Hello, everyone!

This has been a very busy week!

Tuesday was a great day. I was still excited from the night before because we taught a man named Julian and he was very open to us teaching him and to our ideas. He is of a non-Christian background but loves to hear about other people's religion and what they believe so we have another lesson with him next week. It was also hard to bike because of the snow flakes falling and getting in our eyes making it hard to see. So we bought swimming goggles to help with that and it does help until the goggles have condensation on the inside and you can only look down to see. haha

Wednesday was a really long day riding in the cold. We had gone to see less active members and part-member families that were on the ward roster so we could introduce ourselves, get to know them better, and welcome them back into the ward family. We went knocking on their doors and none of those doors was a plus. I'm not mad about it but it was really cold! I got to the part in my Book of Mormon reading where it talks about the Three Nephites and I just think it is so interesting as to their request. It talks about this in 3 Nephi 28 for those who want to read it. :)

Thursday started off with a hard workout that made my abs hurt most of the day. I thought I got enough of a workout on the bike but my legs are coming along and carrying me better on and off the bike. We went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders and it was pretty cool. Also, I got a break from my bike! On exchanges, it really isn't different from the everyday things that I do with Elder Morris but Elder Baldwin showed me different techniques of talking to people about the Book of Mormon and Restoration booklet. I'm still nervous when it comes to talking to people on their doorstep. We had dinner at our Bishop's house and the whole family was fun and welcoming! :)

Elder Baldwin and I

Friday, we did our weekly planning which is a big project and it goes over the whole week! We met more members (the McKenney family) for dinner. We had an excellent time sharing the Restoration lesson with them and I could just feel the Spirit so strongly as we spoke. It was one of the greatest times on my mission so far when it comes to teaching lessons.

Saturday, I was really excited about the mission, gaining traction after Elder Morris and I got doubled in and picking up where the other missionaries left off. We went to go teach the people. I was excited to go teach but some gave us an address that wasn't theirs, fake phone numbers, didn't answer the door, or were too busy. It was kind of a stinky day but we did have two service opportunities and had an awesome time helping move a car and replace a car battery at different times. We did meet a young man named Demetrius and boy, did he like to talk! haha It was a little difficult to teach him the lesson we prepared and then his friend needed him so we rescheduled but he was nice. We also met Evan and Shannon, a young couple who are friends with members of the church and those members also happen to be our landlords. They were not really interested in taking the lessons but did enjoy our visit. :)

Sunday was a blast at church because at the end of Sacrament meeting,  several family members of our close friends from back home in Massachusetts came to me and introduced themselves and their families! I was so excited and it felt more like home. :) Gospel Principles class was very lively with Sister Eber and everyone was smiling and taking part in the lesson. Priesthood hour was very mellow with spikes of energy as people shared their thoughts on Sacrifice. Later, Elder Morris and I had dinner with Bishop Lutz and his family and we ate Philly Cheese Steaks! There was also a surprise Valentine's Day package from home for Elder Morris and me which made my day brighter and more exciting! Thanks, Mom! :)

Monday was my first Zone conference and it was really long, like seven hours long but I did learn a lot about finding faith to teach and attributes of a missionary. I need to work on a few of them like being Bold, Relatable, and Genuine. I still am a little nervous about talking to people which sounds like a shock to some but it happens every so often.  We also met a family who thought it was a coincidence that we met them but we don't think so because we had not planned to be in their area. We had an awesome lesson with them and we left them with a Book of Mormon and we are hoping to teach them on Thursday but we shall see!

I have been getting better at dealing with the work there is to do and with how busy we are as missionaries. I know that this work is a great one and that people are waiting to be found every day. We are on the Lord's errand here in Ohio but one great thing I learned is that the Holy Ghost helps teach more powerfully than someone that speaks or writes without the power of the Holy Ghost. I encourage everyone to read 2 Nephi 33:1 and find out for themselves.

I love you all and I hope you have a great week!

Love always,

Elder Donovan Olivo  :)