but hey is there anything new something crazy that happend

Dad says that he wrote you about the cougar that stocked him on the mountain. He's thinking it might have been a coyote instead. He thinks he needs a hand gun to hike with...not going to happen while I'm his wife! I suggested pepper spray. That should do the trick! We really can't think of anything that has happened that's too crazy. The craziest thing that's happening in the US is that we might have Donald Trump as a president...that would be kind of scary but the other option is Hillary Clinton so I think we're all doomed! Just kidding...but kinda

oh really. oh no but are they just going to run us into the ground. I hope not, i still want to live. ha but yeah dont buy guns dad. they are dangerous. Ohhh I cant wait to tell you all about the things that have happend. the good things and the bad things. hahhaaha but it sounds like the sisters are doing good.

I'm glad you're on board with the no guns thing! Dad sometimes gets silly thoughts in his head hahah! Yeah I'm sure you have some amazing stories to tell us. We will be busy with the sight seeing while we're there in Peru with you but I really think we'll have a lot of time to hear about your experiences. Do you think we should bring the laptop so you can show us some of your pictures because I'm sure you have many more on your SD cards. Does your camera still work?

Yeah it still works but it is your decision. it would be good if you brought something to show you my pictures. But also I think more in Lima we will be walking with out camaras and stuff like that but in cusco everything will be good. haha just a suggestion.

Okay. I think we'll bring it and then in the evenings you can show us and talk about your mission.

oh yes and before I go, I am so sorry for not writing a letter, it was weird because I got a bunch of letters this week. hahah but I love you mom and dad and hope you have a good week. Also say hi to everyone and tell everyone to be safe and get better from sicknesses. haha love you

Love you son! Talk to you next week xoxoxoxx

June 27, 2016

Well this week was absoulutly wonderful and I just love how the ward is improving little by little. I feel really good in this area and I feel like we are helping so many people. Well this week we were able to rescue two less actives and it was super great because they just seem like a couple super strong in the church. Their names are Ricardo and Angela. They are super awesome and they have been through so much in these last couple of weeks. They have so many plans and I just love that they are willing to do what ever it takes to have an eternal family. I love teaching them too because they have a lot of crazy questions. But wow I have realized that I have really grown in this time knowing the scriptures. I love the scriptures and there are so many blessings that i can get from them. I love them but wow Ricardo and Angela are really pumped to prepare to be sealed in the temple. I am pretty sure they could get sealed in these next months. But wow it just makes me so happy to see happiness in others. It motivates me to be better and to accomplish the things that I need to do. Well that was something really great that happend this week. Also wow when these members know that a missionary is ending his mission, they sure know how to rub it in. hahahhaha It is so funny sometimes because they just love to joke around and have fun. haha but we were in a family home evening last night and we started to teach and I dont know why but I just wanted to share my testimony in that moment. So I said it and everyone was like ohh Elder Nieman you havent finished yet. hahahahaha it was funny but I just love the work and we are finding new people to teach and we are going to be working super hard in these next weeks. Wow I have got to go hard in these last couple weeks. I can see so many things happening in these next couple weeks. I am just going to try my hardest and work my butt off. Ohhh and it is my companions birthday today and we are going to eat a lot of cake. haha also something happend this week that is going to change my life in these next couple weeks the heater to the shower broke and now I dont have hot water. noooooooooooooooo hahaha it kind of hurts to shower, haha but it is super cold here in Lima. The humidity is super crazy and I am freezing here. brrrrrrr. ha I always put on my poncho when we study in the morning and hey that thing is really warm. That was a great purchase. hahaha but wow that is all that happend this week and wow I am so happy for Joni and Hayden with their new baby boy. Now you just got to name your baby Joshua because that is one of the best names. Or you could name him Robert or Bob. Either one is good with me. haha but wow I am excited to see you guys soon but wow I still have a bunch of time left but I love you all and I will talk to you guys next week.
Elder Nieman

June 20, 2016

Well just to start off, I am staying in Los Sauces and this is going to be my last area. Elder Martin is so ready to kill me. hahaha but it is going to be the best and this transfer we are looking to improve a lot of things in the ward and to help this people come to Christ. It is so amazing how every transfer has been inspired by God and I just feel really grateful to stay in this area. We are going to explode. Wooooo There are some problems but I just love the challenge. It makes me improve so much in so many things and I am just pumped to finish my mission here. Super crazy. Wow but everything is pretty swell and I had a training this week. The training was helping us be more auto sufficient or self reliant. hahaha but it was really weird because we had to start to plan for a job, our studies and how we are going to find our wife. hahahaha ooooohhhh it was so weird. I am still in the mission but it made me think a lot in many things but I just loved it because the guy that taught the class was super cool. When he was talking he reminded me of Elder Bednar. He was just really humble and sincere. He really helped us out and answered so many questions. But that training was like all day and it was so much fun and gave me a good thought of how things are going to be when I get home. haha Super crazy but that is something that happend this week that has been on my mind. haha but it was great to see all my district there from the MTC. I took a picture and I just started to look at that picture and the other picture in the MTC. and wow we have changed a bunch. haha I have no idea how but it was fun to see the difference. Well we talked a bunch about our missions and it was so cool to tell stories of what has happend in the two years because some of them I havent talked to in my whole mission but was great to talk a bit. In the training there was a quote that I really liked and it goes something like this, When we put God first, all things fall into place and also fall out of place. or something like that. haha It made me think a lot that it is so easy to trust in God but sometimes we think too much in the things of this world. Sometimes when we put that trust in God all the good things fall into place and also the bad habits and bad things fall out of our lives. I think that is something that is going to help me out so much when I get back because there is going to be so many things that are going to happen and most likely is that I will have so many challenges. I just have to remember that I have to put my trust in God and everything will be ok. Really I cant wait for that to happen and I just love the principal of faith. It is something that is going to change my life forever and I am going to see so many blessings in my life. Well this letter is all about home but I dont want you guys to think that I am not focused but that was something big that happend this week. Also this week happy birthday mama, I am sorry I didnt say that last week but happy birthday and hope it was a good one. haha also happy fathers day dad. Gosh I am just really lacking lately hahaha. but I love you both and you guys are the best parents ever. Well that is all that happend for this week and I hope the next goes great. Well I know it will go good. Also Joni, It is a boy. I know,,, I prayed. haha
Love you all
Elder Nieman

My MTC district

June 13, 2016

Well this week was amazing and just to start off by saying that I know that we have a prophet and 12 apostels today. It was so cool to talk with Elder Rasband. haha I even got to go shake his hand. After I shook his hand I felt power. hahahahah no but it was super awesome and we talked for so long and I got to know him a lot more. So I will tell you what happend when I went to shake his hand. So I start to stretch out my hand and I look Elder Rasband in the eyes and say hello, and then he said hello to me and that was our conversation. wooooo I talked with an apostel. But it was super great and he really is a witness of our saviour Jesus Christ. Throughout the whole thing he was just smiling and just talking with everyone. We talked a lot about our callings and how divine it was and then he started to talk about our converts. Really I have never realized how special this time is and never realized of all the people that I am meeting and converting. I love it because those relationships are going to last a lifetime and an eternity. He compared our converts to his missionaries that he had in his mission of New York. He sees so many missionaries that have been blessed by their missions and so many converts that are absoulutly living better and he sees that they have happiness in their lives. It made me think of the people that were baptized and I can see so many blessings that they have received from the gospel. Just barely today I got an email from Bryan and he is starting to preach the gospel and really it seems like he is super happy. He sent me some photos and it looks like he is enjoying it so much. I am so happy for him and I cant wait to see in the future where he is going to be. The mission is going to help him so much and I am just super happy right now. He talked a lot about the mission and just a lot about life. I absolutly loved it and I cant believe I have seen 2 apostels in the mission. I sure am lucky and I am very grateful for that. Also this week we had stake conference, we had two big things happen this week. But it was super great and I just love listening to the talks. I liked the talk by President Boswell because he talked a bunch about doing the same things that you did in the mission. His message was directed to the returned missionaries and also to the elders in the zone that were ending. hahaha It was super great and I sure am planning on doing the same things that I am doing here in the mission. I love the mission and I bet I am going to miss it so much. hahaha but I cant wait to come home and see the difference and to feel weird for a while. haha but it will be super great. Well that is all that happend in this past week but I love you all and I hope that your week is super great this week. Oh and just to let you guys know, I am working out super hard to get back my beach boy abs. hahahahaha I dont know why I said that but it was funny.
love you all
Elder Nieman

 All the missionaries in the Peru, Lima East Mission

Josh is on the far left, second row back :)

This is Bryan who Josh baptized in March of 2015

Bryan is now serving a full time mission.

June 6, 2016

Woooow the biggest thing that is going to happen this week is... Elder Rasband. wooooooo how crazy is that, I am going to see 2 apostels in my mission. It is going to be super crazy. He might burn us hahaha but I dont care because he is an apostel. Well I cant believe I have this oppurtunity to talk with my buddy Elder Rasband. I am sure that he is going to help us out so much and it is going to be an experience to remember. Wow there has been so much that has been going on this week but the biggest thing was that we went to the temple. But the sad part is that it probably was the last time going to the temple in the mission. I think it might be closed when you come mom and dad so I am not sure if we will be able to go. For sure we will have to stop by. But wow I dont know there are so many things that one can learn in the temple but the biggest thing for me was that every time I went, I learned something new. I love learning about the plan of god and there are so many things that we still dont know. But I just love learning and having hope every day. It just really helps you focus on the things that are most important. I love the temple so much and I have said that countless times. I feel very lucky because the temple is in our mission. We get to do so many things there but it is super crazy too because Lima is going to have 2 temples. I am just happy for this country that they have the oppurtunity to make more covenants with our heavenly father. It really makes me think a lot and I just love it. Also when we went to the temple I saw some of my buddies but I also realized that I dont know anyone in the mission. hahaha Everybody is new and I have never seen them before. hahaha It is really weird but hey like dad said I wont have to worry about that in 8 weeks. hahahah oh dad I love you. hahaha but I love the mission and I just love doing family home evenings here. It gives me a chance to get to know investigators but also the members. I feel like little by little we are helping this ward have more unity. I really love everyone here and family home evenings are so fun. hahaa Oh wow but this week was good to talk with some new people. Sometimes it is just super funny because the people think that we arent Christians. hahaha We knocked a door and a small old lady came out and told us that she believed in Christ and she didnt want to hear anything because we dont believe in Christ. But I pull out a card that has a picture of Jesus and I just say well we believe in Christ too and we want to share a message with you about him. hahaha When I said that she just looks at me for like 2 minutes trying to decide if we believe in Christ or not. ha I have no idea what she was thinking because we had a picture of Christ and our plaques say Christ but I have no idea what she was thinking. Finally she says ohhh you guys believe in Christ. Very good. haha so we start talking more and we finally made an appointment. ohhh it was funny but it was super great. So many things happen here but I just love everything that happens. haha but that is all the happend for this week and really I am going to finish so hard. I love the gospel and I love you all. Talk to you guys next week.

Elder Nieman

 The Zone at the temple

I made OJ and Papaya Juice. It was so gross!

May 31, 2016

Well this week was super great and I am so happy for so many things. It is so awesome to be in the mission for so many things but really this week was awesome because I had a baptism interview. I love baptism interviews and all of the interviews that I have had were so awesome and spiritual. This week I got to interview a sister named Nixa. She was super awesome and throughout the whole thing she was so happy but afraid too. She has a problem with smoking and she was really fighting hard to overcome her addiction. She was kind of sad because in these past months, she has had so many problems but she finally began to stop smoking and overcome her addiction. She was just afraid of falling again and she really wanted to be ready for baptism. It was crazy because sometimes when I talk I dont remember what I say after and throughout all that interview I can remember what I said. hahaha but really I think I was able to help her overcome her fear of smoking again and it was so great to see her smile and to see her happy. The spirit helps me out so much when I talk. I could feel the spirit telling me what to say and what to do. That sure helped me out at the begining of my mission because I didnt understand anything but still it helps me out when there is difficult moments like this. Well she got baptized on saturday and I can just tell that she was so ready for that step. I could see her coming out of the water clean from all the mistakes and just I was so happy for her. Well that was something that was amazing this week. hahaha ohhhh and she also called me an angel. hahahaha I laughed so hard but it was cool when she told me that she felt the spirit really strong and she wasnt nervous. Well this week was super great to work hard and really see alot of results. We found new people this week and I hope that we can continue helping them progress. Well also I did divisions with Elder Cowan. I dont know if you remember him from Central but he was my zone leader and here he is my zone leader too. He is the baldy. But we did divisions and it was super crazy because he is ending and I am ending and we just worked super hard. It was awesome and in the night we talked so much about home. hahahahaha really that helped me think a little more of what I want. It was super great but I love the mission and really everyday is such a blessing and there are so many miracles every day. That is one thing I will remember that there are miracles every day. Also Bryan emailed me and he is in his mission. Wooooooo he told me that he was so happy that I met him and gave him the gospel. I can just see him, and he is super awesome and is going to do a great job inTrujillo. Wow well that is all for this week but I will talk to you guys next week and I just love you all. And what the crap kaylee you are going to have so many kids when I get back. hahahahaha I am super happy for you guys and I cant wait to see him or her when I get back. hahahaha Loveyouall

Elder Nieman

 I'm an Aggie

Sky View missionaries

May 23, 2016

Wow this week was super great and I have really seen a lot of miracles. First I had to give a talk again in Sacrament Meeting, hahah I have no idea why but looks like they love me. hahaha nooo but it was really good to talk to the ward again. I feel like this ward is getting better and better even though they might be struggling with a couple things. Little by little and I will see them get better adn better. I really believe that I have improved so much in talking in front of people. hahah the night before we got to have some time to chill. but I see my companion writing his talk. Really I remember at the begining of my mission I had to write down the words but this time I didnt really want to write down the words. hahaha I dont know if I was too lazy to do it or I just wanted to test things out. I have noticed that little by little, I havent been writing my talks but really I have been talking to them by the spirit. So this time I decided to go up and talk to the ward according to what the spirit told me. It was really cool but sometimes I had to stop and think of what I was going to say. hahaha I decided to share a scripture in the bible, in Thessalonians 5. I love that part of the bible but I started to explain I lot of the attributes that we need as latter day saints. It was so much fun and really I feel like I shared some things that really helped the ward out. I didnt burn them but I really tried to help them feel the spirit to change some things. haha but It was super great and great to see how the spirit helped me put the words in my mouth. I absoulutly loved and now I love giving talks. I remember I got so nervous when I talked back at home but really I feel closer to the spirit and I feel like I can trust in the spirit a lot more. I love it. Also it was cool because after my companion told me that I sounded like president Boswell. hahah but really it made me think that President Boswell really does exactly that. When he talks of course he has his talks ready but I am pretty sure he tells what the spirit tells him. hahah it was super awesome and I think that is something super awesome that happend this week. Well the mission is so great and I have learned so many things in this time. I cant believe how blessed I am to be here to serve. I love these people and I know we can help them little by little to come closer to Christ. Well this week was fantastic and also this week was super crazy because we trapped a mouse in our room. It was the same one from a couple weeks ago but we finally got it. haha We took pictures but it was super crazy. Well love you all and I hope that you love my letters still because they are getting shorter and shorter every week. hahaha but I am trying super hard. hahaah but love to everyone. oooooo and joni say hi to Mr Rigby for me. ha

Elder Nieman

Elder Martin and I

Our pet Jerry

May 16, 2016

Well this week was super crazy and I just love adapting to new companions.....love it. hahaha Well his name is Elder Martin from Columbia,Bogota. haha wow that is a first but he has 5 months in the mission and it is just fun. Just to let you guys know, I love Columbians. They are super crazy and funny. I am pretty sure that this transfer will be wonderful. I think you guys remember my good buddy Elder Cardenas from Columbia but it is so much fun to hang out with them. haha Well I just love the mission and how there are so many blessings every week. This week we were contacting and we knocked on a door and a teenager came out and ..... nothing, then we went to another door and nothing. hahha but we finally went down an alley and I had the impression to knock on a door at the very back of the alley, A kid came out and he started to talk with us a little and told us to come back sunday. The funny thing was this kid was like 11 years old. He was so small and he was so interested in listening. Well when we go back he opens up the door and starts to say, yeah come in come in. We go in and we see his whole family waiting for us to listen. hahaha It was super awesome. There was about 8 people in his family. I was so nervous but we started the lesson and they are super awesome and they want to listen to us. I just loved that experience because we found that family just through a little kid that wanted to listen. His name is Fabrisio and he is super awesome. We are planning on going this week and I am pretty sure we are going to invite them to be baptized because things like that just dont happen. hahah well sometimes but that was something that was super great this week. There are so many things that have happend but really It would take forever to write everything just in a hour and a half. hahah but this week was super great and I am so happy to be here and just serve with all my heart. Well this transfer is super great because Elder Pierson is a district leader with me. hahahaha We went crazy but I get to see him so much and we are just super crazy together. hahaha I think some people get annoyed but hey I am having fun. Well that is all that happend in this week and I really am trying to make my letters longer. hahaha sometimes I just feel bad because they are getting shorter and shorter. But if there is anything that you want to know just email me and I will talk about that for a while. hahahahahah I am so lame sometimes. hahah but I love you and talk to you next week. Ooooooooooooo and Elder Rasband is coming to the mission in June. woooooooooo How crazy is that but yeah I will talk to you guys later.

Elder Nieman

May 9, 2016

Well this week was super awesome especially when I talked with you guys. I felt so happy to see you guys and really I felt bad because sometimes when I have a time limit....i freak out. hahahaha but I hope that you all know that I love you guys so much. Well this week was super awesome because two big things happend. First I got to go to the temple with one of our converts. It was so cool and really I haven’t ever really done a confirmation in the temple before. Super crazy but it was so amazing to go to the temple to help kristian to baptisms for his ancestors. I really felt very peaceful in the temple and I feel like there are so many great things in the temple. But yeah that was one of the cool things that happened and the other thing that happened was that I got to go to Santa Anita again. Wow it was so awesome to see everyone and just to see brother Miguel with his family. When I first saw them, they were hugging each other as a family, hahahha I wanted to join in with their family hug too but I cant do that. Hahahaha but after I saw that I t just hit me that they are starting to begin their journey in becoming an eternal family. It was really interesting because the first time that I met Liz and Miguel, they were having some challenges in their lives and really I cant believe they fought through those challenges. Also they had to get married and that same day they got married. It was super cool to see someone over come their challenges like they did. I was so happy to be there in that night. I felt the spirit so strong and it just added to my testimony on how families can be together forever. Really it should be like that because this life is so short and if we didn’t have our families forever, this life wouldn’t make a lot of sense. I am so grateful for this life and also for the next life to come. I know we are going to see our loved ones again and I cant wait for that morning of the first resurrection. I love you all and I am so happy that I got to see you all yesterday. Also I apologize if I didn’t answer some of your questions because it was kind of hard to hear you guys. Hahaha but it was amazing. Well I hope you have a great week this week and I love you guys so much.

Elder Nieman

Miguel and his family

Miguel and us

Mother's Day Skype - 12 more weeks!

 The whole family enjoying our fun-loving Joshi!

The "cherry on top" of a wonderful Mother's Day!

May 2, 2016

Hello well this week has been very good and I think that every day we are improving. Well at least I hope we are improving but this week has been full of appointments falling through and a bunch of walking but that is good because it gave us a chance to find new people and to really get to know the area. We got to talk with a lot of members and I am just super surprised from these members that really want to help us in the work. I am so thankful for them because honestly we cant do this work on our own. Well this week was cool to because there was a lady from Utah and we started to speak in english for a while. It was kind of weird but I was able to get through the conversasion without messing up. haha But really it was really great to talk in english with someone. haha but I was thinking a lot about this week and it was super cool that in the lessons, I gave my testimony in english. Not in every lesson but like in 2 lessons. It was really interesting and funny because once I started to talk in english they started to laugh because they didnt understand. But when I started to continue with my testimony they stopped to laugh and I think they started to feel the spirit. I was thought that it doesnt matter what language we are speaking, the holy ghost speaks to these people. Really that is how the lord talks to us and really it was a good experiment. 2 Nefi 31:3, If this isnt the scripture then I will be super embarrassed. hahah I dont have a book of mormon with me but it talks a little bit about the language of the spirit. I really like it. Well this week has been super awesome and of course there were challenges but honestly I feel more strengthend. Well what else happend this week.... oooo and I believe that I will be calling you guys today, but if not it would be good to arrange the time here on the computer. If you dont respond here on the computer well I will be calling you today. Well I am super excited to talk with you guys. It is so weird that this will be my last call in the mission. Well just got to keep on going hahaha. But that is all that I have for this week and really I am so happy. Ohhhh and shout out to my new nephew or niece. She or he is so cute. Honestly I believe that Joni will have a girl. That is my guess but i am super happy for you guys. ooohhhhhh and congrats to dad with his new baby truck.....I cant wait to ride in it and take it around town. Also of course you buy a new lawn mower when I am gone. 8 years of suffering with the other lawn mower. hahahaha but wow lots of things happening but I love you all and talk to you next sunday.

Elder Nieman

April 25, 2016

Well this week was great and I absoulutly love my area. haha This week we went to the rich rich rich area and we went in there with so much faith and we came out with an appointment with a sister that is really interested. I am super pumped because usually that is really hard to do. haha but this week was wonderful. We did a lot of things this year.... haha week that was really awesome. First of all today a couple minutes ago I had a interview with President Boswell and it was just super awesome to talk to him about what is going to happen these next couple months. hahaha It didnt make me trunky but it was super motivating. I really appreciate the things that President Boswell does for us as missionaries and really he is an inspired and called man. Well the interview went really good and learned a lot of things. Also this week is going to be wild because I am going to be interviewing someone to be baptized. Kind of gets me nervous but I am pretty sure that it is going to be super awesome. I will be letting you know about that next week. Normally the district leaders interview people to be baptized and it is like I am the judge to see if that person gets baptized or not. But it is going to be great. hahaha Well I am really pumped for this week to do so many things and I have no doubt that this week is going to be great. oooooooooooo and this week in our room there was a huge rat running around our room and we started to freak out. It was funny and I took a video. I will have to show you guys later but it is super funny. Well this week was super great because in sacrament meeting I got to give a talk. When I was up there talking I was just thinking throughout the whole thing that this would be so hard to do in english. hahaha It was funny but cool. Well I talked about missionary work and I just learned so many things that day because it is super crazy how the spirit guides me to teach other people. Even things that i dont really know that well. It was really great and also this week we got to have a lot of family home evenings with the members and investigators. It was super awesome to be there and really feel the love that those families had for each other. Also it is super fun to really play games with them because they go crazy. hahahah there are so many people here in Peru that just love to have fun and I absouluty love having family home evenings with the members. It really helps investigators feel the spirit and show them that we are normal people. i think that helps so many people feel the spirit and I am so grateful for family home evening. Well I am sure that this week is going to be amazing and hey if my letters are getting lame, just tell me and I will try to spice things up a bit. hahaha but I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week. Also happy birthday Joni this sunday, I think because May 1st is your birthday but I dont know if it is this week or the next week but happy birthday sister. Well talk to you guys next week.

Love Elder Nieman

April 18, 2016

This week was pretty good. Just working our butts off and really seeing people change their lives. Well just to tell you guys we have two people that are being prepared to be baptized. One is Roxanna and the other is Sixto. haha Really wierd name but hey he is awesome. Roxanna is really great but has some questions about the church and some doubts. She is getting really close to her date and really I feel like she will reach her goal. She has a kid that got baptized a little while back and she is just super humble. Also we are teaching Sixto, the wierdo, hahahaha no he is super awesome but he says some things that just make me laugh super hard. haha but he has his family and we are hoping that when he gets baptized, it will encourage his family to be baptized too. We will see with that but I really do think that they can accomplish it. Well just keep on praying for them and I will keep on praying for them also. Wow this week was really good but then we did have moment really sad. Well we had a missionary night in the church and everything was super awesome. We taught and we ended the night. Well after everyone left, a man came up to us and started to say he was from Cuzco. He was a bishop in his ward and he came to Lima with his wife because his wife wasnt doing so well. His wife had cancer and also had a lot of other problems. He was explaining that he just came back from the hospital saying goodbye to his wife maybe for the last time. Something that hit me was that during all of this he was telling us, he was being super strong and just showing his faith in his father in heaven. He told us that it is weird to have these moments but he had always felt the spirit in those moments. He decided that he wanted a blessing of comfort. So to be honest I was really afraid if he was going to pick me because really I was speechless when he was telling us all of these things. Well he wanted me to give him the blessing. So I start to give the blessing and I could literally hear the things that I needed to say to this man. He knew the plan of God and it struck me so hard how strong he was handling all of this. I can testify that our heavenly father talks to us through the holy ghost and really if we listen we can help so many people that are struggling. That was something that was truely amazing and I probably wont see that man ever again. But it was just a blessing and a honor to give a blessing to that man. I know that there is a plan and it is Gods plan, he loves us and wants us to be sure of where we are going to be. Well that was something that I really liked in this week. It gave me more comfort and I hope it gave that man more comfort also. Well that is what happend this week and I feel like these next weeks are going to be awesome. Well love you all and if you need anything or have a question just ask away. ahha oki loves and Chau
Elder Nieman

April 12, 2016

Well this week was really good. Every week is super great. Well the things that happened this week was that we were just trying to find new investigators. Also to answer some of your questions, Well my area does look a little like ogden I guess. hahaha but it is a good area and it is really huge. Also there are 8 missionaries in total in the district which is pretty awesome. Also since I am a district leader, I have to do a lot of things but not so much. I have to give a training every week in our district meeting but it is super awesome because everyone participates in the meeting. It is kind of weird because really I dont see myself as a leader. hahahahaha but hey I was called in this time to learn and really I have learned so many things so far. There are so many things in my area that I love and I just have great experiences every day. Also I have a lot of experiences where I have to be more persistent in our contacts because sometimes they just dont want to listen. hahaha Funny story is that we were walking and we start talking with this guy and everything was good and we asked where he lived. hahaha he just told us that he forgot where he lived and walked away. We just start laughing and say well there is a seed planted. haha but I love this area and I am pretty sure this is the area I am going to learn even more in my mission. Well we just got back from the temple and I just absoulutly love the temple. There are so many things that I receive from going to the temple and It just reminds me of the things that I have promised to god. I love it and I feel full of energy. haha I am pretty sure this week is going to be great and we have a lot of things that are going to happen this week so I am pretty sure that I will have a lot more things to say next week. Also in the temple I saw Bryans aunt and she told me that Bryan is preparing to go on a mission and he just sent his papers in last week. I was so happy when she told me and it just gives me goosebumps every time I think about it. Everything happens for a reason and I just feel so much love for my heavenly father because he gave me the chance to know Bryan. I am super pumped about that and I hope that everything goes well for him. Well I will probably be hearing where he is going to go in these next days. Well I love you all and I really hope you guys have a great week. I am really sorry if this letter was small but hey I will get better next week. hahaha ohoooooh next week we have interviews with presidente and I am sure that he is going to help me out a bunch. Well I love the heavens out of all you and talk to you next week.
Elder Nieman

 Kleiner and us before his baptism 

 Kleiner's baptism

 Elder Laichi and I

 We absolutely have a ton of food in this area. The members just give us a bunch of food. It is awesome!

Selfie!

April 4, 2016

Wow this week was really interesting because i just got to know my area and wow is this area really different than my other areas. haha This area is super rich and there are so many people that arent in the streets. hahaha But it is going to be super fun because I just love challenges. hahha but wow this area is super big to and I feel like there are a lot of people waiting to recieve the gospel. I cant wait. Well my companion is Elder Laichi and he is from Iquitos. The fourth companion from Iquitos. hahaha We will see how this transfer goes. But I am super happy to be here to serve to the people here and also to the missionaries in my district. It is kind of weird being a leader but I feel like I am going to learn a lot. I gave a training last week and all I was thinking was that why am I teaching them when I really know nothing. hahahaha I dont know It is a little weird but I am sure I will continue trying. But I know the Lord chose me to be a leader in this time for some reason so we will see how it goes. Well this week was really interesting because we had a baptism this week and it was great to see Kristian get baptized. Even though I have only taught him once, it was great to see him super happy. He is planning on going on a mission and he is just super pumped to teach the gospel to everyone. That was really great because every week in the mission I am just seeing a bunch of blessings and I just cant wait to see the blessings in my future. Well General Conference was super awesome but the sad part was that there werent any North americans to listen to it in English. I like listening to their voices instead of a translator talking. hahaha but it was really good and I recieved so many answers to my questions. Even though I couldnt hear their voices I enjoyed every single message that they gave. I laughed super hard when Elder Holland showed the picture of the dinosaur. I was laughing super hard and every one was looking at me like I was crazy. hahaha but it was super funny. I really enjoyed his talk because he just makes me feel the spirit. It really shows me that these chosen men are really worried for the things that happen in our lives and more important is that they see that God feels the same way for us. He wants us to learn and progress and doesnt want us to fail. God loves us so much more than we can imagine. I just cant wait to see him and talk with him on what I could have done better and what is waiting for me in my eternity. They all talked so much about the blessings of the temple and really I cant wait to have that chance to go to the temple with someone and be sealed forever. oh and by the way, New temple in Lima, wooooooooooo how crazy is that. I loved that part because everyone here just started to jump and scream. Some cried and some laughed. It was a good experience. Also it was cool that Rusell Nielson heard the voices of those two girls behind the veil and he could help that family be sealed in the temple. I just have such a strong testimony of the blessings of the temple and I want everyone to go there someday. I abosulutly love our prophet and apostles. They are men chosen by God to give us peace and comfort. I love the gospel and I just want to finish my mission super hard and work super hard to help these people realize the love that I have for them and God has for them. Well I really loved this week and I hope this week is great for you guys. If you have a question for me just fly it out there. hahaha but yeah talk to you guys next week and I love you all.

Elder Nieman

Exciting news for Uncle Joshi!

Email from Joni:

So congratulations Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle Uncle UNCLE Josh, you're gonna be an uncle again!! Baby is due mid November!! Well, have a good week!! Love you!!

Love, Joni Hayden and Baby Downs

Email from Uncle Josh:

what...WHAT THE CRAP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IAM SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAYDEN IS SO CUTE. WELL I LOVE THE HEAVENS OUT OF YOU GUYS. WOWOWOWOWOW HOW WEIRD IS IT THAT MY LITTLE SISTER IS PREGO. THAT IS HOW YOU SAY PREGNANT IN SPANISH HAHAHA JKJKJK WOW I LOVE YOU MUCH VERY VERY MUCH. YEAH AMEN CHAU AND TELL ME THAT YOU ARE GOING TO NAME IT...JOSHUA JR

March 28, 2016

Wowowowow this week was amazing until yesterday when they told us the transfers. hahaha But this week was super awesome because we had a lot of things happen first I will start with the sad part. haha But I am getting transfered. I am going to Surco, Los Sauces. I still dont know what my companions name is but it will be great. I am going to be a district leader. It will be interesting but we will see how it goes. Well This week was absoulutly amazing because Kenny got baptized. woooooo he was super happy and I think he is going to have a great future in the church. He was really chosen to be baptized. I just feel super awesome to help so many people here in Peru. He progressed so fast but he was just super happy and when we gave him the holy ghost he was just smiling. haha it was super great. Thank you for your prayers and thank you for the things that you are doing helping my investigatos fulfill with their comitments. And now for the biggest miracle that happend this week. So Friday night we are there eating dinner with the zone leaders and all of a sudden we hear the phone ring. Elder Miller answers the phone and ends the phone call. He just stays there for a second and tells me that I am invited to a baptism in Santa Anita. I was so pumped and so happy but I didnt know who was going to be baptized until we arrived at the church. I was so happy to see that Hermana Raquel was the one who was going to get baptized. It gave me goose bumps. We were trying so hard and teaching her so much but she kept on telling us that she needed more time. That just tells me that every person has their time but God always helps them on their way. Well I was super happy to see her and also her kids. Arturo and Leonardo. They came running up to me giving me hugs and it was super awesome to hear that they were progressing so much in the church. They have bought suits and it was super awesome to see them with their mom. They looked so happy and they just seemed really united. Well also I got to see a lot of other people that I have known. Wow it was so great to see so many people. Just giving a bunch of hugs and just talking about a lot of stuff. But it was so great to be the witness for sister Raquel. She looked calm and she was super ready. When she got baptized, I said how do you feel. I love this question because they usually say something that makes me feel the spirit. But the thing Raquel said was amazing. hahah I am not going to lie, almost put me in tears. hahaha But she said she felt close to God but she felt so much closer to her kids. It is amazing to this single mom that has had to carry her kids throughout her life, she has had to work so hard to keep them going and in that moment she says she feels even more closer to her kids. I can say that God helps out so many people feel the spirit and helps them overcome their obstacles. I know that they are a family really strong and I am so grateful to experience and see the change in these peoples lives. Well I absoulutly love the mission and I cant wait to start again in Surco. haha I hope to help everyone in that area but it will be a little hard to leave here. haha but that is all that happend in this week and I hope to talk to you guys next. I love you all and I am super pumped for general conference. Wooooo
Elder Nieman

 Raquel, her kids, and us. Woooooo!

 Kenny's baptism

Kenny and us

March 21, 2016

Well this week has been super great. hahah there has been a lot of things that have been happening. But the biggest thing was that Angie got baptized. Her name is actually spelled Anyi but I wrote that so that you can pronounce her name good. But wow that was super awesome because she wanted me to baptize her too. It was super awesome but I am sorry because 2 times it has happend that my pictures got erased and I dont want that to happen again. I will try my best to send pictures but if not then ok. hahah but wow that was a night that I will always remember. She has a strong testimony in the gospel and even though her family didnt want her to be baptized, she followed through and she made the convenant with our heavenly father. Thank you for your prayers because they honestly worked. But really every time when they share their testimony, it is one of the moments I feel the spirit so strongly in my mission. She was explaining that before the baptism she felt something really weird and she had a lot of nerves. But something that I like to do before every baptism is that I like to say a prayer in the baptismal font. When she was praying she explained in her testimony that she felt like God was by her side and she just got super calm. She started to say that she knew that the church was true and she told everyone that she wants her family to listen to us. Her family was present in that moment and wow after the baptism they came up to us and said they wanted to start listening to the lessons and wanted to learn. It was kind of funny because we have tried to talk to them but really they didnt want anything with the church. But now we have an appointment with them and they seem pretty ready to learn. I am so happy for Anyi and I feel like she is going to be a wonderful member in the church. She is going to learn so much and I hope that she can continue learning. Well that was the highlight of the week. Oh and I guess my birthday was pretty awesome and we did a lot of things. hahaha I lit off the confetti in our room and now our room is super dirty. hahahaha I have a video of that but I cant send it to you guys because it is a little big. But wow that was super awesome and I cant believe I am 20. I am so grown up ahhaah I want to cry. nooooooo because I am a man and men dont cry. hahaha but wow it was super awesome and this year they didnt throw eggs at me luckily. haha But this week was pretty great and also this next week is going to be great because we have another baptism planned for this week. Kenny went to the baptism of Anyi and he told us after that he wants to get baptized. He is super awesome because he is going to institute. He really wants to learn and he is really chosen. But we still need your prayers and we will see how it goes. Well I love you all and thank you for all the birthday wishes. I will talk to you guys next week and i hope everything goes great for you guys in this week.

Love you all
Elder Nieman

 Anyi's baptism

 Anyi and us

Cake time!