Unexpected Changes

Hello everybody,

This week has been kinda crazy. It started off strong with a baptismal invitation. We invited Kaci to be baptized on April 10th and she accepted! She is so excited and we are as well. It was the last lesson I taught with Elder Giles, and the best lesson we ever taught together

On Wednesday, we were supposed to get 2 new people, but it ended up that we just got my new companion, Elder Jacob. So, we were in a trio with Elder Faimalo, and we got put in a different district, so I wasn't the district leader anymore. We reorganized the whole house for three people and stuff as well. Then, one day into the transfer, we get a call that a different Elder is coming in to be companions with Elder Faimalo. We had to rush to reorganize the whole house again, and Friday night Elder Sedan got here. Now, I am district leader again and things are back to normal.

Anyways, the week was crazy but good. My new companion, Elder Jacob, is a great missionary. We are excited for this transfer.

Spiritual thought: In my studies, this verse stuck out to me: Helaman 7:16 "Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?" 

We should not give in to the temptations of the devil. There are so many things that may seem like they might bring us joy, but all the temptations of Satan are meant to drag us down. He wants us to be miserable like him. Why would anyone want that? I sure don't. Don't give in to the enticings of the devil, follow Christ, and find true joy!

Photos:

I've been really bad at taking pictures recently, sorry. But here's a couple

1. Elder Jacob and I (we used this picture for a free Bible ad)

2. Kaci, Elder Giles, and I (we weren't wearing masks because we all had already had covid, so don't roast me please)

3. For an early early early birthday present, my parents chipped in with me on a guitar so I will have one to play for the rest of my mission (and beyond). 

week 25: I've been called as a District Leader

Week 1 of transfer 4 (FYI a transfer consists of a 6 week period of time)
January 27, 2020

Hey everybody, I recorded my email but it didn't save again.

Last night, I got a call from President Piros to tell me that I am the district leader here in Hidrolandia now, because there was an emergency and Elder Santiago was transferred to be a zone leader in another area. I was pretty surprised, because this is only my 4th transfer. But, the more responsibility you get, the faster you learn I guess.

This week Jose and Elezangela came to church! Jose is on track to be baptized, he is keeping the commandments and has received all the lessons. But, he still has doubts that he needs to be baptized again, because he was baptized in a different church already. We taught him about fasting, and this Sunday we fasted with him so that he could receive an answer to his prayers. Hopefully all goes well and he is baptized this Saturday.

Rafael and Elizabeth are still having problems with documents, but they are trying to solve them.

On to things that I hate: -being sick in the mission. I had a little fever and headache during my fast, but it was gone in one day. I really am blessed to be better already.

Things that I like: -Elizabeth's sister let us borrow her cuscuzeira (a pot they use to make cuscuz, the cornbread stuff) So we are gonna be eating a ton of that

Spiritual thought:
1 Nephi 15: 8-11 

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?
9 And they said unto me: aWe have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.
10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?
11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

When we have questions, struggles, or doubts, all we need to do is diligently keep the commandments and use our faith. God will respond. Follow the example of Nephi. Have the faith to ask. It's ok to have doubts. It's ok to have struggles. God will help you.

Love you all and have a great week!
-- 
Elder Olson

(A 17 yr old boy they contacted sent this photo via instagram direct message)