UPS, GPS, or DPS

Dear Family and Friends,
  This is a copy of a letter I sent to our Leaders about the little adventure we had last night.  Thought it would be OK to share it with you also.

  Some evenings are more fun than others and last night was one of them.  Sister Corry and I had gone out earlier in the day and were able to put a number of participants in the GPS that appeared to be missing.  We had quite the adventure finding some of the participants from last year that the Littlefields and the Hansens had tended.  We also got to meet several "friends" who were very helpful in pointing us in the right direction and which also provided opportunities to share a brief message about the church and what we were doing.

  Around 4:20  I felt like I should go and add a few more before I had to give the GPS unit back.  Elder Olson "sort of volunteered" to be the driver.  Several more "scenic" routes were taken, but eventually new participants were located and added to the system of coordinates, which will make it easier for new missionaries, young and old, to find in the future.

  We went by a "late comer" participant who's gr grandmother was a "Mormon", met her husband, and took the opportunity to tell them what an amazing job they were doing with all the "blow sand" they had to work with.  As we walked back to the garden, her new neighbor who is also a co-worker came to the fence and visited about what she was doing with her backyard.  She pointed out that they had a lot to do and she was loving the challenge.

  She had noticed that the previous occupant had had some sort of drip irrigation.  After visiting with the one we had come to see, we walked over to the neighbor's backyard and visited with her.       We have already given the young Elders the 2 new referrals.  It never ceases to amaze me how "orchestrated" our days are by the Lord. 

   Both of these women associate with the YW President of the 2nd Ward at their work place who told them about what the church does to help people put in gardens and become more self-reliant.  It was pretty obvious that the YW President has become a great example of sharing the gospel.

 While were were out, we were able to visit several less active families, leave a brief message, tell them how much we missed them, and leave behind a hug and hopes to see them again soon at church .

  As we drove away Elder Olson asked if I had put them on the UPS.  I assured  him that they were all on the GPS.  He smiled and said he was glad I had got them on the DPS.

  Every family expressed gratitude for the short visit and you could see in their eyes just how much those few minutes meant and the reminder of what they should be doing and where they should be on Sunday.  If our "Home Teachers" and "Visiting Teachers" could gain a testimony of how important those visits are to members they would go out each month and come home with their own increased testimony of how much those visits mean to the members.

  How grateful we are to be here and to be serving in the way that we are.  We recognize that these sacred funds are being well used and that almost every  previous gardener continues to plant each year.  Some continue to need assistance, but even more have the confidence to maintain their gardens on their own and are willing to help others start.

  The Senior Couple in Kaibeto have had a recent contact stand up to a friend when they were saying things about the Mormons which he did not hesitate to correct because of the interaction he has had with the Mormons.  Slowly but steadily, barriers are being taken down, and misunderstandings made right, by those who's hearts are being touched.

Sister Olson

Two Special Baptisms 12 May 2013

I know it has been several weeks since I last posted much and other than being very busy I am not sure why I haven't been posting.  Some amazing things are happening every day, but they said we shouldn't include any names and it somehow took a lot of the fun out of it.
  I can't imagine any of you posting these blogs on the "net" but I guess it happens and so it has been really hard to write things without including names.
  I mean who wants to write about she and he, or just a sister or a brother.  Guess I am frustrated.
Tonight we had two baptisms even though it was Mother's Day.  The grandfather performed the ordinances.  The spirit was so special.  Each person who spoke was so humble and so sincere and testified of such wonderful blessings that go along with being baptized and then confirmed.The
  The grandparents have become such special friends to us and a handshake is never enough.  You always get one of the best hugs you could ask for.
  I did miss phone calls from Daryl and RaDawn while we attended, but I know we were in the right place.  They will be in the 1st Ward and the Bishop gave such a wonderful message about what they were doing and how it would affect their lives forever.  These were young men who will receive the priesthood and their countenance was amazing.
  Many of the older people did not have the opportunity to learn to read and when they repeat the prayers they do so with such humility and such sincerity.  It is such an honor to be a witness to the event and feel of the spirit that is there.
  A couple of weeks ago another grandfather was a witness as his son-in-law baptized his granddaughter. The grandfather has learned to read and wants to read the scriptures every day. He has amazing dreams and often shares what he has learned from those who have gone before. He is one of the most humble men I have ever met.
  After the baptism tonight another couple was walking out as we were.  It had been mentioned that they had driven over from Kirkland, which is near Farmington. I took a chance and asked if they knew Dean Winn, who worked at Totso Trading Post in Luckachukai with his family when I taught there in 68-69.  They said they knew Jolene Winn Duncan his daughter, who is serving in the Stake Primary.  I gave her our email address and asked if she would give it to her.
  Yes, I know I used someone's name and so if you have to come see me in prison, so be it. ;o{
I sure hope she sends an email, I would love to know about what has happened to all those sweet kids.
  Some of you may know that we are headed home on May 22.  Many of you may not know that we are coming back in July. ;o}  We are going home for about 6 weeks to help Kellan and Dallin with cutting a semi load of firewood for next winter.  A lot of phone calls and a lot of work was done by our Mission President and Stake President to make this all work out, so we could come back, or maybe I should say continue serving here.
  Our new exit date will be 14 Feb 2014, but then we have the option to change to CSM missionaries, but that is in the future.
  I know I have not done the Grandma letters for several weeks either.  Hopefully I will be able to start that up again soon. ;o}
  We now have 635 gardens in the Stake 235 of which are here in Tuba City and Red Lake.  We did get a new couple that came in last week.  Elder Olson and I have been the only Gardening Missionaries for a long time.  We hope to "teach" them everything they need to know in the next 9 days. ;o} but we will make sure they have our phone numbers.
  From what we have already seen, I doubt they will need to call us though.  This is their third mission and they are 10+ years younger than we are and extremely capable of figuring things out.  I am sure they could replace us in a heart beat.
  Elder Olson says that people are always asking him when we are leaving and he says keep praying we will leave soon. ;o}
  Kellan and I will be flying to Maryland for a week while we are home.  That should be lots of fun, since Kellan has not been back there.
  It is late and I am tired, so I will try to post some pictures next week and write some more.
Elder & Sister Olson
If you find typos or other mistakes, chalk it up to old age and the lateness of the hour.

Quote on Conversion 11 May 2013

"Conversion means consecrating your life to caring for and serving others who need your help and sharing your gifts and blessings.

"Every unselfish act of kindness and service increases your spirituality.  God would use you to bless others.  Your continued spiritual growth and eternal progress are very much wrapped up in your relationships - in how you treat others.  Do you indeed love others and become a blessing in their lives?  Isn't the measure of the level of your conversion how you treat others?  The person who does only those things in the Church that concern himself alone will never reach the goal of perfection.  Service to others is what the gospel and exalted life are all about"  Conference Report, Apr. 2005, 96

I know each of you is serving every day and sometimes into the the night :o}  So I would also like to add the quote that Neal A Maxwell kept in his office. "My  life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds. "  Please remember to use wisdom as you serve each day.