12.31.19

Dec 23 2019

Hey today was Joseph Smith's birthday! Fun fact Haha today was pretty good! We had district Pday which was fun, we went to Jackson Coney and then imagine planet with all the animals. It was definitely an adventure hahaha.

This afternoon we went shopping and did our laundry so that was kinda uneventful.  But tonight we went to Hope's! It was good to be there, we learned more about her and her situation and what we can do for her. Her 10 year old daughter Aubrey is the only child above 8 that is willing to listen to us for now...  Haha eventually hopefully the other ones will come around! After being there we left and came back to the apartment and that was basically our day! It was a good time! I am grateful to be a missionary!





Dec 24 2019

Today was super good! I am soooo full..... well have to see how tomorrow goes... tonight I was over 180 lbs... so that is sad. But we had some great fun with awesome people! First we had a lesson with a guy named Anthony. He is legit! He has met with missionaries for a while and loves talking about unique topics Haha we told him John was getting baptized and he said "Hippie John???!!" Haha we said yeah! It was great! He seemed concern just a little about John.  So we were like we'll call him and get him over here now so you can talk to him. Haha so we called him and he was there in like 10 minutes! It was awesome! We then had a great conversation and John bore testimony to him! After that we went and made cookies at a members with John and the sisters! It was super fun that's where we first ate. Haha they were like oatmeal cookies so they filled us up a good bit... after that we went to the Cranmores! We got there and we played basketball in the yard for a bit and then went and ate, they had potatoes, hillbilly green beans, ham, and amazing roast! It was so good! And I ate too much... before we left an older couple that used to be senior missionaries in the mission came and brought us some food because they love Elder Connolly! After that we went to the Gougons. They had some good food and the highlight was they made us fresh juice and we played Farcle, I loved it thoroughly!

Overall it was an amazing day!





Dec 25 2019

Today was good! It was busy and fulfilling and good! We first had district counsel which was fun, we made breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and fresh fruit! It was pretty good! After that we talked about bearing firm testimony. Which was super good. We had John come and bear testimony because he is just awesome! He did and shared testimony builders of specific situations that confirmed to him that God was playing a role in his life. It was super cool!

This afternoon we went to Hope's for dinner and it was super good! She made an amazing meal and we got to have a good time over there with her family and parents. She is such an amazing lady and loves us so much! After that we went to the Stauffers, they are a younger couple with two little girls! It was super nice to be over there! After that we got to call home which was super good! Overall Christmas was amazing! I am so grateful for so much!





Dec 26 2019

Today was good! Haha we went on a road trip around all of our area because we had a lot of extra miles so we were trying to use them up. So first we went to Concord and stopped by several people and got to set up a lesson with Wilford Rearfon. Then we went to the teachouts. It was a really nice dude that is less active and has a family of less active/nonmember people so we talked to him for a while an that was good! We got to set up a lesson for Monday night so that'll be good to see how it goes! He was a pretty cool dude so I'm looking forward to it! After that we went to cement city, it borders our area and the Detroit mission so we might have left the mission by just a little bit. Haha so that was fun! After we were there we went to Brooklyn and got to stop by some people there. That town is a really nice and cool looking old town!

Overall it was a good day with good fun times! Tonight we had John and Nick's Baptism interviews and they both passed so that is super exciting!





Dec 27 2019

Today was a very busy day. We had a full schedule with no wiggle room which isn't always a good thing but it actually turned out pretty good! We got to go see some people and discuss some interesting topics. We had this one couple the Schmalls they both had issues with the church. Brother schmall is a member but he disagrees with a lot of policies that the church has. And he thinks that the priesthood died with Joseph Smith. So I flexed on him a lot and it was a good thing. I used the book of Mormon to prove several points and he seemed stumped on a couple things but we left on good terms Haha so we will keep trying to help him learn Doctrine and the why's for a lot of things. His wife isn't a member but may as well be. She has similar issues as her husband does but isn't a member yet so it's just a manner of showing them love and encouraging them to inquire of the Lord. Haha I enjoyed talking to them.

Dec 28 2019

Today was an awesome day! John and Nick were baptized and it was a beautiful thing to be apart of! They are such amazing guys! I love them so much! They are a huge inspiration to me and I have loved getting to know them. Their faith and their testimonies are such powerful amazing things! I would do anything for them!

There are a lot of people out here that I have found that I would do anything for. I just love and admire and want to help out everyone! Watching my heart grow for the people here has been a really cool thing!





Dec 29 2019

Today was good church was really nice the stauffers are the couple that had us over for Christmas dinner, and they spoke in church today they both gave awesome doctrinally sound talks. Which is a rare thing here in Jackson haha. So that was super good! We sang a lot of Christmas hymns and it was just an enjoyable time! Then tonight we ran into the coolest dude! His name is Tony Pratt. He is such a cool guy. We pulled up to his place just stopping by trying to catch him and we could see a light on underneath a car so I just kinda called out and said hey Tony it's the missionaries. He responded with oh hey guys how you doin. And we became such good friends right off! He has several businesses. One is he is a mechanic. He has a beautiful garage! It has so many tools, a car lift and just such a beautiful setup I loved it! Haha another thing he does is he is a personal trainer he has a gym in his basement. People come to him and he helps then set goals, find out how to eat and then helps them workout! So that's cool! He used to be a cage fighter so that is awesome! He also is a security guy for the clubs around here so that's cool Haha. He is such a cool dude! We loved getting to know him and we will be spending more time with him fir sure!





Dec 30 2019

Today was good. It was a little weird because I'm just used to Mondays being Pday. Haha but we went out and did some work and then we went to the Teachouts tonight. It was awesome! They were there and in to our message! I love sharing this message with people who are in to hearing it. They live way out in the country in a pretty big house so that's cool! They were cool people and being around them was just a good time!





Your son and missionary Elder Isaac Olsen

12.23.19

Dec 16 2019

Today was an adventure. I felt kind of okay for a lot of day...but tonight we were at a lesson with a member showing the Christ Child video, I just started getting super dizzy and like motion sick... it was bad... I was so ready to leave. It was super disappointing. Since we've got back I've basically crashed. If this makes no seance that's why for you. I just dont feel good at all... we'll see how I'm doing after sleeping tonight. 

Dec 17 2019

Today was a wild adventure. Haha we went and helped the Gougons with some stuff in moving their nonprofit into their new location. It was pretty fun, running back and forth with furniture all over the place. It was a good time. After that we had to take a minute ti recover because... neither of us are feeling very well..... so we went back to the apartment and took a nap and then went out to work again! We were on our way to do a stop by, and all the sudden Elder Connolly turns off and parks and says "Trust me." Then we went and knocked on a specific door and a lady answered as soon as she opened the door she said "Oh hi Elders!" Definetly not what our typical door knocking experience is. Haha it was cool though! She lives with her mom shes kinda like the main caretaker for her mom, they have both met with missionaries but it's been a while... like 5 or so years. Anyway, they were super nice to us and want us to come over for dinner on Sunday and their making us Indian food! Like authentic Indian food because their from India! I am super excited because I love sharing the gospel with people who love hearing it, and I love Indian food! Anyway such a miracle! Come to find out Elder Connolly had been by that house a handful of times and always felt impressed to stop by, but his last companion never wanted to.... he was a unique missionary... Haha anyway so that was awesome!

After that we went and stopped by some people who off of their area book information it sounded like we could get shot talking to them, but also that they might be more receptive to Elders. So we stopped by! They were super nice and welcomed us right in! I look forward to meeting with and getting to know them! After that we had an awesome lesson with John and Nick! They are such good guys! I love talking to them Haha we talked about Zion and the gathering of it and it being a state of mind... and how missionary work is so important! They both have a bunch if friends that their all like "yeah man, ya know we should invite (insert name) I'm sure he'd love it. Ya know we'd just have go help him get over (insert word of wisdom/law of chastity issue) and soften his  or her heart and they'd be all over this!" Haha they are such good guys! Definetly total hippies! I love them so much though! 

Dec 18 2019

Today has been alright, we've been pretty sick which sucks...Elder Connolly has been worse than me but neither of us are doing well... whatever is out here that we got is bad. Anyway this morning we had district counsel which was good! Every time we end in doing some practice teaching which is fun! I'm usually pretty entertained by it! So we were doing it today and I had a knew idea! When we are sharing the Christ Child video we usually read out of the scriptures like in Luke 2 or something and then watch the video. But we wanted to find a new scripture somewhere to read and while we were practice teaching in front of other missionaries I had the idea to read Helaman 14 which is when Samual the Lamanite prophesies of christs birth and the star! Anyway it was cool and I guess all the other missionaries thought it was a good idea! So that was fun! Haha I enjoy feeling smart! 

This afternoon we went around and did some stop bys and then had a lesson with John and Nick, we just read the book of Mormon. We read Alma 48, and Mosiah 15 and Helaman 14 it was all super good! So if you wanna go do some reading...those are some awesome chapters! Also Alma 56 is super good! Haha I never thought I would get to this point of knowing the scriptures and being able to just have things to share from the scriptures right off the top of my head. But being a missionary I am truly ordained and qualified for the work. It's such an amazing thing to be apart of! 

Tonight we got shined by William and where neither of us felt good we just went back to the apartment. It is really hard being sick... we want to go work and so we are trying and everytime we go out we see amazing miracles! Like today we happened to run into this guy and girl named Oscer and Precious! They were adorable, a young married couple and were like yeah you guys can come share that video with us on Christmas! Haha so we're going over! Anyway we just wish we could be better...

Dec 19 2019

Today has been good! We had a slow morning again.... I've been feeling pretty good all day, but Elder Connolly has been not doing well... it's tough because if one of us isn't doing well then neither of us can do very much.... today ar 12 we were supposed to have another lesson with Aiden and Page... but we drove there and they shined us... so we knocked like half the town of Concord and didnt get anything besides one girl our age who 

Dec 20 2019

Today has been pretty good. We had weekly planning and that took a while. But we did see a potential miracle come from it! We called a potential person and she answered and opened up her life to us! It was pretty cool, then she said she wanted to meet tonight so we did! I'll get to that later. Haha so after weekly planning we had a thing at Jodies we read scripture and she made us tacos and it was pretty legit! Haha I like tacos. They're real good! Then tonight we went to see our friend! Her name is Cindy, we went and met with her and read the Book of Mormon and it was good! She has a 4 year old son and he is a little crazy..... I really just dont think I can handle kids.... they're too hard. This little guy is crazy and freaked me out and I just dont think I ever want to have kids. It's just not something I'm capable of. Anyway that's basically been today. We are gonna let the sisters have cindy because itll be good for them. Haha kids are just too much.

Today has been good! We've had some tough moment as a companionship... but we're doing okay now! 

Dec 21 2019

Today was good. We had to go to bell tire an auto shop place and get our battery replaced. Easy job right? Apparently not... it took an hour. So that was kinda ridiculous. After that we went to the Cranmores! They are so great! We were over there and they got us food again, and then we made a ginger bread house, and then shared the plan of salvation with them! It was awesome! I enjoy them and there company a lot! They're just good people and they really enjoy us! It's awesome! After that we had FHE which was good. I literally love John and Nick so much! They are both amazing guys! I have got to get pictures of them! They are my favorite! They love each other so much and they love the Gospel! It is such a beautiful thing! They are such testimony builders and inspirations. Tonight John said when it was just the 4 of us "This is like our own little army just for God with the four of us!" Haha he loves the message and he wants so bad to share it! And be a missionary and see it bring other people joy! It is an amazing thing! Next Saturday is going to be such an amazing thing! They are both getting baptized and I am so excited for them! 

Dec 22 2019

Today was really good. Church was awesome! I loved all of the music that was played and sang. It was just so good! Music is such a good thing! 

Elder Connolly has been arguing with me a bit today.... which sucks.... he just has been struggling with some stupid things. Which stinks. He is kind of a hard companion I wont lie about that. He is such a loving guy but he just doesn't grasp some things... and it's been hard to be his companion. I really do love the guy and I'm gonna be friends with him at home. But he has been hard. There are a lot of things he has taught me. I sing a children's hymn book song daily. It's called Jesus said love every one. It's a good one. I sing for myself mostly but sometimes for him too. I dont know what to say to him. I am frustrated a little and confused on how to help him out. I guess I'm just at a loss of ideas. All I know is I want to help. 

Other than that we had an awesome lesson with the Chaffins they are an inactive family and they really enjoyed having us over there. After that we had a lesson with this lady, she has a bunch if cats and one of them was huge! Like it had to of weighed like 40 pounds. It was ginormous! Haha so that was fun! And then we went to sister bares tonight. Oh and we took John with us! He is great and loved getting to meet her and play uno with her. And the whole time she was there she was roasting the suster missionaries for being too boring Hahahaha it was too funny. But she's 95 years old so she can say whatever she wants Haha. Overall it's been a decent day. With the highs and the lows. And overall of the week it has been good. Trials and all! 

Your love and missionary Elder Isaac Olsen

12.16.19

Dec 10 2019

Today has been really good! We had zone conference and it was super good! I remember back at my first Zone conference afterwords being like.... "well that was a waist of time..." but this one today was so good! We learned just good things! It was Elder Plašil's last zone conference so he had his fairwell testimony which was super good! I am gonna miss him a ton! I loved serving with him and I learned so much from him. Specifically though about loving people! Love is such an important thing in being a missionary. If a person can simply just love people... it is so amazing! Because that is what makes a difference.

Dec 11 2019

Today I hit my 4 month mark. Kinda wild! Just sayin.... but it is good! I have loved it so much! Being a missionary is such an awesome blessing I am so incredibly grateful for it! Today was awesome bring able to spend it in Lansing with the zone leaders who is currently Elder Dennison and Elder Severn. They are both really good guys! Elder Dennison is one of the youngest missionaries in the mission to have become a zone leader.  But he is doing a really good job! I thoroughly enjoyed my day of work with him! We got to do some good things we went by several potential people and were able to even have a walk in lesson with this guy named Alex. Alex is in his 30s he is super quick and specific in his reasons. Like their kinda just ridiculous... we showed the Christ Child video and we asked him how he liked it and he critiqued it. I was a little surprised Haha but then even more surprising was he ended by saying "...and lastly crickets. There were 8 times when you could hear crickets, and it was very distracting to me. There wouldn't have been crickets at that time because it was winter. It was cold. They wouldn't have been there!" I was all like.... well crickets.... I guess the church couldn't be true (I thought to myself). Haha it was ridiculous! He was so passionate about something that really just doesnt matter and honestly couldn't be proven as a flaw in the video anyway. But it's something that so many people do get so out there on. That is why there are so many churches because so many people were all like this might be wrong so ima just make up my own thing. I guess I shouldn't be too passionate about this though... because that would make me a hypocrite.  Haha anyway, missionary work is a constant adventure! I love it so much!  The church is true I have no doubt in my mind about that.

Dec 12 2019

Today has literally been miracle after miracle! First we went to lunch with Peggy! She is a nice lady who loves us! Haha we found out that she hasn't been to the temple yet so we are gonna work on that with her. She is now super excited about doing work for her family there! So that is super cool! After that we went down to Concord which is a little town in our area that is right on the border so it's a ways out. We went and stopped by some members out there. The first person we stopped by was Wilford Reardon, he wasn't there. But he is a semi recent convert, as in like 10 ish years ago he was baptized. His son and his sons girlfriend were there and they welcomed us in! It was super cool to have a walk in lesson like that, we shared the plan of salvation with them and they really enjoyed it! We will be going by them again next Thursday so that is super exciting! Right after we had that awesome lesson we went to another inactive member out there, we knocked on the door and a man came to the door and yelled at us for what seemed a good while... apparently he isn't a member but his wife is. Anyway they want their records removed from the church. So that was discouraging. Being yelled at always is. But its okay after that we drove back to Jackson and helped out Jerrett. He is moving and needed some help so we carried some stuff out to a uhal truck for him. He is such a good kid. He is 16 like I've mentioned, his dad isn't in the picture at all, his mom and sister live there too and he has to take care of them. It is amazing to see what he does for them! I really hope that he joins the church... it would bless his life so much!

Then tonight we went and had an awesome lesson with Hope Perron. She is the mother of 8. Anyway she fed us dinner and we got to meet her husband and kids and parents! Her parents are members so that is awesome! It was super good to talk with them. She told hs she was going through another divorce... but he was there, and he seemed like a really good guy! Hopefully the gospel can mend what ever is broken and bring them all closer together! It was a wonderful thing to be there and share the Christ Child with them! I hope ;) we can go over there and convert them! It would be so cool! And it would make me so happy! Today we were able to start teaching 5 new people! And it was just awesome! I love missionary work! 

Tonight we went to stop by a potential that we found the other day, he didnt answer, but on our way there we felt impressed to knock a specific door. So we walked up the steps and knocked......and knocked....and knocked.... then after three times we turned with disappointment and walked down the stars there were like 10 of them... anyway we got to the sidewalk and looked back one last time hoping..... and we see a face peak through the window! And we ran back up! We told him who we were and gave him a solid ITL (invitation to learn more) and he said "Yea man, I be down. Come back tomorrow when it's day light. My wife an I both work early but we free most aftunoons. Come back tomorra when it's laght out sade n well hear yo message." Haha we'll see him tomorrow! Anyway the message is good and true and I love it! 

Dec 13 2019

Today has been really good! We had apartment inspections today which was good. Haha the Busaiths (the senior couple who inspected our apartment. They really enjoyed it! Haha they both just seemed so grateful that it was just clean and tidy and they loved the Christmas decorations too! Haha they just sat and wanted to talk for a minute in our apartment so that was kinda fun. 

Tonight Billy took us out to dinner! He is awesome! Hes sumoen, and likes to feed the missionaries, he isn't active but he loves Elders so he does what he can to spend time with us! So that was fun! We went to a Chinese buffet and it was pretty good! I got filled up for sure Haha. After that we went and stopped by a less active member, his name is Allen Brooks. He seems legit. We think his whole family is members but he has not record so maybe we can convert him! Anyway it blows me away how many people are less active or inactive or excommunicated. The city of Jackson used to be two words... so that explains how the congregation is so small but also why there are so many people who are members but not active. It makes for a lot of need for missionaries. So there is definetly plenty to be doing!

Tonight we went over to William's we read in the book of Mormon about Abinadi. He was a cool dude that just insulted everyone there over and over again and William loved it! Haha anyway it's been a good day! I am grateful to be out here doing the Lords work and sharing his gospel!

Dec 14 2019

Today has been real good! We were pretty busy which is a really good thing! We had one appointment for dinner tonight which was really nice. But the two appointments before them decided to feed us too..... so we ate 4 times between 12 and 6.... it was really really bad.... people are just too kind. Haha we were at the cranmores and they got us Christmas presents! It was super nice of them Haha they are matching hoodies, we'll have to get a picture of us in them. They are super nice I really enjoy them! After that we went to the Gougons and helped them with some stuff and they fed us and then we went to dinner at the Browns and they fed us. So...I am super full. Once I realized we were getting fed more than we planned I started portioning myself. So I wouldn't eat too much and would be able to eat enough that I wouldn't offend anyone. Anyway it was a good day! We had some good fun!

Dec 15 2019

Today has been pretty good. I started feeling super sick last night and dry heaved several times throughout the night, and I've been super congested and been pretty hot but also cold idk... just not good whatever it is... so we didnt make it to church which was really sad... missing church really sucks.... but I was getting super motionsick everytime I moved at all... so we didnt go. Finally by this afternoon I was feeling a little better so we went to a lesson and then to sister Bears to give her the sacrument we had fun there though! We played uno with her like we always do. She is a really nice lady, Haha old ladies are just funny. She is so grateful that we come by, everytime at somepoint she brings up politics, and goes off on how much she likes Trump and hates Democrats, Haha we just nod our heads and agree because we're supposed to be politically neutral as missionaries. Haha she is just too funny, going to visit her is probably one of the highlights of my week! I just enjoy it! 

This week I'll hit my month mark of being in Jackson. Which is wild because its gonna soooo fast! We have transfer calls in 2 weeks we'll probably stay together, but anything could happen :) I like to try and predict how I'll be transfered but I when it comes down to it I have absolutely no idea Haha. 

Tonight we got back to the apartment and some reason I was hungry... cuz I haven't eaten all day...? Maybe. Haha so I made a smoothie. It was pretty good, but I was pushing the stuff in yo the blender while it was on because our blender is kinda awful, and I was doing it with a plastic fork and I might have broke off several teeth of the fork. So I was spitting plastic as I was drinking... oops oh well Haha anyway it's been a good week! I feel a bit better tonight. Hopefully I'll be 100% by tomorrow, so I can work hard this week! 

Your love and missionary Elder Isaac Olsen

12.9.2019

Been a good busy week! So two weeks ago my companion Elder Connolly was sick and so we didn't do much for a couple days...so this last week it was like we had to make up for it. Haha so we were working super hard sun up to sun down every day. It was really good and super exhausting!

We met an awesome guy named Billy! He is such an awesome dude! Hes from Hawaii and he is awesome! Hes inactive and knows it. Haha he doesn't wanna come back to Church. But he did say "I like feeding the Elders." Haha so hes taking us out this week and sometime after that hes gonna make us food. We are very excited! Haha 

Last night we got to go to a members house for dinner. It was super fun! And he also has a sweet Corvette.... I may or may not have gotten very excited about it! Haha overall it's been a good week! Sorry for the short email. 

Elder Isaac Olsen 

P.S. 

My companion loves cats. Everytime he sees one he picks it up and asks me to take a picture. So I have tons of pictures of him with cats... so I threw one in there 

graham cracker house made at ward party

homemade by Isaac, apple pie for Thanksgiving

week in review

Dec 2 2019

Today was good! P-days are always just amazing! We did several things today, we spent a couple of hours in a Medicare for Elder Connolly and found out he has a sinus infection. So we'll get it taken care of! Besides that we did a couple of other things. Tonight was awesome! We went with an amazing member brother Donnellan. He is so great! We tried to go by William's for our usual lesson and he shined us... so we went and did some stop bys and then he took us to Rallys. It was pretty awesome! He us such a great guy! I love him tons! I am so grateful to have met him and been able to work with him. Hes just great! We also bought some more Christmas lights so one of these days I'll have to take some more picture and send them Haha but it looks good and makes me happy! 

Dec 3 2019

Today was good! We went out and stopped by some great people! On our way to the first place we met this guy. Back story first though. We were riding our bikes down the side walk and I look to my left and see this older black dude across a busy street. So what do I do? I made eye contact with him, I knew I should talk to him... so I cut right through the middle of the block and straight to him across the busy street. About halfway across I realized my companion didnt realize i wasn't following him and more so i yell Elder and he looks over and sees his companion just taking off in what appears to be a random direction. So he chases after me and then we sit and talk with this guy for like 30 minutes! It was awesome! His name is Jesse, he was the owner of the house and rents it out. But was just throwing out the lady that lived there because she wouldn't pay rent and was in to drugs or something... anyway we're sitting there talking to him and it was good! He is a super cool guy who knows a lot about history and the bible and everything else. And he didnt think we'd agree with him on anything. But we agreed on a lot of things and it surprised him! We got his number and address and will be going back to visit him. Near the end of talking to him though...so we were standing out side the house talking the lady that was renting was inside the house with her boyfriend...all the sudden we here screaming and yelling and then fighting coming from inside the house and the three of us stood there super unsure of what to do... it sounded like she was getting beat... we just said goodbye to Jesse and wished him the best and left. Hopefully it all turns out okay with them... it was super scary to here.... anyway then we went to Jarrett's. Hes the 16 year old that has a smoking addiction. Anyway we went there and spent a little while there talking with him and his girlfriend. His girlfriend really likes talking to us and wants to actually here our message! So that is super cool! Also though... his house has bed bugs... so after being there we rode our bikes back to the apartment and stripped all the way down put all of our clothes in plastic bags and out on the porch and then we both showered. It was pretty scary, just cuz bed bugs are awful! Tonight we went and had a lesson with John. I need a picture with him because he is just so amazing! I love him so much! He is like 28 years old, drives an old Chevy van and lives in it by choice. Has a ton of crazy stories. Oh and dreads. He is amazing! Haha I just love him so much! He spend a couple years hitch hiking around the country with one of his buddies and it just sounds like such and awesome adventure! Anyway today was a good day with a ton of adventure! I loved it!

Dec 4 2019

Today was really good! Being able to go out and work is such a good thing! This morning we had district counsel,  it was really good! We talked about how we can better fulfill our missionary purpose which is to invite others to come until christ by helping them recieve the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. It was really good! I love having a direct purpose that I can think about and turn to. Having it there written out and memorized is just super cool! It is an amazing blessing and an amazing tool! It's just good to focus on. This afternoon we went and visited/picked up a person that we found on my first day in Jackson. His name is Eltoine. He is a pretty cool guy, I feel like he wants to be a preacher but hasn't had the opportunity.... Haha so when we've been over there the two times we have been he really just wanted to preach at us. But we casually slipped in our points and he seemed to agree with what we were saying. It was really good! He did have a lot of really like false doctrine ideas of things... but that's okay. Haha we'll work on him with them though. 

After that we went and picked up our car!!!! It made us so happy!!!  Haha on our way from Eltoine's to the place where our car was it was snowing pretty hard and we were just chattering cuz it was so cold. Like we couldn't feel anything.... but we got there and we got the car and it was really good! 

Tonight we went to William's! And he was there and answered the door! It was so good! He is such a good guy! We dont have a new date for him yet. But his desire is so pure! We will be able to keep working with him and it'll just be awesome! It is wild how much I have learned to just love people! It might have something to do with having Jesus Christs name on my chest over my heart all the time.... but I have loved it! And the change I have seen in myself that's come from it is just amazing!

Dec 5 2019

Today was good. We went and worked a lot! When I was back at home one day I went and helped Isaac Terry with some stuff. While I was there he told me that the work of being a missionary is some of the most exhausting things you will be a part of and that you will find yourself at the end of the day just so ready to collapse. I found that hard to believe...but I trust him and figured it could be possible. But still doubting considering what I had experienced working hard welding and stuff... tonight I understand what he ment. We were running around talking to everyone praying so sincerely and begging people to listen to us....and we just got rejected. But I know we carried the spirit of God with us. We've been listening to Saints lately, and I have been thinking about how exhausted Joseph Smith was after nearly all of his accounts with Heavenly beings. But at one point in Saints when he is nearing his death he has a vision and someone else is there with him and it said that he said "(the person that was with him) isn't used to the exhaustion that comes, where I have become more used to it." Carying the Spirit of God and being rejected regardless is so wildly exhausting. 

Tonight we had a fun adventure. It was about 8:30 at night, we were knocking doors and it was dark. About half way through we realized a street or two over was locked down with cops on either side lights on and doing something... but we went ahead and finished the street. We were in a sketchy area of town... at one point when we were almost done we hear gunshots coming from over there. So then we got in the car and drove a little further away and then kept knocking Haha. I was a little nervous. But it's okay. Because we are okay! Haha it was just exciting for a bit there.

Tonight Elder Connolly asked me for a blessing of counsel and comfort. I told him I would. So he went in the other room and took a seat. I stayed in the bedroom for a second though. I decided I wanted to take the time to prepare myself physically, spiritually and emotionally for this. So I stayed in there to pray for a second. I prayed and it was a good experience. Afterwords I went and washed my hands and arms up to my elbows and then went in and gave him a blessing. I dont remember really anything of what I said other than that I was talking...or having words put in my mouth. Until the end when I said in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. Elder Connolly said thank you. And seemed grateful. I'm not sure what was said... but I am grateful I took the time to prepare myself in those ways. I need to do that in the future. 

Overall it was a good day. We didnt have a lot of things happen. Basically all of our lessons canceled or shined us (didnt answer or show up) so we just knocked a handful of doors. But it was a good day! I enjoyed it.

Nov 6 2019

Today was good! We went out to the Cranmores and helped them with some plumbing in their kitchen because they were remodeling and needed a little bit of muscle Haha so we helped them out. After that we rushed to a lessonw with a member. That was like a 10 minute drive away. Also we were wearing normal clothes at the cranmores while we were helping but we had our dress clothes in the car and planned on changing. But didnt have time. So we changed on the way to the members! Haha it was an adventure! Then we got to the members and he wasn't even there...we still haven't heard from him, we will reschedule I guess.... after that we went and stopped by like 8 people and only 2 answered Jarrett was there we chatted for a second and he is doing okay. After that we went to a potential named Daren. We met him a couple days ago and he is a good guy! Haha we got there and he answered but forgot we were coming over and he had other company there. So he said y'all come back Monday night bout thes same time. So we left and went to dinner. After dinner we went to William's which was good. He is smoking and drinking again... which is disappointing... but he knows the message is true. And he wants to stop. So he'll keep on working on it. We had John there, and John was telling him straight up like hey man it's up to you. You just gotta decide to stop. Haha John is the best! I look forward so much to his baptism and I have got to get pictures with him! I love him so much! Anyway it's been a good day! I love the work. Even when its discouraging... it is something that I am so grateful for! 

Dec 7 2019

Today was a good day, we got shined 4 times... which was sad... but because of them it set us up to be in a right place at a a right time! We had an amazing miracle! We were on our way to the second person that would shine us and because the previous person shined us we were going like 30 minutes early. So we were walking there and we look over and see this lady starting to get into her car. We both thought about stopping...but I didnt then Elder Connolly turned back and said to me "should we talk to her?" I say "Well its awkward now... so ima say naw." Then hes like well let's do it anyway and I was like okay. So we did. We walk up and are like ya know doing the missionary approach. And she responds with "Oh, I know who you guys are. I grew up a member." Come to find out shes a less active member that no one knows about and she is in the middle of her second divorce and has 8 KIDS! Un baptized.... so we are gonna work on them! She said she'd been thinking about going back to church but that she just hadn't made it yet but that she would be very willing to meet with us and have us over! So we are going back tomorrow! It was so exciting! 

Tonight we built ginger bread houses!... well gram cracker houses. It was at the ward party which was super fun! After that we had FHE which was pretty fun the first half we stayed on track and then the sisters left for another lesson. Then John decided he wanted to teach hahaha so he stood up and taught and we discussed with him and it was a good time! Haha we loved it it was just great! 

Anyway it has been a good day. Kinda disappointing...but definitely good. We had miricals and blessing and it was just awesome! 

Dec 8 2019

Today has been really good! We had the usual Sunday mostly. We had ward counsel this morning and we got to bring up our miracle with Hope and her 8 kids, we didnt get to meet with her today though... she had to reschedule. But we will definetly be meeting up with her soon! After that we went and did some stop bys and talked to some awesome people! We finally met this guy named Billy! Haha he is from Hawaii. So he is just an amazing guy! Haha he isn't active, but he loves missionaries, and he loves feeding them! So he's already planning o  feeding us lots! I am soooooo excited! It is going to be such a blast! Haha I love islander food! He is an amazing guy! Tonight we went to the Sprangs for dinner. He made us deepfride Turkey and it was super good! Definetly one of the best dinners I have had since I've been out! It was just super good! Also today was awesome, because we set up 4 meal appointments for this week! Haha so that is exciting. I like being fed! Anyway while we were at the Sprangs, they are a recent convert family. Brother Sprang shared his conversion story which was awesome! And he and I got to talk about cars for a while. Which was super fun! He has an awesome Corvette in his garage it is a beautiful car! Haha he's got the original motor and transmission, he straight piped it so its loud like my truck, and he has a pretty cool speaker system in it. The only sad thing is it's in the garage for the winter... and its not coming out until spring.....I hope and pray and beg that I'm here because he said he'd take me on a ride! And I would die just a little bit. I died just a little sitting in the passenger seat while he had it running. Haha anyway I really enjoyed that! Also!!!! He has a Hotwheels collection in his garage too! It is pretty cool! I admired it! I would love to get to work with him and his family a good bit more! They are just awesome people! After that tonight we went to sister Bears house to bless the sacrument with her and play uno! I love it! Haha uno is a fun game that ie ould dare to say I am pretty good at. I enjoy it! Haha she is 95 years old so everytime we go over I'm worried shes gonna be dead.... but she is still here and doing well! So that is good! Haha anyway today was just a good day! I had some fun and got to really just enjoy it! 

Your son and missionary Elder Isaac Olsen

11.25.19

This week has been amazing! And super fast. It's been wild! 

On Wednesday we went for a lesson at 12 and the lady wasn't there. But her brother was and was willing to sit down on the spot and here a message. So we sat down and taught him the restoration, which was awesome! After that we walked out and there was this lady probably in her 50s out sweeping her driveway. So we walked over and offered to help. She said no thank you. But we offered our message. And she said "naw, but y'all can pray for me." So we prayed with her and then left. We were across the street knocking on a door and she whisled at us to have us come back so we went over and she said she'd take the help. So we swept the drive way and then she asked if we could go with her that afternoon to get some furniture cuz she was just moving in and needed help loading a couch and table and bed and some other stuff. And while were there I found a University of Michigan hat. And a bowling ball Haha so they gave them to us! So that's fun. 

On Saturday we had a service project raking up leaves for one of the ward missionaries. He's a pretty old funny guy. He fed us breakfast (see picture with rice chex and eggs.) I actually really liked it! We had our friend William there to help. He didn't touch the breakfast but he helped and it was pretty fun! Then Saturday afternoon we went to a baptism in jonesville. This teenage couple 18 and 19 years old were baptized. It was so cool to see them make that promise to God and be so happy about it! 

Overall it's been a good week! I love being a missionary and sharing this gospel with so many people and seeing the light of truth come into their lives! The message is true! It blesses individuals and families! And God will always take care of and bless his children. Especially the ones that follow him and except his plan and live it!

Love from Michigan

-Elder Isaac Olsen 

Isaac and Elder C enjoyig Coney Island hot dogs.

 This is a little surprise as they are still working through their second case of hot dogs given them after a ward party.  You would think they would be done with hot dogs but maybe they are getting some new ideas on how to eat them.

Unique breakfast

 Chex, poached eggs, sprinkles and cinnamon with a tablespoon of butter thrown on top with instructions to stir it up.  Isaac said it was not bad. He might even make it himself with a little less butter.

Christmas tree that he put up in his apartment, found it in the closet. the trunk is a Book of Mormon

week 11/19/19

Nov 19 2019
Today was an amazing day! Haha spent basically all of Pday cleaning which was really good! And tonight we went and gave a lady in the hospital a blessing! Which was cool, then we went and taught a guy named John, he lives in an old Chevy van with a canoe on top! Haha he is such a good guy and loves the church! Hes just smart and I love him so much! Elder Connolly is a really good guy! He is super unsure about a lot of things, like just nervous. He apologizes about a lot of things and just wants to be sincere Haha we'll have fun together! I am super pumped about this transfer and the next couple! Its gonna be so awesome!

Nov 20 2019
Today was wild and super good! We gave been super busy! Today we have been out since 12 teaching, finding, and helping people! We went for a stop by lesson at a person's house and she wasn't there but a brother of hers was and so we shared the message and he loved it! After that we walked out and helped a lady finish sweeping off her driveway and then she asked if we could go help her finish moving in so we did what any missionary would do and helped! It was awesome, her name is Marge and we are planning on teaching her next week sometime. She was previously homeless so everything we helped her move is stuff she got at a yard sell that had already been picked through and she just got basically everything that was left for free! Including a bed table chairs and couch. So that's cool! Also I may or may not have gotten a custom bowling ball, shoes and bag. I got a university of Michigan hat too so now I have swag for both of the Michigan colleges that are rivals like BYU and University of Utah, and that's where Marge was getting the stuff. It was awesome! We tried to teach our other person on date named KJ and his older sister who is also investigating the church. Their mom is kinda crazy and high most of the time and she hates us. So teaching them is hard... they live in a members home who is a recent concert and their aunt. So that's a tough situation. But it's okay. All will work out according to Gods plan! And it will be okay!
Great day in Jackson! I love it here and am having just so much fun!

Nov 21 2019
Today was really good! We've been busy teaching lessons most or the night. This morning Elder Connolly was feeling pretty sick. So he didn't get up until 11. I got up at 6:30 still and did all of everything including I set up Christmas lights! It looks pretty good! Then this afternoon we called a lot of part member families trying to be able to go over and set up lessons and pick up people. It was really good and pretty effective! We found several solid people which was awesome! Tonight we went and had a lesson with Jerrett. Hes a good guy, he is 16 and wants to learn about Christ and how to be a better person. He's got a lot of issues though, he used to smoke a pack a day. He is a couple of days clean right now which is good! He's just had a hard life and has been raised in tough situations. He is a really handsome guy and I am excited to work with him and see him come to Christ! A recent convert named Jodie is having some issues, she smoked today, which is tough. She is depressed and right now shes pretty high. We called her to try and help her out tonight but we could tell over the phone she wasn't there... like she was just stoned... it was super sad. We can't do too much because we can't counsel with women. So we called the sisters and told them the situation and asked them to go check on her somewhat regularly. It was a tough moment. But all will turn out well!

Nov 22 2019
Today was really good. We've been super busy, but really good. We had interviews this morning, which are always good. I love president. He is such a good guy. I love being able to talk to him and communicate with him. He is such a great guy!
We then went to have a lesson but when we got there the guy stormed out, got in a truck and drove away. We then knocked and his friend answered and said "he said to tell you that hes not interested." This guy was like in his 40s it was kinda ridiculous. But at least we know they aren't interested. After that we had a baptism interview down in Jonesville, which was good. It was kinda weird cuz i was just chilling with the sisters while they're person was in being interviewed. It just seemed so wrong to not have a companion.... also women are scary. Being alone around them made me super nervous. I've been trained to be that way though I guess.. also I guess its not a bad thing for now.
Tonight we had a lesson with William. Hes doing okay. He is really struggling with the word of wisdom. Which sucks. Tomorrow morning we are going over to study with him and then we're gonna spend the whole day with him. Hopefully it goes well!

Nov 23 2019
Today was great! This morning we went over to William's house to read the book of Mormon with him, and after that we went to brother Donnalans home to eat breakfast (ask about said breakfast.) and help him rake up his leaves. After that we left to a lunch appointment with sister Peggy. She is a great lady, she talks really loud and her voice kinda shakes all over the place. But she loves missionaries, and she loves feeding missionaries, and her husband isn't a member. So hopefully we can work on him! After that we ran to Jonesville for the baptism of Derek and Aynllin. They are really nice people. She is 18 and he is 19. They were so happy to be baptized and it was super cool to see them make that promise together!
Tonight we had family home evening and we watched The Christ Child video! It is so gooood! Invite the missionaries over and have them share it with ya cuz it's good and missionaries are awesome! If nothing else go on comeuntochrist.org or gospel library and watch it and pay special attention to Merry, Joseph, the Shepard's, and the wise men. Its amazing! So go check it out!

Nov 24 2019
Today was good, church is really good. And I love being in a family ward again. Children crying during meetings, and everyone young and old who just love missionaries so much! It was awesome!
After church we had a baptism, it was a little 8 year old girl from the Johnson family. They are all wonderful beautiful people! Brother Johnson is a little lover 6 foot and has long ish hair and a beard and wore a sweet blue suit. So hes legit, and his like 5 year old son basically has the same style minus the beard! I love that family already! The baptism was super good. The joy that the girl had was just so fun to see! I love seeing people be so happy about doing good things!
Ya know how after people get baptized everyone goes back into the room and just waits and sometimes like write little notes to whoever just got baptized? Ya so they did that and we had William there with us. He is on date for the 8th of December, he wrote to her (I only know cuz I peaked sshhhhhh) he said "I will be following in your footsteps!" It was so adorable. This big tough guy that spent 20 years in prison saying that to a little 8 year old girl. It was just so cool! He is such a good guy! I love him tons!
Tonight we went to the Browns for dinner, they are this older couple in the ward, he is a convert, and she is investigating. She has been for a while but she really just wants to be ready. Anyway they fed us dinner and we shared The Christ Child video with them. It was adorable to see them because they are both fairly old, but are both so in love! It is just cool! Like they were flirting with each other and calling each other couple names and when we showed them the video they cuddled a little on the couch and it was just so cool! Because they are so old but they just love and enjoy each other so much. It was so cool to see!
Tonight we went and gave the sacrament to a old 95 year old lady. Apparently we do it every Sunday night and then we play Uno with her. Hahaha she is great. And blunt and very opinionated. Haha I love her. She us just so great!
Anyway work is good and I am loving it so much!

Your love and missionary Elder Isaac Olsen

11.19.19

Life is good! Missionary work is going! We had a baptism for Eli on the 9th. It went really well! He asked president Brennon to baptize him which was so cool to see! He loved it and watching it was an amazing thing that I am glad to have been apart of! Transfer calls were this last Friday on the 15th. I got transferred to Jackson Michigan with Elder Connolly! It's been a good time! We're hoping for 4 baptisms this transfer!!!! Super exciting!  I'm pumped for it! Last night we went and visited a couple people, one of whom is William, he is on date for the 8th. He is a really good guy that has had to quit a lot of things to get this far. But he's been clean a handful of days so that is so exciting! After being there we walked out and heard gunshots! So that's a good time! 

On the 24th of November an amazing video for Christmas is coming out! Light the world this year is going to be awesome! The church is focusing on it being a huge part of missionary work! So I'm inviting all of y'alls to invite the missionaries over to share this amazing message about the video called The Christ Child and start thinking now about how Christ is and should be a big part of Christ-mas Haha so do it! Share Christ's Gospel this Christmas season! 

Overall missionary work is going and good! Sorry it's short this week but life is good! And this gospel is true! There is no doubt about it. The joy that it brings is indescribably beautifully amazing! 

Love y'all tons! Have a great week and I'll try and not fall off the face of the earth so much... 

Elder Isaac Olsen

11.11.19

a taste of his week

Nov 4 2019
Today was really good! Pdays are always good! Playing in the music store was such a blast! Haha I think we pissed them all off....oops...but it was fun! I enjoyed it!
Overall the Pday was such a blast! Tonight we went and had an amazing lesson with Isaiah, one of the other elders investigators. We are on tradeoffs again tonight. So that's fun. I love sharing the gospel!

Nov 5 2019
Today we had tradeoffs I was with Elder Rasmussen and Elder Blackwell. Those are some good guys! Elder Rasmussen had lost his voice so that was hard for him and made it so I had to talk a ton more than usual when we were finding on campus. And Elder Blackwell well hahahaha he would get so nervous and worked up as someone approached after i had told him the next person was his turn. Until right when they were about to pass by he would exclaim, "Hi we're missionaries!!!" Scaring them, then they start moving on and I would jump in and do my best to calm them because they just got scared half to death, and explain that we are sharing a message about Jesus Christ and we would love to share. Haha...it was kinda sad but definitely an adventure I'll remember.

Tonight we went to institute which was really good. Brother Gentile is such an amazing teacher! I have learned so much and honestly love and respect that man so much! He has taught me so much!

I love being a missionary, and sharing this message with everyone! It is such a blast! I learn, and grow so much all the time! Being here is one of the best decisions I have ever made! The church is just so true!

Nov 6 2019
Today was just amazing! We had zone conference today, and it was awesome! We went early to help set up stuff, which was fun. Then it started and it was just an overall amazing day full of amazing advice! I learned a ton and enjoyed it just so much! Elder Lane and Elder Starita did an amazing musical number. They are both so talented! Elder Starita can play anything on the piano by ear. So they made an arrangement of I believe in Christ. Elder Lane sang and it was just so beautiful! I might have cried just a bit because it was just amazing! I'll see if I can get a recording of it sometime.
We also talked about this years light the world. It is going to be so good! I am so excited to be a missionary and have this recourse to teach and invite people to use! It is going to be so good! You can sign up for daily texts for all of November of things to do, just go yo lighttheworld.org and sign up it's going to be awesome!

Tonight we had ana awesome lesson with Alec and Rachel. They are such great people! We talked about the Plan of Salvation. It was super well and we had an amazing discussion! Alec works at Ford I might have mentioned that before but he and I have talked several times about Ford stuff and whatever else. So tonight he brought me a Ford crew shirt. And a Ford pen Haha it is awesome! I appreciated it so much! They are just amazing people!

After that we went finding! Its super crazy because I am almost done training, my confidence is super high like I can talk to anyone on campus and just enjoy it! It's just so good! So we had some fun and were able to talk to some really kind people. One of whom was a girl named Savannah, we talked to her before, she got our text and responded but for some reason we didn't get her text so we got her number again and will be contacting her here soon! She seemed super cool so hopefully things happen!

Overall today was just an amazing day full of great things! I love being a missionary! I love being out here and preaching the gospel! It is such a huge blessing to me.

Nov 7 2019
Today was good! Its officially stupidly cold. We started tradeoffs today, for the last time with Elder Rasmussen and Taylor. We've had a real good day! We were able to have some good fun finding on campus and it maintained about 28 degrees but had a really cold wind. And I froze! It was so cold all night and afternoon. But we worked long and hard and were able to find a handful of really good people! My feet hurt cuz they're starting to warm up and itch really bad. The same for my hands and face. It's just really cold. And it's just gonna be getting colder and colder. So that's just fun!
We had a good time regardless. And laughed and enjoyed each others company. It was good, I am grateful to be here. I realized that its gonna be miserable regardless. But my attitude about it was good so it was just better!

Today we had an awesome lesson with Eli. He is such a good guy. I am super excited for him to be baptized! We had fun and were able to go over the plan of salvation again and clear up some of the questions and concerns that he had about it. Tonight he went to his life group, which is good but he was getting a lot of anti before from some friends and so we were nervous for him, but having faith and praying for him! Hopefully all is well. He is bringing one of the friends that antied him to the lesson tomorrow. It was super cool. He asked us if he could bring a friend that had some concerns and questions to the lesson so that we could answer them for him. Hopefully we are ready and prepared and can be inspired in teaching him and his friend about the church and answering questions.

I love this gospel it is hard but it has blessed my life so much! I am so grateful to be out here serving the people and seeing the gospel come into their lives. It is just so cool! I am so lucky and so blessed!

Nov 8 2019
Today was good. We did a lot of logistical things. Just getting ready for the baptism tomorrow! It is super exciting to have Eli working towards this for so long. And to see that he is hear and just so ready for it is just amazing! Today we had a lesson with him. He brought one of his friends who antied him and we answered questions and it was pretty cool. We were able to mostly avoid any bible bashing. Something amazing is Eli was right there with us bearing testimony of everything along the way! It was just awesome! Anyway it's been a good day! I full of gratitude for my companion as well as all of the other missionaries I have had the opportunity of serving with and I just love them soooo much! This work is amazing! I am grateful to be about it.

Nov 9 2019
Today was amazing! Today I got to witness the first baptism of my mission. Eli was baptized, it was an amazing baptismal service. He is an amazing man! President Brennon baptized him, brother Gentile and Dony  gave talks, and Elders Lane and Starita did an amazing musical number! Also I may have tear up somewhere in there. It was just a beautiful thing that I am so grateful to have been apart of! Eli's grandparents came to support him, which was super cool! His grandma is a great lady, they aren't members, but they are super supportive! Anyway his grandma, shes a very touchy old lady, this is the first time we've ever met. But she gave 3 Elders hugs. Haha first Elder Taylor, and he panicked like nothing else which was hilarious! Then she hugged me I saw it coming and didn't know what to do so I just like made it a nice side hug and then she went for Elder Lane and he just did the same as me. Hahaha we laughed...technically it's not against the rules to hug women, but we are just encouraged to not to. Because it's not a good look and its safer to not to. But it was an older lady that saying no to just wouldn't have been good Haha. The baptism was an amazing experience and I am so grateful to have been apart of it!

Tonight we had some fun finding for several hours while the football game was going on. It was a good time. We didn't run into anyone who was drunk so that's nice! We talked to this amazing guy he was a police officer directing traffic and was just super honest and good! I enjoyed talking to him, he was just super nice to us and so willing to talk to us. It was just good! We also talked to a guy he was a bus driver and was super conservative. Haha it was pretty fun!

Overall it was an amazing day! I am grateful to be a missionary and to be sharing the gospel with so many people! It's just a wonderful life! Today I was sitting and thinking and just said "I am so excited for the rest of my life!" It's just good to be doing what I'm doing right now. I love it and I am so full of gratitude!

Nov 10 2019
Today was good. Church this morning was awesome! Eli was confirmed with the Holy Ghost, and it was awesome! He is such a great guy! I have loved getting to know him, he is so faithful. I am super grateful to have been a part of his life! It's just super cool to have been a part of such an amazing thing like bringing someone to the gospel of Jesus Christ!

After that we did some studies and then we went to president Brennons with a bunch of other people for dinner and a lesson! It was really cool! We got to watch an amazing video about this years light the world. It officially comes out so y'alls can see it on the 24th of this month...? I think that's when it comes out. Anyway when it comes out watch it. Cuz it is really really good! I've teared up both times I've watched it. so that's cool.

I am super grateful for today! Tonight we went out finding, it was super cold and we talked to like 6 people and only 1 actually listened to us. So that's kinda tough. But it was still really good! My legs, feet, hands, arms, face, and head were all like numb. The only thing that wasn't was my chest and stomach area, cuz of my coat. So that was fun. I think I need some warmer clothes... I'll work on that. Haha

10/14/2019

We ride the bus now, Eli is super solid and on date, been rained on, anti bashed, bible bashed, and met the ghost of Christmas Present! "There are no coincidences" we stopped having hot water for a couple days... new missionaries got here this week and so now I'm not the youngest in the mission, it's got really cold suddenly, I'm doing duolingo for Spanish! I dunno what else, Haha but there's some updates.

So we got our car taken away a couple of weeks ago, now we get to ride the bus/ our bikes! So that's fun! I like biking! Eli is on date for November 9th so y'all can pray for him! He is a great guy! Teaching him has been a ton of fun! This week we taught a guy named Lee, he is from China, his English isn't very good, but he loves learning and meeting with us! He came to institute on Tuesday and them we had the lesson on Thursday! At the end of our lesson he said a prayer in Chinese, his first prayer ever. And it was awesome! It was really beautiful to see! He is such a good guy! Today he came to church which was awesome, he met one of the people that the sisters are teaching, and they instantly were good friends and I think they even walked home together! So that's awesome! It's really fun to see them enjoying each other! Hopefully that continues and is a good thing for them both! We also taught a guy named Ryan, we taught him like two weeks ago, he was awesome! He's super humble and willing to learn, also he is a man of his word! Every time we set something up he is there early, every commitment we give him he sticks to. So working with him is so cool. I need to practice being a better man of my word.

The ghost of Christmas Present, a super big guy wearing like 80s hippie clothes sunglasses hair and all! He was super fun Haha just loud and laughing! And super genuine. He wasn't interested in meeting again. But was super fun to talk to. 

Being anti/bible bashed. It's tough, and really sad. Because the things they are trying to point out as faults in the church are just things they don't understand. Everyone of the conversations we've had are just sad cuz they are missing so much and afterwords I always feel so much like grossness. Like I just took a bath in cow poop. There is just no way they could be right because I know what it feels like to have meaningful experiences and I know what truth feels like. Its full of love and appreciation. But when I've talked to those people it's interesting conversation because I'm learning what they believe, but it also just feels so dark and like there is so much hate there. Definitely something I'd felt before being out here as well. There is no way this isn't true. It just couldn't be wrong. Truth has a super distinct feeling.

Anyway this week has been good! I loved general conference I hope y'all got the chance to watch at least a little bit of it! It was just so good! Alright, this church is true! I know it. I know that God knows it. I will not deny it!

Hurraw for Israel! Elder Isaac Olsen 

A view from a ski walk 

The stadium on campus 

My district 

9.30.2019

just a letter to me, mom

    My week has been good! Eli came to church on Sunday and loved it! Bishop and his wife taught 5th Sunday Sunday school and talked all about sexual relationships, pornography, talking to bishop about it, and setting goals. Not a topic I'm really bothered by, but we had 5 investigators there! I understand how it can be a good and important thing to talk about. But they went on and on and on for an hour and a half. Yes they went over 30 minutes.... with our investigators there who are brand new. It was awful. But we talked to Eli last night and he said church was good! And be plans on coming again.... hopefully the spirit taught him what he needed to learn. I dont know about all of the other investigators... but I know one Donavan, has been into anti stuff lately and I'm confident that helped him so much... not really. And then Shane, said he really liked all the testimonies so hopefully that's all he remembered! Haha anyway. I have no idea what the thing is because that's what our bishop decided to talk about. I would love to hear more about what the new thing for youth and children! I think it would be beneficial for me! Haha

     Anyway so what is the school for you stuff? I think you mentioned it before but I don't remember for sure. 

I miss the mountains soooo much! I feel like I don't know what is around here because I can't get up in anyway to get look at it. Ya know...? Its just flat! I've been looking at Google maps a lot to get stuff figured out Haha. It works alright mostly... so it has been getting colder here too. Mostly just raining a lot! So yes I have been wearing my coat, but more just as a rain jacket. It is kinda warm for that but it let's the rain run off instead of soaking in. And I have been using my umbrella a lot in the last couple of days! So that's fun. The temple sounds like fun I miss being able to go there. I was wondering about how Laura was, as well as president Lindhart. Anyway I love you and I'm grateful for everything you do for me!

Love your missionary! Hurrah for Israel

Elder Isaac Olsen