Letter from August 27, 2012

Hey all!

Once again, it has been a very crazy week out here in the mission field. I have come to find out that there is no such thing as a normal week in the mission. There is nothing quite like it. You future missionaries will know what I’m talking about really soon. You returned missionaries already know what I'm talking about.

Okay, So I have my new companion Elder Janne. Elder Janne is from Witicha, Kansas. He is 21 years old. He loves to play rugby and football, so he is workhorse. He is a joker too. The first few days with him we just spent laughing the whole time. It is something I needed. I almost forgot that in the mission it's okay to have fun and mess around. I love this guy, it's gonna be a great transfer. Within our first few days together we went out and taught five lessons. We were blessed to set six baptismal dates in that two days time. It was so awesome. After that it was a little slow because Elder Janne got a really bad stomach illness. We weren't able to work as fast or as efficient. It was really slow after that, but it was over all a really good week.

So this week was one of the most stressful weeks. We had planned a baptism for Rachelle. We would go over to her house everyday asking her if she was still confident in getting baptized. She would be like "I don't know." We were kind of worried. Then one day she was like "I’ll just tell you guys Sunday" we then looked at each other and were like we can't do that. We gotta know soon so that we can set everything up for you to be baptized. We came to find out that she was just worried that she was going to be alone. Meaning that she would be the only member in the family, and that no one would support her or anything like that. When we found that out we told her that she wasn't going to be. Because we set a while ago with her sister, Genesis, a baptismal date. Rachelle had no idea about this. Genesis told her that she was going to be baptized. Then Rachelle was like "I wanna be baptized". We were just so filled with joy and excitement. We were stressing to do a last minute interview, and get a program set up. She almost wasn't able to go to church because her mom said no, but then said yes.  There was scheduled another person to get baptized as well. Rachelle didn't want that though. She wanted her own though, but Obispo was able to talk her into joining. We got her a ride to the baptism. Got everything set up, and then I got a call from her very strict mother. Saying that she had no idea that the baptism was going to be occurring yesterday. Even though Elder Larsen talked to her about it.  That Rachelle didn't say anything, and that they couldn’t come to it so they didn't want to do it. My heart sank as you could imagine. We were just waiting for them to get here. Then they had to cancel. We had to cancel her baptism literally last minute. It was heart braking. But we know that we can get her for the next week. So let's hope and pray that it does happen.

But on the bright side, one of our other investigators that we have, Lilia, came to the baptism. She loved it too. She has a date for the 9th of September. We have been teaching her everyday this week. She is reading from the Book of Mormon. She is praying all the time. She didn’t know how to when we first started. I guess Elder Larsen was talking to her about it and she said that this is going to happen to her in just a few weeks. We only have one problem right now. That is her going to church. She has had to work the last three Sunday’s. We talked to her about keeping the Sabbath day. She understands that it is really important to keep it. She is going to do everything she can next week to come to church. We are very excited about her. This is going to be a huge week with her. I have a lot of optimism with her.

We also have Diana. She has been tough to work with. She's been praying and reading from the Book of Mormon. She's doing solid, but before Elder Janne got here she wasn’t wanting to get baptized or come to church. But the very first day we saw her we taught her about the plan of salvation, and she accepted a baptismal date for the 23rd. I think she will be a solid one too for the next coming weeks. We are very excited to teach her more.

It has been a very good and rewarding week. A lot of great things have been happening here in our area. It's another time of finding though. We have a lot with a baptismal date, but other then them we don’t have too many to teach. So it's gonna be another big week. So look out for a baptism picture! I love you all and thank you so much for your support. I know that with faith all things are possible (Moroni 7:33). I know that the Lord is here for us whenever we need Him. I love Him and you all too! Thank you for your support and I can't wait to hear from you soon!!

Elder Dallin M. Ollerton