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

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

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

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

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