My Dozen

 

Last night, I got a phone call from our school superintendent, who

 announced that with Hurricane Idaila threatening 

the Carolinas, school was canceled.

This morning, I woke up to light wind, sunny weather, and fall-like temps.

Thankfully, the hurricane didn't even touch us.

Lottie and Gigs slept in until 11:00.

I spent my day outside, chicken-proofing my front yard. 

I used chicken wire to surround my hydrangeas, 

since they are relentless on plants and flowers. 

Although I don't love that they are "free-range," 

I am happy to have them around since they help 

reduce the number of bugs, including ticks, around the house.

Besides that, their poop is a great fertilizer that helps my plants and flowers grow. 

My chickens are getting older and bigger, and at least four 

of them are roosters because every day, they try to outdo each 

other with their Cockadodladooing. 

My friend Jessica has a breed of chicken called 

Cinnamon Queens, and in October, I will incubate their 

eggs and add a few queens to my flock. 

They are orange with white tail feathers.  They are beautiful!

I can't believe August is gone but at the same time,

I am super ready for September!

Farewell August, farewell Summer!

The Missing Ball

Tonight, while Chrisitan and I signed new school forms

Gigs brought out his drone gear and showed us

all the amazing maneuvers he can do. I peered through his goggles 

and felt as though I was inside the drone as he flew around, 

taking me through every room, onto the porch outside, 

and even under tables and chairs. During our drone adventure, 

we stumbled upon Angus's favorite missing ball!

Hallelujah!

Gigs is feeling some weight and pressure from his Junior year, 

which is considered the most important year of high school. 

He is determined to improve his grades and attitude. 

He's dedicated; he goes to 6:25 seminary (with a 5:45 wake-up time),

and goes to the gym and/or works at the golf course after school.

I'm so proud of him.

Sometimes, I look at him and want to cry. He just gets my heart.

You know that feeling?

I love having daily conversations with him on my bed, 

discussing his day, career aspirations, and thoughts on adulthood.

He's doing it.

All I want for him is to have a relationship with God,

because then he will have the confidence to do anything in his life.

I really hope he finds a career in drones or bugs, or botany, or 

animals...or all of the above?

First Day of School 2023-2024

 Yesterday was the first day of school.

2 brown paper lunch bags down, 358 more to go!

Then I tried to be sneaky and take a picture of Gigs heading into school,

but he did his best to dodge me.

Lottie, however, smiled and waved!

That's the difference between a 6th grader and a Junior in High School.

Back to School Feast 2023-2024/Confidence

 

The 2023-2024 Nielson Family theme:

Last year, I took Lottie and her friends to a

  jumping house for her 11th birthday.

While I waited for her on the couch in the lobby, I read a touching Instagram

 post by Elder Dale G. Renlund. 

He shared his heartwarming experience of visiting and ministering 

to the people of Guatemala City.

He met a young boy who asked him:

"How's Jesus"

Elder Renlund responded to him,

"Jesus loves you, and He has confidence in you, 

and you can have confidence in Him." 

This young boy responded with a big, knowing smile that filled my soul with joy.

I invite each of you to fill your souls with the 

knowledge that Jesus loves you, He has confidence in you, 

and you can have confidence in Him.

I experienced a powerful feeling while reading Elder Renlund's words. 

It was as if his words were directed towards me personally.

 The idea that God has faith in me has profoundly impacted my heart.

This is truly transformative, and I hope it will move Lottie and Gigs

 as they start the new school year.

On Saturday evening, the four of us sat down, 

ate good food, and discussed 

our goals, hopes, confidence, and dreams about the upcoming school year.

Menu:

Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet

Watermelon Basil with Feta and Cucumber Salad

Crisp Gnocchi With Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter

Double Starter Sourdough Bread

Dessert: 

Oreo Nutella Icebox cake 

topped with brown sugar, vanilla, and strawberry macarons

Of course, our table was NOT complete without our gorgeous

Piggy and Dirt stained glass stars

Particularly this year's theme star in Neopolton Ice Cream!

I can't wait to hang the framed theme on our wall, 

where we'll always see it and be reminded of its powerful words.

I shared the new theme a few weeks early with Claire 

in Arizona, my missionaries Jane in Portugal, and Oliver in Brazil. 

I asked for their thoughts on the theme, 

which I could share with everyone. 

Their messages were unique and beautiful, and I was deeply 

moved by their heartfelt words. As I read them aloud, 

I found myself struggling to hold back tears.

Claire said:

We're not perfect; sometimes, we're "slow to remember the Lord our God."

 But He will never turn His face from us. He loves us always, 

and He will bless us with help when we ask in faith, confidence, and humility.

I testify that we each have divine potential. 

That the Lord has great confidence in us and our future. 

We really can be confident in Him and His promises.

In this coming year, in the various phases of life that our family is in, 

middle school, high school, missions, college, work, 

and everything else in between, we can be confident that 

The Lord is with us and cheering us on. 

He is so confident in the Nielson family and what we're capable of. 

We can be confident in Him, too.

Sister Nielson (Jane) said:

On the mission, it is so ridiculously easy to compare EVERYTHING. 

Someone always looks better, speaks better, knows better, and teaches better. 

I think I have doubted just about everything about myself during my mission. 

All my gifts, talents, ability to speak Portuguese, ability to teach, 

my knowledge of the scriptures, and the personal revelation I have received. 

The one thing, however, that I never doubted was my testimony.

I have a loving Redeemer - who knows every stress, worry, sin, 

and trouble that I have, will, and am facing on my mission; 

this knowledge has given me the courage to trust.

Or, in other words, confidence in my Savior. 

Jesus doesn't want us to be embarrassed or doubtful of our skills all the time. 

He wants us to be confident people!

But, it is a different kind of confidence than high self-esteem. 

It is confidence in Him.

Elder  Nielson (Ollie) said:

...God knows it's hard. Life is busy, sad, and sometimes frustrating. 

Our dreams might now work out the way we want, 

or they might just take time (the Lord's time). 

Because of this, Jesus Christ carried out the Atonement.

So He can know exactly how we feel and how to counsel us. 

Because of this, we can have confidence in Him.

I love that it's a two-way street, have confidence in Him, 

and know that He has confidence in us. 

I love our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He lives, 

and I am confident that He will bless our family. 

I love y'all, and I think about you every day. 

Go, Nielson Family, Go!!!!!

Jane in Portugal: August 2023

Jane experienced significant changes in August, 

including becoming a Sister Training Leader, 

getting a new companion whom she adores, 

and relocating from Lisbon to Porto.

Other notable events in August include the Pope's visit to Lisbon, 

a temple visit with a new member, and Jane's sighting of a

 black cat on the fence of a home with the address 13. 

(Did you know Jane is superstitious?)

She works so hard.

Maybe she goes too hard because her heals are cracking and sore,

she gets ulcers in her mouth, and her hair falls out. 

But she is so happy and has such a beautiful attitude because

she knows this is HIS work.

Jane serves Him and is obedient to His rules.

Jane knows this mission has never been about her

or for her to gain experiences, those are just beautiful byproducts

from serving a mission FOR HIM!

Cracked heals, sores, tired legs, exhaustion, disappointment-

these are all things that will inevitably happen on a mission,

 and if you're going for you,

they will wear you down in the end.

But if you go FOR HIM,

you'll be uplifted, sustained, and blessed to finish strong

with the resilience you'll need and use for the rest of your life!

Speaking of finishing strong, she's been out officially for

ONE YEAR!!! 

Go, Jane, Go!!!!