Bonjour! 02/03/2014
This past week has
been pretty good! The work is still going along really well too. We had our
couple baptisms this past week, and we decided to just do it at our church
house rather than going all the way up to the building in Kegue! The only
problem was the font hadn’t been used in a while, and as a result the water
coming out was pure green... Ha-ha on the Bright side though I had a member do
the baptisms for us, so that wasn’t too much of a problem! It was awesome
though, and the best part was yesterday as it was testimony meeting, one of our
converts that was confirmed the same day gave one of the most powerful and
sincere testimonies, its seriously the best to see things like that here! The
work is coming along though in the secteur, in big thanks to the great members
we have, this is no doubt the most efficient way of doing missionary work, but
unfortunately not all the branches and wards here are as developed as this one,
so I’m trying to make the most of the time I have in this one. As of right now though
we are hoping to have baptisms each week of this month so that will be very
fun! This past week has been great though! I had the lesson in District meeting
and it ended up being on the importance of using the Book of Mormon like
usual:) It was good though! The week was great also in that we got to have our
conference with Elder L. Whitney Clayton, and Elder Vinson again. Seriously
those are the best things ever. Just when they walk into the room you know
there is something special about them, they are the best! It was really cool as
well, as Elder Clayton started his little lesson on one subject, as he was
quoting a scripture though, he stumbled a little and his wife helped him, as
she stopped him, he slowly made a different transition in the lesson to a whole
different subject in companions and how we work together, as he was giving that
lesson, someone brought him a water bottle, as we was talking again, he looked
at the water bottle, and opened up to 2 Nephi 2, and started a whole other
lesson on Agency and how to deal with Companions and others, but at the same
time respecting their agency, while using an analogy with the water bottle...
It was clear that not very much of what he said had he already planned out, but
much of it was simply guided by the spirit and inspired. It was seriously
incredible to watch, they can really look into your eyes and change the subject
like that just off of some feelings or inspiration they have. It was an
incredible lesson though, and one of those that motivates you even more.
Another cool part was when he was talking about mission presidents and how they
choose them. I remember hearing to keep a close eye on your mission president
and how him and his wife get along and such, and I as I have done that the
whole mission its been incredible to see the example that comes from it. He
confirmed though that when they choose presidents that is a big part of it is
the relationship of the spouses, as they hope for them to be example to us as
to what a celestial marriage should look like. It was funny too because before
he started talking about this subject, he called them up to the front, and sure
enough they were close and President Weed was holding his wife close at his
side, and they looked very in love! Ha-ha, it was awesome to see though and was
very true for sure. Along with that, of course at the end Elder Clayton invited
us for the question and answer session, he said first off, "no new
doctrine will be exposed, We don’t know where the sword of Laban is, I don’t
know if Adam had a belly button, and we don’t, I mean I don’t know where the
lost tribes are". Ha-ha, but it was still awesome! One of the coolest
parts to see, is someone asked the first question, and as we had 3 seventies
there they switched off, but for the first question which was pretty tough, he
turned around and gave it to his wife... And man, I was blown away, as she was
just as spiritually strong as he was if not more!! It was incredible to see her
answer and to feel her testimony as well!! I’ve never though much about how
strong their wives are as well, but its insane! It really gave me a good
perspective on someone I want some day though for sure! He gave a really cool
analogy about the gospel and our church as well; he was talking about how Elder
Packer was explaining an analogy with our church, in that we are like a piano,
with all of its keys... In other churches, they have many of the piano keys,
but not all of them, with their keys they can do many great things, and play
many beautiful pieces, but not all of them, and because of the lack of their
keys, they sometimes play certain keys too much, and as a result that key goes
out of tune, and compared it to how certain churches focus too much on certain
keys for example the Sabbath day, or the name of God, and as a result it causes
many problems. But in our church we have all the keys necessary, and we should
never play one key too much. For example a question was regarding the Sabbath,
and if it has to be Sunday, and he explained that for example in Hong Kong they
have a sacrament meeting each day of the week, because of certain conditions
there. But that the important thing is they do it. Yes those things are
important, but we should never focus too much and too hard on certain points,
and as a result hinder our testimony. In the end of his testimony as well, he
testified that one day there will be stakes dotting Togo, which coming from
him, was really powerful, and very motivating and comforting for us all as well
to hear that. Also this week we had a visit from President in the apartment,
and that’s when he gave me the news about the passing of Grandpa Oliverson. It
was tough, but I picture him very happy right now as he is in a much better
place. No doubt its incredible the knowledge we have of the Plan of Salvation
and the comfort that gives. We had a really good talk though, and it was great
as always to just talk with President Weed. The work is coming along really
well though, and things are good with my companion. He stopped me after one of
our planning sessions and sincerely was thanking me for my patience with him,
and for how much I have helped him. It really is true that when you treat
someone well they will act well, usually, but when you treat them like a
bandit, that is how they will act. I’ve done my best with him to love him even
with the little things that go on, but it was for sure nice to hear him thank
me for the sincere love and such that I have shown him. He’s actually coming
along pretty well now, not a ton, but he’s made a lot of progress in just these
past couple weeks! So that’s been good. The work is certainly going forward
though, and it’s really fun to see it progressing! No doubt a big blessing
though at the same time, and for sure you see the Lords hand much in how
prepared many of these people are. Thanks for all of the support and prayers as
they are certainly being answered!
Thanks a ton for the letter as always! I
love and miss you a ton!
Elder Oliverson
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