Week 24

Another week here in Sandy Utah!

We did some service for our elderly landlord, she turned 86 this past Thursday. We cleaned out her laundry room. Our new fridge was installed and works great! No more crazy fridge noises at night. Thank goodness!

We got a call from a member the other night asking if we knew what happened to Brother Bitner. He's one of our cute elderly neighbors. Back in November we racked leaves from his yard. Anyways, he had fallen and now is in a coma. Please keep him in your prayers; he's such a sweet old man. 

Mallory and Michelle still are on date for baptism. We met with Mallory last night and we talked about ways we can obtain faith. Look up Mosiah 4:6-12. Her fellowship family, the Alstons, are great people! We were teaching a young girl, Alexis, but she's moving on Friday so we're hoping that we can get in contact with the missionaries in that area to make sure they can take over the lessons.

We also had a lesson with a less active member, Spencer. His wife is Laura, I mentioned her a few weeks ago, she's from Mexico. Anyways, last Sunday we had a lesson with their family and Spencer had a lot of questions that we couldn't answer about Joseph Smith. We encouraged him to pray and to read the Joseph Smith history. So last night we met with him in his parents home and Wow! his whole demeanor had changed! It was truly a miracle. He was really open and willing to read more. His parents are wonderful members and really helped in our teaching.

Sister Paredes and I are looking forward to another week of sharing the gospel. I love my Savior and I'm so thankful for all the wonderful blessing I have in my life!

Love,

Sister Olszowka

p.s the pictures I've included are posters of an Elder's homecoming. I thought it was a cute idea!

Week 23

Dear Friends and Family,

I was saddened to hear the news of Uncle Johnny's passing. It didn't really hit me until we drove away from emailing last week and I cried a little. I'm so glad I was able to see him before I left on my mission. He will always have a special place in my childhood memory. Send my love and condolences at his funeral. I'm so thankful for the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation. I know there is life beyond death and I know I will see him again.

I've been a little concerned/curious about things happening at home, but Sister Paredes shared this scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 31 http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/31?lang=eng; substitute your name at the beginning) which gave me great comfort and peace. I encourage you to read it!

Missionary work has been moving. We've been working hard and we've found four new investigators this week. Three investigators have set baptismal dates for next month. Please continue to pray for them that they will be receptive to the Spirit and continue to progress.

Our refrigerator died on us. It was awful. It sounded like an elephant lived in there. We couldn't sleep that night. The mission office provided us with a mini fridge, but it's hard to fit food for TWO people into a mini fridge. Anyways, someone from the stake has graciously donated one. They will deliver it later today.

We also had exchanges this week. We swapped companions with the Sister Trainer Leaders for 24 hours. Sister Riggs, she's from Alaska came to Sandy and Sister Paredes went to Riverton. I also went on a split with a sister from the ward while Sister Paredes was at training this week too.

I hope you're all doing well. Will lots of love and prayers.

Sister Olszowka

Week 22

Hi!

Let's see, this week had its ups and downs, but what week doesn't right?!

Sister Peterson (see photo below) she's 91 and is the cutest little old lady ever! Her husband passed away a few years ago and is such a faithful member. She's always there at church on Sunday and we just love her. She's even mended a few things for us.

We've been having a little success in finding new investigators and teaching them. It's been tough, but been a big blessing. Laura was recently married to a less active member but she wants to learn more. She's also from Mexico so Sister Paredes has been using her Spanish. Selena was raised Catholic but is open to learning more about the LDS church. Mallory is 18 and her sister joined the church a few years ago and has seen the peace and happiness that her sister has experienced and desires to feel the same. So those are the people we're working with and teaching at the moment.

We went to the Draper Temple today which was really nice! I was hoping to run into Aunt Sue, Jennifer or maybe even Aunt Lisa, but I didn't. Oh well. I'm bound to run into some family and some point of my mission.

Lately, the weather has been pretty nice. Sunny. The other night it was 48 degree which we didn't need our heavy coats. It felt like a typical Hawaiian night! It reminded me of home. We were also able to shovel off the ice in the driveway too. Did I mention we have a LONG driveway?! That took a lot of effort, but it's all cleared now.

Our car isn't fixed yet. Not sure when that will be, but sometime soon I would guess. The office will let us know.

k shoots! we gotta go! love you lots!

Sister Olszowka

Week 21

HAPPY NEW YEAR! WOW! 2014!!!!

Our new year's eve was pretty low key. We went out to dinner with Members and we were in our apartments by 8pm, we usually come in at 9pm but President Chambers wanted all missionaries in early. I woke up to fireworks going off at midnight.

Hmm what else happen this week...

A elderly woman backed into our parked car! We were in a lesson and we heard a knock on the door and the woman said she's backed into the car outside, she thought it was a trash can. oh gosh. Did I mention we have the newest vehicle of the mission fleet?! Yup, the 2014 Chevy Cruze has a huge dent on the rear bumper. haha! We called Elder Southwick (mission vehicle coordinator) and he checked it out and said to come in on Monday to fill out paper and he'd tell which places to go to get estimates. So we've spent half of day doing that. ayayai.

We haven't any new investigators to teach, but we have a few appointments set up for this coming week with less active members. We're still working with Michelle, our investigator from South Africa and will meet with her this week.

Sister Paredes and I are doing great! She's so sweet! Her English is coming along. We both gave talks in Sacrament meeting last week. She was nervous but she did a great job! I can't wait to visit her in Paraguay after the mission. hehe.

Well, I'm gonna keep this one short this week. love you lots!

Thank you for your prayers.

Love,
Sister Olszowka

Week 20

Where to begin?! On Christmas eve Sister Paredes and I decorated a little Cypress tree that mom sent and put our presents underneath. We spent the evening at the Burich's home; it was Brother Burich's 89th birthday! Then we headed over to the Cline's which we read Luke Chapter 2 and sang a few carols. Sister Cline is from England and she made homemade eclairs! They have two kids out on missions. We really love and appreciate them.

Christmas was GREAT! I was able to Skype home and it was wonderful to talk to my family and see their smiling faces. The hour went quick, but I'm looking forward to the next skype call in May. hehe.

The rest of the week seemed a little long. We're in the process of finding new investigators. Although we have a bigger area now, I believe two square miles, no one has been home or is interested in hearing about the Gospel. Sister Chambers (Mission President's wife) called us and asked if she could come out with us on Saturday. We didn't have any appointments or lessons so what did we do? Knock on doors. Yes, two doors were slammed in my face, but weh! They're just not ready... yet. I've learned to take those kind of reactions lightly. Seriously. No need to get worked up about them. I sometimes ask myself why are people so scared of hearing/listening to  the missionaries? Because they know what we teach is true. Simple as that.

As 2013 comes to a close and I reflect back on the year. Wow. What a year it's been! So many GREAT and FUN memories to reflect upon. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father. I give thanks daily to Heavenly Father for everything I have and everything I am. He has blessed me and continues to bless me. I love my Savior and I'm grateful for the Atonement. May we all look forward to the new year and think of ways we can be more charitable, loving, kind and follow in Christ's footsteps.

My motto..."Think, live and act like Christ"

Love you all,
Sister Olszowka

Enjoy the photos!

Week 19

Mele Kalikimaka Family and Friends!

Transfers happened this past Wednesday and I have a new companion!!! Sister Paredes! She's from PARAGUAY!!!!! She's been out for two months originally in a Spanish assignment, but is now serving with me in an English assignment. She speaks VERY well and is so sweet! The other Sisters in our area were transferred to Herriman so that means we cover the whole stake now! Yes we cover 9 wards and we have the car full time! wahoo! No more walking in the snow. Actually I take that back, we still walk in the snow but not as much. Also when the cars are grounded we walk. We're still living in our cozy little apartment too.

Sister Allan got her mission call and I was able to be there when she opened her called. She's headed to Tempe Arizona! She reports January 1st 2014.

Here are a few snow photos. It snowed a lot this week and the cars were grounded so we had to walk. I love the way the trees look, but man! It's cold! We also went to a neighborhood party where we made s'mores! Sister Paredes has never had one!

On Sunday we walked into one of the new wards we cover and guess who was on the stand?!?! President Boyd K. Packer (President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) and Elder Allan Packer (A member of the Quorum of the Seventy)!! It was such a nice surprise to see them and to hear their words and counsel. Some of counsel given by President Packer was that "guilt is a disease and repentance is the cure." We all have access to the Atonement and we need to ask (through prayer) the Father in Christ's name to help us. We need to lay hold of repentance to be free of guilt and addiction. We don't need to carry them, the Atonement takes away our pains, afflictions, trials, etc. Family, prayer is so powerful. Pray unto the Father and I promise you that you'll receive answers and feel at peace. Lastly, President Packer mentioned, in order to be happy we need to be active in the church and read the Book of Mormon; it's a map and we can find ourselves in it. Family and friends, if you haven't been to church is a while, go to church. Church is a place for sinners and it's a new year, a new start! There's only 52 Sundays in the year and I know that when I go to church I feel so renewed and uplifted. I love the Gospel and I love my Savior. My faith and my testimony grow every day.

That's all for now.

Have a Merry Christmas! I love you all!

Sister Olszowka

Week 18

Aloha from freezing Sandy!

Sister Allan and I had a little bit of a tough week, but we remain optimistic! Our two baptisms that were schedule for this month fell through. Sad times. They feel they're not ready and they don't want to commit. I've learned everyone has their time and we can't push them. Heavenly Father has blessed us with agency and we are free to accept or reject the message of gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe we're here to just to "plant the seed" but I know the Lord has His hand in all things. So please keep them in your prayers.

Sister Allan's trial mission is done today. We're taking her to the mission office at 3:30pm where she'll open her new call letter with her family. I think she'll be going somewhere back east or Michigan! She doesn't like the cold either so I joke about her going to Michigan. LOL! We think alike and both are dedicated to missionary work; I'll miss her, but know she'll do good where ever she's called.

So with that said, I believe I'll just be paired with the other sisters in the district until Wednesday. No one really told us otherwise. I don't know. I learned you just need to be flexible. Transfers are this week! I'll most likely be staying here in Sandy and will be training a brand new Sister missionary.

This past Friday we attended a ward Christmas party. We helped with the set-up and mingled with a lot of less-actives. The party had a really good program centered on our Savior which was a nice way to end the night.

This was our week to walk. I didn't have good pair of gloves and I tried to find some last P-day, but was unsuccessful. I said a little prayer and when we got home there was a bag with gloves, feet warmers and saran wrap! A sweet, sweet Sister thought we could use these and dropped them off for us! An answer to my prayers. She even stopped by again during the week when we weren't home and dropped off headbands and heating pads! WOW! We definitely wrote her a thank you note and delivered it with some Hawaiian candies. My feet get sooo cold. Sometimes I wear three pairs of socks! This Sister wrote in a note to wear a pair of socks, then saran wrap your feet and then another pair of socks and this would help keep my feet warm and it has! So yes, I wear saran wrap some days! haha!

Last night we helped Boone (less-active) and Nola decorate their Christmas tree. I gave them two ornaments to put on their tree as well. We visit them about once a week. See photo below.

Next week our P-day is on Tuesday and I'll get to call/skype home on Wednesday. I'm REALLY look forward that!! I miss you CHOKE!

Love,

Sister Olszowka