Wednesday, July 1, 2015

 June 29, 2015

So, this week was a little better. I am finally getting used to the area. I met the ward yesterday. I am teaching better with my companion. (BTW THANK YOU BRETT FOR THE FIGURITAS DEL PLAN DE SALVACIÓN!!!! They really help...)

And, I didn't take many pictures this week, if I took any at all. Besides my new planner, I don't think I have any new pics...

Anyways... the week.

Lunes: We found some news. A guy and his son. That's about it...

Martes: We learned that we won't get new planners until Friday. Ugh. I don't remember a lot of this week, because I didn't have a planner.

Wednesday: Yeah, the same. It's in my journal. I had to write everything on a peice of scratch paper.

Thursday: I am writing the days in English again... OOPS.

Viernes: FINALLY I have something to talk about...  Oh yeah. 5 news in one day. We met 3 people that are a married family. Super chill, and it was kinda dumb too, because we were teaching lesson 1, and a theater called "Claun en el Puerto" showed up, unpacked right in front of their house, and started blasting music and stuff. We had to end early and practically yell to teach the prayer. Haha, but he said the prayer no problem. Super kool this family.

Sábado: We taught a single mom and her daughter. The daughter was new. Yeah. Then we had correlation, and were supposed to have ward council. But it didn't happen AGAIN so we had just wasted time, we had a half hour to return and do anything, so we tried to go visit someone, but they weren't home.

Domingo: I forgot to say that on Saturday, I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting. 5 minutes no big deal.  So I did it, and I was awesome. I made jokes, and I was super spiritual. Or, at least that is what the bishop said. He could be lying to make me feel better.  we taught Lesson 2 to our insac in the church, and affirmed the fecha for the 11.  Then, we didn't have any success at all, even in divisions, which we do every Sunday here. Nobody was home, or if they were home, they were busy. We set some citas and we contacted, to no avail. I was a little disappointed, but it isn't the first time that it happened.

Lunes: Our toilet was fixed today (It was not broken, but the seal of the upper tank had a little leak, so water was continually flowing into the bowl, so that we had to be turening off water supply except to flush it.)  Then we had district p-day. We just kinda sat there... Boring. But yeah. Then we went back to the room, and I read more Jesus the Christ (THANK YOU GRANDMA FOR THAT BOOK, IT'S SUPER AWESOME!)  I am in chapter 39 of 42. I have less that 100 pgs left of that 800 page book. It is awesome. I love it. My companion thinks I am wierd for reading it so much.

That was my week. Sorry for not having anything to say for the beginning of the week...

The weather is a bit chilly. It is winter, but here, it is like home, only not as cold in the winter. The humidity is what hits the hardest. I get really freezing cold hands all day long, but the rest of me is warm enough to use my short sleeve most of the time. There are times where I need to use the sweater over my shirt, but it isn't very often. And when the sun is out (which is rare) it is REALLY hot. But that is not normal right now.

Still have good food.

Entonces, ya. Me he dado cuenta de que mi español es mejor que algunas otras. Eso es una sorpresa para mi. Mi confianza está creciendo. El don de lenguas es real. Me encanta ver eso. Hay veces, claro, en que no quiero hablar más, como en las noches y mañanas, porque no puedo pensar muy bien, pero es una gran bendición tener este don. Gracias pro todo su apoyo. Puedo sentirlo constantemente. Les amo a ustedes mucho, y quiero que todos pueden servir en una manera o otra. Jayden, Esté seguro que yo escucho de su llamamiento. Espero que está sirviendo en Perú, porque es lo máximo, pero estoy agradecido que ha tenido estas ganas para compartir este evangelio.  Otra vez, les amo a todos ustedes, y quiero lo mejor para ustedes. Sigan siendo chéveres!


(So now. I realized that my Spanish is better than some others. That's a surprise
 for me. My confidence is growing. The gift of tongues is real. I love to see 
that. There are times , of course, they do not want to talk more , as in the 
evenings and mornings , because I can not think very well , but it is a great 
blessing to have this gift. Thank you for being supportive. I can feel it constantly. 
I love you very much, and I want everyone to serve in one way or another . Jayden,
 Be sure I hear their appeal . I hope he is serving in Peru , because it is the
 ultimate , but I'm grateful to have had this desire to share the gospel. Again,
 I love all of you , and I want the best for you . Nifty remain !)

Chao,
Elder Olsen
 
This is what missionaries would call here, TRUNKY

 

Puente Piedra, area Zapallal 1A

June 22, 2015

So, before I say anything, Hi.


Now for the week.

Lunes-  Yup. I printed a picture for each of my 12 converts. And I visited most of them (Some weren't home and wouldn't answer the phone). I have some pictures of The first and the last converts that I had. (Johan Hurtado and the Narva Family). The others weren't home. I also have a picture with some members (Santiago [James] Velasquez and the Ramos Family). Then, I went home, and packed. I went to bed really late, because I had to pack everything, and yeah. So that was Monday.

Martes-  Ok. Transfer day.  As you all know, the mission is splitting after today. The zane Huaraz is going to be part of the mission Trujillo South. 24 missionaries went to Huaraz.  So, I woke up early. Too early. We arrived at the transfers in Las Palmeras (the zone that transfers are held in) at 8:50 in the morning. But we heard wrong yesterday.... we were supposed to be there at 9:50. :P So, we went to the offices to wait. The zone Huaraz was already there waiting (because they have to travel all day to get there). And, Elder Guevara wasn't there. CHAO ELDER GUEVARA! Yup. He's gone.  And yeah, so transfers happened. I am in the zone Puente Piedra, area Zapallal 1A. But something SUPER sad happened.......  My first companion, that guy who I met in the Phoenix airport... Elder Watkins... He is gone. To Huaraz. :'(  Goodbye, my friend. I was going to "die" with him, and go home as champions on the same plane and stuff... But yeah, not anymore. He's a goner. In Trujillo South Mission. *sigh* I am gonna miss that guy. He gets these emails, too and says that he reads them which is wierd, because they are too long. But yeah, Elder Wakins, if you are reading this, suerte. That's all.  Anyways, my companion is Elder Quintana, and he is the "son" of Elder Huish, my first DL. (That means that Huish trained him.) He is from Perú, Chiclayo.  So yeah. We got to our room, and it is GIGANTIC!!!!  The area is really big, too. That's not normal for me. We went and we set a baptismal date for a single mom named Maria. This is so wierd, a new area. But that was my day.

Miércoles- I still don't understand this area. It is confusing and big. But yeah. Wierd. It's like starting over again. But it is faster. Oh, we had district meeting, and my new DL is Elder Starita, who was my ZL my 2nd transfer. It's kinda strange, but kool.

Jueves- Weekly Planning... so, boring.  But effective. We are strarting to understand eachother as companions, but it is still wierd. I don't understand this area or anything. But I am getting closer little by little.

Viernes- I took my dirty clothes to the lavandería. But, it is out of our area. I had to take my huge bag of dirty clothes on a BUS. I can't believe it. It was really dumb... But yeah. And also, our pension is AWESOME. She cooks some incredible food.

Sábado- So, nothing happened until 7. We were supposed to have ward council. We got there, and nobody was there. So while we waited, I was watching the cultural celebration of the Trujillo temple. Super kool. Yup. It reminded me of the Gilbert Temple Celebration. Yup. Then we found a married family after we left because nobody came. Super awesome.

Domingo- The dedication. Rweally awesome. Elder Uchtdorf and Bednar were there, and they don't speak Spanish. Uchtdorf said a lot of funny things at the sealing of the cornerstone. It was awesome. Then, we had nothing to do, so we studied until lunch. We had a pretty good day afterwards and found another married family with a member. So that was my week

Lunes- We cleaned the room. Yup. That's it. Super kool week. Oh I also got a haircut finally. 

So yeah. A new area. I feel like I am actually into my mission now. 6 months in peru, 12 baptisms in 3 transfers in the field. 12 souls brought to the joy of christ, and 3 families with the potencial to be eternal. :)

So that was my week.  I liked it, but it was hard, and really different. Really hard. I am getting used to another companion and a new area. It is super fun, but really hard and wierd. But I will get through it.

Ahora, mi testimonio es esto: yo sé que esta obra es la obra de salvación. Yo sé que mi salvador vive. Yo sé que estoy dónde debo estar. Dónde necesito estar. Dónde tengo que estar. Hay veces en que quiero estar en un lugar diferente, como mi casa con mis amigos, en mi otro área, Ventanilla 2, o dondequiera sea, pero sé que esto es dónde el Señor quiere que yo esté.  
 
(Now , my testimony is this: I know that this work is the work of salvation . I
 know that my Savior lives . I know I'm where I should be . Where I need to be .
 Where I have to be . There are times I want to be in a different place , like my
 house with my friends, my other area , Window 2 , or wherever is, but I know this
 is where the Lord wants me to be .)
 
I urge all my friends and family to prepare to serve a mission. it is the greatest experience of my life, and it has already been 6 months. I am a fourth of the way through. It's unbelievable. I can't let another second pass by wasted. And I want all to know what it is like. Get to mission prep, live righteously, and study the scriptures. This gospel is wonderful, and it changes and saves lives for all eternity. 

Thanks for all your support and your love and emails. Tengan una semana extraordinaria! 

neslO bocaJ yeliR redlE
(Elder Riley Jacob Olsen)
 
Familia Ramos

Johan

Johan

Johan and Stephanie and their daughter

Johan and Stephanie and their daughter

 Antonella (the 10 year old daughter in the Narva Family)

The Narva Family and a neighbor.


Elder watkins

Walter

Familia Narva 

The Narva Family and a neighbor.

The main room of my room. It is really big.

The bedroom of my room. It is HUGE.

The bedroom of my room. It is HUGE.

The main room of my room. It is really big.
Elder Quintana 

I got a haircut and Elder Quintana
Santiago (James) Velasquez

Santiago (James) Velasquez
 
 
 

Yay! Baptisms. 4 souls to the Lord.

June 15, 2015

The baptism

my zone leader Elder Avery (he died in mission terms today) and Elder Verdugo, the Argentinian DL

The Baptism 

The zone dressed in white. Pretty.


Yay! Baptisms. 4 souls to the Lord.

Some people in my district. This is the area Angamos (they are both leaving tomorrow.)

Some people in my district. This is the area Angamos (they are both leaving tomorrow.)

Elder Mendoza 

Elder Hernandez with his iPod. He was playing a Coldplay song on it. His comp is DL.

The Area Ventanilla 1. Elder Borja

Elder Knowlton.
I am a dirty boty. (Friday morning after moving a mountainside.)


Why I feel bad for Brett....  Argentinians are soo wierd...


Esta Pata... Antonio with my camera at the Trujillo temple Open house

So, first off, this week had it's awesome moments, and it's crap moments.  This week was awesome, but at the same time, it really sucked. Out numbers were soooo bad this week. Like, horrible. Aside from the first 2 on the list: Bapisms and Confirmations: 4.

Yup. The Narva Family was baptized on Saturday! And, to tell you the truth, I didn't expect it.  Super Awesome.  

And we got the calls today about who is leaving and who is going....

I will tell you at the end... maybe... >:)

So, let's start with this here list...

Lunes: After Internet, we prepared a super awesome family night with the family. It turned out to be a flop. We were going to teach Baptism and Confirmation, and we did, but it was really messy. The game was fun, though. Don't eat Pete. We talked to them about the interviews on Wednesday, and they said they were willing (because we committed them).  So that was our evening.

Martes: We were going to do a referral activity with a member. We get there, and he ALREADY KNOWS IT. UGH. The bishop spoiled it. It's Noah's Ark. We talk about how the ark was closed by God, because it was, and that only 8 people went with him. And the idea is that they give us 8 referrals, because it is so sad that people will be locked out. (They are supposed to cry). Yeah. It didn't work. He ended up putting it off because he didn't care too much. But that was the only thing interesting in my day...

Miercoles:  So, District meeting, kool. The Zone had 20 baptismal dates planned. That's a new record. In the freaking world, or something like that. 20 baptisms in one zone in one day. So, in the evening, the Narva family had their interviews.... and they were there for 3 hours. They all passed and will be baptized on Saturday. Oh, the youngest daughter wasn't there, so they said that they were gonna come back on Thursday for her.  We got back really really late, and I slept in my white shirt and tie (all of my missionary clothes but my shoes). :P It was a little uncomfortable, but I don't care.

Thursday: We found a family of 3. The mom has cancer, and they aren't married. We are going to be trying to get them to get married... And then in the evening, Antonella (the daughter of 10 years) had her interview, and passed. But Judith (the mom) said that Walter (the dad) had to work until 7 on Saturday (that's not good, the baptism is at 6). Crap.

Friday: Oops just realized that I wrote the last 2 days in English... Anyways, we had last minute exchanges, because elder Verdugo (DL) was told to meet with the family that night and talk about the baptisms, to make sure they go. I stayed with Elder Hernandez again in his area. We talked with a couple jóvenes about the church. It was funny, because they were asking us questions in an attempt to fight (which happens a lot). But Elder Hernandez is a boss, and if there was any fight at all (because it was super laid back, thanks to elder Hernandez), we won BIG TIME. haha, and then, we found a Japanese dude on the way back to the room (we had to stay the night), and elder Hernandez has been trying to learn Japanese. So it was weird, and they talked in Japanese a little, and then we went back the their room, and we slept.

Sabado: BAPTISMS. So, it was all good. I forgot to say that on Friday, We had service in another area in the morning. We literally had to break the wall of a mountain and move it somewhere else. UGH. It sucked but it was fun. The baptisms were a huge success, even though only 17 of the 20 people were baptized. The other 3 didn't pass (poor Mi Peru area...).  But yeah. I have pictures.

Domingo: They were confirmed. That is prettymuch everything. that happened...

Spiritual experience: Yesterday, I was with Walter (my new convert) in the church. He is super quiet, doesn't talk much. He was looking at the picture of the Lima temple, and I told him that that is the ultimate goal. I told him that I am exited for him, and that I am so happy for his choice to be baptized. I reminded him of Eternal Marriage, and he teared up and told me thank you. He bore a little testimony to me that he nkows the church is true, and looked at his wife, and said that that is their goal, and they hugged. It was super awesome. Just like 25 seconds passed, but I am so glad that they are already setting their goal. I know that this is the true church, and that families can be together forever. I am sad to be leaving them, but I want more people to feel that too.

So...Yeah. I don't have time to write in Spanish.


OOOHHHHHH YYYEEEAAAHHHH!!!!!! I forgot to tell you about the transfers...


I am leaving the area tomorrow, AND I DID NOT EXPECT THAT AT ALL. It was a HUGE surprise.  I don't know where i am going, or who my companion will be, so yeah.

Mom asked a couple questions...

Mom, I can't eat with members because of health and money reasons. It's a little bit of a crappy situation.... And I can't eat with members... It is a mission rule.

And yes, we have LOTS of fruit. I ate a fruit that was super different a few weeks ago it was called... Lugma... I think.... But yeah.  we do have fruits here.

My area is pretty small, i think. I am not super sure. It has a couple medium subdivisions in it.  

It is half of the ward.

The mission splits in July. This is the last transfer with Huaraz in it. It is the zone highest north. Also the coldest and greenest. And it rains there. It will be trujillo South. So, with me leaving, it is possible that I am going there, though i don't think so.  Still, President said that this transfer had to be approved by the 12 apostles.

It is gonna be interesting...

Well, that is it for this week. I am gonna miss my area and my companion a lot.

Until next week, with more info...

Elder Olsen

Taught word of wisdom in the streets

Sorry for the short letter

June 1, 2015

Boring week.

Yeah, Nothing happened. We had intercambios on Monday, and Elder Hernande is super cool. He plays guitar, and is super funny. Knows some English too. He wants to be a musician and singing English. He is really cool.  He is also a phenomenal missionary. He goes home to Chimbote Peru in September.

District meeting I got a letter from Brittan Ross. It was awesome. I left it in my room with my camera on accident, so there aren't pictures or the answers to his questions. Thursday nothing happened.  Friday I had divisions with my comp, and I went with  return missionary named Jesus to the family we are teaching. We taught lesson 3, and It was alright. He had some cool examples like clothes and the washing machine, and stuff like that. He is obviously a better teacher than me. Saturday Nothing happened, Sunday we had 5 InSac (The family we are teaching, their 3rd attendance) and then nothing happened. Sorry, but seriously nothing happened. Some lessons, some contacting. We dropped an investigator because she wouldn't keep commitments, and yeah. That was my week.

I know that this church is true. I know that Christ is our Savior and that through him, we can be together forever with our families. Sorry for the short letter. I promise that next week's will be better, and I will have pictures.

Cuidense mucho!
Elder Olsen

I got my new scripture cases!


My forros from the side.

My triple, first vision in front

Captain Moroni on the back of my triple

My bible. Moses on the front

My bible.   The atonement on the back



This was a request from Elder Mendoza I didn't opt for the dumb ugly smoulder. Blame him. His idea.
May 25, 2015

To start. Yes they arrived. They are not invisible. I asked for Guinnea Pig fur, but I guess there was a misunderstanding. It is white leather from a cow or something. But, it is still the BOMB. They are great.  I was waiting for a month and they are here. I will send pics.

This week was pretty good.

On Monday, as I told you, I got a call from the assistants that I was going to go to the temple on Wednesday. It happened and it was great.  But, continuing, I had a Noche de Hogar with some recent converts (not my converts) Familia Ramos. We got references from them.

Tuesday- We had Multi-Zone Conference. 10am-4:30pm  With President. It was kool, and we talked about Charity. I know nothing about this country. Freaking. I need to know more. I will start asking more people about the country. I did learn that Arequipa Peru is like Texas in the US. It's almost a different country. Everyone talks about ""Passports" and stuff. It's actually kinda funny. especially when with the Elder in Ventanilla 1 (the other companionship in the ward), Elder Borja, from Arequipa. Haha, the people always talk to him about the "passport he needed to get to Peru. Haha. The assistants told me that I had to spend the night in the offices on Tuesday. We left the room at about 8:30, and arrived in the mission office at 10:00. I didn't get to bed until like 12.

Wednesday: I woke up at 5. (Ugh.)  Got ready, and left at 6. The people who went with me were (there were 2 and a half companionships): Sisters McKnight, and Castillo, Elders Guitan, Sutherland, and Olsen (Me). My companion (Elder Guevara) wasn't there. Hna Archibald told me that he was gonna go next time, because he is in Huaraz. So, yeah. Also, obviously, there was President and Hermana Archibald.  We visited Moroni, and after, we visited Tony Roma. Haha I'll send pics. We went to Mira Flores. The rich part of Lima in this mall that was big and like California. Lot's of English for the tourists, and yeah. Kool. I loved the temple. Haven't been since February. The beginning. It was great.  I got back to my area at like 7. Yeah, Elder Mendoza was late. I had to wait in the offices for 4 hours. I took a nap.  We set 7 fechas. FUERTES. A family of 5, and a single mom with her daughter. And, yeah. It was good. No news, though.
The mall in Mira Flores

The mall in Mira Flores

and Antonio.)

Me and my comp

 Me with elder knowlton, from Washington state, 30 min from Canada

Pollo a la Braza at Home

Thursday- A TON OF CONTACTING, AND NOTHING BUT REJECTION. It's alright, though. Not 1 lesson, not 1 new, not 1 referral, nothing. And I was absolutely zonked out when I got home. Whew.

Friday- Another boring day. We taught Lesson 2 to the familia (Narva, se llama) And lesson 5 to our recent converts who lacked it.  we got into a lesson with a pf (partmember family) and got 2 news.

Saturday- Another day of no fruits. I don't know why this is happening. I was also struggling really bad with the language then. Ugh. we finished the missionary lessons (finally) with fam morales, who was baptized back in march. And we had a lesson with a menos activo, jhon. I hope people go to church tomorrow.

Sunday- 4 inSac. Fam Narva went, except for their oldest son, bill. Maribel didn't go. Jhon, the MA, went, and it was a good day. fam Narva have 2 attendances, except for bill, who has 0.  We tried really hard with our last way to find people. REALLY HARD. Hoche de Hogar, where we contact doors with the intent of holding one. It had no success. It was 5:45, and we got a call from a member (who BTW is 16 and tuns 17 on my birthday, September 10) with a reference. We contacted them right away, and got 2 news at 6. Then, we went to continue contacting. At 7, we got into a family of 6!!! Noche de Hogar works. Then, we had a cita at 8, and got 2 more news!!!!!! We ended the day with 10 new investigators in just 3 hours. WOAH. 12 news this week. 10 ways works. President promised it, and it happened. Awesome. It was a great week, but mainly just because of Sunday.

Monday (Again)- P-Day de Distrito. We ate Pollo a la Braza, or roticerie style chicken, which is an extremely popular food here. With french fries, mayonaise, aji sauce, and huancayina sauce (my favorite). Yeah. I got a bag to carry clothes in. It is Orange, and awesome. It says Peru on it. I have exchanges today. I am going to the area Naval with Elder Hernandez, and the DL is staying in my area.  Sao yeah.

I am really lazy right now, and don't want to write in Spanish. I know with all the surety of my heart that this is the true church of God. I know that I am supposed to be here in Peru preaching the gospel to those who are lost in confusion. And it really is confusion. There is another church on literally every corner of every street. This Is hard, but I am doing ok. I m determined to meet Moroni and Tony Roma again, in June. I will do it. One more week to find people to baptize in June. Heavenly Father needs these souls, and if it gives me some really awesome, amazing, delicious ribs, potato skins, onion rings, french fries, Inca Kola, and a visit to the house of God for doing it, all the more reason. I love you guys alot and I miss you, but I can't wait to come home telling you that I have put forth my whole effort into the work. I won't stop working. Ever. I will be the best that I can be, and nothing will hold me back. Because, as Dad used to say, "You can do anything that yu set your mind to."

Love you guys,

Elder Olsen