Hello everyone!
It was another great week here in Texas! We had zone conference this week and it was one of my favorite zone conferences that I have had on my mission. We talked a lot about different questions that we can ask people in order to have a gospel conversation with them. A lot of the questions that we came up with were centered around family. Families are so important and most people want the very best for their family. In this day and age, it can be difficult to know what you need to do to protect your family from the craziness of the world. I know that the message that I share as a missionary, the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is a message that will bless families. As we rely on the Savior, we can draw closer as a family. As we try to model our lives after the Savior, we will be filled with lasting peace.
On Sunday night we were able to gather some of the recent converts from the YSA ward and do family history! They were able to find out more about their ancestors and add them to their family tree. The reason why it was so exciting to do family history is that they are then able to take the people that they found doing family history and take them to the temple. In the temple they can be baptized in behalf of their ancestors. I know that so many of our relatives that have pass on are able to learn about the gospel in the spirit world. I know that they are waiting for us to find them so that they can receive the ordinance of baptism. One of the family history consultants that was there was even able to help me find family names. I realized that even though, my family tree is able to go back many, many generations that there is still a lot of family history work to do. I look forward to learning more about how I can do my own family history!
Have a great week!
Sister Olsen
Exchanges with Sister Wells
July 31, 2017
Hello Everyone!
We had a great week this week! On Wednesday we had a meeting for all of the new missionaries and their trainers. I enjoyed being able to learn more how I can help Sister Swarts. She is doing so well and is already an amazing missionary. I love being able see her grow and become more comfortable with Missionary life. On the way back we stopped by Buc-ees. It is the the largest gas station I have ever seen. Sometimes the quote "everything is bigger in Texas " is really true.
This week we also went on exchanges and I was able to work with Sister Giles for the day. We went by and visited a couple of our new investigators with a member. The member recently moved into the ward and is a convert to the church. She has a great story and is more than willing to come out with us. One of our investigators we met street contacting earlier in the week. When we went by again with the member, he was about to head off to work. However, our member was able to share her testimony of Moroni 10:3-5. She told us how it blew her mind the first time that she heard that "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things".
On Sunday in the family ward, we were able to talk to all of the adults about our new initiative for the ward mission plan. We called it "finding our flock" I also like to think of it as our personal ministry. Basically, it was an invitation for everyone to write down all of the people that they interact with on a regular/ semi regular basis. By doing this, you are able to identify people who are in your sphere of influence. Once you have your list of people, you can pray and ponder on how you can serve these people. You can ask yourself how can I be a better friend? How can I share my testimony with them or uplift them? I have a strong testimony that every one of us has people in our lives for a reason. It is our opportunity and privilege to reach out and serve them. I know that as we look beyond ourselves and serve those around us that we will be filled joy and love. One of my favorite scriptures that goes along with this is Mosiah 27:36-37 "And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth."
Hope y'all have a great week!
Sister Olsen
Pictures 1-2 new missionary meeting/ Buc-ees
Picture 3 exchanges
Picture 4 how many cats can you see in one yard?
August 7, 2017
It is crazy that another transfer has come and gone. I am grateful for
the opportunity to serve in this area with Sister Swarts for another
transfer. I love the people here so much it will be hard to ever
leave.
This week I was reminded that everything works out in the Lord timing.
We had an appointment with a less active member last week and it ended
up getting pushed back a week. This week we had planned to go with our
ward mission leader to visit, but he ended up not being able to make
it last minute. Luckily, we were able to ask a member that lived on
their street if they could come with us. They were able to come and
got along really well with the less active member. Their kids are
similar ages and both go to the same charter school. I know that it
wasn't a coincidence that everything worked out the way that it did.
We have been reteaching the missionary lessons to a less active
members for a couple months now. He hasn't been able to go to church
in awhile because he works on Sunday. However, yesterday he came! He
was able to work it out so that he could come to sacrament meeting. He
also has a family that he takes care of and the mom is interested in
her kids going to Sunday School. Hopefully, we will be able to help
her come to church sometime soon.
One of the scriptures that I read this week was Alma 37:6 "That by
small and simple things are great things brought to pass". I know that
many of the things that we do are simple. We serve people, we listen
to people, and we teach people about the Savior and the way the gospel
blesses families. I know that as we do the small things and exercise
our faith, we are able to see the tender mercies of the Lord all
around us. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve and to be
filled with the joy and the peace that comes from Christ-like service.
Have a great week!
Sister Olsen
Pictures1:We volunteered at a senior center and found giant playing cards
Picture 2: District/ zone picture
August 14, 2017
Hi everyone!
It was another great week here in Texas! I have come to learn that
the mission has it difficult parts and some amazing moments that make
everything all worth it. Wednesday was a classic example of this. We
started off by driving out to service excited to help sweet old ladies
play bingo. However, once we got there, we learned that the activities
director wasn't there that day. So, service was canceled for the day
and we had an extra couple of hours to go out and work in the Texas
heat! We tried our best to make the most of our extra time. We weren't
able to find anyone new until the very end of the night. We went to
stop by one one person before heading in, but once we got there we
didn't think they would be home. Instead, I parked the car and went to
talk to someone who was moving. On our way there we met Lector. He had
a lot of misconceptions about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. We
were able to clear them up as we taught about the Restoration of the
Gospel. We invited him to church and then headed home for the night.
This Sunday he came to church! He was able to stay for all three hours
and meet many of the ward members. We are excited to continue to help
him gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Talking to everyone always creates interesting experiences. This week
we talked to someone who was outside picking pears from his tree.
After talking to him, he offered us some and end up giving us 20
pears! We then able to share some of the pears with another family in
the neighborhood.
Our Sacrament meeting this week was focused on gratitude. I know that
when we take time and remember what we are thankful for we are
happier! We are able to see the way God has blessed our lives. There
are always things that will be difficult in life, but there are also
always things to be thankful for. I know that we will always have a
loving Heavenly Father and Savior to be there for us.
Hope y'all have a great week!
Sister Olsen
It was another great week here in Texas! I have come to learn that
the mission has it difficult parts and some amazing moments that make
everything all worth it. Wednesday was a classic example of this. We
started off by driving out to service excited to help sweet old ladies
play bingo. However, once we got there, we learned that the activities
director wasn't there that day. So, service was canceled for the day
and we had an extra couple of hours to go out and work in the Texas
heat! We tried our best to make the most of our extra time. We weren't
able to find anyone new until the very end of the night. We went to
stop by one one person before heading in, but once we got there we
didn't think they would be home. Instead, I parked the car and went to
talk to someone who was moving. On our way there we met Lector. He had
a lot of misconceptions about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. We
were able to clear them up as we taught about the Restoration of the
Gospel. We invited him to church and then headed home for the night.
This Sunday he came to church! He was able to stay for all three hours
and meet many of the ward members. We are excited to continue to help
him gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Talking to everyone always creates interesting experiences. This week
we talked to someone who was outside picking pears from his tree.
After talking to him, he offered us some and end up giving us 20
pears! We then able to share some of the pears with another family in
the neighborhood.
Our Sacrament meeting this week was focused on gratitude. I know that
when we take time and remember what we are thankful for we are
happier! We are able to see the way God has blessed our lives. There
are always things that will be difficult in life, but there are also
always things to be thankful for. I know that we will always have a
loving Heavenly Father and Savior to be there for us.
Hope y'all have a great week!
Sister Olsen
August 21, 2017
Hi everyone!
It was another hot and humid week here in Texas. This week we were able to go out and talk to a lot of people. Our mission has been trying to talk to 10 new people a day. It can be difficult because there are not always a lot of people outside. However, on Saturday we were determined to meet our goal. That night, after being outside for most of the day, I could feel myself becoming really tired. We continued to talk to people and eventually met a nice older woman out working in her yard. We were able to share the Prince of Peace video and she loved it! She had met missionaries before, but we were never able to meet her because her gate was always locked. She is open to meeting with us in a members home and hopefully we can set something up soon. The part of all of this that touched me the most was that after we had finished talking to her I no longer felt tired. For me, it was a personal example of how our burdens can be made light as we remember the Savior. Throughout scripture we learn about how Christ can strengthen us. In Matthew 11:28 the Savior says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". In the Book of Mormon it says " the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea the lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease" (Mosiah 24:15). I know that these scriptures are true! I know that no matter how small or large life challenges may seem that they can be made light as we remember our Savior. I am so thankful for all of the small and simple ways that I am blessed as I serve.
Picture: All of the sisters in the zone! This week we also had a stake meeting with all of the missionaries and the Ward members who are called to help the missionaries. It was a great meeting and we learned how we can plan/ work together to meet the needs of others. We had some Sisters stay at our apartment that night and it was fun to spend time with them. Unfortunately we spent all of our time talking that we forgot to take a picture.
Have a great week!
Sister Olsen
