May 12, 2014 "After the Skype"

All 

Here is Jon's latest.  We were able to talk to him over the weekend and it was great.  It brought a few of Suzi's emotions to the surface, but it was wonderful.  He sounds great and speaks with a SA accent.  I don't know if it's common for the missionaries to gain the accent or if Jon has tried to gain one.  It was fun.  He is really happy and not missing home.  

The reference to the t-shirts is in response to Suzi's idea about using her painting of Africa on t-shirts and selling them to raise money for orphans in SA.  I know some of you haven't seen the painting so I will try and get a copy of it and send it out.  It's really cool.  Bubba (my dad) is helping Suzi with the t-shirts and how to organize this through a non-profit.  

We had to get on Jon a little for not sending pictures.  I guess his camera wasn't working well so he went and bought a new one today.  Hopefully we will get more pictures.  He doesn't have an excuse now.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  Thanks for all your love and support.

Hey fam,

It seems like things are going well for you all!!  Things here are great as you have heard from the phone call!  Man that was a great phone call and it was so good to hear Americans again... I feel I kinda forget what you guys sound like sometimes... But to hear about Jesse and Anika is so great!! I have anikas email but not Jesse.  Will someone tell him to email me or can someone give me his email.  Those two are great people and I hope Jesse gets called to my mission! I could train him! Hahaha   

My days lately have consisted of a lot of teaching but also a lot of finding... We are trying to find more people and have faith that there will be someone ready for the gospel.  We just have to keep looking!  Shame Raymond and Bryan didn't make it to church but Temwa was there!  So I have some ideas what we can do for the money that you get from the t shirts and I am talking about it to the wife of the mission leader. I will have her email you guys and talk to you about things! She is a great lady and feeds me every Tuesday! She is awesome!  But with our great week of lessons we didn't have one investigator show up to church which was sad... we were hoping for so many and none showed up.. However that just means we have to work harder!! haha but honestly I don't know how we are going to! But that's where prayer comes into play.  Ask what I can do better and where I can improve! This transfer is going so quick and I only have most likely one more month here.... I like it here so hopefully I'll stay! My companion is awesome and I see that as long as we continue to work hard we will always get along! I'll go buy a camera today! I'll make sure it is on sale lol hahaha.

Much love

May 5, 2014

All

It was great to hear from Jon after not receiving an email last week.  Apparently last Monday, was some type of holiday in SA.  Everything was closed and they were not able to access email.  He continues to do well.  Unfortunately he fails to answer most the questions we ask.  I think he takes after me in the area.  I had two "small-world" experiences this past week with ties to Jon's mission.

1 - I am serving in the 3rd ward right now and one of the counselors in the bishopric (he is a doctor) asked how Jon was doing.  As we were talking, we came to the realization that the counselor worked on Jon's companion due to a rugby injury when he was here in SL playing in a rugby tournament.  If you don't remember, his companion played for the Zimbabwe national rugby team.  

2 - The new Temple Square Mission President is President Poulsen.  He was a previous mission president in Joberg.  He came to our house prior to Jon leaving to talk to us about SA.  He is a wonderful man.  I was invited to attend a luncheon where he was speaking.  At the luncheon, I met a sister missionary from Denmark.  She knew Jon's MTC companion - who is from Denmark.  

I know these are trivial experiences, but it's fun to make any connection to the mission.  Jon is in good hands with all those he is serving with.  He is being blessed.  Thanks for your support.  

Family, hows it guys? Things seem to be going really well back at home! Things are going great here as well! My new companion Elder Smith is an amazing missionary. He is almost done and is very obedient and loves to work hard! We worked so hard this week and it was way fun! When we weren't teaching lessons we were finding.  Whether it was knocking on doors or walking around town and starting conversations with random people.  Doing this I have realized how much mission has done for me... Before mission I couldn't even ask for a to-go-box at a restaurant and now I really don't have a problem walking up to people and tell them that the gospel can change their life.  We have two new solid investigators that I am very excited about.  Their names are Portipher and Andrew.  They are both on date for June 8^th, which might be my last week in Krugersdorp.  I hope that we can baptize them by then.  Temwa is doing well but still no job and still no Emmie.  I am getting a little worried about her though because the trials she is going through could distance her from the gospel and I just pray that it doesn't.  Mission is the hardest thing that I have ever done and yet it is the most amazing thing that I have ever done.  My life will never be the same after these two years and that is a blessing because I really don't want to be the selfish egotistical guy I was before mission.  I am now starting to see what the Savior and my Heavenly Father have in store for me.  At times I feel as if I don't deserve the blessings I get but then I remember that because of the atonement I can be forgiven and live the life I know I am supposed to live.  Love you guys and I can feel your prayers in my life. 

Much Love, Elder Olson

These pictures were sent to Suzi from the gentleman in the pictures with Jon.  He be-friended her in Facebook.  Since Jon doesn't send too many pictures, it's nice to receive these.  I believe the 3rd picture is of Jon's new companion.  

Thanks

May 2014 "I think he wants to keep her"

From MOM:

I think he wants to keep her:

April 28, 2014 PHOTO for Jon from Abraham Olson

April 21, 2014 PHOTO of JON

I'll send the family email to you! so this week was a mixed emotions of great and sad! Temwa, Sethu, and Polinah all got baptised I baptised Sethu and confirm Temwa! what a great experience it was and how I could feel the Savior's love for each one of them!  So, this is my last week of being trained and I am ready for it to be over. on thursday we do weekly planning.

During that we discussed a family that we have tried to visit for 10 weeks and only gotten into the house once... I said that we need to drop them and give them some space.  However for some reason elder van heerden wants to keep teaching them... we got in an argument to the point where I walked out of the room so that I wouldn't hit him.. he is very stubborn and never wants to listen to my points and Ideas it is hard not to get frustrated.  Then on saturday night I over heard him talking to someone else saying that I am not a good teacher... to me that really hurt I dont care if he feels that way but it was hard to hear him tell others and not me. I was going to walk in there and just nail him... then I decided I will confront him about it the next day.  

I woke up and prayed for guidance on the situation.  when I did I heard a still small voice saying let it go... you are doing your best.  How amazing that was to me! and I did!  I let it go and haven't had a bad thought about him since! How amazing is the atonement and the power of forgiveness. If this would have happened before mission before I turned to the Savior in everything that I do I would have fought him but it is so amazing to feel the Savior in me.... this easter has been something special and I know that Jesus Christ died and then 3 days later his soul and body reunited for eternity.  It gives me hope that even though all the mistakes I have made in my life I have an opportunity to be forgiven in everything that I do. love and miss you guys and know that I am happy here in ZA! Buy a donkey for all you do for me (thats how you say thank you in afrikaans hahahahaha)

Elder Olson

FROM MOM:

Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How are you?

We just went to Deer Valley for two nights during spring break because Abe had baseball and Lily had soccer. We kept saying Jon would love this...This vacation just isn't the same without Jon...Abe said, I don't like being the only boy...Lily said, now I know for sure that Jon is my favorite sibling. ( they locked her out on the balcony ). It was funny how've often we mentioned you!
I have been told that I'm not allowed to go back and forth with you until you've had time to email the whole family cause Abe and Madi have gotten really upset with me when they don't get one from you. The first thing everyone does in the morning is check their emails. So, please make sure you send something to everyone each week. 

I so totally love you little boy! 

Mom 

April 14, 2014 "Everything happens for a reason"

Here is Jon's latest and a picture sent by another missionary since Jon can't remember to send pictures.  Another good week.  It's fun to see he passion and emotions.  He has always been passionate.

Suzi exchanged emails with Jon that I haven't included here, but Emmie is still not with Temwa.  She is praying to adopt her.  Jon didn't give much info, but we are hoping and praying for the best for Emmie.  It's interesting how attached we have become to the people Jon is teaching.  We have really developed a love for them.

Suzi and I had the opportunity to go to dinner with Jon's future mission president and his wife - Michael and Linda Dunn.  We had a wonderful time and feel so blessed that Jon will be able to serve under their guidance.  You could feel the love they already have for the missionaries and their excitement to serve in South Africa.  They will be wonderful!

Thanks for all your love and support.


Family, how's it guys?  The weeks are going by way too quick!  It is crazy how fast it really is going... even though I love mission, I hope it continues to go fast!  This week was good! Temwa, Pauline and Sethu all had their baptismal interviews and passed and the district leader said that they were taught very well which made me happy because sometimes I wonder how well I teach.  I have also realized how important the spirit is in conversation even in regular conversation.   

When we are at the store buying something and people see me and I smile it definitely is planting seeds.  It is so hard to always try to be an example of Jesus Christ because there are days when we are walking around and I don't feel like being friendly and outgoing then I realize I need to try to be a disciple of Christ.  Not just when I feel like it but in everything that I do.  It is always great to have the name tag on because it reminds me of who I need to be like in EVERYTHING that I do.   

We tracted a lot this week because we had a lot of appointments cancel and it was not good... we talked to like 8 people and one told us to come back the next day.  When we went back he was really drunk and it made me so sad to see that because that was satan making sure he didn't have an opportunity to receive the gospel.  Ah it made me upset.... However we had another great lesson with Trevor and his family.  They are really coming along and I feel they have been prepared for the gospel at this time.  The Phanyaphanyas had their baby and his name is Samuel. It made me think of baby Sam and how special that experience was.  I am so grateful that he was in all of our lives even though it was just for a short period of time.  My companion always says everything happens for a reason and I know that Sam was only suppose to be here for a short time for a reason.  We may not know why in this life, but someday we will. I love you guys and hope all is well.  Keep up the good work and pray for opportunities to share the gospel and to serve others.

(Sam is Jon's cousin who was born with Trisome 13 and only lived a for a short time.)

April 7, 2014 "Emmie"

Hey fam, this week was one of our slower weeks.  A lot of appointments fell through.  We were tired and I got pretty sick and Satan was trying to discourage us.  It worked one day... I was sad. I was mad. I had the worst feelings in my heart and then I realized that I needed to turn to the Savior and ask direction on what I needed to do.  The response without hesitation was work and have faith.  I received this answer on Saturday and decided that I would fast so that I could work and have faith that I would find someone this week that has been prepared and is ready for the gospel.  I have no doubt in my mind that I will find someone this week as long as I work and have faith.  However the week ended great! 

On Sunday we had our second visit with Trevor and his family! He has 4 girls and 3 of them are older than 8.  He also has a sister and a wife that we are teaching.  All the kids and the family enjoyed our lesson and at the end I committed them to baptism. They all agreed to it! I hope to see them at church on Sunday.  It would be a great blessing and an answer to my prayers if they did.  This gospel is so true and the Savior is so real.  He lives to this day and I know that without a doubt there is no way I could or ever would deny it. There is a reason this is the only church that is growing at this time in the world.  It is because we are the only church that has the power of God... the priesthood to support us.  And we center it all around Jesus Christ and his teachings.  It is so simple yet so amazing. 

Last night we got to watch the Sunday morning session live at a member's house it was so amazing. The people here treat it like the biggest holiday of the year and back home we treat it like a day for rest and barely give it any thought. Well at least that was me... These talks have been designed for us and will lead us in our lives and I am so grateful we have a prophet that holds all the keys of the priesthood.  As a ward we will see them on the 26th and 27th.  I cannot wait. 

Love, Elder Olson

Oh and the investigators are doing good.  Emmie is still not with Temwa because Temwa doesn't have a job so they won't let her get her.  If mom is interested tell her to contact Temwa on Facebook...  Emmie needs help but I'm not sure what we can do.. Temwa's full name is Temwa Utonga I think. I'll tell her to add mom on Facebook haha. We still have 3 baptisms set for the 20th which is Temwa Pauline and Sethu!  We are so excited and really hope that it works out. Peter is moving but there will be missionaries in his area!

(About Amy – the 3 year old that was living with Temwa) Her dad left the mom and the mom went to work in the streets and left Emmie in the home

(I put this next comment because we all had to laugh that Jon was referring to $3.50 as a lot of money.  I am so happy he is learning some concept of the value of money.  That was a foreign concept to him.) haha sweet and make sure you get your moneys worth in the box… mimis and bubbas cost me 3 dollars and 50 cents so stuff them full of stuff