March 30, 2015 "Love your companion"

Hey everyone so this week was a hectic week!! We had a lot that we needed to get done and we were only in our area for about 4 days because of exchanges and going to check up on other missionaries! So good news for the week. This will be the first area that I will have stayed in for 6 months!! I found out that I am staying one more transfer and am so excited about that.  I have 6 weeks to give it my all here and find those people that are prepared for me...  Also to have some fun while I am up in Limpopo... hahah 

well lets see nothing too exciting happened this week but I did learn some valuable lessons.  One was that if you aren't best friends with your comp then the work will take a huge hit! I went on exchanges with some elders and the only time they talked to one another was when one would give the other directions...  I sat there and observed and the work from the last time I was in that area was sad... I don't mean to bring these elders down by any means but how can people be attrached to the gospel if they don't see happiness and light in us when we are around them.  It was a good lesson that I learned that helped me realize how even in the car you have to show your love for you companion.  Luckily my comp and I get along great so we have no worries there! 

I just have so much more I feel that I need to do in this area and I hope that I can accomplish it in the time that I have left...  Life is good I am happy!!! 

Elder Olson

March 23, 2015 "Baby powder"

So another great week this week!!! We had a record for the area as far as new investigators with 10 and also had 19 investigator lessons alone.  Usually as zone leaders we aren't in our area a lot during the week so this week was the one week usually per transfer that we had an entire week in our area.  So we did what we needed to and worked hard and really just consecrated ourselves to the Lord...  It was really special for me because about 2 weeks ago I had a week where I was really wondering if any of our work was paying off and then to have a week like this just proves that it did! I still haven't seemed to completely comprehend how the Lord blesses after our trial of faith...  I guess it is something that I need to work on.

So Itu was confirmed this week and it was really special because President Dunn was able to stand in the circle as he was confirmed.  Itu is continuing to change and always just wants to come with us to every appointment and he loves to bare his testimony!!! This week we find out if I am staying or leaving!! Chances are that I stay but who knows!! I hope I stay because we just found such cool investigators that I already love!! 

Also funny story but really embarrassing. We were tracting for a long time one day and you know how wearing suit pants can rub and cause some irritation.. lets just say I was in pain!!! So we went to the store and I got some baby powder.... When I walked up to the cash register she said in a very loud voice "IS THIS FOR YOU??" I then said "NO!  Its for my little sister....." and walked away really quickly... So Lily I hope you needed some baby powder!!! I was so red and mad cause there were a lot of people there.... but now its just funny!!! anyways love you guys 

Elder Olson 

March 16, 2015 "Baptism of Itu"

So, this week has been another amazing week with some of the most amazing events that have come from it.  Some that I will never forget!! I was able to baptize one of my best friends this week! His name is Itu and is only 21 years old! 

So a little background on Itu.  He has a child that is one. He has homemade tattoos that he did himself and has been drinking and smoking since he can remember.  So, from that statement alone really he would be a lost cause in most people's eyes.  However, through the gospel and mainly the atonement of Jesus Christ he has been able to change not just his nature but his behavior.  He asked me to baptize him so right after I baptized him he kinda hurried out of the font and went around the corner to the changing rooms.  I walked after him and he had his face in his towel so I asked if he was good and then I realized he was crying....  He then said, "I have never been so happy!!" That was such a cool thing to hear from him and to see that he felt the spirit bare witness to him that what he was doing was the correct decision!  

I sit and think about the gospel after experiences like this and I realize how incredebly sad it is when some refuse the blessings of the atonement and live life in a way where they are trying to do it on their own.  That is not part of God's plan. He didn't just throw us down here and tell us to survive. He wants us to be happy and only through the gospel can we recieve that.  The area is doing amazing and I am loving life.  I'm not going to lie, I have felt a little down missing Madi's wedding.  I had no Idea that at the airport that would be the last time I would see Madi Olson.... haha but life throws curve balls! I am just grateful for my family and especially you dad and mom.... you guys are the best even if I am immature, crazy, and a little irresponsable you did your best with me! haha

March 11, 2015 "The scuba analogy."

Another sweet week with a lot of driving.... 900 ks... but we were able to get a lot accomplished!!  We actually will be having the first baptism in this area in 7 and a half months!!! His name is Itu and he is so cool! this guy used to be crazy and it shows...  He has a bunch of homemade tattoos that he did himself and everytime we tell his family he is getting baptized and that he has quit drinking and smoking they just laugh! It is kind of sad but at the same time it is so cool that he has come so far that no one even believes him... I'm sure Alma the younger had the same problems so I think it is cool! This week I did get a little discouraged because we have been working extremely hard and haven't seen an increase in investigators or anything but then again I realized that faith is tested before we can receive blessings so I know that I just need to continually be diligent and the area will get better it will improve.  Also this week I have seen the blessings of being obedient.  There was a missionary in our zone who has been on mission for almost 6 months and still barely knows any english... We were trying to figure it out and found out he was breaking some mission rules.  We had to sit down and talk with him and he admitted to it and it was solved.  Ever since then his companion said that the spirit has been much stronger and he is picking up english a lot better! Obedience is the first law in heaven and I could say it is the same for mission as well. 

Also we were able to teach zone meeting and I came up with this super cool analogy.  Its called the scuba analogy and how we need to be scuba missionaries and not snorkle missionaries.  As we think about the two, which one is more likely to find hidden treasures?  The scuba diver has much more equipment that helps him.  First is the oxygen that the scuba diver receives which is a lot less limited than that of a snorkler.  We can apply this and swap the oxygen for the spirit. Without the spirit we cannot be lead to those hidden people or receive guidance on what to teach.  The goggles which can be applied as scriptures because they help us see our purpose as missionaries and the purpose of our life.  Then the fins is our love.  Love is what motivates us, what pushes us to be the best we can be.  Love for our area, investigators, and our companions.  Then the wet suit which is the atonement that is what will keep us going when it seems too cold or hard to push through.  Then finally the weights which are the trials that the Lord can give us because of our preparation. The missionaries seemed to think it was cool so I thought I would share it cause it can be used in life as well.  Also we talked about diligence so at the end we had everyone test their diligence by putting their feet in ice water for ten minutes and if they succeeded then the would get a candy bar hahaha.

Much love jon jon

March 2, 2015 "Play with the lions...for my 3rd time"

this week was another hectic but amazing week! At the beginning of the week we went to Tzaneen (the Hawaii without an ocean) for Pday and for exchanges with some other missionaries. Since this is my third comp in this area I had to take him to play with the lions so for me this was the 3rd time... But really It is hard to get bored of playing with lions! Then I went into my old area Lenyenye for Monday night.  Even though I was there for only 6 weeks most of the people still recognized me which made me happy...  We had some great lessons and it was good to bond with the other missionaries there.  Then the next day I stayed in the town of Tzaneen and worked with some missionaries there.  At the beginning of the day we contacted at a college which was way fun and managed to pick up a few numbers and return appointments for them.  Then had some wonderful lessons!  

Later on in the week we had to travel down to Joburg for MLC (mission leadership counsel).  It was awesome to see what President Dunn presented to the mission and how he is continually seeking inspiration on our behalf!  We also were able to have dinner with them and had some nice mexican food! Sister Dunn always spoils us... Then President Dunn came down with his kermit the frog puppet and did a hilarious impression of him while singing I want to be a missionary!  Also I hope you enjoyed skyping with the Dunns. That is sweet.  Then we woke up in the morning and again Sister Dunn had sweet rolls for us so we wouldn't be hungry on our drive home.  

The work we did in our area was pretty mediocre but we had a cool experience with one of our investigators. his name is Itu  we have had him on date for awhile and what was holding him back was he wasn't reading the book of mormon.  He always said I am too busy and I don't understand it.  As we continued to meet with him we started to get worried but always prayed for him.  We arrived at his house one day and I saw that his book of mormon was not in its normal place under his tv but on his bed.  I then asked if he had been reading and he said yes and then continued to explain the first six chapters in complete detail... I was a amazed I couldn't even explain it that well.  He didn't miss one detail! He is going to be baptized on the 15th of March.  

So this week was good hope you guys had a great one!