Sister Carmen Olson

Kia Ora Whanau Being a non samoan speaking missionary in a samaon ward is interesting. Your success as a missionary is measured in a totally different way. It's no longer measured by how well you teach or how well you invite people or the fruits that you see, its measured in your diligence in being obedient and focused even though you are participating as obviously in conversations and lessons. It's been a cool thing to see and learn. Tuesday was my birthday! I got spoiled by the sisters! We did heaps of service which was such a fun way to spend my birthday. We also got a new person to teach! What a great birthday gift!  Wednesday no one was home all day. Just one of those days. Everyone has them. Those are just the days when you have to remember why you're here. They always end up good.  Thursday we had a dinner appointment with a part member family and we asked the Dad if we could start teaching his daughter. He said we could teach her but it's not he...

 Kia Ora Whanau Pisi le ualoka samoa! The Samoan ward keeps us so so busy! This week we didn't even have the records of the samoan members from other areas of the city, just those in our original area and we were so crazy busy. We have no down time and it's the best! Next week when we get everyone's records it's going to be insane! It's such a miracle and a blessing. I love the samoan ward! The language is a struggle but again, the gift of tongues is so real! I can mostly follow the general idea of conversations which is good enough for me to be able to add in my part, especially when teaching. I am so grateful that Sister Crichton is such a strong missionary because she is able to do so much for us with her language skills.   On Tuesday we had to go through our area book and send all of the non samoan records to the elders in the English ward. We didn't think it was going to take that long but it took forever! We finally got it done though and spent...

Talofa lava aiga!   This week a samoan ward was formed in the Christchurch stake and Sister Crichton and I are the ones covering it. And yes that is correct, Sister Crichton is my new soa! She got transferred here on Saturday and it's so crazy because I was training he exactly a year ago lolol. It's been a load of fun.  The gift of tongues is real people! I did not get to go to the MTC to learn Samoan, I have never officially tried to learn it and Heavenly Father knows that so He makes up for it. When I need to understand what's being said, I understand, and when I need to be able to say something, I say it. It's the coolest thing ever!  Other than the samoan ward and getting a new soa, this week we did some good finding. We have found heaps of people that have lots of potential.  On Tuesday we were planning on stopping in on a part member family but it didn't feel right so we decided to visit a potential instead and it was so cool because hey are s...

Kia Ora Whanau This was one of those weeks and I'm drained so it's going to be a short one . On Tuesday it was transfers and ministering night for our ward. We had a really successful night and found a really solid potential investigator! Wednesday night the Avon River Sisters emergency moved into our flat because their flat was no longer safe. It's been crazy but super fun because now Sister Taroni and Sister Siale live with us which is soooooo much fun!  This week I had the opportunity to really practice patience and humility. It has been a growing opportunity and I have been able to get through it by relying on my Saviour. I honestly don't think I would have been able to appreciate the trials that were placed in my path this week if they had been given to me a year ago. I'm so grateful for the growth that my mission has granted me.  My spiritual thought comes from Alma 26. Honestly if you want to know what missionary work is like just read th...

Kia Ora Whanau This week we went on exchanges twice. It was funny because Sister Gudegeon and I are companions but have only spent 6 days together total and she went home on Sunday haha.  On Tuesday I was in my area with Sister Su'a and Sister Vanu. We did alot of finding because we don't have any real investigators at the moment. We were contacting everyone on our map and it felt very directed by heaven. We went to contact a member who has apparently moved, but the new owners of the house were really nice. We started talking to the person living there, Ben, and apparently he was coming to church for 7 years over in Australia along time ago but never got baptized. It kind of seemed like he wasn't interested but I decided to invite him to learn more anyways and he said yes! He invited us over on Sunday to teach him and his family! It was really cool because normally he isn't home at that time of day so Heavenly Father for sure made it possible for us to meet th...