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.

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

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)