March 21, 2016 Chicken Feet MMMMMMM! Cuilapa 15

Hey family!

This week was actually really awesome, but the Lord is letting me exercise a little bit more faith than usual. What a blessing! The Bible, especially in John, says multiple times that the Honorable and Wise before God walk by faith. My whole life I have been trying to live worthily and obtain the most talents or traits that God would want me to, secretly trying to prepare to see an angel or have some unbelievable spiritual experience, but I have learned to love to walk by faith. There is so much more glory there and so much more room to be tried, tested, and grow! Also, those who walk by faith are more esteemed than those who don't. Like the words of Jesus to.... his apostol, "Blessed art thou, for ye hath seen and believed, but more blessed is he that hath not seen and yet believeth" (sorry if that's not exact, it was my memory's best shot). Well when we cannot see the blessings and success from our labors on the mission, we have to understand that we are blessed and trudge on with a grand smile on our faces. Each moment of our lives is organized by the hand of God for our own increase for our progression. Do we scold or scoff at God for blessing us with a trial? Do we wish we could take the easy road to the Terrestrial Kingdom (the second kingdom of glory of the eternities 1 Corinthians 15: 41, 42). I LOVE each opportunity I get to grow!!!!! Tomorrow I'm singing a solo at the Multi-Zone Conference (because everyone else canceled at the last minute). I am not a good singer, but hey, this experience whether it turns out good or bad, will help me grow. Perhaps it will give me the confidence I need to declare the beautiful message of repentance to one of my brothers here in Guatemala. I don't know, but I know who does. 

So this week was awesome, but not all too much happened. 

On Monday, Milton and Monica and their family took us to the river for lunch. We stopped off on the way back and had sugar cane. 

 

We visited a ton of people.

 I had divisions on Tuesday with Elder Ngungutau from Texas. He was on the American rugby team. 

On Sunday Milton fed us chicken feet. 

And..... I have to go. We are going to the lawyer to set up Milton and Monica's wedding. . . . for tomorrow. I love you all. Sorry if this letter is a little bit chafa. 

Always meditate in Christ and his teachings. You are all sooo awesome!!!!!!! Keep being a light to all around you.

Love,

Elder Olson

March 14, 2016 It IS what it IS! Cuilapa 14

Hey family!

We had cambios or changes on Tuesday. Elder Marroquin se fue.

I received Elder Dabel. He is SUPER awesome and is a gringo from Oregon. He has 13 months in the mission, loves to fix cars (he bought, fixed, and sold 22 cars before his mission), He has three little sisters. He is a valiant man before God. He loves to work!!!!! This week we worked like CRAZY. We were running to visits and each one was incredibly spiritual. We have declared our purpose, hope, and vision for our area between the two of us and we have unified them. Nothing matters right now more than bringing these people to God's kingdom, unified. We are on fire. I don't want it to be put out. 

This Friday we went back to the Capital for a district leader training---Elder Dabel is our District leader. It was super awesome and the Spirit was sooooo strong. We basically talked about our divine calling, taking it back to the basics, finding unity in each and every district (each district meeting is to be exactly the same), serving with your heart!, and the blessings and seriousness of EXACT obedience to all of the rules. I am so pumped right now because this is real. The good shepherd is gathering his herd right now and he is using us and all the members to do it. All of the difference right now in our area is because the members are getting involved. GET INVOLVED in your ward, and in the missionary efforts. Visit the inactive and active families, not because I am telling you to, but because you love them. Unite your ward family. If you are not a member, this is the church of Jesus Christ. It is His church, you are his pueblo and Sons and Daughters of God. It is the kingdom of God here upon the Earth, which means it's for YOU. Get involved. There is a huge family of brothers and sisters under God that are waiting and want to give you a huge hug. 

An excerpt from my letter to the president:

"I am so happy! It was tough to say good-bye to Elder Marroquin and his huge heart of love for the work, but Elder Dabel is amazing. He loves to work and is willing to sacrifice for the people he loves, the Guatemaltecos. This past week, we worked insanely hard at full speed and boy oh boy how fun it was. My body hurts again and I LOVE it. The spirit is with us. Each of our lessons are super spiritual and people are acting. In Sacrament meeting, we had 16 investigators! However, we know for the growth that this area is going to have, that won't be all too impressive. The members are getting excited about the work. We have non-members that are getting super excited too and are doing missionary work before their own baptism. President Cox of the CCM told me the difference between a good missionary and a GREAT missionary "is about that much" holding up his hand with his thumb and index finger about an inch apart. It's about that much more effort in each and every moment. It is so true! I want to be the best servant of the Lord that is possible as this is His time. I can always give that much more, and I am really seeing the fruits of completing the vision that the Lord has established for us through his faithful servant, President Caffaro. I am happy, we are seeing growth, and I love the Guatemalan people."

Well time is short. Sorry. This Saturday we went all the way to Riconcito which is an aldea and we missed the last bus and would have to walk miles upon miles, but our pal Jorgiño, the tuc-tuc- driver happened to be all the way out there (which is like a never super crazy miracle) and he gave us a lift all the way back. 

On Sunday before church, one of our investigators was super drunk and came flying down the street in his car and slammed on the brakes. I took his keys to give them to his wife, then he just ditched his car diagonally abandoned in the middle of the street, with urine-splotched pants and a black eye and yelled in English, "IT IS WHAT IS IT! I'm coming with you!" He kept us with us for about two blocks then went back. It was pretty fun.

We are growing. A ton of investigators are coming to church and are way excited. The branch is getting excited too. We started weekly English classes and already have a huge non-member prospective group. I love you all! Thank you for your great examples. I am who I am today because of each and every one of you. If you know who I am, you have made a significant impact on my life. Thank you.

Elder Olson