Week 72

MERRY late CHRISTMAS and HAPPY early NEW YEAR!!

Okay, I seriously don't have any time to write to y'all today, just I sent the last 15 minutes sending pictures. I hope you enjoy all of them!

Christmas was truly the BEST Christmas EVER!!!! So many wonderful things happen that day. Woke up to lots of SNOW! Yes I took a broom to the car to get all the snow off. Haha! We open a few gifts. Lots of gift cards, but most of all there was a toy airplane with a note that said, "one free ticket to anywhere in the U.S" I'm so excited! Now where to go?! After our studies, the Elders called us and asked if we wanted to go Christmas caroling with them at one of the Care Homes and it was a sweet experience. We called home; it was good to hear from the family. I'm excited to see everyone is six weeks! Eek! And the best surprise, Grandma Olszowka is coming home to Hawai'i! I'm so grateful that her health is well and that she's coming home to the islands. We had a tasty Ham for dinner and then our investigator was baptized that night. It was a perfect day!

Friday night we were able to go to Temple Square with our recent convert and she LOVED it! She was soaking everything in. I love being on the Square. The Spirit is SO STRONG! She could have stayed for hours but we needed to get home. She's doing great and is looking forward to this new journey and step in life.

We had our Christmas devotional at the mission office this past week too. It was so nice to listen to the beautiful musical numbers and receive guidance and instruction from President Chambers.

Anyways, I really need to get off now. I love you all!

Have a safe new year! I seriously am on cloud 9! I love serving my Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for the gospel. Grateful for my WONDERFUL, AMAZING, LOVING family! Gosh! I love life.

See you in 2015!

Sister Olszowka

Week 71

Merry Christmas!

Transfer calls came in on Tuesday and Sister Dean and I are STAYING together here in the Sandy YSA Stake. This is my last transfer of my mission. It's so crazy! Only 7 weeks left. I've been having lots of mixed feelings about leaving and what I'll do after, but I know the Lord will provide a way; I just need to stay focused on missionary work.

Our district didn't change much either, which is great because I LOVE our district. We brought and shared a HUGE subway sandwich (we got it for free!) with our district at our last district meeting transfer. Also someone was throwing away old trophies so we got two and presented them to the Zone Leaders and District Leader, it was pretty funny! I had a feeling that we'd both stay and we're grateful! Lots of exciting things are happening. We hosted our fireside last night and it was a full house. We had a violin duet, O Holy Night, which was just beautiful. The messages that were shared were very spiritual and we all left uplifted. Jesus Christ is truly the reason for the season. May we all remember Him and what a blessing and gift He is to us. Our Stake President spoke as well at our fireside, he is AWESOME! We're having brunch at his home on Christmas.

Our investigator is so excited to be baptized on Christmas. She came to church and to our fireside. We had a lesson at the baptismal font this morning. She stood in the font and we explained what would happen, she's ready and we're so excited for her and her decision to follow the Savior. We've been teaching her all week and to be honest, the best times on the mission is when you're teaching others about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I find so much joy and happiness as I teach about my Savior, Jesus Christ.

The weather has been pretty raining, I think it's trying snow, but that hasn't been very successful yet. Haha. I've been seeing LOTS of deer lately, even in our yard! I've had to dodge lots of deer poop in order to get to our car.

As always, I'm running out of time, but in closing, I want to leave you with this quote from Elder Oaks,

I am so grateful for the gospel. I am so, so blessed. I feel the love of my Father and Savior every single day. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve a mission and be a servant of the Lord. This gospel is true.

I love you all.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Love,
Sister Olszowka

Week 70

Hi Family and Friends,

I'd like to share a HUGE miracle! This past weekend, we had a zone fast. Yes, all 16 companionships in the Sandy West Zone fasted from Saturday 6pm to Sunday 5pm. Fasting for miracles to find those seeking for light and truth and to help our brothers and sisters. Sister Dean and I saw many miracles this weekend, finding new people to teach, less actives coming to church on Sunday, lesson being set up for the upcoming week, it was amazing. We had dinner at a member's home last night and she invited her non-member friend. This non-member has been coming to church and told her friend, "I think I need to meet with the missionaries, I think, I need to be baptized!" So we had dinner last night and a lesson. The spirit was SO STRONG! We extended a baptismal date for next week and she ACCEPTED to be baptized on CHRISTMAS day! We are so excited for her and her decision to follow the Savior. I know Heavenly Father is so mindful of us and our needs. He places people in our lives for a specific reason. We met this young women and she recognizes she needs to make time for Heavenly Father. She's had a rough past but she's ready to make changes in her life.

Last Monday we took our other investigator to Temple Square. It was fun to see the lights, but the Spirit that radiates from being on the Square is powerful. This investigator hasn't accepted a baptismal date yet, but she says she's getting answers to her prayers and knows the things we are teaching her are true.

Sister Dean and I are hosting a Fireside next Sunday night. It will be a night centered on He is the Gift. We are putting the whole thing together, we have speakers, a musical number, the Stake President will be there and give the closing remarks and we'll show the clip as well. It will be a great night!

Transfer calls come tomorrow, I hope I stay in Sandy YSA, the work is picking up. We have three other lessons set up this week with non-members who want to be taught. We're so grateful and feel so blessed at this time to be helping our brothers and sisters see how the restored gospel can change their lives.

My last transfer is coming up, CRAZY! I don't want my mission to end. I love every minute of it, even when it's tough. I know this gospel to be true. I feel my Savior's love each and every day. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and has changed my life. I'm so happy. May we all continue to do what is right and love one another.

Have a blessed week,

Sister Olszowka

Week 69

Hello! Hello! From Sunny Sandy!

Still no snow. I think Sister Dean and I are thinking of going on a short hike today. We'll see. Nothing too new to report. Our investigator and us are going to Temple Square tonight, Yes! We can go see the lights so we're super excited. She didn't make it to church, she had to work. Bummer.

Remember the investigator that we passed off to the Elders in the other Central Mission? Well he was baptized this past Saturday! Yay!  So I received permission to leave the mission and attend that. It felt really weird to be out of the mission boundaries, but it was really nice to support him.

Ace, thanks for the early Christmas present, I LOVE my new camera. It's great! I've taken more pictures this past week than ever before.

The Christmas Devotional was last night. I really enjoyed it.

Did you all watch He is the Gift?!?! I hope so! Visit... He is the Gift.

I read this awesome talk this morning, A Time for Faith, Not Fear, by Elder Larry W. Gibbons. In fast and testimony meeting yesterday many young singles got up and spoke about how challenging their life is and they've been experiencing many trials, it was somewhat sad. However, I love this quote from President Monson, "Be of good cheer, your future is as bright as your faith." Elder Gibbons shares this scripture and insight,

“Lift up thine eyes” (Isaiah 60:4).

When your difficulties seem overwhelming, look up, not down. When sadness and despair start to get a foothold, remember this: the Atonement of Jesus Christ did more than overcome physical and spiritual death. Yes, we will all be resurrected, and all of us have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins as we repent and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. But as wonderful as the gifts of resurrection and repentance are, the Atonement is much more. Through the Atonement we can receive strength to meet the most difficult trials of life.

When we look up to the Savior, we can be strengthened beyond our own abilities and beyond what we can envision with our mortal understanding."

I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. Brothers and Sisters, have more faith and hope. Press forward and endure. Look unto the Lord for help and guidance.

Love you all!

Sister Olszowka

P.S. Enjoy the photos!

Week 68

Happy December 1st!

I have never seen Thanksgiving decorations disappear so fast! Haha! Everyone has lights on their homes and big inflatable in their yards. You can definitely feel the holiday spirit! However, with all the hustle and bustle in the air we often forget the true meaning of Christmas. I invite all of you to checkout this website, He is the Gift. We've been sharing this video every chance we get and I invite you to watch it as well!

In church yesterday, Sister Dean and I spoke about member missionary work.  I love Elder Bednar's talk from this past October General Conference, titled Come and See. His talk is addressed to individuals who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Here is a part of what I shared over the pulpit.

"Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries. A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel.

Latter-day Saints take seriously this responsibility to teach all people in all nations about the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. We believe the same Church founded by the Savior anciently has been reestablished on the earth by Him in the latter days. The doctrine, principles, priesthood authority, ordinances, and covenants of His gospel are found today in His Church.

When we invite you to attend church with us or to learn with the full-time missionaries, we are not trying to sell you a product. As members of the Church, we do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest. We are not seeking simply to increase the numerical size of the Church. And most importantly, we are not attempting to coerce you to believe as we do. We are inviting you to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true.

Some of you may respond, “But I already believe in Jesus and follow His teachings,” or “I am not sure if God really exists.” Our invitations to you are not an attempt to diminish your religious tradition or life experience. Bring all that you know is true, good, and praiseworthy—and test our message. Just as Jesus beckoned two of His disciples to “come and see” (John 1:39), so we urge you to come and see if the restored gospel of Jesus Christ enlarges and enriches that which you already believe to be true."

Isn't this talk great?! As members and missionaries, we are inviting others to hear restored truths and to act for themselves by studying, pondering and praying to know if these things are true.

Our investigator from Montana came to church too! I was so excited to see her! She's so sweet. We're taking her to Temple Square next week to tour the Visitor's Center. We can't see the lights, but that's okay because I LOVE going to the Visitor's Center, I seriously wouldn't mind being a Temple Square Sister because they have so many visual aids to help in their teaching. It's ahhh-mazing!

Thanksgiving was good! We had multiple invitations, but we had just one dinner and two rounds of desserts. Then of course, we were sent home with leftovers. We drop off little thank you notes and goodies to all of Bishops as well.

Thankfully we haven't had any more snow, but we've been seeing a lot of deer! Eek!

Have a blessed week!

Love,
Sister Olszowka

Week 67

BEEP! BEEP! We got a JEEP! :)

YES! We got a new car! Woot! Woot! We currently drive a 2015 Jeep Compass and I LOVE IT! We're the only ones in the entire mission that have a Jeep. It still smells new! It had 109 miles when we picked it up on Friday. The Assistants called us on Wednesday and asked if we wanted to drive the Jeep...of course we do!! :)

This has been a crazy week of changes! Transfers happened, Sister Aldridge was transferred to South Jordan and I stayed in the area. However, there were two sets of missionaries in the Sandy YSA Stake, well the Elders were transferred out and we cover the WHOLE stake! Yes, our area is HUGE!!! It's practically all of Sandy! We also moved from our tiny place into the Elder's basement apartment. We live right against the Wasatch Mountains; hence we needed 4 wheel drive because we live in the hills! I know the Elders tried their best to clean, but we had some DEEP cleaning, especially in the bathroom. eek! It was scary! My companion is Sister Dean, AGAIN! Yes we were companions last January for 6 weeks and now we're back together. I haven't heard of any other missionaries having a repeat in companions.

Here's my gospel nugget of the week!

Elder Oaks is one of my favor Apostles and I strive daily to live by this quote. I believe we need to be authentic. Following the Savior is a continuous commitment and way of life. We all strive to follow the Savior more and become better.

My time is up, I need to go, but enjoy all the snowy photos.

Have a blessed week! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Sister Olszowka

Week 66

BURRRR! It's so cold outside!

Winter is here and I'm not a huge fan of the cold. I woke up Wednesday morning to snow falling and sticking. eek!

This week has gone by fast! Hmm...what happen this past week?....we got a flat tire on Saturday. We're not sure how it happened. Sister Aldridge was driving. Luckily we had just pulled into our driveway for lunch and man! That tire deflated FAST! We called the Elders and they came and changed it for us. We took the flat in to get it fixed and thankfully they were able to get us and help us out. We're emailing at the library today and I forgot my camera at home. dang it! I think this is the first time I won't be sending pictures. sorry! Look forward to them next week!

Transfers are this coming week. I'm pretty sure I'll be staying in the area. Sister Aldridge has been here 4 1/2 months, but it's all in the Lord's hands and I'll go where He needs me. I enjoy working with the young adults, they're great! Did I mention we're looking for a new place to live? Well, we are and hopefully something will come about soon.

So we're teaching a new investigator, the one from Montana. We met with her twice last week and she wasn't able to make it to church, but she's interesting in learning more and is reading the Book of Mormon. She even had us over for dinner on Tuesday and sent us home with leftover chicken pot pie, it's was good! She hasn't grown up with much religion, but she's seeking truth. We were able to meet with our other investigator, she's experiencing a lot of family opposition, but she's moving into her own place soon so that will be better for her.

My time is short, as always, but here's the gospel nugget of the week:

  
I read the Book of Mormon daily. I love the Book of Mormon. The Bible and the Book of Mormon support each other. The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and His Atonement and the Bible accounts of His birth, ministry, death, Atonement and resurrection. They teach the same principles. Every time I read, I have feelings of peace, comfort and direction. The Spirit testifies the things I read and learn are true. If you're looking for direction in life, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon. This book changed my life and I know it can change the lives of others. Like President Eyring said, "The Book of Mormon is the best guide to learn how to well we are doing and how to do better."

That's all I have for this week. I love you all!

Sister Olszowka