So many things to do; so little time!

This week, we are having a week of finding, as a mission. We have a goal of finding 888 new investigators this week in preparation for the the new transfer. That means each companionship needs to find 9 or more news this week.

Elder Vera and I have lots of faith. We like to set high goals, even though sometimes we don't meet them. This week he and I have set a goal of finding 25 new investigators. That is a lot. Like, so many I can't even describe how absurd somebody sounds when they say they want to find that many news. However, we've got Jesus on our side-- the same Jesus that helped us out in our week of 100 futures. And we also have Rodrigo!  Seriously, if this ward does one thing really well, it is create young men that want to serve. Rodrigo recently decided to serve a mission, so we are doing week-long splits this week. I am working all the pueblos (which really never have been worked before) and Elder Vera is working Marbella. We have gotten 4 so far this week!

I don't have much time to write today, because we have sacrificed our preparation day in hope that we will be able to find lots of news this week. It is something that you don't do very often in the mission, because P-day time is next to sacred, haha. However, if the Lord sees our sacrifice, he will reward our efforts, right?   Right.

I just want you all to know, that I am still loving this work. There is nothing I would rather be doing right now with my life, than this. I find such joy in inviting others to come unto Christ because I know that they can be happy just like me, if they apply the teachings of the Gospel to their lives.

I'm excited to train. It will be a good experience. I no longer am afraid that I won't be good enough or that we won't get along, because nothing like that will get in my way of helping other people come unto Christ. 

I love you all! Read your scriptures! Say your Prayers! Listen to the voice of God!

¡Os quiero mucho!

Elder Oliver

Gemelos!

As I embark on my journey through the college application process (which I should have done before the mission) I realize that I have some severe disadvantages. The main one, is that I really struggle putting together sentences in an educated manner.

Expansive vocabulary? Nope. Ability to deftly dance through English's syntactical sea? Tampoco.

Words, structure, and process of other languages? Que va!

Anyway, I have had a fantastic week so far. We have working really hard on helping people progress spiritually by leaving them commitments. Very specific, and very personal commitments, so that as they go about doing these things, they can look back and say, woah! I really have changed!

That is the best. Change. In fact, this week we taught a woman the Plan of Salvation.
(http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation)

During the lesson, she made several intuitive leaps, commenting on things she learned by processing the new information. As we finished explaining the plan, she said something really awesome, for a missionary. ''Knowing that I was with God before, really makes my life more meaningful. It makes my relationship with him more personal. I want to do everything that I can to be able to return to him.''

We sat there for a few moments, and let the Holy Spirit work his magic. This woman remembered! She realized that God really is her Father, and that he has created a plan for her. Through faith, repentance, and baptism, she can receive the Holy Ghost, which will help her to learn and progress until the end.

We have seen all sorts of nice little miracles this week, things that have really helped us feel like we are doing the Lord's work in the way that he wants us to do it.

I got a call on Friday night from one of the sister missionaries in my district. I answered the phone, and she says 'you're going to be a dad again!' And I thought, 'wow, that sounds really weird.' Just to fill you in, in the Mission, when a missionary is chosen to train a new missionary, they become the Dad, or Mom. Depending if they are an Elder or a Sister. Now, missionaries need two parents, so if there is a new elder, the oldest sister missionary is his mom. If a new sister missionary comes, the District Leader is the dad. So, Sister F was called to train another missionary (her 4th trainee, by the way) and I am the District leader, so I am Dad! Haha.  I already have one daughter, Hermana H, the current trainee of Hermana F.

I got to thinking about how much time in the mission I have, about everything that I have learned here, and then though, oh no! I don't have a successor! I have no sons! I commented this to Elder V, and said, ''I think it would be cool to have a son. But maybe that isn't what the Lord wants. Maybe this isn't the right moment. Maybe I'm like Abraham. Maybe I'm just sterile.''

Not two seconds had passed by after saying this, than I got a phone call. I thought to myself, 'haha, that would be funny if that were president Deere' and I looked at the phone. 

----Pres. Deere----

and my stomach dropped.

I knew why he was calling, and suddenly, I felt really weak, incapable, and like I just wasn't ready to take on more responsibility.

''Hey President! This is Elder Oliver!''

''Hey Elder Oliver! How are you?    ----a little bit of chatting/small talk-----

Elder Oliver, I have an assignment for you. Are you willing to accept?

Sure thing, president!

So, not only will I have a daughter this transfer, but I will have a son as well! Gemelos!

He called me to train a new Elder, which is a pretty serious responsibility. The trainer is frequently the most important companion that a missionary will have. I have had lots of thoughts on whether or not I will be a good Dad. Will I trust in the Lord enough? Will I be a good example? Will he even like me? But then I look to the example of my Dad, Elder R. I have learned a lot from him. And I feel like the Lord will help me be whatever he needs me to be. Just pray with me that I can be humble and be teachable.

What should I name him? Haha.

Love you lots!

Os quiero mucho!

Elder Oliver

Have a great week!!

A Long, Detailed Email (According to Elder Oliver)

Well, this week was an interesting week. We saw lots of little miracles, and we were able to feel the love of the Lord in our lives.

We had the opportunity to listen to the living prophet and the 12 apostles this weekend discourse about various topics. I really loved the underlying theme of love and service. How we need to be more Christlike.

As a mission, we are reading the Book of Mormon together, and we are going to finish before the end of the year. Right now, I am in the middle of the Isaiah quotes of 2 Nephi, and, for the first time in my life, it doesn't confuse me! I'm not saying that I understand everything, (especially because I am reading in Spanish) but that I am not boggled by his writings.

One thing that could be helping me out, is that I am studying Hebrew...   WHAT?? WHY?? You may ask, haha. That is alright, I don't really know. I just had a desire to learn something completely new that would allow me to expand my learning and application of the gospel to my life. I can read the language, and I have a basic understanding of the grammar now. What is even cooler, is that as I learn, bits and pieces of Hebrew words that I have picked up through my life (random Hebrew words in the Bible, Fiddler on the Roof, etc.) have started falling into place.

I suddenly have a much better understanding of the style of Isaiah's writings, and his use of imagery.

My district here is the best. We have had a lot of fun watching the General Conference together. We learned so much that can help the people we know.

To follow up on the woman that got kicked out of her house, just know, that God is taking care of them. They are living in a little cabin for a few more days, and then they will move on. It is a rough process, moving between house and house. But since when were the people of God not nomadic?

At the end of this transfer, we are losing one of my dear Arizona buddies, Elder Oldroyd. He's heading back to Mesa.

I hope to be as good a missionary as him some day.

We have started teaching a whole bunch of English speakers, and yesterday we set 2 baptismal dates (for the 25th of October). Pray for us! Pray for them!

Keep up the good work, and let the Lord work miracles in our lives.

Os quiero mucho!

Elder Oliver

He sent some pictures (and if a picture is worth a thousand words, then I guess it is a long email after all), but no descriptions, so your guess is as good as mine.

 Looks like he's making green smoothies?  Good boy, getting his veggies!

 Pajama day?  I'm not quite sure what's going on here!