Graduations and Receptions

Dear Family and Friends,
  The third week of the month is a very busy one and this past week was not any different. On Monday we had the Gardening Missionary Conference.  I think there were about 35 or so this month.  It is always fun to go over what we will all be demonstrating in our individual units later in the week. 
  On Tuesday it was a little less busy, so Elder Olson tended gardens and I worked in the Family History Center.  One of the other couples tried to redo part of the watering system and broke off a part of the line which resulted in a gyser type leak, so the water main had to be shut off for a short while, until they could get  a quick fix in place.  Fortunately they take "no water" very seriously and someone was out the next day to replace the broken fixture.
  On Thursday I had a meeting with members of the Hopi tribe, President Justice, and Brother Talbot who wanted to donate part of the collection he has been working on for the last 20 plus years.  He has managed to accumulate around a 1,000 books on Hopi history, including family group sheets from the Indian census.  We did not get a 1,000 books but we got a box full of the census records and 2 volumes of family group sheets which will help people on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Mesas.  The information will be kept in the FHC, but people will be encouraged to come in and find their families.  One book will have to have written permission to have any page copied.  I think there are only three in print and they consider the information extremely sacred.
  Thursday night we had our Garden Demo for Tuba City.  We had about 35 sign in but at least that many more came late.  They are having graduations starting at preschool, eight grade, & 2 highs schools.  They take graduations very seriously and have big (huge) receptions where everyone brings gifts and food.  They do plan them on different days, but they all include receptions with lots of food and if they think you didn't take enough they bring more over and pile it on. ;o}
  Friday I was suppose to go to a MLS missionary conference in Polacca, but ended up staying home.  Elder Olson had been invited to a senior graduation at Gray Hills.  We found out later that I was invited also, but Sister Olson was not on the invitation, so I worried that they only had room for one guest.  I was able to take a nap however, so it turned out well.
 Saturday we drove to "Gap" and did a presentation with Deana Benally for the Farm Bureau.  They apparently really liked what we all had to say and asked if we could come back again.  Deana did an amazing presentation in Navajo about the way we prepare the soil.  We explained what the church provided and what our goals were.  Then showed pictures of before and after from last year.  They were pretty taken back with the beautiful green gardens in the middle of the rez.
  When we got back we drove out to Wild Cat Peak for the reception of Thea Strong whose graduation Elder Olson went to on Friday.  Stuffed might come close to how we felt.  They have extended their garden from last year and they are one of the most hard working garden families that we work with.
  Today we went to the Cameron Branch to speak.  Elder Olson spoke about the Priesthood and President Uutchdorf's talk The Merciful Shall Obtain Mercy.  I serve as his companion when he speaks as a High Councilman.  I spoke about Family History and how to begin. 
  The Sunday school teacher and the Relief Society teacher both did a wonderful job and gave great lessons.  It was very evident that they had prepared well.
  After we met with the other senior couples and had lunch.  It is always fun to have the little get togethers and visit.  They said there are 25 new couples that are either here or coming to serve in this mission.  I think Nauvoo is the only mission that has more senior missionary couples than this mission.
  We both took naps when we got home. ;o]  That is still my favorite mission rule.  Take a nap when you need it.
  I have the chance to go to Utah on Tues with Deana Benally who is going to attend a work related meeting in Brigham City.  She will drop me off at Thanksgiving Point where Shelaine or J will pick me up.  I will spend the night, then come back Wed.  Very short trip but looking forward to getting a few hugs and seeing whoever is there.
  When I find my camera I will upload some pictures and put them on a new post.  Hopefully tomorrow Ican get that done.
Elder & Sister Olson




 

Knock, knock

Dear Family and Friends,
  Last night before Elder Olson returned from Red Lake, the doorbell rang and when I opened the door there stood a daughter of one of our Red Lake participants.  I recognized her and asked her in.  She had made another unexpected visit some time ago.
  We visited for a long time, mostly chit chat, although she did express interest in learning more about he church and what we believed.  They were having a baptism at the church which she was very interested in learning about.  I ended up giving her a Book of Mormon and introducing her to the young Elders when they brought over the baptismal clothes to put into the washer.  There was even some discussion on setting up appts for the discussions.
 About 7:30 Elder O showed up and we continued visiting while bread was baking.  When I asked if she wanted to try the bread she said yes, so I sliced up a piece for her.  She looked at me and said, "I didn't know you could do this!"  She liked it and we sent a loaf home with her.
  She told us that she was spending the night with another family here in Tuba that lives about a mile away, so we told her we would walk her over, since they are having a BIG carnival with rides, etc and we didn't think it was safe for her to walk alone. 
  Well we walked her to within site of the home, since it was more than a mile, then I watched to make sure she got in OK at the door.  We walked on back to the church and settled in for the evening which went well.
 At 4:05 AM I woke up, which isn't all that unusual, but when I laid back down I thought I heard a knock. Since I wasn't sure I laid there quietly hoping it was my imagination.  Well it wasn't and another soft knock came, so I did the only smart thing and woke up Elder Olson ;o}
  When he opened the door it was this young girl.  She just said, "I need to to sleep on your couch, is that OK?"  At that time of the morning we weren't really very coherent.  She walked over and laid down like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.
  When we did wake up we tried calling her mom.  When they run out of minutes for their phone, they don't answer any calls.  We ended up calling the people that she was suppose to stay with.  They thought she had gone home with her mother and just didn't bother to tell them.  In any case we woke the young lady up and took her over there.  I wasn't privy to the "chastisement" but they weren't very happy either.
  I assume we will eventually hear the rest of the story, but I hope that will be the last of the unexpected visits.  It is considered rude to ask a whole lot of questions, but next time it will be "procedure" ...before anyone is allowed to light on the couch and go to sleep like they belonged there.
  They say you learn more from your mistakes.


Fast and testimony meetings here are the BEST, they have so many amazing testimony building experiences.

We also bear testimony of the goodness of God and the many tender mercies He showers upon us.  I have had numerous experiences at the Family History Center that continue to fortify my testimony of how willing He is to help us if we are putting any effort into our search for our ancestors.

  Two day ago we were able to find one of our patrons grandfather who apparently had had a marriage and a child that they did not know about.  The child died in infancy.  They now know the wife's name and the child's who will have the blessing of being sealed for time and eternity.
Another missionary couple serving in Chilchinbeto from northern Idaho found this article which I thought you would enjoy reading.  The author Ed Tano is a former Bishop here in Tuba.  He is a wonderful man and actually gave young Elder Olson a ride when he was hitch hiking way back when.  Eder Olson said he gave him a ride to Lukachukai.  He will have to give us more precise information about that incident.

Leta Keith: Weaving a Life of Commitment 1987 Ensign January
By Ed Tano
 Her hair, streaked with gray, is fixed in the traditional tsiiyeil, or Navaho bun, and she moves with a graceful, rhythmic gait. Long years of weaving rugs by the light of a kerosene lantern has weakened her eyes so she must now wear glasses to improve her vision.

Leta Keith stands only 5′4″ tall and weighs about 120 pounds, but according to her daughter Katie Tree, she “is a fighter; she has a lot of faith in what she wants to do. Mom says if you believe you can do it, then you can.”

Who is this desert rose? To the many young children who surround her, she is shima sani, or grandmother. Other people know her as a warm, friendly, and honest person who radiates love, peace, security, and dignity. She glows with an aura of serenity, and wherever she goes “she makes you feel proud to be a Navaho by her examples of honesty and humility,” says daughter Anita, a recently returned missionary.

Sister Keith, a full-blooded Navaho, was born in a humble hogan, or dirt house, 5 February 1923, at Rock Point, Arizona. Her parents were Hataali Yazhi (Little Singer) and Glihaazbah Yazzie. Her maternal clan is the Tabaha (Edgewater), while the Tachii’nii (Red Streak) is her paternal clan.

For thirty-four years Sister Keith has lived in Chilchinbito, a small Navaho reservation community named after a reddish-type berry that used to grow nearby. Her tribal-built, two-room house, which is tucked neatly beneath the edge of massive sandstone cliffs, offers a spectacular view of the vast open spaces of the peaceful Chilchinbito valley. Her home is heated by a single wood-burning stove. She cooks on a butane stove in cold months and on a makeshift stove just outside the chaash’oh, or shade house, in the summer. Sister Keith and her husband, Hurley, have raised their seven children in this uncomplicated environment. Three of her children have answered calls to serve missions for the Church.

Soon after her first marriage, Sister Keith was admitted to the tuberculosis sanitorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While she was there, far away from home and family, her husband left her. After treatment, she returned to her home at Rock Point, Arizona. Soon after that, in the early spring of 1952, she met Hurley Charles Keith.

The marriage between Leta and Hurley was arranged by Brother Keith’s brothers and sisters because they were concerned about his constant movement away from the reservation and his home after his first wife died. They were married by a Navaho medicine man in a traditional Navaho wedding ceremony at Chilchinbito.

“I’d go visit her while she and her cousin herded their families’ sheep,” says Brother Keith.
“Yes, and he would hide my shoes,” retorts Sister Keith.
“But that was because you and your cousin always tried to take my horse,” Brother Keith replies.
“I do remember he was always a rascal,” smiles Sister Keith, thinking back over the years.
Some of the qualities that impressed Brother Keith when he met his future wife were her talents in weaving as well as her ability to cook and keep house. “And of course, she was also very appealing to me,” he chuckles with a boyish grin.

Sister Keith’s mother taught her to weave when she was seven years old. For the next thirty years, her patterns followed the simple rug designs that were common throughout the reservation. In later years, however, her patterns have become more creative and unique, especially her double-weave design. She also weaves baskets and sash belts.

Sister Keith’s weaving talents won worldwide acclaim when she and a group of selected weavers from the Chilchinbito area produced the world’s largest hand-woven Navaho Indian rug. She was one of the key people responsible for the supervision, pattern selection, and construction of this outstanding display of Navaho artwork.

In June 1971, Brother and Sister Keith were sealed to each other and their children in the Arizona Temple. This long-awaited event was made possible through the patience and love of Church members who took the time to teach and prepare the Keiths to receive their endowments.

The chief motivation for Sister Keith’s desire to seek the Church was her children. Because they were enrolled in the LDS Indian Placement Program, “My children went to schools off the reservation for a few years, leaving only my husband and me at home. Although I missed them, as any mother would, I knew that the things they were learning in the schools and in their foster homes were good and proper for them,” explains Sister Keith. “We decided that we, too, should learn about the Church, and as the full-time missionaries taught us we began to attend church here in Chilchinbito. When the kids came home they taught us the things they had learned from their foster families, and they would bear their testimonies to us.”

Although Brother Keith had been a practicing medicine man for about thirty years, once he and Sister Keith joined the Church he gave up that way of life. After a few years, he accepted the call to serve as the first Navaho branch president in Chilchinbito. Sister Keith followed suit by accepting a call as Relief Society president in that branch. For twelve years they served side by side, sometimes as the only active leaders of the branch, until Brother Keith’s ill health required that he be released.

The Chilchinbito Branch used to meet in a converted mobile trailer-house that, with the approval of the Keiths, was situated on their property. At the time it was very difficult to secure land to build a church. Today, the Chilchinbito Saints travel about fifteen miles to Kayenta, Arizona, to attend one of the two wards now there. The Keiths are always present with their children and grandchildren unless they are ill or there is no means of transportation available.

Sister Keith encourages members of the Church to cherish their testimonies of the Savior and follow the counsel of his prophets. One of the greatest experiences of her life was meeting President Spencer W. Kimball in Salt Lake City. “It brought tears to my eyes,” she says. “I even shook his hand.”

When asked how she came to acquire her spiritual sensitivity, Sister Keith replies, “When I was baptized I knew I was forgiven of my sins, and with the gift of the Holy Ghost I am guided to do what is right. Even though I can’t read the standard works of the Church, I am able to get answers to my questions through prayer. I know and understand the Lord’s plan—how he created the earth, gave us our bodies, and blessed us with a special mate with whom we can bring more spirits into our homes. These special spirits bless my life and make me strong. When I was growing up as a young girl, I never even knew of Jesus Christ. But with the knowledge that I have of him now, I know that there is life after death, and this has helped me love my family more. This great plan of God gives me strength.”

Although she has never accumulated material wealth, Sister Keith enjoys the security and comfort of a loving family who has learned from her exemplary life. Her weaving has provided not only economic stability for the family, but unique opportunities to teach her children values that have forged permanent images of a caring and faithful mother.

“She has a great love for us, and people in general, and has struggled just to provide for her children,” says Anita. “I am grateful she is our mother.”

We love you all and hope you will write.
Elder and Sister Olson

Fire in Church Compound, Elder Olson's former Mission President, Chad Lewis BYU & Philadelphia tight end

Dear Family and Friends,
  I guess there has been some excitement this last week.  Elder Olson drove in after dark on 24 April, to see the compost pile engulfed in flames.  Since our door and window face south and the pile is on the east, I had not seen the flames.  Things got pretty exciting for a couple of hours.
  The fire dept consisting of two Hopi Indians drove in and with quite a bit of work were able to put it out.  We still had little eruptions over the next couple of days, but we were able to keep things from starting up again.
  For RaDawn, Kellan, Dallin, JaKohbi, and Kage you will be glad to know it did not touch the trailer.  The first thing they asked was if anybody lived in it.  We assured them that no one was living in it.  Fortunately, it did not get damaged in any way.
  When I walked out I heard some men over the fence say something about how often people tossed their cigarette butts into the ditch way between our compound and the Catholic compound.  Don't know any more than that, so it was listed as a brush fire.  It did melt all the plastic on the fence which you can see in the picture and it did burn up 98% of the compost, but all in all we feel very blessed.
  Tonight we had a Young Men and Young Women Fireside where Chad Lewis spoke.  He was really fun to listen to and has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.  He shared numerous stories about his life, being a skinny kid at high school, the mission he served, walking on at BYU,  playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, hiking up Mt Kilamangaro (SP?) in Africa with some Vietnam vets, two of whom had lost legs.  It was an amazing adventure and very inspirational to listen to.
  He encouraged the kids to stand up for what they believe in and surround themselves with greatness.  Don't be sucked into things you know will harm you and be brave enough to stand alone when you have to. He passed out several shirts and jackets then signed them.  It was very inspiring to listen to him tell about his dad who suffered a stroke and was told he would never walk again.  They kept a diary of all the blessing they witnessed and he does walk now, and even though it is with difficulty, he never stops pushing himself.
  It turns out that the man he works with in providing scholarships for Native Americans is Dale Tingey, who served as Mission President when Elder Olson was here as a young missionary.  I am not sure he remembered Elder Olson, but it was fun to take a few minutes of his time and visit.  Elder O told him he really didn't look much different, but Brother Tinger said, he sure felt older. ;o}
  The tillers are going pretty much all the time as people feel the temperatures rising and see the green leaves appearing everywhere. 
  Elder Olson is really behaving himself and will only  pick up the light things.  It helps that everyone knows he has weight limitations and they won't let him do to much. ;o}  He actually lays down when he gets tired which is a good thing and rule #23 in the mission handbook actually says you should take naps when you need them.  It is still my favorite rule, even if I don't get to use it much. ;o{
 When I get really tired and try to lay down, the odds are about 100% of someone coming by for a tiller or to ask about when the garden demo will be. ;O}  If the odds of winning the lottery were as good as someone coming by when I lay down I would be guaranteed on winning. Elder Olson reminds me that in order to win I have to buy a ticket. ;o}
  The ward boundaries were changed today and two new Bishops sustained.  It may be a little confusing for a while, but change can be good.  Both Relief Society Presidents ended up in the 1st Ward, so I look to see some changes there in the next week or so.  1st Ward's new Bishop just moved here from Kayenta, the 2nd Ward Bishop was serving as a clerk for the Bishop who was released.  It will be fun to watch history making changes in both wards.  The "news" about a change must have leaked out because attendance was up, so they could see who was being sustained.
  It is amazing how often miracles can be witnessed.  We see them daily and it is so fun to be a part of what is happening here.  Not only are gardens being grown, but "faith" is being grown and people feel of the spirit.  Hearts have indeed been prepared Alma 13:24.
  We would love to hear from you if you have a few minutes.
Elder & Sister Olson

Dear Family and Friends,

I know it has been many weeks since I wrote last.  I guess you might say life is a little hectic.  Some of you may not be aware that after a year of hoping for approval to have surgery it was finally given and Elder Olson had surgery in Durango, CO on Apr. 2  It was 3 weeks yesterday.  He had the stitches out last Friday and the incision looked really good.  It has healed nicely.  His pain level has not decreased, BUT the Dr. said that is not unusual and that he should begin to notice in another 3 weeks as the swelling and inflamation subside.  We are asking that everyone continue to keep him in your prayers for a full recovery. We still believe in miracles.

This is also the BUSY season, so we are on the go or at least "involved" with someone or some project every day.

Yesterday a package came in the mail.  It continues more than a ream of paper which has photo copies of obituaries, news articles, funeral programs and other pieces of information for Crownpoint, NM and although that is not a part of our stake it is Family History and a priceless treasure.  So my next big project is to index each article by name.  I have no idea how long it will take, but I am excited to get started.

Our fellow missionaries are wonderful.  They know how to roll up their sleeves and get things done.

Sister Harvey sent the following quotes which are wonderful.  I will try to get back into the routine of positng a blog each week for those of you who read them ;O]

Elder James M. Paremore of the Presidency of the Seventy: "The Church helps us to overcome selfishness and uncertainty by serving others in dozens of ways over a lifetime.  Some of our fondest memories go back to those associations we have had in service together. May 1988 Ensign.

President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency:   “The Lord has said,   “‘He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it’ ( Matthew 10:39 ).

“We lose our life by serving and lifting others. By so doing we experience the only true and lasting happiness. Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.

“Knowing that service is what gives our Father in Heaven fulfillment, and knowing that we want to be where He is and as He is, why must we be commanded to serve one another? Oh, for the glorious day when these things all come naturally because of the purity of our hearts. In that day there will be no need for a commandment because we will have experienced for ourselves that we are truly happy only when we are engaged in unselfish service. Let us use the freedom which comes from self-reliance in giving and serving.

“Can we see how critical self-reliance becomes when looked upon as the prerequisite to service, when we also know service is what Godhood is all about? Without self-reliance one cannot exercise these innate desires to serve. How can we give if there is nothing there? Food for the hungry cannot come from empty shelves. Money to assist the needy cannot come from an empty purse. Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned. And most important of all, spiritual guidance cannot come from the spiritually weak.

“There is an interdependence between those who have and those who have not. . . . Once a person has been made whole or self-reliant, he reaches out to aid others, and the cycle repeats itself.

“We are all self-reliant in some areas and dependent in others. Therefore, each of us should strive to help others in areas where we have strengths. At the same time, pride should not prevent us from graciously accepting the helping hand of another when we have a real need. To do so denies another person the opportunity to participate in a sanctifying experience” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 135–36; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 93 ).

Elder & Sister Olson

Tampoline Navajo Style

Dear Family and Friends,

I just looked and it has been 7 weeks since I last posted.

I just thought these would be fun to show you how kids everywhere make their own fun out of whatever they have on hand.. This method is a bummer if you don't make a direct hit on the tire, but all the time we watched they seem to make a good connection and bounce away pretty happy.

I would not however recommend this idea to anyone I loved or was related too, in fact I would not recommend it to anyone, but kids will be kids and I know our own survived many "ideas" that I would not have approved of had I known at the time.

The infection and dental appointments are winding down which makes me very happy. It has been quite the adventure.

Our first semi load of garden supplies came in a few weeks ago on a semi from Colorado. A family who planted last year owns heavy equipment and offered to come by and off load the rolls of wire and the fence posts. He had fork lifts that had to be attached to his bucket. It worked well, but his son had to guide him from below, since he could not see from the seat behind and above the bucket. I know there has to be an amazing "parable" to that event and perhaps one day I will be able to put it all together. It took a little over two hours to unload.

The fertilizer is coming in the next week or two and our first meeting with the new missionaries will be Mar 5 here in Tuba City. Elder Seeley will work as a consultant and the missionaries will be doing their own demos with the people they serve among.

We have 12 couples that all should be here by the end of the week, but one and they will soon follow. They served here last year, so it isn't as critical as it would be for a new couple. Elder Seeley who is now Brother Seeley will conduct all our Missionary Meetings. He and his wife have put together a book to give to each couple. It will give them an overview of what happens and how they can be most effective.

We are excited to start the new gardens and Elder Olson has been helping people get their gardens ready for this year, by tilling in sawdust and manure so that it can mellow and help in producing a more bountiful harvest. The more remote and "challenging" the better he likes it.

I have pretty much finished the Tuba City Cemetery names, but Sister Norris and I will be heading to Winslow and Moencopi in March to do the same thing for those cemeteries. We ended up with about 1,900 names for marked graves in Tuba and I am at 615 for the unmarked graves. She plans to upload them to findagrave.com Hopefully we can make it available to anyone who is seeking Navajo relatives who have been laid to rest.

We are headed to the Snowflake Temple next weekend and plan to stay with Laurie and kids. We are pretty excited about that. Elder Olson will do some fencing while I attend a session Friday evening and then we will both go with our Navajo brothers and sisters Sat. morning. I told Laurie that she could make Elder Olson very happy if she had lots of fencing to do. She was gracious enough to comply with my request.

We should know by this time next week if Elder Olson's surgery was approved. We submitted the paperwork Dec 1, 2011 at 11:47 am. It has taken that long to get a response, but his case worker said we would know this week. We are hoping she is right.

Yesterday we had a Visiting Teaching Conf for 2nd ward. It was very good and the Stake RS president asked if they could do it again for the Stake.

We keep very busy and I can honestly say the weeks fly by. We will have been out a year on Mar. 9 John thought we had been out forever.

I was hit by an overwhelming feeling of homesickness, but I know we are doing what we should be doing. We do love it. It would be fun to hear from you.

Elder & Sister Olson

Historic Moment

Dear Family and Friends,


I was just noticing the similarity of the two pictures I posted last week. The heads of course are very different, but did any notice the neck similarities in the two pictures. :o} One of the reasons I never buy a shirt without Older Olson trying it on to see how it fits. I am so thoughtful, don't know why the pictures made me smile so much, but the Older Olsons have never seemed to have very much length in the neck, or is it just my imagination. I apologize if I sound disrespectful, but they do look a lot a like and they are both stubborn and strong.


On to other things. It was an historic moment in 2nd Ward today. They filled to overflowing and the doors to the overflow had to be opened because so many people came into the sacrament meeting.


The first counselor who was conducting bore his testimony and mentioned that they had prayed for such, but he was blessed to witness it. As always the testimonies were uplifting and filled with the power of the spirit. We saw people we had never seen before that are members and wonderful folks.


Last summer we had gone to the Flea Market and pulled up next to a car. A lady was sitting in the car with door ajar and saw us. She asked if my husband could turn the wheel in her car so she could get it started. It seemed like a strange request, but that happens a lot here, the strange requests I mean. She said she was a member and should be attending church. The Wilsons had made it a point to visit her once a week when they were serving. They called to wish her a Happy New Year and asked if she was going to church. She showed up today and recognized us and sat by us. I asked if she had a garden. She said no but would love to have one. Older Olson followed her home after church and put her address in the GPS. He will be going out later this week to get her garden spot ready for spring. She cried when he told her that she would indeed have her garden.


The 2nd Ward Relief Society is going to implement a homemaking meeting once a month to allow time for the sisters to gather and encourage each other with new skills and time to get better acquainted as sisters in the gospel. They had a meeting after church and I was told that they decided I would teach at the first meeting. They have found out that I crochet and knit. Hopefully there will be others who just want to learn more and we can break into small groups and teach each other.
The other ward decided that for the next Provident Living class that they wanted us to teach them how to get started on their family history. It was hard not to get up and dance, but I controlled myself well until they left the room. Sister Norris will head that up and I will be there to cheer them on and support in anyway I can. It is so exciting to see them find their families and get them ready for temple work.
We love the people and the opportunity to help. People in the Page Stake have found some of their lost family members from the work we did in copying the grave markers here and sending them a copy of the list we made. I am at 340 in finding names for the unmarked graves. I don't know who is where, but I know they are buried there and so I am going through slowly, but each new name is like finding a gold nugget, it is so fun. This week I found Susie Chewingtabacco and some other very different names, but Sister Norris seems to know everyone and how they all go together in clans, I love it.
When I was working with Sister Nez, I would not do anything but tell and guide. She wanted me to take over and I said, "We won't be here forever and you need to know how to do it yourself." Sister Norris said, "I thought you were on a 100 year mission so we could finish our project."
The gospel is true and we all have our part. Thanks for all the prayers in our behalf we know that it is what sustains us as we move steadily forward.
Elder & Sister Olson

Pee Wee and the "Skidboard" Park

Dear Family and Friends,
This week’s picture is of our “Older Olson” with his bald head. Sister Cody asked if anyone was willing to shave their head, “Older Olson” needed no more of a prompt. Christmas Eve he goes into the bathroom to get ready for the Senior gathering and comes out with no hair. I was shocked, maybe horrified would describe my first reaction, but have been able to get past that fortunately and hair does grow out, even on old guys.
The other picture is of the bulls who still come in for their nightly buffet, leaving small presents as they enter, roam, and then exit. We have had the cattle guards cleaned and put large rocks on the side, but they just smile at our puny distractions and walk neatly over as if they were trained to do so. I am glad we have the fencing around the garden and hope that the bulls are taken far away in the spring to greener pastures.
This afternoon we walked over to the large park where they have playground equipment for the kids, a full sized basketball court and a “Skidboard Park” Older Olson could not remember Skateboard, so it is now the “Skidboard Park” Maybe Carter comes by his language creativity from his Grandfather. He is the one who asked his dad why anyone would give their true love 5 onion rings for Christmas. ;o}
Back to the park. We are watching all these young men using their skateboards and bikes to ride the amazing cement maze. I asked if the walls were 30 feet high and Older Olson they were probably close to 8 ft, although I am thoroughly convinced they were closer to 30. It is like a giant swimming pool without the water and all these ramps with curved walls. I know there was a slight angle to the walls, but they seem to go straight up and down with a few curves.
The boys on the bikes are zooming around the walls perpendicular to the bottom, I don’t know how they did that, but they did, then they would eventually zoom straight up the side, do a little trick of some sort and ride quietly off waiting for the next competitor to zoom around.
Sailing around the top of this concrete are other “Skidboard” competitors, doing things that really aren’t possible for humans to do on a piece of board with a roller skate that someone cut in two on the bottom. All the tricks seemed impossible, but they did them with grace and speed, quite amazing to watch actually.
You have to know that the areas of the park are separated by fences, which keep wandering dogs from going in. Well the fences don’t keep tiny two legged boys from going in and so here runs in Pee Wee. He could not have been more than 3, very short and very daring. First he walks close to the edge and peers over at all the zooming bikes, then he crawls out on one of the dividing walls and continues to watch all the activity. Now we are talking bikes and skidboards zooming up and down then flying over the top edge for a landing.
Well Pee Wee sees his chance and slides down the middle divider and begins to do what he has been watching, only he is using his tennis shoes to slip and slide like the bikers. Not one big boy yelled or screamed or even asked him to leave, so for about 5-6 mins he is living his dream. Slipping and sliding every where he can. But alas, now comes his time to exit. It should be easy enough right? Just run up a wall like the bikes did, well when you aren’t very tall that becomes a challenge.
The big boys are now tired also and want to do some more tricks, but they are kind and stay on the far side of the bowl. Now Pee Wee is pretty smart, so he decides he will do what the big boys do and get a running start from the far wall. That helps, but he does not have enough to make it up all the way and slides back to the bottom. He is also watching us watch him and certainly doesn’t want to spend the night in there.
Being the smart kid that he is, he yells for help. One of the big boys leans over the side and sticks out his hand. Pee Wee backs up and runs again, but he misses the kids by inches. The big boy being so nice slides down the side on his feet and picks up Pee Wee. Now they both need to get out. With Pee Wee under his arm he runs up the side, but alas with the extra weight he also cannot make it out. Now the watching crowd smiles and cheers him on. No one wants Pee Wee to get hurt. With another running start and leaning forward he goes far enough to set Pee Wee in a safe spot. Then goes back and runs again to get himself out.
Older Olson and I silently cheer the hero and Pee Wee who marches over to get a better look at us. He wants outside the fence now. I ask, “Where is your Mom?”
He answers, “At the store!” I would not have picked him up and set him on the outside knowing that in there he was caged and had some “Big Boys” watching out for him. He smiles and runs back to the edge which is too much for me. We walk to the far side of the park and a woman is walking determinedly in the direction of the “Skidboard Park” His hero hands him over to mom and he smiles as he climbs into the stroller. What a way to start the New Year. We did hear his mom call him Junior, but to me he will always be Pee Wee.
For those of you who are aware the root canal was painless, the worst part was the anticipation. ;o} With the fourth antibiotic the infection is finally going away.
Our two wards switched times today and 1st Ward actually meets first. The 1st counselor was the only one there. The Bishop had not told him who was speaking, so Older Olson suggested he ask over the pulpit if anyone had been asked to speak. No one raised a hand, so Brother Nocidenah said Elder and Sister Olson would be speaking. :o}
I decided to speak about the “Lord’s tender mercies” and the scriptures and finding answers to our prayers. Elder Olson spoke first and told about his mission here as the Young Elder Olson. I think I have seen him cry more here than in our entire marriage. He loves the people so much and loves what he get to do “work” He thinks he is being punished when he can’t play in the dirt with the roto tiller or shovel manure.
We are getting to know more about the “Ammon Way” every day. We love each of you and hope you are doing well.

"Older" & Sister Olson

Dear Famil

yh