The Missionary Journal of Susan Elaine Olsen Part 2

 I finished reading the 200 page journal with an additional 44 pages of notes from conferences and meetings, and my autograph album. What a joy to reflect back on so many wonderful people. How I survived two months in the LTM, sixteen months in Guatemala, the earthquake and aftershocks, sleeping in the streets, amoebas, gamboo, gripe, monthly shots for whatever was required, etc. is a puzzle to me. We had two mission presidents and I am not sure how they survived me. Our first President Arnold was so amazing. It felt like he truly understood me. The second President O'Donnell was more business oriented. It was hard serving under two very different people. 

The Missionary Journal of Susan Elaine Olsen

 

Last night I started reading the journal I kept during my mission service in Guatemala. Now I am trying to decide if I should type it up to share with family and maybe some friends. My service was from September 1975 to March 1977. The first two months were in Provo, Utah at the Language Training Center, which was probably the hardest part. Once we landed in Guatemala I fell in love with the country, the people both Indigenous and the Latins, the food, the history, the church members, the games people played, foods and recipes, church meetings, shopping, traveling and so much more, but not the earthquakes. I never went back after returning home, but my mission was a pivotal point in my life. It made me appreciate my family and friends. The two Christmas I spent there were amazing. My love for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the rock for my life. However you believe or what you believe surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, please know that he has been honored for centuries by people from all corners of this world and all walks of life. He can bring peace to your life. Now back to the question, should I type up the 200 page journal so it can be shared?

Guatemala Earthquakes 1976 and 2012

This is about a personal serendipity moment that occurred this week. On November 7, 2012 a 7.4 earthquake struck in the regions of San Marcos and Quezaltenango. On February 4, 1976 an 8.1 earthquake struck in the regions east of Guatemala City at 3am while I slept in my bed on the third story of a cinder block house in the heart of that city. Now the news today has altered the power of that quake to 7.5, according to wikipedia. I still have the newspapers from that event and at the time it was reported that 30,000 people lost their lives, while today it is reported that the total was 23,000 people died.