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