It sure was AMAZING to see you guys on Christmas!! I love you so much! I love that you are all so happy:) Abby- It was SO awesome hearing about your missionary experience with Dre! Will you invite her to take the missionary lessons? I know that it might seem scary to do, but I promise you that there is a reason why you are in Oklahoma, and you two are friends. Pray about it:) You two can grow your testimonies together! How awesome to think about?:)
OK FAMILY GUESS WHAT!?!?!??!?! The Villegas boys are ALL BAPTIZED!!! It was the BEST day of my life. Reno came, Christie came, the whole ward came!! It was a very spritual baptism. Lots of tears.... The best picture/ visual was when the oldest (Kody) was baptized. While the prayer was being said and Kody was in the water, I had the biggest smile on my face because behind Kody was Chase, Chad, and Chance in a line, all dressed in white, with big wide eyes and smiling. A scene in my mind, I wont forget! Christie has a baptism date for January 18! Hopefully she can keep getting work off!! She loves church! She tells everyone she meets to start calling her, "Sister Villegas, because that's my new name" Haha love her:)
After the baptism, Reno came up to us and said, "You know what- I think I'm ready to take those lessons from you." AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've been waiting and praying for him to want to take the lessons.
Well we had a lesson at Bro. Kimos house (who is a local surfer kine guy- the PERFECT fellowship for Reno) The lesson went great. I've never- ever- never- ever- have seen the HOly Ghost work so clearly with an investigator. It was like lightbulbs going off with every sentence we said. It was like a concert. Just kidding. Haha. Ok but really!! He was asking questions- relating things- connecting- man it was so awesome. At the end of the lesson we invited him to pray about being baptized January 25............................
Sunday- Christie came to church for the first time!!! She has been praying and trying to get off work since we've met her! In October! And the ONE day she was able to was the day all her boys were getting confirmed. It was a miracle. She even brought her brother, Mark who is about to end his time in prison.......... Reno, Christie, and Mark all came to Gospel Principles class. The Elders were teaching and taught about Baptism. Haha ohh it was the best class of my life. Just picture this- Christie was to my right and her head was nodding the whole time in agreement with everything being said, going "mmmhmmm.. yep." Reno was to my left- His nose was dug into the book reading everything ahead!! He was loving it!! And Mark was in front of me- ANSWERING questions and bearing testimony and tearing up. It was so cool. But wait it gets better..........
After the lesson, we were walking out the door and Reno says, "Sister Olsen!!" I turn around and He's still in the room in the corner. He points to the picture in the book and said, "You know what you asked me the other night? I will do it. I feel and I know it's what I need and what I want. I need a new beginning." Wow. I just wanted to attack him with the biggest bear hug ever. But I didn't.He's so solid. He listens to the Book of Mormon for an hour everyday in his truck on his way to surf:)
Well that night we had a lesson with Reno at Bro. Kimo's house again on the Plan of Salvation. It went amazing. We used little cut outs and after the lesson we paused and asked Reno to ask any questions he had, or thoughts. Haha Reno said, ".............Well its kind of like my whole world has been shaken and turned upside down." Isn't that cool!? He accepted it, and is understanding it! It all makes sense to him. What we have, our knowledge Heavenly Fathers Plan for us, is incredible! How blessed am I, to be able to share that knowledge with Reno. He is phenomenal you guys. He just wants a new life, a fresh start, and wants to have a foundation with Christ and family. He's such a good, good, guy. It's awesome. Hopefully when the brother gets out of prison He'll be baptized! In the mean time, He'll be at church each week with Christie and Reno!!
Well.....................its the end of Transfers. My companion is leaving. Instead of the Zone Leaders calling us to tell us our new companion, I had to get a special phone call from the A.P.'s about my new companion.... All they said was, "Sister Olsen, with your new companion.....................
We have Reno and Christie with Baptism dates. And a lot of Members from the Branch setting up lessons with their friends for us to teach. It's going really good right now! I'm very blessed, thankyou for the prayer you guys! They're helping. Miracles are happening every single day! It bring tears to my allergic eyes from the vogue- to think about the VILLEGAS!!! Just like the Kanemitsu family, right after they are baptized, they start cleaning the house, the sprit is stronger, the love is deeper for one another. We have our lessons in the living room, we teach them primary songs, and they LOVE it!! They love praying now, they love singing, they lovvvvve reading the book of Mormon. I love making it exciting for them and bringing it to life!! They are just becoming the best Mormon family ever! I love bringing all of it to them. They're happier, and more calm. Reno thanked us for the change that is happening in the Home. More miracles to come....:)
Sister Pratt. Your right. Reno is getting baptized. haha! Thanks for praying:) Ok I am going to write all y'all back, my dearest siblings. Handwritten letters- tonight!
I'm sooo nervous for transfers!
Love you!
Aloha
Sister Cara Ann Olsen
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