Dec 3rd-Well Here Again

So some really great news this week, or yesterday the local pro soccer team won the liga mexican! that's like them winner the super bowl! So its been really energizer today and really cool. so we are are really happy for that. also we had a really spiritual day yesterday in the sacrament meeting were we had an investigator stand up and bare his "testimony"about what he had felt that same day. I really did feel the spirit very strong, and the members also really liked it. so i feel bad that today i'm not going to write much, But next week i will write more and even send some pictures to yall because i think it has been a while. Today i am going to take some money out to buy some new shoes and maybe a couple other things to give away for christms. But like always thanks for your suppport and until next time,

rememeber that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Me Again-Nov 26th

Well here i am writing to you all. very happy. First of all about the Christmas packages i did open them, but anything that was wrapped i didn't get into. Ni the stockings either. so i still have those. yes i am starting to give away the t-shirts. So thanks so much for those.  this week really did fly by, just like all the other weeks. but it was good. WE have been working hard with the Zone we are in charge of, and this week they have really gotten better in a lot better aspects. That made me really happy yesterday when we took the report, but still much work to be done. we are also getting ready for christmas here in the mission. making planes to have a merry christmas, and have some activitys also, to bring to true meaning of christmas to the People. So like always its good to hear from you. just know that i am doing great, and very happy, very blessed.

But just remember

That everyone loves a missionary,

Elder olsen

Well Hello To Everybody-Nov 19

This has been an interesting day and its only tweleve Oclock. but its good.

So thanks to the school mess i will try and write some today but not a ton. also It was a great week. very busy and i have some news but i don't what you to get mad.

Promise that you won't get made!11

Yesterday i went to the offices and there was my two Christmas packages!!!! jajajaja i don't know how this crazy mail system works but i have them now. ( no letters just packages)  and thanks very much

But now with a little bit of a happier note. All is good here. this week is the week of meetings. We had one yesterday of all the Zone leaders in the mission. Wed. in the morning we have a training meeting with the president. and wed at night we have a meeting for the ward. thursday at night we have a meeting with the mission Pres. and the stake president about the stake and the progress in the last month. SSSOOOOOOOOOOOOO its going to go by really fast this week. its just going to fly by. But i am really happy, glad to be a missionary and have so many blessings from my hevenly father.

se que dios nos ama, y que tiene un plan para cada uno de nostros. Y que podemos regresar a el.,

but until next time, always

remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder olsen

Well.....Nov 12

Well the letter that i received this week really has me thinking. and i realize that that time really doesn't slow down. And this past week really make me think alot also. There was a missionary from here in the ward that got home from his mission wed. and we have talked a couple of times about how it was leaving the mission and getting home. what he was done this week and whats hes going to do. and its actually scary. just a little bit. but i know that its coming. But its great. This week to really get us excited was we had a super baptism. a 20 year old man named Miguel, really has changed his life and his best friend really helped him out alot to get him baptised. and the best part is one stake here in Tijuana got a new stake president on saturday, so miguel went with his friend to the stake conference after the baptism service. and Elder Alonso came and found out that he was baptised that same day so he pasted him in front of the stake conference and talked with him about his converson process. Miguel really felt a little shy more when afterward we showed the picture of elder Alonso out the Ensign. but also felt really important also.

So its a great week. Its cool now here also. no snow like back at home , but we did get rain. Which makes the trails a little muddy but all part of the experience. I am so happy, and so blessed. I know that my heavenly father loves me and i have come to see the promise of the book of mormon, as long as they keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the Land!!!!! i love it.

but keep reading the book of mormon, keep fulfilling your callings, and lose yourself in the work of the lord. love you all, and remember,

that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

p.s mom: about the school letter, thank you so much for looking into all that school stuff, and don't get mad when i tell you that i am not sure what i am going to do when i get home. But i am going to start to think about it. With some heavy praying also. and maybe next week i will have a little more information for you. but thanks so much. love you mom

p.s.s. i think i am going to take out some money today. thanks

I got Ideas-Nov 5th

Well thats right today was the transfers. and i stayed en the same spot. its good and bad. Good because i know the whole ward, but bad because its going to be the ward where i will stay the longest. But im happy.

Yesterday we had the area seventy come here to talk with the members about the work of Salvation. Chapter 5 of Manual 2. Its really great. and he was talking about all the ways that the missionary work is changing. all the changes that will we are doing and WILL be don't. for example. We as missionarys don't knock on doors anymore here in MExico!!! Its something really cool to watch this change. Were we are working more with the members to find the people to teach, and we just teach! Its great! but it is taking sometime to change habits. So thats what we were talking about yesterday.

Plus i was thinking about the christmas box. I THINK i am going to be here in this ward one week before Christmas. SOOO. i think what you should send me is candy, not to much. and maybe some more jerserys or T-shirts that i can give away. I don't know for sure but maybe a nice shirt of Real Salt Lake, or Jazz , or Cougars. i don't know but maybe 3 shirts to give away to missionarys or members. So i leave it to you. but just know that i love you all and that the work goes on. Its very tiring but we keep working.

and like always just remember that eveyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

October 29th-Hello Again

Well it was a great week here in Tijuana. we are beginning to have some weird weather here also. in the morning its cold, in the afternoon its hot, and then at night its cold again. soooooo. we normally are carrying a jacket with us where every we go now thanks to the weather. and mini golf was good last week. i came in second place. right behind the President's assistant(i couldn't beat my boss so i let him win) but it was good. and today we got approved to go laser tagging. so in about 30 mins we are going to head on over there and that should be really cool. also.

this week was good because we had a baptism. his name is Leobardo Damian Caballero. or Damian. he once was a catholic missionary, so he has great knowledge about the scriptures but never really under stood them. so he came into contact with the missionarys. and he has gained a testamony about the book of mormon and really understands the scriptures better. it has been a great exprerice and yesterday we had the primary program and i loved it. we had 2 kids we baptised participate, and an investigador also got up and sang even said his line. really great. i felt the spirt so stongry. it has been a great experience and much more to come. i love jesus christ, i love his gospel, i love life, i love my famliy, and i love the mision.

thanks for all your suppoprt,
and remember,
that everybody loves a missionary,

elder Olsen

Mail-October 22nd

Well yes i did recive mail yesterday. We had to go have a meeting in the offices yesterday and i got the package, and chantel's card. so its a good day. Haven't opened them up yet because it has been a reallly crazy couple of days and this week will be no exception. We have another meeting with the mission president Thursday, interviews with him on friday. we are in charge of doing a stake service project wed. cleaning up a nusering home. And wednesday we are going to have a baptismal service. sooo....... its going to be a good week. and right now we are going to go mini golfing with some other mission leaders, so its a great day, and a great week. 

 

This week i have been reading a lot about the 2000 stripling warriors. And i really like it a lot, Alma 48-58 is a lot about wars and all that good stuff. but there is a message that i hadn't learned until i was away from everything that i grew up with to know. how hard it is to go to "war". The lord is preparing the people so that we can teach them the restored goospel.  Yesterday President Carreon: (mission president) told us a lot of things that is going on in the church, especial here in Mexico. the missionarys are changing the way they work, there are going to more missions, and more temples. And we live in a very special time. I am so thankful for the opertunity i have to serve in the time that MY hevenly father called me. i am thankful for my leaders and all the help, and support you give me. Thanks so much!!!!! and until next week,

 

remember that everybody loves a missionary,

 

Elder Olsen

Oct 15th-Some New News is Good News??

Well i have been good here in the mission just let me start off saying before i say everything else.

 

I realized that i havent told you much about my experiences and everything that has happened to me here. Don't worry when i get home i am sure that i will tell a lot. But this past week i got to thinking that i should tell you a little bit more. Starting with last week, why i didn't have anytime to write you all. Last week they sent me an email from the offices of the mission. asking me for all my information about home, becuase they are going to start buying my ticket home. So i had to look up all the information about the stake president etc. But nothing is official yet but i am 95% sure that i will be flying home on the 29 of January 2013. I gave the offices the home phone number so in the next month or two they might call you giving you the information about my plane home. so they might call you. They will tell me in about 2 months about the flight, but pretty sure its going to be the 29th.

 

Second thing this past week i came out with a couple of sicknesses. I tell you know because i am better and there is no need to worry. But i got sick in the stomach, headaches, and temperacher. And at the same time i had the infitigo/ herpis infection come out. So it was an interesting week and a half because i couldn't mix up the medacines, but like i said i am fine now! without problems. SO DON"T WORRY

 

And another thing that we have started here is that we are giving English Classes trying to open up the people to the church. and its been pretty good, we have just started but it lookes like it could bring some good results!

 

So im excited. its a little wierd to think about how fast the time has gone by, but now its just to focus in the time that i have left. I also had a meeting today with the Mission President and it was really good, we talked about how i can help the missioarys out in our zone and have more success. (didn't bring any mail but we have another meeting sunday and i will be sure to search for the cards and packages)

 

But just know that i love the gospel i love life, i love my family, and i am so grateful for all them. i love all of you and hope that all you are good.

 

but remember that everyone loves a missionary,

 

Elder Olsen

October 8th

Well i got to send you some pictures today. Its been a really busy day and sorry for not writing all of you but to quick here are some pictures!!!! its been a great week, the anoucment from Pres. Monson wasn't that big of news here, because they can leave at 18 but i know that it will bring some huge results in missionarys. Times are good. don't forget that i love you all.
and remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Settling In--October 1st

Well this week was pretty normal. :) nothing really exciting this week. but it was a good week.  saturday we had a activity with one of the districts here. We brought 8 missionarys here to our sector and several members from the ward. and we went and visited about 20 less active familiys. An activity of reactivation. it was good. We had 3 of the familys come to church yesterday, and we hope for more the next week. so this week we have been looking for more familys to teach. and they didn't come to church yesterday. but now we have potentials to teach this week. so everything is going good here in tijuana. glad to hear that everything is good there also. I know that the gospel heals the lifes of needed. and that we can find eternal happiness in the gospel.

love you all,

but remember,

that everybody loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Here I Am....Sept 24th

Well its been a long day but everything has just about gone to normal. we got up at 5 today to get everything ready for my two compaions to leave. yes they both left. one to his house and the other one to Mexicali. So i am so happpy that i am not in a trio anymore. Given the cucumstancias, it was preety hard. but that all pasted, and now i am with a new compaion, Elder Aranda. My first compaion from the US! He is from Texas. and i saw him in the MTC. he is cool. and im excited to have him here. He is a new zone leader so i will show him all the way around, and what we have to do. but its good hes really excited and really to work.

But i know that missionary work brings happyness. I know that thanks to the experiences that i have had. I am so grateful to my hevenly father for this great blessing that he has given me. I know that the church of jesus christ is here on the earth today. I have seen the blessings that come from it. And for this i am so thankful also.

I hope you all have a terrific week, and know that i am good,

but remember,

That everyone loves a missionary,

Elder olsen

Sept 17th

But any who. this week was good really busy to. but all is good. yes i am still in trio :( . its definatly not my favorite thing but i quess we keep working at it. also this is the last week of Elder Castro, so next monday i am not sure whats going to happen with the transfers. I am pretty sure that we will stay in trio for the situaction, but we shall see.

This friday we had a baptism service, that was really special. and saturday was independece day. so it was a really good week. We keep working hard. stilll lots and lots of work to do. so its good,

but remember,

that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello Again-Sept 10th

Well this week was good, but i am pretty sure that this next week will be even better.
yesterday we had our stake conference here which was work, and a little bit of a hassel, but its past and it turned our really good. A really spiritul weekend, and i liked it. They talked alot about the temple, how we can be prepared, and that it will come!

So it was good. this week we are going to baptise a family of five~!!!!!!!!!! we are really really excited. they weren't married, but last saturday the got married, and so all good for Friday. Plus saturday is Independence day here in mexico. so we are going to baptise and then throw them a party. (well the stake is going to have the party, we are just inviting) But it will be a great week. hope you all have a great week, and I read the talk from Elder Holland from the conference, and i think you should all read it, and study it. Workers of the vinard. Obreos de la vina. Have a great week, and remember,

that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

septiembre....Sep 3rd

Well the time sure has flow by, but this week was a very interesting week. our new compaion just so you all know, and then dont get mad at me for not saying anything, is not a zone leader like my  compaion and I. He is our junior compaion. SO he was sent to us so that we could help him out a little bit. so this week has been a week of new experiences working in Trio, and we have been learning much this week.

So we have come to another interesting part in the mission were we are teaching a family of 6, but they aren't married . so this week we are going to work a lot with them so they can be baptised this month, which would be a really great experience.

Tomorow we are going to have our council meeting as zone leaders from the whole mision, so today we are going all together again and playing games before tomorrow. so its going to be a great week fulll of work and all good stuff. but i want to all know that i am good. a little bit sunburnt but don't worry, now i am starting to put sunscreen. and the mission is still great.

I hope you all have a great week,
 and always remember ,
that everybody loves a missionary,

Elder olsen

Another Week Has Passed-Aug 27th

Yea so we have had a good week. We were able to find two new familys to teach the gospel and one of them came to church yesterday. Its a family of six. so we are really happy for that. also this week we had special transfers AGAIN. i am not sure why but they sent us another missionary. so now we are walking around in Trio. So the powerhouse compaionship is 3? i don't know. but we should be good. Don't know how long he will be here for. But it should be something new having 2 compaions at the same time. but today we are going to eat right now and then play some soccer. so, its going to be a good day. and this week we have so much work to do.

But don't worry about me i am a doing alright.
But remember that everyone always loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

A Little Bit Longer-Aug 20th

Well i don't have time. jajajaja

Ithink i will write a little bit more today because i think i owe it to you all.

So this week was great. we had a special fast as a mision wed, then Friday we had a multi zone conference, then saturday was probably the best day of the week.  With the ground breaking of the temple. it was a great day with a really special spirit. It was a hot day but everyone was happy. It has certainly been a lesson to learn here in sacrife, and waiting on the lord. it will be such a great blessing to have a temple here. I am so thankful to my hevenly father for calling me here to help prepare the way of building a temple. It hasn't been easy, but i know that it will be worth it. Now in not to much longer there will be temple here. Now we have to work even harder to prepare the people to enter to recive the great blessing of the temple. Very thankful!!


I want to let you know that i love this work. I love this land. I have received many confirmations that this is where Hevenly father needed/ wanted me to serve. I know that the church was restored through jose smith, that he was a profet called of god.

I love you all and hope you have a great week,

but remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello-Aug 13th

Well another week has gone by and this week were transfers. but with the whole changes about three weeks ago. But all is good here. we have to go help the zone with the transfers so i am going to be rather short today. I needed to ask a favor. about  brownies. how do you make them? or what is the recipe because there are several people that want to eat them. so if you could tell me the recipe that would be nice.

Another big news is that they are not going to let us go to the ground breaking, but we can go to the stake center to watch live. But we are still really excited for all the big stuff this week.

but if you could do me that favor for me that would be nice.

but just remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Pictures from summer

Solar eclipse

Hello Again....August 6th

Well another week has pasted, just flying by, and now i have a little bit of time to sit down and write letters.  so today we went to the offices. Ran there, came back and went to the near by town in my zone. called Rosarito. Its a lot different that here in Tijuana, but it was nice to go there and tour a little bit. We now just got back here to our sector. so its been a busy day and its not over yet.

but to answer some of your questions. I am in a part of tijuana that i have never been to before. I am no longer district leader, and today when i went to the offices i got my package. thanks Mom, Grandma, grandpa, y todas las demas.  So we are  really happy.

So i guess i will tell you why im not a  district leader anymore.

They changed me to be a zone leader. So it has been some more changes and other responsibilities, and some getting used to, but its good. We have a zone of 14 missionarys,and  2 sister missionarys. So its been something new.

Another reason that we are happy it we are going to baptise this week!!!! We have only been  teaching her for 2 weeks but the two times she went to church we told us that she knows its the truth! That from the moment she walked in until she got home, she could feel that ¨spirit¨. so she is amazing. Now  we have to keep looking for more!

but thanks for the support. thanks for the pictures. things sure have changed there, People, settings, etc... But thank you all.

I know that we have the church of jesus Christ on the earth today. I am so thankful for the profets that have guied us in these hard days. I have strengthened my testimony so much. For this i am eternally thankful,

Thanks to all,

But remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder olsen

Good and Bad News---July 30th

Well since last week there have been many changes. starting with Tuesday night.

I had a phone call Tuesday at 10;10 at night from one of my liders. and he told me that he had good and bad news.
The bad news, i was leaving my sector. The good news i would go to a good sector. Well it was a little hard news to take. Because they told me that i would leave the next day, Wed., at 8 O clock in the morning. well the truth i wasn't very happy. but what could i do. i started to pack, said goodbye to the misionarys in my district, and went to bed at 2 in the morning after everything was packed. It was hard to leaving without saying goodbye to anybody, the only person that knew i left was the bishop, because we asked him for a ride. but nobody else. So Wed I went in the morning and received my new companion in my new sector. I am STILL here in Tijuana, but i guess that God wants me here so i guess i will stay here a little while longer. but I am now in the ward La Gloria. Its alright. but still getting used to things around here.

So i didn't go and sing, i coudn't go to the conference, but i am sure that it was just terrrific!

So my new compaion is Elder Castro. and hes good. i have known him for sometime now. and we are going to go work here. We found a family to teach this week, and the went to church yesterday so we have much work to do.

but with all the changes the work follows. With the changes this week i didn'tt burn my PANTS, for the 18 month mark, but i think i will do i this week. But all is good.

Everyone loves a missionary, even when everything doesn't go as planned, ;)


Elder Olsen

July 23rd......HELELLEO

Well another week bit the dust and another week is here! This week is going to past be really fast. we just got back from singing with about 35 other missionarys, because this week there is going to be a youth conference for all the youth in Tijuana, and they asked our zone with other zone to sing. so that will be this Thursday, en the afternoon, where we are going to be there. awesome.


So i know its a really short letter, but i hope to make up for it the next week with pictures or something, but for right now, know that i am good, that i am healthy. and i am getting tan in the sun, and that i am happy here. The life of a misisonary is something that is amazing and i know that this work is rewarding, that saves lives spiritually, helps people, and is TRUE! So i hope that you all are reading the scriptures, i am going to try and read the BOM one more time here in the mission field. so have a good one, and remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Beach Time.....July 16th

Well i won´t write much today because we are going to go the beach!!!! well not really but pretty close to the beach. there is a park where we are to go and have a picnic, and play some sports. all with the view of the beach. It should be nice. we have wanted to go from a long time but just now they have given us permission. so its going to be a great p-day.

but this week was good. pretty normal but it was good. this week we had several hard times trying to find people in their houses, but the end of the week yesterday ended well. we seem to be really blessed from our heavenly father will all his love. I am happy to be here i know that we have the gospel of jesus Crist on the earth today, and that is what gives the true happiness to the world. Hope you all have a great week. Thanks for all your support and love, and all ways remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello--July 9th

well all is well here in Tijuana. All  getting really excited for the temple, and all that buzz. But its good news.

Mom, about the package only thing in specific would be smarties, the mexicans really like them. But other that that i think we are good. some pictures would be nice too.

yes i am still district leader, although i have many changes of companions, that remains the same.
i did send the referral to the missionarys so we will see what happens. with that.
but this past week we had a baptism. And it was really special also. we baptized 2 men one 28 years old, and the other 36. The 28 year old is really powerful. I am amazed at what he has done with his life and all that lies ahead. He is  a doctor, has his own practice, goes on the radio station every week, and is on the tv every once and a while. So it was hard to find him to teach him, but now hes a member!!!! Really great to see him make his next goal also. To be sealed in the San Diego Temple!!! Being a missionary is great.

its hard to explain everyone that a missionary feels, but i love it! I am so grateful a my father in heaven for giving me this great opportunity a serve him. I love the work. the time just flys by toooooooo fast! but thats why we have to work harder everyday. I love you all, i wish the best for all of you and that you have a great week. BUT, remember that everyone's a missionary,

ELder oLsEn

President of Mexico, & BIG NEWS----July 2nd

No i am not the president of mexico, but yesterday were the elections and the news is out on the New President of mexico. its not me. Enrique Pena Nieto. but i am just glad that its over.

so this week i did have a companion. Elder Rodriquez from the offices came with me. He was working here for only a week until the transfers came. Which was today. So i have a new companion. Elder Ramirez. he has 6 months in the mission and is really excited to work. So thats good.

Another good thing about this week is that we are going to have a baptism. So that's always a good thing.

Plus probably the biggest new of the week and the newest news hot right of the press is.......................................................................

THEY GAVE THE DATE OF THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE TEMPLE!!!!!!!!!

SO IT JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY BUT THEY HAD SOME SORT OF MEETING YESTERDAY, THE BOSSES AND THEY GAVE THE DATE OF THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY.

IT WILL BE AUGUST 18, 2012. LITTLE MORE THAT 2 MONTHS AWAY. SO IT WILL BE AWESOME.

but i haven't heard it from the Mision President but from missionary's, and our Bishop told us today also. so we´re excited.

so thats whats new here its great news

hope you all have a great week, and until next time,

everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Another Week---June 25th

Well i am writing a little bit later because there has been some changes. My old Companion elder Contla went home today. So he finished his mission, and now i am without a real companion, for a week. I will be with the Mission Secretary for a couple of days, then afterward i don't know. But everything is good and a little crazy without a set companion, but we will see how we work this out.

So thats why i am late, i went to the offices today, and just got back to my sector. so things are good. we had a conference Thursday, and so i got to see some old friends and talk with them a little bit, which was nice, and Elder  Contla said goodbye to everyone. And now its back to work.

So i thought i would share a scripture with you, I think i sent to to you a long time ago. but its a great read. Its the longest Chapter in the book of mormon. What chapter is it? Jacob 5. Its a great one. how the lord of the vineyard loves the vineyard and what he does to help it. read it and think about it.

I know that the lord loves us and is calling us to serve him. in the great work, of  the work of Salvation, Misionary Worrk,

love you all,

and until next time,

remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello With Pictures....June 18th

So I have great news. mom don´t worry because santa came twice this week and i got your package. Thank you so much. And that means that i got the memory stick, which means that i could take all the pictures off of my camera and put them there. and that means that i don´t have the problem of not being able to send pictures from my camera to you. so its a good day.

So the pictures are interesante.

 Elder Boyer from springville, about 6 months ago.

 me with my old companion and the family we baptized.

 story of the dogs here

 before i got here in this sector. they had lost the keys to the church, and the gas tank. When we ran out of gas in our house well we had to break the lock to get new gas. great story

 missionarys in my old district. before last transfers.

hope you like the pictures and have a great week,

and remember, that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Bueno....June 4th

todo esta bien aqui.

well this week was good. We didn't really have anything crazy happen to us this week. but everything is good. We did have our baptism. it was great. We also had several investigators go to the service. So we hope that there will be more soon!!!!!

So this week i think i might get mail. Maybe but im not sure. so im not going to get my hopes up. but i have a meeting this week and sometimes they bring the mail. So hope so.  but i noticed this week when i when to another sector en my district, that i am in a really good spot. Climate wise. my house is always 67-71 degrees. (i got a thermometer so its cool) but its nice.  I love the work. its amazing and it brings so many blessings. I know that i was called to Tijuana by a prophet of God. I know i need to be here, i know that miracles happen all around us. we just don{t notice them at first. Thanks for all the support,  i love you,

And remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello Yellow May 28th

buenas tardes, familia, amigos, y los demás. Este semana nos fuimos muy bien. Estoy conociendo mi nuevo compañero y estamos tratando a encontrar nuevos investigadores.  Pero todo bien porque vamos a tener un servicio bautismal este viernes. Y estamos bien animados por eso. Tambien esperemos a tener mas en el mes de Junio.

Well i have been doing really good lately. The weather is very good. Its about 60-75 degrees all the time. Really nice weather, i normally go the whole day without a jacket but i really like it now. hopeing that it doesn't heat up  to much anytime soon. But i am doing really good. This week we will have a baptism. And so we are getting ready for that this friday. This week we had a really cool experience with a contact. we went to meet a referral from a member, and he started out with a whole bunch of stupid questions and tried to confuse us, and all sorts of stuff. But after about 7 mins talking outside his house, he invited us in, and we taught him a little bit, then we told us to come back next tuesday. just another miracle in the missionary work. When someone has the spirit of contention. The holy ghost can still bare testimony to them, though us as missionarys.

I know that my heavenly father loves me. I am so blessed from all that he has given me. I love him, and i want to serve him. I know that the book of mormon is true. i know that it can help in moments of need. and is another testament of our lord and savior, Jesucristo!

Les Amo mucho,

and remember,

Everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

New Companion May 21

Well like the title says, i got a new companion. Elder Diaz got sent to Mexicali!! Yea were its really hot. But oh well he wanted to go and see how the heat was like. So my new companion is Elder Contla. and he has 22 months in the mission. and goes to his house 3 of July, so we shall see how it goes. I have been good. its starting to heat up now, not to bad but i can feel it coming on.  I am excited to be here and to keep working in the work of the lord. I love the mission and i am learning so many things here, and am eternally grateful also for the opertunidad to be here. I never knew how blessed my family was, or me or how much my heavenly father loves us. Hope you all have a great week, and rememeber that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello May 14th

Well just to straighten it out, i don't go to the offices every week. but i go once and  a while when the call me. But i think that yes maybe i might get mail a little bit more often. Also i did get mail today. a letter from Aunt Jamie, and Mastins. so thank you!

I don't really have much to say after a hour long conversation with you yesterday but know that i am good. and happy, and working. and right now we are going to go play dodge ball with the other elders so i hope to have something a little more interesting to write next week. So don't worry about me and remember that everyone loves a missionary.

Elder Olsen

Skype.....May 7th

Well i don't have anytime again to write. but i think i got everything ready for this mothers day. I have updated me skpye account and so it shouldn't have any problems sunday. i hope its not to late for grandpa and grandma but i will be ready to call you guys at 4:00, my time. 5:00 your time. Because of the church services and everything, but i hope that at that hour everything will be good. The truth is that i wasn't going to use Skype but i asked you guys and got me excited, so everything is good for sunday at 5 your time 4 my time. Love you all and i will see you then.

Cho,

and remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen, reporting live from tijuana

Hello April 30th

Well i don't have much time today to write but this week was better. so i guess from the letter that you want to use skype on mothers day? I guess you want to see me? That's alright i am not how its going to be just yet but sent me username of someones skype, because i am going to see if i can use my old account of if i have to make a new one.

This week was chill. it rained here on Tuesday, and we got pretty wet, but now i think that the heat is coming. Which is good and bad. I still havent gotten mail yet, cards i mean. But everything is good. and so next week i will have more details. but until next time, remeber that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

April 23rd....What a Week

Well this week i really don't know how to explain it. It was a week with some very high highs, and some very low lows.  but right now i am happy.
I am living in a Apartment of one bedroom bathroom. its nice, no we don't have a microwave.

 Very short explaination of the week. WE have had some problems with a missionary in my district, and i have been talking with some of my leaders and we have been trying to help him. But friday about 4 o clock, the assistants to the president called him. and said that he had to be at the offices at 8 with his luggage and everything, because he was going home.  I didn't really know what to think but i felt so bad for him. I don't fully understand why but he only had 4 months left in the mission and now hes home. And i really put me in a sad mood. So that was a low.

But a high was that we baptised a family of 4 this week. Really great story and now time to explain everything but they are awesome. A mother with 4 kids, one that is paralyzed, and has many needs because she is short a egg for a full carton. so that makes things very hard. Then the mom has serve diabetes and cancer. so she is sick often. but we were just so happy for her and her 3 kids that got baptised with her. And they truthfully live on the grace of God.   Very very high,

And yesterday we had another low. I have always wondered how the stake presidentes do the things they do with the missionarys. and yesterday i saw one. so in my district one missionary left and another one came. his name is Elder Herrera. And sunday when we were eating the Mission President called me looking for them, because they didn't answer their phone. So we went looking for them thinking that they were in trouble. Well we found them and went to the church and i called the Mision President to tell him that i had them with me. He asked me to pass the phone to elder Herrera. And then he went to another room, came out with my phone and went into a room alone with his phone and didn't tell us any thing. Thats when the president called me again. And told me that The sister of Elder Herrera Died that morning, and that he was going to talk with his stake presidente/ family. I just felt so sorry for him. and President Carreon told me to take care of him and give him a lot of support.


But i know that God told us that this life wouldn't be easy, only that it would be worth it.

I love you all and hope that you have a great week.

and remember that everyone loves a missionary,


Elder Olsen,
ps. There is a website about our mission that they just finished if you want to check it out. Its mmtijuana.org

p.s.s. And about mothers day. I have been thinking about the phone call and i think i am going to pass on calling home. just kidding. No i have been thinking if i will talk with you over the phone, OR Skype. I am thinking about it and let me know about your opinions. love you all thanks

En Los Altos--April 16

Well that's the name of my new ward Los Altos. And its pretty cool. Its probably the smallest sector that i have been in all my mission, but that just means that every thing is a closer.

And its in a part that i have never been in before, here in tijuana. i am against the border, and from a little hill in my sector i can see the beach, and the buildings of San Diego. So its nice.

And everything is very good here. I am going to take some money out today because of a couple of things that i think i am going to have to buy. but everything is good.

Its starting to warm up here. Its probably spring weather, but i am not really used to having spring weather i am not sure exactly how it is. But its good.

And i got mail!!!!!! Well really two packages, thanks so much.
(mom please tell grandma thank you)
hope you had a great trip to Tennessee. i think thats how you spell it. and that you are reading your scriptures everyday.

So i am excited to be here and to be working here with Elder Diaz.
Se que esta iglesia es la unica iglesia verdadera en todo el mundo. Se que jose smith, restauro la iglesia aqui en la tierra, para traer nos la salvacion a los hombres. Se que el sacerdocio es el poder de dios dado a los hombres para la salvation, de nostros,

gracias por todo su apoyo,

and remember, that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello to All...April 9th

Well hello again on this lovely day. I am writing a little bit later because i have been changed.

I am still here in Tijuana. Oh well. I thought that they were going to change me but i was hopping to be outside of Tijuana. but no. oh well.  but i am in a part of tijuana, very far away from where i have been before. Now i am right up against the border, close to the ocean. not to close but we drove by on the way here in the morning. and we pasted a hill were i could see the Buildings of downtown San Diego. so i really am not to familiar with this part so it will be good to come to know it.

My new Compaions name is Elder Diaz. hes from Veracruz Mexico, and he has about 3-4 months in the mission. The same time as my last companion. But i am excited to be where im at. I am excited to be here in TIjuana. I know that the mission is probably the best thing that has happened in my life. I love it. sometimes i think about it and its hard to explain, but its amazing. I know the church is true. I know that its the church of JEsus Christ, which he leads and guides us today through a living profet of God. and that the heavens are open, and that Thomas Monson is a living profet of our heavenly father.

I hope that all of you have a great day, and a wonderful week.

and remember,

that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello Hello--April 2nd

Well hello again. on this monday mourning. I hope that all of you had a wonderful week and that you all enjoyed conference. I know i did. WE had some problems saturday in the mourning with the signal. so we waited forever but eventual it came online. also we didn't have our baptism this saturday like we were hoping but all it well here. I really liked the priesthood session of conference and the talk from elder Bednar. I think that was one of my favorites, and also elder Baxter about the single moms, really good one too. But i loved it when President Monson talked. And elder nelson. And elder Holland,

BUT DON"T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, you should read or watch them again. I know i will.

But i really enjoyed the priesthood session. we took a new member to it that just received the priesthood about a week ago. And he left the conference, that he was loaded up with responsibility. And I really learned from him. he made me think that although he has had the power of god for 2 weeks, he has understood the price or responsibly for such great power.

I know that President Monson is a living profet. I know and trust in the things that he says. I know that Jesus Christ loves us, and our heavenly father too. I love the mission, and its the greatest experience in my life. I love you all, and just remember,

that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder OLsen,

Todo bien en Sion!!!!!

Another Week.....March 26

Well its monday again, and it seems like the weeks just fly by.

 But this week was pretty chil. not really anything big this week. Just preparing for general conference which we are pretty excited for. And we should have a baptism between the the conferences saturday. but we might have all the baptisms of the zone at the same time, so it might make for a good picture. But we are excited for this week..And this past week i finally finished the book of mormon for the first time  in spanish, in the mission. but i took me so long because i started slow, but i finally finished it. I think i understood more this time then ever before. But my scripture that i wanted to share with you would be Moroni 7:47-48. Which talks about one of the christlike attributes most important.

But just to let you know the mission is planning a concert here also of someone pretty famous. its going to be Gariela Quezada de Roque. so we are also exicted for this which will be abril 8.

But i think its really weird how fast time flys. This thursday will be one year here in Mexico!!!!! wow its just crazy how the time keeps slipping away. But thats why we have to keep working hard and keep the sprits up. because we only have a limited time to do everything and then time runs out. So i am learning alot about goals, and how to use them.and how to reach your full potencial. But hope you all have a great spring break, and that you all have a good one,

Amo mi padre celestial, amo su hijo Jesucristo y todo lo que hizo por nostros. se que jesucristo es nuestro salvador, y gracias a el yo puedo regresar con el un dia, con mi familia, Les amo a todos ustedes, y recuerden que todos aman un misionero,

Elder Olsen

March 19--Hello

Well hello again on this very raining monday here. WE have had constante rain for three days now. it all started about saturday in the afternoon, And the past two days it has been hit and miss, but since elevn O'clock last night we have a constant light rain. but all is good. we havent been TOO wet.

But this week was pretty normal, but we have three training opportunities which made a little bit of a longer week than normal. Tuesday, Wed, And Thursday. But the best part about it is that I GOT MAIL. I got the package with my journal in it, thank you all, and a letter from mom, thanks mom, and a letter from chantel, thanks chantel. So mom you can call that number to active the card now, please and thank you.

Other than that it has been a pretty chill week here, really its been colder than normal. But all is good. We are planning our next baptism service for the 31 of march. After the general conference seccion. but we hope to baptise 2 but at least one. But for this Elder Rojas and I are really excited and ready to work again. But it should be pretty cool to baptise the day of gerenal conference because i remember when i first got here in Mexico, we baptised that day also. SO its so crazy to think that i have been here in mexico almost one year. The time is just flying by. and it just keeps speeding up. I don't know why but i know that the church of Jesus christ of the latter day saints es la única iglesia verdadera en toda la tierra. se que jesucristo esta a la cabeza de su iglesia, y quiere el mejor para nostros. se que dios nos ama. porque? porque nos bendice con tantas bendiciones.

Les amo, y always remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

12 de Marzo

Pues bueno. Esta semana fuimos muy bien y tuvimos exito aqui en el campo missional.

Well to tell the truth i don´t have to much time to talk today but i will see how fast these little fingers of mine can type. But really this week was good. We had a ward mission activity this week, when we had a ward family home evening. and we had a Cine!!! we watched the testaments. It was good and a couple family's brought non members for us to talk with and try to teach them. it was good.

Still no mail yet, but i am 99% sure that this week is going to come. but we shall see.

What are you going to update on the Church board. And what is the church board.

don´t know if you have any questions for me, if you do feel free to ask.

No the last transfers we stayed the same

glad to hear that you are having good weather. WE have had some pretty good weather also.

but just know that i am doing good. and its always nice to get your cards and emails, and all the support. I love you all, and remember that everyone loves  a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Hello, Hola--March 5th

Well hello. how are you all doing. I am doing just fine. and i had a great week. Glad to hear the same for you.but this week was good because we had a baptism! Finally. We had been working with Ruben and Raquel for a while, we married them, and then got them ready for baptism. And it all was worth it, Saturday night. For their baptism, Elder Rojas baptized Ruben, and a young man from the ward baptized Raquel. It was so great. Its times like this when i have seen how blessed  I am. To see so many great things in the mission, and to learn so much its amazing. But is was awesome.
 
This week was wonderful, and i want to give you  the scripture of the week. Ether 8 26. its a great one and i love the story of the Jardedites.

Well i am having a hard time sending pictures but at least here is one.....my new bike. not really but i got to take it for a rid around the block. sweet bike

When we went to the buffet of tacos. With the zone leaders. really cool. with us four we eat about 80 tacos. but they were really good.

but hope you have a great week and always remember that everyone a missionary,

Elder Olsen

de Tijuana

Hello-Feb. 27th

Well i don't know why but I keep having interesting medical experiences here in Tijuana. First of all, during our meeting with the ward mission leader, his daughter began to throw up next to me. And she didn't stop, so I had to support her so she didn't fall over, while her parents went to get rags. But don't worry i didn't get any throw up on my shoes.

And the other is a member in the ward that can't come to the church because has sever diabetes. And he has to have his dialysis 4 times a day, but he does it in his house. So the two times we went to see him this week he was in process of his dialysis. Without a shirt on, and his tube connected to sometime inside his stomach. It was not a pleasant surprise, but i held my composer, and we made it out alright, and I didn't even have the fainting felling come over me.

But this week was good we keep working, and this week we are going to have division with the young men in the ward. Where i go with one and Elder Rojas goes with another. it will be good. We hope to have a baptism this saturday, the husband was to be baptized, but the wife was some doubts, so we are going to work with her so she feels ready.

But other than that not much has changed here either. Today should be really calm day, with only 2 appointments en the afternoon, but with more tomorrow. hope all you are doing good. Reading your scriptures, doing your prayers, and giving service to others. and always remember,

that everyone loves a missionary!!!!!!,
elder olsen.

remind me to send pictures the next week.

20 of Febuary

Well once again another week down. And this one sure flew by. Seems like yesterday that i was writing home, and here i am again.

The past week was good. The best news we got from this week is that one of our investigators, is going to get married. They came to church last sunday, and said that they weren't going to get married.

But we went to their house tuesday, and they started to talk, almost fight, and when they stopped talking. I asked them, "Entonces si se van a casar o no?" and they said yes. So now we have their ride to get married organized and ready for Thursday. And we hope that they are baptized the next tuesday!

Also we got a little rain this week. not a lot but enough to wet things down a bit, and make a lot of mud. It didn't scare us off.

But the work goes on. We keep working with our ward also. trying to reactivate a couple familys, one of which came to church sunday. which was really nice to see them there present.

But the Scripture of the week, probably the month also. is in Alma 60:36. Love it, and i love the example of Captin Moroni.

But that's all for this week. right now we are going to eat at Taco Buffet. which i am really excited for because we haven't eaten anything all day trying to save more room in the stomach.

Se que el libro de mormon es verdadero. Y que fue escrito por nostros, y por nuestros tiempos. Se que Jose smith fue un profeta de dios, quien restauro la iglesia de jesucristo aqui en la terria, para darnos la luz, en un mundo de obscuridad. Espero que todos ustedes esten bien, y recurdense, que todos aman un missionero,

Elder Olsen

Another one bites the dust-Feb. 13th

Yes thats right another week flew by and full of adventures. First of all i got a package last week. thanks so much. But is was a valentines package, so it got here in perfect time. BUT still no letters.

Also this week I went with the district leader on divisions and i learned a couple of things to help me better. Then we went to the baptism of the bishops son, and the had all sorts of problems with the font. So we emptied out water with buckets. then when they went to refill it. they didn't have hot water. So he got dunked in pretty cold water. but its a good thing that my church doesn't have so many problems with the font.

Also we had a multi zone conference, thats were i got my package. And yes i was in the same zone as Elder Boyer from Springville. Really cool guy. I am still taller then him, but he sure does weigh more that i do.

But the work goes on and remains consent. Still working with a couple investigators that have to get married. We just have to keep teaching the importance of it. And hope that they will do it. Still knocking doors, talking with people in the streets, and always inviting to the church services. But always remember that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen reporting live from Tijuana, Mexico

I feel a little bit at home-Feb 6th

Well a little funny story that has me feeling at home again.

The 24 of january we helped a family move out of our ward, because they lost their home to the bank. Sad story. but we helped them move and they thought that the problems would end there. but this past friday, they called us again, and asked if we could help them move again. I didn't ask why, but we did. Turns out the house they moved into is falling apart. When they went to look at it to rent it, they didn't see the cracks, or the lack of earth under the house, but its going to fall apart. so we helped them move again. and thats why i feel like i am at home . (you all know how much my sisters like to move around)

But we are still working here, looking for new investigators, but we did find some. we are once again looking into marrying people, but know the problem is that they don't want to that easily. I don't know why, they have 14 years together, and a 13 year old son. but we keep working with them. And also there is another couple that are activity attending the church, but not baptized because they are not married. because he is not divorced from his first wife. SOOOO thats a problem.

Glad as always to get your letters and support. I havent gotten your letters but i know that you have written them. but don't have much time today. we played soccer, ate, now we are going to eat with investigators, and end the night with a Family home evning. But i love you all, and remember, that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Did you burn a shirt this week? Jan 30th

Well yes its official, i am half way over with the best to years and its flying by!! i dont know if its the new sector or what but the two weeks have flown by. Elder Rojas is good. I had heard many missionarys here in the mission say that training a new missionary is great. And i never understood why until now.

They always said that you get to see your progress as a missionary. To see how the missionarys come to the mission field, and what to do everything, work hard, talk with everyone, do this, do that. But they don't know how to do it. so this is where i come in. I am doing a lot to help him, and sometimes a love to look back and see how much i have learned and experienced. Hes good, we get along a lot better then my last companion which is really nice. but we keep working, and are struggling to find new investigators, but this week we have faith to find some really good ones.

Yes i did burn a shirt.(note: they are a lot more flammable then they look) i took pictures. someday you'll get to see them, but today no.

Yes, we climbed up the attic to get the dog in our suit pants, but don't worry it all washed out.

Sorry to here about the losing of timpview, but i guess since they won girls volleyball, maybe timpview is changing??????

what team is Jimmer on?

But all is good here on the boarder, and no need to worry, but remember that everyone loves a missionary!!!!!!!!!!!!

love you all elder olsen

Hello & Pictures---Jan 23rd

Well since I am going to send photos know much time to write. But it definitely was a different week for me. With new companion, new sector, and new responsibility. All going great.

Things are going good, getting used to the new sector, and everything, but sunday was alright, not very members showed up, so i didn't get to know to many members. But my new compaion is good and that all is going well.

Hope to send more pictures, but not sure if i will be able to. Hope all of you are doing really well, and have a great week.

but remember that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

A stand we put in the street to contact the people

My past zone

One of my old companion in the river of tijuana

My New Companion

After me and elder rojas dug out a dog out of roof of a member. We don't know how it got in, but it didn't want to come out, we went in after it.

BIG CHANGES-Jan 16th

Well i am sorry once again for writing really late again today, but i have an excellent excuse. i have a new sector!!!!! but at 7 oclock in the morning we left to the bus station to wait for several missionary, then they took us to the offices. and they then began to train us a little bit. And the best part about it is that they trained us to train missionarys!! so after a while the band new missionarys got there, and we were assigned new compaions. So long story straight i am training a new missionary!!!! and super exited. really cool. Elder Rojas got here from mexico today and we had our first day in tijuana.

BUt in all the changes i am a little bit nervous, because i do have a new companion, and sector. I opened a sector. There were missionarys here but they took them out, and put us here. And i am still here in tijuana, and i thought they were going to change me away from the temple spot, but now the ward i am HAS THE TEMPLE GROUND IN IT!!!! We passed it going to our house. really cool. but i am a little nervous with all the changes, and not knowing the sector or the members, investigators, and still training a missionary, but i will be aright.

I have to be short because there are so many things to do tonight, so i hope your all good, and have a great week, because now i have a whole butt load of work to do.!!!!, but remember, that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

Heeeelllllooooo...Jan 9th

Well hello to all of you this fine week.

The christmas and New year, and now day of the kings(hispanic holiday 6 of january) is all over its back to work. Its been a little bit low or slow in the work the past two weeks but now its time to get back to work. We have spent more time with new converts and members the past weeks because the people are harder to work with this time of the year. But now its back to knocking on doors and talking with people in the street. so all is going back to normal.

I did get mail. thanks so much for the package of birthday cards that you sent, i really enjoyed that. Then i got a christmas card from Uncle Eric and family, thank you! and then a card from the Scott family, from denver Colorado. ( MOM: can you tell them thanks.) and that was it. so maybe I will get the christmas cards around march time. hahahahaha

Thank you very much Mary ann for the christmas present, Thanks grandpa and grandma for the christmas package, thank you brandt famliy for the package as well. thanks Eric and family. Thank you everyone.

Well this week like i said was pretty boring. we are looking for more investigators to teach because we dont have very many now adays, but we keep working.

The best thing that happened this week i think happened yesterday at church. we started with about 60 members to start the services, but after the sacrament we had a whole bunch show up. so long story short we had about 3 inactive familys show up to church, and when we talked with them they said that they wanted to start the new year off good, and that several members had visited them. so that was really nice.

The work goes on. I hope that all of you could read the talk from Elder Hales. because i am going to give you another homework. Same conference, October 2011. but now its elder Alonso"s talk.

He was a mission president here in TIjuana about 7 years ago!!!!! so several members here know him. but i really like his talk about do what we should in the right moment. really good.

hope all you are good, and that you have a great week, love you all and remember,

that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

Happy New Year...Jan 2nd

Well yes it is 2012, hard to believe but it is here. The past week was a little slow in the missionary work, with christmas, and new years both on back to back sundays, made it a little harder to get investigators to come to church, be in their houses so we could talk with them, and in general the people here get a little bit more drunk then normal. But with all that said, it was a good week.

I even got to celebrate new years.

So saturday Elder llaguno asked the president if he could go visit a family that he baptized here in Tijuana. Wo we went. it was about a 30 min drive but we got there and ate dinner, and talked and then at 830 we left. By 9 we were in our house and we stayed up until 1200. It was nice, we even had some fireworks that we went out and threw.

Then sunday we had church at 1000 will a very small numbers, but it was good. en the night we had another chance to celebrate the new year a little bit. We went to the house of the zone leaders, and meet up with our district. ( en total we were 6) and we talked for a little, then we played UNO, and then we had a little dinner. we played another game. i think its called guesters. (were you have to act out the word and grab it before it falls) it was fun, and lead to a lot of laughs. Afterwards we had wrestle time. and it lasted for a good time, and by the time we ended we were are all really tired and ready for bed.

So that's why i am writing late today, because of our activity last night it put us behind schedule today. but now we got everything done and writing my family

This week i read a little bit of the Ensign of Noviember (p.s. thanks mom, but they do give us all the ensigns to read. they just get them when the mail comes. so i got mine a little early from home) and i really like the talk from elder Hales. I loved when he said, that we pray for patience, but we want it right now. and that we should press forward as we wait on the lord. really liked the talk so for everyone that reads this, its your homework, to read his talk. its a good one.

I hope that your all good, that you can start the new year with some goals, start reading the scriptures more, doing daily prayer, and serve others. but have a great one,

and remember that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

thanks for everything, maybe i will get mail this week, which means those birthday letters you told me about. we shall see

Hello-Dec 26th

Well hello again.

this will be a rather short letter because of our conversation yesterday and that all was good. I was happy to hear from you and to know that all is good on the home front.

Yes i do have a coat, that keeps me warm, and now I have the scarf to help keep me warm also. so i am good.

i hope that you all had a very merry christmas and that this week you can all have a happy new year too. I am not one for new year resolutions, but i am going to put some goals starting the new year off, and i would encourage you to do the same. (but please don't call them new year resolutions) just goals.

Hope that all you are well, and that you have the lords blessings in your life, and that you are happy. Because men exist so that they can have joy!

Happy new year, and remember that everybody loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen

Merry Christmas...Dec 19th

Well first of all, I don´t have much time, like normal so i will say the most important and the rest can be saved for sunday.

The family that i am going to on sunday, have a phone plan that allows 100 mins of calling to the U.S. so i thing that in order to save your money I will call you first, and if it doesn´t work out then you call me.

So i will call at 5:30 my time here, (630) your time. on the 25 of December. Not really sure how to call so, if i am not talking to you by 545. my time. you should probably call me. i think i should be able to do it but if i cant you call me.

I got my packages from you guys, thanks so much, we decorated with the package from ashlee (thanks). And now we have our presents to open on the 25th.

This thursday we are going to have our christmas dinner, as a mission, here, and i think thats when i should get letters(i haven´t gotten any for about 2 months i think. The mail system is really weird)

But i am good. pretty normal going here. All is good. looking forward to the 25th, and i hope that you all are good.

and remember that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

Well Well Well....Dec 12th

What an interesting week i had here. but by the emails i got sounds like it was a good week for everyone at home also. Sounds like that things sure are changing. and that i sure missed a lot of gossip at the olsen family party. But i think i will share a couple things about my adventures this past week. about calling home. exactly i don't know yet, more info next week, but i am thinking, 5 O'clock here, which is 6 there. but more info next week.

But first of all, i am very glad to hear that you are going to talk with the poone family. it is always so nice when the members talk with non members, about the church. and it always makes for a great experience.

But now for a story about last week, that i wasn't going to share but i think i am going to.

It all started out last, wed. when a couple of missionarys called us, and gave us a reference to go and visit. They only told us that this person was sick and wanted a blessing. so we went looking for the house in the morning, and we didn't find it. normally its really hard to find the directions around here, because the people don't know and there are no signs. but we decided to push it off until another time, and went to our other 2 appointments, and lunch. After lunch all of our appointments fell though, so we both thought that we should find the reference from the morning. So we set off, and call the number, still not very good directions from her, but we went looking for the house. and when someone outside there house yelled at us and asked if we had called her. So at last we found the house. We entered and talked with a older man that is about 75 years old, and he told us that it is his daughter that has cancer, and about 5 days before she had her first chemo therapy. NOTE noone in the house is a member. But we passes into the bedroom, and there was maria, who has cancer. with her 2 sisters. we talked very shortly with them then we gave her the blessing. We thought that we really wouldn't teach anything and wait until tomorrow to teach a lesson to them.

So the next day, we went at the scheduled time at 7 at night. We knocked when a young man came out, and asked what we wanted. we said to visit maria. Then very plainly said that she passed away in the night. but that we could come in and talk with her dad. WOW, I cant describe how i felt. We went in and talked to her dad, and he said that in less than 50 mins after we left the night before, she passed away. Holy cow. it's a very weird feeling that over whelms you, but we knew that she needed that blessing. It didn't cure her, but the only thing i remember from the blessing is that we said multiple times, that everything would be aright. wow,


But the mission is great. it's really hard. harder than i thought it would ever be, you learn so much, more than i thought i would ever learn, and i only have 10 months. and you have so many experiences that only happen to missionarys.

I know that the plan of salvation, is true. It's a topic that interests so many people, but to have that knowledge and that blessing, its great. I know our heavenly father know us, and teaches us, as does our earthly parents. But he teaches though trails, faith, blessing, familys, church, and so many more ways. hope you all have a great week,

and remember, that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

Another Week Has Passed-Dec. 5th

Well thanks for all the birthday wishes that you all sent me. I had a good birthday yesterday. It was pretty chill. Went to church, and all was good there. Then afterwards we went to eat, and ate a dish called Pasole. Its like a soup, but it has a different feeling to it. Meat still attached to the bone, with onion, and lettuce, radish, and hot sauce, and other little things that i am not sure exactly what they were. But it was all good. Then they made me a birthday cake.( well they bought me a cake) and they sang in english and in spanish. Then here in mexico they have a tradition, that i am not very fond of but i had to do it. After they sing, who ever´s birthday it is, they have to take a bite out of the cake. and then afterward they cut it and serve it to everyone. But the trick is when you go down to take a bite out of the cake, they smash your face into the cake. i don´t know why. So the goal is to try and bite a piece without getting your face smashed into it.

Well i didn´t have success. I got a pretty good chunk up my nose, and around that area. I have pictures. but i will have to send them to you later.

Also this week, there were trasfers. But they didn´t change us.so i am in the same ward, with the same companion. but all should be well. i just got back from seeing off my zone leader that is going home tomorrow. and also my very first companion Elder Guerrero, is going home tomorrow as well. so not to much new news here. we are all looking forward to christmas, as it is less than three weeks away. Still not 100 percent sure that i will be in this sector, but i think i will be here for the holidays. but once again thanks for all the support that you give me and, hope you have a great week.

scripture to read.

All of Chapter 12 of the book of Ether. its great and talks all about the faith.

and remember, that everyone loves a missionary,

elder olsen

Otro Semana en Mexico-Nov. 28th

Well yea its monday again.and here i am washing clothes and writing home. Not much news this week like the last, so it will be a little shorter letter home.

But yes last week was thanksgiving. i did have many things to be greatful for. And it definitely was a different experience to be away from home for the holiday. But i think it was a good warm up for Christmas. But it went well. Mexico really doesnt have it as a holiday here, but being along the border, they take traditions from us, and vis versa. but our ward mission leader invited us to his house to eat in the afternoon. got there around 4 and ate shortly after. then the rest of the day we visited new members and ward members, so it was a pretty chill day. they even cooked turkey. but all went well.

We still keep working here, and all the missionarys are looking forward to Christmas. but we still have one more month left. looking forward to talking with you also. BUT there are transfers this next monday, so i don´t know if i will be in this sector for christmas, or not. i won´t know until saturday. but we shall see.

I gave a talk in sacrament meeting sunday also. it went alright. about a 15 min talk. ANd i was the last speaker, which i learned that its not to fun to be the last speaker. but i talked about the atonement of christ. and it is a topic really hard to talk about, because there are a lot of scriptures about it, but in the words of Elder Holland, no human can FULLY understand the atonement of Christ, But i think it went well. I feel pretty good with my spanish speaking skills, but i still need to work on it a lot, but its coming.

Hope everything is good wherever you are reading this, just know that Jesus is the christ, our redemer, and savior, and there is no other name given which comes the salvation of man.

and like always,

everyone loves a missionary,

ELder Olsen

Pictures From November

Another Week Nov. 21st

Well this week was good, and Saturday was great!

So yes saturday was our big meeting with our apostal. and he came with three surprise quests also. But who were the four people you ask.,

The three surprise quests were:

Elder Mario Carlos, i think he from the third quorum of 70.

Elder Octaviano Tenorio, from the first 70., and he is the area presidency of mexico.

Elder Walter Gonzalez, from the presidency of the 70.

All really good, and all three speak spanish perfectly, but the main event was Elder Rusell M. nelson, from the quorum of the 12 apostals.

All four walked in and all the missionarys from our mission,about 160 or 170 all stood up, and all four shook our hands before we started the conference.
Elder Carlos didn´t talk very long, ni Elder Tenorio, but they talked and motivated us. Then Elder Gonzalez talked for a little bit about the language. How we, as americans, have to master spanish, and how the mexicans have to master english while we are on our missions. how big language is in the world today. then he talked about a couple other things.

But elder Nelson then followed. He brought a translator and they both stood at the pulpit and talked together. He is so intillgente, and i am not surprised that he was a surgeon. but he talked about a lot of things. and was quite personal with us. he has 4 grandkids in the mission field and it was great to hear him talk. he talked about our purpose as missionarys, in the gathering of isreal. the next time you look in the bible look at the map of the inheritance of the 12 sons of jacob. you will find that 2 sons are missing. Reben, pretty sure it is him , the oldest son, and he didn´t have any because he lost his birthright, and the other son is Joesph. and why doesn´t jose have any land there in Jersualen. its because his inheritance is here in the americas. elder nelson gave us a whole bunch of scriptures about the topic. but this is why the majority of the people here in the americas are from the Tribe, Ephram, or Manass. Just a little info about what he told us. Then he thanked us, and did something i have never seen or heard before,

After his testimony, he said and now i bless you, each and everyone of you, ¨as if i had my hands on top of your head¨ wow, then he have us a blessing from the pulpit. WOW it was so powerful.

But he didn´t say much about the temple, only that it will be started, but he mainly said don´t think about how we can prepare the temple in Tijuana, think about what you can do to enter the temple, and enter with your ward members. really cool.

But all in all it was great. thought i would let you all know what the Book of mormon in the keystone of our religion in so many more ways then i ever knew. I know that the book of mormon is the tool in the gathering of isreal. and that it was written by profets in the americas.

hope you all have a great thanksgiving week, because we all have so much to be thankful for. and in the words of Kelly Wright,

HAPPY DAY, the gospel of Jesus Christ in the world today!,

so count your blessings,

and remember,
that everyone loves a missionary,

Elder Olsen