Monday, December 29, 2014

December 29, 2014

This Christmas has definitely been the best ever! It is really cool to see that it wasn't about anything except for the Savior and family! The coolest thing to see was how happy the kids were on christmas.  They were just happy to celebrate it.  It wasn't about anything worldly at all just about being with their family! It really made me feel selfish.  I now have a real testimony that nothing the world can really give us can bring real joy.  So when I get home I will make a one room cabin and have nothing.... lol just kidding but it does make me want to live more simply at home and just love the simple and little things in life that God created for us.  So this week as far as missionary work went really well we were still able to find people to teach even with the holidays.  It was fun!

We also were able to watch Meet the Mormons! Some how Pres Dunn was able to get it for us! That was also really cool.  It shows that we are just normal people that are extremely devoted to Jesus Christ and sharing the gospel.

I also gave a talk in sacrament about missionary work and how we need the members to have the work progress at a great rate!  It was nice but sad cause we didn't have too many members there for them to listen to it because of the holidays! But all is well here in south africa i'll keep working hard I promise.

All - I received this message from man in Jon's mission.  I'm sorry if it comes across vain, but it meant a lot to us so I decided to share it.  Thanks for your indulgence. Jon wouldn't be the young man he is if it weren't for all of you and the influence you have had on him.  He is very lucky - and so are we.


Brother Olson - my name is Kevin Farquharson and I am a member in the Centurion stake, South Africa. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to you and your wife for raising an amazing, selfless, humble son - who served here in our stake, in Hospital View ward. I serve in the stake young men and got to meet Elder Olson when he first visited our home, with one of the zone leaders. Since that day I have seen how he selflessly has given of his time and energies in helping people find Christ.

Sorry for the break in messages -just was having a challenge with our internet here. Brother and Sister Olson - My wife a I have grown very fond of your son. I in particular have found Elder Olson to be one of the most trustworthy missionaries I have ever come across. With serving in my calling I am able to visit with a lot of less active members in our stake. When your son was in Hospital View there are some particular men who have shared with me very sacred things about their struggles in remaining worthy / feeling worthy in the gospel. Some are with addictions, which they keep falling with and have stayed away from church feeling lost, alone nd without hope. One told your son and Elder Smith-Holley to never come back again. When your son was here I met with some of them and asked if they trusted me, to which they replied that they did. I asked if they would trust another person whom I trusted, (as we would say - with our lives) - that I believed was trustworthy enough for them to tell him what they are going through - because I trust him too, just as much. After some reservation - they agreed and sat down with me and that other person, then being filled with the Holy Ghost have changed their lives. One cut his dreadlocks off, shaved and is a changed person. That miracle trustworthy person, that angel, bro and Sis Olson is your son; Elder Olson. I cannot express how deep my gratitude is to the Lord and you for him. If ever I could visit your beautiful country I would do so, in person. There are many more miraculous experiences I have been privileged to have with Elder Olson - of which has strengthened my faith, increased my testimony and brought me closer to Christ. Thank you again for raising him in righteousness to be willing to do what he has done and is doing right now - for all of us. We love him to much - and in turn love you for preparing and sacrificing him - for us. Regards Kevin.

Monday, December 8, 2014

December 8, 2014 "Crazy but inspired things"

Wow!  Life is crazy here and I am loving it! It is really a big adjustment though.  The past two weeks we have been traveling like crazy!! we did 1300 kilometers this week alone! we went to joburg and had a great MLC (mission leadership council)  Pres Dunn is going to do crazy but inspired things to get this mission moving which is amazing! While I was in that meeting I could really see that Pres Dunn really does hold the keys of this mission.  

 I had a really cool experience while praying this week! This area is really hard and we have been finding like crazy with no success but then as I was praying a voice came to me and said.  "Your diligence will pay off."  Right there and then I knew that it was true and I thought in the scriptures there many times when the lord tests us before he rewards and I know that this is the case with this area.  I just need to work hard and not think about the trials but the blessings that I am receiving for being on mission.  but ya!

 So I went and bought some supliments for my christmas.... hope you don't mind! We are getting big!! haha I have my bench to 90 kg. so I am getting up there!!  I love you guys I am so grateful for all of you! Especially Mom and Dad.  Thank you for doing your best to keep me in line my whole life... I am surprised both of you still have your hair

 Also, right now I am memorizing The Living Christ and I am going to challenge anyone in the family that thinks they can do it! We will see on christmas we has it!!! hahaha

>> Much love, JON JON

??? DL in Tzaneen




Shout out for Madi! I definitely thought I would be the first to be married.... no offense. The pictures are sweet and it seems to be a lot more romantic than when dad proposed to mom... hahahaha
So, life is amazing here up in Tzaneen.  It truly is like Hawaii... We wake up every morning and go running and I think that if I keep going I'll run into the Gazebo (Jon's favorite pancake house in Hawaii).  It is paradise here but either President Dunn really likes me cause he put me in paradise or the opposite way around because I am the farthest a missionary can be away from the office... But the area I am serving is called Lenyenye and it is a village / township.  The work is amazing.  My new comp is Elder Hepworth and he is from Idaho.  He is an amazing missionary and we were actually in the same district for 6 weeks while I served in Tembisa.  The district is awesome.  The last AP just got released and is now working with a new missionary that is struggling with disobedience and so that really helps so that I don't have to worry about him.  Then there is one companionship that is very obedient and another that is a pain in the butt.


It is interesting, I love the new responsibility but it is a lot of telling people things that they know that they should be doing.  It is also hard because I am younger than most of them so they don't really like that.  However back to the positive. I taught district meeting and I planned out this great lesson but then I taught like half of it and taught some things that I didn't even plan.  It was cool cause the spirit really took over and brought in the spirit that was so strong.
This week we worked really hard and taught 26 lessons and we didn't even work monday or tuesday because of the road trip here.  Right now we don't have a lot of investigators but I plan on changing that and making an impact here.  We do a lot of less active work because there are about 400 less actives just in our area.... So everyone knows the missionaries and seems to love us.  All the little kids love WWE which is that fake wrestling thing and they all yell John Senna when they see me... haha which is cool.  I am loving it here so far.  This has been the easiest transition to a companion so far.  We just laugh a lot.... We also drive a truck because we do a lot of off roading and it is stick so I am perfecting that! But no one speaks Zulu up here... So now I have to learn Sepedi which is hard....
High of the week: Coming up to the garden of eden and teaching non stop.  And not failing in my first DL meeting...
Low of the week: I just found out that Smith-Holley is really struggling which is making me so sad.  He just is not finding the joy in missionary work.  So pray for him.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

President Cook just before christmas

Jon was proud of kissing a hippo and I believe the other couple in the group photo is Elder and Sister Cook - the Area 70 he speaks of.
This week on mission has had to be one of my coolest weeks ever!! We worked really hard and actually had some success and also were able to get extremely personal instruction from a General Authority! It was amazing!
I will start with a story that I have been neglecting to tell you! So There was this guy named Freddy that just showed up to church one day and so we asked if we could visit with him.  He said of course and so we went and as we were talking to him we asked "what made you come to church?" He said I have been going through a really hard time in my life and I realized the only time that I have ever had true happiness was when my family used to go to this church when I was little.  After further digging we found out that both of his parents were members but none of the children.  It was amazing to realize that it is exactly true what he said!!! This gospel is the only way to true happiness in this life and in the life to come! 
So we had the mission tour this Saturday with Elder Cook and his wife.  Ours was extremely special since our zone was the only zone that attended this one.  There were only 16 missionaries compared to the 80 in the other groups so it was much more personal.  First it started with about a 30 minute leadership meeting that was with 5 missionaries, President and Sister Dunn and Elder and Sister Cook.  To say the least it was an unbelievable experience.  We talked about how we need to lead with love, compassion, and understanding. The spirit was so strong you could literally feel it. He just went on to say that it starts with us... If we aren't obedient then our zone won't be obedient and so on.  I realized that it is really true.   
I have learned a lot on mission but what I have learned the most is personal accountability.  That it is up to us and in the end we pick eternal happiness or eternal peace. And with being a missionary that I am held to a higher law therefore I have more accountability to live in righteousness.  After this we then went to meet with all the missionaries and had great lessons from both the Dunns and Cooks.  From 9 to 3 so we spent a really long time with them.  During it there were some things that I learned that really hit me hard.  One am I totally converted to the Lord or do I just have a testimony.  Also that conversion is a life long process and not just a one time event.  Recently I have been studying alma and in alma 5:46 it talks about even alma the younger needed to fast and pray to know these things were true.  and I also learned how much of a gift it was for heavenly father to actually gi​ve us his son.  It is the most amazing gift and matchless.

Well, I will tell you a lot more on Christmas about the mission tour cause there is a lot!! 

Elder Olson​

Monday, December 1, 2014

December 1, 2014 "ZL's drive a lot"


This week has been a big change from missioary life and a lot of driving.  This whole week we only were able to spend 3 full days in our area.  I never really realized how much the ZLs really helped and now I am grateful for that.  So on the up side we were able to have a full on amazing Thanksgiving dinner! I was so full.... For dessert my comp wouldn't let me stop till it was gone.  Also he is a crazy workout freak so we have been going crazy in the mornings for working out.  I think what I want for christmas is some money so I can buy some things.  Also I am feeling a lot better.  It was good for me to get sick because I lost some weight! But mom you should probably email sister Dunn and say thank you.  She got me into the doctor in like three hours! She is amazing! She actually reminds me a lot of you.  This upcoming week we will be in Joburg for training so I will actually be staying with the Dunns for a night! So another week of tons of driving.  Life is good I am happy and thankful for all of you! have a lekker week!!!

Monday, November 24, 2014

November 24, 2014 "Puking my guts out"


Well this is going to be really short but this week has probably been my worst week on mission.... I got the stomach flu and the way that my comp describes it is that the whole neighborhood could hear me puking my guts out..... I love ginger ale and mangos so much I just needed to taste it at least twice!!!  And then my luck I get this huge rash on my face and now I look like a crazy college kid with really bad acne..... haha but really I am missionary that satan is trying to do anything so that he can discourage me.  However my attitude has not changed I am still happy, I just don't like to be in public and I was told at church yesterday by everyone that I look like I am dying and that I should go home...  So embarrassing and right now I don't really want to laugh about it but in a few weeks I will be able to!
However, I had a really cool spiritual experience with my comp.  It was before church and I was feeling like crap and I really needed a blessing but of course I am kind of like dad and it is hard for me to take help from people.... So, I really didn't want to ask for one then I finally did.  Also, I wanted a blessing so that I can fulfill my new calling (Jon has been called as a zone leader) and I was feeling extremely inadequate and nervous.  But before the blessing he suggested that we should pray and I said I would.  Right as I started to pray nothing could come out of my mouth I just started crying and it took about 10 minutes for me to say what I wanted and I really poured out my heart.... We were both very emotional and then he gave me a priesthood blessing which was amazing and strengthened my testimony of the priesthood even more.  Even though I was not healed, a miracle did happen and that was the love and the power of my Saviors arms around me as I was needing him in every temperal and spiritual way possible.  I know without a doubt and I have accepted the Savior as my personal Savior. I know He knows exactly how I feel and I am grateful and also torn apart about it.
Please pray for me especially with my new calling. I am the youngest in age and in months on mission that has this position and I am extremely nervous but I know I can use the atonement so I'll be XAP!

I will be up north still so I will be over the district I was just in but living about 1 hour away from tzaneen where I used to live.  It is a town called polokwane and my companion is Elder Reed who is from astralia and I freaking love him so it will be good. And I have been working out a lot. I almost have my fat gone enough to see my 6 pack lol

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

November 18, 2014 "Who I was to Who I am"


This week has been quite an interesting week.  I was barely in my area because I had to do 4 baptismal interviews in other areas.  It is cool to see the progress and how things are changing up here in the district with obedience and hard work.  However it is already transfer time and things are changing! There are going to be a lot of changes but I believe that I will be staying with Elder Hepworth.  We still have a lot to do and sometimes you can just kind of feel that we haven't completed what we are here to do. So I am looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for us.  Also something sad, one of our recent converts little brother just died. He was only two and there is no sign of death.  He was so cute and the spirit testified to me that he has a greater work on the other side which he needs to fullfill which was cool. 
My back is really getting better and I am also really enjoying working out everyday.  I am starting to feel as healthy as I did when I was home.
We have this one investigator and her name is Mamela and she is just amazing! She is only 13 but she is so committed to be better and to strive for baptism.  There is a lesson that we all can learn from her and it is how much she loves the Book of Mormon.  She will not put it down! She reads and reads and reads.  She takes it to school and reads it when she has a few minutes, she will not leave home without it.  I know that most of us back at home feel it is a burden to read but as we feel the spirit we will slowly change and our testimonies will grow.  Every one back at home can have it on their phones and so when we have free time read a couple verses.  If we are laying in bed about to go to sleep just read for 5 minutes.  I think since I grew up with the Book of Mormon I never really realized how unique it testifies of Jesus Christ and his atonement.  We can all be like Mamela or even be a little better than we are at reading the Book of Mormon.
On mission my testimony is continuing to grow and especially with the atonement.  It is real and it works.  If we haven't felt it cleanse us and purify us seek for that.  I know without the atonement I would feel as Alma the younger wracked with eternal torment.  Our sins and imperfections will be wiped away through the atonement if we are willing to change.  One thing that I am going through right now on mission is that I have changed my behavior 100% from who I was to who I am.  However, I realize that I need to change my nature not just my behavior.  When we say that "its just who I am, God will understand" that is as if saying the atonement isn't real.  I need to change my nature and make sure I can become who the Lord wants me to be.  He desires us to be as he is and so would he really make it impossible for us to become perfected? I do not think so.  I know that I have a lot to work on but I am looking forward to that because I know I have the atonement to lean on and to use in every situation in my life.  Yes mission has changed me and yes I thought it wouldn't but that is because I did not understand the atonement.
Well, sorry for my huge email. I just am grateful for the gospel and my family.  The other day I was talking about how I would have friends over and how mom would come down and cook for all of us and just hangout with us.... I had to leave the room cause I was about to cry. I love you all and keep being awesome!
much love, JONNY


Monday, September 15, 2014

September 15, 2014 "The church is a hospital for sinners."

All 
Jon is doing well.  He is so happy and seems to be thriving in the work.  There were a few things I thought about editing, but I guess we also see that Jon is still Jon is some ways.  And yes, for those that don't know, Jon does call us Jimmy and Suzi instead of mom and dad.  He always does things his way.  Thanks for your love and support.  


This week has been POWERFUL to say the least.  Some amazing miracles happened and I have definitely felt the hand of the Lord in the work that is going on here.  I haven't been as tired and I think that it is because of my attitude! I can't stress how attitude makes or breaks missionary work.  I have made some hard decisions about dropping or temporary stop visiting some because they aren't keeping commitments which stinks.... But sometimes in order for them to know how great this gospel is you have take them away from it.  I just really hope they will call and say we miss you please start visiting us again.  But who knows?? Also we had an investigator miss sacrament and it was her 3rd week in a row so we had to tell her that we had to push back her baptismal date.  It wasn't easy but sometimes you have to be the bad cop.  I tried to do it as loving as possible.  It was definitely an Elder Holland moment.  Elder Smith-Holley tried to sugar coat it and I told him after that giving false promises just makes it worse. He hates being bold and confronting so I had to talk to him after and help him understand we can't do that.  That was something that I also had trouble doing at the beginning.  The husband and wife that are getting baptized this month are doing amazing!! I am a little worried about the wife understanding everything but I think they will be fine!! The husband says that he will be done with smoking by friday.  At church they said that they heard about baptisms for the dead and loved it.  I have never seen an investigator so excited about it.

High: this week there was truly a miracle. There is this this less active and recent convert and he has only been to church once since I have been here.  We were visiting with him every week till he called us 3 weeks ago saying he is done with the church and that he doesn't want us to visit him anymore.  I was devastated I even fasted for him.  Finally we were with this amazing member and we were just doing missionary work and he said we need to visit him so we called him, stopped by, and called him again! and nothing so finally we just said we were done.  Then later in the day we decided that we would visit him again just see if he was home. He was and it was so awkward at first. He was wondering why we were there and he really didn't want us to be there... So we sat down and talked and then he finally opened up to us about things that he was going through.  I never thought that was why he was missing church and didn't want to be there! He didn't feel worthy! So we continued and we helped him understand if you don't feel worthy then church is exactly where you need to be! The church is not a country club for the righteous but a hospital for sinners! He never understood that.  In missionary work we are only suppose to visit for 45 minutes and an hour at the most.  However the spirit confirmed to me that we were suppose to be there.... We sat and helped him get through his problems for 2 and a half hours.... He needed us and I truly thought of the savior and when he was walking in the streets and the women said if I can just touch his garment then I can be made whole.  Jesus was probably in a hurry but he stopped and comforted her and made her whole.  I truly felt the weight and the responsibility of my calling  as I  sat there and helped this young man understand that withholding himself from the blessings of the church is the wrong decision but to use the atonement and BE MADE WHOLE. It was amazing an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. 

low of my week: well I had two.  The first was that I was picked in zone conference in front of 70 missionaries how to use the BoM in sharing the gospel.... haha I thought president Dunn liked me.  However it went well! the next one was that I was given to talk about charity 5 minutes before sacrament and it needed to be 20 minutes long.  Again it went well but eish I was nervous.  I talked about Jimmy and Suzi and how they are the perfect example of charity! Several people said it was inspiring which was cool.  so I guess really no lows... just things that aren't fun hahaha 

Elder Olson.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

September 9, 2014 "You have the ability to change your mind."


This week has been very good.  I figured out some things that are really going to help me with mission because I actually hit a wall this week... I think the wall was more physical but it did effect me spiritually so it made mission really hard at the beginning of the week.  It was Wednesday and we were walking to an appointment and I was in a bad mood.  Then right before we knocked on the door for the appointment I thought to myself you have the ability to change your attitude.  Right as I thought that I put a smile on my face and had a great lesson filled with the spirit! I was so amazed after and I realized that my attitude doesn't just effect me but everyone around me. I needed to learn that experience for myself and so that I can be the best to those that I teach.  In sacrament meeting while it was being passed I thought to myself and prayed that things might come to my mind that will help me be better.  Many things came to my mind and so I wrote them down.  It was crazy right as I finished writing one down a new thought came to my head it was personal revelation flowing through me which was so cool.  One of the things I wrote down was never say I'm tired.  That sounds like something really small but it isn't. It makes the biggest difference because everyone is going to have that thought, I am tired, I need a break, but if we throw that thought away and don't feed it then it will go away. 
High of the week:  Brother Sunday fasted yesterday so that he can have the strength to quit smoking so that he can be baptized.  He and his wife are the most amazing investigators.  They feed us and the lessons we have with them are sooooo spiritual.  With them is the closest I have come to crying during a lesson.... You can just see that they truly love the savior and this gospel.
Low of the week: We live in an apartment complex and there were two really loud parties that were going on till about 5 in the morning... Eish Elder Smith-Holley and I didn't get an ounce of sleep. 
One of my favorite sayings on mission which I have really come to embrace is "it's fine." I say it all the time and it helps a lot.  Elder Smith-Holley will say I am so hungry, all of our appointment have cancelled and now we have to tract all day and my response is "it's fine."  It is my way of saying come what may and love it.
Hope you guys are having a good week and everything is going well.  Tell Abe and Christian that they need to work out more.... hahahah but that is a cool experience that you guys had and it is true we should never ignore the promptings that we have! I love you all and miss you so much! I got one of the packages and mom the photo of me at the hospital is not funny... It is not ok to feel vulnerable... hahahahaha 
Much love! JON 

(This is an email sent to Jon by a member in his stake)
Elder Olson

This below is you sir….

I wish I could express adequately how I feel today after fasting and pleading with the Lord about some people that I love dearly, those who are assisting in shaping my life.  Some are people that I have known for a while – others just a very short time.

You look in their eyes and notice that they are angels – people sent by God to come into your life at the precise moment when they are needed.  I have met more of these angels this past 8 days than I have met before in a given week.

We think angels to be these perfect beings who appear to us in the form of a vision etc….
I disagree….some are just ordinary people, just like you and I who just go about being who they are – but make a miraculous impact in our lives, or the lives of others.

My observation and question to you is….

       Have you ever considered that you are one of them….?

Yes Elder Olson – you!!!!

To me and to Elder Smith-Holley and to one other – which I hope he will allow me to talk to you about….(and us are just the starters….)

God sends angels to deliver a specific message to people – you do that…everyday
God sends angels to help the down trodden and faint hearted – you do that….everyday
God sends angels who sacrifice their own needs and forget themselves for another – you do that …..everyday.

You see Elder the Lord will send the most humblest and totally reliant person to help another.  This week again I have seen in the lives of others how a specific person has been prepared, specifically for and meet the exact needs of another – in a miraculous way.

This is evidence that God lives and hears and answers our prayers….He IS in control.

Monday, August 25, 2014

August 25, 2014 "Change of Heart."


All

Jon is doing great and continues to love his mission.  Many have asked about the Ebola virus and if he is in danger.  The Ebola virus is still contained in West Africa and the church is watching it closely.  Jon's mission received missionaries from the two missions that were closed.  Suzi and Jon exchanged emails last night and he is really happy and growing a lot.  I have also attached some new photos.  Thanks for your love and support.  ?


So life here in the 083 is pretty awesome! We are killing it we had a baptism this Sunday! it was for Naivo and I was the one that did it! We also had 7 investigators at church which has never happened before.  I cannot even write all the blessings that are happening right now.  Definitely tender mercies of the Lord.  It is amazing to be apart of this!! The ward is still struggling but we are making a huge impact on the members and they actually want to be around the missionaries which hopefully gets them to trust us more so we can teach people they know. I love this area and could honestly stay here for 6 months.  Elder Smith-Holley.... I have never seen such a change of heart in my life.  He was really struggling even crying a little here and there and then we had exchanges with the DL.  When he came back from the exchange he said I never realized how much you help me and I have just been complaining the whole time.  He is even tracting now and talking to people on the streets! He is doing so well.  I am so lucky to be his companion.  I hope and pray he feels the same way.  The only downside of the work is my back.  It has been really bothering me and a couple nights we had to go home early cause of it.  Just keep me in your prayers and I'll be fine! I don't want the work to slow down because of me.  Also don't worry about my back i'll be fine. No stress no worries!

Monday, August 18, 2014

August 18, 2014 "My missionary day"


Dear family, 
So today I thought that I would talk about all the aspects of mission and what my daily day is like.  So four times a week I wake up at 5:40 to workout.  The other days I wake up at 6:30.  Yes me waking up that early is hard to believe.  Then I get ready for my day.  Breakfast is always oatmeal and yougurt haha just like Jimmy.  Then I am sitting down and studying by 8.  In that study I always spend at least 30 minutes reading from the Book of Mormon and the Book of Mormon study manual.  The next 30 minutes I do whatever I feel like whether it be D&C, the bible, or preach my gospel.  9 o'clock it is companion study where we talk about what we have learned and then what we will do for the day in detail.  10 O'clock since elder Smith-Holley is being trained, I spend an hour on lessons or how to be a better missionary.  Finally at a 11 studies are over then we eat and hurry to our area.  Our area is 20 ks away which is annoying because after 11 we can't eat for the rest of the day unless we get fed and we don't get fed that much.  So in the area I try to have at least 5 or 6 planned lessons cause 1 or 2 will for sure not happen haha people always forget.  So we do that and when we aren't busy we are either tracting or visiting members and just stopping by to say hi.  We usually work until 8 to 9 cause we have to be back to the flat by 9:30.  When we get home we hurry and close the day by writing our stats and doing a brief overview for the next day.  I am always in bed before 10 hahaha.  I feel like dad and how when he gets home he just passes out! haha.  I just thought I would share that!

So things are going very well with investigators.  We will be having a baptism this saturday for Naivo.  He has asked me to baptize him so that will be a cool experience and he has also asked me to confirm him the next sunday.  We also have 3 other baptisms for the next month and I am almost for sure that at least 2 will happen.  We also had this guy walk into church and he said I just felt like I should come it has been too long since I have been close to God.  We will be teaching him on thursday.  One of the members said to me you must be doing something right if people are just showing up to church... I hope he is right I always think that I know I am not perfect and I know that I make many mistakes daily but if I just try the Lord will take care of the rest.

Things are going well with elder Smith-Holley.  He has come such a long way since the beginning.  He just doubts himself.  We had this guy that I have grown to be amazing friends with who has had a very hard life.  He was even excommunicated from the church.  Since then he has been in the bishopric and is now the stake young mens president. His trials have taken him to hell and back and because of the atonement he is where he is.  I think it is so funny when people say that Jesus Christ isn't real and that what we feel is all in our heads.  There is no way this man or even me could feel forgiven for the things we have done if Jesus Christ wasn't real.  But anyways, he gets to know you and then he lists all of your strengths and weaknesses from what he can see.  So I had him do me and it was amazing what he could pick up from just being around me and talking with me.  However for elder Smith-Holley it was even more amazing and it turned it to a spiritual experience and elder Smith-Holley even broke down and knows that he needs to overcome some things.  It was amazing.

This has definitely been the longest email that I have ever sent soooo sorry for that lol.  But South Africa is treating me well. No lion attacks yet and I still kunu on when I get the chance.  Have a lekker week and I uploaded some cheesy photos of sunsets.  I was even driving while taking them.  Sorry I didn't upload more this computer is complete rubbish.

JON

Monday, August 11, 2014

August 11, 2014 "Molding like peanut butter & jelly"

This week has been pretty awesome! We didn't teach too much but we had a very successful week! My son (I guess that's what he calls his companion) Elder Smith-Holley is really coming along and we are molding like peanut butter and jelly! haha We had a cool experience with one of our new investigators.  Her name is Basadi and she just came to church one day because every time they pass it her husband says that is our church.  The reason for her husband saying that is because about 15 years ago he was given a Book of Mormon and he read it.  He didn't just read it but he also used it to preach to people.  He also helped convert someone in our ward to the gospel.  His only problem is he has a smoking problem. So after church we set up an appointment to visit with her and her husband.  We had an amazing lesson and they are both committed to being baptized at the end of september.  It was so cool to see how they are truly seeking for a church and how this is a real desire of theirs!

We did a lot of tracting and that is going great! We are finding some awesome people by tracting! it works! hahaha but that is pretty much my week! It is so crazy how fast time is going and how much I love it here!  I have embraced the culture and really have tried to develop the attitude come what may and love it.

​So for the package you are going to send please send more tapito hot sauce, mac and cheese, maple syrup, sunflower seeds, and spagettios haha! 

Monday, August 4, 2014

August 4, 2014 "Giving the pregnant lady the blessing."

Suzi and I just got home today from Norway.  We had a wonderful time.  Here is Jon's latest email.  We didn't received an email three weeks ago because he was made a trainer and didn't have time that day.  Last week he only wrote a few sentences and said he didn't realize how hard it was being a trainer.  He seems to be settling in this week.

So this week was awesome!! I decided to work hard and just forget about myself! Training is actually fun now! I make it fun! haha I think that my companion is settling in and even though we are extremely different we are having such a great time together!!! We have worked so hard this week and we actually keep picking up investigators.  He hates tracting so I make deals with him saying if we tract I'll go buy you a kota and it works!  I am starting to realize I just need to talk to him be his friend and everything else will fall into place!
This week I was reading in preach my gospel and I realized while reading about prayer and how for the first 6 months of my mission I have been just going through the motions of prayer and not using it to its full potential.  This week I have decided to us it better and to actually realize that it is form of communication on high.  This week has just gone by so much smoother than I thought it would and it is all because of prayer I now for sure have a testimony of prayer!!

Also a cool experience that I keep forgetting to tell you is that time I gave that lady a blessing when she was pregnant when we were talking before and she said she didn't know if it was a boy or a girl.   So I made sure before that I shouldn't say boy or girl... However during the blessing the spirit directed otherwise.  I said that HE would grow up in the gospel and talked about HE.... Everytime I tried to say he or she it was as if my tongue was bound... It was a really cool experience.  It also turns out that she had a boy... haha yes it could have been a coincidence but I don't think so! 

LOVE>>>> Elder Olson  

​This is from Jon's mission president.

Jim and Suzi:

It’s another stunningly beautiful morning here in South Africa. I’m stuck in a traffic jam in Nelspruit, a town about 400K east of Johannesburg. So while I have a moment I wanted to write to tell that I just hung up the phone with Elder Olson where I was able to wish him happy birthday.  And I can report that he is thrilled to be celebrating his birthday in the mission field. We had a great chat and it was wonderful to hear his genuine enthusiasm for the work and his area. He said his only worry was that his mom would be sad today because it was his birthday and not with him. So I just wanted you to know that I was able to be a “proxy parent” and reaffirm your love for him as his mom and dad (which he knows), and let you know that he is truly very happy. He is just a great kid and I feel so blessed to have him here. I know it’s still sad to not be with him today, but hope you have a wonderful day knowing what great things he is doing here.

Michael A Dunn

Monday, July 14, 2014

July 14, 2014 "KFC"


So this week has been crazy.... at the beginning when I first came here the area was only teaching 18 lessons at the most a week.  There were some previous missionaries that didn't understand their purpose and kinda killed the area.  However this last week we taught 28.  I am not bragging but it is crazy to see the miracles that happen when we work hard and know our purpose.  So I have learned some very valuable lessons this week.

First, one day we were at kfc eating and this young man walked in.  Right as he walked in I felt I should go talk to him about the gospel.  However I was scared so I ignored it.  As we ate I could see him from the corner of my eye and kept thinking this guy needs the gospel.  It was as if something was physically pushing me to go but I kept fighting the impression.  Then I said to Elder Lucking that guy needs the gospel. Right as I said that he said oh the guy in the medical shirt? He even felt the impression!  Time went by and I didn't have anything to give him so I was about to go to the car but then he got up to leave.  As he was walking out he looked at us 3 times in curiosity and then left.  I didn't act on it.  After about twenty seconds I got up and tried to find him.  He was gone.   We got in the car drove around then got out of the car and walked everywhere looking for him.  We were too late.  I was so sad for the rest of the day! He was ready and prepared but I ignored it and now he doesn't have a chance to receive the gospel.  However I am so grateful for what I learned and have now promised to never ignore a prompting no matter how terrified I am.... 

So we are also teaching this young lady and she has been searching for a church for a long time.  She has been really scared to go to church and so on Wednesday we said you have to go that is the only way you will know if it is true! She committed to it.  She came and we were nervous cause she is quite shy! I was thinking to myself I hope she doesn't think this is all rubbish cause honestly I couldn't tell by her expressions.  Then after church she came up to us and said this church is true.. I got my answer! When am I getting baptized?? hahahah It was almost funny because it was so not real!

I Just had the coolest experience like two seconds ago.  When I left my flat today I saw a pass along card as I was closing the door.  I decided to pick it up and take it just in case I needed it.  So while emailing, this guy looked at me and I said oh we are missonaries.  He asked about it then I gave him the card and explained the Book of Mormon.  He is now looking it up on mormon.org hahahahaha the crazy things that happen on mission! Now he just asked me what makes me believe in Christ... I was able to bare a simple testimony.  I now have his number and am going to give it to the missionaries in his area! 

I am not lying this just happen 1 minute ago. 

I miss home but i bought myself a birthday present - some camo pants!! Also I would like to give Mpho some money for his mission.  He was working all day for 200 rand which is 20 dollars but quit because of the bad influence the guys were being on him. 

I need to go but about 100 dollars. He has no money and some of the money he saved his dumb brother spent.... I need to go but I love you thanks for all the pics on dropbox.  The dunns say hi they are awesome! 

MUCH Love, Elder olson! sorry I have to go I am going paintballing hahah


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

July 1, 2014 "KUNU ON"


I have also copied the final email he received from Pres Omer.  
Thanks for your love and support.

SO this week the gates of hell were opened up to us.... I kind of thought that the Lord let satan do everything possible to us to test our faith... At the beginning of the week elder Lucking got really sick and it was hard for him to work.  However he pushed through that.  Then Tuesday 3 of our app cancelled.  On Wednesday we had a powerful day planned then we got a flat tire and so we fixed it which cancelled one of our app.  Then we were driving to another app and our car broke down.  Then we waited for 3 hours for the guy to come and pick it up and that was the end of our day... haha I was so mad.  However we had an amazing opportunity to give a pregnant lady a blessing that we didn't even know.  Her husband isn't a member but she is and she was in our area and just thought we should give her the blessing.  So I was the one that did it.  I said something that after I realized I pretty much prophesied some things.... One of those things is crazy and I will let you know what it is next week if it happens after she has her baby.  But that was really cool.  There was also a time in the blessing when I tried to say something but the spirit constrained me from saying it.  I really don't know why but what I do know is that I didn't give that blessing.  I was just the lords mouth piece.  So after Wednesday we walked.... and our area is huge so we weren't able to make it to some of our app.   However the week ended great with a baptism for one of our investigators.  His name is Shaun and he is 16 years old.  He is so converted and it was definitely a special day.  So things are going well and I really am loving serving here.  Even with the rough week we still taught 18 lessons. 

Tomorrow I am going to meet the Dunns and I couldn't be more excited! Hopefully we can pick up a car while we are there haha.  Walking really makes the work hard where we are.  but ya that was my week! 

KUNU ON (By the way we kicked satans butt this week)

oh and i forgot I can't drive for 60 days because i got a ticket

Dear Elder Olson, 

We will certainly pass along that hug to your Mom! 

I can't tell you what a pleasure it has been to have you as one of our missionaries! Your thoughtful respect, your teachable nature and your humility have been so greatly appreciated by me and by Sister Omer. You came prepared and desiring to serve the Lord and you are doing so well. You are a trusted missionary and you will be a blessing to many as your mission and life continue. 

I also look forward to continuing our relationship post mission. In the meantime we will be praying for you and thinking about you. Please know of our love for you! President Omer

This the last email I received from President Omer..... 

Monday, June 23, 2014

June 23, 2014 "Killing it"

so this week has been amazing and I really don't know where to start... Well first off we taught 23 lessons this week.... and so that is a crazy achievement. and only 4 of those were member lessons.  Elder lucking and I are really killling it... haha but i need to stay humble so I don't have to get humbled! however I had a really cool experience this week.  We were talking to bishop and I asked him what needs to be done to strengthen the work in this area.  His response was that we need more priesthood holders.  This ward is really struggling with that there are twice as many women at church than men.  so that night  I prayed for a potential priesthood holder to come our way.  The next day we went to a members house to have a lesson with him and right before we were about to start his friend came and sat and listened as well... I was like what the my prayer was answered this quick! his friend isn't a member and now we are teaching him and I am almost positive this guy will be baptized.  It was crazy!!! but so I am also starting to learn some zulu which is really cool! elder lucking knows it enough to talk to little kids so that is how I want to be! and this week we played with a group of kids for awhile! we had to run from them so that they couldn't follow us! but I need to charge my camera so no photos today.  I will take lots this week!

Also sorry my emails are so short I am not to good at these things.  But if there are any specific questions then ask those. also it is very safe where I am. The only part that isn't is the taxis they are crazy but if I am not aggressive then it is safe.

Much love, Elder Olson

Suzi asked Jon what he wanted for his birthday.  Since it is difficult to send things, we are going to just put some money in his account and he can buy something there.  This is what Jon decided to do with the money.

Ok and I have an Idea for the money you are sending for my birthday... The guys here that are trying to go on mission can't afford it.  Of course the church helps with it but maybe that could be where it goes.  One of the guys in my ward that I have gotten really close to, his little brother spent his money that he needed to get a police clearence so now he has to sell his dreads to help pay for it.  Ya he cut of his dreads 2 weeks ago.... hahaha​

Much love, Elder Olson

Monday, June 9, 2014

June 9, 2014 "Saying goodbye"




Jon's latest.

Thanks for all your love and support.

He has finally figured out the value of sending photos.  One more email to come with photos.

So this week has been good! I have been saying my goodbyes to everyone and I actually got emotional saying bye to the Phanyaphanyas... They have such a special light about them and it was definitely harder to say goodbye to them than you guys.  Not that I don't love and miss you but I might never see them again and they have left a huge impact on me and my mission…  I found out Saturday that I am for sure leaving but I don't find out where or who I will be with till tomorrow! Its no fun but I have started packing which is full of mixed emotions... I am ready to leave but I want to bring


some of the people with me.  George when I said goodbye to him he couldn't let go of my hand and he just said please... please... don't forget me.  We taught him a lesson and at the end with it being my last time I bore my testimony and he was very touched.... I now KNOW without a doubt that this is where I am suppose to be after seeing how I have come to love so many of the people here.  It is amazing! However the work in the area is going through a transition.  There are not many investigators and the ones we have aren't extremely serious.  But I have a lot of trust in Elder Smith and I know it is in good hands


Also this week I eventually had to go to the doctor.  I had a very bad stomach infection and a very high acid intake which was very painful and so I decided to tell Sister Omer.  She got me in the doctors right away and it took about 3 days for the medicine to start working.  I was so grateful for her and how she treated me as if I was her son! I love them so much those two.  They are amazing and I had a great conversation with Sister Omer yesterday and we talked about how many of the same people we know! Their homecoming is July 20th so I hope the whole family can be there.  The talks you will hear will be inspirational!

Anyways have a great week! much love, Elder Olson

I wish I could be here for 5 years too... haha I really am loving it... I never thought I would get to the point where I don't want to go home.  I got a package but I have to pick it up today! So it is probably that one. I honestly can't wait to listen to the talk.  I am so nervous about where my new area is going to be I just hope it is township, which is where people live in shacks. Quite frankly I am sick of white people.... Here they are so rude haha but I sent the big email to mom this week.  Make sure you eat a tk burger and sharkys wings for me! hahaha?

FROM MOM:

Hi JON!!!

I hope that this letter is finding you HEALTHY and HAPPY!  I hope that you are in a new place and that that you are loving it.  If things have changed please tell us all about your new companion and area.

I am so sorry that you were sick last week. How are you feeling now?

You have been on my mind a lot this week. We are in Newport and although we love it here it's not the same without you. Everyone has commented numerous times how much they miss you. It's funny how different this years graduating class is from yours. There aren't as many kids and they are more mellow. I have watched them a bit and I think the reason I felt strongly about you going to school young was for friends. I think you all made each other better and you were meant to be a part of that group of boys. Don't forte about them. They were very influential in your life.
 I have also been thinking about family. I am so glad that we know we will be together forever. I don't think I have told you this, but if I have sorry. A few months ago I was in the temple and I was thinking about each on of you and the role you play in our family. I had the very strong feeling that Heavenly Father had a plan for us and that we were chosen specifically for each other. I had the strong impression that you and Abe were meant to be brothers and that you will counsel and strengthen each other in ways that no one else can. It was really cool and still makes me feel humbled thinking about it.  So, thank you for what you bring to our home. I love you!
I also taught a lesson about personal revelation and how if we are obedient and faithful our life can be guided in the right direction through personal revelation. The spirit was really strong. We had the girls spend twenty minutes in quiet contemplation to  feel the spirit and ask for direction in their lives. We asked them to share if they felt impressed and it was really cool to hear them talk about it. The spirit really does guide our lives if we allow it. I am really trying to listen and respond.
Annika and Jesse received their mission calls. It will be so awesome to have five Olson cousins out at once. They wanted to tell you where they are going so I can't. But I'm sure you know by now.
Madi is doing great!!  She is so beautiful and confident. Heavenly Father is really helping her right now. She's impressive!!
Abe is doing well. He is trying to play football and is being tough. His back is hurting him but he's hoping to build muscles that will support it.
We are hoping for him.
Lily is great. She's happy and the same. She is working on songs for you but she said they take time of she wants to get them to the point of recording.
Dad is great. He seems to have more energy lately. He is really turning into a softy and has a tender heart. He loves you very much and he is so proud.
Thanks for being my son. You are the greatest!
Remember...when the going gets tough the tough get going!!
Be obedient and hard working and many lives will be changed includingyours.
Loves and hugs and kisses!!!!!!!  I want you to know what an important part of my life you are.  I know that Heavenly Father knew I needed you. I love you!!
Mom

Thursday, June 5, 2014

June 5, 2014 "Story from mom"


                                                                       Marks of a Man
As I jumped on board my flight from Miami to Salt Lake City, I paused for a moment to catch my breath. Seated near the front of the plane was an excited young man, probably 19, sitting with his parents. His hair was short and his clothes new and sharp. His suit was fitted perfectly and his black shoes still retained that store bought shine. His body was in good shape, his face clear, and his hands clean. In his eyes I could see a nervous look, and his movements were that of an actor on opening night.
He was obviously flying to Utah to become a missionary for the Mormon Church. I smiled as I walked by and took pride in belonging to this same Church where these young men and women voluntarily serve the Savior for two years. With this special feeling, I continued to the back where my seat was located.
As I sat in my seat, I looked to the right and to my surprise, saw another missionary sleeping in the window seat. His hair was also short, but that was the only similarity between the two. This one was obviously returning home, and I could tell at a glance what type of missionary he had been.
The fact that he was already asleep told me a lot. His entire body seemed to let out a big sigh. It looked as if this was the first time in two years he had even slept, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was. As I looked at his face, I could see the heavy bags under his eyes, the chapped lips, and the scarred and sunburned face caused by the fierce Florida sun.
His suit was tattered and worn. A few of the seams were coming apart, and I noticed that there were a couple of tears that had been hand-sewn with a very sloppy stitch.
I saw the nametag, crooked, scratched and bearing the name of the Church he represented, the engraving of which was almost all worn away. I saw the knee of his pants, worn and white, the result of many hours of humble prayer.
A tear came to my eye as I saw the things that really told me what kind of missionary he had been. I saw the marks that made this boy, a man. His feet - the two that had carried him from house to house, now lay there swollen and tired. They were covered by a pair of worn-out shoes. Many of the large scrapes and gouges had been filled in by the countless number of polishings.
His books - laying across his lap were his scriptures, the word of God. Once new, these books which testify of Jesus Christ and His mission, were now torn, bent, and ragged from use.
His hands - those big, strong hands, which had been used to bless and teach, were now scarred and cut from knocking at doors.
Those were indeed the marks of that man. And as I looked at him, I saw the marks of another man, the Savior, as he was hanging on the cross for the sins of the world.
His feet - those that had once carried him throughout the land during his ministry, were now nailed to the cross.
His side - now pierced with a spear. Sealing his gospel, his testimony with his life.
His hands - the hands that had been used to ordain his servants and bless the sick were also scarred with the nails that were pounded to hang him on the cross.
Those were the marks of that great man.
As my mind returned to the missionary, my whole body seemed to swell with pride and joy, because I knew, by looking at him, that he had served his Master well.
My joy was so great, I felt like running to the front of the plane, grabbing that new, young missionary, and bringing him back to see what he can become, what he can do.
But would he see the things that I saw, could anyone see the things I saw? Or would he just see the outward appearance of that mighty elder, tired and worn out, almost dead.
As we landed, I reached over and tapped him to wake him up. As he awoke, it seemed like new life was entering his body. His whole frame just seemed to fill as he stood up, tall and proud. As he turned his face towards mine, I saw a light about his face that I had never seen before. I looked into his eyes. Those eyes, I will never forget those eyes. They were the eyes of a prophet, a leader, a follower, and a servant. They were the eyes of the Savior. No words were spoken. No words were needed.
As we unloaded, I stepped aside to let him go first. I watched as he walked, slow but steady, tired but strong. I followed him and found myself walking the way that he did. When I came through the doors, I saw this young man in the arms of his parents, and I couldn't hold it any longer.
With tears streaming down my face, I watched these loving parents greet their son who had been away for a short time. And I wondered if our parents in Heaven would greet us the same way. Will they wrap their arms around us and welcome us home from our journey on earth? I believe they will. I just hope that I can be worthy enough to receive such praise, as I'm sure this missionary will.
I said a silent prayer, thanking the Lord for missionaries like this young man. I don't think I will ever forget the joy and happiness he brought me that day.
David Bryan Wiser