Monday, February 1, 2016

February 1, 2016 Brand New Nueva--Nueva Santa Rosa, Cuilapa 8

This week was Awesome! Why?! You might ask? Because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Gospel are TRUE!!!!! I can truly feel the change that this message brings in each and every person. This life is a life of trouble and of doubt, of hardships and of problems, of obstacles and of disappointment. But is it really? No. The Remedy to all (each and every) problem, hardship, or pain in this life is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the pure teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed through the Prophets of God--in biblical times and today). This is the Good News. I love to meet new people and dig for their pains, doubts, and troubles because I always answer with a smile on my face, that they have just found the Remedy. I teach the Truth. This mission is too difficult to complete without a burning sensation of the reality and undoubtable truth of the message. I KNOW that this is true. I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true. When used with the Bible, there is no question as to what is Christ's doctrine or will. I KNOW Jesus Christ lives today and directs his church through his selected prophet; without a prophet, Christ could not act or do anything progressive really.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the 
prophets. There isn't a single person, thing, or occurrence that could even shake or nudge me from this knowledge. I believe many things but I KNOW this. 

Helaman 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send  forth his mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

Each of you can have this same surety and clarity in your own heart and in your own being. This testimony only comes from the Holy Ghost or Spirit of God. So... read the things provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Christ's church), listen to the message. And then pray. Open your heart and ask God, your heavenly FATHER, if these things are real, if they are true. Ask specifically, then press forward in faith, start or continue to go to church, continue to read to show God you are doing your part to receive the answer. He will always answer. This message is 100% true or 100% false. There is one God, there is one Christ. They 100% live or 100% don't. There is one truth, His truth. Go. Find it.

This week on Monday I got 4 letters! From President Goodman, Rich and Cathy Huffmire, the Donahoos, and Sharon Rasmussen. All Christmas letters, but "obviously" written JUST for me! But really, I am sooooooo grateful for these. I also received a base for Agua Pura containers. ***Just a fun thought. Here if you want water, you want "agua pura". Just to say "agua" will get you anything from coffee to sprite. It just means liquid, but never water. Haha. They will go through every drink in the world and at the end, " Oooooohhhhhhh. You want agua pura? Why didn't you just say so?!"*** I also got PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!! Hermana Caffaro mailed us some. I can just tell her heart is so sincere. I can't think of a greater act of love. A close second would be giving her life for me. The other night I had a five stack tortilla/peanut butter delight. I had to hide it from Elder Marroquin though because he has softened his heart and accepted the pure love of Peanut butter. It was super funny when he found the picture I took of it. 

This Sunday, we showed up just a tad bit late to church because we were bringing two families (9 in total) all the way from Santa Rosa Lima in the Colonia La Union. We entered just before the Sacrament (the most sacred and special ordinance that we can participate in the week, every week--the bread and water representing Christ's body and blood to renew our covenants of baptism and receive a forgiveness of our sins, if we have properly repented). President Caffaro was on the stand! (my mission president). He stayed with us until after and witnessed the Baptism of Nora Villalta

Her daughter was baptized a number of years ago, and she has been attending church on and off for two years. Her pains and struggles were too great to accept a change, until she found how the Gospel resolves or diminishes these things. She got up afterwards and bore a powerful testimony. One of our eternal/forever investigators (has a testimony but for some reason is unwilling to change/repent from sin) help us a lot (she is her aunt).

 My new favorite investigator of all time wasn't baptized yesterday as scheduled as his father on the day of said, "no. No. NO!" We went after church to speak with his parents about the testimony that he has received on his own terms and by his own will and we still don't have permission, but they are new investigators. His name is Bryan Anaya. We are having changes this Tuesday, but Elder Marroqun and I are staying, only one of our buds in our district is leaving and President is opening up the work again in a new city named Pueblo so our district is getting two new missionaries. I love this work. I love you all. This IS the path. This is HIS path for each and every one of us. Get on it. Then go get your friends, family, and loved ones. His atonement and saving and forgiving power are infinite. Who am I or any of you to not share Infinite peace and joy with EVERYONE, but first yourself. 

If you have a question or doubt, trust first, act in faith first. I love this work!

-Elder Olson

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