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