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