These are some good memories I had in Chimbas, they are going to send me somewhere else.

carta de elder Olson 21-2-2011 Tuesday, February 22, 2011 10:30 AM

So this is my last week in chimbas, and I am pretty happy about everything that has happened to me in these 6 months. I have really great memories, and experiences that have helped me grow. It´s not so sad knowing that I reached the limit of time in this area, but the only sad thing will be saying good bye to the people I met and was able to help through the missionary service.
       As the scriptures say in 2 NE 9:21 "And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam."
2 NE 9:22 "And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day."
I know that the Lord and his atributes are perfect. He had an incredible amount of patience because he suffered so much, and he did it because he knew that we have the possibility to return to our heavenly father, and become like Him. I need to have patience because the Lord can´t use me as his instrument and extend his voice to his people here if I don´t have patience.
       I no longer have that bad habbit of getting upset, I just keep going, and get to the next person with a smile. I know that everyone around me has such great potential.
I love you, and take care
Elder Olson.

Carta de Elder Olson 2-14-2011

We had a week filled with adversity, but one day in particular was so
challenging. Everyone in our path completely disliked us, and we were
hurt by it. We were almost wanting to turn away, but we remembered
that the prophets also had gone through such adversity, the difference
is that we aren´t stoned or threatened to be put to death.
We were close to giving up, but then we remembered Alma 26;27 "Now
when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back,
behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the
Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give
unto you success.." I felt something telling me not to give up, I felt
like I was tried by the Lord. Sometimes I am pushed to the limit, but
I testify that we are never afflicted more than we can take upon
ourselves. We have the capacity to face our trials and defeat them, I
know, because I have lived it so many times.
Don´t let the path ahead that has a "mist of darkness; yea, even an
exceedingly great mist of darkness" deceive you, my heart is filled
with compassion to say this. Do not fall away like those "who had
commenced in the path" and "did lose their way, that they wandered off
and were lost." Keep to the iron rod (The word of god), and never let
go. As the prophet says, if we take a detour, there is no promise that
we will come back. We have the map, the gospel to guide us back to the
presence of our father, he gives us everything we need to know and to
do. I love you all
Elder Olson

Carta de Elder Olson 01-31-2011

I am really enjoying myself, and enjoying my missionary life. To be honest,
I´m not thinking about home right now. I don´t know if that is good or
bad, I will just probably arrive and be lost. I learned to love this
life, and leaving it will be painful. I would like to dedicate this
time I have to send some pictures, it´s been too long since I haven´t
sent pictures.
This week has been pretty normal, a lot of teaching and working.
I would like to tell all of you that I am doing well, and I wish for
all of you to take care, I love you.

Elder Olson

The hottest christmas of my life

It was 95 degrees in San Juan on Christmas, but we had a great day. We had to buy sombreros so we don´t die (we are preaching with sombreros!), there is very little shade here in San Juan. I don´t know how the people do it to live here, I like the heat but here it´s something else. I can feel some more weight with this call that I have as a district leader. I love being a normal missionary because you can work and not worry about taking care of missionaries. But I accepted this call and knew the Lord called me not by mistake. I was blessed with a great capacity to love these missionaries and have a sincere desire to help them grow and progress. There is a scripture that I love that helps me understand what kind of desire I should have as I serve. "No sirviendo al ojo como los que agradan a los hombres, sino como siervos de cristo que, haciendo con ánimo la voluntad de Dios" Efesios 6:6 (Ephesians) It talks about how we shouldn´t look for recognition, but we should serve God from the heart. (I have it memorized in Spanish, sorry, look for it in English if you don´t understand) Lately in my mission I have been noticing the miracles that I have overlooked.. It took me so long, to believe and have the faith required to see a miracle. Like the scripture says "Oh man of little faith", that´s what I was. Because of experience and evidence I have seen and now I know that miracles are performed in these times just like the times when Jesus walked the earth. Pondering and reading this scripture has helped me gain a stronger testimony and the faith necessary to believe in the occurrences of miracles. 2 Nephi 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."

I´m very grateful for all of you (Friends and family). I hope you have
a great week, and I hope you have a happy new year.

Elder Olson