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