The Thing Which Will Be Of The Most Worth

As I reading this Sunday afternoon in the D&C Student Manual (Pg. 31) It discussed Section 15, which I had read many times, but had given very little thought of how it would effect my life. Today it was different, and it caused me to reflect on our own family and how do we actually know what is of most worth in our life?
If you would read D&C 15 and then consider this comment given by Elder John A. Widtsoe. "This simple revelation is directed to the individual and at first sight has no permanent value for the church. Yet as a revelation from God it was preserved and published. An insincere man could have eliminated this and other similar revelations as of little consequence. Not so with Joseph. The Lord had spoken. The words were part of the building of the kingdom of God, and the same advice would be useful to many men then and now."

The key phrase is "The thing Which Will Be of the Most Worth unto You". In the Conference Report, April 1901, Elder Rudger Clawson, of the Quorum of the Twelve, commented on the significance of this revelation for all: "Cast your minds back to the early days of this Church, an there stood this man John Whitmer, recently come into the Church of Christ. Various occupations in which he might engage were before him. He had the opportunity to labor on the farm, to engage in merchandising, to follow mining, to study the profession of medicine or law, or to adopt one of the many other occupations in which men employ themselves. The question he asked himself at that time was, What would be of the most worth to him? By his industry and thrift he might acquire the wealth of a Vanderbilt; he might obtain a beautiful home, well furnished in every detail, and most desirable for the comfort and convenience of himself and his family; he might obtain worldly renown in one of the professions, and by study and reflection become a skillful practitioner in medicine or a wise and able lawyer. I say, these opportunities were before him, because the country was before him, and this country is full of opportunities, which are in the reach of all. We live in a free country, and the way is open to you and me, as it was to this man. He stood there in this situation, not having been trained long in the Gospel of Christ, and I say to you--for it is on record here--that a voice came to that man from the eternal worlds, and that voice set at rest in him every doubt, every fearful anticipation. At a critical time in his life, when he must choose which way to go, that voice said unto him that that which would be of most worth unto him was to declare repentance unto the people and bring souls unto Christ. The message was of such importance that it came to him with "sharpness and with power." It was the voice of Jesus Christ."

We are all different and have different callings upon this earth that we were called to do before the foundations of this world were ever laid! I know some in the family are wanting to know what  profession is best for me? I think back in my mind and remember how aganizing it was trying to know how was I going to provide for may family with a BA degree but no special talents or abilities. I prayed for guidance but I never thought to ask the Lord : What would be of most worth? As you consider career decisions or any major decisions, simply ask the Lord the direct question, What would be of most worth? I think there are various answers to be given based upon our pre-earth callings!

We love you all and so appreciate the Blog and it is amazing how adapt mom has become on the computer, and has the patience to assist me. The volcano in Java is probably 1,000 miles away so we are just fine. After sacrament meeting and fasting today, we were commenting to each other how much more needed we feel here on our mission and that our years of service and experience are being used by the Lord in ways we never imagined. We have grown more spiritually in almost 2 months of our calling than we did in years. Our studying together, the busy schedule, having to learn so much detail to learn at our age is very tiring and we sleep so good at night. Also, I was thinking about my patriarchal blessing recently about one sentance that stated "you will be blessed with the good things in the life so that you could help the poor and the needy...". When I was younger I thought this meant that I would be blessed with wealth and could giver generous offerings. Later I realized that there are so many ways to help the poor and needy that did not require money. And now as I approach 70 I know the Lord knew my future and purpose in life. Here at 70 a part of my blessing is being fulfilled---in grand order!

We love you and pray for you. Please give the children hugs for us, the pictures you send are priceless.

Love, Mom & Dad

Aloha!

As you all know, The Olmsteads went to HI the week of Halloween to vacation and visit The Weeks.  IT WAS AWESOME!  Kath and Colby are so lucky to live there for a few years.  If you have the chance, Matt and I suggest that you go and visit them as much as possible the next 3 years.  It's a blast.  I have to say that my favorite day there was our last full one, Saturday.  We spent the day in Haleiwa with Kath, Colb, and their kids.  The cousins all played on the beach for a few hours while the adults took turns going out on the paddle boards we rented.  I now want a paddle board!  I seriously loved it.  So fun, after you fall a few times getting use to the balancing part.  Colby and Matt put the kids on the front of their boards and cruised them around the bay area.  Matt, Kathie, and I paddle boarded down a little river off the bay that goes under a couple bridges.  It was pretty amazing.  That night we went to Kath and Colby's, with our friends The Hokes,  and had a very yummy BBQ.  After dinner, we went trick or treating with all of the kids, minus Izzy (bedtime).  (Izzy, by the way, is the cutest, water-loving baby ever!)  Oh yes, and My crew and I spent all Monday up in Laie with kath and kids.  We went to BYUH, the Laie temple open house, and the the PCC.  Another favorite day.  Basically, everyday in HI is a favorite day.  We loved the resort.  I love that Cole thought it was my house.  The kids all played in the kiddie pool and on the beach.  My family and the Hokes went to a luau Friday night.  Matt and I got the kids matching HI clothing for it.  We got them stinkin' cheap at the international market in Waikiki.  At the luau, we made the banana leaf head bands, got leis, and learned some hula dancing.  Anyways, there's lots of pictures, so enjoy.  (P.S. I have included the picture of the older man in white shorts, rolled at the waist, that kept walking/jogging in front of the kids and me at the beach.  I like to call him "The Great White") please forgive the quality of a lot of the pictures.  Those were taken with a camera phone.

High Flying Adventures

Yesterday was Stephanie's 40th Birthday. Steph is Marty's first cousin. And guess what her parents did for her big day. They had everyone up to Ogden to the indoor sky-diving place. Sorry, I can't remember the name of it.

Marty took the boys. I was home nursing a sinus infection and bronchitis. Marty said they had a blast. Jacob was the first one to try after the tutorial class. And my boys (Marty included) were fearless. I was so proud. Here are some pictures. Sorry about the glare. Isn't Ben adorable in his little flight suit, helmet, and goggles? I love my boys. I love that Marty is such a wonderful dad. My boys sure are lucky.

Try to post my letter to Bro. Zenger

I just typed a letter to John Zenger in Concord and thought that I would share some of it with ya'll, as it is an update of some of what we do.  So here goes

Dear, Dear Bro. Zenger,

How wonderful you are!  Yes, we are getting your letters and loving every one of them.  It’s the only mail we get except bills.  Our kids stay in touch with us by email.  They have also set up a family international blob.  I love that also.  I’ve finally learned how to send pictures over the internet.  Yea for me! 

We just love our mission!  The branch here is wonderful and so friendly.  Their names are practically all Christian names, such as Richard Milhouse Nixon, Dick Cheney, and my personal favorite Flintstone!  Not kidding!  They love the Lord here and just want to serve in any way they can.  They are so new in the church.  The branch has only been here since 1996.  They’re still learning how to function in their callings.  (just like me).  Our branch president is 29, single, and a new member of just 2 years.  He really wants to know how to do everything.  When Elder Larson (haven’t gotten use to that yet) meets with them, they just beg to be taught all that they should know.  They really think that he is so smart.  He has been taught by the Lord all of his adult life to know the administration of the church programs.  One day all of the good things you and Julie are learning can be used to help others learn as you serve a mission.

We are teaching missionary training lessons every Tue., Temple prep classes on Sundays, and starting next month, we are going to start branch training lessons on all church organizations and priesthood responsibilities.  We are now visiting 5 families of recent converts and teaching to them 8 follow-up lessons.  We are also suppose to start visits of inactives next week.  MERCY!

In addition to those responsibilities, we have humanitarian projects to perform.  The couple before us left us @ 5 projects to finish.  We have started 2 of our own.  One is very small, a small stone walking path for a home of the handicapped.  It is actually being handled by the senior couple on the other side of the island.  We just have to do all of the paper work,  The other project that we have started is a vision project in the south of Borneo in the city of Kuching.  We are also going to start a new water project soon and the church water specialist is coming from the states to help us on that.  Elder Larson is very good at details and this really helps when you do these projects.  He is so busy right now that he asked me to handle an assignment from our boss in Hong Kong.

Elder Sackley is our boss and he and his wife were with us 3 days last week, training us.  He told us that one of our major responsibilities is to prepare and have an emergency plan for the missionaries, members, and meetinghouses in East Malaysia.  It’s our responsibility since we are the humanitarian missionaries on the island.  OH BOY!  I figure that others before us had the same task, so what did they do?  I’m in the process of finding out and trying to form our committee and implement it.  You never know, especially since Indonesia next door is exploding every day!  I use lots of explanation points in describing life here.

We miss ya’ll and our wonderful friends and neighbors.  Please tell everyone “hello and lots of love” for us.  Kim keeps us informed.  We’re so grateful for her and Russell-they’re wonderful.                                 Love, E/S Larson

YEA YEA, I did it!  Hope you enjoy.  I forgot to tell you that the pic of Dad and our 2 sister missionaries was taken at night at a bus stop near a kampung that we just came from.  The sisters are so good!  Sis. Zafar is from Pakistan and she's a really go getter.  Sis. Renit is from Kuching, here is E. Malaysia.  She is soooo sweet and gentle and loves to laugh. 

Let me see if I can add a pic or two.                      Love E/S Larson
The 1st pic is of David Chong putting a tie on for this Bro who had a stroke and can't do it himself (the gospel in action!  The 2nd is of KK from Acthinson Pt. It really is beautiful here.  The 3rd is the sign in a restaurant that says "Don't spit on the floor"  It's in all restaurants!

Love Halloween Pics and Election Results!

Hi Ya'll,  We have some time today to catch up a little.  Dad and I seem to be a little busier all the time.  I'm really proud of your Dad and his adapting to the humanitarian program.  He seems to have a much better grasp of questions to ask and how to go about organizing our efforts.  We spent a lot of time in our office on Monday organizing all of our projects.  The Davises left us about 5 projects to finish up, we have started 2 of our own and need to get a 3rd one started before the year ends.  I gathered all of the info we had in emails, printed them, put them in files so that Dad has it at his finger tips.  He likes it that way.
Last Monday we went to David Choong's home for FHE with his family and farewell for Elder Leavitt.  I included a pic of him with David's family.  David is the young man whom we are teaching the missionary training lesson.  On Wed. the Sackley's came from HK.  We learned so much @ our humanitarian responsibilities and had a fun time to boot.  On their last day here, we went to visit Cheshire Homes, who one of our partner organizations in passing out wheelchairs.  We wanted to introduce ourselves and find out @ them.  They're wonderful.  I included a picture of us with Sackleys and Mr. Hee and Farist, who work @ the home.  Great visit. 
After that we spent the rest of the day and evening setting up our new computer system.  Thank goodness for Elder Sackley!
We were suppose to teach a recent converted family Sunday night with the Elders--the Ng family.  We arranged on a time to be at their home to start our first lesson with them.  Everyone in the branch evidently found out and decided to come also.  There was tons of food and a party.  No lesson though!  Welcome to KK.
The sisters also have 3 families to turn over to us.  We went Mon. to visit Sis. Lennie and Bro Musa who live sorta beside each other.  I included a pic of Bro.Musa and his son.  We were at the top of this kampung in the dark in the rain.  Dad's and my flashlights are still in Singapore!  Oh boy!
Yesterday we went to see Sis. Avey.  She lives at the top of her kampung--what a hike!  It's paved though.  Dad and I were huffing and puffing, but so were the sisters.  Sis. Avey is so sweet and truly converted.  I forgot to get pictures of her and kids but I'll send some later.  The church is true and we love it!  I forgot to mention that we rode the bus with the sisters for the first time on Mon. and Tues.  Buses don't run on schedules.  You just go to this huge terminal downtown and find a bus going where you need to go--when it fills up, you leave.  Yesterday, when we finished with the sisters, they walked us to a stop and they told the driver to take us back to the terminal.  He did, we shopped some, called a taxi, and then went to church.  Today is laundry and rest from yesterday.
I've looked a lot of election returns today.  YEA!                   Love,Mom and Dad

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!

That's what Larson said instead of trick or treat.  Halloween is no longer a one night event.  We started the festivities with Trunk or Treat at the church on Wednesday , costumes and parties for Mia at school Wednesday and  Thursday, and a get together Sunday after church at the neighbors followed by Trick or Treating!  It was beautiful weather and Mia and Larson loved their outfits. We outdid ourselves in the homemade costumes department this year.  (Thanks to Russell for making my so so tractor into one Larson loved loved loved.)  Now, on to Thanksgiving!

PS. I've added pics of Mia and Larson "climbing a tree" (actually a bush) and a happy baby Ford.

Trick or Treat Asay Style!

Yesterday was the official day of Halloween. Yesterday was also Sunday. Since we live in Utah, we celebrated Halloween on Saturday. The boys had fun trick-or-treating. I did not. It was cold and rainy. I froze. But I would do it all over again just to see the delightful smiles of my children.

Jacob actually did get too cold when there were about four houses left. I know he was freezing, because he asked me if we could skip the rest of the houses and just go home. Poor baby. Ben did not complain; maybe he was in a frozen stupor and didn't know better.

But we did survive the elements and fun was had by all. The pictures below were actually taken with the boys yesterday. They were too impatient on Saturday. Candy was calling their names!