April 27, 2015 "Jon hasn't changed that much"

So this week has been really good, but to start of you know how when I was younger I ate a habanero pepper and almost died....  Well I did it again haha...  So the APs were coming on exchanges and they called in the morning and said Elder Olson we want to do a pepper challenge, you down?? 

So of course me being me without hesitation said of course!! So they came over and we were just planning on chewing it for 15 seconds then spitting it out..  2 of the 5 missionaries did but then as I was about to I saw that one of them was motioning for me to swallow, so in my pride I did...  It was horrible... A lot worse than I remember but super fun at the same time! I was dying.... haha 

but anyways as far as missionary work is going all is well! Our zone is the smallest zone and this week we had 35 new investigators which was the most out of all the zones! We are just working really hard and trying to find what works here.  At the beginning of the week I kinda felt like as far as this area we hit a wall and it just wasn't progressing and that all of our finding efforts were in vain.   I was getting a little down wondering what else I needed to do. I really turned to prayer and I realized that we as missionaries just have to keep pushing that sometimes things are not meant to go your way and if there is no success sometimes it isn't because we aren't working hard enough.  I learned not to be so hard on myself and to just continue to talk to everyone and plant seeds for future missionaries! I have no idea how much longer I am going to be here! Transfers is in 2 weeks and who knows.  All I know is that I just need to keep going and work as if I am staying.  The Lord will put me where he wants me to be!  

We watched the Saturday session of conference this week and they were all super powerful! I especially enjoyed the talk by Elder Renlund.  He is in the southeast area presidency and I have even been in the same session as him in the temple! I love that he encourages us just to keep trying.  That a saint is a sinner that just keeps trying.  That talk is really going to help me stay strong through my mission and in life! 

Much love

April 13, 2015 "We drove 1,545 kilometers"

So this week has been super hectic to say the least and I am honestly glad that it is over... All in all we drove 1,545 kilometers.... haha I think that is a new record! So at the beginning of the week we had two days to spend in our own area and do some work.  It was really fun but a lot of people were still not back from visiting family over the easter holidays but we still worked with what we had.  Then we had another ROAD TRIP to Joburg the three and a half hour drive feels like nothing anymore... Almost like I am just going up to Heber to fish.  I really cherish those drives because that is when I have gotten close to my comps and even other missionaries.  We had Elder Koyle in the car with us who is the new AP and he is just powerful and I look up to him loads! He is awesome!   

Then we had a great dinner with the Dunns and talked forever and a lot of it was about sleep talking which sister Dunn has some funny stories of haha.  Then we had MLC the next day which was really amazing and the topics that were brought up were really inspired and even myself was edified and corrected from what was said! Its cool when it works like that...  

So then we were driving back to Limpopo and I forgot to give Sister Dunn her gate clicker so we turned around and took it back into the office.  It couldn't have been more inspired! When we got there President Dunn called us into his office.  Usually back at home when I was called into an office I was in trouble so I did get a little nervous but then President explained about a situation that was going on in our zone and how an emergency transfer was needed.  As we sat down and discussed we had this idea and then we all got down on our knees and one of the assistants offered a prayer.  After the prayer we sat there in silence for a couple of minutes and we all went around and gave our thought that the spirit gave to us.  It was amazing because all of us agreed on the same plan and long story short both companions now are happier than ever.  That truly gave me a strong testimony that President Dunn is extremely inspired and that I am where the Lord wants me to be not just where President wants me to be.   

We have these two investigators that are college kids and they have been showing a bit of interest in coming to church so we told them that we would walk with them.  They agreed and so we were waiting for them and then we were about to go to church because they were so late and then we saw them walking down the street.  It was a 40 minute walk and we only had 25 minutes till it started.  So with faith we started walking.  about half way there with 10 minutes till it started a member pulled up beside us and asked us if we needed a ride.  I said yes then whispered to myself "what took you so long!" hahaha in a joking manner of course so we got there just on time.  Then we got to church and realized we were watching the relief society session and we have two college males and they said they would only be there for the first one.  I was sad but then after it they both said actually we would like to stay and they loved it! it was so cool and I really hope they could feel the love their Heavenly Father had for them! 

Anyways it was a sweet week and things are just going quick!!!

Love you all, JONNY

April 6, 2015 "Week of Witnessing"

WoW, we had a great week! Our mission has done a week where we call it the Week of Witnessing - hence, why I said wow at the beginning... haha, But it has been all about the video that the church has put out and just a mass contacting effort to get everyone in Polokwane to see it!!! We haven't really taught that much but I think that I have given out almost a 1000 #becausehelives pass along cards!! it was so fun to talk to people about Easter and why they celebrate it.  Also at the same time, sad to think that people celebrate easter for Christ's death and yes death was central to the atonement.  It would not be complete without Christ's death but more importantly he conquered death.  He broke the bands of death so we ourselves can someday be resurrected to stand before God and receive what we deserve.  I guess my first Easter on mission was special but this one just made me even more grateful for the fullness of the atonement and the fullness of the gospel.  I really felt at one with my Savior this week!  

Also, we were able to go to a district meeting of a missionary that is quite younger than me. He is in the same shoes that I was in six months ago and to see his humility his love for this work I could not help but think how much mission has changed him.  As he was teaching I felt the preparation that he did and also the spirit leading the lesson.  I was so grateful to be there and to see a missionary that has let mission change him.  I guess that is one of the greatest lessons that I have learned on mission, to let it change you.  Not just my behavior but my nature so that I can go home a new being.  Someone that others can see and feel the love of the Savior through.