February 24, 2014 {Cara}

"He will leave the 99...." 

Ohana-

Wow, sounds like theres a lot... a lot of new and exciting things going on over in Oklahoma! Want to know something? I tell everyone I'm from Oklahoma. Because everyone else is from Utah and Idaho, and I don't get rolled eyes when I say I'm from Oklahoma. Haha so I say it proudly!

Hilo is great. Hilo is wonderful. Hilo is green. Hilo rains every single day. When it gets to 75 degrees we turn our heater on. Hilo is slow paced. Hilo has a lot of locals. Hilo is beautiful. Hilo has the bluest, biggest ocean I've ever seen, and I get to look at it everyday. The missionaries here in Hilo have trucks because you have to go off roading in some areas. Our apartment is a lot smaller then the previous... and its across the street from a Japanese graveyard, and the other sisters apartment, so we see them a lot. Our neighbors blast the radio every morning so I have to plug my ears during studies usually. Temptation. Ah.

 Hilo has big huge whales and dolphins and turtles in the ocean that we get to watch everyday as well. It's illegal to have street lights in Hilo, so night times its suuuuper spooky. Hilo has lots of yummy food. Hilo has lots of hills. The ward in Hilo is small, but super duper close. Everyone is literally like family. It's like the ward I was in, in Maui. Everyone gives everyone a big Aloha hug and kiss and shows SO much love! In Oahu it was a very palangi ward.... so it was awkward transitioning. Funny story- we had tourists from the mainland come into the ward the other day and I go up to greet them... it was probably the most awkward greet of my life. The husband watch me give the most awkward hug and kiss to his wife, and then when I turned to him to say hello- his arm was already stretched far out ready for a hand shake. Lol. I'm warning you when I get home everyones gunna be getting an Aloha hug and kiss!! I'm bringing the Hawaiian love over to Oklahoma;)

I love my new companion, Cara Ann Buckner. Haha tall, skinny, blonde hair blue eyed. She just got done training, so she's only been out a few transfers. I love it! She reminds me of myself when I just finished training. She has that fire and mindset of "everyone is going to be baptized!" She's super positive and strives to be better in every aspect of missionary work! She's awesome.

Ok so you know how a pretty big reason why people join the church is because of the fact that, YOU can be with you OHANA together FOREVER!!?? Yeah- well one of the hardest things/biggest bummers here is- it's Hawaii. Everybody is family. One big ohana. So whenever we say or bring up the fact that theres a way your family can be together forever. We just get confused blank stares and a reply saying," I know. I already know."

Gavin congrats on starting your papers:) I hope that's all going well!! I'm excited to find out where you go! When do you get to turn your papers in? Thanks for the package too mom! Those vitamin C things are great! And pumpkin kisses:)

Alright, well I'm still getting to know the area and people, but we're kinda cleaning things up around here, getting rid of investigators who aren't interested and focusing on those that are progressing. I've definitely turned one of my weakeness into a strength over the months- working smart. One of our investigators name is Mark. He has a ranch FULL of sheep and goats. We help hm twice a week from 7-9 a.m and after wards we give him a lesson. HE LOVES the gospel. Its incredible. His ranch is wonderful, up in the hills- looking down on the ocean and all of Hilo. Dad you would love it! You'd love the sheep too! We feed them, cut their hair, build fences, give them medicine. Lots of service in Hilo!

I'm just going to share with you a story of Mark. One morning when we went to go do service, the sheep were very sick, so we had to give them all medicine very quickly. Well as soon as we arrived Mark and the missionaries (we go with the Zone leaders) run out and gather in all the sheep. As soon as they were all gathered in the shed, Mark walks in and take ONE quick glance at them and says, "Were missing one. Cashmere is gone. We need to find her." and he walks back out in the field calling after Cashmere and looking for her. All of us missionaries looked at each other shocked that he took ONE glance at 60 plus sheep and knew that there was one missing. And he know exactly which one it was- by name! And he knew that the other sheep needed medicine, but he didn't hesitate or second guess, he just went back out to find Cashmere.

So we followed Mark out to find the missing sheep, and then 3 wild pigs were chasing us in the field. Mark was yelling at us to run away from them because they bite. In the meantime, its Hilo- ( so theres spider webs EVERYWHERE) Yeah we're running away from pigs, getting wrapped up in spider webs, trying to find the missing sheep.

Anyway- we found her. Moral of the story.

4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine ^ain the wilderness, and go after that which is ^blost, until he find it?

 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

It was amazing. And the pigs, and spiders represent satan I decided. Haha, but really. No matter how lost or far we are, Jesus Christ will find us. He never gives up us. Every single one of us are important to Him. He knows us by name. He knows where to find us. He will not let us get lost. I'm so grateful for the Atonement, it constantly allows me to repent and get back on the straight path. I'm so grateful for the love from Jesus Christ that is always available. I love opening my scriptures, kneeling in prayer, worshipping in His house and feeling abundant LOVE! Love it.

Ok. Well last thing I want to say is.................... We had 30 lessons this week. It was really cool to have that be Sister Buckners first time having more then 20 lessons. And my first time in a long, long time. Honestly though- it was the toughest week of my life. We are really really trying hard, as representatives of Jesus Christ, to find those lost sheep!!!! They can't hide!:)

Have a wonderful day:)

Read the Book of Mormon.

Pray in gratitude.

Aloha

Sister Olsen