10/24/2017 - We Always Have A Reason for That Visit, So Don't Cancel

Hey y'all,

So this week was another one tough one but we keep working and it keeps working. The story of our lives lately has been appointments that fall through. Let me be stern with all of you back home. DON'T LEAVE MISSIONARIES TO DRY. That is a commandment so just don't do it. We always have a reason for that visit, so don't cancel.  And don't forget if you set one up. But anyway. Now that I got that off my chest it was a strange week. First the events that happened. So Mom this is to you. WE ARE TOTALLY SAFE. And were safe all week. But last tuesday we had some crazy wind. I mean I heard 130+ kilometers per hour. Insane! Apparently it knocked a train over. And it knocked out power in lethbridge in some areas. And in the midst of that, we had a fire right next to our part of the city and parts of the town were on evacuation notice and they evacuated an appartment in our area. So that was nuts. Also had another strange experience, these Jews let us in their home and bashed with us for a while. It was strange, we were both right and often saying the same stuff. But still disagreeing.  Anyway, that was about our week. Tons of work, trying to contact and searching for more people to find. But that is what a missionary does! I love it! Anyway we are excited for a super busy week. And a ton of fun. Love you all and don't ever forget our Savior. He loves each and everyone of you, I can testify of these things. Miss ya tons and keep putting in work! I know I will!

Elder Ollis

10/17/2017 - But Nonetheless We Kept Working

Hello everyone. 

So this week was hard, but super rewarding. Full of miracles that I felt were pretty sacred and I'm not sure I want to share. So first off the reason it is hard. We had tons of appointments this week but the story of this week was they would fall through. Basically we had 13 lessons fall through all week. So we had to find 13 hours of unplanned work which is hard and frustrating and super annoying because knocking doors sometimes feels like a waste of time.  But nonetheless we kept working. We have been working off some lists: part member families, prospective elders, and unbaptized children to find those people who need a message, or who have non member friends.  So that was our week trying to contact and teach those people. Unfortunately, not too much success. 

10/6/2017 - My sculpture of Christ out of sand

This week is also transfers, and I think this will be the first regular transfer I have had in a while! No wild changes! In fact I think my district will stay pretty much the same, we get one sister and one elder. As for that we had some cool experiences but still are trying to find people. I hope you all have a good week. Miss you tons.

Elder Ollis

10/16/2017 - My District

10/10/2017 - Because the Lord Blesses You When Work Hard

Dear family and friends back home, 

How are all of you? Hope things are going well for ya. Things are going well here too. This week was awesome. We worked so hard, which absolutely was the best. I love working hard. Honestly I can't really handle wasting time because the Lord blesses you when you work hard, and I am even more excited for this next week. We are super busy. 

But big news we had a cool miracle. Randomly last friday we got a text from some old contact named nicole. She said she hadn't met with misionaries in a long time and wanted to meet. So we met her that night and picked her up as a new investigator. It was really cool because when we walked in the first thing I noticed in her home was on the CD rack.  It was a primary songs CD. And one of the first things she says is she knows the Book of Mormon is true. Wow!

As for that this week was thanksgiving. Yesterday to be precise. It was a difficult day, we couldn't get any member lessons, or investigator lessons, and just about everything in our day fell through. So it was knocking doors. And no one would answer. One hard thing about this mission is it gets dark early, and people do not like us knocking on their door when it is dark. Even if it is only 6:30. So you ALWAYS try to fill your evenings with productive things because if not, it is really hard. But other than that brothers and sisters, Just keep doing what you are doing, keep Christ as the center of your lives and keep praying for BYU. I do. Because prayers do make a difference. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful, exciting week. And share the gospel! 

2020 Heisman winner, ELDER OLLIS

10/7/2017 - Retrainers Mtg Lunch
Elder Ollis with his companion on the left

10/7/2017 - Retrainers Mtg with all new missionaries and their Trainers

10/03/2017 - HOLY COW I LOVE CONFERENCE!!

Hello everyone,

Well, this was a super fast week. HOLY COW I LOVE CONFERENCE!! What a spiritual refresher, it honestly was the best thing, the most useful thing to me personally. Honest, this area is hard and I needed a bit of a boost. And yeah, I got that between a fantastic zone conference and general conference and Monday, a great district meeting. I was pretty proud of it. So things are going good.

But before I talk more, I want to address a critical concern. I have felt a lot of pressure from my fans to say this, but I’m officially going to walk on to BYU, that quarter back position needs to be filled and I just can't take the pressure anymore. So Mom and Dad if you could get me eligible for the NCAA. And everyone write me in for your Heisman ballots in the 2019-2020 season. And book a flight to the playoffs because we are going!!

But back to the mission, General Conference was fantastic. I can't pick a favorite because that is just unfair, they were all so good. My favorite session was Saturday morning. I don't know who picked the speakers but who ever it was, picked literally all my favorites and put them in one session. (Thanks heavenly father!) President Uchtdorf (which since serving with a German comp, you all pronounce it super wrong), Christopherson, Holland, Oaks and I don't remember who the seventy was but it was fantastic! I love it and am going to get it all this week to listen to.

Yesterday we were on exchanges with the Zone Leaders and I went to their area. Well it always happens like this to me, but Elder Woltron and Elder Fellows picked up two new investigators in a night. I have never done anything like it, and of course, when I am gone. And worse off, they are YSA! So we find, but don't get to teach. But that is how it goes sometimes! But I know brothers and sisters that the Lord has a work for us. No matter what it is, no matter if we are finding for others. I love you all.

And just one more quick note, it snowed yesterday. It was supposed to be done and melted by 12 but Canada doesn't care. We got nearly a foot. It was amazing. Also our car froze shut so we had to pry it open this morning. I sent photos.

10/3/2017 - First Snow of the Season

10/3/2017 - Elder Woltron walking through the first foot of snow