Biking Training District Leader

So i basically have the rest of my mission planned out!

 

So saturday we get a call from one of the assistants to the president and we missed it so he left a message. Well in the message he said, "Hi Elder Young, give me a call back when you can thanks." So I'm all teasing him about how he's gonna have to train and have leadership and he was not happy about it. So we call back and Elder Young is talking, then Elder Young says, "yeah, he's right here." and puts it on speaker phone. Well do you know what Elder Lash says? He says," I"m calling on behalf of president holm to call you as a district leader." I was like, "ok." Then he did some unecessary small talk. Then he said, "i'm also calling on behalf of president holm to call you as a trainer." I practically stopped the car in the road when he said that. Then he called back later leaving a message saying that sisters will be moving into our ward and they will be taking our car and we'll be biking.

So yes, i will be a biking training district leader with only sisters in the district.The next three months are going to be verrry interesting.

 

Speaking of training! Guess what?! So do y'all remember that last person i "trained"? Elder Brimhall? Well it's not public yet, but he has been called as the new assistant to the President. I couldn't be a prouder papa ;)

 

Well about the national forest. I took tons of pictures so y'all will see what i'm talking about. But just to give you an idea, the park used to be called congaree national swamp. But that didn't bring in many tourists so they changed the name. So it's actually not a forest at all, but a boardwalk through a really awesome swamp! There's a lot of weird things in there.

 

Today is going to be fun, after e-mailing we plan to go bowling for a while and then we are going to Shealy's. I'm not sure if i've explained shealy's yet. Shealy's is an all you can eat barbecue place over in batesburg. Tons of fried chicken, pork, baked mac 'n cheese, hash, pulled pork, and i think they have a salad bar. But last time i ate there i had the worst night sleep of my life because i ate waaaay too much food and it was all pure sugar and grease. I absolutely love this place.

 

Well i don't have tons more to report on this week. We've just been visiting a lot of people that Elder Young wanted to see again for the last time. We've also been getting fed a ton. It's always sad to leave an area. But boy do you get fed a lot! I am just constantly full!

 

Oh i do remember that the youth here had a big yard sale at the church for their fundraiser for camps. Well we decided to stop by and i bought myself a great office chair for 5$! No longer will i study in a small old wooden chair. Now i have a leather chair with arm rests, with wheels, and it swivels, and it's just awesome! I also bought a stuffed animal squirtle from pokemon. Because we all know that squirtle is the best pokemon.

 

Well everyone, that's my life and i love it!

I love all y'all too!

Elder K. OLsen

Great Week

I had a great week this week!

 

So first i want to tell y'all about church yesterday. So on wednesday we came home late after working and there was a post it note on the door which said, "we had a speaker cancel for this sunday and bishop suggested you. I'm all for it." Then on the back it said, "Elder Olsen. 15 minute talk. Your topic." Did y'all know that I've always wanted a talk to talk about whatever i want to talk about? Well it turns out getting an assigned topic is a blessing. I could not for the life of me come up with something that i wanted to talk about. I probably came up with 3 new talks every day. But they never felt right. Then i knew that i would get my letter from dad on Saturday. I also knew that he would give me some sort of wisdom like he always does. I decided that whatever that was is what i would speak on. Well Dad talked about the little things in life and how they compound into big things. I realized that would tie perfectly into one of the talks i had come up with, i would just put that in towards the end. I said the talk a few times in my head and i was ready to go.... Then Sunday came around and i went up and sat on the stand. And i had a strong feeling that i wasn't going to talk about what i had planned. So I prayed for inspiration to talk, i practically begged for it. And do you know what verse pops into my head?! Now i can't quote exactly right now but basically open thy mouth and i shall fill it with my words. That should've been more comforting than it was. Because i really like having a plan when i get up to the pulpit. But nope i got up there and started talking and it was awesome! I've never had the spirit completely take over like it did there! I ended up starting with the small talk and then reading the letter that dad sent me and i went from there. I talked about prayer, scripture study, and church attendance and the importance of them. I don't remember what i said. But i sure remember how i felt. I wasn't even nervous when i stood up, it was just so calm and peaceful. And since i wasn't reading anything I made eye contact with everyone. It's just such an amazing feeling to actually have the Lord put HIs words into your mouth if you let Him.

 

In other news a dog tried to bite me this week. We went up to a trailer and there was an old dog under the porch. He was barking a lot but his tail was wagging and he wasn't running at us. So we got closer and closer to the door. Then the owner came out and we asked if his dog would bite. He said, "not that one, but the one inside the house probably will, Oh! there he goes!" This big 'ol pit/lab mix comes running between his legs down the stairs at us and the owner doesn't even try to stop him. So of course i just freeze in terror. The dog comes up to me and starts nipping at my hands and legs. Then finally just ran off with the other dog into the woods. Then the dog came back and the owner stuck him in the car. He was a really nice guy. But not concerned at all about his dog attacking us. But on the bright side we got a return appointment and will be seeing him this week.

 

Also transfers is coming up really soon and we'll get transfer calls this saturday. Most likely Elder Young will be leaving and I'll be staying. But who knows what could happen? We also know that the Gilbert ward will be getting sisters this next transfer so the ward will now have four missionaries. The sisters will be assigned out in Gilbert and will most likely be taking the car. Which will be ridiculous still in this area! It will take over an hour to get to batesburg and lake murray. The work is possible with just biking of course, but i feel it's going to go a lot slower.

 

So i admit that having only 3 months left is a verry bitter sweet thing. I mean honestly it's exciting to come home and see everybody again. Anyone who says it's not doesn't love their family. But I still don't want it to end. I don't like comprehending how much time i have left. But I have learned that there are two ways to finish your mission. You can either finish it working harder and stronger than you ever have. Or you can become lazy and slowly die. I've had the opportunity on my mission to see both. And i made the decision a long time ago how i would finish my mission. And there is no way that i am slowly going to die. It doesn't look fun at all. I want to get to my last day and then realize it's over, I want to be able to not even notice how much time i have left because i'm working to hard to notice. That's my plan anyways.

 

Well today we'll be going to congaree national forest today wherever that is. We have a lady named Sister Da Rosa who takes the entire district out to awesome places. And since she drives she can take us out of our area. Got to admit, I have loved every single Pday since I've been here.

 

Well the sky is blue the church is true

Love y'all!

Elder K. Olsen

Photo Album

I uploaded some new photos -- see the link to the right for the latest album & slideshow.

Enjoy :)

More pics from Elder Olsen!!

Pics from the zoo 

Ha ha. He looks so funny in this gigantic chair.

 

Elder Young

Elder Olsen & Elder Young -- at the zoo

Elder Olsen, Isiahand Brother Fastnaught

Gilbert

Looking SOOO happy in Gilbert

Elder Young

New pics of Kyle :)

Sister de Rosa was kind enough to text these two picture of Elder Olsen to me this week :)

Elder Olsen's Thoughts

I have had a wonderful week!

It was so great to have the sacrament yesterday! I love general conference and all, but going one week without the sacrament is just way too long. You can seriously feel that you need to renew your spiritual batteries.

 

I can't think of many things that specifically happened this week. So i guess I'll just talk about whatever comes to my head. So I absolutely love the scriptures! I read revelation twice this week, and do you know what's even better? I understood what i was reading! Maybe not all of the details, but the overview or theme of the book was just amazing. The last couple chapters talking about the millenium and the celestial kingdom are just so peaceful and uplifiting. Especially after reading about the war with sin and armageddon. It's a great book, it references a lot to prophets in the old testament. So I'll be adding Ezekiel through Malachi to my studying and should finish them in a few months.

 

Another man in the scriptures who i've come to love is Enoch. He only had a few verses in the old testament. But in the book of moses he has a few chapters 5-6 or 7 i believe. But that is one faithful man. He was so faithful that he was given power to move mountains and rivers by his word. All nations feared him for his word was so powerful. He was one of the most loving diligent missionaries I've read of. Also he recieved revelations galore. He was even the one who God covenented with about not flooding the earth again.

 

Then i read the beginning of D&C 76, which if you look at the promises and blessings of those who fear God and serve him in righteousness and truth. It talks of being enlightened and recieving wisdom and greater understanding. Even to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. Isn't that just awesome!? I love how the more righteous we are the more knowledge we recieve! Before my mission i didn't know much, and i still have a lot to learn. But i love how much more i know! Scriptures will just always randomly pop into my head. I've developed so many great traits from the scriptures, be it patience, charity, or understanding. When i read the scriptures i just gain a huge desire to help and serve others, to give them the happiness which i have found.

 

Oh Enoch also talks about the Holy Ghost in more detail, and baptism. I had never read it before but i wish i had. I can't quite remember the verses. But moses isn't too long of a book. I'll let y'all figure it out. ;)

 

Did you know it's just great to be a missionary? It's not exactly easy, comfortable, or always even enjoyable. But sharing the gospel with others brings so much joy! Seeing people grow and progress and change their lives to turn to God and recieve happiness and eternal life. I love how much i love the gospel. I may not be the greatest missionary. There are many far better qualified than I. But i cherish my relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior. And again i may not be the greatest missionary, but in my eyes it doesn't seem that anyone can have a greater relationship than I. I love to sacrifice for my God, I love to do tough things for Him, I love changing my will to His. I love how He helps me when i cannot help myself. He lets me do what I am capable of, and then He supports me. I just find everything amazing. I look around and see all HIs creations, i look around and see all His children, my brothers and sisters. And then I'm filled with sadness because so many are lost, so many will not listen to our message, so many are searching. But I trust in my God and rejoice that the gospel has been restored! I love how more and more missionaries are being called to progress the work and to save our brothers and sisters. Never lose an opportunity to share your testimony. Those people who you don't think will care about it NEED to hear it. They NEED the gospel. They NEED eternal life. No one deserves anything less than the celestial kingdom, are we not God's children? Let us help and serve one another so that we can all return to our Father in eternal happiness and joy.

 

Haha that felt good. I love it when I can feel the Spirit speaking through me. This church is true.

 

I love y'all!

Elder K. Olsen

Hello Everybody!

So i realized i forgot to tell y'all about how the big sleepover went with all the missionaries a couple weeks ago. Well it turns out that sleeping on a real bed is waaaaay better than sleeping on a floor bed. Because not one of those guys was comfortable and woke up in pain. Also it was really cold that night and our floors are cold. It was funny cause I've been to these meetings before and i know how showering works. Nobody brings any toiletries besides their toothbrush and then they use whoevers stuff lives there. So what do Elder Young and I do? We hid absolutely everything and left a bar of soap in the shower. I thought it was pretty funny. But we did invite them to all of our food. Too bad we didn't have any. See we are completely fed by the members it seems like. So we eat a ton, but there's not a ton at the house. But anyways that went pretty great.

As for general conference it was amazing! I never thought growing up that i could actually be excited to watch a whole bunch of old people talk for 10 hours. But now I'm really sad that it's over. I had thought of many questions that i wanted answered and i went to conference prayerfully with them. Every single one was answered. General Conference never fails. I'm really sad that this was my last one on my mission. Hopefully I'll have the same excitement in the future as i have the last four.

Also i was disappointed because not one of our investigators came to one session of conference! And so many people had committed to come. I honestly wish people would just tell me that they're not coming instead of all promising something that they're not planning to keep. Oh well though. It's just sad because i know all of the questions that these people are searching for could've been answered. Happiness and peace were free and available and they all turned it down.

Well today I am getting a haircut! It's about time because the last time my hair was cut i was in Augusta. So as you can imagine my hair is ridiculously long. Don't worry. I'm taking before and after pictures so that everyone can know what I'm talking about. Also i should be sending my memory card home today... At least that's what i should do huh?

This week was a pretty good week for the car too. So in case y'all didn't know Gilbert is pretty much all dirt roads. Or at least that's where we seem to drive a lot. We cleaned the car last monday and you would think looking at it that it hasn't been cleaned in about a month. There are giant puddles in these dirt roads that take up the whole road that are easily 30 feet long. So i have to keep the car at a pretty good speed to get across. At least enough that we have mud splatter on the front windshield and roof. Also I only ran over about 30 frogs, they're all over the roads. Luckily i missed all the squirrels and rabbits this week, I did run over one possum. But it was already dead... unless it was doing that thing where it fakes being dead.

Well anyways all i can think about talking about is the weather. So i guess that's all i got too! But speaking of the weather we are now officially out of suit season. It's all shirt and tie till the end! 

Well I love y'all!

Elder K. Olsen

Crosses, Easter and Our Savior

Aww I love you too

 

So this week was pretty fantastic! Easter yesterday was really spiritual, i don't think i've ever felt closer to the Savior in my life. And yet i have such a desire to grow so much closer to Him. We actually had fast and testimony meeting yesterday. I wanted to go up and bear my testimony. But i try not to during testimony meeting. I have all day every day to share my testimony. Everyone else does as well of course, but only that hour of the month is completely dedicated to the members. So i try and respect that sacred time of theres. But yesterday was fantastic because there weren't any stories of the week, or thankimonies, or anything distracting. It was all heartfelt testimonies of the Savior. It caused me a lot of reflection.

 

Also i was thinking more about the sacrament this week. We all know that Jesus Christ asked if it was possible that this cup should pass from him. Yet he did it anyway knowing he would have to suffer extremely. Yet we drink the cup every Sunday in rememberance of that sacrifice. Because he drank the bitter cup, we all have the opportunity to drink the cup of eternal life. I love my Savior so much.

 

I'm not really too fond of all the crosses that i see everywhere in the south. But i do enjoy them during easter week. They have sashes hanging on them usually. But during easter week they change the colors to resemble what happened to the Savior on that day. It's purple resembling his majesty during the week. But on friday they hang a black sash to remind us of his death and suffering. But then you wake up Sunday. There are pure white sashes everywhere, it's an amazing sight and the contrast from the dark black is so uplifting. I love the south.

 

So i randomly read the book of Revelation the other day. Whenever i had a spare moment i pulled it out and read it until i finished it that night. It's kind of a crazy book which i would need to do a lot more studying to understand it. But let me just say that i loved it. Because from chapter 4 to about chapter 19 there is so much destruction and chaos it seems like. But then 20-22 come around and they are so beautiful in contrast. It speaks of the millenium and new jerusalem and the celestial kingdom. They just sound so amazing in comparison to the chaos previously spoken. The scriptures are so amazing, you can just constantly learn and grow and recieve answers. I have learned to love the scriptures on my mission, i know they are truly the word of God.

 

We ate out a good bit this week. We had Zaxby's and Waffle House and Mcdonalds. By the way i am extremely sad that we don't have Zaxby's or Waffle House. Zaxby's is a chicken place that has caused me to never eat at KFC again. Its' so good! And don't even get me started on waffle house. It's this great little diner chain that tastes delicious, i really love the atmosphere of it though. Oh and of course Taco Bell, couldn't go a week without some good taco bell! In fact that's where we're going right after this. I love you Grandma Smith!

 

As for investigators Isiah is doing good. But he hasn't been to church for a couple weeks now which is rough. The best investigator in that family right now is Marie, the mom. She loves learning and coming to church. So we're still working with them, but most of them are gone for spring break this week.

 

We've been teaching another girl named Lilly who is currently living in a house with another young woman because she got kicked out of her home. It's a long story. But anyways we couldn't seem to get her to want to hear our message. So what did we do? We deep fried some oreos and had a great first lesson! Although we didn't really teach the restoration we more tried to understand her beliefs. She's been in and out of a lot of homes and has never been given the freedom to choose. So now she becomes rebellious when she's told what to do. For example everyone has told her to be Christian. So she's not. In fact she doesn't even believe in a God. But we had a great discussion nonetheless and was able to understand her better. My only goal with her right now is to have her attempt to pray by herself, even if she thinks it's crazy and won't work. Because prayer is really all it takes. If we talk to God, he'll talk to us and show us the path we need to go down. It's that simple. All we need to learn is how to talk to God correctly.

 

There was a great family which we also met this week. Well we were searching down this dirt road for a less active member. She was sick so we couldn't talk with her. We got back in the car and started heading back towards the pavement. Then Elder Young suggested we knock the other 3 houses on the road. I was fine with that threw the car into park and was about to get out when i see a large black dog run across the road about 40 yards in front of us. So we knock on the other two doors first. No luck. Then we get to the long dirt driveway off the long dirt road, which the large black dog ran down. I told Elder young no. Well he said that he loves dogs and started walking down the long driveway. He got to where the driveway bends into the trees and turned around to still see me standing on the road. We had a heated non-verbal discussion about which way to go. Until finally he came down to me and said, "now you listen here!" (which is an inside joke, he wasn't actually angry, in fact he was trying not to laugh). Well finally i go up this driveway with him terrified of getting attacked by this dog. Then we get up to the house and this dog sees us.... His tell was wagging so hard it shook his whole body! It was the nicest black lab you ever met and just wanted to play fetch. Figures right? Anyway we met the Mckay family, or at least the parents and their 19 year old son. It was a great conversation and we'll actually be seeing them again soon. Actually the whole Romney president thing was a real big help in this contact. So yeah, moral of the story, most dogs just want to play and get pet. Unless they've lived there whole life on a five foot chain! Don't go near those pooches!

 

Well i wanted to end this e-mail with my testimony of the Saviour.

 

I know that Jesus Christ died for me. I love Jesus. He has helped me through so much and has made it possible for me to be rid of guilt, sorrow, dissapointment, discouragement, pain. He's my best friend. I love that He finds me worthy enough to represent Him in a place where His name is so well known. It's humbling to know that even though i am not the best missionary and have made many mistakes, that He still loved me enough, and thought me important enough to suffer and die for. I know with all of my heart and soul that he rose the third day. It happened. And because of it all of us will too overcome physical death. And because of Him we can all overcome spiritual death. I know this is His one true church, with all His true teachings. He is the way, the light and life of the world. He is my Savior. He is my rock and my redeemer. He is my happiness and joy. He lives. And i love Him so very much. I bear my testimony of these things in His sacred name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

I love y'all!

Elder K. Olsen