pictures from Elder Olson's mission 1968-1970

Various pictures from Elder Olson's mission to the Southwest Indian Mission from 1968 to 1970. More to come later. (*Note: In the published format, some of these pictures will overlap others a little bit, so I'll have to remember next time I post pictures, to only put two pictures in a row. To view the partially hidden pictures, just click on them and then you can see them in their entirety.)Not all of Elder Olson's slide photos were identified as to who was in them or where they may have been taken, but the ones that are I have tried to correctly name under the picture. Not quite sure who is in above left picture. The picture on the top right is: Elder Thompson, Elder Feil and Elder Horton.

left: Elders at the Language Training Center in Provo, Utah 1968; Linda Brown, Doris May, Gary, Melvin, Shirley & Sister Nelson.


left: Elder Olson baptized their father; middle: Ardith Holland, Charlotte Young & Mildred Keller; right: George Holland, Clifford Young & Bill Keller. On these I (Elder Olson's daughter) am not sure which person is which in the photos, but the names are those who are in them.


left: Elder Olson with a little Navajo girl who's mother told her that they were the Elders; middle: Rosinda, Wanday & Cody Johnson; right: Irene Keetso in Escrito, New Mexico


left: Harrison Begay's daughter; middle: some Navajo children; right: the Harrison Begay's family and possibly others


left: unidentified female; middle: Elder Olson with Debbie Chapman; right: taken in Chinle, Arizona; the picture below is Elder Olson with Darlene Kanuho

Week 2 1/2

This was our post for Week 2 which I may not have posted. If I did I guess you can skip it. This week has been a little crazy, but until the gardens are actually growing I think we can expect every week to be just a little crazy because no two days are alike and there is no real schedule as such. Monday was Orientation 9-4 with a break for lunch. Although long it was really interesting and very informative. We learned a lot more about what is expected of us and what we should try to do in regards to helping the people who are in the gardening project. One of the things I want to share is the part called "Ammon's Way" We were asked to read Alma 17 & 18 I am going to share the thoughts on the handout because it was so awesome. Alma 17:9 Fast and pray for a portion of the Spirit to go with you, that you might be an instrument in the hands of God. vs 11Be patient in long-suffering and afflictions to show a good example Work diligently to establish the trust of the people vs 25-27 Be consistently humble-Ammon was a son of a king, but he didn't even mention that. He passed up the opportunity for honor and just asked to stay and serve. Show respect for authority - Ammon showed respect for the King, even though he himself was a son of a King. vs 28-29 Listen to the people - you have to know the people to understand the facts before you even know what the problem is. Patiently await the events that will build trust - the Lord brought about events for change, while Ammon was performing his duties as a shepherd 31-39 Give encouragement and guidance when prompted. He led them, instructed them, and worked right along with them. He fought defensively not offensively. Alma 18 vs 8-12 Let your actions speak for you. Ammon didn't boast to the king. He faithfully and quietly went about his assigned duties. vs 14-15 Ask your leaders what you can do for them. vs 16 Wait until the time is right, when they are open, when the Spirit tells you, when they ask for help - Ammon waited until the King asked him - then he taught him. I hope those thoughts will give you pause to ponder on how we could use them as a guide in our everyday life. This talk was a part of the Orientation. I really liked it and hope we can use that as guide as we serve the people here. Tuesday started off with serving breakfast to the seminary students. We started at 6:45. Monday night we peeled and slice potatoes. They were fried, mixed with Spam and scrambled eggs then wrapped up in fry bread. They were huge and some of the boys ate two, which was astounding. They had to leave around 8, so we cleaned up after they left. That night was the Relief Society Birthday Party which was one of the best I've ever attended. We prepared food most of the day after Elder Olson and I roto-tilled sister Craig's garden(Not sure I am spelling that right, but you get it I am sure. ) Anyway, she is an elderly Hopi sister. When her son married he took the bricks from the back quarter house (which consisted of an entire room) and started his own very small house for his bride. Now the back quarter of her small house is gone. She has a small garden that she works in all summer. At the party the priesthood served the sisters. Afterwards the RS president said she could feel their power and protecting spirit as they stood at their posts around the room. It was quite a spirit to feel. They served salad, then roast beef, baked potato, steamed vegetables, and homemade rolls. After we had strawberry shortcake and then a birthday cake. I am sure I am going to gain a lot of weight. They serve that kind of a meal a lot. The priesthoold cleaned up and hovered most of the evening. We played games before dinner. One of which included answering questions about Relief Society and then a get to know each other card that other sisters had to sign. It was lots of fun. I still can't remember names very well, but I do know a dozen or so now. Wed. a load of sawdust was delivered and Friday a truck with 572 rolls of drip hose was delivered. I got to help unload a lot before some ward members came. Bro Seeley said I couldn't have all the fun, so I had to let the men take over my job. ;o[ We had quite a system going and were able to get it all out of the semi in good time. Thurs. night was our second Garden Demo. We had people circle the parking lot and pick up the things they needed this time. Elder Olson and I had the rolls of wire and the 4' boards for the gates. I was going a little crazy and Elder Olson had to remind me that we should let the people do the loading (I have much to learn) Three wonderful men took over the loading and all I had to do was check off the items on the participants slips. Elder Olson went back to visiting and getting to know the people better. (He's so much smarter than his wife) We're getting the rotation thing down to a science. It went really well this time. Friday was Soup Kitchen Day at the Catholic Church which is just over the east fence from us. Sister Reece and I helped as did the young Elders. Elder Olson and Elder Reece hauled materials around to various church buildings. A long road trip for Elder Olson. The Soup Kitchen is on the last two Fridays of the month, 1-4. I would guess around 30-40 people were served. If there is food at the end, you send it with the people. We sent several loaves of bread and some pies. Some ate and left, while others lingered. The wind is blowing again today and it is cold. We helped with the clean-up, then hopped the fence (;o] Yes I can still climb over a fence) and came home.

Our email address is still the same olsonski@gmail.com

Elder and Sister Olson

19 Mar 2011

Well St. Patrick's Day went well. No one pinched me, first time in 30 years. It is always a favorite holiday at school for the kids, to pinch everyone in sight who isn't wearing green. ;o} I almost got to pinch Elder Olson, but he had picked up a little green tab sort of thing which he quickly pulled out when I was chasing him.

Sunday's meetings were awesome. We attend two wards and both sacrament meetings were great. The Bishop had asked the YW president to speak about her dream for the young women. Her counsel was amazing and the spirit was overwhelming. The 2nd ward meets at 9 A.M. so their RS and 1st ward's sacrament overlap so we went to the sacrament for 1st ward. Two young people with strong testimonies of the gospel shared some of the trials they have gone through. We are so impressed with the way they just say it how it is, no "talks" being shared. They spoke from thier heart and people were touched throughout the chapel.

Desbah Tsinnie, a woman Elder Olson baptized on his mission came into Sunday School. She came over to the duplex and we had a great visit.

On Monday we took the scenic route to her trailer, ending up in someone's field because Elder Olson was sure the road was just over there. Well, we all know Bishop Lamb's "Watch this" que to run, well "just over there" is Elder Olson's que to pack a lunch and get the GPS. Make sure you have plenty of water, sleeping bags, and a tent, just in case. He keeps insisting that "just over there" is truly just over there, perhaps he is taliking about the google earth feature of "just over there" I am sure he will be able to explain it more when he comes home, but be sure you have all the above mentioned supplies if he asks you to come with him and says it is just over there.

When we did finally get to "just over there" a lady who was sound asleep woke up and answered the door. She was not very welcoming and told him to come back later. He persisted a little, but we did not get in and we did not get much of a welcome.

Later he got a call from "the half asleep lady" apoligizing profusely about the unfriendly reception. It turned out to be Desbah's daughter, who had been asleep and was sure that Elder Olson was out there as a "repo" guy looking for information about her neighbors.

She had called her mom who mentioned that we might be coming out and to welcome us. :o] Desbah had a few other choice words for her daughter's reception, but next time I will get out of the truck so she can see me.

Earlier Monday morning we went for a walk with the Meldrums. They took us up to a pond behind the duplex. I think it was about 40 miles, but Grandpa assured me that it was much less, maybe a mile. She asked if I had had the "dog lesson' I was sure that I hadn't. The dogs here are trained. If you carry a rock or bend over to pick one up or even pretend to pick one up, they turn tail and run. It actually worked too. I however prefer the big stick approach. ;o}

Tuesday Ronnie dug out some tree stumps. The church is planting fruit trees to replace the shade trees that are there now. It is more productive to have shade trees that produce fruit. The other couples were a bit surprised at how many he was able to dig out in a day.

Wednesday Haskie and Geneva Black came by to talk about their garden. They live about 15 miles away and their house is on top of rock, not sure what kind, but there are a lot of old volcanoes around Flagstaff. There is very little soil, so he will build 4 foot circles, by using the available rocks and haul in dirt to put in them. Elder Seeley says it is a patio garden without the patio.

They are building a wonderful little home, but do not have running water hooked up, so they haul water in 50 gallon barrels, like many others. They use solar panels and have a small TV which has to be a huge luxury.

During our scenic route trip we were out in the middle of nowhere or so it seemed and there was a dishnet setup by on small home. I am going to assume that's another reason the young people speak English so well.


Friday we drove to Flagstaff. One of the Walmart's is very close to the apts we managed when we lived here. Their Super Walmart is not quite like the ones in Utah or Idaho Falls. It is nice, but has limited groceries, so next time we will go to one of the other stores. The Meldrums suggested Fries or something like that. We did see an Albertson's also.

Today the Meldrums went to Flag. Before they left, a truck and trailer pulled into the church parking lot. They announced that they were cleaning the carpets in the church and our duplex, so we had to put everything in the kitchen, which we did. The wind has blown all day so I am not sure what color the carpet will dry.

Sunday, another wonderful day of spirit filled meetings. Bro. Greeley is the new ward mission leader, very humble and straight forward about "not being lazy and staying home"
A recently released missionary was visiting with his family. They live in Idaho. Wonderful people.
Tomorrow we attend orientation meetings and Thurs we have another garden demo. Tues is one ward's Relief Society birthday party.
The need for piano players is very great, keep me in your prayers.
Elder and Sister Olson
Elder and Sister Olson

13 Mar 2011

We have survived our first 5 days as missionaries. ;o] Elder Olson drove to Chinle on Thurs. with a load of posts for the Chinle wards. He drove back the same day. It was about 270 miles.
On Friday we both drove over pulling a large trailer with 3 smaller trailers stacked up on top of the flatbed trailer.
We met 2 other couples who serve at Polacca. We rolled out 29 rolls of 100 foot fencing wire and cut them into 144 20' lengths. The six of us worked well as a team. Elder Olson said that meant cutting 13 wires at each 20 ft section. They call it horse fence, because the spaces are narrower than other types. Elder Olson says it's called 2 x 4 wire. ;o] I am sure I will understand a whole lot more in a month or so. I just did what I was told and hauled a lot of wire.
After cutting the 144 lengths the sisters helped with the paper work and the men tilled the 30 by 30 garden spot and put up the wire fence, so the people could actually see what the finished garden spot should look like.
Elder Seeley explained the program and then showed them how to use the materials to get their plot ready for the next step. The church supplies everything, but the participants have to sign a contract saying they will attend each demostration and then we have to actually go to their homes to see that each step is in place before they get the next thing they will use.
Last year some of the participants were able to harvest about 500 lbs of potatoes in just one part of their garden. The whole idea behind the program is to help the people become self reliant and raise some of the food they will need to support their family and not be dependent on others meeting their needs. They have the same program in Africa and South America.
The next day after the gardening demo we loaded the supplies onto the participants trucks or into their cars. At our station we had them pick up two 4' boards for the gate , a 100 ft roll of wire and then one of the 20 ft lengths we cut. When someone came without a man to help Ronnie toted the 100 ft roll to their outfit.
Before they got to our station they picked up 2 bags of fertilizer.
At station 3 they picked up 17 steel posts and the clips for the wire.
At the last station they picked up 6 bags of sawdust. They had to fill their own bags and 2 more so it wouldn 't be blown away. The wind is a huge challenge out here.
The sacrament in both wards today were amazing. The people are so humble and they speak from their hearts. We started at 9 with the 2nd ward, skipped Relief Society so we could attend the 1st ward at 11. The ward building is beautiful. It's much different than the first building I attended in Lukachukia 43 years ago.
Only one "trial" someone stole the borrowed trailer hitch and ball we used to take the trailer over. We had to borrow one to bring the trailer back. ;o[
One of the highlights was meeting Teddy Draper Sr. born 1923. He was a code talker during WWII An amazing man. You can read about him and his grand daughter who is serving in Iraq by googling his name.
Not sure what tomorrow will bring, but trying to take one day at a time until we know more about what we are doing.
I did spend 9-5 in the Family History Center and met some great people there. Managed to put in 88 names into a PAF file for one of the patrons. ;o} It's been a great week.
Desbah Tsinnie came by today. Ronnie baptized her in 1970. She writes at Christmas each year. Ronnie and Kellan went to her grand daughter's a few years ago. She's a wonderful friend.
Elder and Sister Olson

If any knows how to change our blog background please let me know.

Off we go.

Tomorrow we leave Highland, UT for our mission in Tuba City, AZ. We plan to go to Kanab, UT to visit Ardeth Holland who is the last of the 3 senior missionary couples that served while Ronnie was on his mission. Kanab is about 300 miles and then it will be another 150 or so to Tuba City where we will report Wed. Mar 9, 2011.