Exaltation!!!! Oh, and Moroni is my new neighbor :)

EVERYONE!

I HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE PROMISE LAND!!

Okay I literally just said a prayer so that Heavenly Father will help me write this email. We have been so crazy busy this past week; I haven't even had time to unpack yet! And we had a crazy fun pday today as well. There is just so much to write about and I am going to try and whip it all out in 15 minutes because I still have a bunch to do to figure out all of my classes and what not.

Alright so I am guessing that you are probably on the edge of your seat wondering where the heck I am emailing you from right now. I have been transferred to..............

REDLANDS!!!!!!

How awesome is that?!?!?!?! I am probably going to finish my mission here!!! I am in the Millcreek ward. I honestly still don't really know the area yet.... But it's the biggest and probably most awesome ward in the Redlands Stake. We take in a small portion of Redlands, all of Mentone, Forrest Falls, and Angles Oaks. The last two places I just mentioned are up in the mountains and we have some investigators and new converts up there and it's really cool. No, the Mission President is not in my ward. But...... THE TEMPLE IS IN MY WARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We literally drive past the temple about 5 times a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S SO AWESOME AND I AM SO ELATED. AND GET THIS! The temple president has asked us to do temple tours of the temple grounds for non-members. Remember when I really really wanted to serve in a temple visitor center? This is like the next best thing!!!!!!!!!

My companion is also probably one of my favorite companions. We have only been together for 5 days and she is right up there with Sister Magleby and Sister Shin. Oh wait. I forgot to tell you I am follow up training again. Hahaha. That's funny that I forgot to mention that. Yes so her name is Ashley Osborne and she is from Napa Idaho. This is her second transfer in the mission field. So after this transfer I will have been a part of four sisters training. Also, I will have never done a full training on one sister, but that's okay. I flipping love it here so I am totally cool with what is currently happening.

Here's the thing. Sister Osborne and I are basically the same person. Our lives are like 93.8% the same. We even have bunions and varicose veins in the same place. Is that too much information? But we like all the same things. Purple is also her favorite color and she is just as obsessed with giraffes as I am. But literally like 5 or 6 times a day she will say something or the other person will say something and the other person's response is usually "me too...." or "I feel the same way..." It's freaky, but also super awesome. She is just so great and this is so great and I am just loving my life so much right now. I am very tempted to tell President Van Cott that I don't want to leave mid transfer anymore because I am super sad that I only get to be here for 2.5 transfers. But don't worry I will come home. Maybe...

Okay so I don't even know where to begin because this week has been so crazy! On top of this transfer, we also had an Area 70 visit the stake this week. It was super cool. I also forgot to mention that our ward is ON FIRE with missionary work! We are seriously about to baptize nations!!!! Once I figure out just what the heck is going on of course. I am still meeting everyone and trying to figure out how to get places. It has been a very, very, very long time since I have lived in a city. I forgot how to drive where there are a lot of cars and stuff everywhere.

Anyway. So this area 70 is Elder Jay Pimentel. He was so flipping awesome. He invited us to the adult session of stake conference. And because he is the coolest man currently living, he had a special meeting in the morning just for the missionaries and all the people they are teaching (investigators, recent converts, and less actives). All of these people's fellowshippers were also invited. We had three investigators, a couple less actives, and a few recent converts there. IT WAS SO COOL! And of course, he talked at the main session.

He made some super cool parables that I want to write about. He talked about baseball so I feel that dad and Tay Tay will like these ones. He compared fasting to a sacrifice fly. In baseball, if someone of the opposing team catches the ball when you hit it before it touches the ground, you are out. But, if you have less that two outs and there is someone on third base, you can hit what is called a sac fly. If you hit it to the outfield, and the player on third base makes it to home plate, you score. A sac fly is also the only out that doesn't hurt your batting average. However, if there isn't someone on third base, hitting the ball straight to the outfield to an opponent is pointless. The same goes with fasting. In order for our sacrifice to be beneficial, we need to have something on third base.

He also likened having a broken heart and a contrite spirit to a baseball glove. When you have a brand new baseball glove, it isn't very flexible. You can't open and close it. You have to break it in first. It takes a lot of work to break that glove in, but once it's broken you can do whatever you want with it. We are like the glove and Heavenly Father is like the hand inside. In order for him to use you and work with you, you need to be broken in.

He also talked about God's perspective. He said this one time he took his kids to the Empire State building in NYC. They went to the lower observation deck. He pointed to a taxi that was driving by until they couldn't see it anymore. He pointed to a taxi that was parked that they still could see. And he said there were probably more taxi cabs coming around the corner that they couldn't see yet. They went to the very top and they could see all of the Taxi cabs. He said that the first cab is like our past, the middle is our present, and the last is our future. We can't see everything all at once from our own perspective, but Heavenly Father can see everything. That's why we need to trust him because he has a much better perspective and vantage point then we do.

One last parable. When you put a foam cup full of water in a fire, it will not burn. If your foam cup is even a little less then full of water, it will burn. He suggested that the water in the cup is like the love of God. We need to fill ourselves with God's love to protect us from harm.

Anyway, sorry that was a lot. I didn't explain any of that nearly as well as he did. But it was amazing to hear him speak. President and Sister Van Cott spoke at their stake conference for the last time. Holy cow they were a powerhouse. He said that if you felt anything missing inside, do missionary work. If you want more power, do missionary work. If you want to have incomprehensible joy, do missionary work. Etc. It was probably one of the most powerful talks I have ever heard at a stake conference. I left that conference feeling like I could just conquer the world! I love conference so much!!!!!!!!!!

One last thing. The temple is being cleaned this month and they asked us to help clean it. We just scrubbed rust off the men's lockers in the baptistery, which wasn't very exciting. But what was exciting was the guy that was in charge of the temple cleaning showed us all around the temple! We got to go into the bowels of the temple! It was like the chamber of secrets, but sacred! We went into the basement and saw all the pipes and plumbing and vents and stuff. It was really cool.We went into the break room and everything. It was awesome.

Okay this is the longest email of my life. Oh! One more thing! For pday today we went to the university of Redlands! I got a sweet sweatshirt! Oh! One more thing! The Redlands Bicycle Classic was this weekend and we got to volunteer! It was so much fun! This race is the oldest in the country. We helped with the Disabled Veterans Race and the Women's Race. I don't remember what their names are, but there were Olympians that have won medals in both of those races. So cool! 

Now I really am done. Love you all! A lot happened this week. By next P-day hopefully I will know things better and things will be back to normal. It's not every week you get to meet a general authority, take a backstage tour of the temple, and go to a world famous bicycle race.

What's funny is, none of you had any idea that I was doing any of this this week. Haha. Love you all! The church is very much true!

Your Missionary,

Sister Olsen

This is Webster (the floppy one)

and the palmer family that I was living with

This is a super cool children's garden in Yucaipa

Saying goodbye to the amazing Sister Ashcraft

This is the Chudy family. She reminds me a lot of Grammy neat. They live up in oak Glen and I was teaching their neighbor Rob. I am really excited to take you to their ranch someday! The dog's name is Ranger.

This is sweet Lyla Terry from Yucaipa. She is 91 and has been my grandma away from home these past few months. She is basically an angel on earth.

Yucaipa zone day before transfers.

 

 

This is my awesome new companion Sister Ashley Osborne! Yay! 

Redlands bicycle Classic at the start/finish line

We ran into the Harbers from Yucaipa at the bike classic! They were my totally awesome neighbors in Yucaipa.

Redlands bicycle Classic

Repentance is Real

Dear Family,

I was going to pull an April Fools prank on you, but I am too lazy... Remember last year when I told you I was going to speak Spanish? This year I was going to tell you that I was extending my mission and I was going to put a lot of effort into making it seem real, but too much happened this week that I need to write about. So there's that. No sugar is still going strong, but our investigator is still struggling. Prayers would be appreciated.

This week has been super weird for me. I have never been so grateful for the Atonement in my whole life. My weaknesses have been shown to me. I keep thinking about the Savior. Despite my weaknesses and all the things that I do wrong, he still loves me. He is so, so patient with me and will always forgive me when I come to him.

I keep thinking about the man that had a huge debt that was forgiven him, but he couldn't forget the small debt of his servant. I get so annoyed with people for making mistakes. Even when I am driving or at church, all these small little things bother me. I have been so humbled by the Savior's example and that he always forgives me of my mistakes, so I should always forgive others.

I have also been thinking about how the Savior is the ultimate example of self control. When he was suffering excruciating pain beyond all comprehension, he could have stopped it, but he didn't. He has all the power in the universe and could have done anything. He CHOSE to suffer for our sins. If the Savior could have that kind of self control, then I should be able to, too.

This week we were having a really rough day. I literally went into the closet and prayed and prayed to God. All of my weaknesses were shown to me and it was very clear of the things I was doing that I needed to change. So I did. I literally came out of the closet talked to my companion and ACTED. The scripture in Mosiah Chapter 2 is SO TRUE when it says the Lord will "IMMEDIATELY" bless us when we obey his commandments. Less than 24 hours later from when we showed the Lord we were serious about our plan, we found 3 new investigators. MIRACLES happen when we obey the commandments with EXACTNESS.

I also wanted to tell you all that I know two of the area 70 that were called!!!! Our very own President Calderwood from the Oakton Virginia Stake, AND! Drum roll please! PRESIDENT MISKIN!! Yes! My mission president's second counselor! And he is in my ward! No pressure everyone, I am just serving in an area 70's ward!!!!!

Okay time to go. Love you all and have a great week!

Love,

Sister Olsen

We had a very difficult day because it was rainy and cold and we got rejected probably 15 times (yes we usually talk to about 10-20 people a day). But at the end of the day we realized how much the Lord loves us for doing our best and we saw a rainbow! Yay!

I am now realizing that you can barely see the rainbow in this picture... it really was there okay! It's in both pictures.

We went to visit this part member family in our ward. They weren't interested in the gospel, but that didn't stop me from taking a selfie with their super majestic horse.

Last pday was flipping amazing because an Aldi opened in Yucaipa. My groceries cost me HALF as much as stupid Stater Bros.

 AND Sister Ashcraft had to pick up some medicine at a pharmacy in Redlands by Cafe Rio SO I GOT TO EAT A SWEET PORK BURRITO ENCAHALADADADA STYLE! Happiness!

No Sugar Added

I have a few emails to respond to so I am just going to send this big one really quick. This week seriously flew by faster than any other week. This is the last week of our 7 week transfer. I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen. No clue. I only have two transfers left now so I feel like if I stay this next one and finish Sister Ashcraft's training I will probably be here for the rest of my mission. That's a long time folks! That would be 8 months in Yucaipa! But I don't think they would transfer me and leave Sister Ashcraft here. So no clue. I guess we will find out next week!

Anway, what even happened this week? It's getting hard to remember! The whole thing is just blending together!

Oh yes. I added the subject as "no sugar added." I am sure you are wondering why that is. Well our investigator is really having a hard time giving up her word of wisdom addictions. There is a study in preach my gospel that suggests to give up one of your own addictions so you can understand what your investigators are going through. Sister Ashcraft and I have decided to completely give up dessert and treats to help our investigator. We have only gone a few days so I am still going pretty strong. Actually, I have tried giving up sugar before on my mission, but it has been super hard because anyone and everyone give us junk food pretty much everyday. But with a purpose behind it, it's a lot easier. In fact, after the women's broadcast (which I hope everyone enjoyed because I know I super felt the Spirit!!) they had cookie ice cream sandwiches and it was pretty easy for me to say no thanks.

BUT IF NO ONE COULD SEND ME ANY TREATS VIA MAIL THAT WOULD BE SO AWESOME THANK YOU.

I just put that in caps to add emphasis that I don't need treats :)

Miracle of the week:

Pretty much our entire ward council was out of town for the Easter weekend; including all 6 of the high priest and elders quorum folks.

We got a call at the beginning of the week from the Relief Society in the Upland 2nd ward (for those of you who do not know where that is, it is just outside the mission very close to my last area in Fontana). She told us that there was a less active sister that is trying to come back to church moving into our ward on Saturday.

........

We literally called probably 25 people and everyone was out of town.

So I had a mini panic attack, prayed for help, and the next 5 people I thought of to call could all come! So it turned out great! This sister even had three of her friends come that were not members. Two of them were married and very active in another church, but they were super impressed with our members and had a ton of questions about the church. The other guy was single and said he had taken the missionary discussions before, but because of how impressed he was with these members being so kind and willing to serve, he said he was going to take them again! (He lives in Nevada so we won't be teaching him.) Not to mention another investigator came. And Brother Francis (a member) was bearing his testimony while lifting heavy boxes and talking about his mission like a boss. 

Then on Sunday I was a little sad because all our investigators couldn't come to church because they were either working or out of town for Easter. But don't worry because one of our neighbors that actually lives across the street from a family that helped with the move just showed up to church! What! Who just shows up to church?! It was awesome.

Okay my fingers are starting to hurt so I am going to end it here. I love you all! I hope you have a great week!

The church is still as true as it was last week :)

Love, Your Missionary,

Sister Olsen

Our Easter treats! We put the passalong cards in the Easter eggs

This is Sister Jean Jeffery. She had us for an Easter dinner last week (not actually on Easter. We spent Easter with a different family.) But she worked so hard on the meal and gave us such a cute card. Definitely one of my favorite mission memories.

Photo shoot in the Palmer's backyard. Enjoy.

This was the last treat I had before I stopped eating treats. Super sad.

 

This is Webster- a.k.a. the floppiest cat I have ever seen. We made him a little angry I think. I call him "The Floppy One"

Another week, another email...

Well people, Taylor and Tara both had great questions for me so I used all my email time on them. Sorry! I'm out of time, but here are some pictures of the week :)

St Patrick's day goodies

Look! We helped feed some homeless people! Yay! Sister Ashcraft and I were at the end of the assembly line and tied all those bags ourselves.

Yes, I am aware my Book of Mormon is upside down.....

We went to a member's house, but they weren't home. We liked their wisteria so we just took some pictures by it.

Remember that Strawberry Shortcake video we had about Strawberry Shortcake going to the Big Apple City???! We were volunteering at the Yucaipa History Museum and they had this game board in the 50's to 60's exhibit! I was elated!

This is from when Sister Van Cott came out with us last Saturday.

This cute little gal grabbed my hair and said

"look! I'm a blonde missionary!" I thought it was cute.

Sister Ashcraft snook a picture of me when I was trying to understand how Ammon baptized thousands of people.

I Enjoy Being A Missionary!

Hello family!

It sounds like you are all having a great week! I'm so glad! This week has been a great one for us!

I can tell you this much- fasting and prayer are REAL. Holy cow. Sister Ashcraft and I have been fasting for referrals and ways to work better with the members. The referrals just poured on in this week! One of our referrals we even put on date to be baptized! Also all of our investigators came to church this week! It was a miracle!

One of our sweet investigators is really progressing. We had to push her baptism date back a little bit, but holy wowie wow. This week she was just on fire! Her table is covered with scriptures and talks and pamphlets we have given her. Her kids love church. I love them. It's just so great!

Another investigator came to church for the first time yesterday! One of our ward missionaries also invited her friends to take the missionary lessons and they came to church as well!

I have just been praying and pleading for ways to help the members here. I have noticed that the more I openly show my love for them, the more they trust us. We took our Relief Society president out with us yesterday as well and she loved it.

This week we invited the mission president's wife to come out with us on Saturday morning for two hours. Let me tell you, I planned for those two hours all week long. We had 4 appointments set and about 8 back up plans. I was just praying and praying that whoever we were actually able to see would be who needed Sister Van Cott. 

She was so awesome and brought brownies to take to all of our investigators. We were able to see several investigators and had some really touching experiences with them.

I was also praying that whoever we saw and whatever we were able to do would give Sister Van Cott a good idea of the work we were doing here and what we could do to improve on. Everyone we saw just talked about how much they loved us and how much we have helped them. At the end, all Sister Van Cott gave us for improvement was to use more scriptures when we were teaching. She thanked us for loving the people and we went on our merry way.

I was super humbled because I knew that it wasn't me at all. I have only been in this area for 4 months. I think about when I was in Tennessee for 4 months and I didn't get to know hardly anyone at all. These are children of God and he loves them so much. He is able to use me, a inadequate 20 year old girl to do this work to show these people how much he cares for them and how badly he wants them to come to him. It is a very humbling feeling. This must be God's work, or else none of this would work out. I would mess it up pretty bad without him!

Anyway. We had a great week and I love our new bishop and I love going to church. A lot of members grabbed us to tell us about the missionary work they are doing yesterday at church and it really made me feel good and made me feel like I am accomplishing my purpose.

Love you all! Have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Olsen

I love to see the temple

This week was awesome. And stressful. And frustrating. And wonderful. Pretty much like every week as a missionary. 

Last Sunday sister Ashcraft and I fasted for referrals and oh boy did we get referrals this week! Fasting and prayer is definitely a real thing people! I got to go to the temple three times this week. The Redlands stake center shares a parking lot with the temple. It's a pretty good meeting spot for missionaries when they need things. For example, we met one of the the senior couples that work in the office there because we needed a new phone. 

We also went for a session this week which was awesome. And we had Yucaipa stake conference at the Redlands stake center. (Apparently our stake center is too small for all of us to fit). Also, going to Yucaipa stake conference was sooooo weird for me. One year ago exactly I was in the Banning Ward (Banning is in the Yucaipa stake) and went to Yucaipa stake conference. I got to see some Banningites. This one laurel that went out with us a lot ran right up to me and gave me a big hug. That was cute. Anyway. Three of our investigator families that are friends with members committed to come to stake conference that day. So we planned on doing a temple walk right after conference. We even had a general authority visiting (Elder Gary Wilde). He was staying with one of the counselors in the stake presidency (president Adams who is in our Ward). So we asked President Adams if Elder Wilde would call our

investigators to personally invite them. We were pretty dead set on all of these people coming. Saturday night we found out that one investigator couldn't come because he was working for his mom. Sunday morning we found out that our other investigator is having liver problems and was sick all night long and the third family decided to go to Palm Dessert for the weekend. Basically I was devastated. 

I was studying for hours about the temple to prepare and I really thought it would help all these people progress. But when we got to the conference, the whole thing was about temples and families. From all my studies, I was perfectly prepared for the conference.
Want to know what I learned? Well I'm going to tell you. I guess if you really don't want to know you could just stop reading.... Anyway. I'm pretty sure that one of the reasons I came to a mission where I could be by the temple a lot is so I could learn how important the temple is. 

In "True to the Faith" it talks about how everything we do, including missionary work, should point to the temple. It says that only the home can compare to the sacredness of temples. Before my mission I really believed that the most important thing in this life was how other people saw me and what they thought of me. Now I know that there is nothing more important than going to the temple. When we go to the temple, it means we are worthy and are trying our best to
live a Christ centered life. It shows Heavenly Father that we really love him, have a desire to serve him, and that we are doing all we can to eventually become like him. There is absolutely NOTHING in this life that compares to the joy I feel when 1. I am sharing the gospel and 2. When I go to the temple. Nothing. There is nothing more important to me than to be married there and make sure my family is united so we can live with God again. I love the temple. And honestly, the way I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contains all the necessary principles for salvation is the way I feel at the temple. I love you all and I am so grateful that mom and dad were married in the temple. It's the best feeling there is in this life and I can't wait for how it feels in the next.
Have a great week!

Sister Ashlee Olsen
California Redlands Mission

Visiting the California Redlands temple

Sister Ashcraft and I at the temple

Temple selfie with other sisters in my mission

I love the temple!

We did some service for a sister in our ward with a couple laurels. She has a
lot of back and knee problems and can't move very well. We just did a little yard work. I think I look like I'm allergic to dirt or
something in the action shots.

Behold my origami skillzzz