Halloween on the Rez

Dear Family and Friends,

I can tell that some may not be looking at the blog because they didn't read about our extending our mission until Oct 2012. Today I will be lucky to extend another day however, since I have a toothache. Going to call a dentist in Page early tomorrow to see if I can get in.

Halloween is actually tomorrow, but like everywhere else Halloween is celebrated the whole month. We had a great time at the Provident Living activity Thurs and the 2nd Ward Halloween party on Friday.

This weekend was Stake Conference. One of the speakers was a young man who is leaving for a mission in Vera Cruz, Mexico in December. He has spent the last two years at Stanford University. All his older siblings are engineers. He speaks English, Navajo and Spanish. I think his middle name is Humble. He is so awesome. He spoke about Helaman 5:12 and 2 Nephi Chapter 4 and how we all should be building our testimony upon our foundation of Jesus Christ. I have always love 2 Ne 4. If such an amazing man as Nephi had temptations and weaknesses, how could I be any different. I guess that makes sense. I just love the part when he takes negative thoughts and lets them go knowing of the love that God has for each of us and that he will succor us in our weaknesses.

His mother teaches chemistry and one of his older siblings is a girl and she is an engineer. They are all doing amazing things with the talents and gifts they have received from our loving Heavenly Father. The people are so easy to love.

The picture at the top is the pottery that Gloria Babbit, & Martin and Mary Maloney gave us last Saturday at the Harvest Celebration. They are very beautiful.

Having problems getting pictures on again, so I will add them on a separate blog post.

The week was very busy. Last Saturday morning the Fall Harvest Celebration. Then there was a big Stake Dance for the youth that night, funerals on Wed and Thurs this week. Thursday night Provident Living, Friday 2nd Ward Halloween, this weekend Stake Conference so we were pretty booked with things to do. Not complaining just realizing why I am so tired. ;o}

Getting late so will head to bed.

Love,

Elder & Sister Olson

Pictures from the Parade, Elder Olson said the one float was Veteran's from the Korean War. Other pictures show traditional Navajo clothing.

Extending Mission Call

Dear Family and Friends,

I guess this will not be a big surprise, but we are extending our mission call and will be here until next Oct. The last couple of weeks have been a little hectic with everything that was involved and driving to Durango, CO to see a spinal specialist. Elder Olson and I will go again tomorrow so that he can get an injection, then again on Nov 7 for another injection. One injection will be a L4-L5 and the other at L3- L4. Don't know which will be first. The Dr. will use the feedback from Elder Olson to determine what to do next. They are hoping that he will get some relief from the pain he is suffering in his leg and foot on a daily basis.

If he keeps busy he is able to deal more effectively with the pain, but as soon as he sits down it becomes a real issue.

We have been to Durango twice and have three more appts. The first two for injections and the third to consult with the Drs. about what the next step will be.

The pictures above show first the large black bumble bees that come to the garden daily. They are really very big and Shelaine and kids were quite taken back by their size. I guess we are pretty immune to even noticing them.

Top right is Sister Olson ;o} sitting next to my favorite gardner, Gloria Babbitt. Her daughter Mary made the skirt I am wearing and bought the black top to go with it. Gloria wanted to have our picture taken with me wearing a traditional Navajo outfit. Mary was wearing red jewelry so I put on a necklace I had purchased then twirled around for Gloria. She laughed and laughed.

They also gave us some beautiful hand made pottery. Another sister gave us a quilted wall hanging which I will take a picture of and post later. We had a big Harvest Celebration yesterday and many people came thinking we would be leaving next week, but we surprised them by saying we were extending.

I will continue to work in the Family History Center and Elder Olson will do what he can. If surgery is done, I plan to nail the apt door shut until he recovers then let him out.

Bottom left is Brother Lee Canyon who likes to have his picture taken with the missionaries. He is a nice guy.

Bottom right is Shelaine, Derek and kids who were able to come last Thurs. spend the night then head on to Phoenix to visit Derek's sister Kara. It was so fun to have them come and they saw me waving to them as they came down Monaeve Dr. I was so excited I couldn't hardly control myself. Shelaine and Brock raced around the car, but I think Shelaine reached me first for a big hug.

The kids all did hide and spook when Elder Olson came home and they did indeed spook him, especially the girls. Landy was behind the shower curtain and Elder O jumped backward when she came out. Leah was on the shelf by the frig and totally got him again when he started for the laundry room door. It was so fun. We had breakfast together at the Hogan restaurant and then we went to the "Flea Market" before they had to leave for Phoenix. It was hard to let them go.

Last weekend they had a huge end of year Fair Parade here in Tuba. The parade took 3 hours to pass by, so you can see it was really big.
The traffic is bumper to bumper so we warned to stay in the compound which we did. They honored the veterans on several different floats. One was in honor of the Code Talkers which was really wonderful. There are not many left. They have a museum in their honor in Kayenta which I would like to visit before we leave.

We love hearing from you and hope you have time to write.

Elder & Sister Olson

Dear Family

Temple in Star Valley, WY.

Dear Family and Friends,
What an amazing weekend. We did not miss one message, although I will have to wait for the Ensign issue to read the talks given in the Priesthood session. There was not one talk that didn't bring a timely message.
Daryl must have truly loved the address byKazuhiko Yamashita about his love for the missionaries who served in Japan and who taught his family the gospel. What an inspiring talk for those who have any doubts about serving a mission.
When Pres. Monson announced a Temple to be built in Star Valley, WY and that he thought he would dedicate that one himself. I turned to Elder Olson and asked, "Do you think he is teasing?" Within less than a minute four of our children had called or texted a message asking if we had heard the announcement. Daryl's voice mail was filled with emotion.
I still am coming to grips with what was announced. For those who doubt the fulfilling of prophecy, this is another testament of a prophecy being fulfilled. Someone mentioned that we are actually looking at a few years, but the promise was made. I don't think we realize what an impact that will make on the Saints in the valley, but I suspect it will be a temple that has every seat filled in every session held.
We will get to know many of our close neighbors better, like those from Montpelier, Cokeville, Jackson and Kemmerer. Won't it be exciting for people traveling to Jackson and Yellowstone to see the Spire as they come into the valley.
The way he said it was just so amazing. I wrote notes for each talk and I want to read each and every one again and again. Is there any doubt about serving a mission or extending your call if asked to do so? Boyd K Packer's talk was filled with hope and guidance. I can remember him years ago talking to the youth and counseling them about choices.
President Utchdorf's talk about how much God loves each of us and how it doesn't matter our social status, where we live, or where we serve.
Ian S Ardern's comment about time never being for sale and how we should prioritize our choices.
I guess I could write something about each talk and how the spirit was so strong I hope we can all remember Carl B Cook's comment about "Looking up" How would you like to be in an elevator with Pres. Monson :o}
We may end up somewhere else before we return, but whatever happens we will look up and know that all will be well.
We love each of you and appreciate the comments that you take the time to write.
Elder & Sister Olson