Elder Olson's mission (Paraguay Asuncion North Mission): CONFERENCE(S) WEEK

Mon., 10/2/2017 (Neuland/Paraiso)

It has been a really great week! Not so busy in Neuland but everywhere else, yes. We started off ending P-day with some really good chipa in Asuncion, then we went to stay with the office elders for the night. Tuesday we had zone conference about Justice and Mercy. It really went well with the general conference topics which will be mentioned later. We took a colectivo of 43 and 44 seats back to the Chaco. That's unfortunate because Elders Stark's and Whipple's tickets were for seats 45 and 46. The bathroom occupied that space, so they stood the whole way. That's a feat, as it left at 11 pm and got in around 6 or 7 am. We got back to Neuland Wednesday afternoon (we had to take a second colectivo) and we went to all our investigators really fast since we didn't have much time for the week. Friday we got the chapel ready for general conference, and got the computer ready, because we went to Abundancia to watch conference in English. That evening we got a ride from the building maintainence guy to Abundancia. We stayed there for general conference til Sunday, when we walked 4 or 5 km to get to the closest place where the colectivos stop. We are in Filadelfia for the day today, with cinnamon rolls for the year mark of my mission! And also Elder Brower and Elder Whipple who are in the district. That's the week!

General conference was great. The speakers were all direct, and it was awesome! Really so awesome. They talked a lot about how we are all not perfect, how we all make mistakes but we need to do all we can to try to be perfect. They talked a lot about faith and how we need to have it and strengthen it. We heard about how it is IMPOSSIBLE that the Book of Mormon isn't true. It's impossible. If you don't believe me watch conference again because it was in SO many talks, especially Tad R Callister's talk. I think it is quite clear that how the church is, it is and nobody is going to change it. The doctrine is simple and pure, and people trying to change it are wasting their time. The best part, personally for me, was when Elder Hallstrom asked us if we have the faith to be healed. He then asked us IF WE HAVE FAITH TO NOT be healed. Wow that is a good question. Do we? Do I? Do you? If that answer isn't a yes, make it one! Also, another interesting point is that President Monson was not there in person. I don't know about y'all, but I heard his name and voice in Every single talk. Our prophet has counseled us to read our scriptures. Let's do it! Robert D Hales also passed away. It's sad but not, at the same time, because he was a great man and taught us a lot. Russell M. Nelson, who skipped part of conference to be there with him, is also a good example, of leaving what's important to you to serve others. Service was also brought up a lot. We need to love others and serve. This was by far the best conference I have been to, and I didn't miss a single talk! We watched it all, and I agree with everything every speaker said. The book is blue, the church is true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Have a great week!

Pictures:

1 Eating chipa in Asuncion.

2 A 6th consecutive Zone Conference with Elder Villacresses (Assistant to the Mission President now)

3 Elder Hermansen and I both have name tags in German; you have to be able to bear your testimony to qualify.

4 I saw a few elders from past Zones.

5 My old Zone Leader Elder Pace is going home this change.

6 My old Zone Leader Elder Grey.

7 It got a little warm in Neuland... That's 46 degrees... Celcius.

8 Elder Castañeda cutting trees down during a service project.

9 And there I am up in a tree cutting them down too.

10 We cut down a few trees right next to the Nivacle Catholic Chapel (the neighbors are members).

11 As we cut trees down, a small army marched past with flags made of bags and shouting (translated to English) Champions! Wee Oh Wee! Champions! Wee O Wee!

12 This tree wouldn't go down! And yes we cut them down with a machete.

13 There is the Nivacle Community Monument.

14 They "fixed" the chapel.

15 Conference in Abundancia in English with Elder Brower, Elder Starks, and Elder Whipple.

16 We had to cook out for Priesthood Session of General Conference.

17 We ate Peruvian lomitos.

18 The Abundancia chapel at night.

19 And by day.

20 It got cold for the other elders who all had blankets last night in Filadelfia, but there weren't enough blankets so Elder Brower and I suffered it out with wet towels hahaha.

21 We all made cinnamon rolls for p-day.

22 Elder Brower wanted to roll some connamon rolls too.

23 There's the cinnamon.

24 Word is on the street that Elder Brower and Elder Castañeda are just going to switch when we have changes... well that's not true but it's what we all want so we can all stay in the same District more time together.