A good week!

A cute little mexican girl.

Christmas sleep over.

A pair of shoes I DESTROYED!  I tossed them a few weeks ago.

Me and Elder Cloward.  He was my zone leader for the past 5 transfers.  He is now in Cuenca, south of Madrid.

Me, Hermana Palomino, Elder Williams, and Elder Lloyd.  Elder Williams got transferred to Leganés, my first area.

Below:  The Real Madrid Game!

 

The sandwiches were us being super spanish.  All the other people were doing it. haaha.

This one was just for kicks and giggles.  After all, I was still a missionary!

My nativity that I bought

P-day today

Hola Familia y amigos,

We have had a wonderful week here in Barrio 1.  Dare I say we saw miracles?  Because we sure did!  I talk about miracles every week, but I am noticing more and more that as I look for them and work hard, they are so easy to see.

We taught a lot of lessons this week.  And we continue to find so we hope to start teaching more and more. We still are not teaching a ton of people, but we have some people that are really solid.  We have been struggling lately to teach second lessons, but we have started having more of those and even third lessons with a set appointment for a fourth.

We taught Andre the restoration.  Everything was going really well and my companion turns to me and asks if I will say the first vision.  I started to say it, slowly and powerfully.  I got through the first little bit, and could NOT remember the rest.  That hasn´t happened to me since the MTC.  It was super weird but my companion just swept in and said it.  I felt bad, but I was blessed with understanding that I don´t need to be perfect.  The lesson was still really good and I was able to bear powerful testimony at the end.  

We have been working a lot with our Relief Society president to find less-actives.  I don´t know if this is a problem in the U.S. but it is a HUGE problem here.  People move or go less active and nobody knows who they are or gets their records changed.  We have been doing this for the past 2 transfers and most of the people have moved 8+ years ago.  We found one this week that had died 5 years ago.  That was an awkward conversation with the deceased lady’s husband.  Oh mission life!  So we have been helping her clean up the ward list, at least in Relief Society.

We tried really hard to get our investigators to church this week.  That is something I have struggled with my whole mission.  Sunday morning I was calling our investigators and reminding them about church.  None of them were able to come, and that made me sad, but I was happy because I really tried to get them.  And we will try again next week.  I feel like some of them are so close to coming.

Church was good though, our recent convert, Dantel, blessed the sacrament.  He is 27, but in many many ways me and Hna. Palomino feel like he is our son.  It is super funny.  We joke about how we have to find him a wife.  Sometimes when we go contacting we tell ourselves that we are looking for a girl that could join the church and make a good wife for him. hahaa.

We went to a birthday party this week. Sebastian Amulek (I don´t know his last name...) turned 1.  It was the biggest birthday party I have ever seen.  presents and food, and balloons.  A huge poster of the baby’s face.  It was intense.  They even hired a clown. The birthday boy spent most of the party sleeping.  I guess it is very much part of the Latin culture though to celebrate the first birthday.

I have been asked what weird things I have eaten on the mission, and I´ve never known what to answer, but this week I figured it out.  Last night, we taught our family, The Bolivars, and they always feed us after.  Last night, they fed us cow liver.  And I was thinking about that and I remembered that New Years Eve when we had that one comida, we ate a soup with a chickens foot in it.  Not bad stuff.  I didn´t like either, but it was not bad.

Today, we went to Alcobendas.  2 of my favorite hermanas are serving there.  Hermana Hansen (I hadn´t seen her in 4ish months) my norwegian companion and Hermana Aagard, an amazing hermana that I just really love a lot.  We just went shoping with them and the mission Presidents wife came, because they serve where she lives basically.  It was super fun.

I´m working really hard to be a better missionary.  I want to end stronger than I have  ever been.  If I have learned one principle of the Gospel it is perseverance.  It is so important to keep going.  Every day I try to be my best and improve on what I did the day before.  I am not perfect, but I try and I remember that I can have another go tomorrow!

I know this Gospel is true.  I say it every week, but I mean it more and more every time I say it.  My testimony has been strengthened so much over the past 17 months.  I know these things are true.  I know it with all my heart.  I know it more than I ever have.  It is incredible to me.  And it gives me so much joy.  And I can share it with others!  The mission really has been the best time of my life.  It doesn´t compare to anything else I have ever done.

Con Amor,

Hermana Olsen

Transfers!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Hola Familia y amigos,

What a week. First off, I am ending my mission in Barrio 1!!! I am beyond excited about this.  It is the area where I have come to love the most people and it is going to be so hard to leave.  I love it so much here, in the mission, in Spain, and in Barrio 1.  Following is my letter to president this week:

I am very happy to be ending the mission in Barrio 1. I love it here so much! This transfer I have set some personal goals. I want to finish El Libro de Mormon, study more Preach My Gospel, focus on extending and following up on strong, thought out compromisos. Also, even though it is my last transfer I want to endure to the end. i want to work hard and be happy. It is so easy to be sad because it is ending and the last thing I want to do is go home. But I am making the choice and the goal to be happy. To be happy because I am still here. And I can still do work. Also, I am super shy and timid and I want to change that. I have the hardest time talking to people. I thought the mission would change that, but I still struggle. I realized that the mission can change that, but I have to set it as a goal rather than think it will just happen as I be a missionary.

This week has been a week full of MIRACLES. I know I talk about miracles a lot, but they are just always visible when you look. That is one thing I have learned from the mission.

We are visiting a less active family and they are starting to come back. The mom has now gone 3 weeks in a row. This past Sunday, the mom dad and one of the 3 boys came. But the real miracle is the lesson we had with them, just a few days before. We don´t really know why they are less active and have a hard time knowing how to help them. So we decided to read the Living Christ. We have had really good experiences reading it ourselves and in other lessons, so we thought maybe it could help this family. After reading it, we bore powerful testimony of Christ. Then we asked them to share their experiences. Hermana bore such a powerful testimony of who Christ is for her, and she just starts crying. The Spirit that entered the room! We ended the lesson singing I Know that My Redeemer Lives at her request. She starts crying even harder! The Spirit was so strong. Even though we don´t know exactly what this family needs, through the Spirit we are able to help them!

This week with the new year and día de los reyes it has been hard to get lessons, but the ones that we have had have been amazing. We are finding people and I believe them to be prepared for the Gospel! It is such an exciting time to be a missionary, a representative of Jesus Christ. 
Día de los reyes is a day celebrated for the 3 wise men.  It is, for many, bigger than Christmas.  Today is el Día de los reyes so we will see lots of celebrating today and we heard a lot last night.
I know this gospel is real and true. It has changed my life. It has converted me. I am converted to this gospel. More and more every day. And now I am working so that others can do the same. The Atonement is real! Jesus Christ suffered for everything I have experienced. With my faith in Him, I can do anything. I can change. I can progress. I can become who He wants me to be. I have realized that as I keep going and persevere I can change and reach my potential. I can become like Him. This gospel is true, and I love the peace that it brings to my life.

This week, we also passed by to visit our 12 year old less active.  We always pass by to visit because we have no way of calling him, but when we passed by this week he showed us his new phone so now we can call him and plan things and we can get the Young Men more involved is they have his number. It was small, but a huge tender mercy for us!

We had one of the FUNNIEST experiences of my mission this week.  A few weeks ago, we had talked to a man and he told us he met with testigos (Jehovas Whitnesses) but that we could come back.  We went back, and his son was home, but not him.  His son, was also in the middle of a lesson with the testigos.  It was sooooo awkward but sooooo funny!  We interrupted a lesson the testigos were giving.  They were super nice, and we talked a bit but they recognized us and asked if we were mormons and it was just really awkward.

Our recent convert got a calling.  It happened last sunday, but I don´t think I mentioned it...Anywho, Dantel is secretay in the Young Mens!

Also, yesterday was the 1 year mark for my Recent Converts in Guatemala. By preach my Gospel standards, they are no longer recent converts.  And they can go to the temple!  I know they are working on it, but they have not yet told me when they are going.

Once again, I forgot my camera cord.  oops!  Super sorry!  I will try really hard to remember next week.

Con amor,

Hermana Olsen  

Feliz Navidad y año nuevo

Hola familia y amigos,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The past 2 weeks have been fantastic.  We have had some rough moments, but things have been going well.  We had a lot of Christmas miracles.

There was one where we read The Living Christ [see below] as a lesson!  The lady did not have much interest (she is super Catholic) but she accepted a Christmas message.  We read The Living Christ with her, and it got her asking about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  We now have a return appointment with her.  

I love the Spirit that came into the room as we read The Living Christ with her.  This lady actually, when we contacted her, accepted a card, but would not give us her number.  She told us she was one of those weird Catholics that actually went to church every Sunday.  Half an hour later she called us asking if we had a Christmas program.  This happened the week after our awesome missionary one! que pena!  

But we invited her to our ward Christmas Cena.  She did not come.  So I called her and asked if we could come by and share a Christmas message and give her a Christmas DVD.  I was sure she would say no, but she didn´t!  And after the holidays we are going to start teaching her.

Christmas was great.  I LOVED the devotional.  Our Christmas Eve was spent in Pavones by the temple where President and Hna Jackson spoke to us. We also got to see some of the new Bible videos about the nativity.  Lastly, we heard from some of the Jackson’s friends who are currently running the Jerusalem center.  It was really neat.

I haven´t much time this week, but I love you all!  I forgot my camera cord too, but pictures will come soon!

I know this church is true.  I learn so much every day that strengthens my testimony.  I am so grateful for the mission and what I am learning and who I am becoming.  I know my Savior lives and loves me! 

Con amor,

Hermana Olsen

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.

He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son. (2000)

Gordon B. Hinckley (First Presidency)

Thomas S. Monson (First Presidency)

James E. Faust (First Presidency)

Boyd K. Packer (Quorum of the Twelve)

L. Tom Perry (Quorum of the Twelve)

David B. Haight (Quorum of the Twelve)

Neal A. Maxwell (Quorum of the Twelve)

Russell M. Nelson (Quorum of the Twelve)

Dallin H. Oaks (Quorum of the Twelve)

M. Russell Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve)

Joseph B. Wirthlin (Quorum of the Twelve)

Richard G. Scott (Quorum of the Twelve)

Robert D. Hales (Quorum of the Twelve)

Jeffrey R. Holland (Quorum of the Twelve)

Henry B. Eyring (Quorum of the Twelve)

Ups and downs- what more can you expect in the life of a missionary?

Hola familia y amigos,

This week has been really good.  We have continued to find new investigators to teach!  The mission is full of miracles!  I love it so much!  We are finding amazing people too.  And we are teaching with unity and the Spirit.

Which leads me to a cool experience we had yesterday.  We taught Angelino for the first time.  We decided to teach him about the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.  We usually explain what the Book of Mormon is, using the pictures in the front, then we read a scripture that we think they will like, or that is meaningful to us, and then we end reading Moroni 10:3-5 with an invitation to read and pray.  

My “go to” scripture is Alma 7:11-12, but I really felt like we needed to read something from 3rd Nefi 11. Only to find out later, that Hna. Palomino had the same impression.  She knew I was leading the lesson, and I had the Book of Mormon so she didn´t know how to tell me to go to 3rd Nefi 11.  And she figured I would read in Alma 7.  But the Spirit was in charge of that lesson, not us! 

We also had a first lesson with Maricel.  When we got there she was in the shower but her long- time friend and roommate let us in and told us we could wait.  We talked to her for a while and were able to teach both of them about the Book of Mormon. Maricel definitely has more interest, but they both agreed to us returning and are both going to be there when we pass by.

We had a lot of lessons set up for this week, but many of them fell through.  When this happens we always tell ourselves, "Well, at least we have lessons that can fall through"  There were a few weeks when we couldn´t even schedule lessons.

We have had a goal this week, to pray before each of our lessons, something we have both done with other companions, but have forgotten about.  It has made a HUGE difference in our lessons.  I guess, more than anything this week, I have seen the Spirit guide our lessons.  It has been amazing to see the difference a simple prayer before a lesson can make.  I know the Spirit is what converts people, and I am so glad that we have been able to have a stronger presence of the Spirit in our lessons!

So, it sounds like we have been having a pretty good week.  And we have, but we are currently in a bit of a rough patch.  This morning we were notified that the Bolivars are not going to get married anymore.

Long story short we cried a lot this morning and don´t really know how to help them.  I have said some of the most fervent prayers of my life this morning.  And it has payed off.  I was praying, pouring out my heart.  Praying for strength and comfort for me and for them.  And for inspiration.  Obviously Satan has an influence.  God wants them to get baptized and married, Satan does not.  We are not sure what to do to help them, but we are not going to give up on them!  

So, as I was praying I felt strongly that we should read “A Family Proclamation to the World” [see below] with them.  I went to go get it so I could read it through (it´s been a while since I have read it in Spanish) and Hna. Palomino asked what I was grabbing.  I told her, and she said that she also felt very strongly that that was what they needed to hear.  

We are going to pass by, once we finish emailing.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM!  I am very worried about them.  My SOUL hurt so bad this morning.  I don´t think I have ever hurt so bad or been so sad.  It still hurts a lot, but we are getting through.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM!

But a lot of good things are happening, and we are having faith that everything will work out according to His plan.  The mission wasn´t supposed to be easy.  This week is going to be a lot of fun!  

We have zone conference and the temple on Wednesday.  That night, we are going to a Real Madrid soccer game.  And, some members told us, that it is the BEST game we could have gone to. In the end, the tickets were cheap because they are playing a lower team, BUT it is a tournament game.  Which means, they have to win.  If they do not win this game, they are going to be out of the tournament, and done for the season.  SO, they are going to be playing their best players!  We are so excited for this game.  And, the Hermanas coming from Alcala, have permision to spend the night because president doesnt want them traveling late at night.  

Christmas Eve we have a devotional for us missionaries, by President.  We are then going to Alcala to spend the night with them! 2 sleepovers in just over a week. hahaa.  Who knew the mission was so fun!  Hna. Palomino has recent converts in Alcala and we are spending the day with them, until we go to Skype.  They are from Mexico and I am very excited to eat delicious Mexican food on Christmas!  We visited them once this transfer and they are an amazing family.  I am excited for our plans.

I know this church is true!  I know this work is important.  I strive every day to do better and to share it with more.  I am weak, but He makes me strong!  I NEVER want this to end!  I know my Savior lives and loves me!  What a blessing!

Con amor,

Hermana Olsen

The Family

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A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.