My friend Amy was with Operation Smile in Bolivia. She took a package for me but was unable to meet with Emily and gave it to the mission. Amy said that Bolivia was quite clean (for a 3rd world country) with lots of flowers. Cheryl Siebert is a girl I knew growing up so now her niece and my daughter are companions. Lisa Bishop is leaving for her mission to Detroit MI this week.
The time is seriously flying, its crazy! Sorry I forgot to tell you what Hna Calderòn told me. She just said that someone had called and that you had sent a package for me and that you sent me a hug :) Thanks so
much for the package! I tried not to eat all the cookies at once, but I was just so excited :) It was also super fun to see the wedding invitations, life just keeps moving on, its nuts! The primary songs cds, - thanks a million! Hna Broome and I have been listening to them. The first three cds are the piano, but the last three have the words.... so maybe you can buy it again and listen to the last three cds. haha but we`re trying to learn the primary songs. Hna Broome and I always sang primary songs, but in english and no one understands us. And we only remember about half the words. haha but its super fun and we`re excited to learn them in Spanish. Thanks for the liahonas too, I^m excited to find someone to share them with. Cheryl Siebert is hna broomes aunt - its such a small world! hna broome said her grandparents tried to call grandma and grandpa peterson but they didn`t answer, i told her maybe its cause they`re on a mission. When do they finish?
Thats so great that Lisa leaves this weeK! I`m excited for her, she will be an awesome missionary! tell I say hi if you see her before she leaves, and best of luck, and pray always, and shes really great! haha I was thinking about my cousins and wondering about their mission calls - Jaiden, Andrew, Adam?? Do they have mission calls yet? When are they gonna join us in the mission field? Its pretty great out here, I can`t wait!
So crazy thing happened this week. In our zone meeting they gave us little portable DVD players, one for every missionary house. ITs so we can watch things like teh district, and other PMG videos. They said they are gifts from the first presidency - the church is pretty techy, its awesome.
So, Hermana Broome and I are great! We`re working hard and its super fun. This week we went to visit a less active family, and one of their sister-in-laws joined us for our lesson. She`s not a member, and is really receptive to the message. We`re excited. We left a folleto with her and she read it all - super unusual. She is also excited to read the book of mormon. She`s not married to her marido, but she said that ya, we can get married. She said maybe in January and I said "Novemeber is an awesome month for a wedding" and she said, ya, esta bien. We`re excited to help her progress.
Oh, one of the members here wants Christmas sheet music, for a choir. In Spanish. She was wondering if you knew how to find it? I thought maybe natalie could find some links that I could give her??
Ado is going to be baptized this Saturday! He has had some problems with the word of wisdom, but I tink he`s gonna do it, finally! We`re really excited. His wife was baptized a month ago, and they have two of the cutest little boys ever. Joel is 6 years old and always prays, and says that when he grows up he`s going to be a missionary,
and after hes going to be a soccer player. He can`t wait until he's 8, so he can be baptized. Luis turned 4 Saturday. They are a super awesome family, and its honor to know them and be able to share the gospel with them.
We are working with some families, hopefully they can progress. Our biggest challenge is getting them to come to church. I think we`re going to teah them about the importance of going to churh and hopefully it will all go well.
The mission really is awesome. I am so glad to be here, in barrio Guaracal, with hna Broome. The church is true, the gospel changes lives. I love you all lots and lots and lots. Thanks for your prayers and your support.
Take care of yourselves!
Hna Olsen
Debbie
Washington Yakima
Monday, October 24, 2011
Emily, 10.24.11
My friend Amy was with Operation Smile in Bolivia. She took a package for me but was unable to meet with Emily and gave it to the mission. Amy said that Bolivia was quite clean (for a 3rd world country) with lots of flowers. Cheryl Siebert is a girl I knew growing up so now her niece and my daughter are companions. Lisa Bishop is leaving for her mission to Detroit MI this week.
The time is seriously flying, its crazy! Sorry I forgot to tell you what Hna Calderòn told me. She just said that someone had called and that you had sent a package for me and that you sent me a hug :) Thanks so
much for the package! I tried not to eat all the cookies at once, but I was just so excited :) It was also super fun to see the wedding invitations, life just keeps moving on, its nuts! The primary songs cds, - thanks a million! Hna Broome and I have been listening to them. The first three cds are the piano, but the last three have the words.... so maybe you can buy it again and listen to the last three cds. haha but we`re trying to learn the primary songs. Hna Broome and I always sang primary songs, but in english and no one understands us. And we only remember about half the words. haha but its super fun and we`re excited to learn them in Spanish. Thanks for the liahonas too, I^m excited to find someone to share them with. Cheryl Siebert is hna broomes aunt - its such a small world! hna broome said her grandparents tried to call grandma and grandpa peterson but they didn`t answer, i told her maybe its cause they`re on a mission. When do they finish?
Thats so great that Lisa leaves this weeK! I`m excited for her, she will be an awesome missionary! tell I say hi if you see her before she leaves, and best of luck, and pray always, and shes really great! haha I was thinking about my cousins and wondering about their mission calls - Jaiden, Andrew, Adam?? Do they have mission calls yet? When are they gonna join us in the mission field? Its pretty great out here, I can`t wait!
So crazy thing happened this week. In our zone meeting they gave us little portable DVD players, one for every missionary house. ITs so we can watch things like teh district, and other PMG videos. They said they are gifts from the first presidency - the church is pretty techy, its awesome.
So, Hermana Broome and I are great! We`re working hard and its super fun. This week we went to visit a less active family, and one of their sister-in-laws joined us for our lesson. She`s not a member, and is really receptive to the message. We`re excited. We left a folleto with her and she read it all - super unusual. She is also excited to read the book of mormon. She`s not married to her marido, but she said that ya, we can get married. She said maybe in January and I said "Novemeber is an awesome month for a wedding" and she said, ya, esta bien. We`re excited to help her progress.
Oh, one of the members here wants Christmas sheet music, for a choir. In Spanish. She was wondering if you knew how to find it? I thought maybe natalie could find some links that I could give her??
Ado is going to be baptized this Saturday! He has had some problems with the word of wisdom, but I tink he`s gonna do it, finally! We`re really excited. His wife was baptized a month ago, and they have two of the cutest little boys ever. Joel is 6 years old and always prays, and says that when he grows up he`s going to be a missionary,
and after hes going to be a soccer player. He can`t wait until he's 8, so he can be baptized. Luis turned 4 Saturday. They are a super awesome family, and its honor to know them and be able to share the gospel with them.
We are working with some families, hopefully they can progress. Our biggest challenge is getting them to come to church. I think we`re going to teah them about the importance of going to churh and hopefully it will all go well.
The mission really is awesome. I am so glad to be here, in barrio Guaracal, with hna Broome. The church is true, the gospel changes lives. I love you all lots and lots and lots. Thanks for your prayers and your support.
Take care of yourselves!
Hna Olsen
The time is seriously flying, its crazy! Sorry I forgot to tell you what Hna Calderòn told me. She just said that someone had called and that you had sent a package for me and that you sent me a hug :) Thanks so
much for the package! I tried not to eat all the cookies at once, but I was just so excited :) It was also super fun to see the wedding invitations, life just keeps moving on, its nuts! The primary songs cds, - thanks a million! Hna Broome and I have been listening to them. The first three cds are the piano, but the last three have the words.... so maybe you can buy it again and listen to the last three cds. haha but we`re trying to learn the primary songs. Hna Broome and I always sang primary songs, but in english and no one understands us. And we only remember about half the words. haha but its super fun and we`re excited to learn them in Spanish. Thanks for the liahonas too, I^m excited to find someone to share them with. Cheryl Siebert is hna broomes aunt - its such a small world! hna broome said her grandparents tried to call grandma and grandpa peterson but they didn`t answer, i told her maybe its cause they`re on a mission. When do they finish?
Thats so great that Lisa leaves this weeK! I`m excited for her, she will be an awesome missionary! tell I say hi if you see her before she leaves, and best of luck, and pray always, and shes really great! haha I was thinking about my cousins and wondering about their mission calls - Jaiden, Andrew, Adam?? Do they have mission calls yet? When are they gonna join us in the mission field? Its pretty great out here, I can`t wait!
So crazy thing happened this week. In our zone meeting they gave us little portable DVD players, one for every missionary house. ITs so we can watch things like teh district, and other PMG videos. They said they are gifts from the first presidency - the church is pretty techy, its awesome.
So, Hermana Broome and I are great! We`re working hard and its super fun. This week we went to visit a less active family, and one of their sister-in-laws joined us for our lesson. She`s not a member, and is really receptive to the message. We`re excited. We left a folleto with her and she read it all - super unusual. She is also excited to read the book of mormon. She`s not married to her marido, but she said that ya, we can get married. She said maybe in January and I said "Novemeber is an awesome month for a wedding" and she said, ya, esta bien. We`re excited to help her progress.
Oh, one of the members here wants Christmas sheet music, for a choir. In Spanish. She was wondering if you knew how to find it? I thought maybe natalie could find some links that I could give her??
Ado is going to be baptized this Saturday! He has had some problems with the word of wisdom, but I tink he`s gonna do it, finally! We`re really excited. His wife was baptized a month ago, and they have two of the cutest little boys ever. Joel is 6 years old and always prays, and says that when he grows up he`s going to be a missionary,
and after hes going to be a soccer player. He can`t wait until he's 8, so he can be baptized. Luis turned 4 Saturday. They are a super awesome family, and its honor to know them and be able to share the gospel with them.
We are working with some families, hopefully they can progress. Our biggest challenge is getting them to come to church. I think we`re going to teah them about the importance of going to churh and hopefully it will all go well.
The mission really is awesome. I am so glad to be here, in barrio Guaracal, with hna Broome. The church is true, the gospel changes lives. I love you all lots and lots and lots. Thanks for your prayers and your support.
Take care of yourselves!
Hna Olsen
Peter, 10.24.11
mom,
who did you hear that this area was dangerous from? this one actually seems really safe. we haven't had any close calls. the most dangerous part are the drivers. there are some terrible ones here. yesterday we had dinner with a member here that is thinking about homeschooling i told her that you did it and i gave her your phone number. she just had some questions about it. i love you
dad,
wow thats so many missionaries coming and going from the stake. i'm sure sister Bishop will be a great missionary.
that is cool that you mention how everyone develops at different speeds spiritually that is something that Elder Neil L. Anderson spoke of when he came just over a week ago to our mission. it always amazes me how perfect God works in helpling each of us out and how he guides you to share insights about what I've thought about lately. this isn't the first time its happened either. it happens almost everytime you or mom send insights. the deer looks pretty good! how far away was it when you shot it? i love you and i love hearing from you.
your son Elder Olsen
Dane,
that truck looks sweet! i wish i was their to help you with it. hows the deer huntin' comin'? i hope you at least see some bucks, what gun you using? i love you and hope to hear from ya soon. keep me updated on that truck! i want you to know i look up to you and admire you. you really are amazing dane.
Elder Olsen
Monday, October 17, 2011
Emily, 10.17.11 and Dreams
Dreams are weird things! Last night I had a crazy dream with all the
things that I went to bed thinking about. I dreamed that I got to come
home to visit you all for un ratito, like a day or two. It was crazy!
I dreamed that when I got there Amy Dennis never was able to get the
package that you sent to me and so I came home to pick it up -
and I`m not sure why but you had sent me a whole bunch of kitchen
utensils to cook with... huh, interesting... haha I also dreamed that
we went to visit Elise and Natalie in Idaho and Elise made Cincinnati
chili for me, and it was all delicious but for some reason we didn`t
eat it with noodles, but with rice! haha that could be because we eat
rice every single day here, entonces why not there??! I also dreamed
that we had to wait on the missionaries, elise had invited the elders
to eat with them, when they walked in and saw me they were shocked.
They saw my name tag and asked where my companion was... Then I had to
leave really fast because I had an appointment with an investigator in
bolivia... haha weird!
So last Wednesday we had a conference with the area 70 president,
Elder Pino (his pictures in the ensign..., you should find it). He
shook all of our hands and then we shook hands with presidente and Hna
Calderòn and as I greeted Hna calderòn she said "i have a message for
you." uh.. ok?? And then she said but after I`ll tell you. Awesome.. I
almost lost all hope of paying attention during the meeting... but
said a prayer and it worked out :) The meeting was awesome. Pres,
Calderòn talked about being direct, and that our purpose is to invite
people to be baptized! and we should invite them! Hna Calderòn talked
about the covenants that we have made and that we need to honor them.
Hna Pino talked about humility, and its definitely an attribute that I
need to develop. Elder Pino talked about obedience, and how we are
official representatives of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, we`re not just "normal" members, we are the official
representatives, and thats why we have different rules, higher
standards that we need to live by. Mostly it made me realize that I
can improve, be even more obediente and work harder. My favorite thing
that Elder Pino told us is that we need to enjoy our missions.
Sometimes I forget that this is more then just work work work, its
important that we enjoy it all. That we smile and laugh and that we
can show how happy the gospel makes us. It was an awesome conference.
We had a snack and got to sit at the table with Elder and Sister Pino
and we asked them questions about everything. What their jobs are,
what they do, who they know. Their son served in Gunnison on his
mission - crazy! It was all really neat.
Before I forget there are some things that I have been meaning to ask
for.... Awhile ago dad mentioned a cup of example of the great
apostasy. He sent me an attachment but it doesn`t open and I just
would really really really like to use this example... it would be
awesome if you could send me it! I would also love love love a copy of
my mission call. And maybe this sounds cheesy, but kinda fun to do. We
always teach the families about family prayer and how it can help them
in their life. Its neat because I can always testify of the blessing
its been in my life. And sometimes I share that I know you`re all
praying as a family, and for each one of them (my investigators) and
its super neat. But I was thinking... maybe you could send me a
picture of you all kneeling and praying in family prayer... If you
want, it would be sweet to be able to show them. Also... Hna Broome`s
grandparents have lived in Murray for like ever... and we wanted to
know if grandma and grandpa Peterson know them..... Their names are
Ralph and Eileen Siebert. And grandma and grandpa.... are you guys
going to finish your mission soon? Que crazy! Also..... Mom I don't
know how often you talk to Sister Barton, steph`s mom. But we are
teaching a lady who has grandkids that live in Houston, Texas and are
members of the church, and maybe steph knows them! Her name is Amanda
Guzman. Ya, I think thats everything...
So things are great here. Hermana Broome is super awesome and shes
teaching me lots and lots. Yesterday we made french toast... it may
have been the best french toast that I have ever eaten... maybe
because I^m in Bolivia, but wow! It was delicious! Hermana Broome is
full of faith and she is teaching me to always search for the guidance
of the spirit. She is also constantly looking for ways to be more
obedient, and its awesome. Something that I have been praying for is
that we can be friends, and enjoy the mission, and she is definitely
one of my friends. We are constantly talking, teaching, meeting
everyone, and laughing, and its so much fun. Sometimes she tries to
speak English and it is so funny. For example, the other day she
accused me of being a "Nut Health!" or she said that a scripture hit
her "like a rock of stones!" bahaha its really funny.
We have been praying for a family that we can teach and that can enter the waters of baptism together. Wherever we walk the men here are
terrible... they are constantly cat calling, or yelling out pet names
at us. Basically if a man talks we completely ignore him, which normally
is good, but at sometimes not so good, because sometimes we see
members that are men and we ignore them at first until we realize that
they are members and want to talk to us. But yesterday we were walking
and this man in a white tank top started talking to us and calling us
of. My first instinct was to ignore him and keep walking but
something made me stop to talk to him. He asked what church we`re from
and if we visit people and give lessons, we said ya! He said that he
and his family are passing through some hard things and they are
looking for church and asked if we could come visit them. as we sat
there with our mouths wide open... we finally recovered enough to say
ya, I think we could work something out! haha We have an appointment
with him and his family today and I am so excited to go and teach
them! They`re a young family, married (which really is a miracle
here!) and they have two kids. I can`t wait!
The work is moving on, I am truly living the dream, and I am so happy
to be here on a mission! The church is true, this is God`s work and He
is helping us everyday. I love ya all lots and lots.
Hermana Olsen
PS how are shandi and Lindsay??
things that I went to bed thinking about. I dreamed that I got to come
home to visit you all for un ratito, like a day or two. It was crazy!
I dreamed that when I got there Amy Dennis never was able to get the
package that you sent to me and so I came home to pick it up -
and I`m not sure why but you had sent me a whole bunch of kitchen
utensils to cook with... huh, interesting... haha I also dreamed that
we went to visit Elise and Natalie in Idaho and Elise made Cincinnati
chili for me, and it was all delicious but for some reason we didn`t
eat it with noodles, but with rice! haha that could be because we eat
rice every single day here, entonces why not there??! I also dreamed
that we had to wait on the missionaries, elise had invited the elders
to eat with them, when they walked in and saw me they were shocked.
They saw my name tag and asked where my companion was... Then I had to
leave really fast because I had an appointment with an investigator in
bolivia... haha weird!
So last Wednesday we had a conference with the area 70 president,
Elder Pino (his pictures in the ensign..., you should find it). He
shook all of our hands and then we shook hands with presidente and Hna
Calderòn and as I greeted Hna calderòn she said "i have a message for
you." uh.. ok?? And then she said but after I`ll tell you. Awesome.. I
almost lost all hope of paying attention during the meeting... but
said a prayer and it worked out :) The meeting was awesome. Pres,
Calderòn talked about being direct, and that our purpose is to invite
people to be baptized! and we should invite them! Hna Calderòn talked
about the covenants that we have made and that we need to honor them.
Hna Pino talked about humility, and its definitely an attribute that I
need to develop. Elder Pino talked about obedience, and how we are
official representatives of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, we`re not just "normal" members, we are the official
representatives, and thats why we have different rules, higher
standards that we need to live by. Mostly it made me realize that I
can improve, be even more obediente and work harder. My favorite thing
that Elder Pino told us is that we need to enjoy our missions.
Sometimes I forget that this is more then just work work work, its
important that we enjoy it all. That we smile and laugh and that we
can show how happy the gospel makes us. It was an awesome conference.
We had a snack and got to sit at the table with Elder and Sister Pino
and we asked them questions about everything. What their jobs are,
what they do, who they know. Their son served in Gunnison on his
mission - crazy! It was all really neat.
Before I forget there are some things that I have been meaning to ask
for.... Awhile ago dad mentioned a cup of example of the great
apostasy. He sent me an attachment but it doesn`t open and I just
would really really really like to use this example... it would be
awesome if you could send me it! I would also love love love a copy of
my mission call. And maybe this sounds cheesy, but kinda fun to do. We
always teach the families about family prayer and how it can help them
in their life. Its neat because I can always testify of the blessing
its been in my life. And sometimes I share that I know you`re all
praying as a family, and for each one of them (my investigators) and
its super neat. But I was thinking... maybe you could send me a
picture of you all kneeling and praying in family prayer... If you
want, it would be sweet to be able to show them. Also... Hna Broome`s
grandparents have lived in Murray for like ever... and we wanted to
know if grandma and grandpa Peterson know them..... Their names are
Ralph and Eileen Siebert. And grandma and grandpa.... are you guys
going to finish your mission soon? Que crazy! Also..... Mom I don't
know how often you talk to Sister Barton, steph`s mom. But we are
teaching a lady who has grandkids that live in Houston, Texas and are
members of the church, and maybe steph knows them! Her name is Amanda
Guzman. Ya, I think thats everything...
So things are great here. Hermana Broome is super awesome and shes
teaching me lots and lots. Yesterday we made french toast... it may
have been the best french toast that I have ever eaten... maybe
because I^m in Bolivia, but wow! It was delicious! Hermana Broome is
full of faith and she is teaching me to always search for the guidance
of the spirit. She is also constantly looking for ways to be more
obedient, and its awesome. Something that I have been praying for is
that we can be friends, and enjoy the mission, and she is definitely
one of my friends. We are constantly talking, teaching, meeting
everyone, and laughing, and its so much fun. Sometimes she tries to
speak English and it is so funny. For example, the other day she
accused me of being a "Nut Health!" or she said that a scripture hit
her "like a rock of stones!" bahaha its really funny.
We have been praying for a family that we can teach and that can enter the waters of baptism together. Wherever we walk the men here are
terrible... they are constantly cat calling, or yelling out pet names
at us. Basically if a man talks we completely ignore him, which normally
is good, but at sometimes not so good, because sometimes we see
members that are men and we ignore them at first until we realize that
they are members and want to talk to us. But yesterday we were walking
and this man in a white tank top started talking to us and calling us
of. My first instinct was to ignore him and keep walking but
something made me stop to talk to him. He asked what church we`re from
and if we visit people and give lessons, we said ya! He said that he
and his family are passing through some hard things and they are
looking for church and asked if we could come visit them. as we sat
there with our mouths wide open... we finally recovered enough to say
ya, I think we could work something out! haha We have an appointment
with him and his family today and I am so excited to go and teach
them! They`re a young family, married (which really is a miracle
here!) and they have two kids. I can`t wait!
The work is moving on, I am truly living the dream, and I am so happy
to be here on a mission! The church is true, this is God`s work and He
is helping us everyday. I love ya all lots and lots.
Hermana Olsen
PS how are shandi and Lindsay??
 |
| yummy French toast |
Peter, 10.17.11
one cool experience we had this week is that we were grabbing a couple things from walmart and we were going through the check out line and we just asked how the cashier was doing and she opened up and actually told us some of her feelings about work and life in general. we then gave her a pass a long card. as we did she said that she could tell that there was something different about us and that she could feel it. God truly does support us in the calling that he has give us.
this week we started teaching 2 people. first Ak, we tracted into him a week ago Sunday and he said we could come back so we did and we were able to teach about the Book of Mormon and as we read through the intro, he said that he could already feel the truth of it. wow! We are given such amazing tools to help people learn the Gospel. the Book of Mormon is such an amazing tool to help people come unto Christ. we later followed up with him and he had reread the intro with his wife and his wife was also able to feel the truth and had a desire to read from it. we are hoping to get over and teach them soon! 2nd is chou, she is a hatian lady that is in her 30s and wants to feel, have the power to forgive. she has had many thing happen to her and she has not been able to find peace. we then were able to promise her that she will be able to find peace and the ablilty to forgive and have her mind put at ease through Christ. She said she was willing to try this and said she really wanted this to work. we know that it will if she is willing to take the Atonement into her life.
thank you so much for your support.
I love you
Elder Olsen
Monday, October 10, 2011
Peter, 10.10.11
hello,
wow! snow?!
thats crazy! its been cooling off here too. meaning its been getting into the low 60s, my blood has definitely thinned out, but it feels good! Dads going to British Columbia? does he know what he will be working on? i definatly want to hear about it. and yes i got your package thanks so much for sending it. the letters from the primary were fun. i'll have to write them back. i havn't read the talk about grace yet but that is something i have studied in the past few weeks. so i am looking forward to it. i wasn't expecting the plan of salvation diagram either but when we are teaching a family i'm sure it will come in handy.
so i am in the University P.W. it is the family ward that covers ucf (university of cental Florida) it is a huge school. my companion is from Centerville, Utah and is going home at the end of this transfer. its a little weird, to think that he is headed home. he is really great we have been getting along really well. we had a baptism Saturday for Amauri, he was really excited! He's a head chef so he has been giving us some pointers on how to cook. the ward is great here and there are a lot more young couples in this ward compared to Sanford.
thanks mom for everything
you son, Elder Olsen
Guaracal, Emily 10.10.11
So my week was good. All of Monday I felt absolutely exhausted and pretty much slept all afternoon. At 6 we went out to visit everyone, but I was absolutely exhausted. From Saturday when I woke up with the cold, Sunday, MOnday I had been thinking about asking the elders for a blessing. But, i don`t know if its my hard headedness and the fact that I don`t like to ask for help, and I like to be independent - I couldn`t bring myself to ask them for a blessing. Monday night I was absolutely exhausted. I prayed that if it was necessary that Heavenly Father would send me the elders to give me a blessing. I woke up Tuesday morning - with no strength. I showered hoping it would help but went back to bed after, completely exhausted. I didn`t know what to do, but then the owners told us the elders had come to visit us. My companions went down to meet them, and asked them to come up and give me a blessing. The blessing was very special for me. For like a month I had been wanting a blessing of comfort, but you know me, didn`t want to ask. What I really wanted was a fathers blessing. But Elder Hansen gave me a blessing and it was everything that I needed to hear. He told me to be healed and that I would be able to go out and work that day, according to my faith. He told me I needed to be grateful for what God had given me, and he told me that my Heavenly Father loved me. And a whole bunch of very special things I needed to hear. The elders left, I said a prayer then got up and got ready. We studied and then we headed out to work. We were able to work all day Tuesday. It was a miracle. I am just so grateful for the priesthood and for worthy priesthood holders and for a Heavenly Father that takes such good care of me, sending me the elders when I need them. Heavenly Father is just so good to me. I know its also thanks to all of your prayers too, so thank you.
Wednesday night was transfers, I was 98% sure that I was going to stay in san Pedro and Braniff - but the Lord thoughts and my thoughts are different. The Zone Leaders called us and he told me that I would be working in Guaracal for the next 6 weeks and my companion would be Hermana Broome! Awesome. but he also told me that they were going to close my area. This cambio there aren`t any missionaries there and it brakes my heart. We had investigators who were preparing for baptism, and now no one is there to help them. I hope and pray for them that they will be strong and when the missionaries get there the next cambio they`ll be there and ready to be baptized!
Thursday morning we left early and I didn`t have a chance to say goodbye to anyone... bummer deal. The mission is full of goodbyes. I`m gonna miss the people in my other area, the members, investigators, recent converts, and my district and zone leaders. 4 and a hlf months in one area and you get a little attached--- but Guaracal is awesome! Its actually right next door to San Pedro and Braniff. So close, yet so far!
Hermana Broome is great, she`s from Ogden Utah and has one cambio more then me in the mission. She has a lot of faith and she always remembers to pray and ask God, where we should go, what we should do. Its awesome. I `m learning loads from her, and we are here to work hard, it should be great. There aren`t very many inevstigators so we are looking for new people like crazy! Its awesome.
Yesterday we had a neat experience. ALL of our appointments fell through. We were calling some of the people we had contacted to see if we could visit them and either they didn't answer or they didn`t have time. We headed out and were walking close to the church when we saw these guys, slightly sketchy walking down the street. Hna Broome and Hna Ortiz had taught them before so Hna Broome hollered "Oscar!" and they all turned around. They had tatoos, everywhere, piercings in their ears, and necklaces, and we`ll just say normally i try to avoid
men like this. BUt we asked if they`d like to join us in the church and if we could teach them. They said ya, and we headed to the church. Luckily there were members there and they joined us for the lesson. We taught the restoration, the members bore testimony, and it was absolutely powerful. I asked them how they felt, and they said good, relaxed. Then one of them said its true, I feel better in thsi church then in any other. We talked about baptism and ohw important it is to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ, they accepted a baptismal date, and one of them even said, "this is Christ`s church!· It was was so neat. The spirit was really strong, and you could see it in their eyes, they knew it was true. I definitely learned that you can`t judge a book by the cover, or crazy looking men by their tatoos. haha We have another appointment with them this Thursday and I`m excited.
We`re gonna call our ward mission leader to join us with his wife...for their testimonies... and thier protection :) Should be awesome!
I wanted to tell you another story about this awesome family, but times upalready. I love you a lots and lots. THis is the work of the Lord. Tell Shandi and Lindsay hi, and i love them, and I would love to hear from them.
Hermana Olsen
Monday, October 3, 2011
Peter, 10.3.11
hello
i loved General Conference! it was so good to here from the church leaders.
they are great!
i really liked Pres. Monsons talks that he gave in the priesthood and Sunday morning sessions. i hadn't realized it until it was pointed out to me, but they were almost identical. they both were on the moral decay of society and the need to stand strong in our morals. the fact that the same topic was shared twice is an indication of how important it is that he had to repeat himself.
i also enjoyed the talk that was given by a seventy that spoke of the Book of Mormon. and how it is either true or its not, their is no middle ground it is either of God or Satan. it re established that to me that it is that easy. it is either true or its false there is no Middle ground.
my testimony grew as i had promised a recent convert that he would receive personal revelation at conference. and by the end of the Saturday morning session he had felt as if they spoke directly to him. i know that as we seek revelation that we will receive, it is one of those blessings that God is ready to grant upon our seeking it. i loved Conference it has never meant as much before as it does to me now, in the mission field.
so i got the email from president Hall and i am getting transferred tomorrow. its in the same zone only about 15 miles away. so I'm staying relatively close. I'll have more information on what it's like next week.
Love you all
Elder Olsen
i loved General Conference! it was so good to here from the church leaders.
they are great!
i really liked Pres. Monsons talks that he gave in the priesthood and Sunday morning sessions. i hadn't realized it until it was pointed out to me, but they were almost identical. they both were on the moral decay of society and the need to stand strong in our morals. the fact that the same topic was shared twice is an indication of how important it is that he had to repeat himself.
i also enjoyed the talk that was given by a seventy that spoke of the Book of Mormon. and how it is either true or its not, their is no middle ground it is either of God or Satan. it re established that to me that it is that easy. it is either true or its false there is no Middle ground.
my testimony grew as i had promised a recent convert that he would receive personal revelation at conference. and by the end of the Saturday morning session he had felt as if they spoke directly to him. i know that as we seek revelation that we will receive, it is one of those blessings that God is ready to grant upon our seeking it. i loved Conference it has never meant as much before as it does to me now, in the mission field.
so i got the email from president Hall and i am getting transferred tomorrow. its in the same zone only about 15 miles away. so I'm staying relatively close. I'll have more information on what it's like next week.
Love you all
Elder Olsen
Emily, 10.3
Wow! Amy Denis is coming to Santa Cruz! She better prepare to MELT!
Its super hot here. I think its been in the 90s at least, normally
upper 90s and it is HOT! But great! :) For the moment I can`t think of
anything I really need or was hoping for. I got your package of skin
care vitamins and I am taking them, but i feel like a druggy. I am
doing good health wise, I have a little bit of a cold and low energy,
but I`m sure it`ll pass. Hna Calderon recommended more drugs... haha
Its great! Shelby Cox is getting married?! Who is she marrying???
Please give her my congratulations and if you have wedding
announcements I`d love to see them. I still havnt seen Kaitlyn
Averett`s, I don`t even know if she married. Its pretty crazy that
life keeps goin on back there in Manti. Your friends with Elder
Andrews mom too? Sweet! I don`t know why I always make that sign,
peace and love, no mas :) Meals are good, I`m eating bolivian food,
like always. We changed our pensionista and now we don`t drink soda
everyday, which is a huge blessing. Our new pensionista is the wife of
the bishop and she is really awesome and very sweet. She takes good
care of us. You`re never gonna beliecve this, but I eat vegetables
like crazy! You should all be proud of me. Hna Silvina (our
pensionista) always has a whole mountain of vegetables and they are
delicious. I eat cereal and yogurt, or toast with jam, or oatmeal for
breakfast, and I haven`t been eating dinner these last couple weeks.
Hna Silivina gives us mountains of food, and I generaly don`t even
want to think about food again until the time breakfast comes around
the next day.
I`m sending some pictures, hopefully they can all attach in time.
After getting absolutely fried the other day I gave in and put on an
incredibly uglisimo (thats spanglish for really ugly) hat, I only
lasted one day, but i may have to put it on again.... we`ll see. I`m
also sending one of me and mis companeritas. We made flags and were
temple square sister wanna bes for conference. Another one of a
birthday party of the family of one of our investgators, and... one of
all the chocos (gringos) watching conference. It was so absolutely
awesome to watch conference in English! I got to see 3 of the sessions
in English, and it made me super happy! A miracle happened. Friday
night our zone leaders called us and told us that we had permision to
attend conference saturday!! We already had appointments, but friday
i prayed taht if it was important to go then we would find the time to
go and listen. Saturday morning I called the appointments to invite
them to come with us and one family committed to going and the others
said taht they couldn`t meet with us saturday, that they were busy....
I guess it was important to watch conference! It made me super happy.
Coneference was awesome huh?? I loved the talk that talked about
teaching, sunday afternoon, and can`t wait to read it. I also really
like Sister dalton`s talk about hwo to raise girls, and I`m sure
grateful for my dad. He`s awesome!
This week has been a week full of, wow is this really happening. It
seems like all of our investigators have had a crazy trial this week,
and we have had the opportunity to teach them the gospel and comfort
them. One is Roxana and Edgar - They are a super young couple. Edgar
broke his leg and roxana has like a little baby restaurant that
supports thei family, they have one son. Edgar washealing good, but
something happened and he has to have another surgery. We were
teaching them and Edgar just started crying. Tell you whjat, its hard
to see a grown man cry. My heart just aches for him. We taught him
about the atonement and how amazing it is and how it can help us. I
think it helped. They came to the conference yesterday, crutches and
all. Roxana wants to be baptized, but they`re not married, and they
don`t have their documents so its gonna be awhile. This week we`re
having a fundraiser for htem in the ward. roxana is gonna make some
food, and wepre asking the members to go and support her and by lunch
from her. I hope and pray everything goes well.
Well times up already, I love you all so much! I really can`t think of
anything that I need, but I hope I`ll be able to see sister dennis,
that would be crazy awesome. Keep on keepin on, know that you`re all
in my prayers too. The church is true, the mission is awesome!I Its
cambios this week and both of my companions are finishing their
mission. I think it willl be a week FULL of goodbyes. Should be
awesome, cant`wait to see who is my comp, and where I`m gonna be!
Love ya`l lots and lots!
Love
Hermana Olsen
Its super hot here. I think its been in the 90s at least, normally
upper 90s and it is HOT! But great! :) For the moment I can`t think of
anything I really need or was hoping for. I got your package of skin
care vitamins and I am taking them, but i feel like a druggy. I am
doing good health wise, I have a little bit of a cold and low energy,
but I`m sure it`ll pass. Hna Calderon recommended more drugs... haha
Its great! Shelby Cox is getting married?! Who is she marrying???
Please give her my congratulations and if you have wedding
announcements I`d love to see them. I still havnt seen Kaitlyn
Averett`s, I don`t even know if she married. Its pretty crazy that
life keeps goin on back there in Manti. Your friends with Elder
Andrews mom too? Sweet! I don`t know why I always make that sign,
peace and love, no mas :) Meals are good, I`m eating bolivian food,
like always. We changed our pensionista and now we don`t drink soda
everyday, which is a huge blessing. Our new pensionista is the wife of
the bishop and she is really awesome and very sweet. She takes good
care of us. You`re never gonna beliecve this, but I eat vegetables
like crazy! You should all be proud of me. Hna Silvina (our
pensionista) always has a whole mountain of vegetables and they are
delicious. I eat cereal and yogurt, or toast with jam, or oatmeal for
breakfast, and I haven`t been eating dinner these last couple weeks.
Hna Silivina gives us mountains of food, and I generaly don`t even
want to think about food again until the time breakfast comes around
the next day.
I`m sending some pictures, hopefully they can all attach in time.
After getting absolutely fried the other day I gave in and put on an
incredibly uglisimo (thats spanglish for really ugly) hat, I only
lasted one day, but i may have to put it on again.... we`ll see. I`m
also sending one of me and mis companeritas. We made flags and were
temple square sister wanna bes for conference. Another one of a
birthday party of the family of one of our investgators, and... one of
all the chocos (gringos) watching conference. It was so absolutely
awesome to watch conference in English! I got to see 3 of the sessions
in English, and it made me super happy! A miracle happened. Friday
night our zone leaders called us and told us that we had permision to
attend conference saturday!! We already had appointments, but friday
i prayed taht if it was important to go then we would find the time to
go and listen. Saturday morning I called the appointments to invite
them to come with us and one family committed to going and the others
said taht they couldn`t meet with us saturday, that they were busy....
I guess it was important to watch conference! It made me super happy.
Coneference was awesome huh?? I loved the talk that talked about
teaching, sunday afternoon, and can`t wait to read it. I also really
like Sister dalton`s talk about hwo to raise girls, and I`m sure
grateful for my dad. He`s awesome!
This week has been a week full of, wow is this really happening. It
seems like all of our investigators have had a crazy trial this week,
and we have had the opportunity to teach them the gospel and comfort
them. One is Roxana and Edgar - They are a super young couple. Edgar
broke his leg and roxana has like a little baby restaurant that
supports thei family, they have one son. Edgar washealing good, but
something happened and he has to have another surgery. We were
teaching them and Edgar just started crying. Tell you whjat, its hard
to see a grown man cry. My heart just aches for him. We taught him
about the atonement and how amazing it is and how it can help us. I
think it helped. They came to the conference yesterday, crutches and
all. Roxana wants to be baptized, but they`re not married, and they
don`t have their documents so its gonna be awhile. This week we`re
having a fundraiser for htem in the ward. roxana is gonna make some
food, and wepre asking the members to go and support her and by lunch
from her. I hope and pray everything goes well.
Well times up already, I love you all so much! I really can`t think of
anything that I need, but I hope I`ll be able to see sister dennis,
that would be crazy awesome. Keep on keepin on, know that you`re all
in my prayers too. The church is true, the mission is awesome!I Its
cambios this week and both of my companions are finishing their
mission. I think it willl be a week FULL of goodbyes. Should be
awesome, cant`wait to see who is my comp, and where I`m gonna be!
Love ya`l lots and lots!
Love
Hermana Olsen
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