June 8, 2015

Dear Madre y mi familia, 

So to answer some of those first questions--we were eating dinner at the Sharples (who we skyped with) My companion is really awesome! Transfer calls are this Saturday... so we are all on our toes. I really don’t think we'll be together another one. It’s super sad to think about but I just don’t think President will keep us together. He doesn’t really keep people together for that long. But we haven’t really heard anything haha its kinda weird, it’s just going to happen I guess! haha Nothing has been said-- just the new president is President Lewis and it’s happening on July 1^st  and where you are is what mission you will be in—it’s kinda crazy! So we'll basically find out what mission we are in this Saturday! haha 

Lately I've realized that goals are something that  really  help us to improve.  Without a vision, most of the times with ourselves-- how do we know where we are going? That’s awesome mom! Also if I could recommend a book that I have recently been reading and its changed my life--called “Believing Christ”. It’s so good! Mom I love you so much and I hope you know how much I love you and the whole family! 

As for this week, It was a super awesome and rewarding week! So first off,  I figured out this week that I love Mexican candy-- like the Chile stuff!! haha I use to hate it but then I just kept trying more and more and now I love it!! hahaha I’m just like a chubby little Mexican boy—choncito! haha Oh also-- don’t worry I’m still being super clumsy! haha This last p-day we were playing chair soccer and I was trying to get this Elder out and sooo I kicked it pretty hard and it didn’t go where I wanted it to go and found its way to this Sister’s face... lets just say I felt like the biggest tool ever!! hahaha  Also we had an activity with the ward this Saturday and we were all playing soccer and it was basically Elder Cataldo and I against all the adults (Mexicans) and we totally beat them!! hahaha It was super funny because they started trying super hard and we were still beating them in our pros (church clothes) hahaha!  It is getting super hot here-- like Arizona. It’s only been 100 and  yesterday our car said it was 107, which really isn’t too bad until you are walking in it!! haha But it’s awesome because it’s just such an adventure! haha  This week was a super cool week with the S’s. So first thing,  Brother S literally said,  "I don’t know his name but I know he’s a prophet of God" haha it was so awesome! He also said that when he was watching a talk by the prophet, he saw Christ instead of President Monson and said he has no doubts now that this is Christ’s church. It was sooo cool! Also this Sunday they both went up, S  first, and bore AWESOME testimonies!!!  It was so cool! But other than that,  the Lord has just blessed us in so many little ways! It’s so good just to look back sometimes during the week and think of all the little miracles we've seen! I want to invite you guys just to take some time this week and think of all the little miracles you see everyday and I promise that you’ll be a happier more positive person! 

I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week!! Best family ever! I miss you all a ton! 

Love Elder Oliver  

June 1, 2015

Dear Mom and Fam!!

Soo don’t worry too much-- he talked to the whole zone about it just to remind us.  I just wanted to let you know about the names because I had no idea!! hahaha  Thanks I know I’m glowing-- its rough haha!! but they’re really so awesome! And as for the Temple,  it was such an awesome experience as always.  I could just go through session after session haha!  Our zone was super lame and we only took one pic and it turned out so bad haha because we are like 3 hours away from our area so all the rides had to get back... plus it was super hot!! haha 

As for this week it was tons of fun!! Soo in our area, we have Mexican apartments and it’s just like a big neighborhood otherwise known as “little Mexico.”  It is  so fun because they are always out playing loud music and all the kids just love us and sworm us haha It's soo funny! We were in this one apt and these kids were walking by us-- well we went up to the door and one kid ran and knocked for us!! Another door,  they just walked in and got the parents! hahaha It’s so awesome, they’re like our secret weapons! haha  But we try not to be creeps though-- its a fine line hahahahha jkjk Also the S’s are doing super good and he just got called to be a ward missionary which is soo cool and we are all so excited! We are finding some new people right now and it’s super exciting because they all actually really have potential!  Sometimes it’s like Elder C and I are the same person, we always just say what the other is thinking-- so talking to people is super fun! 

This week I’ve really come to know my Savior a ton better just through normal prayers. Talking with our Heavenly Father just normally, is the best way to receive guidance. I know He is just sitting right next to me  listening.  So the mission this Sunday is all fasting for missionary work and President has asked that we invite our families to join in,  and on fast Sunday-- to bear a short powerful testimony of the four truths and missionary work! So that’s my invitation for this week! 

I love you all so much and miss you everyday and hope you have an awesome week!

Love Elder Oliver

May 25, 2015

(Wow!! I am so far behind!!)

Dear Mom y familia, 

The sickness is gone and yes I think I know exactly what food it was but it’s all good! haha

That’s crazy that school is out!! haha It went by so fast-- sorry I had to say it. Sounds like you guys have an awesome summer planned! Eat lots of that crab soup for me! haha 

As for this week, it was the best week of the mission so far!!! Such an awesome and spiritual one! So the G’s are long gone.  It’s the S’s that I’ve been talking about and yes they did get baptized!!!!!! It was so awesome and they asked Elder Cataldo and I to do it-- so it was my first baptism and confirmation in Spanish!!! It was so awesome! But first they had to have some interviews which I was a little nervous for because its basically to see their desires and if the missionaries taught them well enough.   They passed and they came out crying and said it was one of the most spiritual experiences for them. Then came the baptism--It was so cool guys! The whole family--well besides Joshua, because he's 7 but still they were all so excited and showed up 30 min early! What Mexican does that?! hahaha  Normally it doesn’t start until 30 min later! haha  But it was so cool and it’s always the best to baptize because we get to see their face as soon as it comes out of the water and not to be dramatic or anything but you can really see them just glow! It was so cool! I can’t really describe it to well, but I do have pics!! haha 

Other than that this week was really good and I love my mission so much! It’s getting a little warmer but still hasn’t broken 100 so everyone is dying besides me! hahaha  It’s been really good and it’s just a party everyday! Ok maybe not everyday-- some days get kinda hard but really it’s not bad at all when you can really rely on the Savior. Any trial we go through or any stress or bad feelings that we have-- we can rely and trust in the Savior and He will lead us and help us through anything!! 

We are going to the Temple this week and I am stoked! So today is a weird p-day-- we don’t have a full one... but it’s all good because the Temple is worth it! 

I love you guys and miss you guys so much! Have an awesome week and an awesome summer!! 

Love Elder Oliver