Letter # 17 (February 23, 2009)

It was another great week. It was our zone's miracle week. We all sacrificed some things so we could see miracles happen in our zone. It started with only a 3-hour P-Day on Monday. Elder Condie and I sacrificed eating lunch at home. Instead we packed lunches for the week so we could spend more time working. Our first miracle was when we taught this guy named Anthony in his home. The missionaries before me had to tried to teach him but he wasn't interested. He's 22 and he has this tough guy persona. When we saw him on Monday, he said that he's been thinking about joining his grandfather's church. That was surprising! Then it seemed like he wasn't willing to hear our message. We asked him to give us 20 minutes to share our message. We started teaching him. For some reason, I didn't feel like myself. I felt pretty nervous and pressured. I stuttered as I taught him. I didn't make good eye contact with him. He seemed uninterested in what I had to say. When Elder Condie taught him, I kept praying to our Father that he would guide me and comfort me. I was still having trouble. Elder Condie taught about Joseph Smith being called to be a prophet. It was my turn to finish the lesson. All of a sudden, I was at ease. I taught about the Book of Mormon and how he could pray to find out the truth of it. And that he would have a good feeling. To my surprise, Anthony said: "I have a good feeling right now." He was happy to have us over and we set a time to see him again. His countenance had changed. It was a miracle! God is a God of miracles.

We also taught 3 golden investigators, Anna, Iantha, and Corey. Anna has been prepared by God over the years to receive us. She knew the missionaries back home in Costa Rica in the 70's but she couldn't let her in her home because her mom is a devout Catholic who wouldn't let anyone in her home who wasn't Catholic. She says that the Mormons are role-models. She also has cooked us some really good food the 2 times we went to her home and taught her. She works at Blue Cross and she also goes to college. She's busy with midterms, but in she said that in 2 weeks she'll be in church.

Many other things happened this week. It was a great week. Oh! We went to the temple in Apex, NC. It was an amazing experience. I felt the love of God so strong in the temple.

I love this work! God is a God of miracles!
Love Elder Olaya