Week 42: Leaving Buin & God Forgives

June 12, 2017

Hola Familia!

This weekend we received the changes (transfers), and...

I'm leaving Buin!

I'm going down South again, to the STake Center in Curico`. It'll be interesting; I've been assigned to be a Zone Leader there. I was really, really surprised. I'll be the Zone Leader with the least time in the mission, along with 1 other Elder from my group. My new companion's name is Elder Heap, from Arizona. He's another ex-mission secretary, who goes home this change. They say that my ward (the Alameda Ward) is really strong, and their ward mission leader is a machine. This will be my first ward in the mission (up until now I've had only branches), so I'm really excited.

The sad part is that they're closing my sector here in Buin. It'll be part of the sector of the other Elders.The good news is that my companion will be staying here with one of the Elders from the other sector, so they won't be in a "whitewash," where neither Elder knows the sector.

Carolina Soto and her family are progressing! Carolina is now 10 days smoke free, and her whole family came to church yesterday. We set a baptismal date with her husband Jose`, who opened up to us and told us about his drug addiction. I'm bummed that I'll have to leave them.

In my study, I recently came across Helaman 11. It amazes me how quick God is to forgive, and how quick we often are to forget. He wants to bless us. I hope we can all take advantage of repentance and God's quick and joyful forgiveness. I also hope that we can all be slow to forget all that He's done for us.

Love,
Elder Olson

Elder Olson's District in Buin

Monday June 5, 2017 , Barbeque the Elders (Mom note: Not sure what this really means or what it is a picture of) 

A Member (in the blue sweater) likes to feed the missionaries. Final time together.

Week 37: Nasty Dog Bite but Great Investigators

May 8, 2017

Hey all,

I feel like we've been working on overdrive this last week. I spent the majority of Friday and Saturday this weekend in leadership trainings/meetings. I went down to the mission home in Rancagua friday. It was cool to see some other Elders from my group down there, and it's always great to have trainings with President (Harris). He has a big vision for elevating the mission, and works unlike anybody I've ever met. I have a lot of respect for him.

Another dog bit me this last Thursday. The funny part of that was that I was on my bike and the dog only had 3 good legs. I've just gotten too relaxed with the dogs, and in the middle of the night on a country road, I didn't see it coming. The bummer is that this time it broke skin, so I had to go to the hospital for shots (rabies shots). They sent us to the ER, where we waited for 5 hours. Eventually we made some calls and FINALLY Monday we got in to get treated.

We had a district (like a stake but smaller) conference this last Sunday. President Harris gave a great talk addressing one at a time each age group of members.

We have some investigators with baptismal dates who are progressing well. Jose Lara is a 43 year old shy single man who has a date for June 3rd. We're also teaching an awesome family; Cardina, Jose and their sone Jose Aladres. They have a baptismal date for June 17th and are currently working on church attendance and the Word of Wisdom.

I've recently taken Russell M. Nelson's challenge to read, mark, and study every scripture under Jesus Christ in the topical guide. I've enjoyed learning things about the life and ministry of the Savior. He lives. This is his church.

Love,
Elder Olson

Elder Olson's cousin Derek was down in the mission visiting his maternal grandparents (who live in the mission) and ran into Elder Olson in the attempt to deliver his package to the mission home. Elder Olson was there for a training. God must've had a hand in this crossing of paths because they haven't seen each other for nearly 3 years since Derek returned home from his mission to Chile a half hour after Elder Olson left on the plane for his mission to Chile.

Zone Pday group shot (Elder Olson front left)

The 3 legged dog's bite...not horrible...didn't tear his pants he said...but did break the skin.

Elder Villegas (his new Columbian companion) trying to stay warm studying. The temperatures have begun to drop. Cold Fall weather and wet rains have begun.

Elder Olson drinking Mate to stay warm. He said he's worn his rain boot/galoshes and isn't a fan of the rain because they have to walk about 45 minutes just to get to the start of their sector and can't get the to furthest parts of their sector without their bikes (which they can't ride when the rain is bad)