Hello it's me again!
This week we had a cool experience on exchanges. I took elder Baumann and a new missionary, but that meant that I was the most experienced spanish speaker and we had tons of spanish lessons planned. I was super nervous but just felt like I needed to trust in God and it would all work out. So I tried to do just that and the day actually went really really well. We had a new person for an English class which was awesome, only to find out that he has the thickest Cuban accent I have ever heard and that I could not understand him at all. But God definitely helped out in that lesson and we left as friends despite the language barrier.
We had an amazing lesson with a member who was baptized as a child but doesn't really know anything about the church. It was so cool because we brought two members to be her friends and before we even said anything about the church she said that she wants to start going! Before she had been nice to us and I think mildly interested, but those two ladies really changed things for her. The power of friendship is real.
We also had a lesson with the Lopez family (the same one's from last week). This time the Mom and daughter were there and the mom talked about how she has been to so many churches but has always felt like something has been missing. But when she talks to her friend from the church she feels so at peace. So we promised that if she would pray about the Book of Mormon she would know that shes found the missing piece and she was really excited about it! I felt the spirit giving me new ideas about how to teach the same thing I've taught dozens of times before and it was really cool.
This week has marked a year since the covid shutdowns. So I've been reflecting a lot about the last year. This year has easily been the craziest/hardest/most spirit filled/ most lessons learned/coldest/hottest/wettest/best/worst year of my life. It has been such an up and down roller coaster with covid hitting, being separated from all my amazing friends and family, sports, school, and graduation being cancelled, getting reassigned to Nebraska, and then hardest of all the loss of my sweet little 4 month old nephew. This year has been hard and challenge filled. I have felt like Nephi did in the very first verse in the Book of Mormon. "Having seen many afflictions in the course of my days." I think we have all felt like this at times. But then he added this. "Nevertheless [I have] been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; Yea, [I have] had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God." This is the part that is surprising to so many. When I look back on the last year since covid hit, I can see so many blessings that come despite challenges, and even because of challenges. All of my siblings moved back into my parents house and we had some beautiful months together despite the shutdowns. I've learned what it's like to put my trust in God when it seems like there's no hope and then watch him show me the way. I got the chance to be at my brother's wedding and I still have the chance to serve a mission in a place that I love! I've also learned so much. I've learned to never take any moment for granted because you never know when it might be gone. I've learned that there is nobody better to trust in than God and your family. I've learned that life isn't always what you expect or want, but life is always sweet and God has something unimaginable in store for us. So I can honestly say that although the last year has been the hardest of my life, it has easily been the best year. I invite you all to look back and instead of focusing on what you can't do, focus on the blessings that God has given you during these challenges and thank Him! Elder Gong said, "Truly, for those with faithful hearts and eyes to see, the Lord's tender mercies are manifest amidst life's challenges." And I promise that is true.
Love you all!
-Elder Olsen
No comments:
Post a Comment