August 28, 2014

First of all I want to tell a story. It was lunch time and all is well and we were having this weird pasta food. I take it and I go to my table and I look over and a hermana is having the same dish. She takes one bite out of it and she throws up all over the floor. hahahah oh I did not have lunch that day. But the hermana was fine so its all good now. Oh man this week was so much better than my first week. The homesickness is gone and I know that I should be here and this is what I need to do. It is so amazing that I have been here for a whole two weeks. It feels like an eternity but wow this last week flew by so fast and I am so thankful for that. Wow I am so spiritual right now its crazy. I feel the spirit everyday. I am about half way through the book of mormon and the words that are in there are true and they tell amazing stories. I love P day. P day makes me one of the happiest people in the world. THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE haha but really it is. I miss so everyone and I miss just being in logan. It really gives you a feel of what is most important in your life. This week was the best week ever cause it just seems like everyone in my district is getting along and we are getting closer with each other. That really helps out a lot cause right now it feels like the CCM is home right now. I had a rough day one day and I read my patriarticle blessing and it helped me out so much and made me realize so much about why I am here. By the way I havent recieved any letters from you guys yet so you might want to stop sending them cause it takes so long for the mail to get here. My companion doesnt know any spanish and it is really cool cause I get to teach him what I know and how to say stuff. My companion kind of strayed away from the church but then he had an amazing feeling and felt the spirit that he should go on a mission. I am so thankful for taking spanish in school cause if it werent for that then I would be so lost right now. The language is starting to come to me and I feel like I know a lot of spanish. It is so crazy how fast and how much spanish you can learn in just a few weeks. I have been praying with all my heart that the spanish will come to me and I just keep on getting answers and it feels like my spanish is improving each and every day. My teachers are so amazing and they are really funny and make each lesson interesting. It turns out that the investigator I was teaching is my teacher and that is really good to hear cause he can coach us on what we can improve on. My teachers name is hermano gonzales and hermano soto. Honestly Hermano soto is one of the coolest teachers anyone can have. He helps us out so much and encoarges us to do better. Oh by the way sorry for all the errors in my letters. These freaking keyboards are messed up. Most of them are gramatical errors but then the spelling errors are just because I cant spell. hahah I cant wait for Kaylee to have her baby cause that will bring so much happiness into my soul and it will help me keep on moving forward and make these next two years the best two for my whole life. Im excited for you all. My district is so amazing and they really like to listen to each others problems and I am so happy we can do that. All of my district is going to Lima Peru East so it is possible that somebody in my district will be my companion sooner or later. And I am so surprised that I am writing in my journal every night. Writing in my journal helps me so much with stress I have with just about anything. The food here keeps on getting worse and worse. hahaha Some meals are really good but then others are just sick and gross. Mom and Dad I love you guys so much and its amazing how much you love each other. I just want you to know that if it wasnt for you guys then I dont know what I would do. I cant wait to live with all of you forever and ever. I love you so much. I appreciate the snacks that I ate in one night. haha I was not feeling to good after that. hahaha but I shared some with my roommates so I didnt eat all the three packages of sour patch. Haha oh and im not getting fat at all. I am doing abs everyday and chest everyday. hahaha Who cares about my legs. haha. I think the most important part in being in the CCM is to be patient with the language and have faith in Jesus Christ. I have Jareds voice in my head come into my head every time I feel stressed and it just says be patient and the language will come. Some of these missionaries are so stressed about learning spanish that they forget that they are here to teach and bring others to christ. You need the Holy Ghost and even If you dont know what to say you always have your testimony. I read Natis email and I absolutly agree with her on all those things. I love praying to my heavenly father cause I know that he will answer me. I had a rough day a couple days ago and I just started to pray and instantly after I felt as if my whole family was hugging me. I am so grateful for all your prayers and emails you send to me. I put my debt card just in my wallet for now cause who is going to steal in the MTC but I will when I get to Peru. That is going to be so exciting just to get out of here and start seeing new things and start teaching the people of Lima. Oh and I got a cold this week as well which really sucked cause I kept on getting these headaches and my nose was stuffed and it sucked but I am feeling a lot better now. I havent met that Elder Derr yet but I am sure I will. I just want to say that everything is good in the CCM and I am doing fine. These next two years are going to be so amazing. I am also meeting so many other interesting people and it is really cool to hear where they are from and where they are going. I feel like I am fitting in so much here. Thank you for the Emails they help out so much. After that first email day I just wanted to start teaching people cause I was so happy to hear from everyone. It also helps with homesickness or just anything that made me feel down that week lifts my spirit back up.

Love Elder Nieman

The sunrise after our personal study

 They have got us locked in like a jail. haha

 Elder Niemann I'm pretty sure we're related

 A better picture of the houses bunched up. It's so crazy!

 Me on a Nacho Libre bike. haha I want one!

 The spiders are huge!

This is our class. Sometimes we can study outside

First Letter!

August 21, 2014

Ahhhhhhhhhhh P day. Oh by the way my P day is Thursday if you wanted to know. Family Im going to be honest with you this past week sucked so much but its probably the greatest thing that has ever happend to me. Everyday I spend a night in the CCM brings me closer to heavenly father and Jesus. But wow they sure do know how to punch you in the gut. I love you all so much and I feel like when we said goodbye at the airport... it wasnt a good goodbye. I just want all of you to know I love the heck out of you guys. I cant believe its been a week. It feels like a freaking year. I talked to all the missionaries and they said it goes faster and faster, so that helps me out a lot. Oh my companions name is Elder Sitirud. Hes 21 years old and hes from huntington utah. Hes super nice and its good that we are companions. Oh my gosh spanish is so hard but I will get it down sometime. I spend so much time trying to study and I feel like Im getting it pretty well. Yeah I bought soap at the store so Im good with that. This past week was so crazy and like jason said, I asked myself Where´s my mommy? haha but thats ok cause I will need to get used to that for the next two years. Oh man it rains so much down here and the thunder and lightning is amazing. The thunder shakes the whole casa. It feels really good to be done with a week and I hope it goes way fast cause I want to be out in the field. The food here is really good even though I dont know half of the food I eat. haha But this is probably the healthiest ive ever eaten in my life. Im eating fruits and veggies and whatever the heck the meat is. Mom I read the letter and it has helped me so much overcome the homesickness. Homesickness sucks but whatever Im feeling a lot better than I was. Like on the second day of the CCM I had to teach someone in spanish. Crazy I dont even know spanish but somehow I made it through the whole lesson. I know how to say many things in spanish now like my testimony, praying and some other stuff. Its amazing how quick you learn here but I still have a long ways to go. I have been looking at my pictures of our family and dang we are a good lookin family. I miss you guys so much but sorry the lord needs me for two years. I have been getting so excited to go out in the field and teach families about gods plan. We have been teaching lessons all about eternal families and how they can live forever and I cant wait to live with you all together and forever. Im still in shock that Im in Mexico and I have started my mission but wow Mexico is so amazing and beautiful. I love the nights where you see all the lights of the houses just light up the sky. I also love the nights cause I get to sleep. Im actually doing pretty well with my sleep and waking up. Sometimes the streets of Mexico are loud and they start blasting music. It kind of makes me want to get up and dance but things here at the CCM is a party but thats the most that has surprised me is that I can wake up and not go back to sleep. It doesnt even phase me. haha oh my daily schedule is get up and practice spanish and then go to sleep. Ok not really but pretty much. My teacher is a latino and he teaches in spanish and its really hard to understand but I think Im getting the hang of it. They speak so fast and it feels like all that studying is for nothing but I know it will take time and I feel like Ive been pretty patient with the language. I know I will speak this language, I tell myself that every morning, evening and night and it really helps me throughout the day. My district is amazing also. My whole district is going to Lima Peru East. So Elder Pierson and Elder Griffin are in my class. That helps out a lot knowing someone but Im getting to know so many people here. I get excited every time I think about teaching the gospel and sharing this true message to Peru. Oh yeah and I have to buy myself a watch cause I dont have my phone anymore to check the time so I have to ask Elder Siterud what the time is all the time. haha But keep me updated with like football and just anything you can think of. Mom and dad I love you so much and I miss you guys but this is where I need to be. If I write I want to come home dont accept my offer cause I know this is where I need to be. It will be tough sometimes but heavenly father will help me through it. Trust me he already has. All of my sisters you are the most amazing people in the world and I miss you guys so much. You are all my best friends and I love you so much. I think thats about it but make sure to write me every week cause all these emails are helping me out so much.

I love you all so much and if you have any questions I would love to answer them.

oh and I want my friends to see this email to cause I love them all and I would love to tell them how Im doing.

oh oh and again I love you and I am taking a lot more pictures than my senior trip. Joni Im taking like 4 a day cause I cant really take pictures unless its my P day but I will sneak some in there.

Love Elder Nieman

Oh yes and tell grandpa Nieman that I love him to. I feel bad I didnt get to say goodbye to him. haha I thought it was funny how grandma was hurdling the rows. Tell her I love her also

My District

Elder Sitirud and I

Mi casa

This is where I sleep and notice my bed isn't made. haha!

I feel so awesome wearing this

Me and strong man

The missionaries from Sky View in the CCM

Airport Aloha August 13

Joshua's flight was scheduled to take off at 7:15 a.m. That meant we needed to be at the airport at 5:00 a.m. which also meant that we needed to leave our house no later than 3:30 a.m.  So as a result, there was very little slumber the night before the big day of departure.  About the time Josh finally fell asleep, the alarm went off to wake up!  Surprisingly, we left the house pretty close to 3:30 which is quite an accomplishment as anyone who knows how our timing works.  We loaded the car as Joshua took one last walk through the house.  On the way to pick up Grandpa, the nerves and jitters were taking over but Grandpa saved the day with a banana that Josh thought was the best banana he'd ever had :)  When we arrived at the airport parking terrace, we could see several other missionaries going into the terminals.  This sight helped calm some of the anxiety that we were all feeling and I could tell that there was some excitement in Joshua's face.  When we walked through the airport doors, we saw even more young Elders with their families.  It was like the Army of Helaman gathering together to fulfill their mission.  This was the moment when I saw my son straighten his stance and switch into missionary mode right before my eyes!  He was visibly filled with a new light and spirit that made him stand a little taller.  I really believed Joshua grew 3 inches overnight!  As we were waiting in line for the baggage check, we met another missionary family.  Through talking with them, we found that Joshua and their son would be on the same flight to Mexico City.  When Josh heard this, he immediately extended his hand to his fellow Elder, gave him a friendly handshake, said hello in his cheerful voice, and smiled his legendary smile!  The anxiety and nervousness erased from the missionary's face and was replaced with relief and a smile.  I know this connection was comforting for Joshua, too.  It was time for the sisters to say goodbye so we took a few pictures with each family and Josh handled that quite well.  Josh had practiced a Han Solo line from Star Wars so Shellie found the right moment to call after Josh with an "I love you!" Josh had practiced the Han Solo response by saying, "I know" but he was too nervous to remember the script so he automatically replied with an I love you, back.  I reminded him what he had practiced so he called to Shellie to say it again and this time he nailed it!  Another moment where the anxiety was eased.  After Robert and I said our tearful goodbyes loaded with hugs and kisses from mom, Joshua got in line for the security check.  From the balcony above, we watched him go through the line and Kaylee, Shellie, Joni, Eric and the nephews clapped and cheered for Josh like he had just made a huge play in a football game.  We continued to watch until we could only see his legs.  Before he went any further out of sight, he bent down so we could see him wave one last goodbye with a big smile on his face. Joshua amazed me with his positive and happy attitude which made the pain and heartache bearable.  Although this was one of the hardest things I've ever done, it was also one of the most proud and rewarding moments as a parent.  (Robert, Dad and I found a spot on the parking lot terrace where we could see the tail of Josh's plane.  We waited for almost an hour and half just to see his plane take off.  It didn't seem very long though because Dad gave Robert and I a physics lesson on escape velocity!  Very interesting and intriguing...complete with equations and all :) As we watched Joshua's plane disappear against the sunrise, I felt a very peaceful feeling come over me.  It was very comforting!         

"I love you!"...."I know."

Josh's reaction to his fan club :)

Farewell August 10, 2014

Joshua's farewell was today and he knocked it out of the ball park!  As he spoke, we all got a glimpse of the impact he'll have on the people of Peru through his humble and sincere testimony of the gospel.  Josh has a gift of connecting with people through his genuine and friendly spirit.  After the meeting, we met at Mack Park for some good food and visiting.  Joshua was so grateful for the many words of encouragement and also for the generous contributions received for his mission from thoughtful and caring people.  Joshua was very well supported by his family and friends and was understandably emotional as he said goodbye to those he loves.  Throughout the day, Josh clearly demonstrated through his words and actions of how well prepared and ready he is to dedicate two years of his life to the Lord.  From the time Joshua was a little boy, he has always wanted to go on a mission but in the last few years Josh has had a very strong and sincere desire to serve his Heavenly Father and represent Jesus Christ by serving a full time mission.  Later that evening, we talked a little about the influential men in Joshua's life who have been wonderful examples.  Some of these men did not chose to serve missions in their youth.  Joshua's dad, both of his grandpas, his great grandfathers, and even our prophet did not serve missions for various reasons.  We're so proud of Joshua for making such a crucial decision based on his own desire and expectation of himself, not for anyone else.  Joshua is serving a mission first and foremost for his Savior, in His name.  Our Heavenly Father blessed Joshua with special gifts and with the companionship of the Lord's spirit, I know our son will be able to inspire and touch the lives of many.  As a result, those people will find pure joy and happiness in their lives through the gospel light that Joshua will bring to them.  

Mission Photo Shoot by sister Joni July 14, 2014

Here's a few of Mom's favorites:

And these are perfect examples of why Peru 
will absolutely love this kid!

Temple Day! July 19, 2014

We went through the temple with Joshua today.  It was a priceless experience.  I knew it would be because of the cherished times that we had with each of our daughters.  The feeling of gratitude for my four children who have all chosen the righteous path throughout their young lives was immeasurable.  Because of their faithfulness, we had a beautiful experience with all of our children in the temple together.  Joshua was very humble and pure as he made the sacred covenants with his Heavenly Father.  I was so proud and my heart was so full of joy. It was reminiscent of some of the same feelings I experienced when he was born.  An unforgettable moment was when Joshua came into the celestial room with his Mom, Dad, sisters, and bro-in-laws waiting for him.  We were the first people he saw as he entered and Grandpa Lowe, Jann and Mark were right behind us.  Joshua's eyes sparkled and I could tell he could feel the significance of that moment and the spirit was tangible.  Grandma Lowe would not have passed up this choice opportunity to be a part of Joshua's important day and her presence was also strongly felt.  As we sat together in the celestial room he mentioned how special that made him feel and his testimony of forever families was strengthened.  Joshua took his time to ponder and process the sacredness of what he had just experienced.  We all celebrated with a yummy breakfast at Herm's Inn on the Island (one of Joshua's favorite eating establishments :)

   
  

Mission Possible! April 2, 2014

We'll start Joshua's mission journey on April 2, 2014 when he received his mission call in the mail.  He was so excited and anxious to check the mail so he decided to get into the car and try tracking the mailwoman down.  As soon as Josh left in the car, the mail truck came down the street.  We all thought he missed it (and we all laughed) but he saw the truck and did a few circles around the neighborhood so he didn't look too eager :)  As soon as the mailwoman put the big white envelope into the box, Joshua was right there to take it out.  He came in and was smiling ear to ear.  We were all so excited!!! The plan was to wait until the following day because one of Joshua's best buddies would be able to come and also Eric (Josh's bro-in-law) would be here from Arizona to watch Joshua open his call.  Because of Joni's wedding, it was so fortunate that our whole family was able to be here when he finally got to open the envelope.  However, it was a very hard thing for Josh to wait an extra day to find out where he would be going on his mission.  Later that day, Josh had the opportunity to go on some splits with the full-time missionaries which really helped make the wait bearable and also got him even more excited about serving a mission.  The next day, April 3, Joshua opened his mission call with family and friends surrounding him.  Joshua sat down and began to open his envelope (which had already been torn a little on the edges from his anticipation) He purposely took his time which made us all very impatient...exactly what Josh was going for :)  When he took the packet out of the envelope he saw where he was going and was overcome with emotion.  He began to read and the tears started to flow.  It was very sweet and touching for everyone.  Joshua managed to to read enough of the letter to announce that we would be serving in the Peru, Lima East mission! I got to give him his first hug and kiss of many...then his sisters smothered him with hugs and loves.  Robert got in on a big group hug and then everyone was able to congratulate him.  It was one of those precious times that I'll never forget.  Little did I know that the next few months would be full of these tender moments. 

Grandma's missionary June 23, 2014

Joshua experienced a very sorrowful loss a few months after his call when his sweet Grandma Lowe passed away.  Joshua had the honor to be one of her loved ones at her side when she slipped away from this earthly home.  He was very emotional and sad but as we stood and hugged, he tenderly touched his Grandma's hand.  Through that very personal and sacred experience, Grandma gave her future missionary grandson a precious and teachable moment that would help build his testimony of Heavenly Father's plan of eternal life and families.  Grandma was one of Joshua's biggest fans and was so proud of the outstanding young man he had become.  I know she will continue to cheer for him as he fulfills his missionary calling as a representative of Jesus Christ.