New Transfer!

it's officially day 1 of my 6th transfer! at the end of this transfer, i'll be like 3 days from my halfway point. what is happening? time is going way too fast, it's all a blur. We received transfer news on Saturday, Sister Withers will be step-training (training is a span of 2 transfers, so her trainee has already been a missionary one transfer) in Durango, CO which was in my zone when I was in Cortez. I've been there a good amount of times, its really pretty there and super green and stuff. Lots of hippies and college kids, there's a college there. A bit different from Monticello, not as small-town and mormon, that's for sure! It should be good for her. Sister Dowd and I will be staying here in Monticello, I will be finishing her training, it should be fun! I'm a little nervous, Sister WIthers was a nice peace-maker and Sister Dowd and I can have our moments, but nothing a little talking and food can't fix. I'm also super nervous to basically take over Monticello, I'm not that confident in my way around and the people yet, even though I've been here for 2 transfers I really should be pretty confident, but alas here I sit very stressed and a little overwhelmed, but time will fix it I'm sure. It will be an interesting couple of days, Sister Dowd will adjust to having one companion (all she's ever known is our trio power) and she will have to talk a lot more. So that means I will get to talk less. So it will be a challenge for the both of us. The problem is I will have to allow awkward silence to give Sister Dowd a chance to think of what to say and such, which makes me cringe but she is really excited to work on becoming more outgoing and social! President teases me about how much I talk, so I think he's excited to see how this will work out. Hopefully I can be a good companion and helper for Sister Dowd as she strives to reach her goals.

 This week seriously went by SOOOOO fast. on Tuesday we picked up another new investigator in Dove Creek, which again, miracle. His name is S----, we met him as we were walking to an appointment, he was out watering his lawn so of course we went to go talk to him. He was super open and asked wonderful questions that we answered and he was excited to learn more. We'll be seeing him tomorrow. We also eat these really good pulled pork sandwhiches at the sinclair, and Sister Withers was trying to ask the man who smokes the meat for us what his name was, and he replied it was "herman smergley" which SHE BELIEVED HIM and of course me not filtering what I say laughed and said "is that really your name?" luckily he was kidding and it was definitley a fake name, but it was funny to watch Sister Withers react to that name and try not to cringe at what a dumb name it was. we laughed about that all week. on Wednesday we FINALLY got to see R--- again. she was in texas last week so it was so long without her. and her little brother and my favorite human, C---. He's 8, have i talked about him before? he's such a little stinker I love him. We also had DELICIOUS ribs cooked by a member from Hawaii, he's gonna cook us kalua pork next time:) 

AH on Thursday I witnessed the most scarring thing on my mission- a dog get hit by a car! Remember that dog that peed on me like my first week in Monticello? ya he was running across the street and he just got straight up hit by this truck! Luckily i closed my eyes and plugged my ears fast enough, but still heard it all:( LUCKKILY again, hes alive, just has some stitches and is pretty beat up:( a very scarring day for Sister Nilsson, even Sister Withers and Sister Dowd were pretty shaken up and they selectively like dogs, they don't love them like I do. on Friday 

we had a wonderful lesson with our part-member family, the Hickmans. they told us they would "probably" never come back to church, but we taught a powerful lesson on the Atonement and then tied in how we remember the Atonement through the sacrament, then BAM invitation to come to church. and they didn't totally deny it. they promised they would pray and council as a family, which was better than what I expected, so we are excited to see their progress. THey need a little bit of a push and need to recognize that we as misssionaries don't just come and give a nice little message and leave. we have expectations, well I guess the Lord has expectations and they are very capable of doing these things that will bless their life. I love them, hopefully they understand that. anyawy, off soap box. On Saturday

 we had another dinner with the Helquists! it was a huge family gathering, we had elk/deer/beef fajitas, tons of salads and fruit and EVERYTHING, then DELICIOUS blueberry and apple dutch oven cobbler<3 it was SO MUCH FUN and we were so happy, C---- even set up an entire "redneck scene" for us to take pictures with, I will be sure to send those to you:) Saturday was also when we received the call about Sister Withers leaving, we are sad but excited for her. Sundaywas a normal day. we ate dinner with Darlene  on Sunday, then had a rockin' lesson with our investigator H----. It was a good week, fast, and now a new transfer. We'll be traveling to Cortez tonight to drop off Sister Withers, then the week will be me and Sister Dowd! Wish us luck! Hopefully all will be well, I'm sure it will be great:)
I love you all so much! I hope you are enjoying your week and having fun and being safe and everything. Sounds like you're all doing well, stay strong and enjoy family time and everything:) I miss you but also LOVE SO MUCH being a missionary. Enjoy every day, enjoy conference (can't believe its already my second General Conference on the mission!) (only 1 left) and we will be skyping before you know it! hopefully i dont have "chocolate" on my face this time, but no promises.

Love,

Sister Nilsson