Well I guess I better explain that first. So I went to the doctor last Friday and she said my rash is "granuloma amulare" ?? Just a skin discoloring that they don't know why it happens. So she gave me a requisition to go to the hospital and get my blood drawn. Doesn't confirm anything. Either way she says I have it. It's just for their research apparently. SO I've been trying to scrub it off my arm and put lotion with vitamin E on it haha. It looks....slightly better. Anyway, it might just scar but I hope I don't get any more of it!!!!!
So we went to the hospital in Dartmouth yesterday morning to get my blood drawn thinking it wouldn't take more than an hour or so.....wrong-o. We walk in and there are TONS of people sitting and we take a number and just wait.......it was an interesting experience. The coolest part though was talking to the people around me, and one lady in particular for the whole time. She was soo sweet! I sat down and the first thing she says to me is, "How sad to be out of your country and in the hospital....". So, I knew she knew a little bit about us.....And then we joked about the wait and she said that's why you bring something to read. I patted my bag and said, "Oh I have something." And she says, "I know." So it turns out she knew and was involved with missionaries about 10 years ago, her and her husband. But anyway, I was praying for the conversation to turn gospel related. And it didn't take much. We talked openly on many subjects! It was amazing. I even shared with her a scripture that I had just randomly read on Sunday because that was what the ward was studying. I left her with a card for our website mormon.org. And anyway, the whole experience was amazing. Befriended another lady in there too. Didn't get to talk to her that much, but let her know we were here in Canada with our church. Guess who else showed up while we were waiting? The temple president haha. We had a long (and slightly loud) conversation about missionary work. It was awesome. Sometimes I forget how much we stand out in public. But anyway, all is well, and who knew going to the hospital could have so much purpose! Even met a less active there (he waved us down when we showed up). :)
So I remember when I came out a few of our "senior" sisters (just my trainer and the sister missionaries older than us) always had these cheesy signs posted all over the apartments. I remember just thinking whatever floats your boat. BUT funny, because we have gotten to that stage where we too decided to post up "positive affirmations" around our apartment. And....change our lives! I've noticed a dramatic difference in our attitudes. It has been such a good week for us! So there you have it. Turns out we're now the old and crazy ones. :)
We have a new investigator Amanda. She is awesome! She is living with a less active. She one day decided to figure out what we are all really about. So she asked his mom is she could come to church with her. That was our ward. And that was where we met her. She has come out a few times, and we started teaching her this past week. She is incredible. She has led a very rough life, but has such a positive outlook and light about her! She loves what she is learning and says she knows it's true and feels the difference. We committed her to baptism and she said her only obstacle would be getting married. So we'll see. Apparently he doesn't want to get married again. But I'm sure things will work out. Deep down he's got to understand. At our last appointment (our second meeting) I asked her to say the closing prayer, and pretty much expected her to put up a fight. Most investigators feel too embarrassed or such. But before I could even fold my arms and close my eyes, she was praying. It was a sweet experience.
So there are a few changes going on in the mission and I think all over the world too. We are only going to have zone conferences once a quarter! Sad. But the good news is that we'll have a separate 4 day training pretty often. That will be fun. It's weird though. It means that I only have two more interviews with President Simpson: next zone conference in October-ish and then my exit interview. Eeek!
Oooh, and President decided that he is going to take all the sister on a one day trip to PEI at the end of this month! Woot!! I just want to go see Ann of Green Gables, see the red sand, take some pictures and then I will be content. I'm so glad he's taking us though! Because I don't know if I would've ever served there, and if I did, just my luck it'd be in the winter, which is the worst time to be there! No one recommends it. So that should be lots of fun!
No idea what is going to happen next week with transfers. Sister Billings and I hope we stay. I just bought a bunch of groceries today, we better stay!
Love you all lots.
Sister Jen Olsen
So we went to the hospital in Dartmouth yesterday morning to get my blood drawn thinking it wouldn't take more than an hour or so.....wrong-o. We walk in and there are TONS of people sitting and we take a number and just wait.......it was an interesting experience. The coolest part though was talking to the people around me, and one lady in particular for the whole time. She was soo sweet! I sat down and the first thing she says to me is, "How sad to be out of your country and in the hospital....". So, I knew she knew a little bit about us.....And then we joked about the wait and she said that's why you bring something to read. I patted my bag and said, "Oh I have something." And she says, "I know." So it turns out she knew and was involved with missionaries about 10 years ago, her and her husband. But anyway, I was praying for the conversation to turn gospel related. And it didn't take much. We talked openly on many subjects! It was amazing. I even shared with her a scripture that I had just randomly read on Sunday because that was what the ward was studying. I left her with a card for our website mormon.org. And anyway, the whole experience was amazing. Befriended another lady in there too. Didn't get to talk to her that much, but let her know we were here in Canada with our church. Guess who else showed up while we were waiting? The temple president haha. We had a long (and slightly loud) conversation about missionary work. It was awesome. Sometimes I forget how much we stand out in public. But anyway, all is well, and who knew going to the hospital could have so much purpose! Even met a less active there (he waved us down when we showed up). :)
So I remember when I came out a few of our "senior" sisters (just my trainer and the sister missionaries older than us) always had these cheesy signs posted all over the apartments. I remember just thinking whatever floats your boat. BUT funny, because we have gotten to that stage where we too decided to post up "positive affirmations" around our apartment. And....change our lives! I've noticed a dramatic difference in our attitudes. It has been such a good week for us! So there you have it. Turns out we're now the old and crazy ones. :)
We have a new investigator Amanda. She is awesome! She is living with a less active. She one day decided to figure out what we are all really about. So she asked his mom is she could come to church with her. That was our ward. And that was where we met her. She has come out a few times, and we started teaching her this past week. She is incredible. She has led a very rough life, but has such a positive outlook and light about her! She loves what she is learning and says she knows it's true and feels the difference. We committed her to baptism and she said her only obstacle would be getting married. So we'll see. Apparently he doesn't want to get married again. But I'm sure things will work out. Deep down he's got to understand. At our last appointment (our second meeting) I asked her to say the closing prayer, and pretty much expected her to put up a fight. Most investigators feel too embarrassed or such. But before I could even fold my arms and close my eyes, she was praying. It was a sweet experience.
So there are a few changes going on in the mission and I think all over the world too. We are only going to have zone conferences once a quarter! Sad. But the good news is that we'll have a separate 4 day training pretty often. That will be fun. It's weird though. It means that I only have two more interviews with President Simpson: next zone conference in October-ish and then my exit interview. Eeek!
Oooh, and President decided that he is going to take all the sister on a one day trip to PEI at the end of this month! Woot!! I just want to go see Ann of Green Gables, see the red sand, take some pictures and then I will be content. I'm so glad he's taking us though! Because I don't know if I would've ever served there, and if I did, just my luck it'd be in the winter, which is the worst time to be there! No one recommends it. So that should be lots of fun!
No idea what is going to happen next week with transfers. Sister Billings and I hope we stay. I just bought a bunch of groceries today, we better stay!
Love you all lots.
Sister Jen Olsen
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