July 7, 2013 {Cara}

Happy 4th of JULY!!:)

DAD! Oh my goodness thank you so much for that email:) Thank you so much for your prayers. I know that they are what get me through everyday. Ha at first I was thinking you were crazy by having to tell me "Dont come home." I would think, "there is no way I'd ever get that thought!" But satan is real and those thoughts will pop in my head when things get tough. I quickly think of you though, and Aaron. I cant tell you how much I am always thinking of you guys and all the Olsens. I'll always think, "What would my dad do? Aaron? Mom? Uncle Randy? Nathaniel? Aunt Laura Ann? Alyssa? Gavin?" I could go oooonnnnn about everyone because I'm always picking an Olsen to follow an example of when it comes to difficult situations. So THANKYOU OLSENS for being such incredible examples. 

I can not believe that there is only one more week until next transfer. Thankfully, I am staying in Lahaina!! Sister Willis will train be for 6 more weeks, then I will be training and possibly opening up a new area. Sister Willis is a Sister Trainer... which requires her having to travel to different Islands and go on exchanges with other missionaries so she can do reports on them.... and the cool thing is... I TAG ALONG! Ha so I got to go to take a ferry to Lanai last week. It was one great experience. The people there- Wow. Nicest people I ever met in my life. Lanai looks like montana. Lots and lots of ranch. (Dad I took pics just for you, you'll love it) It was fun going on exchanges with the other missionaries. We talked to a Jehovah's Witness missionary, and she is interested and is now a new investigator for Lanai! Its so small there.. I'll send pics

Speaking of Jehovahs Witness.. We have a baptism date for someone who was formerly one. His name is Ed Kaahue. He's 72 years old but looks 30. Is was definitly a miracle for him to commit to baptism. It was frusterating because he knows the book of Mormon is true, and He knows the church is true, but he doesn't want to get baptized because he is worried about what his family will think of him. But he's great. I was able to be bold. Something just clicked and I was able to testify because he was someone I truely cared about and wanted this for him. A scripture in Nephi came to my head for him to read, I dont even remember what it was? I dont even know how i knew what it was actually... but it was something about how the lord will provide a way. We invited him to get baptized and he said he would pray about it. The next morning we came by, and he said, "Well I prayed.. and I feel good about it because I know the lord will provide a way" YAY! Miracle:) Its crazy how excited I got when he said yes. I truely love these people. Its crazy to think of Heavenly Fathers love for us. Anyway- I can't wait for Ed!!

Next Miracle, This is a cool story... So sara- She is the same as Ed- knows the church is true but is halting on baptism for 6 months for lack of an answer to her prayers. So last week, we were unable to reach her, she was always gone and wasn't keeping appointments. Finally yesterday morning, I got an idea to skip companion study and try to reach her early in the morning around 9. So we went to her house bright and early, and she was there! Turns out she has been going through a really hard time and was in need of a blessing. She called her catholic bishop for a blessing that morning and was waiting for him to return her call. He never called her back and she was just heart broken! It was so sad. When we showed up, she told us how her life has been crazy without us stopping by and how she was in need of a blessing. So sister willis and I called some people in the ward to come give her a blessing. After the blessing she prayed .. and like two seconds after her prayer she says, " I need to be baptized. I will be baptized. I know he's there and I know thats what I need to do" Ahh.... It was so great!! I love Sara. Her baptism is next Sunday:) I'm so stoked.

Family- I love you. I love you all so much!! I am so grateful to be here. Please know that this is not what everyone says that this is... a "vacation". It tough stinkin work man...  Ha. I cant wait for Aaron to come home!! Are you all just freaking out!? He gets home in just a few weeks! Crazy!! Goodness I love being a missionary! :) Jorgen and Abby and Gavin- yesterday for the 4th of July the Zone all got together and we were at the church all wanting to do something fun. haha i thought of all those summer nights of nightgames and how fun they were. So I got a BIG game of capture the flag put together. Haha it was such a blast... and i thought you would appreciate that even missionaries love playing night games:)