We Can Also Have That "Happily Ever After"

08/25/2014

Well, I have about five minutes to write something... so it was a pretty good week, we had some success.  We also were able to contact four pastors.  Those are always funny experiences.

I just wanted to share a chapter that I really like from the Book of Mormon.  It’s 2 Nephi 5.  He is explaining a bit about when the Nephites and the Lamanites separated.  And it’s also kind of a little bit of a fairy tale story that always ends in happily ever after.

Basically, this is what happens.  If we follow the things that Nephi was doing with his people, we can also have that happily ever after.  And I’m translating roughly in verse 27…"and it came to pass that we lived in a happy manner" or something like that.  Some of the things he mentions would be the scriptures.  We should always study them. He talks about revelacions of God.  We should always take heed from the prophets.  He mentions a temple.  We should be worthy and go to the temple.  He mentions working hard!  We shouldn’t be lazy, ha ha, and a few other things that I don’t have time to look for.  But it’s a good chapter you all should read.  It contains a plan to how we can be happy and live in a happy manner. And really it’s true.  If we follow the things Nephi mentions, we can be happy.  Truly the scriptures are our guidebooks. I hope you all can study this chapter and be happy like the people of Nephi.  Love you all and keep studying the scriptures because they are awesome!

Love, Elder Ollis

We Have the Greatest Tool to Change Lives…the Gospel of Jesus Christ

8/18/2014

Well another week has come and gone... and I’m going to complete a year in the mission on Wednesday.  Not much to say there, just wow!  Where did the year go? ha ha.  So this was another really difficult week.  The people are really stubborn here. They just want to keep doing what they are doing and don’t want to change their lives, but luckily, we have the greatest tool to change lives.... the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I really have seen people’s lives change because of the things I get to teach.   It really makes me sad that people don’t want to accept it, because I know it can bless their lives so much.  So that’s why I have to keep opening my mouth.  And with one year down, I still have to keep working hard, harder actually, because August is more than halfway done and I’m pretty sure it started a week ago.  Time is flying, and it’s weird because after a year it’s different.  Time is running out.  I don’t know how to explain.  All I know is that I want to give my all everyday, so I can look back and say that I left it all in Honduras.  I hope that I can do all the Lord wants me to do and that I can be an instrument in His hands. I’m so glad that I have had a year to grow and learn, and that I have one more to keep on going.  I’m excited to see what I will learn.  I know it’s not going to be easy and I will get discouraged, but there are things I have to improve, things I need to do before I get home.

I’m so very thankful that I have this time to progress and to grow my testimony, because it really has grown.  I honestly have a great fear that I will look back and have regrets, and I don’t want that.  So I’m just going to keep working, and practicing being positive.  And with that, faith, and more prayers, I’ll make it through.  Love you all and hope you know that I love this work even though I get discouraged sometimes.  I know this is the true church, that Christ is my Savior, and is guiding a living prophet today.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that if we read it and act on its teachings, we will grow closer to God.  I know that one day, if we do what God asks, we can return to Him and have eternal life and happiness. And that’s what we should all be focused on. I know that Joseph Smith is, and was, a prophet called to do a work that has blessed the world. I know part of that work was to restore the power of God to the earth, which is the priesthood.  I know that power is real, and I’m thankful I have the opportunity to use this power to bless others’ lives.  So I’ll just keep going on!

Love you all, Elder Ollis

The Scriptures Really Have Power

08/11/2014

Well here I am again.  It has rained about every day this week and its super weird.  In Honduras, when it rains, it’s like someone turns opens a flood gate up there in heaven. It pours.  Yesterday we were walking [in a street full of water] and I stepped in a hole and was almost up to my knees in water.  Super funny.  So after that it was just whatever, I’ll walk through anything now, I’m already wet.  And the thunder and lightning, wow, it’s crazy.  I thought I was going to die a few times at how close it had come to us. Everything lights up and then a second later, the whole world explodes.  It’s super awesome. 

I just wanted to share a little experience I had.  We were teaching yesterday and explaining the importance of Jesus Christ in receiving forgiveness from God.  I honestly don’t remember where I read, but I’m pretty sure it was in 2 nefi, verse five or something that talks about the importance of letting everyone know that it’s only through the holy Mesias that we can return with God. Sometime along in the lesson, I had a little inspiration to read in John, and I still don’t remember where, sorry, but it’s where Jesus says he’s the way and the light and the truth and that only through him can we return to the Father.  But it was a really cool experience to receive a little bit of inspiration, and to be able to use the Book of Mormon and the Bible to teach together, they basically taught the same thing really clearly.  The scriptures really have power, and they really are for our benefit.  It’s only through Jesus Christ that we can return to live with God.  He suffered all of the price for our sins, and through him we can receive forgiveness. 

And just one other thing.. I guess I need to be more positive and happy, because I think about half of everyone that wrote me said be positive and happy.  Thanks to all who gave the tip.  I hope we can all have a good week and try to be positive.  

Sorry I’m out of time, but I love you all, Elder Ollis

It's Things Like That, That Make Me So Happy to be a Missionary

08/04/2014

Well, I guess I’ll be 19 tomorrow... that’s real weird.  But another day just like normal, so nothing else there.  This week was pretty difficult.  We live in a little town that would be like Idaho in Honduras and there are some parts that are really poor. So these past few weeks, the city has been giving away free plots of land.  They’ve been having interviews or something like that, and everyone who wants one has to go each day or they won’t get any.  So basically half the town is there waiting to see if they can get free land, which includes a lot of our investigators.  So when the investigators aren’t there, we end up contacting.  But half the town is gone.... so bummer for us a bit.  So that’s been a real challenge.  

I don’t have much else to write because it was a real rough week. So I just wanted to share how much I love this gospel, even though I do that like every time ha ha.  I’m so glad I have the chance to serve in this work and to be a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ.  I’m so glad I have the chance to share this message that can bless people’s lives so much.  I’m so glad that I get to be a part of this gospel, to be a member of this, the only true church on this earth.  I’m so glad I have the chance and the knowledge that I can return with God, if I follow his commandments.  I’m so very thankful for the knowledge I have that I can be with my family, who I love so much, for the eternities. The other day, one of my converts from my last area, Jonathan, wrote me.  I had heard from my comp that he was the first counselor in the Young Men’s.  He wrote me and told me that he now had a calling and they wanted to go to the temple in Utah as a family.  It’s things like that, that make me feel so happy to be a missionary, and they help me feel like I’m doing things right. ha ha.  I’m so very thankful I met all the people that I have met and I can help them have an eternal family too.  I know that it’s only possible through the priesthood and this gospel, and that’s why I’m here to share it.  Not much else to share today and not much time.  Just know I’m happy, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to grow and progress, and to love this gospel, and of course, to share it.  Love you all!

Elder Ollis