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

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.

Elder Olson

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

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