Week 22: The Doctrine of Christ

January 25, 2017

Hey guys,

It's been a good week! It started off with a training from President Harris, which has given me a bit of a boost for this week, but I'm sorry to say that apart from that this week has been pretty uneventful.

One thing that's been happening in the past weeks has been an outbreak of wildfires. They're all over the region, and apparently the fire in Talca is the biggest in Chile's history. (click link for news coverage). Argentina, Brasil, and supposedly even France have been helping the Chileans fight the fires. The sky is often full of smoke. With the earthquakes and fires, we often end up thinking of Second Coming scenarios.

The past couple of days, Elder Jorgensen (the 6'6"elder from Arizona he mentioned in past letter who lives in the same casa) has been pretty sick. We're in the same district, and we've done exchanges so that I can stay home and talk to him in English. I've enjoyed the opportunity to just relax for a day.

This week during our training with President, a large portion was devoted to teaching the Doctrine of Christ, which consists of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. During both the training and my personal interview 3 weeks ago, President Harris really stressed the importance of teaching repentance as a part of this process. Too often missionaries skip straight to Baptism as soon as their investigators start to demonstrate faith, and rob them of the amazing change of heart that comes as a part of the repentance process. Because of this, there are thousands of inactive converts in our mission alone.

Outside of the mission, we sometimes make the same mistake. We look forward to becoming clean by partaking of the sacrament, but we forget to use the gift of repentance. I hope we can all make use of the blessing of repentance a little more in our lives.

Say your prayers,
Read your scriptures,
Go to church,
I love you guys,
Elder Olson

The smokey skies at least make for beautiful sunsets

Elder Haar (thanks to him for all these pictures), Elder ?, and Elder Olson in the flowered hat, eating watermelon to stay cool in the 100 degree heat

smoke filling the skies 

NOTE FROM ELDER OLSON's MOM: Elder Olson mentioned that the firefighters in Chile are all volunteers. There is no organized fire fighting department. These people have to take time off of work  (often unpaid leave) to go fight the fires for no pay. In addition, agriculture is their main source of industry so these fires are really taking their toll on the people and the country. Please pray for rain and for the wild fires to cease for the Chileans and for the safety of all.

week 21: Patience

1/18/17

Hey everybody!

This week has flown by. I can't believe we're already 4 weeks into this transfer.

It's been a rough week down here. We've left the majority of our investigators because they weren't progressing, which leaves us with little to do besides contact (going door to door). Luckily the investigators we do have are progressing well, especially Javiera.

Javiera right now is as golden as ever. She came to all 3 hours of church on Sunday and is reading and praying to see if the Book of Mormon is true. Although we did discover a problem, in that she's super flirty with my companion. As funny as it is to watch her make him uncomfortable, we're going to have to explain to here why that has to stop.

Speaking of my companion, he just about got into a full on fight with our Elders Quorum president during 3rd hour classes on sunday. The Presidente was saying that the Bible was more important than the Book of Mormon during the class. Elder Ramirez got very upset and started Bible bashing right away, but it was no use. He wanted to have a visit with the Quorum President that day, but I'm making him wait until tomorrow to give him time to cool down.

Today Elder Jorgensen and Elder Borges found a giant cow skull and brought it home and put it in our office. It totally scared the crap out of me when I first walked in but it was pretty funny.

We've had a few accidents around the San Clemente house this change. So far we've had a broken window, a smashed bed frame, and today I got to kick in a door. It's been fun, but I think the married (senior) missionaries are getting tired of our calls.

This week i've been hitting the Christlike attribute of patience pretty hard in my personal studies. Patience is an attribute that I've had to work at for a long time. I like to get things done and see the results now. I love Mosiah 23:21, which reminds me that sometimes we don't see the changes we want to see in our lives because God tests our patience as well as our faith. If you have a Preach My Gospel, I highly recommend the personal study activity on pg 120 (or click link and scroll down to Patience section). If not, read Alma 26:27 and then look for the blessings the sons of Mosiah received because of their patience throughout the chapter. They were blessed a million times over for their patience, and you will be too! As a servant of the Lord, I testify that patience, diligence, and faith bring blessings that are more than worthwhile, and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Amor,
Elder Olson

Photos he sent this week... The San Clemente Area, Flower, and cow skull

Week 20: BE DILIGENT! New Year, New Companion, New Investigator

January 11, 2017

Friends and Fam,

Wow, this week has seriously flown by. Crazy the way time moves in the mission. I feel like I've been in the field for a really long time, but it also feels like I was in the airport in Salt Lake just yesterday. Elder Haar checked our progress tracker on Monday and we're already through 20% of our missions! Wild how this stuff works.

One of the highlights of this past week has been working with Javiera, a new 22 year old investigator who we found this week. I don't want to jinx anything, but I have to say that this girl is GOLDEN. In our fist lesson she pulled out a notebook and started taking notes. She's read each time we leave her with something to read, and she writes the questions she has. We are able to stay on topic during the lessons and the spirit was super strong during our last visit. She actually reared up during the closing prayer. She probably won't get baptized until after I leave San Clemente, but I'm super excited to work with her.

Another highlight of this week has been hearing about all the crazy dreams of the Chileans. I don't know how I've forgotten to mention this earlier, but seriously the majority of the people here believe that they have had some kind of vision through dreams. For example, our Elders Quorum president legitimately believes that he's seen Jesus. Other investigators believe they've seen angels, or the spirit world or even the supposed 7 layers of Hell. We've also had to resolve some doubts of one of our investigators that came from a book she's been reading entitled, "Jesus is an Extraterrestial." Let's just say we have our fair share of work to do thanks to  dreams and somewhat crazy beliefs.

This week I've also been reminded a little bit of the importance of attitude. I've had trouble this week with my motivation to be diligent and really get out and work. I've been a little sick of the lack of progression in my 3 changes in San Clemente, despite my diligent efforts. A scripture that President Harris shared with me reminded me of the reason for diligent obedience. In Jacob 4:5-6, Jacob talks about how his people had to keep the law of Moses, which was scrict and specific and difficult to relate to spiritual progression (a little bit like the rules we follow as missionaries). The reason the Nephites followed this law according to this scripture was to orient their souls toward Christ. I was reminded that even if my diligence wasn't visibly bringing the souls of San Clemente to Christ, if was bringing me closer to Him and that's worth the effort.

I hope that all made sense. Love you guys. Have a good week!

Nos Vemos,
Elder O

Elder Olson and Elder Ramirez (his new comp from Argentina)

Noting the communist party sign in town

Barbeque

Top Dog (Completos)

Week 19: Feliz ano nuevo! Happy New Year!

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.

Con amor,
Elder O

Week 18: Christmas in the Summer

December 27th, 2016

Hey Everybody,

Feliz Navidad! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas last week. It was awesome for me down here to be able to experience Christmas in a different culture, and even more awesome to be able to talk with my family.

Christmas is actually pretty different down here. For one thing, we eat a lot of barbeque because it's the middle of summer. Also, they open all of their presents at midnight, which I find pretty weired. We spent our time with our investigators and members, but went out to work like normal on Sunday night.

The last week has been crazy. We almost got caught in a street fight between about a dozen people. On Christmas we tried to help a lady who had broken her knee that we passed in the street. After talking to her for a minute, we discovered that her and her drunk husband were trying to get to her cousins house to avoid the cops. Our branch president showed up and told us to leave her and the police pulled up as we walked away and we're not sure whether they arrested her or took her to prison.

Another experience that I had this week was the death of a ward member. We had to take care of the chapel during the viewing of a woman from the ward who died of brain cancer. Her family is in a lot of pain, but they find comfort in the knowledge that now "[she] will rest from all [her] troubles, and from all care, and sorrow." (Alma 40:12) Her widower spouse also share the comfort that he receives from Mosiah 16:8, which teaches us that "the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."

I testify that this is true. Thanks to Him, all of us will partake in the resurrection, and each one of us has the opportunity to experience eternal life. I am forever grateful for His sacrifice.

Que les vaya bien,
Elder Olson

His Christmas gifts (we sent these with him in his suitcase when he left home)

His favorite of the gifts...cinnamon Life cereal

Elder Olson's companion was leaving for home the day after christmas so they visited with several members and investigators. 

Week 17: Prayer and Faith

December 16, 2016

Friends and Fam,

Hey everyone, another crazy week here in San Clemente. Actually, I spent most of the week outside of my sector. On Wednesday we had the opportunity to participate in a Christmas program in an addiction recovery facility. We sang a lot of Christmas hymns and a version of "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul." The spirit was so strong.

This week Elder Santini went to the temple up in Santiago to finish off his mission, so I took the four hour bus ride to Licanten to do exchanges with an Elder Pollard. That seriously has to be the prettiest sector in the mission. We had some good visits, and the second day I got to go to the beach! We weren't going to go, but we had a baptismal interview with a kid from a nearby beach town. He was going to come to Licanten, but plans changed when we got a call saying that the kid's mom had been stabbed. It was a really crazy situation, but he's going to be baptized and his family's starting to take lessons. Pretty awesome.

Awhile ago we contacted a woman named Mary who had recently lost a daughter. We shared the Book of Mormon and Alma 40:11-12, set an appointment to teach her, and never saw her again. A month went by without any contact, but on Sunday we found her again. She started reading, and she says that our book has changed her life. She's shared it with her boss and nephew, and she reads it to her aunt and every time it makes them both cry. She has a testimony as strong as any member here. Obviously we were thrilled, but she got a call from her boss calling her to work up north for the next 4 months. She leaves this Thursday. We're going to do everything we can to make sure the missionaries up there get her reference, and I'm confident that she'll be baptized at some point, even if I don't get to see it.

During my time in the mission I've seen a lot of little miracles, and a few not so little. This week especially, I've seen answer to prayer after prayer. I also know that these blessings have come to us through faith. I testify of Matthew 17:20 and 21:22, that through faith accompanied by action you can accomplish any righteous goal that you may set.

Much love and Merry Christmas!
Elder Olson

Elder Olson and his comp, Elder Santini, with President and Sister Harris

traveling to Licanten

Church in Licanten (not sure if this is the actual church bldg or just church owned bldg)

spotting the ocean in Licanten

another glimpse of the ocean

beach wedding in the distance

A Half-Meter long (18") Completos. Working on putting back on the 7lbs he's lost so far.

Elder Borges Birthday

Traveling together to a Zone meeting with the Mission President (thanks to Elder Haar for the pic). Elder Olson is on the far left. 

Elder Olson's Zone. (Thanks to Elder Haar for the picture). He is second in from the left on the back row.

A LETTER FROM THE MISSION PRESIDENT TO ELDER OLSON'S FAMILY THIS WEEK:

Dear Parents and family of Elder Olson,

Merry Christmas from the Chile Rancagua Mission. During the month of December our missionaries have been busy sharing the message, “Ilumina el Mundo”, “25 Ways in 25 Days.” The video on mormon.org has been a great way to start conversations about the gospel and following Jesus Christ.

For our December zone conferences the missionaries have come to the mission home and prepared a program of music and scripture messages about Jesus Christ. We then shared our program at care centers and drug rehabilitation centers. The missionaries and the audiences were touched by the message of the Savior.

Thank you for the love and support that you give your missionary. We love Elder Olson and we are thankful that he is serving in our mission.

Merry Christmas!

President and Sister Harris

Week 16: Member Missionary Work is important

December 12, 2016

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I wasn't able to write individually this week. For Pday we went up to a Nature Reserve called Vilches. Luckily to make up for the lack of emails, I'll be sending a lot of photos, and a picture's worth a thousand words, right?

Vilches was absolutely gorgeous. We woke up early to take the hour and a half bus ride up there. When we got there they told us the most beautiful vistas would be a two day hike, about 24 km (nearly 15 miles) to a viewpoint called Enladrillo. On the way, we saw condors, insects, beautiful views and a tarantula they call "The Little Chicken Spider." We ran basically straight up the mountain and did the two day climb in six hours because we're stubborn like that. We also met a French backpacker named Jeremy who was our buddy for a little while. It was cool to hear Spanish spoken with a French accent.

This week we've been teaching the Bolivian friend of a member family. It's really cool to see the difference it makes in the conversion process when the members are so involved.

We also found out this week that one of the only three members that accompanies us hasn't technically been a member for several years. My respect for that member has grown a lot, because they are one of the most active and helpful people in the branch in spite of their membership status. It's a great reminder to us that it doesn't matter where we are on the straight and narrow path, but what does matter is which direction we're moving on that path. The Church is true and I love you all!

Elder Olson

He said this is one of the friendly spiders in their Casa. This kind of spider eats the other spiders so they don't kill it.

Street of San Clemente

Information Center at the Nature Reserve

 

The views at the beginning of the hike

off he goes to run up the mountains

Mountain views

rest shelter

Beginning to climb to the view Enladrillado

up at the top

beautiful skyline

the views over the vista

The group of Elders at the top

Large insect

One of his companions beginning the hike

the Little Chicken Spider (tarantula)