Sorry about last week, I forgot to send the pictures/letter when I got to the chapel. I've tried to take a ton of pictures to make up for it, so hopefully you can all forgive me.
As some of you know, this week I got transferred to Buin C in the north end of the mission. My new companion's name is Elder Terrazas. He's about 5'1", obedient but not "square," chill, quiet, and the #2 Clash of Clans player in Bolivia so that's pretty dope.
This sector is basically the best thing ever. We're in the Buin branch of the Buin district, and the mission work here with the members is great. The ward mission leader is a machine. He's a bodybuilder who isn't afraid to accompany us and talk to/organize the members. The ward has the most complete mission plan I've ever seen. The members support us and feed us more than we could ask for, and the house has a guitar. We have bikes here as well, which is a fun change of pace. I couldn't have asked for a better area.
This week we set a baptismal date for what I think will be my first baptism on the mission. His name is Antonio, he's 10 years old, his mom is less active and his sister is a recent convert. He reads, prays, and goes to church, and is on track to be baptized the 25th of this month.
During my study this week I came across a quote from President Lorenzo Snow that caught my attention. It says:
“There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children”
The Lord really cares about each one of his lost sheep.
Amor,
Elder Olson
The street where they live
the Buin Area
Elder Olson's first area with a bike
Elder Olson in Buin
Pretty trellis and path leading up to the apartment/casa
Sleeping quarters in the house
coming in to the house
Kitchen and eating area
Making Empanadas with the members
Elder Terrazas and Elder Olson and little Chilean girl making Empanadas
Elder Terrazas and Elder Olson and 2 Chilean Ladies
A picture note telling us he wouldn't be able to email until later in the week because of the New Year's holiday. We love that he thinks of us and doesn't want us to worry. His buddy Elder Haar is in the background.
January 3, 2017
Hey everyone,
Feliz ano nuevo! It's crazy that we're starting into a new year. I feel like the time is flying here, but I can't believe I've only been a missionary for a few months. I'm excited about this year as it may be the only full calendar year in my life dedicated to the Lord.
We spent new year's eve in the house. We had to be in the house by 7, so we just made a ton of food, including Choripan, which is basically just hot dogs with shorter sausages and pico de gallo. After eating too much, we went to bed at the normal time. Definitely my most relaxed New Year's in a while.
So hey, I got my new companion this week! He's an Argentinian names Elder Ramirez. So far he's awesome and we get along super well. he's a bit more relaxed and less formal than Elder Santini, which has been a nice change of pace. However, I do have to put in a bit of an extra effort to be diligent with him.
Our other new housemate and comp of Elder Borges is a 6'6" gringo with one change more than me in the mission. He struggles a bit with his Spanish, but is super chill and awesome to have around. A good missionary.
Seeing how my companion is new to the sector, a lot of responsibility falls on me as far as planning and leading the area. It's been good practice for me to have to take the steering wheel for a little bit more. We've been putting in a lot of effort, and we might even be able to get some solid baptismal dates set this week.
As for this week's spiritual thought, we recently shared the Mormon Message entitled "Priveleges" (I think that's what it's called, obviously we share it in Spanish), which portrays a man who goes on a cruise and spends the voyage eating nothing but beans. (Watch the rest to see what he was missing). I also recently watched a devotional from Elder Bednar about the enabling power of the atonement. Often we focus only on how the atonement gives us a remission of sins, and we forget that it can also give us great strength. No matter your trial, pray for strength to overcome it, and it will be given to you. Don't forget about the enabling and strengthening power of the atonement.
