November 30, 2015 "Last Letter From Jon"

As I am heading into my last week of mission there are two words that describe my emotions.  Exquisite pain and exquisite joy...

Exquisite pain because I am leaving a land and people that I love beyond comprehension.  The people of South Africa, a choice people unto the Lord and I am so grateful for what I have learned from them.  I might have been trying to change them and help them come unto Christ,  but really it was a reverse effect and they held my hand and have guided me to Christ.  Pain also comes because I know that even though home life is great there really is nothing better than seeing someone look at your nametag and see their eyes brighten up as they realize you are a representative of Christ. They look to us for healing and they know it will come.  Home will be great but Africa will always be the home of my testimony.

Exquisite joy because I will see my family.  When I came on mission I realized right away that my family means the most to me.  Family is what makes heaven and I cannot wait to be by their side for eternity.  Joy because I am excited to live the gospel fully and to show others the happiness it can bring.  Joy because I came to Africa, learned what I needed to learn, and found who I needed to find.  Joy because I will get to Fly Fish the Provo again with my dad. 

My emotions are strange...It is weird mixed feelings for sure.

Well, I love you all and I love Africa!

November 23, 2015 "Africa Unite"

Well it finally rained here in the Gauteng so I bet the Boers (farmers) and their crops are feeling quite lekker!  The rain here and the hail storms that we have are one of a kind.  It dumps for like 15 minutes and then stops out of nowhere.  It's phenomenal and yet I am the biggest baby when it comes to lightning.... I like it when I am inside but if I am outside that is a different story!!

This week as far as missionary work goes was super refreshing...  I needed it.  We taught heaps and finished the week off with the baptisms of Mary and Olga! They are both amazing and the coolest part about these baptisms is that I taught them from the first lesson to the end.  That doesn't happen very often especially on my mission, I have either been a reaper or a sower.  

Anyways I don't have too much this week but I just want to express my love for africa and the people here.  I am just going to list everything that I love!

-How natural it is for people to believe in Christ.

-Their humility and receptiveness of the gospel

-How sincere and real their prayers are.  They understand they are talking to God.

-They may have no money but if you visit there will be food and cold drink

-They are always happy! 

-They don't need material goods... Look at all those fancy clothes these will keep us warm just like those… (Jack Johnson)

-Their smiles!

-The children calling me malungu (white man)

-showing magic tricks to the kids and hearing them say "ahhh IT'S MAGEEK"

-Their accent

-Kota, KFC, and all the food!

-The diverse cultures and languages 

-The taxi drivers... One of a kind

-The burning fields.  I guess cutting grass with a lawn mower is too main stream.

-Their nappy hair and how they don't wash it... Reminds me of my high schoo days KUNU ON

-They would rather have airtime than food.

-It truly takes a village to raise a child.

-Kids playing soccer in the streets or on a dirt field using a brick for their goal...

-Kids asking for 5 bob...(5 cents) to by sweets.

-Finally their pure love for christ

Hope you enjoyed! 

November 16, 2015 "Mission is Lekker"

Missionary work was very limited this week...  For me I love the ministering part of the work that I do but I really struggling with loving the administrative work that I do.  I sometimes forget that all the work that we do in the office and for other advents really is missionary work.  

My whole mission I loved finding, knocking on doors, talking with everyone, teaching, and testifying of Jesus Christ.  I thought that was how my whole mission would be and I was perfectly fine with that.  I loved focusing on an area and my investigators.  The whole switch to the duties I now have has been pretty hard for me to accept.  For example this week we had to run medicine to a missionary that lived 2 hours away, go pick up T shirts, enter in heaps of CDEs in the computer, and move to a new flat.  Which outside of exchanges left us no time in our area.  This responsibility has made me even more aware that Heavenly Father cares about me and my future.  Even though these experiences aren't fun I can see I am being molded and that He has provided these opportunities for me to grow and learn.  

We had a great gathering of the whole mission this week and it was called The SAJM Summit.  About 5 months ago I asked Sister Dunn if she thought it would be fun and plausable to get the whole mission together and go on a hike.  She said she would think about it and then came back with this amazing idea of centering a hike around a purpose and making it a learning opportuinity as well.  So what we did was we had our mission presidency speak and they all spoke about leadership and overcoming our fears.  Then we had this lady named Lin Den Hond who was the 3rd South African women to Summit Mount Everest.   Her story is truly motivational and in doing it raised money for a village in Gautang.  She meantioned that "when your purpose is bigger than your challenges you can accomplish anything."  As I was thinking about that I realized our purpose is the biggest purpose even in God's eyes....  I think we can overcome our challenges.  That statement made me realize that the small difference I am making here in SA really will eventually, maybe in generations to come, make a big difference.  After the talks we went on a beautiful hike all together.  It was an amazing day!

Well that is about it for the week... ASKIES(SORRY)  unless you want to hear more about office work... lol I love mission and really I don't want it to end.  Not that I am dreading going home and going to school and all that good stuff, but I am really going to miss the opportunity to wear Christ's name on my chest, it's Lekker.  Well, I guess I will just wear his name on my heart. 

Love you all and do something this week that will make you say "Kunu On" lol

Elder Olson

October 26, 2015 "Vulnerable & Christlike"

Have you ever been so caught up in your life that all you ever worry about is yourself?  Have you ever served someone then bitterly said to yourself that they didn't desire the service that you have rendered? Have you ever thought to yourself that you are better than others because of your rank, age, education, the clothes you wear, or even color of your skin?

If you have had these experiences in your life may I suggest that it came from selfishness?
This week for me has been an eye opener, an experience that is engraved to my soul.  It wasn't one event that happened but a series of minute events that have brought me to the realization that I like many of us lack the Christlike attribute of gratitude.  For some reason it is hard to show gratitude maybe it is because to an extent it makes us vulnerable when we tell others of the gratitude that we have for them or maybe we may feel it's even childish.  Well I would say it does make us vulnerable and even childish but both of those are ok!   How do you think Christ felt as he was walking in to the Garden of Gethsemane?  Well from a scriptural account it says speaking of Jesus' emotions he "began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy." -Mark 14:33. I think that it is plausible to say that he felt exquisite vulnerability.  Yet vulnerability lead him to the greatest act in all eternity.  Now let us precede to talk about being childish.  Anyone that is a student of the Book of Mormon should know the scripture that I am about to use.  Mosiah 3:9 which reads "Becometh as a child." But let me take this a little further and expound on not only this scripture but chapter. In the same chapter in verse 17 it reads "whereby salvation can come unto the children of men".  In verse 18 it reads "humble themselves and become as little children".  In verse 21 it reads "none shall be found blameless before God, except little children".  In this chapter it mentions 4 times that we need to be as children and even more interesting is that this is coming from King Benjamin who from a physical stand is the farthest thing from a child! Yet he was urging all who could hear the words of his voice to be as a child!  There is something special about children and we can learn from them, especially in gratitude.  It is interesting to me that what was once so easy for us as children has become so hard for so many of us.  As we show are gratitude both vocally and by deed our Heavenly Father is much more inclined to help us.

Sorry for my ramble this week on being vulnerable and childlike.  But I learned heaps about them this week so I just thought that I would share.   So to all I am grateful for my family, friends, the gospel, the scriptures, South Africa and the people here, and most importantly my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Mcolisi got baptized!! It was so powerful and even the bishop said after that he has never heard a testimony that powerful from a recent convert!  It was really cool.  We are going to get him started on his family history this week so he can go and do baptisms in the temple in a couple of weeks!!
All is going well in Jozi!! We are loving it!!

Time for some humor.  So this week we were at one of our members house and she has a ginormous tarantula! Apparently like snakes it sheds and the shedding looks exactly like the spider.  So I had this great idea that we could scare Sister Dunn pretty bad with it.  So we got home and saw that they weren't home yet and so we wrapped the skeleton around the door handle and waited patiently.  Soon after they pulled in and Sister Dunn was with her sister and as they got out of the car Sister Dunn's Sister says "Oh my is that a bug ahhhhh Sister Dunn look!!!"  So Sister Dunn goes and gets a close look and says "Elder Olson your not pulling a prank on me are you?? This couldn't be a joke!! Ahhh its moving!!!"  Both of them are just losing it and scared out of their minds.  Finally after I stopped laughing I showed them what it was and even chased sister Dunn with it.... haha it was a good laugh.  Here is a Picture of it

Also a pic of hillbrow in Joburg! (I had to hurry and take the pic from the car...)

October 19, 2015 "Our way of knowing the Savior"

Well I don't really have much to say this week.  I am not really in the mood to email.  Things are great though and I am just loving life!

Recently I have been doing a deep study of Jesus the Christ.  It is the most amazing book and James E. Talmage is amazing with his words.  I had a thought the other day as I was reading about Talmage.  I was thinking how it appears as if he was there during Jesus Christ's earthly life and then as I read the footnotes I realized he knew all he did from his profound knowledge of the scriptures.  I then thought to myself I can know Christ in the same way! I am reading the same scriptures and as long as I have the spirit it will reveal these amazing truths to me.

I just want to end with a question.  Do we realize that the scriptures are our way to knowing our Savior? 

Elder Olson

October 12, 2015 "There's more to life than sports"

This week has been amazing!! 

We were super busy since transfers are getting closer and closer and we just don't want to procrastinate anything.  I had some great experiences this week and one of those was seeing how amazing the youth are in the church!  Since we are held to a lot of restrictions we always need a member with us in Joburg.  We couldn't seem to find anyone that would come with us then I remembered a young priest named Justice.  I didn't know him very well but we called him and he readily agreed to come with us to teach.  When we went to pick him up he was waiting for us with the biggest smile on his face and a Book of Mormon in his hand!  As he jumped in the car he was so excited he sat in the middle seat with his head right in between mine and my comps.  He mentioned that this was the first time that he has come out with the missionaries and that he could hardly wait.  As we got to our first lesson which we taught in a library on the kiddy table in the corner I could see his excitement grow even more.  As we sat down and started the lesson he was one of the first to teach!! He testified of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Book of Mormon.  I have heard many testimonies and there are some people that just open their mouths to speak and the spirit hits you.  He is one of those people and not only could I feel it but the investigator we were teaching surely could as well!  As we walked out we talked about the lesson and he was just amazed how strongly he could feel the spirit.  I wish I was more like Justice as a teenager.  He knows what is true and not only does he profess to believe it but he lives it.  I later on asked him what it was like to live in Hillbrow (Which is like the Compton of SA).  As he thought about it his countenance changed and in a saddened voice he said "My man... The temptation is unreal... But luckily for me I have the gospel."  I then realized how much he relied on the gospel as a 16 year old.  I think for me that was the last thing on my mind at that age...  Justice has faith as his anchor and I had sports.  I think that is why I went through my concussion problems because the Lord needed to show me their was more to life than sports.

I think all of us no matter what age we are can learn a lot from Justice's example.  If your anchor is in anything other than faith in Jesus Christ it will only bring you worldly happiness. If you anchor is in Christ then you will have peace... Even if you live in Hillbrow.

Anyways work in Johannesburg is shooting up since we have been there!! We had 11 investigators at church and we should have around 10 baptisms before the end of the year!!!  We have some sweet investigators.  One is Mcolisi (pronounced mmmm with a click.   To do the click put your tongue right behind your teeth and press down. then the rest is how it is spelt)  he goes to a university in Joburg called Wits and is going to be a teacher.  He is so intellegent and loves the gospel!  He lives right next to the temple and so we actually teach him on the temple grounds! It is amazing....  He will be baptized on October 25th. We are also teaching three siblings Jetro, Ntando, and Angelica.  It is cool how we started teaching them.  Their brother just recently left on a mission and right after they felt they should start attending church.  As you can see there are some unimaginable blessings for going on mission.  They are on date for the 11th of November. 

Funny story for the week! It was at night and we just got done talking with president and when we got in the flat and like ten minutes later I heard my comp say "Man can't you see president's Bath?" I was so confused so I said "you see him in the bath??" and he responded "Yes! Look at his arms!" I then said "NO MAN! I'm not a peeping tom!"  Then we both realized we weren't understanding one another.  He was saying president was buff.... hahah so I thought he was this creep looking at him through his window but it turns out he was just commenting on his chiseled arms haha. We laughed for a good 15 minutes

Well Life is good.  I love you all.  I don't really miss any of you... lol

October 5, 2015 "Atonement & Miracles"

This week has been great!! Everything is just amazing.  I love my area, my companion, and South Africa.  South Africa has really left in imprint on my heart and it is going to be hard to leave.  This place and more importantly the people mean so much to me.  Mom you are lucky that SA is so far away cause if it wasn't I would live here.  

Well I don't have much time today.  We are taking out the Special Needs missionaries and so we have to pick them up soon. I am going to be brief so sorry!

I just want to explain an experience that I had which was sad but that I learned a lot from.  We went to go visit a part member family.  The Dad and Son (who is on mission in Uganda) are members and we are teaching the two older brothers and one younger sister.  They have been progressing so well and have come to church for the past 5 weeks.  As we were walking up the stairs to their flat we saw one of the brothers in the hall way.  It was very clear within seconds that he was drunk and he said to us that he will join us in just a second.  We got to the flat where the rest of the family was and waited for him and hoped that he would come to his senses and join us.  15 minutes went by and he never came so we decided to teach without him.  As we then went back down he was in the stairway with a girl that had him in control like a puppet.  It was so sad to see that he had no control over himself and there was no part nor portion of spirit with him.  As we walked out of the building I thought to myself ok now when he wakes up tomorrow he is going to feel guilty and unworthy, which is good, but then he is also going to feel he is too unclean to be at church.  That last thought comes from satan.  The next day he wasn't there and unfortunately I was right.  I just wish he knew and could see the healing power that came from the atonement and that it is panacea to all of his troubles and worries. If only he knew that Satan's grasp on him isn't as tight as he thinks. As I walked away I was sad but this week I cannot wait for the opportunity to share the atonement with him.  

I know in my emails talk about the atonement a lot and the miracles that come from it and that is because I learn more and more about it every day.  It is so simple that even a child can understand it but it is so infinite that it takes eternities to learn how to use it to its full capacity.  I know that sounds paradoxical but study it and use it and you will see what I mean.  The atonement has made me see things in a different way and just maybe I am starting to see a glimpse of what Heavenly Father sees.  If you are new to the gospel or feel that your understanding is limited start off with studying about the cleansing and enabling power that comes from the atonement.  It will change the way you see as well.

ElDeR OlSoN

September 28, 2015 JoBURG

So some of the greatest news that has happened since I have been on my mission.  About 16 months ago when I was in my first area, Johannesburg Central was closed to missionaries because of crime related issues.  This was a massive hit to our mission.  It was the highest baptizing area by far.  It is interesting to see how satan targeted it and tried to stop the work from progressing there.  As Jospeh Smith said "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing!"  That couldn't have been more true, even without missionaries the ward was still baptizing and getting many to the temple!  Well then about 4 months ago the APs received permission to teach in Joburg on Saturdays and Sundays for 3 hours only at the chapel.  Which was a great blessing but it still required us to have investigators come to church to get taught and made us as missionaries rely on the members to bring people for us to teach.  As you can probably imagine it isn't very effective.  Well Elder Cook the Area President saw all of this and prayed about it and felt it was time for it to be opened up again.  He had to have a guy come all the way from Salt Lake who was the head of security and do a whole sweep of Johannesburg!  He gave the approval and so now all there was left to do was to put missionaries there.

Ok now for the best part of this whole ordeal! President was given the rules and restrictions given and one of them was that at least one of the missionaries needed to be native and speak Zulu (Which Elder Masoka does).  Another is the missionaries had to leave by 4:00 PM for safety issues.  The problem is if he sent normal missionaries there they would just be sitting in their flat for hours after being in the area for a short time.  He realized that it works perfectly for us as we can come and do office work for the rest of the night! So we are now officially reopening JOBURG! I am both nervous and excited.  There are a lot of rules but I have realized on mission that as I have been obedient the Lord protects you and so I know I will be fine.  Yesterday after church we had the opportunity to teach in the middle of Joburg.  Leading up to it I was nervous, you just hear stories and stuff of what it is like and I had this preconceived idea.  As we drove into the city I just had a heavenly feeling of peace.  It was strange but I knew that the Lord had spoken to the leaders and that this was the time for missionary work to be moved forward in Joburg.  As we got out of the car we walked up to this ginormous flat complex. As we were walking up to the 15th floor I had another impression that we were in a very real sense modern day pioneers.  As missionaries we were opening new doorways so that others could receive the gospel.  We are now able to give light to a city that is in need of heaven’s help.  A light shined on Joburg yesterday and I am glad that I had the opportunity to be apart of it.

Other than that this week has been great! I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Dlamini and Elder Moloi in a township called Kwa-Thema.  I gained a lot of respect for Elder Dlamini.  Before he knew the church he was in a gang and did all sorts of horrible crimes.  He said that he was far from God.  That all changed when the missionaries knocked on his door.  He said that not knowing at the time what it was but that the spirit constrained him to agree to meet with them.  He loved it and he changed his lifestyle.  Through his conversion 13 other guys were baptized and brought to the gospel.  He said "I don't know how they all followed me I never taught them I was just an example."  I reassured him that is the way the Savior taught and that his humility will only bring more to the gospel when he gets home. He is living proof the Atonement is real!

Well this is my letter for today... Oh also the Dunns spoiled us last night with Steak and Salmon...  They are too good to us.

Much love, Elder Olson

 PS here is a pic of my new area 

September 14, 2015 "Baptizing Eden & Let Love Be Our Motive"

So this week has been quite hectic! The week before transfers is always crazy with loads of office work and little details that make a big difference.  I am becoming more and detail oriented which is good... I never really have been in my life but now it is quite vital so I am figuring it out.  I wish I was more like dad in that sense.  

Well I learned a big life lesson yesterday that really made me both sad and grateful...  We had two baptisms in Joburg and one of them was for a girl named Eden and her dad is a member and even a return missionary.  He is a great guy and has made it possible for his daughter to come to church and get baptized.  Well last week he came up to me and just said I want you to baptize Eden.  I was kind of confused at first and then I realized it was because he didn't feel worthy to baptize her.  So I said of course I will.  Well the baptism came and was great and then after I could see that it killed him that he couldn't baptize her.  After he came up to me almost in tears thanking me for helping with his daughter's baptism.  As grateful as I was to be apart of it I would have preferred that I didn't do it.  After as I was sitting in the car I just thought to myself that I will always make sure that I am worthy of the priesthood I hold.  It was a bitter sweet day for sure.  I just can't even imagine when I have a family what it would be like if I had a kid that needed a blessing and I wasn't able to give one because of my unworthiness.  I also want to mention even though this father is far from perfect he is trying.  He is a single parent and has made some mistakes in his life but he isn't a loss cause.  No one is a lost cause.  I have seen a change in him as he has brought his daughter to church and in bringing her closer to Christ he has come closer to him as well.

Oh we also played golf with President and Sister Dunn this week! It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be and I did better than I thought I would as well... I really hook the ball when I swing... I guess it's a baseball thing.  We played a scramble and it was me and Elder Worton against the Dunns.  We were down 2 holes with three holes left and we had to at least tie them on this hole.  We were about 40 feet away and I sunk the putt to tie it up and then we took the last two holes to tie it up! President Dunn and Elder Worton are support good and so Elder Worton carried me through the 18 holes...  Also I have met someone that is as competitive as me! President Dunn!  After the 18 holes he couldn't stand that it ended like that so we had a putt off which he won...  But it is all good!  It was super fun and I got super burnt... 

Well that night we were at the Dunns and we could all smell something that was off... We couldn't find what it was and we were looking everywhere.  Then Elder Worton saw a pumpkin on top of the cabinets...  It has been there for almost a year and has finally rotted! It was so funny and everyone was dry heaving as we cleaned it up.  It is a memory we will never forget and laugh about for years.  If you use live decorations don't forget about them!!

Sorry that this isn't too missionary. This week we were locked up in the office for most of the week... But it was still a good week.  Just different.

I almost forgot.  Elder Worton is leaving but he still has one more transfer.  I am getting a new comp and I am super nervous... It is hard leading but I am sure I'll be fine.  I do know who my new comp is but I can't say since no one else knows... I don't really know him very well but he is a great guy and he will be the first South African that I have served with! Crazy thought he maybe my last companion

Here is an attachment of my article that we put in our news letter for the transfer I hope you enjoy it! 

LET LOVE BE OUR MOTIVE

                  When I was 11 years old I saw an act of love that changed my life forever.  My Dad, a healthy adult laid sunken deep in a hospital bed cringing in pain and pale as a ghost from what had just taken place.  He had just given one of his kidneys to his little brother who was suffering from kidney failure.  As a child when I first walked into his hospital room and seeing him in the state that he was in, I could not understand why he would voluntarily submit himself to so much pain.  It was beyond my comprehension until I walked into my Uncle’s hospital room.  In his room there was a renewed light that had been missing in the months before, and I could see the smiles of his wife and kids as they saw their Husband and Dad on the way to recovery.  As I walked out of the hospital that day God spoke to me in a profound manner that even a child could understand. I heard within myself “Your dad did it out of love.”  

This experience has changed my life forever, but especially my mission.  I have learned that love should be the motivating cause in everything we do.  My Dad understood this concept and that is why he gave so much of himself to help his brother that was in need. Albert Einstein once said “Love is light... Love is the most powerful force there is, because it has no limits.”  As members of the church we are that light to the rest of the world.  We are a church that can give others all that they have been missing in their lives because we can give others the pure love of Christ.  Our love in all sense of the word has no limits!

Back at home my Mom bought sculpted hands and set them in our living room.  When I first saw this I thought it was quite bizarre, but before jumping to any conclusion I asked my Mom the meaning of it.  She sat me down and explained to me that to her it was a reminder that we are Christ’s hands and that we are the conduits in showing others the love that Christ has for them.  I realized that I can be that channel in which others can receive so much happiness.  I can be an instrument in the hands of God!  That day I felt the love of the Savior through my Mom and the desire to share that love.  Dieter F. Uchtdorf said “True love requites action. We can speak of love all day long—we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it—but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.“

Some of us may say that it is not natural for them to love others or that it is hard for them to show it.  I know how you feel.  I am the same way, but in reaching this desire I have focused on my love for the Savior.  I have studied His life through the scriptures and have come to know him as I have used his atonement to give me the love I lack.  I have found that the atonement is the greatest act of love in history.  Think for a second about someone who was so pure that John the Baptist felt “Whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.”(Mark 1: 7) Yet, that same man went lower than any who have or ever will walk the earth so that we could return to our Heavenly Father.  Would any other motive besides love bring forth such an act with such a great consequence attached to it?  No! No hatred, jealousy, fear, pride, anger, or any other un-Christlike motive could bring forth an act that can even compare.

To this day I still cannot comprehend the fear, pain, and sorrow the Savior felt in the Garden of Gethsemane, but I can comprehend that he did it out of love.  I love my Savior and I know he loves me.  I know that “He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Mosiah 14:5).  I have felt the cleansing and enabling power too many times in my life to deny His love.  I know for those that are struggling on mission you can find His love and I know that you will find it while you are striving to love those you serve.  I know all of us would not be serving with such diligence and zeal if we did not already know these simple but vital truths.  I also know that as humans we tend to forget and thus the need to partake of the sacrament every week as a remind of his love and sacrifice for us.  I hope and pray that you will accept this simple reminder.  I exhort us as followers of Christ to really be the Saviors’ hands and to partake of His love which He so freely gives. I know we can give to others what the Savior gives to us and that is love.

Elder Jon D. Olson

September 7, 2015 "Taking the special needs missionaries out"

This week has been lekker!! It was one of those weeks where it just was over in the blink of an eye!  This week we ran a lot of errands...  Not my favorite thing to do but someone has to do it!   I had a really cool experience with taking the special needs missionaries out.  It reminded me of my peer tutor days with Afton, Ashley and of course Jack!!  One of the missionaries has Aspergers and the other is blind.  As we spent time with them I realized how "special" they really are in a spiritual sense.  They are just so loving and pure.  I talked with the one that is blind and he said that mission has helped him to come and accept his disability since it only started 4 years ago.  He said that he was angry and that he like all of us was wondering why he was faced with this trial.  Then he said as he has come closer to God his spiritual eyes were opened and he now is grateful for his trial.  I look at him and I think how can you be happy when you can't even see all of the beauty that God has made for us? Yet he is and I think it is because he has an eternal perspective on life and a testimony of the resurrection!  Then I thought of the other missionary who struggles with Aspergers and how his mind will be restored through the Resurrection as well.  I don't think us as members really understand how amazing the resurrection will be!  If the resurrection of Christ never happened the Atonement wouldn't be whole but it did happen and it is whole.  I was super grateful to be with them and for what the spirit was able to teach me.

Well, the rest of the week consisted of going to the airport and taking care of missionaries that were going home!  One was Elder Segil who I serious love! That guy is just amazing and his mom gave me the biggest hug... Oops but I couldn't stop that she was coming in hot! haha  Then again on Friday we went to take another missionary to the airport and we realized that we were close to Hospital View so we stopped by and got kota and taught a lesson with the missionaries there.  Definitely missed my kota there...  Also we were able to stop by Mpho's sister Refilwe, who is less active and that was cool.  She says she really wants to come back to church but it is hard cause she doesn't feel worthy.  I see that a lot in the LDS church.  Most of the time in other churches they think that grace will save them no matter what they do and they will be "saved".  In our church it is the polar opposite we think we have to do everything on our own and that if we mess up we are lost.  Yes, we made a mistake and we have to repent but there is grace and there is hope.  Amulek explains this pefectly when he says " And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircle them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great eternal plan of redemption."  There is hope and there is mercy but we have to ask for it and believe that it will come.  This is like my last email but I think we think we are a lost cause a lot more than Heavenly Father thinks we are! 

Well, sorry for my super long email but one more highlight.  You know that guy Greg I have mentioned.  Well he is taking huge steps right now.  He even said he wants to live "the Mormon way" for the rest of his life.  He said he sees the happiness we have and wants that for himself.  He is the most humble guy and wants to do what God wants him to do.  He has taught me a lot!  

Well hope all is well back at home!!!

JDO 

September 1, 2015 "42 Day Fast"

Well this week has been great! We started off with having zone conference on Tuesday and Wednesday which was so fun! We did one of the workshops and ours was on that purification challenge that I mentioned 6 weeks ago! I can also see now in hindsight that I was not only lead to that paper during studies for my benefit but for the whole mission!  We came up with this cool idea since a transfer is 42 days that we as a mission will do a 42 day fast! The logistics of it is that we will have at least one companionship fasting for one of the days of the transfer we will be fasting for 42 days! How epic is that! We will be starting it on the 15th of September.  It was amazing to see how the missionaries responed to it! We used the example of purifying water (I will attach the photos that we used. Then we related it to us and how we need to go through the same process to get rid of our imperfections. 

 I guess this week I gained even a stronger testimony of the Atonement.  However, usually when this happens it is because I have fallen or have messed up.  It was different this week.  I just saw others applying the atonement as they saw the need to purify their lives.  Many may think that missionaries are perfect and that we don't make mistakes but that is far from the truth... This week I have seen some missionaries that really need to make changes start making those changes. I can also see how proud Heavenly Father is of them for their effort.  I think when we see one repenting we have a tendency to look down on them and think how could they ever do that...  What we really need to see is that they are now changing and how hard it must be for them especially if all they see is criticism from others.  

When Alma was explaining the repentance process that he went through to his son Helaman, he said in Alma 36:21 "Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."  This week I have seen missionaries that are going through the first part of repentance and I know that if they work through it with patience, diligence, hope, and the Atonement they will eventually feel that joy. 

When we realize we are all sinners and that we all need the atonement we will start to see those that are imperfect are actually on the same road as us.  We are all trying to make it back to our Heavenly Father and we may be taking different routes but I believe that we will all make it back there as long as we don't give up and lean to the atonement.  This is a spiritually famine world full of sin and darkness but that doesn't mean that we have to be full of sin and darkness.  

I guess this email is just for the sinner and the saint and to remind the saint that they were once a sinner.  Hopefully I didn't step on any toes from this email. 

Elder Olson

August 24, 2015 "One of the best weeks of my mission..."

Well this week has been one of the best weeks of my mission! The spirit really spoke to me in very profound ways.  I guess sometimes I need to be slapped on the head to realize that the Lord is in control of this work.

I started the week off on exchanges so I went to this township called Daveyton with Elder Swindlehurst and and Elder West.  Elder West is from Australia and reminds me so much of Elder Reed.  Of course no one can replace Elder Reed but it made me think of all the great times I had with him.  We taught a lot of lessons and were able to get to know each other better as well.  Funny story, at the end of the night we were walking to our car and we saw this black lady braaiing chicken feet sooooo I asked them if they have ever had chicken feet before. They looked at me like I was crazy but then I convinced them to try it out. So we bought 5 for 5 rand (50 cents) and we enjoyed ourselves some nice chicken feet! They both actually seemed to like them so that was a plus!  Mom and Dad I am sure you can't wait for that! haha

Later on in the week I was able to go to Hospital View!!! If any of you don't know why that is so exciting it is where I spent 4 1/2 months of my mission and where I was comps with Elder Lucking and Elder Smith-Holley.  Well before, I was kinda nervous wondering if anyone would remember me or if I did a good enough job there.  I guess I just doubt that I did my best there... The first thing we did was go and pick up Mpho.  As I saw him he came running to me and just hugged me and couldn't stop smiling.  Then I saw that he had the hat on that I gave him.  It was so worn and torn I asked "How much do you wear that?" He said "I wear it everyday.. It reminds me of you." Mpho is finishing his Police Clearance and then his mission papers go in! I might be able to pull some strings and be there for when he opens it! I guess there is nothing better than that.  Oh and a plus, it was Mpho's birthday which was not planned but it just worked out that way! 

After that we got to an appointment that was scheduled with a recent convert named Ndivhu. A little background about her, I tracted into her when I was with Elder Smith-Holley.  She later on got baptized after I left.  So we got to her house and when she saw me you would have thought she saw a ghost! She just screamed "Is it you?? It is You!! AHHHH you look so different!"  Haha I just sat there as she stared at me for a while! But it was so cool to see her and today I received an email from her that said "It was amazing seeing you today, i hope, you are doing well, i hope to see you soon, i want you to know that your mission was not in vain, i am who i am today thanks to the day u knocked at my door be blessed an endure to the end." So ya I guess there is nothing better to hear than that! 

Then I was able to see another sister, M.J. that I found through bringing her mom back to church.  The same is with her, she was baptized after I left the area!  She said that now her sister is also baptized and her mom is active because we didn't give up on her mom.  Again I guess there is nothing better than that.

Finally we went to this families house named the Phokus who I really loved while I was there.  They all were so excited to see me and Sister Phoku who is like my African Gogo just kept sayin "We are so proud of you."  Again I guess there is nothing better!

Well that night as I was pondering, I realized that the work that I have been doing has had far greater of an outcome than I thought was possible!  I heard a still small voice that said " I have accepted your offering. You are doing a great job."

I have realized that I am not done I still have time to find and teach and baptize and that is my intention.  Is to find those like Mpho, Ndivhu, and M.J. I was so blessed that I was able to see what I saw.  I guess that is what Nephi means when he says "But behold, I Nephi, will show unto you the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto deliverance."

Elder Olson

July 27, 2015 "This could go really good or really bad"

Well, this week was a really great and productive week!! We had a lot to do and it seems like we were able to accomplish everything on our to do list.  I feel like mom when I make a to do list... But there is honestly no other way I can remember all that I have to do.  I have come to realize that mission may not be the hardest thing I ever do but it has the most valuable lessons in it.  I look at all that I have learned on mission and how little I learned in school in 16 years (Probably my fault... but still). Mission is seriously the best University that I could have enrolled into.  Well, just a thought for this week to ponder on. 

I had an experience that really stuck out to me this week.  I was on exchanges in a town called Selcourt and we went to this RM's house to have a lesson with him.  This guy has had a super hard life since he has been back from mission and finally he just broke and has been out of touch for a full month.  Our visit was the first contact that he had with members of the church since he has been gone.  We sat in our car and I said, "Elders, this could go really good or really bad... Lets Pray."  As we prayed we had an overwhelming feeling of peace that this would work out.  Well, we got into the lesson and we shared about how we need to head the call of the spirit always without hesitation.  As the other elders were talking my mind was seriously enlightened by the spirit.  I thought of the scripture where the spirit told Nephi to Kill Laban. We discussed how hard this would have been and how Nephi even questioned it several times then finally Nephi obeyed and killed Laban.  Then I brought up how in the scriptures it doesn't give us an account for how long Nephi questioned this prompting.  As far as we know he could have been standing there for 30 minutes or so pondering this prompting.  I referred it back to this RM and said you are in the same scenario.  You are waiting on the prompting that you have already received.  Then I asked "If Nephi would have denied or questioned the prompting one more time would the spirit have spoke to him again."  The RM responded with a no. I then responded "Soon the same will be for you. There is a fine line between questioning a prompting and then receiving a prompting and knowing it is from God and then not acting on it."  He took it very well and agreed.  But, I still felt prompted to end it on a positive note so I turned to 1 Samuel 16:7 which says "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, Or on the height of his stature; For man looketh on the outward apperance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I reassured him that the Lord sees him for who he really is and that he knows where his heart is. It was an amazing lesson and the spirit was super strong.  It was funny to me that an old testament scripture came to my mind while teaching.  That really never happens for me but I know that it came from the spirit and that was comforting.  

This week went well and I love you all.  I miss fishing with you all.  Especially you Jimmy. If only I could learn to dry fly fish like you.... haha

July 20, 2015 "20th Birthday"

I had a great birthday that was full of memories and old people!! hahah Sister Dunn put on a huge party for me where we had Cafe Rio burritos and Sister Dunns famous chocolate cake! Sister Dunn invited all of the senior couples and we had a great night.  I would say that it was definitely different than my birthdays back at home but it was extremely memorable.  Sister Dunn said I will probably be engaged by my next birthday but I said no way!  I want to live at home till I am 30 and have my mom be my alarm clock! lol and you think I am joking.... Looks like your stuck with me.  

As far as the side of spiritual events go we had a stellar week!  One of our responsibilities is to cover Johannesburg 1 and 2 wards since it is to dangerous for missionaries to work there full time so we go on saturday and sunday and teach investigators at the church.  It is amazing to see the work that is going on there in Joburg.  We have so many people that we are teaching that the members go during the week and teach our investigators to speed up the process.  These wards are the swift messengers that were prophesied in Isaiah.  The Lords work is moving forward!

Well I committed to write better emails so hopefully this one is a good start!  

Fun fact for the week: 1- Elder Worton and I are pro Kendama(ers) (this implies that I got your amazing birthday package)

2- I am getting fat from all the food and desert that Sister Dunn makes for me.

3- I just got done playing catch with President Dunn.... Made me miss dad a lot.  

July 13, 2015 "Purification Challenge"

Well this week was amazing as usual! I am still learning a lot and trying to figure everything out. I never thought that I would get this into the Lords work but it is seriously all I can think about now.  I have seen greater happiness from it.

I had a really amazing experience this week.  Before studies I saw a paper on a chair and before I could even look at the paper a thought came to my mind "Read that for your personal study."  I then kneeled down still not looking at it and opened my study with a prayer as I always do.  However, this time it felt a little different,  the spirit was more dense than usual.  I then grabbed the paper and the title of it was Purification Challenge. As I read I read about a missionary.  This missionary was doing everything right as far as the outside could see.  He had a testimony of the gospel, he worked hard, and he did what he was supposed to.  He then had a life changing experience when he was in a lesson with an investigator.  They were teaching the restoration.  At the conclusion of the lesson both him and his companion bore testimony of Joseph Smith and the reality of the restoration.  They then turned to a member that they brought with them.  The member bore a simple but powerful testimony.  All he said was "I know that Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet and that he restored The Church of Jesus Christ." As he closed the investigator started to weep from his testimony. 

After that lesson this missionary was wondering why this member's testimony was so different.  It was  driving him crazy to know what he needed to do to bring so much power into his words.  

The missionary then had an opportunity to talk with a leader of the church.  He knew that this leader would tell him what he needed to do to give him this power.  As he asked the leader then started to ask him questions like "Do you wake up at exactly 6:30 every morning? Do you always have virtuous thoughts? Are your motives pure? ect.."  Then he said that he wanted the missionary to write down everything that he struggles with and to do a 40 day fast.  He said to fast at the beginning and the end and in every personal prayer plead with Heavenly Father to help you with all that your struggling with.  So this missionary took on this challenge and he said that all of a sudden all of his weakness and temptations were magnified! However he did not give up and he continued for the 40 days.  When he finished he then received the power to overcome these trials.  He felt the spirit more abundantly and was brought to tears more.  The power in his words were in every lesson and with that he brought forth fruit! He was baptizing and bringing lost members back to church. 

This story hit me so I took on this challenge this week!  To say it has been easy is a lie... I have realized that my testimony is more the way that I live my life then the words that I speak. I know that every one of us can have power in our words if we align all of our actions and words with our Heavenly Fathers. However minute these actions may seem they will bring great power!

Sorry for the ramble this week.  I am sure only mom loves it haha. But we also were able to have a great week and really help young missionaries as we went out on splits with them. I would say that is my favorite part of my role as a missionary is to help others access their full potential! 

Well I am tired of writing and have loads to do!

Oh I turn 20 this week. It is not nice. 

June 30, 2015

This week has been hectic to say the least! We took all the missionaries to the airport and then we did loads of office work.  I am learning heaps about computers and all that stuff and I am actually enjoying the office work.  It was super funny cause I got pretty frustrated because I messed up on something so I grabbed President Dunns baseball gloves and told my comp we were going to play catch for 5 minutes.  First time in almost two years so it definitely cleared some stress. But we don't spend too much time in our area with everything going on.   

The Dunns told us about the mission split before hand and we had to keep it extremely confidential so that was scary. It was cool to be around Elder Cook, the 70.  He really put it in an amazing way and just was able to help the elders understand what was happening.  Also President Dunn ans Sister Dunn spoke. It was quite an emotional day but we will reunite someday, that's what the gospel is.  It was super hard saying bye to Elder Smith-Holley.  That Guy is just amazing and has come such a long way.  The boundaries have been set so it is absolutely forbidden to cross so I won't see Limpopo til we travel at the end of my mission.  Which is sad but it will also make it more special when we do go.

So I love my new comp.  We work out super hard so that is fun.  It is also super spiritual and he is teaching me so much. 

Love you all,  Elder Olson

As Jon mentioned in his email, his mission was split this week.  Had he not been transferred one week earlier, he would've been moved to a new mission - the Botswans/Namibia mission.  Here is the posting from the Dunn's blog that talks about what has transpired.  

Divide and Conquer!

As we travel to Pretoria today in anticipation of a BIG announcement, we wanted to post this and share as much information as we have.

Growth in the church and changing circumstances in countries has historically resulted in mission boundary changes. But when it happens in YOUR mission, it is suddenly very, very personal and impactful. In our 12 months here, this is the biggest news that has hit us and we are responding the best we know how. Below is excerpts from a letter President Dunn has just sent out to all the parents of our missionaries.  In a few hours this news will be announced to all impacted missionaries and then to all the SAJM. 

We have just hosted President and Sister Wilson overnight in the mission home and discussed details and logistics with them. It helps it feel better to be able to hand off these great missionaries to great people.

We are glad to have Elder Worton and Elder Olson to assist in this transition and be helpful at every turn.

President Dunn and I have spent the past few days visiting with all the senior couples in the impacted area, explaining all of it, so they can be on board and helpful to the junior missionaries.

Here is the letter sent out to parents:
I will post more pictures of the event later today:

On Sunday June 28, 2015, we have a historic milestone in the missionary work here in Africa which was announced this morning, and will take effect this coming week.

In a recent meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, approval was given to realign the boundary between the Botswana/Namibia and South Africa Johannesburg Missions, and to transfer the Pretoria South Africa Stake and the Tzaneen South Africa District from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission to the Botswana/Namibia Mission. This change will be effective 1 July, 2015, and will affect 45 missionaries currently serving in the Pretoria, Sunnyside and Tzaneen Zones of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

This change in mission boundaries coincides with the splitting of the Pretoria Stake and the formation of the new, Mabopane Stake. Both the new stake and the adjustments to the mission boundaries were proposed and sustained by the members and missionaries in a special stake conference held this morning in Pretoria. The net effect of this move is that it transfers a stake and district from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. It will also immediately bolster the compliment of missionaries in the Botswana/Namibia Mission which has struggled to get missionaries into those countries due to visa issues for the past 18 months. As a geography reminder, these two countries are adjacent to South Africa, and are located on its northern border. The affected zones from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission are the northernmost areas of our mission, and a logical addition to the Botswana/Namibia Mission.

Afterwards, we gathered all the missionaries that are now part of the new Botswana Namibia Mission. What a terrific, resilient group.

The missionaries officially reassigned to the Botswana/Namibia Mission are:

Elder Theodore Dandrick Barendse

Elder James Rex Bryner

Elder Kenneth Dylan Christie

Elder Duwayne Fernando DeSouza

Elder Peter Mpaulo Diogo

Elder Enoc Teancum Garnica

Elder Seth Alexander Going

Elder Afina Hunt

Elder Ray Hunt

Elder Teemu Samuel Kankkunen

Elder Ken Kobbina Kenyah

Elder Brian Kusi-Poku

Elder Daniel Liera

Elder Jarom Alexander Lybe

Elder Albert James May

Elder James Almon McAllister

Elder Kelly McClellan

Elder Jorden Paul McQueen

Elder Elisha Mugenyi

Elder Sicelo Falakhe Ndlovu

Elder Václav Novotný

Elder James D. McKay Oldroyd

Elder Felix Paul

Elder Aaron Leslie Reynolds

Elder Turner McKay Richards

Elder Jacob Blake Saunders

Elder Duke Malcolm Smith-Holley

Elder Joshua Alexander Stilgoe

Elder Simon Ssendege

Elder Jared Michael Cornelis Stomps

Elder Mose Johnny Togiatomai

Elder Andre Edward Daniel Thompson

Elder Teamakaia Louis Adolph Bonard Tumarae

Elder Andries Petrus Van Heerden

Elder Kayl Michael Williams

Elder Mitchell Allen Williams

Elder Gerald Woniala

Senior Couples:
Elder Max Butler and Sister Janis Cardon Butler

Elder Steven Roy Campbell and Sister Loretta Evans Campbell

Elder Larry LaVarr Hansen and Sister Melanie Hansen

Elder Bryan Mark Winward and Sister Valerie Jean Winward

While we are obviously saddened to part with these great missionaries whom we have come to know and love as sons (…along with four of the best senior couples to be found anywhere), it is inspiring—and in fact more accurately, dizzying—to see the hand of the Lord move the work forward on this African continent. In addition to strengthening the ability to handle the burgeoning work of building the kingdom in the north, this is a pioneering opportunity to stretch and grow which will bless the lives of all involved. Even though these missionaries will be adding and expanding their experience, they will always be a part of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

We are excited to introduce the new Mission President and Companion— President and Sister Wilson

We know President and Sister Wilson and they are

outstanding people and seasoned servants of God. They have already served two years of their three-year call in the Botswana Gaborone Mission, and so are experienced leaders of a mission. Their home is in West Jordan, Utah and they are the parents of five children. President Wilson, who was born in

Columbus, Ohio is steeped in church experience having served as a counselor in a stake presidency and is a former bishop, high councilor, elders quorum president, and Young Men president. Professionally he worked as an engineer with Ceramatec, Inc. Sister Wilson, who is from Payson, Utah, has also served in many callings including as a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president. Again, your  sons will love serving with this terrific couple.

 I testify to you that God is indeed in charge. And that this is but one more evidence of the hastening of the work. As the Book of Mormon asserts, “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men…” (1 Nephi 9:6). Elder Neal Maxwell also reminds us that all things do work together for our good. “Trust in the Lord as He leads you along,” said Elder Maxwell. “He has things for you to do that

you won't know about now but that will unfold later. If you stay close to Him, You will have some great adventures. The Lord will unfold your future bit by bit."

June 22, 2015 "Phone call from President Dunn"

Well, they are kicking me out! Haha!  This week has been quite an eventful week! We taught loads and had a lot of fun!  Then Thursday rolled around and we were sitting in a lesson and right as we were about to start our phone rang and Elder Beers answered it.  Shortly after he handed me the phone and said, "It's for you".  So, President Dunn was on the other end of the line and we just talked for a bit.  Then he released me from being a zone leader.  I was actually quite stoked for that! I was thinking to myself how nice it will be to only worry about my area.  Then he kept talking and asked some personal questions... So, now I was thinking... What did I do wrong!?  Then he asked if I would be his assistant.  Well, I couldn't really speak and all I could say was, of course! and thank you!... It was super embarrassing! But since then I haven't slept a minute and have been super tired!!  I used to never get nervous about anything back at home so now that I have stress I don't know how to deal with it! 

Oh, funny story.  So, I woke up in the middle of the night to get a drink and as I was drinking I heard a snap right behind me.  I thought that Elder Beers was trying to scare me so I yelled, Elder Beers!!!!  Then I heard him say what?? from the bedroom.  Then out of fear of ghosts I screamed and ran to the bedroom and then just started to laugh as I was hiding under my covers! It was bad how scared I got.    Soo... YES...I am still a baby! Haha!

Elder Olson

June 8, 2015 "Bear testimony"

Well this week has been super amazing!! We have worked hard and are finding some amazing people.  When I first came into this area we had no what we call "layered teaching pool" we had some that were close to baptism but that was it! it made me really worried because once we baptized these people we would have no one to teach.  So through a lot of prayer we really are finding loads of people to teach!

We also had an amazing zone conference and the APs talked about the power of bearing testimony.  They showed the last testimony of Bruce R. McConkie and wow it is powerful.  It made me tear up a bit. If you haven't seen it I would suggest watching it.  Through all of this we committed to bear testimony more often.  We had a lesson with a family that has been really stubborn and we were thinking about dropping them.  When we got into the lesson we knew we had to bear testimony so we did.  After our testimonies the family was completely silent and then the mom expressed the love she feels when we are in her home and even broke down and cried.  For them it will be a long process but I think our testimonies helped!!! Never be afraid to bear testimony to anyone it can touch anyones heart. 

have fun in Newport.  If I was there I probably would be dating that babe that you saw at church! lol 

much love, Elder Olson