2.27.2023

 Hello everyone!!!!! 

I'm still alive! And hope y'all are doing great too!

Baptism 

2 of our friends Ezequiel and Shiamara were baptized this week! They are so great and have goals to go to the temple, and after the baptism we were talking to there parents and helped them make the decision to get married and work towards sealing their family in the temple! I'm so excited for them and the progress they are making and all the great changes they have made to come unto Christ! 

Getting wrecked on the bus

Ok funny story we take busses quite often but this last week we got on a bus like normal and this guy starts talking to us very loudly the whole bus can hear him talking and he just started making fun of us and making a lot of jokes about these 2 gringos from the USA! And then I realized he was a comedian trying to make some money he made a few jokes more then walked up and down the aisle asking for money and got quite a bit, and then he got off the bus my companion leans over to me and asked what did he say? And I tell him he's a comedian, he was like ooh. But what happened after was awesome! I went and sat down next to this stranger on the bus and he was like ok why are you actually here in Chile? And I was able to explain why we are here and a little bit about the church and gave him a pamphlet and he is actually interested in our message! God works in mysterious ways!

Soccer 

Last week we had a soccer activity and played soccer with our friends and some of the members! It was awesome to watch the nonmembers and the members win friendships, one family there was not a member and not someone we were teaching, and we set up a time to meet together in there house and start teaching them more about our church! But they told us you can come over Saturday night at 8pm but only if you guys win this soccer game! So we accepted the deal and started playing soccer in our white shirts and ties and after about an hour-long game we won and planned the lesson! And when we had the lesson last Saturday it was great and the spirit was so strong it was incredible! 

God loves all of his Children and what's best for each one of them! He has restored His church on the earth today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! 

2 Nefi 2:25

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

God has a perfect plan for each of his childern and wants us to be joyful! Don't ever forget that God and Jesus love you! Put you trust in them! Turn for help, and be received in the love arms of the atonement of Christ in Him you will find hope, peace, strength, and rest!

Elder Olsen!

 

 

2.20.23

Holaaa!!!!! This week has been really good we have a bunch of friends that are progressing towards baptism! And there faith and testimonies are growing so much! A lot of stuff has happened this week but I'm not sure what to share...

Welllll, 

I had exchanges with the zone leaders! And that was so much fun! I learned a lot and how it's ok to be bold with love about the truths of the gospel! I'm learning that love is the key to missionary work if you love them you will have the hard conversationsthe you help them stretch out of the comfort zone to follow Jesus! If you love the people you will be direct and honest with them! But it all just needs to come from a place of love for them and our Savior! The church is true and the Book of Mormon too my friends! God loves and knows all yall! 

Here's a scripture that love

"And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. 

    And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness." 2Nephi33:10-11

- Elder Olsen

2.13.23

 HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!

I'm actually not dead...I'm alive and doing well! 

I don't really remember when I sent the last email to all yall so sorry if I repeat something😂 

A few changes that have happened recently is I have a new companion his name is Elder Dennert!! He is awesome and a hard worker which makes the work way better!!! I'm still here on the edge of viña del mar in an area called Forestal! 

A few random things that have happened recently...

Yaaayyyy Gringo! 

Last week we were walking back to our apartment and we usually cross this soccer field and this time there was one dude playing soccer practicing goals and what naught, and then a group of about 10 people drinking alcohol and they were like hey Gringo and kick the ball to me *thinking to myself I'm like bro I should do something cool and impress them* I run up to the ball and go to kick and then I just don't know what happened...right before I kicked the ball I slipped, missed the ball and fell face first in the dirt, as I lay face down in the dirt humiliated I hear all the drunk people cheer YAY GRINGO!!! then I stood up laughed at myself and laughed with then and then we keeped going🤦‍♂️

Building homes

I'm really glad I've been able to stay here in Forestal, I've been able to see God's hand in this area so much! With the huge fire and helping people, at first it was all just really sad and I saw some hard things to see, and it hurt not being able to help everyone and just hard to understand the "why". But these past few weeks I have started to see so many miracles and I know that God works in mysterious ways but I also know and testify that God knows what he is doing and has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us, EVEN YOU! Like it saws in 1 Nefi 11:17 "And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I know that God loves us and that this church is the restored church and gospel of Christ, and the plan that God has for each one of us has been made with lots love! Love yall and so does Jesus! 

-Elder Simeon Olsen

Ps the guy that pulled a gun on us was one of our investigators and it was only a water gun so all is well😂

PPS here's some random pictures from my week!