Conference & Cows - Week 23

Dear family and friends,

Hello! So this week has been a lot of fun and warm, rainy, cloudy, sunny, and just another wonderful week. I was walking around outside earlier this week, blinded by the light bouncing off the passing cars, breaking out into a bit of a sweat when it hit me how amazing it is being here in Mongolia. Here I was, sweating, IN MONGOLIA, getting ready to head out to do service for an elderly couple in our ward--there is never going to be a time like this in my life again. I love it. I love that my only purpose is to service and teach everyone who wants to learn--I don't even seek them out in this mission because we do not proselyte--I do not have to worry about anything else. Lol, well, besides to small worries like directions to houses and trying to find my latest snack (Russian Snickers are ridiculously delicious). However, not to put it lightly, I work as hard as I can every single day. I seek after those who have become inactive over time, I ask members for referrals, and I serve others in whatever capacity is needed in order to build trust and friendship. I am also trying to become the absolute best English teacher possible because the better that I fulfill this assignment, the better I serve the Lord. If my school is happy, I am doing my job.

Speaking of which, my classes are officially over! I miss them already! There was the slight moment of freedom, but those buggers have stolen my heart. So now, instead of teaching for 12 hours a week, I work on upgrading the curriculum for 12 hours a week. It is all give and take a little, but I am eagerly looking forward to classes again in September.

This week we have also had a Zone Training and yours truly was asked to speak. Oh my goodness, do you want to hear the coolest thing about this? I wrote the talk by myself, translated it by myself, then had my companion check it and there were only minimal changes that were made. Then, when it came time to present, I remember becoming very nervous for the first minute--I love public speaking, so this was extremely uncharacteristic of me. However, after reading the first line, it hit me, I know that what I am saying is true, not only that, but it is also everything that I believe. I wasn't just giving a talk, I was telling others what I know and love. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the loving message that we share. So as I spoke, my courage grew and I could see the parts where my vocab was a little crazy, but I could also see heads nodding in agreement, in order for others to agree, they had to understand. Oh my heck, they understood me. I still credit the Spirit because He will take the message to their hearts. At the conference, though, we spoke about the Law of the Harvest and giving yourself a break. Every day, you simply need to wake up and try your hardest to do good, regardless of the results and returning time frame, then trust God that all things will work in your benefit. Just like a seed does not sprout into a tree overnight, the same is for all aspects of life. Instant gratification is not real nor lasting, so patience really is an important virtue to learn. It was a great conference!

Later in the week, we went out to an LA's ger and had a fun dinner and lesson, building that friendship over and over again. I love this family (I think that I sent a picture of them last week)! On the way to catch the bus, we ran into a heard of calves! Oh my heck, baby cows!! Then, at the bus stop, there was a herd of cows that kept walking back and forth on the road, they kept bringing traffic to a stop. One thing that I love about Mongolians is that you can see their compassion when it comes to stray animals. They do not run over stray animals, so the traffic will stop for dogs and cows--I don't know if that makes sense, but they treasure life. I think that this is more of the Buddhist roots that run deep, but I love how much they love animals. They eat them still and nobody likes the stray dogs (so you throw rocks at them to get them to stay away--even I have carried rocks with me for the random dog that comes charging at you, luckily, I haven't really experienced that yet), but they do not hurt or kill for fun. That just goes to show the love that is within them. 

So between the cows and the conference, this has been a very love-filled week. I love being here and until I can say exactly how I feel, I show it through service. It is a great way to love.

So, to end, I love you too!

With all my heart,

Sister Jessica Olsen