July 24, 2017 Working Hard and Hardly Working

Dear Mom 

This we was a little tough.

Tuesday we were going from one side of the area to the other. We went with a member with a reference that he had given us but 30 pesos and a walk later they wheren't there. So we went to meet some lessactives over there. After that we went to a person we had contacted in a motorcyle shop. she ended up being super busy nd we rescheduled. 

Wednesday was similar, some less actives that we had looked for sunday where still gone, but we did meat a drunk on the street which was cool. After lunch went to our appointment cancelled on us but we were able to get in a cool lesson with a less active named felix and his nonmember som sebastian. They are going well. 

Friday, I got to interview someone for baptism but it was so delayed that we couldn't go to the ward activity that night. But she passed which is the good thing. 

Today, We went to the centro to buy me pants (love you dad) and a little toy to figit with caled a spinner so thats cool. Oaxaca really is a beautiful city, We should really comeback after my mission to see the guelaguetza it's really amazing. 

Training is going well, I think Ive finally got the hang of it and being dl and trainer. everythings good and ive got pants that fit now.

Well I love you all 

Elder Olsen 

July 1, 2017 Surprise Goodbye at the Airport with the Madsen's

On July 1, 2017, Pres. and Sis. Madsen headed home to Utah after serving as Mission Presidents of the Mexico, Oaxaca Mission for 3 years.  Mitchell, Elder Olsen, was fortunate to be at the airport to say goodbye as they left.  What a wonderful opportunity.  The Madsen's were wonderful Mission Presidents, and they will be missed but look forward to the Conde's as they begin their 3 year journey.

 President Conde and President Madsen

July 17, 2017 Guelaguetza

Dear mom and everyone,

As you all probably know this week has been a little different. Tuesday after writing we went to the members house that I knew introducing my knew comp. We didn't do much more because we had to do our shopping. 

Wednesday, I gave my first district meeting. I focused on sharing the time equally in the lesson and I think it went well. 

Thursday, In the morning we had a super cool meeting with Pres. and the assistants basically telling us what we had to do as trainers and trainees. Then in the afternoon I asked a member to show us where some less actives live but he was busy so he said that he would give us breakfast and then we would head out in his motocopter (he modified a bike to have spinners) I can't send the pic this week for the computer but I’ll send it. soon. 

So, Friday we get up early to get to his house on time we ate and left. He showed us where 3 less active families live and one of them had 6 nonmembers in the family so we are going to be working really hard with them and the other families to get them to church. 

Sunday, we woke up even earlier to go pick up the less active family in the truck of the member to bring them to out 8am church session. Only 3 came but we just met them so well see what happens. In the afternoon, some of the young men offered to show us around a different part so we went with them and met two more less active families. And 2 more investigators

Today we got up early again to go to the Guelaguetza which is this super cool culture event when all of the cultures of Oaxaca dance and put on a show. It was amazing and something you guys should see one day. I was able to download some photos of that. 

Well that was my week, I now have to report in the night with my district and make sure they are all ok.

Well I love you all

Elder Olsen

July 11, 2017 Another Baptism & Big Changes

Dear mom and everyone,

This week was crazy, we had to work super hard to get this family baptized this week, Citlali and her kids. We visited them every day to get all of the lessons taught. The last day we went was the craziest. They had invited us to Her youngest's birthday party, so we went and taught them before we celebrated. We had a good time sang to the little one and ate cake Jello tortas and leche con arroz. The father had come unexpectedly in the morning and he had expressed that he didn't want them to be baptized, but the other members defended really well and left fine. Friday, they had their interview and past. so, on Friday they got baptized which was super great. (pics below).

Sunday, we went around to all the members so Elder Valenzuela could say good bye to everyone. There’s this crazy family that always fights with the missionaries about the doctrine and they really love the Elders. that was the last visit we did and we stayed there for almost 3 hours. 

Okay now they told us the changes Friday night and I couldn't believe it, So I get a greeny Elder Jimenez, and I'm DL (District Leader). So, this will be the first comp that has less time than me and my first assignment so I’m a little nervous. Oh, and the new pres. is a rule follower. I had changed my backpack to the other one I had brought a few months ago because it's more comfortable on my shoulders and when he saw it he says you have to change your backpack elder, remember the rules. Well that was basically my week, crazy things are happening in the mission.

Whelp I love you all,

Elder Olsen

So Long Missionaries!

June 28, 2017 Atoyac Zone Conference (last with Madsen's)

Pres. and Sis. Madsen always did wonderful Zone Conferenences and lunch and post pictures.  This was the last Conference they had on their mission.  They worked hard all the way up to the end.  We sure will miss random pictures of our missionaries.  But we look forward to getting to know the new Mission Presiden and Wife, Pres. and Sis. Conde

July 3, 2017 Good bye Madsen's Hello Conde's

Dear Mom and Everyone,

This week was Crazy and cool. Tuesday Pres and Sis Madsen had all of the missionaries come and spend time and eat with them so I took my comp over there and left with 2 other elders to my area. we had some pretty good lessons and I only got lost once. I think I’m good to get another comp now. From what my comp said they all shared their testimonies and ate at a mall.

Wednesday, we had our last conference with Pres. Madsen it was cool he talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. 

Saturday, Nancy and Karla got baptized this Saturday so that's super cool. They are now members and following Christ. there are pictures below. also, we woke up at 5 am to go to the airport to say goodbye to the Madsen’s I forgot my camera so I don’t have any photos, but they are now home and in the afternoon, we got to meet Pres Conde. He's going to be different than the Madsen’s, he’s got the mission handbook memorized, so we’ll see the changes to the mission. 

Well I love you all, remember to keep read the scriptures.

Elder Olsen

 Nanci & Carla's Baptism with Elder Valenzula

 Mitchell's Apartment

 The Kitchen

 Outside the Apartment

June 26, 2017 Working with Investigators

Dear mom and everyone,

This week was a little boring. Unfortunately, Nanci had a set back that Monday last week so we had to postpone the baptism this week. It was disappointing but it did give us more time to finish the lessons. 

Our investigator Citlali came to church this Sunday and after she had talked with a member she was super excited to get baptized. She was asking what day am I getting baptized, and what do I have to do to be baptized. That was super cool. 

I got sick again with a cold so on Sunday I took a nap after church and felt worse but the work goes on so we went to Nanci’s house to teach her and Karla, it was interesting to teach tithing when you can’t think straight ha-ha. But we brought some members that saved me and made it a lot easier.

We did get one new investigator, we have to teach him in the church but that’s okay, he’s cool his name is Fernando his got 2 daughters and has a perfect schedule to listen to us and go to church so well see how that goes. Almost nobody talks about my hair they more talk about my skin color hola guedo they would say or something like that. normally we go to a cafe but it they were all closed today for some reason so we are in a member’s house right now. I’ll see what I can do with google drive. and of course, I’ll get a new comp next change, they don’t tell us anything until the day before and the new Pres. is going to do the changes, so its possible that I train. well sorry for the short letter but I still feel a little loopy from the cold. it should clear up tomorrow, oh and we are making pizzas tonight with the members we live with so that’ll be fun

love you all

elder olsen