I feel like Jacob, when his prayer was answered Jacob 7:22. I have a
strong testimony of prayer, and there has been a great amount of
evidence that my prayers have been always answered. I was in the
streets, ending the night by opening the mouth and I had a prayer in
my heart asking to find someone that we could bless. We found a lady
smoking and she looked very sad, I started to talk to her and I found
out that she was feeling really depressed. At the end of our
conversation she said "That much of her sadness had left her". I don´t
know what I had said word for word, but I know the lord used me to
extend his love.
The mission continues to bless me, and I assure you all that I
couldn´t be happier here. I´m about to contact all the people I have
found in the phone book here with the last name Loyola, to find out if
I have relatives that are still here in San Juan.
Another transfer is about to end, time has never been so unreal for
me. Transfers are like days (They are 6 weeks). They just end,
constantly. Apparently the president says that I am going to stay here,
that it is assured that I am going to stay here. But my companion
Elder Linares will leave. I love this companion as my brother, we had
gotten along very well, and had worked well together.
That will be all the news I have for now
Love
Elder Olson
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
This week was incredible.
We were able to help our investigators progress, and many have
arrived at church. We witnessed a strong testimony of a converted
investigator, who has a baptismal date in December. Who came to know
the truth, because she did exactly what we invited her to do, and what
the book of Mormon invites. Her name is Monica Zavaleta, and other
investigators also witnessed her testimony that came to church. It was
incredible.
I feel so privileged being here. I wasn´t called here to be a
missionary by luck, with all my experiences that I have had up until
this moment, I am absolutely convinced that the Lord called me here
through the prophet. In this moment, I am keeping in touch with a
member that is helping me find the burial site of my great grandpa
that died here. I will send the photo when I find him.
Thank you for all your prayers, support, and love.
Love,
Elder Olson
arrived at church. We witnessed a strong testimony of a converted
investigator, who has a baptismal date in December. Who came to know
the truth, because she did exactly what we invited her to do, and what
the book of Mormon invites. Her name is Monica Zavaleta, and other
investigators also witnessed her testimony that came to church. It was
incredible.
I feel so privileged being here. I wasn´t called here to be a
missionary by luck, with all my experiences that I have had up until
this moment, I am absolutely convinced that the Lord called me here
through the prophet. In this moment, I am keeping in touch with a
member that is helping me find the burial site of my great grandpa
that died here. I will send the photo when I find him.
Thank you for all your prayers, support, and love.
Love,
Elder Olson
Monday, November 15, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 11-15-2010
It was a very challenging week, but we learned a lot. We had a lot of teaching appointments, and we are having a problem trying to help our investigators keep commitments. I put some goals, and to achieve them, I came up with some plans. I came to the conclusion to better my commitments that I make to help investigators progress. I decided to study well, the promises of each commandment that we commit to investigators to keep. In one of my studies I have found something that I guess I didn´t pay much attention to. For the sabath day, in 3NE 18:7, I found something that I never understood clearly... and I feel like it´s something good to share with you. In the 4th or 3rd sentence of that verse it says "If you do this, it will be a testimony to god that you remembered me". A little before in the chapter, the first verses were talking about taking the sacrament... and if we take the sacarment it will be a testimony that we remembered our savior, Jesus Christ. When we find ourselves in the judgement seat, it will be our testimony that we remembered him. We have been able to apply this lately, and I felt more power as I promised these blessings, and other blessings that I have studied. I know the spirit confirms all truth...
and the spirit was able to testify through me.
It´s a blessing to be out here in Argentina, and focus on the needs of others instead of my needs. My companion and I are learning a lot, even though we are older missionaries. I´m blessed to practice a lot of spanish with him.
Take care, love
Elder Olson
and the spirit was able to testify through me.
It´s a blessing to be out here in Argentina, and focus on the needs of others instead of my needs. My companion and I are learning a lot, even though we are older missionaries. I´m blessed to practice a lot of spanish with him.
Take care, love
Elder Olson
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 11-8-2010
I hope I can maintain this steadiness throughout the rest of my mission, I am really enjoying myself out here. We were blessed with another baptism this week. Me and my companion get a long great and we have great union. He is pretty similar to me, he is a great Elder(Elder Linares). Our convert Eric always offers to teach with us and visit our investigators, this week he came out to teach with us, and offered us to bring our clothes so that he could wash our clothes. He is also going to seminary, and is going to recieve the aaronic priesthood. This is just simply amazing for me. I have his baptism picture that I will send you, I was blessed to perform the ordinance. We had a very strong "Sonda" wind, in San Juan. The winds from some part of south america, come flying down the mountains and because of the speed that it comes, the wind converts into burning hot wind. It was imposible to go outside yesterday, you could barely see a block infront of you and the air was just filled with contamination. A member family lent us their guitar, and I am learning how to play hymns with it. Luckily that entertained me inside.
Love
Elder Olson
Love
Elder Olson
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 11-1-2010
I know that what I have seen in these passed days were not just
lucky occurrences, but they were blessings given to us by the Lord. We
had a fantastic opportunity to meet Eric Orduña who I mentioned
earlier in my letters. He is so greatly influenced by the spirit, he
has the natural desire to do good. He has followed the spirit and it
led him to the waters of baptism. I would love to explain the events,
the miracles, and all the details in a better form then through
internet, so I leave this experience for when I meet all of you again.
Eric was baptized on the 30th of October.
I can´t ever thank you all, just like Elder Holland said, for all the
kind things that you have done for me. When he mentioned that his
parents left him money to start college, it reminded me of the
sacrifices that you all have done in some way or another, to help me
pay the finances, prepare myself for the mission field, and the
encouragement I received from all of you to come out to serve. I
didn´t have much understanding of what or why before I came on the
mission, but I felt that failing was not an option. Please let me
thank all of you, You all know who you are, and in some manner you
have helped me. I express my thanks in this letter.
I love you all very much
Love,
Elder Olson
lucky occurrences, but they were blessings given to us by the Lord. We
had a fantastic opportunity to meet Eric Orduña who I mentioned
earlier in my letters. He is so greatly influenced by the spirit, he
has the natural desire to do good. He has followed the spirit and it
led him to the waters of baptism. I would love to explain the events,
the miracles, and all the details in a better form then through
internet, so I leave this experience for when I meet all of you again.
Eric was baptized on the 30th of October.
I can´t ever thank you all, just like Elder Holland said, for all the
kind things that you have done for me. When he mentioned that his
parents left him money to start college, it reminded me of the
sacrifices that you all have done in some way or another, to help me
pay the finances, prepare myself for the mission field, and the
encouragement I received from all of you to come out to serve. I
didn´t have much understanding of what or why before I came on the
mission, but I felt that failing was not an option. Please let me
thank all of you, You all know who you are, and in some manner you
have helped me. I express my thanks in this letter.
I love you all very much
Love,
Elder Olson
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
I have a new companion, again!
These transfers were short (because the president left to Buenos
Aires and he had to end them short), but now I have been put with a
Elder from panama. So far we are doing fantastic. His name is Elder
Linares. He knows how to play the violin and piano professionally, it´s
insane.
We had a baptism for this last Sunday but the keys were no where to
be found. (The keys for the baptismal fount). We looked and looked,
called and called. Then we finally called Eric Orduña who was getting
baptised to tell him that it wasn't going to happen. Eric is 14, and
he has gone to every church activity, every church meeting since we
have been teaching him. I can see him being a future missionary, he is
already giving us references which means he is already doing some
form of missionary work. Near the end of the day, we asked my last
companion where the keys were, and he said they were in the pension, he
forgot to tell me before he left. Eric´s mother is getting baptised
this Saturday coming up, so we decided to move his baptismal date for
that day.
I've been listening to conference talks that I have been
downloading on my mp3 (You can download them for free off the site
lds.org). And a particular talk, given by Elder Bednar, called "The
Lord´s tender mercies" Has helped me recognise the moments on my
mission, and in my life, that which it was that helped me reach beyond
my capacity. I am a missionary, and I am able to share this gospel
with great blessings of understanding, assurances, and feelings of a
"peace of conscience" or forgiveness for my mistakes, and many more
things that I recognise as the tender mercies of the Lord. It is great
to sense the relief and assurance of the Lord as Bednar described, as
I serve here. I have had those individualised blessings, that gave me
the courage to press forward despite the difficult situations here on my
mission. When trials would seem unbearable, I would find myself
content through the Lord, Jesus Christ with blessings that would
arrive just on time, to help me find relief to the heavy burdens of
trial.
San Juan is starting to get burning hot, I am starting to put on sun
screen because we will get problems in the future from walking out a
lot. It is hotter than Utah, that is for sure.
Take care everyone,
Elder Olson
Aires and he had to end them short), but now I have been put with a
Elder from panama. So far we are doing fantastic. His name is Elder
Linares. He knows how to play the violin and piano professionally, it´s
insane.
We had a baptism for this last Sunday but the keys were no where to
be found. (The keys for the baptismal fount). We looked and looked,
called and called. Then we finally called Eric Orduña who was getting
baptised to tell him that it wasn't going to happen. Eric is 14, and
he has gone to every church activity, every church meeting since we
have been teaching him. I can see him being a future missionary, he is
already giving us references which means he is already doing some
form of missionary work. Near the end of the day, we asked my last
companion where the keys were, and he said they were in the pension, he
forgot to tell me before he left. Eric´s mother is getting baptised
this Saturday coming up, so we decided to move his baptismal date for
that day.
I've been listening to conference talks that I have been
downloading on my mp3 (You can download them for free off the site
lds.org). And a particular talk, given by Elder Bednar, called "The
Lord´s tender mercies" Has helped me recognise the moments on my
mission, and in my life, that which it was that helped me reach beyond
my capacity. I am a missionary, and I am able to share this gospel
with great blessings of understanding, assurances, and feelings of a
"peace of conscience" or forgiveness for my mistakes, and many more
things that I recognise as the tender mercies of the Lord. It is great
to sense the relief and assurance of the Lord as Bednar described, as
I serve here. I have had those individualised blessings, that gave me
the courage to press forward despite the difficult situations here on my
mission. When trials would seem unbearable, I would find myself
content through the Lord, Jesus Christ with blessings that would
arrive just on time, to help me find relief to the heavy burdens of
trial.
San Juan is starting to get burning hot, I am starting to put on sun
screen because we will get problems in the future from walking out a
lot. It is hotter than Utah, that is for sure.
Take care everyone,
Elder Olson
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The transfers are ending today, it looks like a lot will happen. We
won a competition for the best average increase of baptisms, new
lessons, and all the indicators of the mission (As a zone), and our
reward is a belt with our names on it and our zone name (Chimbas). The
other good news is that we are going to have some baptisms this coming
up week, I am really excited.
I learned a lot this transfer. I first did not like competitions, and
neither liked the number system. But as I pushed even harder, and
worked a lot with my zone, with the motivation to win, helped me grow
a lot more. I found out that I have a lot more in me than I thought.
Now that I learned how to work even more effective, and hearing from a
70 area president (That came to speak to us last week), helped me
prepare even more for the rest of my mission. The 70 helped us learn
how to make effective goals on the mission, so that we can show the
Lord that we are willing to pay the price for success.
It´s been a great week
Take care, I love you
Elder Olson
won a competition for the best average increase of baptisms, new
lessons, and all the indicators of the mission (As a zone), and our
reward is a belt with our names on it and our zone name (Chimbas). The
other good news is that we are going to have some baptisms this coming
up week, I am really excited.
I learned a lot this transfer. I first did not like competitions, and
neither liked the number system. But as I pushed even harder, and
worked a lot with my zone, with the motivation to win, helped me grow
a lot more. I found out that I have a lot more in me than I thought.
Now that I learned how to work even more effective, and hearing from a
70 area president (That came to speak to us last week), helped me
prepare even more for the rest of my mission. The 70 helped us learn
how to make effective goals on the mission, so that we can show the
Lord that we are willing to pay the price for success.
It´s been a great week
Take care, I love you
Elder Olson
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 10-11-2010
This has been a really exhausting week, we really pushed ourselves.
The mission is progressing a lot. Our meta (Goal) Of baptisms in total
as a mission of 1000. So far we are going to pass our goal. Supposedly
this mission has never had more than 1000 in all the years it has
existed. We are really Giving it our all and Poniéndonos LAS PILAS.
We had some great experiences this week, we are making the gospel
well known here in San Juan. San Juan es la tierra prometida.
Apparently something is going to happen to me, because my companion is
leaving my area because he is about to finish his mission (They want
him to go to another area to finish), and he already has a lot of time
here. But I don´t know what will happen. We will find out next week.
I have had the thought repeating itself in my head constantly "Look
at yourself, like heavenly father looks at you". We are precious sons
and daughters of God, and he really loves us more than we can
comprehend. A lot of things, such as not understanding leads us to
doubt. I promise you that he loves us, if anything separates us from
his love, it is ourselves. Otherwise nothing else can separate us from
him and his love.
Today for P-day we had a huge birthday party for a member, with tons
of Argentine food. Empanadas, Choripan, asado, and lots of salad. They
were so nice to give us so much food, Argentine culture is great. They
treat guests like kings.
Take care!
Love,
Elder Olson
The mission is progressing a lot. Our meta (Goal) Of baptisms in total
as a mission of 1000. So far we are going to pass our goal. Supposedly
this mission has never had more than 1000 in all the years it has
existed. We are really Giving it our all and Poniéndonos LAS PILAS.
We had some great experiences this week, we are making the gospel
well known here in San Juan. San Juan es la tierra prometida.
Apparently something is going to happen to me, because my companion is
leaving my area because he is about to finish his mission (They want
him to go to another area to finish), and he already has a lot of time
here. But I don´t know what will happen. We will find out next week.
I have had the thought repeating itself in my head constantly "Look
at yourself, like heavenly father looks at you". We are precious sons
and daughters of God, and he really loves us more than we can
comprehend. A lot of things, such as not understanding leads us to
doubt. I promise you that he loves us, if anything separates us from
his love, it is ourselves. Otherwise nothing else can separate us from
him and his love.
Today for P-day we had a huge birthday party for a member, with tons
of Argentine food. Empanadas, Choripan, asado, and lots of salad. They
were so nice to give us so much food, Argentine culture is great. They
treat guests like kings.
Take care!
Love,
Elder Olson
Carta de Elder Olson 10-11-2010
This has been a really exhausting week, we really pushed ourselves.
The mission is progressing a lot. Our meta (Goal) Of baptisms in total
as a mission of 1000. So far we are going to pass our goal. Suposedly
this mission has never had more than 1000 in all the years it has
existed. We are really Giving it our all and Poniéndonos LAS PILAS.
We had some great experiences this week, we are making the gospel
well known here in San Juan. San Juan es la tierra prometida.
Apparently something is going to happen to me, because my companion is
leaving my area because he is about to finish his mission (They want
him to go to another area to finish), and he already has a lot of time
here. But I don´t know what will happen. We will find out next week.
I have had the thought repeating itself in my head constantly "Look
at yourself, like heavenly father looks at you". We are precious sons
and daughters of God, and he really loves us more than we can
comprehend. A lot of things, such as not understanding leads us to
doubt. I promise you that he loves us, if anything seperates us from
his love, it is ourselves. Otherwise nothing else can seperate us from
him and his love.
Today for P-day we had a huge birthday party for a member, with tons
of Argentine food. Empanadas, Choripan, asado, and lots of salad. They
were so nice to give us so much food, Argentine culture is great. They
treat guests like kings.
Take care!
Love,
Elder Olson
The mission is progressing a lot. Our meta (Goal) Of baptisms in total
as a mission of 1000. So far we are going to pass our goal. Suposedly
this mission has never had more than 1000 in all the years it has
existed. We are really Giving it our all and Poniéndonos LAS PILAS.
We had some great experiences this week, we are making the gospel
well known here in San Juan. San Juan es la tierra prometida.
Apparently something is going to happen to me, because my companion is
leaving my area because he is about to finish his mission (They want
him to go to another area to finish), and he already has a lot of time
here. But I don´t know what will happen. We will find out next week.
I have had the thought repeating itself in my head constantly "Look
at yourself, like heavenly father looks at you". We are precious sons
and daughters of God, and he really loves us more than we can
comprehend. A lot of things, such as not understanding leads us to
doubt. I promise you that he loves us, if anything seperates us from
his love, it is ourselves. Otherwise nothing else can seperate us from
him and his love.
Today for P-day we had a huge birthday party for a member, with tons
of Argentine food. Empanadas, Choripan, asado, and lots of salad. They
were so nice to give us so much food, Argentine culture is great. They
treat guests like kings.
Take care!
Love,
Elder Olson
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 10-4-2010
I´m very excited, one of our investigators, Eric, has went to all 4
sessions, and we had many that came to one or 2 sessions. I know by
the spirit, that the prophet, and apostles are true servants of God.
And to have our investigators come was just awesome, to have them feel
the spirit strong. I really enjoyed conference, I especially enjoyed
Uchtdorf´s talk about pride. It´s so true that every sin, has a
manifestation of pride in it. I absolutely love the great counsel we
receive from the prophet and apostles.
Yesterday was the birthday of elder Cisternas, and soon enough it
will be mine. We are getting old together! Elder Cisternasis a great
servant of the Lord, who has a tremendous heart. We both knew, but not
when, that we would be both in the mission field. Thanks to our
experiences, and guidance of the spirit we find ourselves serving the
Lord. I love that Elder as my brother.
I´m positive, that the Lord helps us by placing us in the path of
those that He has sent to help us, or places us in the paths of others
to help them. Let us make sure that we can be instruments in His
hands, and take every opportunity to serve our fellow men, and our
Lord. Pray that you will have opportunities, and prepare yourselves
daily to become his instruments.
I love you, take care, and have a great week. Enjoy the few photos I sent :)
Elder Olson
sessions, and we had many that came to one or 2 sessions. I know by
the spirit, that the prophet, and apostles are true servants of God.
And to have our investigators come was just awesome, to have them feel
the spirit strong. I really enjoyed conference, I especially enjoyed
Uchtdorf´s talk about pride. It´s so true that every sin, has a
manifestation of pride in it. I absolutely love the great counsel we
receive from the prophet and apostles.
Yesterday was the birthday of elder Cisternas, and soon enough it
will be mine. We are getting old together! Elder Cisternasis a great
servant of the Lord, who has a tremendous heart. We both knew, but not
when, that we would be both in the mission field. Thanks to our
experiences, and guidance of the spirit we find ourselves serving the
Lord. I love that Elder as my brother.
I´m positive, that the Lord helps us by placing us in the path of
those that He has sent to help us, or places us in the paths of others
to help them. Let us make sure that we can be instruments in His
hands, and take every opportunity to serve our fellow men, and our
Lord. Pray that you will have opportunities, and prepare yourselves
daily to become his instruments.
I love you, take care, and have a great week. Enjoy the few photos I sent :)
Elder Olson
Monday, September 27, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 09-27-2010
Isn´t everyone excited for conference, I can hardly believe that
another 6 months flew out the window. Time is flying, and I am doing
all I can to make the best of it. I´m so excited to be in San Juan. We
are having a lot of fun in our Area, it´s super big and there is a lot
of members here. They invite to eat everyday, which is a great
blessing
We have investigators, named Eric (14), and Marisa (Eric´s mom) who
are doing spectacular. They had a doubt of coming to church without
nice clothing, because they don´t have church clothing. We let them
know why we dress ourselves in that manner (Tie, dress, white shirt).
We said something similar to this "Our Lord isn´t worried about how we
dress, but he is worried about our spiritual strength and for that
reason we go. We have the option to dress with the best that we have,
and it will be more than enough" We donated Eric a tie and a white
shirt, and he was super happy about it. He is going to all the church
activities, and church meetings. They are prepared by the Lord, to
receive the gospel. I know that the Lord prepares the hearts and minds
of us so that we can accept his gospel. Alma 16:16.
Sometimes in my mission I find myself thinking about everything that
led me to this very moment of my life. A lot has happened in the past
years, but I recognize that the Lord did not stop working with me
through the holy ghost, guiding me up to this very moment that I am so
thankful for. I can´t express my gratitud in words, I can just say
that the love of our heveanly father, and the Lord Jesus christ is
like the sun "with perfect light" as the song says called "Our saviors
love".
I´m enjoying my mission the fullest, I hope all of you are enjoying
life to the fullest. I love you all.
Take care
Elder Olson
another 6 months flew out the window. Time is flying, and I am doing
all I can to make the best of it. I´m so excited to be in San Juan. We
are having a lot of fun in our Area, it´s super big and there is a lot
of members here. They invite to eat everyday, which is a great
blessing
We have investigators, named Eric (14), and Marisa (Eric´s mom) who
are doing spectacular. They had a doubt of coming to church without
nice clothing, because they don´t have church clothing. We let them
know why we dress ourselves in that manner (Tie, dress, white shirt).
We said something similar to this "Our Lord isn´t worried about how we
dress, but he is worried about our spiritual strength and for that
reason we go. We have the option to dress with the best that we have,
and it will be more than enough" We donated Eric a tie and a white
shirt, and he was super happy about it. He is going to all the church
activities, and church meetings. They are prepared by the Lord, to
receive the gospel. I know that the Lord prepares the hearts and minds
of us so that we can accept his gospel. Alma 16:16.
Sometimes in my mission I find myself thinking about everything that
led me to this very moment of my life. A lot has happened in the past
years, but I recognize that the Lord did not stop working with me
through the holy ghost, guiding me up to this very moment that I am so
thankful for. I can´t express my gratitud in words, I can just say
that the love of our heveanly father, and the Lord Jesus christ is
like the sun "with perfect light" as the song says called "Our saviors
love".
I´m enjoying my mission the fullest, I hope all of you are enjoying
life to the fullest. I love you all.
Take care
Elder Olson
Monday, September 20, 2010
I have good news...
I am in San Juan again!!! I was called to San Juan, Chimbas on the
13th of September. I´m so excited, this new area is fantastic. and I
am already here with my new companion. His name is Elder Boyd, and he
is from Georga. He is a great Elder, and we are doing great so far. I
had a great desire in my heart to come back to San Juan sometime in my
mission, and here I am!!!
I read a phrase that I saw in the Gordon B. Hincley ensign (His
memorium), and I read the 6 B´s. One of them really caught my
attention and I have been thinking about it, and I can see a diference
in alot that I do. "Be humble, because the humble are teachable". I
feel and know that is true, because we can´t let the spirit be our
teacher if we aren´t humble. So I have tried to be careful, and not
let pride prevent me from listening to the spirit.
I´m so happy to be here in San Juan. I feel something familiar by
being here. I also feel like that I am supposed to be here. A member
said that I act and talk like a Sanjuaniño. Sanjuaniño is a person
from san Juan. haha.
I have some really funny stories that happened in my last area, and
the other areas that I can´t wait to share with all of you in person.
I love you all, have a great week.
13th of September. I´m so excited, this new area is fantastic. and I
am already here with my new companion. His name is Elder Boyd, and he
is from Georga. He is a great Elder, and we are doing great so far. I
had a great desire in my heart to come back to San Juan sometime in my
mission, and here I am!!!
I read a phrase that I saw in the Gordon B. Hincley ensign (His
memorium), and I read the 6 B´s. One of them really caught my
attention and I have been thinking about it, and I can see a diference
in alot that I do. "Be humble, because the humble are teachable". I
feel and know that is true, because we can´t let the spirit be our
teacher if we aren´t humble. So I have tried to be careful, and not
let pride prevent me from listening to the spirit.
I´m so happy to be here in San Juan. I feel something familiar by
being here. I also feel like that I am supposed to be here. A member
said that I act and talk like a Sanjuaniño. Sanjuaniño is a person
from san Juan. haha.
I have some really funny stories that happened in my last area, and
the other areas that I can´t wait to share with all of you in person.
I love you all, have a great week.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 9-13-2010
I´m short on time for my letter this week. We had a really great week
because we got to see the fruit of our labors. We had a great baptism
:)
We had a lot of training this week. We are doing a lot of training so
we missed a lot of time to work in our areas. We are being taught and
we are practicing a lot, it seems the mission is improving a lot with
these new focuses that we are applying. THe mission is also doing
great ideas, goals for the whole mission to open the mouth 140 times,
each companionship... we did it once before. And there is a lot more
details. It seems the mission is improving, so that we as missionaries
can improve, and become better instruments in the Lords hands.
I was going to send fotos, this p-day we went to a very sweet
mountain range. called potrerillos, and we did a lot of great hiking.
We saw really pretty sites too, I took pictures but this computer
won´t let me send my fotos!!! Sorry
Have a great week
Love,
Elder Erik Olson
because we got to see the fruit of our labors. We had a great baptism
:)
We had a lot of training this week. We are doing a lot of training so
we missed a lot of time to work in our areas. We are being taught and
we are practicing a lot, it seems the mission is improving a lot with
these new focuses that we are applying. THe mission is also doing
great ideas, goals for the whole mission to open the mouth 140 times,
each companionship... we did it once before. And there is a lot more
details. It seems the mission is improving, so that we as missionaries
can improve, and become better instruments in the Lords hands.
I was going to send fotos, this p-day we went to a very sweet
mountain range. called potrerillos, and we did a lot of great hiking.
We saw really pretty sites too, I took pictures but this computer
won´t let me send my fotos!!! Sorry
Have a great week
Love,
Elder Erik Olson
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I won´t complain anymore in my letters. I hope that's not what it
looked like in some of my letters I had sent. This area in Ugarteche
may be really challenging, but it is really helping me grow a lot.
There are 300+ members, and 35+ were going to church, now it´s an
average of 45+. We are really focusing on the inactive families. This
area has a small house for a church, and it needs a church. We saw the
ex branch president come back to church, for the first time in years
(We have been visiting them, helping them do family home evenings, and
inviting them to church). It was a very heart warming moment to see
them reunite with everyone in the church again. The family was really
dissapointed for bad luck they had, it is a really long story about
the leadership in the church that was always upset with him because
of the decline of member attendance.
I don´t know why but the cold is just something I really don´t enjoy
(Especially being not prepared for it with the proper clothing). It
was very cold, but we survived. More importantly, recently I found
myself thinking about other things (The mission, teaching, etc...)
instead of whining about the cold when we wake up. This was a very
necessary part of my life that I had to go through, I will admit that.
It´s so great to see the end of hardships, it´s like coming to a
tunnels end where there is a bright sun shining. It´s now warm again
in Mendoza.
Lately as missionaries we are learning a lot of things, like how to
ask inspired questions, so that those we teach can open their minds
and think about what we teach. So far it has made a huge difference to
our teaching.
looked like in some of my letters I had sent. This area in Ugarteche
may be really challenging, but it is really helping me grow a lot.
There are 300+ members, and 35+ were going to church, now it´s an
average of 45+. We are really focusing on the inactive families. This
area has a small house for a church, and it needs a church. We saw the
ex branch president come back to church, for the first time in years
(We have been visiting them, helping them do family home evenings, and
inviting them to church). It was a very heart warming moment to see
them reunite with everyone in the church again. The family was really
dissapointed for bad luck they had, it is a really long story about
the leadership in the church that was always upset with him because
of the decline of member attendance.
I don´t know why but the cold is just something I really don´t enjoy
(Especially being not prepared for it with the proper clothing). It
was very cold, but we survived. More importantly, recently I found
myself thinking about other things (The mission, teaching, etc...)
instead of whining about the cold when we wake up. This was a very
necessary part of my life that I had to go through, I will admit that.
It´s so great to see the end of hardships, it´s like coming to a
tunnels end where there is a bright sun shining. It´s now warm again
in Mendoza.
Lately as missionaries we are learning a lot of things, like how to
ask inspired questions, so that those we teach can open their minds
and think about what we teach. So far it has made a huge difference to
our teaching.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I spent a lot of time this week in the apartment again.
I struggled being inside the apartment, we lost many hours in the apartment
because my companion´s health problems. It was super hard for me
because I never felt so bored, and I suddenly had thoughts that
wouldn´t get out of my head. Thoughts that were making me question
myself. Thought that tried to weaken me. I know that if we pray, in
this types of situations, we can always recieve strength. I felt this
strength and acknowledged that God wants me to grow from this.
We will always find ourselves in situations, wether it be that we
feel alone, or question our worth. But it is our choice to speak with
our heavenly father, and let him know of our problems, and ask for
strength to face them. We always have to recognize that our capacity
is great, Because we are children of our heavenly father. We can´t
ever question our worth.
Take care everyone,
Elder Olson
because my companion´s health problems. It was super hard for me
because I never felt so bored, and I suddenly had thoughts that
wouldn´t get out of my head. Thoughts that were making me question
myself. Thought that tried to weaken me. I know that if we pray, in
this types of situations, we can always recieve strength. I felt this
strength and acknowledged that God wants me to grow from this.
We will always find ourselves in situations, wether it be that we
feel alone, or question our worth. But it is our choice to speak with
our heavenly father, and let him know of our problems, and ask for
strength to face them. We always have to recognize that our capacity
is great, Because we are children of our heavenly father. We can´t
ever question our worth.
Take care everyone,
Elder Olson
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I can´t wait until the cold leaves
The conditions are a little rough in Ugarteche. We have electric
estufas (heaters) that don´t warm us up very well. So we just wear a
lot of heavy clothes. They say they never seen weather like this. It
has snowed four times, walking in mud all day!!
But we had a great week, we are really progressing with the inactive
families, and at the same time we are having success. We are starting
a new program in the mission field. To focus on our purpose even more.
We are here to baptize, and call to repentance. The presidency gave us
a new training program, so that we can do so in a effective way. And
it is working very well. We are seeing more success.
I can promise each and any one of you that through the gospel, we can
become better people and leave our bad traits that we develop. For
example, I had many problems that are now my strengths. I know that as
we give up our ways and focus on our savior and try to be like he is
we can conquer our weaknesses. "Y si los hombres vienen a mi, les
mostraré su debilidad. Doy a los hombres debilidad para que sean
humildes; Y basta mi gracia a todos los hombres que se humillan ante
mi, y tiene fe en mi, entoces haré que las cosas debiles sean fuertes
para ellos". It requires a humility, we need a lot of it to change.
estufas (heaters) that don´t warm us up very well. So we just wear a
lot of heavy clothes. They say they never seen weather like this. It
has snowed four times, walking in mud all day!!
But we had a great week, we are really progressing with the inactive
families, and at the same time we are having success. We are starting
a new program in the mission field. To focus on our purpose even more.
We are here to baptize, and call to repentance. The presidency gave us
a new training program, so that we can do so in a effective way. And
it is working very well. We are seeing more success.
I can promise each and any one of you that through the gospel, we can
become better people and leave our bad traits that we develop. For
example, I had many problems that are now my strengths. I know that as
we give up our ways and focus on our savior and try to be like he is
we can conquer our weaknesses. "Y si los hombres vienen a mi, les
mostraré su debilidad. Doy a los hombres debilidad para que sean
humildes; Y basta mi gracia a todos los hombres que se humillan ante
mi, y tiene fe en mi, entoces haré que las cosas debiles sean fuertes
para ellos". It requires a humility, we need a lot of it to change.
Monday, August 9, 2010
We got gas, we can eat again!!! (We were eating anyways, with the
microwave haha). Transfers ended, and I have a new companion again
haha. I keep on getting new companions. My companions name is Elder
Coronel (Colonel). He is from missions, Argentina. And he is possibly
the coolest Elder I have ever met (I´m not joking). He learned English
by watching seinfeld. He speaks fluently. As for me, this is a great
opportunity to learn more spanish. And he is willing to correct me so,
I can learn, which is helping a lot.
We are doing good in Ugarteche, we are finding a lot of people. The
week was a little slow from transfers but we were able to get a lot
done in the little time. I´m ready for spring to come, it is still way
cold. Maybe it will snow the 3rd time :(.
I started recently the 60 day read of the book of mormon but in
spanish. I can´t understand it reading at a good pace, and so far I am
caught up. I always feel the spirit strong when I am reading the book
of mormon. It is revelation, and we can receive added revelation from
it. I know that is true, it has given me direction and guidance in my
life. Take care :)
Elder Olson
microwave haha). Transfers ended, and I have a new companion again
haha. I keep on getting new companions. My companions name is Elder
Coronel (Colonel). He is from missions, Argentina. And he is possibly
the coolest Elder I have ever met (I´m not joking). He learned English
by watching seinfeld. He speaks fluently. As for me, this is a great
opportunity to learn more spanish. And he is willing to correct me so,
I can learn, which is helping a lot.
We are doing good in Ugarteche, we are finding a lot of people. The
week was a little slow from transfers but we were able to get a lot
done in the little time. I´m ready for spring to come, it is still way
cold. Maybe it will snow the 3rd time :(.
I started recently the 60 day read of the book of mormon but in
spanish. I can´t understand it reading at a good pace, and so far I am
caught up. I always feel the spirit strong when I am reading the book
of mormon. It is revelation, and we can receive added revelation from
it. I know that is true, it has given me direction and guidance in my
life. Take care :)
Elder Olson
Monday, August 2, 2010
Without gas for a week
We got pretty filthy this week, we had no gas which means no showers,
no cooking, no washing clothes. This entire past week was a challenge,
not having gas. But we lived, at first I was bummed but then a thought
came to mind "Don´t even think about what you are going to eat or do,
the Lord will provide the means" It turned out as a good learning
experience, I believe these experiences are necessary. Today is the
end of transfers, we get to find out the transfers in a few hours.
We have a few possible baptisms, and also we are really trying to get
Ugarteche on it´s feet. There is a lot of inactives, but we are
helping the inactives by doing noches de hogares (family home
evenings). We came up with very effective lessons/games, that are
pretty simple. We give them the idea and help them start doing it by
themselves. So far it´s working. Some inactives are making it back to
church!
Elder Boyle is a great elder, we get a long great. He makes
everything funny, even though are day might not being going super
great he never gets down. We both like Ugarteche a lot. We walk a lot
in Ugarteche, but that doesn´t matter because the people are at least
more humble. It makes up for the city, there is a lot of people in the
city but they aren´t as accepting.
Some photos:
1 - This is an idea we did to invite members back to church.
2 - It snowed like 2 weeks ago, it was pretty deep snow. They say it
never snows that much (For 30 years)
no cooking, no washing clothes. This entire past week was a challenge,
not having gas. But we lived, at first I was bummed but then a thought
came to mind "Don´t even think about what you are going to eat or do,
the Lord will provide the means" It turned out as a good learning
experience, I believe these experiences are necessary. Today is the
end of transfers, we get to find out the transfers in a few hours.
We have a few possible baptisms, and also we are really trying to get
Ugarteche on it´s feet. There is a lot of inactives, but we are
helping the inactives by doing noches de hogares (family home
evenings). We came up with very effective lessons/games, that are
pretty simple. We give them the idea and help them start doing it by
themselves. So far it´s working. Some inactives are making it back to
church!
Elder Boyle is a great elder, we get a long great. He makes
everything funny, even though are day might not being going super
great he never gets down. We both like Ugarteche a lot. We walk a lot
in Ugarteche, but that doesn´t matter because the people are at least
more humble. It makes up for the city, there is a lot of people in the
city but they aren´t as accepting.
Some photos:
1 - This is an idea we did to invite members back to church.
Monday, July 26, 2010
bautizmo!!!!!
almost couldn´t control the emotion I had when I read this letter. I´m
sorry it is in Spanish. It says:
Hello Elder Olson, how are you? we are doing well, even though we are
missing you a lot. We wrote you to tell you that yesica, ailen, and
axel peralta got baptized on friday, they are very happy, and remember
you a lot, they always talk about an angel came to their house and
changed their lives. That angel is you, isn´t that wonderful? we
wented you to know this because you planted a seed in boulevard (My
last area), and already gave your fruits. What a blessing that their
is missioneries like you, we thank you a lot for all that you did in
this branch, we love you alot, don´t forget that the lord will bless
you always, it´s our plea and affection, family jara. it got done the
baptizm, in the ward of centro because our heater was broken.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Lovin´lil bolivia.
I am starting to love my area more and more. There is always a lot of
funny stuff that happens. We mess around with all the dogs, throw
snowballs at them, scare them and they jump in the asequias
(Ditches). Argentina Mendoza has this wierd system that controls
flooding, they have cemented ditches that cover the sides of the
roads. I guess it´s a good idea, until people used it for a trash can.
Our zone isn´t doing so hot, this week was tough for us. A lot of
Elders got sick, and the snow was pretty bad. Everything was super
muddy, and so it was a little hard to move around. I´m getting pretty
good at cooking pastas, because we cook almost every day (5 times a
week). We are going to really focus on inactive members, and
references, but keep doing opening the mouth (141 times a week).
Knocking doors isn´t super effective here in Ugarteche.
I had some pretty close calls in my mission, I somehow avoid danger
when we are really near. In San Juan, we had no problems, even though
we walked near dangerous places where people throwing rocks after a
soccer game, people were suprised that we were O.k. We had to walk in
dangerous areas at night to get home, without any problems. I know the
Lord protects us, and will continue to protect us. We also had a
problem with drunks who tried to contradict us and they kind of
surrounded us, it was an intense situation, but I know that the Lord
helped us know what to say to calm them down. We walked away without
any problems.
Take care everyone
Elder Olson
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Argentina lost!!
Argentina made it pretty far in the world cup, alemania did really
well. We can watch the Argentina games if we are being obedient as
missionaries. I saw it, I don´t know why but I felt pretty sad myself,
I then realized that my argentine side was coming out.
We had a great week, I can actually crack jokes and have a fun time
with my new companion (Elder Boyle, he is from Bountiful Utah, but
raised in TEXAS). We are having success in finding people, we keep
running into drunks here in Urgarteche. One time we Ran into one that
my companion knew and he repeats his story of how his wife left him,
he was super drunk.
I talked to my previous companion through phone, Elder Carr, and he
informed me that of a family that I met with him right before I had
left. I know me and my companion had been guided to find this family,
we found out that the mother is a member, but hasn´t gone to church
since she was 15. The family was looking for a church to go to, and
then we show up. My companion told me that they have gone to church,
and stake conference, and are participating in church activities (We
met them 2 weeks ago). It really made me feel very happy knowing that
this family was prepared by the lord to recieve the gospel.
We are having a great time, take care!
Elder Olson
well. We can watch the Argentina games if we are being obedient as
missionaries. I saw it, I don´t know why but I felt pretty sad myself,
I then realized that my argentine side was coming out.
We had a great week, I can actually crack jokes and have a fun time
with my new companion (Elder Boyle, he is from Bountiful Utah, but
raised in TEXAS). We are having success in finding people, we keep
running into drunks here in Urgarteche. One time we Ran into one that
my companion knew and he repeats his story of how his wife left him,
he was super drunk.
I talked to my previous companion through phone, Elder Carr, and he
informed me that of a family that I met with him right before I had
left. I know me and my companion had been guided to find this family,
we found out that the mother is a member, but hasn´t gone to church
since she was 15. The family was looking for a church to go to, and
then we show up. My companion told me that they have gone to church,
and stake conference, and are participating in church activities (We
met them 2 weeks ago). It really made me feel very happy knowing that
this family was prepared by the lord to recieve the gospel.
We are having a great time, take care!
Elder Olson
Monday, June 21, 2010
This week was FABULOSO (fabulos)
The bad news is, I am leaving. I won´t be able to see all the baptisms from all the work we did here, me and Elder Carr. It was a great blessing to be here, I know the Lord has called me to go somewhere where he needs me. I am going to Mendoza OTRA VEZ (Again). The new area, I have no Idea what it´s like. My companion is going to be another greenie (newbie). It is cool, but I really want to keep bettering my spanish with latin companions. I have had some of my greatest moments here in San Juan, I hope I get another chance to be here further in my mission.
I am about to finish the book of mormon readings (60 days, more or less). My testimony of this book has never been as strong as it now. I know it is true, it has increased my faith in our savior, it has
changed my perspective on things, and my behavior. The counsel we receive from it is a great benefit for our lives. I would love for all of you to think about reading it. It will bless your lives forever.
The members love me here, and it hurts to see them sad that I am leaving. I feel loved, and it almost makes me cry. I have to fight it haha. I really learned the most valuable things of my life, here in Argentina. It´s really starting to be a special place in my heart. I´m so glad I still have a lot more time to be a missionary. But I miss all of you very much still!!!
Take care everyone
Elder Olson
I am about to finish the book of mormon readings (60 days, more or less). My testimony of this book has never been as strong as it now. I know it is true, it has increased my faith in our savior, it has
changed my perspective on things, and my behavior. The counsel we receive from it is a great benefit for our lives. I would love for all of you to think about reading it. It will bless your lives forever.
The members love me here, and it hurts to see them sad that I am leaving. I feel loved, and it almost makes me cry. I have to fight it haha. I really learned the most valuable things of my life, here in Argentina. It´s really starting to be a special place in my heart. I´m so glad I still have a lot more time to be a missionary. But I miss all of you very much still!!!
Take care everyone
Elder Olson
Monday, June 14, 2010
Hace muy mucho frio (Mejor dicho: Hace mucho frio)
Even in san Juan the weather is getting pretty bad. Sadly this
week I got sick. I was in bed for so many hours, Flemmy throat, fever,
stomach ache. It was tough. We could work a little bit, I got better in
the middle of the week, then I got super sick again.
We had a really great experience with a family, that we found this week, and besides that the members are now giving us a lot more references. I believe we are going to see some great success. Members are starting to open the mouth also!!
I would like to share a short story, I had opened the mouth
with a lady named oliviana, and I had told her that God is extending
his love for her through us, and I cannot remember the rest of what I
said (she got teary eyed)... I remember the part where she said "I will
be waiting for your visit". Experiences like that make me keep doing my best, This week had some really great moments, the one I shared was just one of the many. Even though I was sick, we did a lot this week.
We had invented a great noche de hogar (Family home evening), and we are sharing it with all the inactive families, and trying to get them to invite their friends and families to come. We have like 3
family home evenings this week! I hope I get better, I feel a little sick still.
Take care
Elder Olson
week I got sick. I was in bed for so many hours, Flemmy throat, fever,
stomach ache. It was tough. We could work a little bit, I got better in
the middle of the week, then I got super sick again.
We had a really great experience with a family, that we found this week, and besides that the members are now giving us a lot more references. I believe we are going to see some great success. Members are starting to open the mouth also!!
I would like to share a short story, I had opened the mouth
with a lady named oliviana, and I had told her that God is extending
his love for her through us, and I cannot remember the rest of what I
said (she got teary eyed)... I remember the part where she said "I will
be waiting for your visit". Experiences like that make me keep doing my best, This week had some really great moments, the one I shared was just one of the many. Even though I was sick, we did a lot this week.
We had invented a great noche de hogar (Family home evening), and we are sharing it with all the inactive families, and trying to get them to invite their friends and families to come. We have like 3
family home evenings this week! I hope I get better, I feel a little sick still.
Take care
Elder Olson
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
This week we had a an area president come visit us. And he gave us alot of advice, and new ideas. He came to our zone conference, and it was a really great experience. The are a presidents are super smart, I believe they are under the apostles. Something great he taught us, was to be a loving missionary. For example stand by the door before church starts, and greet everyone and say something "It´s a pleasure to have you again!" And many other examples, then the members will be talking about you, and later the references will come.. A story that he shared that I liked a lot: Missionaries were teaching a investigator that couldn´t stop drinking cofee. The investigator decided to stop listening the missionaries... The missionaries at the last moment when they were with him asked him "Can you stop drinking for one day?" With a tone that made it sound as if he was challenging him. The investigator said "Yes, I can." That very moment, the missionaries started a fast, and when they came back to verify, the person didn´t drink coffee the whole day. Then they challenged him to do it 2 days in a row. The investigator was able to do it, and quit drinking coffee and now this very person (investigator) was baptized, and then became a mission president, and had several other great callings.
2 Ne 27:23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith". Many miracles happen in the missionary work. We are experiencing one. We found a family that was so prepared to hear us, they want to be baptized now. There are waiting for a divorce, and the ex husband has authorize it... they must be married, We are leaving it in the Lord´s hands, this is his work, and I know though our faith we will be able to see a miracle.
This was a great week. I love all of you, take care.
Elder Olson
2 Ne 27:23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith". Many miracles happen in the missionary work. We are experiencing one. We found a family that was so prepared to hear us, they want to be baptized now. There are waiting for a divorce, and the ex husband has authorize it... they must be married, We are leaving it in the Lord´s hands, this is his work, and I know though our faith we will be able to see a miracle.
This was a great week. I love all of you, take care.
Elder Olson
Monday, May 24, 2010
Hello everyone--
How can it be, I have already passed a year. It made me look back on my memories that i have up to this moment. I must keep going strong, NO REGRETS!!!! We bought ice cream to celebrate.
This was a great week, we have seen great results from our efforts. We will see even more fruits for our labors as we keep it up. We are trying hard to reactivate a family, and we are striving so that their son can get baptized. So far so good, they are coming back to church. The family Renoso. We are also going to try really hard to get references and work with the members more also, we have came up with a plan to ask references. We left a paper inviting them to think about someone who would like to recieve us, and pray for them that they might accept the gospel.
I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, but I can do this, I just have to keep it up... I know the Lord will help me develop all I need to fufill my calling. I always was co companion until now, so I really have to take care of the area. But I let my companion have his say so that he can grow. I´m liking the experience though, From this experience I know and have a testimony that the lord always prepares a way for us that we can accomplish what he commands us... 1 NE 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them"
This week, I have realized something very significant to me. If we are diligent, I know that the Lord will bless us, beyond measure. I can tell each one of you that I have witnessed so many blessing by being diligent. Lately I can recognize the power of my calling growing. I don´t find myself confounded, looking for words in spanish, rather I can speak from the feelings of my heart. It brings me so much joy, to be an instrument in the lords hands.
I love all of you, I hope you have a great week. I´ll try to send some pictures next week.
Elder Diego, my trainer, thanks for writing me again, it was good to hear from you. I´m glad that you are doing well, I will try to send you a letter to respond better. I love you man, take care.
Elder Erik Olson
This was a great week, we have seen great results from our efforts. We will see even more fruits for our labors as we keep it up. We are trying hard to reactivate a family, and we are striving so that their son can get baptized. So far so good, they are coming back to church. The family Renoso. We are also going to try really hard to get references and work with the members more also, we have came up with a plan to ask references. We left a paper inviting them to think about someone who would like to recieve us, and pray for them that they might accept the gospel.
I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, but I can do this, I just have to keep it up... I know the Lord will help me develop all I need to fufill my calling. I always was co companion until now, so I really have to take care of the area. But I let my companion have his say so that he can grow. I´m liking the experience though, From this experience I know and have a testimony that the lord always prepares a way for us that we can accomplish what he commands us... 1 NE 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them"
This week, I have realized something very significant to me. If we are diligent, I know that the Lord will bless us, beyond measure. I can tell each one of you that I have witnessed so many blessing by being diligent. Lately I can recognize the power of my calling growing. I don´t find myself confounded, looking for words in spanish, rather I can speak from the feelings of my heart. It brings me so much joy, to be an instrument in the lords hands.
I love all of you, I hope you have a great week. I´ll try to send some pictures next week.
Elder Diego, my trainer, thanks for writing me again, it was good to hear from you. I´m glad that you are doing well, I will try to send you a letter to respond better. I love you man, take care.
Elder Erik Olson
Monday, May 17, 2010
It has been cold these past few days.
We had some cool experiences this week (I´m writing almost everyday, all my experiences, I ussually miss 1 day a week in my journal), lately I have been faced with a lot, and I was able to have enough strength to face problems, and extra energy to keep on going. I know that the Energy I am given, and extra strength comes by keeping the commandments, and honoring our covenants. 1 Ne 17:3.
I´m trying my best out here, sharing the gospel, and inviting people, but it gets a little rough. We are doing all we can but haven´t had a chance to find someone that will keep commitments. We got so close with an awesome family but then they just dissapeared, their number doesn´t work... etc... It´s allright though, I know the fruits of our labors will come. I can say that the spirit of the Lord has been with me this week, and I was able to testify and share with great power. I know the Lord is pleased with us if we can feel him working through us. That helps me out a lot.
I´m going to hit a year in the mission, I still have a lot of time to become what the Lord wants me to become.
I miss you my friends and family, take care. Have a good week.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
This is the end of this transfer.
I loved this week. We had some good experiences, even though everything didn´t go as I hoped. Our investigadores aren´t doing there part which makes it rough. But we continually keep going. Me and my companion were able to become good friends, now we have the unity that we need as missionaries.
I was opening the mouth with someone on the street, and he treated me well. He listened, and he seemed like he would like us to come by later, but he told me he was in a hurry in the moment (Because he his 4 year old daughter had to go to the bathroom) And I said "I will walk for you for a second", I got his address, and then as we stopped for a second as I was writing, and suddenly his daughter... didn´t make it on time to the bathroom. I felt awful, but he assured me it was fine.
We are doing great down here, we are going to barbeque and play soccer, the ussual thing we do down here as missionaries on p-day. Take care everyone
Love, Elder Olson
Monday, May 3, 2010
Obedience is a hard road to take.
Elder Ben Cisternas sent me a letter once, saying "Obedience is such a hard road to take, but its the only road worth taking". I have seen evidence of that, even though in this very moment I am not having too much success here in my new area, I know that I am at least learning and becoming the person who I want to be (step by step). I am not wasting time by being here. I can tell you that one can feel the love of God, and one can feel that he is pleased with you if you do what he asks. Obedience is the road worth taking.
Things have started to become clear as I learn, such as every commandment, every rule we have to follow. God knows our needs... 3 NE 13:31-34. The goal is to search the kingdom of God first, and the rest shall be added unto you. I promise this to all of you. In the beggining of the mission I had no clue why I had to follow so many rules, but it becomes clear as we experience it for ourselves. The question "Why?" seems to fade away.
This week has been tough, but I am surviving. We are puting forth a lot of effort, we are on our knees praying all the time. I worry about the well being of the people I meet. They dont seem happy, but I know for those that accept us will come to know what true happyness is.
Take care everyone, have a good week. If my trainer is reading, Yes I did receive your letters, thank you Diego Berrocal for writing me.
Thanks for your support and love, Cuidense. I send my love from San Juan.
Elder Olson
Things have started to become clear as I learn, such as every commandment, every rule we have to follow. God knows our needs... 3 NE 13:31-34. The goal is to search the kingdom of God first, and the rest shall be added unto you. I promise this to all of you. In the beggining of the mission I had no clue why I had to follow so many rules, but it becomes clear as we experience it for ourselves. The question "Why?" seems to fade away.
This week has been tough, but I am surviving. We are puting forth a lot of effort, we are on our knees praying all the time. I worry about the well being of the people I meet. They dont seem happy, but I know for those that accept us will come to know what true happyness is.
Take care everyone, have a good week. If my trainer is reading, Yes I did receive your letters, thank you Diego Berrocal for writing me.
Thanks for your support and love, Cuidense. I send my love from San Juan.
Elder Olson
Monday, April 26, 2010
It can´t be! My companion got sick.
Today we just got done playing soccer, and we ate some huge panchos (perro calientes/hotdogs) afterwards. We didn´t do anything too sweet for p-day today. There is a lot of cool places to go here in San Juan. San Juan suposedly has had a lot of earthquakes, and is sorta dangerous, it´s an awesome/pretty area. The people here are mostly nice, but we ran into really nasty people, I tried catching up with my open the mouth (talking with people on the street) and man we struggled with the people lately, they became bitter because the weather is colder. I love the sweet rejection when they speed walk when you talk to them while walking. It´s so funny.
This week was a little rough, I had a lot of time to study inside. My companion has a fever and some type of throat bacterial infection. luckily I have a lot of stuff to read, such as liahonas, or the book of mormon. We couldn´t get much done this week, but I was able to go out and work with the other Elders in their areas, if not I would have lost my mind sitting down all day reading. We are in a 4 man apartment, and the 2 other elders are great people. One of them is a gringo, he is a rock climber, and the other is from salvador. My companion is from JuyJuy Argentina, Me and my companion are getting along pretty well lately, I know we will have success in our area.
I know we will have success here in bolovard, San Juan, Because we have had some testing times, and we came out better and stronger each time. I know that the lord puts me through these specific trials so that I can learn necessary skills. The experiences I have been having lately have been tough for me at first. But through these experiences I learn to trust in the lord better, for example, there is a promise that was hard for me to trust. Doctrine and covenats 100:6 "For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." As I taught a lesson with my companion, I tried my best to study, and ponder and apply what I had learned. As a result I tried my best to trust in the Lord that I could help the new converts that we were teaching, to understand my lesson. I was able to share the lesson well, and they understood. I did not get nervous once, and I did feel the spirit helping me teach. I know that it is true. How can we teach if we don´t apply what we are teaching. My goal is, as I teach: Doctrine and covenats 50:22 "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."
This week was a little rough, I had a lot of time to study inside. My companion has a fever and some type of throat bacterial infection. luckily I have a lot of stuff to read, such as liahonas, or the book of mormon. We couldn´t get much done this week, but I was able to go out and work with the other Elders in their areas, if not I would have lost my mind sitting down all day reading. We are in a 4 man apartment, and the 2 other elders are great people. One of them is a gringo, he is a rock climber, and the other is from salvador. My companion is from JuyJuy Argentina, Me and my companion are getting along pretty well lately, I know we will have success in our area.
I know we will have success here in bolovard, San Juan, Because we have had some testing times, and we came out better and stronger each time. I know that the lord puts me through these specific trials so that I can learn necessary skills. The experiences I have been having lately have been tough for me at first. But through these experiences I learn to trust in the lord better, for example, there is a promise that was hard for me to trust. Doctrine and covenats 100:6 "For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." As I taught a lesson with my companion, I tried my best to study, and ponder and apply what I had learned. As a result I tried my best to trust in the Lord that I could help the new converts that we were teaching, to understand my lesson. I was able to share the lesson well, and they understood. I did not get nervous once, and I did feel the spirit helping me teach. I know that it is true. How can we teach if we don´t apply what we are teaching. My goal is, as I teach: Doctrine and covenats 50:22 "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."
Monday, April 19, 2010
San Juan is a blast, we get to do awesome things for p-day. Today we went to a huge dique, it´s like a huge lake and has mountains all over it. NO one wanted to explore the mountains, but me. Man Being around mountains makes me crazy, that's something I miss a lot that we could always do in Utah. My area is a good area, it´s pretty big, and the members are awesome. They are pretty involved in the missionary work here (The members).
I have been challenged to read the book of mormon withing 64 days. I have never been able to understand the book of mormon like I can now. It´s tough though, I have to read a lot including my normal studies.
This week has been a testing week for me. I know that the Lord gives us challenges so that we can grow. Knowing that our afflictions are for our gain I was able to push and do my best in making decisions. I know it´s true.
I hope everyone is doing well, I had a sweet letter from Ben, but the date was in february, I get mail so late haha. Seems like Ben is still collecting cereal.
Have a great week everyone, I send my love from san Juan.
Elder Olson
I have been challenged to read the book of mormon withing 64 days. I have never been able to understand the book of mormon like I can now. It´s tough though, I have to read a lot including my normal studies.
This week has been a testing week for me. I know that the Lord gives us challenges so that we can grow. Knowing that our afflictions are for our gain I was able to push and do my best in making decisions. I know it´s true.
I hope everyone is doing well, I had a sweet letter from Ben, but the date was in february, I get mail so late haha. Seems like Ben is still collecting cereal.
Have a great week everyone, I send my love from san Juan.
Elder Olson
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 4-12-2010
What a week.
I don´t even have a second too even think, it´s been quick, the week. It flew away. I never found myself pushing myself so hard in my life. I have to adjust to a latin companion, he is awesome, but man all the slang is hard to learn. But i´m catching up. I´m excited to better my spanish even more. My companion is very smart with defending himself when people contradict us, He is teaching me key doctrine. So I have a better defense... and not only that, things just make more sense as I learn, for example, the role and purpose of the book of mormong. Isiah 29:11,12,20.
The people here are really nice, we found a family that is looking for a place to hear the word of god, but without guitars and drums. They told us that, and it seems they are looking for the church, we are teaching them lately.. Family arguella, a couple with a daughter. The little kids here are hilarious here, and crazy. In our church meeting on sunday (yesterday), they would not stop taking our name tags, and whatever they could grab. And they scream so much, I can say I am learning to be patient.
I have had some hard moments this week, In the book of mormon 2 Ne 2:2 Says Afflictions are for our gain. The advice was written, and it was originally for Jacob, one of the sons of Lehi. But I know that it was written to be advice for all of us. I have had some doubts in my mission, of myself. I can´t stay positive 24/7 all the time but I do my best, some results are just so hard to take. But it´s for our own good... I know that if we put our thoughts in the lord, our example, we can feel and know his love and remember what he did for us. The way is prepared because of him. I have had moments of relief as I directed my thoughts to the Lord.
I hope everyone is doing well, I miss you all. Take care.
Love,
Elder Olson
I don´t even have a second too even think, it´s been quick, the week. It flew away. I never found myself pushing myself so hard in my life. I have to adjust to a latin companion, he is awesome, but man all the slang is hard to learn. But i´m catching up. I´m excited to better my spanish even more. My companion is very smart with defending himself when people contradict us, He is teaching me key doctrine. So I have a better defense... and not only that, things just make more sense as I learn, for example, the role and purpose of the book of mormong. Isiah 29:11,12,20.
The people here are really nice, we found a family that is looking for a place to hear the word of god, but without guitars and drums. They told us that, and it seems they are looking for the church, we are teaching them lately.. Family arguella, a couple with a daughter. The little kids here are hilarious here, and crazy. In our church meeting on sunday (yesterday), they would not stop taking our name tags, and whatever they could grab. And they scream so much, I can say I am learning to be patient.
I have had some hard moments this week, In the book of mormon 2 Ne 2:2 Says Afflictions are for our gain. The advice was written, and it was originally for Jacob, one of the sons of Lehi. But I know that it was written to be advice for all of us. I have had some doubts in my mission, of myself. I can´t stay positive 24/7 all the time but I do my best, some results are just so hard to take. But it´s for our own good... I know that if we put our thoughts in the lord, our example, we can feel and know his love and remember what he did for us. The way is prepared because of him. I have had moments of relief as I directed my thoughts to the Lord.
I hope everyone is doing well, I miss you all. Take care.
Love,
Elder Olson
Monday, April 5, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 4-5-2010
San juan
I´m in a different province as of wednesday. I left Bowen! I was only there 2 transfers (3 months). I will miss that area and the people, I will send some pictures of my last moments there. My new companion is Elder Rios, he is from the province Guguy, I don´t know how it´s spelled. It´s in Argentina. He is awesome, we are co companions. He is a month younger than I am. He is a great missionary, he likes to work like I do.
San Juan is known for being really hot, suposedly it had been 45 grados, which is like 115 degrees (around there). But now it´s lowering tempature. If I stay here in san juan for winter, I won´t really feel any cold. Except today (4-5-2010) it´s gotten very cold for some reason. The weather is really strange. These last 3 days have been cold. Like winter cold. Suposedly that doesn´t really happen here ussually.
Well the people here are really nice, but they lie a lot about their addresses. It´s funny when you tell them to repeat their address and they give you a different address. The people here are known to be nicer.
This general conference we had was fantastic. I really enjoyed the talk about pacience that Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave. We learn the most when we are waiting... I know that is true. I also loved the talk that Elder David A, Bednar gave. About how we must constantly bare testimony, and read and talk about the scriptures to the youth so that we can see early signs. I hope all of you enjoyed conference, It is such an edifying experience.
I´m going to send you some pictures... Take care everyone.
Love, Elder Olson
1 - Everyone (Members, Us)
2 - We went fishing/harpooning some p-day
3 - I shared peanut butter with members for refreshments after the noche de hogar (Family home evening, we conduct, do the message, and activity)
4 - All the Elders of the Zone going to valle grande (We did it again but came with food that time)
5 - Valle grande dam (Bottom part)
6 - Elder making a boat out ot the coast
7 - Juan (A cool investigator that I had, he is a shoemaker)
8 - We met someone that works at a private vinyard vault. He showed us everything inside, and showed us his sweet mountain bike.
9 - All the grapes (Uvas) falling in the grinder to make wine.
10 - Dana, and analaura (They are sisters)
11 - Roxana, and melanie (Roxana is the mother of melanie)
12 - Los cuatro bagos. The missionaries.
13 - My love
I´m in a different province as of wednesday. I left Bowen! I was only there 2 transfers (3 months). I will miss that area and the people, I will send some pictures of my last moments there. My new companion is Elder Rios, he is from the province Guguy, I don´t know how it´s spelled. It´s in Argentina. He is awesome, we are co companions. He is a month younger than I am. He is a great missionary, he likes to work like I do.
San Juan is known for being really hot, suposedly it had been 45 grados, which is like 115 degrees (around there). But now it´s lowering tempature. If I stay here in san juan for winter, I won´t really feel any cold. Except today (4-5-2010) it´s gotten very cold for some reason. The weather is really strange. These last 3 days have been cold. Like winter cold. Suposedly that doesn´t really happen here ussually.
Well the people here are really nice, but they lie a lot about their addresses. It´s funny when you tell them to repeat their address and they give you a different address. The people here are known to be nicer.
This general conference we had was fantastic. I really enjoyed the talk about pacience that Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave. We learn the most when we are waiting... I know that is true. I also loved the talk that Elder David A, Bednar gave. About how we must constantly bare testimony, and read and talk about the scriptures to the youth so that we can see early signs. I hope all of you enjoyed conference, It is such an edifying experience.
I´m going to send you some pictures... Take care everyone.
Love, Elder Olson
1 - Everyone (Members, Us)
2 - We went fishing/harpooning some p-day
3 - I shared peanut butter with members for refreshments after the noche de hogar (Family home evening, we conduct, do the message, and activity)
4 - All the Elders of the Zone going to valle grande (We did it again but came with food that time)
5 - Valle grande dam (Bottom part)
6 - Elder making a boat out ot the coast
7 - Juan (A cool investigator that I had, he is a shoemaker)
8 - We met someone that works at a private vinyard vault. He showed us everything inside, and showed us his sweet mountain bike.
9 - All the grapes (Uvas) falling in the grinder to make wine.
10 - Dana, and analaura (They are sisters)
11 - Roxana, and melanie (Roxana is the mother of melanie)
12 - Los cuatro bagos. The missionaries.
13 - My love
Monday, March 29, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 3-29-2010
General conference is coming!!
I´m way excited for this week. As a missionary, reading conference talks are so helpful to me. I know that our leaders of the church are truely inspired by the spirit. It really is a privlege to hear the liders of the church speak often. I was reading a talk "Come what may, and love it" It made me laugh, and it made me think about what we should do when we are having a hard time, we should laugh. The circumstances always change when we laugh instead of getting angry.
Yesterday, Sunday. I had to give a lesson for our small church in Bowen. It was a crazy experience. I was so unprepared, it turns out that the brother that comes to give lessons got sick. so we ended up giving the lesson... It turned out well but it was so unexpected. We seriously did everything, prepared the sacrament, direct the music, give the class, put out the chairs. I felt responsable. It was a cool learning experience. I talked about the book of mormon and the role it plays. How the bible doesn´t give us answers to everything... for example baptism and the need of baptism for those who are responsable for sin. Children can´t sin, neither satan has power to tempt them Doctrine and covenats 29:47. It was long because I had a lot to say and share. I know the book of mormon is the word of god.
This is the end of my 7th transfer... I´m going into the 8th. and It seems I am going to leave bowen. But I could still stay, it isn´t sure just yet. If I do leave, I am going to be pretty sad. All the people I met and work I put in that area will still continue, for that reason I am happy. I´m a little nervous about finding out whats going to happen. I got attatched to my area haha.
Well I guess I will have to tell all of you where I am going to be next week, have a good week.
Love, Elder Olson
I´m way excited for this week. As a missionary, reading conference talks are so helpful to me. I know that our leaders of the church are truely inspired by the spirit. It really is a privlege to hear the liders of the church speak often. I was reading a talk "Come what may, and love it" It made me laugh, and it made me think about what we should do when we are having a hard time, we should laugh. The circumstances always change when we laugh instead of getting angry.
Yesterday, Sunday. I had to give a lesson for our small church in Bowen. It was a crazy experience. I was so unprepared, it turns out that the brother that comes to give lessons got sick. so we ended up giving the lesson... It turned out well but it was so unexpected. We seriously did everything, prepared the sacrament, direct the music, give the class, put out the chairs. I felt responsable. It was a cool learning experience. I talked about the book of mormon and the role it plays. How the bible doesn´t give us answers to everything... for example baptism and the need of baptism for those who are responsable for sin. Children can´t sin, neither satan has power to tempt them Doctrine and covenats 29:47. It was long because I had a lot to say and share. I know the book of mormon is the word of god.
This is the end of my 7th transfer... I´m going into the 8th. and It seems I am going to leave bowen. But I could still stay, it isn´t sure just yet. If I do leave, I am going to be pretty sad. All the people I met and work I put in that area will still continue, for that reason I am happy. I´m a little nervous about finding out whats going to happen. I got attatched to my area haha.
Well I guess I will have to tell all of you where I am going to be next week, have a good week.
Love, Elder Olson
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 3-22-2010
Facturas (Pastries), pan casero (home made pan), aceite (Oil). Dream
come true. My new diet.
Bowen gets better and better, I say that because it seems like I feel
fully adjusted in argentina. Comfortable with the language, good food,
and the people are sweet once you can understand them. The people are
very friendly, they share with us (food), we can stop by any house for
water and they are more than willing to give us water. even though we
are strangers.
We had a great week, we found a lady named roxana funes, who already
believes in what we say just because of how she feels when we talk
about the gospel. She came to church, it was so cool. All the members
were super nice to her, and it seems like she liked it a lot. We also
found another lady named naci. We buy home made bread from her, and
she is super interested. She tells us that she notticed a lot of
people from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints once were
catholics, and she wants to know why. Despite that we had to leave
some people, we are still friends, and we believe that we left them
with a good feeling.
I was having a dificult time. I read an article from general
conference of 2008 that the apostle anderson gave about "we know
enough". as we face trials we sometimes start to question ourselves or
feel inadecuada (In my case I was thinking "I don´t know enough, how
can I do this?"). (I don´t know how to spell the word inadequet don´t
make fun of my english, it´s inadecuada in spanish). We don´t need a
perfect knowlede, and besides that each of us knows enough. God loves
us, thats knowing enough. 1 Ne:11 16-17. (16: And he said unto me:
Knowest thou the condescension of God? )(17: And I said unto him: I
know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the
meaning of all things.) Nephi didn´t have a perfect knowledge of
everything, but he knew that god loves his children (all of us). He
knew enough.
Have a great week everyone. I will try to send pictures next week. I
send my love from Argentina...
Love, Elder Olson
come true. My new diet.
Bowen gets better and better, I say that because it seems like I feel
fully adjusted in argentina. Comfortable with the language, good food,
and the people are sweet once you can understand them. The people are
very friendly, they share with us (food), we can stop by any house for
water and they are more than willing to give us water. even though we
are strangers.
We had a great week, we found a lady named roxana funes, who already
believes in what we say just because of how she feels when we talk
about the gospel. She came to church, it was so cool. All the members
were super nice to her, and it seems like she liked it a lot. We also
found another lady named naci. We buy home made bread from her, and
she is super interested. She tells us that she notticed a lot of
people from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints once were
catholics, and she wants to know why. Despite that we had to leave
some people, we are still friends, and we believe that we left them
with a good feeling.
I was having a dificult time. I read an article from general
conference of 2008 that the apostle anderson gave about "we know
enough". as we face trials we sometimes start to question ourselves or
feel inadecuada (In my case I was thinking "I don´t know enough, how
can I do this?"). (I don´t know how to spell the word inadequet don´t
make fun of my english, it´s inadecuada in spanish). We don´t need a
perfect knowlede, and besides that each of us knows enough. God loves
us, thats knowing enough. 1 Ne:11 16-17. (16: And he said unto me:
Knowest thou the condescension of God? )(17: And I said unto him: I
know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the
meaning of all things.) Nephi didn´t have a perfect knowledge of
everything, but he knew that god loves his children (all of us). He
knew enough.
Have a great week everyone. I will try to send pictures next week. I
send my love from Argentina...
Love, Elder Olson
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 3-15-2010
Enfermedades!!!!!!!
My companion got sick and I had to stay inside for 2 days, it was really hard for me to sit and study for so long. I studied a lot of spanish at least!! This was a good week, we went to the tourist area valle grande again with our zone, with lots of elders. It was cool to see the scenery there again. We didn´t have too much time to work this week because of zone conference and my companion´s sickness that he got.
We had to leave a few of our investigators, It seems that it wasn´t the right time for everyone, I always hope for that but sometimes we have to let people go. We have found a few others, specificly one lady who became good friends with a member of the church. Her name is roxana funes, and she has told us some interesting things and it seems like she is ready to hear us. She told us something, and I realized as members of the church we can make a huge difference. In the case of roxana funes, she has been told that missionaries are bad people. Roxana saw someone talking to missionaries, and asked the person why she was talking to them. The person was a member, and explained that we are good people. Thanks to that member, she didn´t say no when we found her on the street.
I have been focusing on chapter 2 in preach my gospel, and trying really hard to improve my study skills. I was able to learn with experience that the spirit is really important as we study, in this case, the gospel. As we pray for the help from the spirit, to help us to understand, our understanding and comprehension grows to a great level. In Jacob he tells us, 4:8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of all his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. .
The spirit is key... I know it´s true. Some things were so hard for me to understand, but as I strived to learn with the help of the spirit, I am able to comprehend things I though I never could before
My companion got sick and I had to stay inside for 2 days, it was really hard for me to sit and study for so long. I studied a lot of spanish at least!! This was a good week, we went to the tourist area valle grande again with our zone, with lots of elders. It was cool to see the scenery there again. We didn´t have too much time to work this week because of zone conference and my companion´s sickness that he got.
We had to leave a few of our investigators, It seems that it wasn´t the right time for everyone, I always hope for that but sometimes we have to let people go. We have found a few others, specificly one lady who became good friends with a member of the church. Her name is roxana funes, and she has told us some interesting things and it seems like she is ready to hear us. She told us something, and I realized as members of the church we can make a huge difference. In the case of roxana funes, she has been told that missionaries are bad people. Roxana saw someone talking to missionaries, and asked the person why she was talking to them. The person was a member, and explained that we are good people. Thanks to that member, she didn´t say no when we found her on the street.
I have been focusing on chapter 2 in preach my gospel, and trying really hard to improve my study skills. I was able to learn with experience that the spirit is really important as we study, in this case, the gospel. As we pray for the help from the spirit, to help us to understand, our understanding and comprehension grows to a great level. In Jacob he tells us, 4:8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of all his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. .
The spirit is key... I know it´s true. Some things were so hard for me to understand, but as I strived to learn with the help of the spirit, I am able to comprehend things I though I never could before
Monday, March 15, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 3-15-2010
Enfermedades!!!!!!!
My companion got sick and I had to stay inside for 2 days, it was really hard for me to sit and study for so long. I studied a lot of spanish at least!! This was a good week, we went to the tourist area valle grande again with our zone, with lots of elders. It was cool to see the scenery there again. We didn´t have too much time to work this week because of zone conference and my companion´s sickness that he got.
We had to leave a few of our investigators, It seems that it wasn´t the right time for everyone, I always hope for that but sometimes we have to let people go. We have found a few others, specificly one lady who became good friends with a member of the church. Her name is roxana funes, and she has told us some interesting things and it seems like she is ready to hear us. She told us something, and I realized as members of the church we can make a huge difference. In the case of roxana funes, she has been told that missionaries are bad people. Roxana saw someone talking to missionaries, and asked the person why she was talking to them. The person was a member, and explained that we are good people. Thanks to that member, she didn´t say no when we found her on the street.
I have been focusing on chapter 2 in preach my gospel, and trying really hard to improve my study skills. I was able to learn with experience that the spirit is really important as we study, in this case, the gospel. As we pray for the help from the spirit, to help us to understand, our understanding and comprehension grows to a great level. In Jacob he tells us, 4:8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of all his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. .
The spirit is key... I know it´s true. Some things were so hard for me to understand, but as I strived to learn with the help of the spirit, I am able to comprehend things I though I never could before.
Love,
Erik
My companion got sick and I had to stay inside for 2 days, it was really hard for me to sit and study for so long. I studied a lot of spanish at least!! This was a good week, we went to the tourist area valle grande again with our zone, with lots of elders. It was cool to see the scenery there again. We didn´t have too much time to work this week because of zone conference and my companion´s sickness that he got.
We had to leave a few of our investigators, It seems that it wasn´t the right time for everyone, I always hope for that but sometimes we have to let people go. We have found a few others, specificly one lady who became good friends with a member of the church. Her name is roxana funes, and she has told us some interesting things and it seems like she is ready to hear us. She told us something, and I realized as members of the church we can make a huge difference. In the case of roxana funes, she has been told that missionaries are bad people. Roxana saw someone talking to missionaries, and asked the person why she was talking to them. The person was a member, and explained that we are good people. Thanks to that member, she didn´t say no when we found her on the street.
I have been focusing on chapter 2 in preach my gospel, and trying really hard to improve my study skills. I was able to learn with experience that the spirit is really important as we study, in this case, the gospel. As we pray for the help from the spirit, to help us to understand, our understanding and comprehension grows to a great level. In Jacob he tells us, 4:8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of all his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. .
The spirit is key... I know it´s true. Some things were so hard for me to understand, but as I strived to learn with the help of the spirit, I am able to comprehend things I though I never could before.
Love,
Erik
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 3-8-2010
I´m getting more responsability as the days go by. It´s a little stressful here in bowen because I did not see myself doing all of this. From family home evening with all the members (every monday, I did the activities and the lessons) to deciding every step of the day. I´m trying to work on ideas to work effective and visit people near by incase appointments fall so that we don´t waste time (Some project I´m working on during the ciesta). I´m very busy all the time. As I go I start to realize more and more of my potential. We are all sons and daughters of god, and we all have the same potential. We limit ourselves.
So I guess i´m going to leave bowen. I talked with president in a interview, he said "It´s time for you to take a new oppurtunity", I don´t know what exactly to expect, but they are sending me out of here. I have no idea where. I just got comfortable. I´m really sad because I love the familia medrano (the family from bolivia). They are like family to me. I only have 2 transfers in total if I leave. I know it´s necessary though, I love the investegatores or the people we are teaching too.
So far our investigators are doing great but there is 2 great families (Bustos, and santillan) who can´t make it to church because of their jobs. So it´s hard for them to continue without visiting the church. We can only teach so much. We are trying so hard to figure what to do, such a job I never would have imagined myself doing. Calling the shots...
We had a really great zone conference today, I learned a lot about teaching, such as keeping the kids focused on something while teaching so that they can pay attention, and to get them involved some how. And just every little thing that can better the situation. We have to be attent to everything.
We learned a lot about the 40 days of christ as well (After the resurrection) in the conference, but I won´t get into detail with that because there is a lot to explain. We had a good week me and elder Holinger, we must help bowen grow.
Have a great week everyone
Love,
Elder Olson
So I guess i´m going to leave bowen. I talked with president in a interview, he said "It´s time for you to take a new oppurtunity", I don´t know what exactly to expect, but they are sending me out of here. I have no idea where. I just got comfortable. I´m really sad because I love the familia medrano (the family from bolivia). They are like family to me. I only have 2 transfers in total if I leave. I know it´s necessary though, I love the investegatores or the people we are teaching too.
So far our investigators are doing great but there is 2 great families (Bustos, and santillan) who can´t make it to church because of their jobs. So it´s hard for them to continue without visiting the church. We can only teach so much. We are trying so hard to figure what to do, such a job I never would have imagined myself doing. Calling the shots...
We had a really great zone conference today, I learned a lot about teaching, such as keeping the kids focused on something while teaching so that they can pay attention, and to get them involved some how. And just every little thing that can better the situation. We have to be attent to everything.
We learned a lot about the 40 days of christ as well (After the resurrection) in the conference, but I won´t get into detail with that because there is a lot to explain. We had a good week me and elder Holinger, we must help bowen grow.
Have a great week everyone
Love,
Elder Olson
Monday, March 1, 2010
Earthquake
Earthquake, as you all know
I was really near, I felt the tremble, the floor was shaking at 3 a.m. We woke up, it was a pretty interesting experience. A lot of people are devastated, down here.
Ok well I have to be short this week, we have a few appointments today, later in the night, everything is fine down here. We had a rough week because of the festival, we tried to be effective but there was nothing to do. a 2 day festival (Festival of siruelas, i´m not sure how to spell it, it is dried prunes) where everyone gathers to party. We went for an hour, because we had permission and we had nothing to do. It was awesome because it was a interesting culture event. It made it really hard for us as missionary this week, in church not even half the members came. Our church is so small too. We have to give family home evenings every monday (Today) for the members, it is kinda demanding but we are learning. I will send some pictures of our activities sometime.
Our church has like 25 members. Here in bowen it´s almost like as if we were the leaders of the church, we take care of everything, prepare the sacrament table, prepare the chairs, open the church, the only thing we aren´t suppose to do is give talks on sunday. It´s an awesome learning experience, we are trying so hard to help this church grow. Bowen is very catholic, and most the people don´t like that we are here. We heard some complains about us, that came from the radio (members told us). The catholic church says that we are a sect and that we aren´t christians.
We are hoping for a good week, no more interruptions after the festival. Well thanks for all the support!
Love,
Elder Olson
I was really near, I felt the tremble, the floor was shaking at 3 a.m. We woke up, it was a pretty interesting experience. A lot of people are devastated, down here.
Ok well I have to be short this week, we have a few appointments today, later in the night, everything is fine down here. We had a rough week because of the festival, we tried to be effective but there was nothing to do. a 2 day festival (Festival of siruelas, i´m not sure how to spell it, it is dried prunes) where everyone gathers to party. We went for an hour, because we had permission and we had nothing to do. It was awesome because it was a interesting culture event. It made it really hard for us as missionary this week, in church not even half the members came. Our church is so small too. We have to give family home evenings every monday (Today) for the members, it is kinda demanding but we are learning. I will send some pictures of our activities sometime.
Our church has like 25 members. Here in bowen it´s almost like as if we were the leaders of the church, we take care of everything, prepare the sacrament table, prepare the chairs, open the church, the only thing we aren´t suppose to do is give talks on sunday. It´s an awesome learning experience, we are trying so hard to help this church grow. Bowen is very catholic, and most the people don´t like that we are here. We heard some complains about us, that came from the radio (members told us). The catholic church says that we are a sect and that we aren´t christians.
We are hoping for a good week, no more interruptions after the festival. Well thanks for all the support!
Love,
Elder Olson
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
2-22-2010 Carta de Elder Olson
We never are challenged with trials more than we can handle...
Now that Elder Armstrong is gone, I am leading the area and I guess I am senor companion. I was really nervous at first, but I realized that I have been leading the area this whole time, thanks to Elder Armstrong in letting me take the chance to learn to be a leader (He gave me those responsabilities that helped prepare me). I make the final call in all of our decisions, I never saw this day coming.
Elder Hollinger seems like a good companion, hes really great. I can´t ever argue with him. He is an example to me, in the sense of being positive and cheering me up, I try to do the same. It´s hard to get use to someone else after you had a great time with the last person, but I must be long suffering and patient with whatever challenge I might have to face, sometimes I find it hard because we are so different, but I can´t let that be a reason to not get a long.
I read a powerful talk in the liahona. In the work of the gospel, we teach to save lives. To save lives? Yes, but how? we teach key doctrine, invite to do action, and explain promised blessings. Through teachers of the church, and missionaries, there is no greater calling than to serve others by sharing the knowledge of the gospel. We have manuals such as preach my gospel to learn how to teach, then in turn We draw to the spirit to help teach the principles that meet the needs of all those we teach. We invite those we teach to take action, and we invite trusting them with great confidence so that it is an invitation very dificult to refuse, then of course we mention the promised blessings that will come for their efforts in taking action.
We are having a few dificulties in helping our investigators come to church, we invited them to take action, but we must learn to invite them showing confidence in them, that it might be dificult to refuse our invitation. As members of the church, we are expected to do the same that we might be able to save lives.
Everything is great here in Argentina, I hope all of you have a great week. The weather isn´t so hot anymore. Our efforts are never in vain!!!
Take care,
Elder Olson
Now that Elder Armstrong is gone, I am leading the area and I guess I am senor companion. I was really nervous at first, but I realized that I have been leading the area this whole time, thanks to Elder Armstrong in letting me take the chance to learn to be a leader (He gave me those responsabilities that helped prepare me). I make the final call in all of our decisions, I never saw this day coming.
Elder Hollinger seems like a good companion, hes really great. I can´t ever argue with him. He is an example to me, in the sense of being positive and cheering me up, I try to do the same. It´s hard to get use to someone else after you had a great time with the last person, but I must be long suffering and patient with whatever challenge I might have to face, sometimes I find it hard because we are so different, but I can´t let that be a reason to not get a long.
I read a powerful talk in the liahona. In the work of the gospel, we teach to save lives. To save lives? Yes, but how? we teach key doctrine, invite to do action, and explain promised blessings. Through teachers of the church, and missionaries, there is no greater calling than to serve others by sharing the knowledge of the gospel. We have manuals such as preach my gospel to learn how to teach, then in turn We draw to the spirit to help teach the principles that meet the needs of all those we teach. We invite those we teach to take action, and we invite trusting them with great confidence so that it is an invitation very dificult to refuse, then of course we mention the promised blessings that will come for their efforts in taking action.
We are having a few dificulties in helping our investigators come to church, we invited them to take action, but we must learn to invite them showing confidence in them, that it might be dificult to refuse our invitation. As members of the church, we are expected to do the same that we might be able to save lives.
Everything is great here in Argentina, I hope all of you have a great week. The weather isn´t so hot anymore. Our efforts are never in vain!!!
Take care,
Elder Olson
Monday, February 15, 2010
It´s a shame that my companion had to leave, Elder Armstrong. It was a very sensitive moment for me when he had to leave. We had built a great friendship, and it didn´t hit us until the day he had to leave. It was sorta hard for me to take, I love Elder Armstrong as a great friend. He gave me a lot of responsabilities, which helped me grow as a missionary. He put his trust in me and now I passed a lot of doubts in myself. Every companionship should be like that, I know we will see eachother again.
We had a great week together, our last week, we went to a lot of panaderías, because Elder Armstrong won´t be able to eat the fatty pastries here in Argentina. A good excuse for me to go and take advantage. The family that we started to work with again, came to church. The father never wanted to go, but when they all came as a family, it gave ease to our hearts.
Our investigators are doing well, Silvio santillán (The cop) is reading and investigating a lot. We invited him to pray, and we still need to find him to check up on him (but I can´t for awhile because i´m not in bowen until this wednesday, he couldn´t come to church this week). Mercedes lucero, the señora we found when all of our appointments fell, is so prepared. She is commited to go to church, and she really wants to go. 1 of our good investigators went away on vacation, her name is adela, she will be gone for a month, but she is a great investigator, shes reading and investigating a lot too. Ramona and her family are doing well, but they had to get full times job´s so we can only talk to them on Saturday and Sunday...
So everything is well here in Bowen, I am stuck here with 2 other missionaries until wednesday, I don´t like trio´s. My companion is going to be Elder Hollinger, I already know him. He is a great missionary, it´s going to be great once we get to work together.
Have a great week everyone, Take care,
Elder Olson
We had a great week together, our last week, we went to a lot of panaderías, because Elder Armstrong won´t be able to eat the fatty pastries here in Argentina. A good excuse for me to go and take advantage. The family that we started to work with again, came to church. The father never wanted to go, but when they all came as a family, it gave ease to our hearts.
Our investigators are doing well, Silvio santillán (The cop) is reading and investigating a lot. We invited him to pray, and we still need to find him to check up on him (but I can´t for awhile because i´m not in bowen until this wednesday, he couldn´t come to church this week). Mercedes lucero, the señora we found when all of our appointments fell, is so prepared. She is commited to go to church, and she really wants to go. 1 of our good investigators went away on vacation, her name is adela, she will be gone for a month, but she is a great investigator, shes reading and investigating a lot too. Ramona and her family are doing well, but they had to get full times job´s so we can only talk to them on Saturday and Sunday...
So everything is well here in Bowen, I am stuck here with 2 other missionaries until wednesday, I don´t like trio´s. My companion is going to be Elder Hollinger, I already know him. He is a great missionary, it´s going to be great once we get to work together.
Have a great week everyone, Take care,
Elder Olson
Monday, February 1, 2010
2-1-2010 Carta de Elder Olson
We had a good time this week, we went to a tourist place for last p-day, it has mountains and a huge lake, we just went around to explore. There is a ton of rafting and kayaking, we couldn´t do it of course. Fun to watch. The place is called VALLE GRANDE, big valley.
Well it´s been a fast week and it´s hard to remember stuff, I try to write down things in my agenda so I can remember, it flew this week. Our investigators are doing well, we got a few new ones this week, which is pretty sweet. One of them is a cop.
It´s getting really hot over here, it was like 106 degrees, and dressed as a missionary doesn´t help haha, we are super brown from being in the sun for too long. Sorry I can´t send pictures this week, I got a few great ones, I´ll try next week. We had a funny moment, we were walking in a long road that leads to farms, and we knocked on the houses on the way, we ran into this old guy and he listened to us. We tried to talk to him but he was watching a soccer game. While we were there, he stomped a rat that ran by, I almost couldn´t control my laughter, it was crazy. The old man just left it there in the same spot (barely alive twitching... slowly dieing) the whole time we were with him, i´m sure it´s still in the same spot to this day. I looked at my companion when he stomped the rat, and his face was so hilarous, (he was shocked).
Take care everyone.
Love Elder Olson
Well it´s been a fast week and it´s hard to remember stuff, I try to write down things in my agenda so I can remember, it flew this week. Our investigators are doing well, we got a few new ones this week, which is pretty sweet. One of them is a cop.
It´s getting really hot over here, it was like 106 degrees, and dressed as a missionary doesn´t help haha, we are super brown from being in the sun for too long. Sorry I can´t send pictures this week, I got a few great ones, I´ll try next week. We had a funny moment, we were walking in a long road that leads to farms, and we knocked on the houses on the way, we ran into this old guy and he listened to us. We tried to talk to him but he was watching a soccer game. While we were there, he stomped a rat that ran by, I almost couldn´t control my laughter, it was crazy. The old man just left it there in the same spot (barely alive twitching... slowly dieing) the whole time we were with him, i´m sure it´s still in the same spot to this day. I looked at my companion when he stomped the rat, and his face was so hilarous, (he was shocked).
Take care everyone.
Love Elder Olson
Monday, January 18, 2010
1-18-2010 Carta de Elder Olson
Life has been really great, over here in Bowen.
I have been learning a lot because my companion is helping me become prepared to do everything well, on my own (Giving me a lot of responsabilities). I have a great desire to learn as much as I can from him before he goes, Elder Armstrong has helped me a lot. We are working hard sharing the gospel.
Lately, I have been very blessed. As I find someone on the street, I can look in their eyes boldy, and share with them what we have to offer (I can now see that I want to help, sincerly). I know that this message can better lives, I have a sincere desire to share this gospel. I have a testimony from living the gospel, I see the blessing that I get for living the gospel and sharing it. I pray that the people will recognize me as a servant of the lord.
I sometimes find myself wrestling with my trials, but I am doing great here in bowen, I am finding inner peace. I feel great about myself because I know this is the best thing I could be doing right now. We have been working a lot, from our labors, we can already see the fruit. We have had great experiences working with the people here in Bowen. A lady (Ramona bustos), that has a lot of children, came to church, and it was a spiritual experience, she enjoyed it, and she is a progressing invesigator. We have an investigator that can´t walk but he is growing a testimony from hearing us and reading the book of mormon. His name is Carlos Hector.
It´s been a great week, I hope for the best for all of you this week
Love, Elder Olson
I have been learning a lot because my companion is helping me become prepared to do everything well, on my own (Giving me a lot of responsabilities). I have a great desire to learn as much as I can from him before he goes, Elder Armstrong has helped me a lot. We are working hard sharing the gospel.
Lately, I have been very blessed. As I find someone on the street, I can look in their eyes boldy, and share with them what we have to offer (I can now see that I want to help, sincerly). I know that this message can better lives, I have a sincere desire to share this gospel. I have a testimony from living the gospel, I see the blessing that I get for living the gospel and sharing it. I pray that the people will recognize me as a servant of the lord.
I sometimes find myself wrestling with my trials, but I am doing great here in bowen, I am finding inner peace. I feel great about myself because I know this is the best thing I could be doing right now. We have been working a lot, from our labors, we can already see the fruit. We have had great experiences working with the people here in Bowen. A lady (Ramona bustos), that has a lot of children, came to church, and it was a spiritual experience, she enjoyed it, and she is a progressing invesigator. We have an investigator that can´t walk but he is growing a testimony from hearing us and reading the book of mormon. His name is Carlos Hector.
It´s been a great week, I hope for the best for all of you this week
Love, Elder Olson
Monday, January 11, 2010
Carte de ELder Olson 1-11-10
I had a great week, me and Elder Armstrong are doing well. I hope my letter with the pictures arrived to all of you (my last letter), our area in Bowen consists of a huge bolivian family, they are amazing people. They help us with everything, feed us, clean our clothes, and for the first time ever I ate dinner with a member family (Ussually we eat alone, something small) Never we ate dinner in my other areas haha. This area in bowen opened up like 3 months ago, so the people here had no church until recently. It´s so awesome to be here in bowen.
We had an awesome activity, they came to the church (since we live in the church and have the key we had to participate) and they were giving out presents to little kids and invited non members so that we could get references, and that they could have a good experience from that activivty. The activity was the wise man celebration. They are called reyes magos I believe. And so we got references and ate cake, it was pretty cool.
Me and Elder Armstrong are working with and teaching the family bustos, we had a appointment planned with them the day we did the activity, and luckily the president of 2 areas (Bowen, and Alvear) Came down to the activity and came with us to teach the family bustos with us (that part wasn´t planned, and he offered when we mentioned that we had an appointment). We taught really well with the help of the branch president, it was interesting to have a member help us out, he served a mission so he knew a lot. Romana (The mother of the family bustos) has doubts of the book of mormon, so we shared 1 NE: 13 which talks about the precious and important things will be taken out of the bible, therefore we needed the book of mormon to fully restore the gospel and the "precious and important things". She is progressing!
We helped replace a roof for a service project, a little dangerous because some of us had to go on the roof!! but we survived. Remember everyone, there is no greater joy than laboring for others!!!!!
Take care!
Elder Olson
We had an awesome activity, they came to the church (since we live in the church and have the key we had to participate) and they were giving out presents to little kids and invited non members so that we could get references, and that they could have a good experience from that activivty. The activity was the wise man celebration. They are called reyes magos I believe. And so we got references and ate cake, it was pretty cool.
Me and Elder Armstrong are working with and teaching the family bustos, we had a appointment planned with them the day we did the activity, and luckily the president of 2 areas (Bowen, and Alvear) Came down to the activity and came with us to teach the family bustos with us (that part wasn´t planned, and he offered when we mentioned that we had an appointment). We taught really well with the help of the branch president, it was interesting to have a member help us out, he served a mission so he knew a lot. Romana (The mother of the family bustos) has doubts of the book of mormon, so we shared 1 NE: 13 which talks about the precious and important things will be taken out of the bible, therefore we needed the book of mormon to fully restore the gospel and the "precious and important things". She is progressing!
We helped replace a roof for a service project, a little dangerous because some of us had to go on the roof!! but we survived. Remember everyone, there is no greater joy than laboring for others!!!!!
Take care!
Elder Olson
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Carta de Elder Olson 1-4-10
We had an awesome week with the holidays. The members treat us as if we were their family. I have some pictures in this e-mail. Right now I am in a area called bowen, and the majority of the members are from bolivia, and they are super awesome. We spent new years with them, we had to leave at 12 a.m. We ate reall good.
So now I am with Elder Armstrong, he is a really great Elder. He is a little older (28 years old). We get along very well. I am blessed to have a good companion, we are working together very nicely. We are working with a big family (familia bustos), the Mom is really interested in the gospel. We have been also teaching a few others, and it´s a great oppurtunity to share, we have been blessed with success here in bowen.
The catholic church complained about us opening the mouth by their church, and complained on the radio, before they kicked out missionaries that were invited by a member of the church (previous missionaries in this area). They don´t like us at all.
Bowen is really great, something crazy happened this week, a bunch of drunks on bikes came and circled us haha. And they were calling us yankees and saying that they kill our kind. It was awesome, they were so drunk. We knew they couldn´t do anything to us, they eventually left us, it´s something to laugh about later.
We ran into an american family that don´t speak spanish, and they got in a complicated mess. They have been betrayed by a family member that won´t let them recieve their containers from america (It was signed under a relatives name) which has all their stuff. So they are stuck here trying to fix it, and they are trying to do it in court. Super sad, they are awesome, they are reading the book of mormon, we teach them in english haha.
Well everything is going smoothly here, Take care everyone.. I hope you can see the pictures I sent.
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