Ola! ‏ Wed 12/16/09

Well, it has been quite the busy week. Last week we had interviews with the president on thursday, and then on friday we had our zone conference/christmas party. It was great! At the christmas party I was able to see Elder Dinwiddie which is in the other zone in Aracajú. Every district (which is about 6 or so missionaries) had to come up with a skit or a presentation. Many danced or had a role play; Elder Dinwiddie and his district reinacted the first christmas. All of them were very funny. I also wrote a little song on the guitar about the "good" and "bad" things on the mission. It was all just thrown together at the last minute, but it was still pretty funny, I thought. For lunch the president took us to a churrascaria (which is kind of like tucanos), and we ate "até o pó!" It was really good.
Saturday and Sunday there was a regional conference of the northeast of Brasil. We watched a live transmission of Elder Scott and Pres. Eyring from Recife. It was so good. They talked alot about the importance of enduring in the service of the Lord, having faith in him, and basically just doing your part. On Monday, I was able to do a division and work in Estância for a day. I saw some people that I had baptized and was able to see some members that got to be great friends. There is nothing better to see people that you have helped living the gospel and leading a happy life. I never knew joy like this. It is kind of undescribable, but I´m sure that many of you know what I am talking about.
The work is going alright in Santos Dumont. I really love the members there. The only great difficulty is that this is my companions second to last transfer and he is very tired. He is a great Elder, but he has just let himself get a littly too trunky and is ready to "die" (which is what we say for those that end their mission. you are born and die on the mission) I will do my best to help him endure the last few months, but its no easy task.
I am very excited to talk to you all next week. I cant believe that Christmas is already here! I will only be able to talk for about 45 minutes though, so we will have to plan it out a little better this time. I am planning on talking around 4:00 or 5:00 in the afternoon (that´s time here-also the northeast has some crazy time difference because the banks and other goverment buildings are one hour earlier than everyone else here) Just talk to the whole family and tell me what time is best for everyone. I can talk almost any part of the day. I will be able to check my e-mail on monday. So the thanksgiving package finally arrived along with the shoes! Thank you so much for everything. It is so great to have some new things and some American treats!!-also i got the card dad. Thanks!
I realized, after getting the new shirt that you sent, that all my other shirts have been bleached a yellowish color by the sun..haha.
well gotta go,take care.
I love you all a bunch
Elder Olson

QUÊ CALOR!!!!!!‏ December 9, 2009

It has been an exciting week. Elder Santos and I had a few baptisms and we were able to help a few other missionaries in our zone out with the work. After the baptism on Saturday night we left the chapel to go to our house so that we could leave the wet baptismal clothes there and continue working. On the way, I heard someone call my name. Then emerging from a nearby car, I saw a recent convert that I had baptised about a year ago in Estância. She is Joseanne and her daughter (that we also baptised)is named Estefani. I was so happy to see them! She had a calling in the church and had been remarried to a member of the church. It all kind of caught me by surprise. I dont think I really understood until now what Ammon or Alma felt when it says that they were "overcome with such immense joy, that they were left without strength". You see, I have never had a chance to revisit an old area that I have passed in or see any of the people that I had helped after leaving. It was great! This is true joy. Next week, Elder Gonçalves and I are going to visit Estância. I am very excited to see everyone again.
At church this week there was another American and his wife visiting that served his mission here,Elder Mar from Logan. It was great to talk to him a bit. The ward here is big and very strong, there are thinking of splitting it up at the beginning of next year. However, this sunday was a bit sad. It was the soccer game for the Brasilian championship, and the church was pretty empty. But WOW, do they make alot of noise on the streets here during the championships. The team that won is called Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro. It is the team most loved in all of Brasil as well. Today, I went to a little city called Itabaiana, to hike a huge mountain with some other elders and members. It was a good hike, full of waterfalls and such. But EIta Pega! It was soooo hot!!! I think that iI had forgotten how much hotter the summer is down here. I would send some pictures but my camera ran out of batteries. Tommorrow is our Christmas conference! and I should be getting any package that you sent at least 3-4 weeks ago, so I will let you know.
I hope you know that I love you guys a bunch. I am grateful to be here serving the Lord and helping the wonderful people of Brasil! I am grateful to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that He knows me personally.
---> Have a great week, and I will talk to you soon!
love,-Elder Olson

ôla‏ December 2, 2009

It has been a good week. We have been busy trying to help out the other missionaries in our Zone with their investigators. Elder Santos is Awesome and well, a little crazy. But here you kind of have to be.
Although Christmas is a great time of year to talk about Jesus Christ,it gets a little hard to work here during the holidays because it seems like either everyone has traveled to the beach or is drunk. So wish us good luck with the work for the next few weeks.
I am excited to talk to you all on Christmas. I am glad to be here in the service of the Lord, spreading His gospel to those that are ready to recieve it.
thanks for all of your love and support,
take care,-Elder Olson

Potatoes, Gravy, Turkey, Stuffing and Everything Else Good! November 25, 2009

Well, its here.!.......
”Dia de Ação de Graças” or Thanksgiving to the rest of the world. It has been a good week. We have been so busy trying to fix some problems that only now have I been able to stop and breath!! But it has been good. The missionaries in our Zone are great, I am really excited to work with all of them and help them out. I love my companion, Elder Santos. He is hilarious and is very excited about the work! We are going crazy down here(in a good way)!
I was trying to remember last Thanksgiving. If I remember correctly we were having a baptism that night! What a great thing to be grateful for. To be honest I had completely forgotten that it was Thanksgiving. Sorry, but I have been Brazilianised and almost forgot that this day existed. We had a good game of soccer today, and I think that will be the sum of my thanksgiving since my pockets are dry and have no money. Besides visiting and few people, maybe we will be able to mark a dinner appointment with some member. But if not, I´m just fine with that, a braszilian thanksgiving is better than no thanksgiving:)
There are so many things that I have to be thankful for. I truly cannot understand why the Lord has blest me with so many marvelous things, I think that above anything else that I am grateful for is all of you; my family, friends and everyone else who has been there for me when I most needed it.I don’t think I can thank you all enough for that. I hope you know the difference that you made in my life… I am grateful for all of the little nieces and nephews that I have… I love you all so much and miss being able to play with you guys..
I am grateful for this mission, for the experiences, for all that it has taught me and for all that it will teach me still.
I am grateful that ´God is good´… I am greatful that he lets the sun shine and the rain pour on the just and the unjust. I am greatful that he blesses us even when we don´t deserve it. I feel that a large part of my blessing have come to me because of you mom and dad.
The church is true. I am so happy that my testimony of Jesus Christ is not found in a book or in another person but it is in me. Last night we visited a woman that we had recently taught about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. It was incredible to see how good the Lord is to us. She asked in prayer and the Lord directed her to the answer that she was searching. I think that that is something that I have truly come to know out here. –That the Lord is there.
I hope Thanksgiving goes well for everyone, eat some extra mash potatoes and gravy for me alright!?Time is flying,
I´ll talk to you all soon…
You´re brother, son, and friend……..-Elder Olson

OXENTE!!!!‏ November 18, 2009

Well it hás been a great week so far.
The transfers came in on Monday and I have been sent back to Sergipe. I was a little sad to leave Gurguri after only staying a little while. But that’s the breaks.
So my last companion was Elder C. Santos from Rio Grande do Sul. I arrived here in Sergipe to meet my new comp who is Elder Santos from São Paulo (it is kind of a common name). He is from the same group as my “pai” (Elder Gonçalves). They are really great friends. Elder Santos seems like an awesome missionary. We are in an area called “Santos Dumont” which is in the middle of Aracajú. Elder Santos has 2 transfers here already as the Zone leader. I am really excited to be here to learn from him and help out with the Zone, it will definitely be a new experience for me. Today we woke up and went to the bus station to greet the new Elders arriving in Sergipe, then we left to help resolve some new house issue with Elders in our Zone. It looks like we will be busy with more than just baptizing this transfer!!
I saw that Elder Dinwiddie also was transferred to Sergipe, so I will be able to see him once in a while. So mom, when we talked last week, I know that you were coming up with a plan to help out some recent converts here… the next day I already had some doubts. What Joe said is right. Even though I would really like to, I cannot get more involved than nessecary in these peoples lives, at least right now. As for sending contacts and a new camera, don’t worry about either both are fine. I am using glasses a lot.
Thanks for everything I miss you all a bunch,
Well, gotta go-Your bubba,Elder Olson

Bom Dia!‏ November 11,2009

Well the transfer is just about over. I can´t believe how fast it went by!-I am excited to see what will happen next.
I am really liking it here, the members here are awesome; yet I´m not sure if I will stay, just because of how strange this transfer was…--last week we had interviews with the President, it was great. President Beynon is such a great help, and I am glad to have him as my mission president. He told me that this next transfer will have a lot of big changes, because many missionaries will be leaving and there is a large group of new missionaries arriving.So lets just see what happens, eh?
This week I have been able to get to know my companion a lot better. Ha, Elder C. Santos is hilarious. He is a lot different from the other brazilian companions that I have had (generally, I hear that most brazis from the south are a bit different)—but he is a great companion. We have gotten along very well together.
As I said, I am liking the area, the members are great and I am eating very well (which is quite a change from how things were in Viçosa). Two weeks ago, the ward here had a missionary complete his mission.. his name is “Thiago” (which means James in portugese). He returned from his mission in Rio De Janeiro, and has been helping us out a ton.
I have really been able to see the Lords hand in our work. It has been hard to find people here in this area with our own efforts, yet it seems that the Lord has been leading them to us.
This week we went to eat lunch at a members house that lives in a little sítio with tons of fruit trees, what a great place. They also had a little pet monkey called a “Sagüí” that we played with for a while.. it was a lot of fun.
Well, by next week, I should have some new exciting news for you all, but as for now i´m just trekkin` on.
I have been amazed over the past week as I have read many stories of integrity, in the scriptures. So many men that, in the face of total opposition, never abandoned God. Your faith must be great to choose a den on lions over a cease of prayer, or enter a battlefield alone against a giant. God lives! ..and His power is real. It just depends on our faithfulness.
Thanks for everything gang… I love you all a bunch.--and i´ll be talking to you before you know it.. Christmas is right around the corner!Love you all,-Elder Olson

Benedito Bentes November 4, 2009

Estou Vivo!‏ November 4, 2009

The past few weeks have been a bit strange here.
So when I first arrived here in Benedito Bentes to serve in the Gurguri Ward, there were two companionships working, but one was sent home which put me and my companion, Elder C. Santos in a trio with Elder Youngberg. After a few weeks Elder Youngberg was emergency transferred and Elder C Santos and I recieved another companion named ELder Rabelo. He and I entered into the MTC together, so I already knew him a little. He is a great guy, from Forteleza (that´s where they are building the new temple here). Then a few days ago we received one more elder to help out here, named Elder G. Rocha from São Paulo. The work here is going well. We are working alot with the members and having alot of success with the references that they are giving. WOW, it is a whole lot better to get references than to spend an entire day knocking doors, in the sun, until you find someone to teach. Trust me I know.
The members really are great here and are feeding us very well:) Last night we taught a lesson to a lady Who visited the church this Sunday with her recent convert friend, Leila, and her family. Leila and her husband Marcos, have a little 6 yr old boy that is down syndrome, named Marcelo. He is hilarious, and gets along great with the missionaries. As we were in the middle of teaching the lesson, little Marcelo pointed out a huge cockroach (which is pretty common here) near Elder Rabelo. Little did we know that Elder Rabelo is terrified of cockroaches!! I don’t know how.. but the next thing I knew, Elder Rabelo had jumped over 3 or more chairs and was running out the front door! Everyone got a good laugh out of it.
One of the men that we baptized a few weeks ago, named Sr. Elias, who is a hilarious 69 yr old, has been prodding his neighbors and wife to go to church. He always jokes with his wife about the “trip” that they will make to Recife (which is where the nearest temple is). Through Elias we were able to meet and baptize a few of his neighbors and help them become new members of this marvelous church. Still his wife has been a bit of a challenge, however she is a great friend to us, which helps. Its only a matter of time. Sadly, the church is criticized and mocked by almost everyone that does not belong to it here. A lot of the time I think that it is hard for people to visit the church or to really hear our message and accept our challenge because of all the mockery and horrible gossip that everyone spreads about the church.
Last p-day I met up with Elders Ramos/Silva/Neuberger/Whithead and a few others and we took a train to an inner city called Rio Largo. We spent the day and visited a waterfall that is near the city. Elder Neuberger and Whitehead are some of my favorite elders here. we got to be close friends in the MTC. I love all of the Elders from my MTC group, they are people that I know I will continue to see after the mission (we are always planning camping trips and such for after the mission everytime we are together, but I guess we´ll see when we get home, eh?)
Here in a bit we will go to the chapel to teach a reference from a returned missionary named Tiago that served in Rio De Janeiro, wow, that would be a crazy mission! Then we will play some volleyball and soccer… so I better go.
Thanks for everything, I hope you know how much I miss you all.
I am so greatful to be here, and to be able to help these brazilian people truly come to know Jesus Christ. I know that he truly is our Savior. The Book of Mormon is a Light for those that are lost in the darkness and confusion of the world, I know that it truly is the word of God. I am proud to say that God has once again called a prophet on the earth, but not just to say it, to know it, and to feel it.
God loves me, as well as all of you. Sometimes I think that He is way too good to us.
Take care, and carry on!
Valeu,-Elder Olson

October 21, 2009 - I´m still alive!!!!‏

I just got back from an activity with almost all of the missionaries here in Alagoas. It was great. There is a member that owns a little secluded soccerfield on the outskirts of Maceió and there is usually one day every three months or so that all the missionaries will go there for p-day. It is always so great to see all the missionaries. It had been a while since I had seen elder Neuberger and Whitehead, they are from my MTC group. Wow, I love those two, so hilarious. They are already making plans to come back and visit Brasil after the mission, that somehow included me already. Elder Neuberger passed in Estancia for 6 months right after me, and now he is the district leader of Viçosa, so he will be going there every once-in-a while. It´s great because we get to know alot of the same people.
I honestly love brasil, and hope that I will be able to come back and visit some day. From what I hear Brasil will host the World Cup, the Olympics, and the dedication of two temples in the next few years. All of which would be great excuses to come back.
I spent some time with Elder Silva and Elder Ramos today as well. Só gente fina por aí.!! They wanted me to say hi to you all for them. It is great to have Elder Silva as a secretary, because I am always able to call him if I need any help or advice. But usually when I´m having "one of those days". Somehow he ends up calling. Also my son was there today, Elder Dinwiddie, along with my father, Elder Gonçalves. I realize that alot of the "mission lingo" is probably a bit strange for you all. But that´s just how it is here. There is a large group of missionaries that are returning home in the next few weeks and another big group arriving next transfer. One of them that is returning will be passing right by our house on his way home, Elder Higginson from Nephi (who is going home in 9 days or so)..its kinda-of a crazy thing to think of; since home seems like another dimension or something like it.
The area is going well. This part of Maceió has alot of crime, usually everyday we will hear a crazy story or two.
Being a district leader is alright. It is fun to be able to work with and help some of the other missionaries in my district. The ward here is full of some great members, I know that I will come to love it. Last Saturday, we baptized a man that was 68 or so years old. He is such a great guy, I love him and he is already excited to help out in the ward. Kind of funny, at his house there is always an invasion of little monkeys that try to steal food and stuff. I would take a picture but I think that my camera broke. I´m not sure yet so I´ll have to get back to you on that.
All is well, and the work of the Lord is going forth.
Hope all is well back home.
love ya,-Elder Olson

O Alagoano‏ 10/14/09

It has been a long week--so I guess that I could start from about 2 weeks ago since It has been a while since I have sent anything (sorry about that)
My last week in Viçosa was incredible, and extremely busy as we helped Edy and his family get ready for their baptism. (which was no easy task)
On p-day, we traveled to a nearby city called Chã Preta, where we climbed one of the tallest mountains in the region called “Serra Lisa” or slick mountain. It was an awesome trip, definitely a day that I will never forget.
Our guide was a man that I met in a car-ride returning to Viçosa one night. I asked if we could visit him and teach him a little about our beliefs. He accepted and invited us over for the day to meet his family and hike the mountain. What a day it was! -
Later in the week, we had Edy and Rosa´s marriage which was followed by the baptism of their entire family. It had been quite a fight to help this family get to this point, yet once there I was truly able to feel the worth of all that we had done during that transfer.
On Sunday we had sacrament meeting, and then later that night the branch rented a little bus to take us to Maceió to watch the last session of general conference… I was so happy to see the joyfull faces of our recent converts and investigators as they saw the large beautiful church building here. As well as the opportunity to see the Lords prophet, Thomas S. Monson. They all loved the session that we watched, and said that it was wonderful to see and hear our prophet. I was so happy to be there with them for that.
The next day however, transfers came (last Monday) and I was transferred to a part on the outskirts of Maceió called Benedito Bentes II, to a large ward called Gurguri. There were 4 missionaries for this ward when I arrived, but after the 2nd day the President called to let me know that one of them would be going home early. After that we were put into a trio, which has been a little hard to get used to. But all is well… I am sure that I will love the ward here and find those that are waiting to hear the Gospel.
I am a bit lost here though… I am not too used to the city (even though, it´s still not very large in this region)… also none of us know anything of the area.
But hey, that just makes the adventure that much sweeter! My companion is named Elder C. Santos and he is a Gaucho! From Rio Grande do Sul, almost every day I drink “Mate” with him. Yet here they call it Chimarrão. My other companion is named Elder Youngberg from Salem, Oregon. Yeah, he is a little crazy, but I like him.
It is good to be in the city where we aren’t hours away from the other Elders, like last p-day, I went to the downtown of Maceió with Elder Silva and Elder Ramos They are definitely some of my favorite elders here on the mission. {Of course along with my SON Elder Dinwiddie (I am already missing him as my comp).
Elder Ramos reminded me of a card that he wrote for you along time ago mom that I forgot to send to you (so I guess that I will get on that). It´s all in English, so you wont have to worry about translating it. Elder Ramos speaks very good English. He also told me that he will live in our basement after the mission as we go to BYU together. haha…He jokes about it, as do all of my other companions, yet all of them have a great desire to study in Utah at BYU or least visit one day. So I guess that I should probably tell you now that I have told all of my Companions that if they every come to Utah, they can stay at our house I hope that is okay with you guys, it is not likely that any of them every will have the opportunity, but I leave the invite anyways.
I received a few letters this week from many of you.
thanks for you love and support.
Hope that all continues to go well for you all.
Please pray for the work to go forth here for us.
Love you all,-Elder Olson

October 7, 2009 opa...

Hey well, I just finished typing a huge letter to you all telling about the incredible week that we had last week. But this computer just erased everything. dang.
We´ve gotta go, so I will have to write a letter explaining it all.
love you all a bunch.
thank you so much for your support!Elder Olson

p.s.-- I was transferred to a part of Maceió, in a place called Benedito Bentes in a large ward called Gurguri.
Pray for me since me and my companion arrived together, dont know anything about the area, and have nothing left from the previous missionaries.
love ya.

Sept. 23, 2009 Yapois..!‏

Over the past week we have been working in a little part of town that is a bit far away from the center. It´s a poor little mud-hut community that lives in the hills. There are a few other places like it here, but I had never been to this little nook of the city. It is up in the hills, just spread out all over the place, a system of little dirt trails leading to each house. It is good work, but it is also very difficult because they are so simple, and somewhat used to a type of life that requires no effort. However, the gospel requires effort on our part. The family that we have been helping is doing well. We have hit many trials and overcome many obstacles. Yet in the end all has worked out. I have learned that as long as we do our work and pray diligently, the Lord will help us conquer any goliath!
Today I took Elder Dinwiddie, along with a few other Elders to one of the more distant and not as well known waterfalls. wow! I think that I had forgotten how beautiful the trail, as well as the waterfall is. (I think my comp was a little blown away by the whole trip--> but really who wouldn´t be!) We had a great time, but are very tired.
All is good with us. I am so grateful to have such an awesome and easygoing companion that loves to work when we need to work, and loves to play when p-day rolls around.
Well, it is already really late. We had to leave for the church earlier and prepare for an activity that we had with a group of local Capoeira fighters/dancers. t was way cool. But I am just about asleep as I finish sending this e-mail that I was writing earlier. Oh hey, almost forgot, we saw a cowboy tournament the other day as we passed in the street. I think that it is the same sport that is in that movie "the man from snowy river"--where they have a long sharp stick and have to put it through a small ring as they speed by on the horse. It was pretty sweet.
Well I love you all and hope that all goes well.
-Falou,-Elder Olson

Sept 16, 2009 Paz e amor‏

well,things are all good here. Just working and doing our part! I hope that you get home safe from your travels. Elder Dinwiddie and I are getting along great. I am very glad to have him as my companion.
So I thought that I should let you know that the mission has recently put up a Blog. If you want to check out what is happening on the mission or what is new just take a look at it every once in a while.
It is: in portuguese: missaomaceio.blogspot.com
in english: brasilmaceiomission.blogspot.com
I think that I saw a picture of me and my comp. on the front,have fun with that!
I have attached a few pictures from last week.
Hope that all is well back home. There is no stopping the Lord´s work!!!!
tchau,-Elder Olson

September 10 "Hump Day"

I made it... So here I am with 1 year behind me in Brasil, today being the 1 year mark for me here on the mission.

It´s a little strange really, to think that I have been away from you all for that long. Yet at the same time it has never felt like we have really been all that far away.

I love the time that i have had here in Brasil, there is definately nothing that i could substitute for this mission. It is a once in a life time opportunity to grow and experience the gospel from the Savior's point of view.

There are many fireman and policeman, etc. that protect us from the harmful things that can happen to us and our families. However, there are few that bear the name of the Lord Jesus Christ over their hearts as his authorized servants... we are not here to save peoples lives as a fireman or policeman, but to save their souls.. --truly I dont think that there exists a better job.

I am grateful to be a missionary and hold this holy calling. i have been able to grow so much over this past year and I look forward to the next year, for I know that it will be full of many wonderful opportunities.

At the moment we are in Macieó. Yesterday we had our Zone Conference and our p-day was changed to today. So we were able to stay and pass the year mark with some of the other elders. We actually found a little place that has "paintball" so we did that today. It has been fun, yet we will need to go soon and make the long trip back to Viçosa.

At the end of last week we encountered a man named Eddy (Edivaldo) who immediately invited us in.

We told him about the gospel of Christ and the importance of baptism. He was very excited to go to church with us, however when we passed by sunday morning no one was home....

We entered in the church a little down because all of the other investigators for t
that week descided to travel as well, or had another excuse..

As we entered in I noticed Eddy with his wife sitting in the 2 seat of the little meeting house... with their 8 kids and mother-in-law! They made it there almost 1 hour before church even started!!

After church we visited them and he told us that he was passing through some difficulties in his life. He had prayed to the Lord that he would show him the way that he needed to go with his life... and the next thing he knew, we showed up in his doorway.

I truly know that the Lord guides us in the work. We are merely the last peice of the puzzle that he puts in to make his plan work out and to help his children return to him. I know that God lives and that he loves us.

For the first time in my life, I can actually say that and feel what those words mean.. ever since I have been here I have been able to feel that love and to know that "He is".

I love and miss you all. Yet, I do not consider seeing any of you for another year and i am just fine with that.

Elder Dinwiddie is doing excellent. He is speaking so well already. I am truly grateful to have recieved such a great companion.

Take care,
EU AMO VOCÊS!!!

-Elder Olson

Sept. 2, 2009 Olha rapaz!!?..‏

Even though I am in another country and able to see many new things and have new experiences each day, still one of the "best" things is hearing from you all back home (or wherever you may be).
This week has gone great. Elder Dinwiddie and I are doing well together. We have been working very hard to find new people to teach, since our teaching pool has gotten extremely small.
So pray that we find those that will accept the gospel.

It has been quite a new experience. Mainly because ever since I arrived I have had a fluent speaking companion that is able to carry a lot of the weight of the work. Yet, I have already seen a great improvement in Elder Dinwiddie since he has arrived.
It may be a bit hard for him to recognize it now, but I can see him slowly growing in the language..
This week has made me remember a lot of how it was for me when I first arrived, no one understands you, you are way white (and soon sunburned). Most of the time you have no clue of what is going on and all you want to do is convert everyone!!! But you can´t because they don't know a word that your saying!
It is a little frustrating. But I think that it is necessary too; like i told my new companion "more than anything else, this transfer, you will learn how to be patient".
It is also a very humbling experience too.

Yet, I don't think that I have every prayed so hard in my life, than during that first transfer. Everything is a new experience... the food, the people, and well.. just everything!!
I realized this week, how accustomed I have become to everything. Brazil just feels like home now:) ----all it´s missing is you all...
It was funny, this Sunday, as we ate tripa, buxada, and mocotó at a members house. (if you want to know what it is you can look up the words).
I think it will be a quite a change in food for my new "son" (comp.) haha..

I have been surprised at how well he is already speaking, I can testify to you all that the Lord truly does help his missionaries learn the language skills needed to help people in their assigned missions.

Well, I need to go. Just wanted to say that all is well, and that I love you all a bunch.
Mom and dad, send love to my Scottish friends and family.
I want you all to know that I know the Lord lives, and is with us as we do this wonderful work here among the people of Brazil.
I know that God calls men to do his work, and prepares them to be something greater.
I know that Jesus is the Christ, and that is at the head of this church.
in His name, amen.

I hope all goes well back home, and in Scotland..
I pray for you all and miss you a hunchables!
-Elder Olson

P.S. I attached a few pictures
´1- Me and E. Ramos with a few members on his last week here
2- Elder Gonçalves(meu Pai), me(O Pai), and Elder Dinwiddie(meu filho) hey, check out the skin difference.. it looks like I am slowly turning Brasilian!!??
3- Me and E. Dinwiddies first p-day at one of the waterfalls here!!

p.s.s.-send these photos to E. Dinwiddies family.

August, 26, 2009 chegei galera!!!‏

It was good to hear from you all, since I wasn´t able to check my e-mail last week.-Our zone had an activity at the president´s house where we all played soccer together (along with the president). It was alot of fun, yet we didn´t get back in our area until p-day ended.
Well, work had been going well as the transfer was ending, then this monday the new transfers came. Everyone was telling me that I would be transferred from Viçosa (because I have already been here quite a while).
We waited anxiously to see what would happen...then it finally came! I saw my name still in Viçosa, yet in place of Elder Ramos'name was written "novo filho"(new son)meaning that I would be training here. I was very excited.
On tuesday I went with Elder Ramos and dropped him off at his new area in Maceió; and then met up with the president, assistants(the new assistant is E. Gonçalves--my trainer), secretaries, and a few other trainers to go to the airport and pick up the new missionaries.
WOW! What a flashback! It seems like yesterday that I was arriving at the airport. We greeted the greenies and went with them to the presidents house, where they had an orientation meeting. Then, they announced the new companionships. It is kind-of an exciting moment...my new companion is an American!!! Kind-of something different than what I am used to. His name is Elder Dinwiddie, and he is from Nebraska.! He seems like a very great Elder, I am very excited to work with him(and be his "father" on the mission). I would send a picture of him for you all, but I forgot my camera.
Really though, the first thing that went through my mind when I met him was,"Nebraska, where in the world is Nebraska?" Yeah, kind of sad, I know. I am starting to forget alot of common american knowledge. Well, I am very excited for this transfer. It should be a great experience for us both. We left Maceió last night to make the 3 hour bus ride to Viçosa. Then, this morning I took him to one of the waterfalls. He had a great time,but now it´s time to WORK!!!!!
I hope that you have a great trip, mom and dad... give everyone there a big hug from me, okay?
I miss you all a bunch and pray that all goes well back home.
love ya,
-Elder "Pai" Olson

August 12, 2009 Alô galera, tô nem aí...!

Well, things are all good here. We have been working hard, and have found a good group of people to teach, that´s always good. As long as I am teaching people I am happy.
Well, on other news Elder Ramos and I found some place that makes this incredible fruit bowl of açaí, grains, wild honey, and bananas. Probably the greatest thing that I have ever eaten in my life!
I will be honest, I am very glad that it is p-day. I am a little bit destroyed today. We have been working in the most hilly part of town. It is a cool place. But wow! I am pretty sure that my tie almost drags on the ground when I am climbing up some of those hills! It gets a little tiring(yet its all worth it). The funny part is when you have to move out of the way for the delivery man on a little motorcycle passing by. Really it´s gotta at least be a trials "advanced class" route (you should know what that's like dad).
Well, I have been trying to get some letters out to everyone. It just seems like I keep running into some kind of problem, whether its time, money, or just that I can't make it to the correios. Dont worry, I promise that I will get them out...before the end of the year :)
Well, Brasil is doing good. I´m not too sure about the rest of the world, cause it has been quite a while since I have seen any bit of world news (besides a bit of the swine flu- which I still dont really know hardly anything about). But it's all good. I am kind-of glad not to hear anything that is going on in the world today. Its crazy to think that I am coming up on a year out here.
Alright, well, I will have to go. It sounds like everyone has had a busy, hectic week. Yeah, I know how you feel. Just remember that life wouldn´t be interesting if we didn´t have times like this. I hope that all goes well for you all.
love you a bunch,
-Elder Olson

August 5, 2009 Irmão jó..!‏

Well, it has been another good week.
Today we had a pretty good adventure in mud up to our knees with some others missionaries from our zone.. (Elder Silva and Elder Gonçalves came)--also today was also the first time that I actually ate chicken foot at lunch...-(your not missing too much)
We had been working extremely hard this past week finding alot of new people, but as sunday morning came around ALL of them dropped. Still, the Lord blessed our efforts. We arrived at the church to meet 4 new people that decided to make a visit! That just doesn't happen. I have been doing well here with Elder Ramos. I truly love him as a companion. We are doing great work and helping to turn this ward into what it should be.
Really this past week was full of very interesting experiences. Especially with the growth of the 2 young men who helped us all last week. I saw André become a whole new person and now he is working with us everyday!
Well, I have gotta go. We will hold a huge activity at the church here in a little bit, so I need to go and plan something for it. Our zone leaders (Elder Harris and Elder Silva) will be staying with us for the next few days helping us out with the work.
I think that I forgot to tell you all, but Elder Ramos and I made a gigantic batch of cookies for an activity one day! (which don't exist here) People were going crazy for them as was I. I had forgotten how good they are.
I am glad to hear that all is well with everyone. I will try and write letters to you all only it may take a little while, I cant find a spare moment anywhere.
I love you all and just want to tell you that Zion prospers! Nothing will stop the work of the Lord here..
Thanks for everything,-Elder Olson

July 29, 2009 Olá..‏

I really can't believe how fast the week goes by some times.
Well, it had been a while since I had received a letter from anyone and then last week when I arrived at zone conference there was a stack waiting!! Thank you so much for all that you sent. You made alot of great people very happy. The shirts fit perfectly! I think that I received a card or package from everyone in the family. It was great to hear how everyone is doing (even if it is news from 2-3 months ago). I was so happy to see Daniel and Ramilo serving the sacrament with their new shirts and ties, and large smiles on their faces. Here in a few weeks, we will give the priesthood to Paulo and Macelo, so that they can help out too! I am so happy to see the strength, testimonies and friendship that these young men have developed in the church.
So last week, Elder Ramos and I were thinking of having a day long division with 2 priests in the ward(the only 2 here). Their names are André and Erasmo, they are both coming to the age of going on missions, and we saw that they were in need of a bit of motivation to prepare for it. I called and talked to the Mission President, and he said to me,"I think it would be better if you did it for a week"! We split the village in half and have been working like mad-men. It has been so great to help them. I have already seen a huge change in their point of view about missionary work. Its difficult, but worth every second. We arrive home tired, aching, and hungry, and usually stay like that for a while. It has been a bit of an adaption for them. Yet there is no better feeling than arriving home knowing that you have been anxiously working to save souls.
I love the people here! The work of the Lord is an incredible thing. Although I am just a young kid, I can testify that no one can confound my words and nothing can stop me when in the service of the Lord. He has been at my side, all of the time.

Thanks for all that you do. I am happy to know that all goes well.
-valeu,-Elder Olson
p.s.-for p-day today we went to "O Haras", I´ll send some pictures, and mom, you may receive a letter or two in portuguese from some people here. I guess that you can translate it online or get help from someone who speaks spanish. love ya.

July 22,2009

I cant believe that it is already p-day again!It seems like I was just writing to you all yesterday. Glad to hear that the cabin trip went well. I dont know if it was just the photo, but it looked like most of the kids got a little sun-burned.
This week has been really busy, as we have spent alot of time helping a few members and visiting some inactive members. Unfortunately we haven´t had too much time to find new people. Yet the time that we have had, didn´t seem too successful. Patience is probably one of the greatest things that I have learned here.
We gave Ramilo and Daniel the priesthood on sunday(2 new converts) and I am hoping that the shirts will have arrived in time for zone conference tomorrow.
Zone conference is always a great time. I dont think that I told you guys that my new zone leader is Elder Silva (my old comp.)! I was pretty excited about it. The only bad thing is the 2 or so hour drive into Maceió, we just got back monday night from another meeting. Its good though, I am grateful for the training and opportunities to learn from our leaders here.
This saturday will be the baptism of a way cool woman, Roberta. This past week the branch has helped us alot by visiting her and bringing her to activities when we are unable to. On sunday the stake leaders came to speak here, I have already met them many times yet, on sunday I found an old friend of president Bart Olson son. (I had forgotten that he served here too) It was kind of cool to hear about him as a missionary.
Well I need to go, but before let me just share with you all, the miracle that has happened with us here.The members are feeding us!!! -alot too.
Hope you all have a bacana week.
galera!,-elder olson

July 15, 2009 OPA!

It was good to hear from you all.
I hope you all have a great time at the cabin this week--those times were always full of experiences that I will never forget.
I love you and miss you all a bunch...

Well, transfers came and went... and I was assigned to stay here in Viçosa!!! Elder Ramos and I were both very excited with the news.
Last transfer we were able to see some incredible changes in the branch here. Although there are still many problems, I have been able to see so much more love and unity between the members.
It doesn't make too much sense to baptize a bunch of people into a ward that is unworthy to receive them, or one that is with contention.

Well there is not too much to say about this past week other than the baptism that we had on Saturday. Paulo and his sister, Ana Paula were baptized(they are the cousins of our recent convert, Ramillo) We have been helping their family, and are working to marry the parents and get them baptized as well.
We were also able to help fix some problems here between a few people in the branch.
Mom, you asked about the mission president here:
President Beynon, is an incredible president, I have heard stories of mission presidents that are really strict and stern with all of the missionaries. Yet my president is like an extremely spiritual and loving uncle. He expects that we do what is right without him having to get on us about it. It´s good for me, yet I think that it maybe isn´t the best for some other missionaries.

Somehow, during the 4 or so hours that we spent tracting yesterday, I am pretty sure that we ran into every crazy old man in the city,one guy in particular was hilarious!
When we first clapped outside of his gate, he appeared at the window,(naked) and told us that he didn´t want to hear our mormon conspiracy theories and that we would never convince him of anything! Ending, "I was born catholic, and I will die catholic!"(it is kind of a common thing to hear, being a missionary here)
We told him that we were not here to convince him of anything, but merely to tell him about a new prophet that God had called.
He just gave us a look that I imagine an assassin usually gives before killing someone. After that we just began some normal conversation with him and it turned out that he has an incredible life story; adventures of traveling and working all across the world, Indonesia, New York, Germany, Portugal (where he was actually born). We had a great conversation with him, and he invited us back for another visit.

Well you had asked to hear a little more about me this week and a little less about the branch and the work. -so here it goes,
It would be close to impossible to describe what has happened in the time that I have been in this area.. but let me give it a shot.
Last transfer was by far, the transfer where I had the most growth. We were thrown into a situation that would have been impossible to fix without the help of the Lord.
I learned so much about the faith that is required to accomplish miracles, and also the importance of remembering that everything will happen according to the will of our loving Father in Heaven.
My testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ grew, and I was truly able to perhaps feel(just a little bit) of what his Atonement did for humanity...
I am so grateful for His constant love and help in my life..
I can testify to you all that the spirit literally speaks through us, and as a result others are able to feel and recognize the power and authority that is given to one ordained.
I can testify that every other church is false! It is so much clearer to see the corruption of man when you are living in the world but are not being a part of it. It is so clear that this is the only true church of Christ.
I can truly declare to you all that Satan exists, and his influence is among us every day. His voice can be heard, normally, or just as that of the spirit.
God lives, and is the author of any good influence in our lives... anything else does not come from him..

Thanks for your support... just know that I am doing great, and am happy..
Valeu,
-Elder Olson

July 8, 2009 - Oí em casa!?‏

This has been a great week. We have really been able to see some great changes in the branch here, more unity, more love, more interest in the things of God. We have held some great activities and firesides that have strengthened not only the members, but also some less-active members,and investigators. I am loving it here! This transfer has been one of great growth, learning, friendship, joy, and success. Sometimes it is a little hard to actually see the progress occur within ourselves, yet at times it is a clear and strong change.
I am very pleased to hear about the large number of missionaries in our ward that are just leaving or have recently recieved their call. Ha, boy do they have a surprise in store or them! The restored gospel is truly something incredible, in the fact that it has the capacity to change us... if we are fully envolved in it. It seems like when you live in a way that truly elevates you, you are able to have a better point of view at things that seemed so large, complex and distant from you.
I know that it has only been a short 10 months, yet it has been enough to teach me and show me a thing or two, and I look forward to the next 14. The work is going well here and we are finding great new people to teach. The Lord has really been helping us lately with all of the activities, classes, firesides, and work in general. It is kind-of funny to think that the Lord would leave two 20 year old boys to lead and direct his church here. It´s kind of alot of trust, né?
Just want to let you all know that the Lord lives, and He is actively working miracles among us. It is sufficient that we put our trust in Him and excersize faith. I´m not talking about just believing in anything.. but actually DOING something to make a difference!
This week we are going to baptize Paulo,a 14 yr old garoto de poder!(powerful lad) and his sister. I am way excited!!! Next week is transfers, and I am really hoping that I will be able to stay here in Viçosa for one more.
Well, gotta go.
love you all.. valeu,_Elder Olson

July 1, 2009 Yapois!‏

So guess what?..........its raining ...
Well, this past week has been great. This morning we gave the house a much needed cleaning, and have been just relaxing a bit today (we were really needing it).
The work is going well here. We have been working really hard with alot of the members and have seen some great improvement. Over the past week we have been working in the large weedfilled backyard of the churchhouse (kind-of reminds me of home, ha). Elder ramos and I, along with a recent convert family decided to transform the back of the church-yard into a mini orchard and vegetable garden. There is alot of room and will serve to help alot of needy families here in Viçosa. This next week will be pretty busy as we will start reading the Book of Mormon with the young men and women of the branch and I will start giving english lessons at the church. We have started a bunch of great little programs like this here to help the ward become closer and more unified. Also to help the members, investigators, and recent converts get to know each other. I have truly gained a testimony that by small things, great things come to pass (Alma 37:6-7. I will be honest, the work here is not the least bit easy; yet somehow i find myself smiling, laughing, and enjoying every minuite of it (I think the Lord helps alot) It's funny how I once looked at work as something almost horrible--and now I get excited for it...weird,isn´t it? I have been able to see the importance of having a willingness to work. It is like my trainer always said, "if you (personally) do nothing, nothing is going to happen." If we are not doing our part, how are we going to see things get better, cleaner, brighter? The world is only changable if we are willing to make it change.
This past week we spent a day visiting the huge colony of people living in tents on the local soccer field because their houses were destroyed by the rain. There is a recent convert family (Carlos + Lucia) that we have been helping that are living there as well, and they were happy to introduce us to all of their friends and neighbors. We have found some excellent families that we will be working with the next few weeks. I am very excited. Also, the 12 yr old boy that we baptised 2 weeks ago has started bringing some of his friends and cousins to church with him, and through this we have been able to meet their families as well. He is an awesome kid. It has been incredible. Although we are dedicating alot of time to the existing members and inactive members, I have found that as long as we are working the Lord is helping us to find people to teach (or in many cases, helping others to find us) -I just want you all to know that I find this gospel incredible. It has a way to change others into something better, brighter, and happier too. I am really loving my time in Viçosa. It has shown and taught me many things.
I miss you all a bunch... but not that much...j/k-- take care, -Elder Olson

Wed. June 24, 2009 Opa..!‏

Well, I finally made it...20 and happy to be living. I hadn´t really thought about it until the other night and then it hit me "WOW! 20 years old?! There is no way that I can be that old! It is kind of wierd to me, but in a good way.
Things have been going well for us here in Viçosa, other than the past week was the highlight of the São João Festival. It has to be one of the coolest festivals here in the north-east. Every night people spend a few hours dancing to some traditional dance styles (like quadrilia), then there is a gigantic concert of a popular brasilian band until dawn. So far it has been like this every night for the past week. It probably wouldn't be such a problem for us if we didn´t live about 20 feet from the center where they have the show every night. Yet the Lord has blessed us. We get home, tired from a long day of work and sleep undisturbed until morning. Also many nights the streets are lined with huge bonfires, to celebrate..(every house has their own). It is what I imagine hell would be like; living in a hot climate, everyone is burning a huge bonfire, and the streets are filled with thick smoke. Also little kids are running around throwing little bomb-like fireworks at your feet. Yeah, that just about hits hell right on. Really though it's not bad. I love this festival so far. Everyone roasts corn over the fire and gives it to you freely. Hey, if I am eating.. I am happy.
The work here is going well. It has been a little hard this past week and we have put up with alot of rejection, yet I know that we are helping this area improve alot. I really love it here in Viçosa, even if it is a little difficult. I have found that the Lord always blesses and helps those that sincerely seek him. On Saturday we baptised a 12 yr old kid named Ramilo. He is such an incredible kid.
We were teaching his family and everyone fell through except him. As we helped him progress towards baptism, I truly saw how Satan tries everything to desroy our faith and the faith of others.
Today, we went to visit another waterfall with a few other missionaries and it gave me some time to think a little about life. I can't believe how fast time flies! Life seems like kind of just a memory. It makes you think a little: in these 20 years what have I done that has truly been memorial? It makes you think of the next 20 years and say: what can I do that will be memorial?
Luckily we have the present, where we can think: what can I do right now to make a difference? There was a sister missionary that described how she felt when she first arrived on the mission to me.. "you can´t help everyone, in every part of the world, all of the time...". As I thought about it, this is how I really felt many times in my life. I wanted to really make a difference, you know, change the world. Yet it was the other part of the quote that helped me to see my role here on earth:"...but you can help someone, in someplace, right now. That is what I am doing here. I can really make a difference in this world, but this all just starts with doing everything--one piece at a time.
I love the scripture where Ether explains faith, he says, 'that those who have faith, hope for a better world'. If we don't have hope for this world full of problems, it is because we are not excersizing our own faith and doing something for someone, somewhere, right now. It really is possible to change the world, but it is up to everyone to do their own part. This doesn't mean that we look at others and complain if they are not anxiously engaged as they should be; but it means that we are anxiously engaged, everyday... doing something to make this world a better place. I want to thank you all for your support during this 2 year adventure in my life. I would not want to be doing anything else with my life. I know that God lives and hears us. He helps us each day accomplish the small and large things in life. I know that without this gospel I would be a whole lot less happy and that is why I am here bringing it into the lives of others.
Thanks for your love, letters, and b-day package. I miss you all a bunch.
your missionary, -Elder Olson
p.s.- I will have to send photos of our adventure to the waterfall some other day.
I ran out of time.tchau...........

June 10, 2009 Dae Alagoano...‏

Hey everyone,
Well this has been a great week. We have been very busy trying to help this little branch here in Viçosa grow. So lately we have been giving some trainings to the church leaders and meeting with the members, trying to get them excited again. Unfortunately, Viçosa is a city where some difficulties have already happened in the church, and many members have fallen away or just become really unmotivated. Luckily we have some great new ideas and programs that we are going to begin next week to help these people become more unified and remember a few basic principles of what it means to be a latter day saint. I really love my new companion, Elder Ramos, he is carioque (which is someone from Rio de Janeiro). But he was living with his dad in Manaus (the amazon) before the mission. We have already gotten to be great friends. Yet more importantly we are comletely "one" in the work, teaching with the spirit and declaring boldly our message of the restored church.
Each day has been full of incredible experiences and although we are giving alot of time to helping the members and teaching the inactive, the Lord has blessed us to find some great families to teach and people to baptize. I have no doubt that this is the only true church of Christ and that it is led by real revelation through a Prophet of God.
My testimony has been strengthened alot this past week. Elder Ramos is a great missionary, he has helped me to be more bold and rigid when it comes to the gospel. I have learned that there is only one way to do this work and that is the "right way". There are no shortcuts in the gospel of Jesus Christ; everyone must be backed against the wall of faith, and prove that they are willing to humbly submit to God´s will. I think that our personal progress is not a matter of knowing what to do next, but a manner of doing that which we already know; and doing it to the best of our capability. Just a matter of saying, "okay, let´s do this!" We have been so busy this past week trying to get things started, but it will all be worth it come next week. I am already starting to feel the branch here improving, and I am so excited for the next few weeks!
Elder Ramos has been telling me a little about his life before the mission. Wow, he is proof alone that God exists! I learned something just listening to him:-that sometimes we dont always need to live something or face a difficulty to gain experience, knowledge, and become more resistant. I think that is why we are not all faced with the same trials, ..so that we can share our experiences with others and help them not to make the same mistake we did, but to take the long road. That one that leads to eternal life.
Ha, yesterday was a busy day for us and I´m sure that you can imagine how happy I was waking up to a typhoon pouring down over the city (not really, but you get what I mean--ALOT of rain!) Things didn´t exacly go as planned. Yet the Lord had something else in mind for us which led us to find some great people interested in the restored gospel.
I want you all to know that I am loving it here! This is by far the biggest adventure of my life and I am knee deep in happiness here. (also, almost knee deep in water at times) Haha, we were taking a road that led to our investigators house and with all of the rain the road became a river! It made me think, as I was wading through a "river" in a small cobblestone street in the middle of the northeast of Brasil; laughing, and full of a great spirit (as we had just finished a powerful lesson): I realized that never again will I have experiences like this!
I love you all a bunch,
-take care,_Elder Olson
p.s.-here are some pictures of our trip to the waterfall last week (only day of sunshine in months)

June 3, 2009 -Cachoeira!‏

ALÔ..!
I was very happy to hear from you, and know that everyone is doing fine. I had to laugh a little reading both of your letters. Ha, mom with the kids and dad-just with everything. Really I cant tell you both how much I love hearing from you, remembering your faces. Wow, I really love you guys.
Well things have been going great for me here. I have been doing alot of growth during the past few weeks. On monday transfers came and Elder Pimenta was called to work in Estancia! (what a coincidence, eh?)Late last night my new companion arrived here in Viçosa.(ha, a little lost at first.) His name is Elder Ramos. I am way excited, he is an awesome guy, and has the same mind-set about the work that I have. I know that we are going to have an incredible transfer here! Also, I am the senior of our companionship. Elder Ramos has only a few months on his mission. I think that it will be really good for me,maybe a bit more challenging, but I am ready for it. This week the rain has calmed down a bit and today E. Ramos and I were able to make it to the waterfalls of Anel, that is off hidden in the hills. Wow, it was incredible! I will have to send you pictures next week.
Well, all is good with me and I am really happy. I can truly say that the greatest happinness comes from doing the work of the Lord, like Enos wrote. I am so greatful to be here, and to bear a testimony of Jesus Christ, to tell others that He lives, and that through Him we are saved from the fall of man. I am so greatful for this gospel in my life.
I want to thank you for you´re influences that helped me to get to where I am today, the Brazil-Maceió mission.
Love you all a bunch.
take care--Elder Olson

May 27, 2009 Quanta chuva..?!!‏ (How much Rain?)

It was good to hear from you. I came to use the internet a little before noon today, and had to leave early. -forgetting that the city practically shuts down here from 12:00-2:30. So now I will finish my internet time. vesh!!!
It has been raining so hard here the past few days. Yesterday, all the streets filled up with water and in some of the poorer parts of town, people´s mud-stick houses were washed away in the rain, destroying everything. Its kind of sad, but it seems like it is a regular occurance in all of the north east of Brasil during this time of year. A few weeks ago I heard that Estancia got a bunch of rain which flooded tons of houses and broke 2 large bridges that connects two part of the city. I have always liked the rain, but please!.. in a managable portion! It seems like it is always raining here. The weather turned from a dry, hot jungle climate to a sauna! (actually it is alot cooler now). Because of the humidity, everything just stays wet constantly, inside or outside (which is practically the same thing here).-and mold grows really easy. Despite all of this, i am doing very well. I am a little sad that we were not able to visit any of the local waterfalls again because of the intense rain, but I´ll live.
The work is going good still. It seems that it has begun to slow down a bit with the transfer coming to an end, but we are still pounding away! On sunday I was able to give a recent convert the priesthood, his name is Ivanildo. He is a really cool kid, and very excited about the church. This branch is really in need of priesthood holders.
On monday, we did a division and I went to Maceió to stayed with Elder Arantes. Ha, he is a way funny missionary. I like him alot. He was one of the first missionaries that I met when I arrived here in the airport of Maceió. I was able to learn alot from him during the division. He actually speaks english very well too, he has a brother that lives in Salt Lake and another in Idaho. He told me that he has plans to study in the U.S. after the mission.
Working in Maceió is very different than here in Viçosa. Monday was the 3rd-4th time that I have worked there. Maceió is full of these giant holes called "Grotas", it really is quite an incredible site. When I say hole, I honestly mean hole, only it is full of little shanty houses. Just imagine a stairway (or better-yet a complex maze of stairways) that leads through an unorganized maze of little "houses". Also, your lucky if the stairway is made of any man-made material.. usually it seems to be just carved out of earth (which is all just clay here). I think that they are pretty sweet. Yet it must be really hard to work in the larger ones. A few weeks ago I passed by one really big one with Elder Moreira called "Grota de São Rafael"--..yapois..! it was pretty nuts! With Elder Arantes, we worked in a smaller grota at the far part of their area, -it was cool. Everyone knows everyone, and the people are very humble there. It is full of some interesting houses and giant holes leading to a river in the bottom. I think the thing that I liked the most was the system of little bridges that they used to cross gaps in the earth, where the water has eroded it away; only they weren´t really bridges at all, just old doors spead over the gaps. Working in a grota, now that is an adventure that only the bigger cities can offer here. I will have to write more about the grotas here when I actually get an area that has one. Still I like the work out here in the country-side of Viçosa. It is such an awesome little town, with exceptionally cheap ice-cream.! (that just tops it all off)
Well, what else..hmmm... well thats all I´ve got for now, hope that you are satisfied with the adventures of this week. Grandma´s package of pistachios and such finally arrived. Haha, I can´t tell you how much these brasilians loved to try pistachios for the first time(or anything foreign for that matter).
Just know that I am doing good. I am always happy to hear from you all and I sure miss you a bunch. I loved hearing about grandpa, mom... thanks.
But gotta go for now. Take care- meus queridos...-seu gorotinho, feliz e vivo...--Elder Olson
--can you believe it! 4 in the afternoon and its already dark!

May 20, 2009

-Hey, everyone!
Well it has been a great day for me and in fact a great semana. We have been working well, helping many of our investigators progress. I was very happy to hear from you all and know that things are going well back home. P-day is always great for that ya know. Well, we have got some great people that we are helping. I am really excited because most of these people have family or close friends that are active members. (I can't tell you how much that always helps out)
We have also seen some great blessing come because of the work that we are doing. For example: on Sunday we had some investigators to get that live in the part of town that is farthest away from everything (called "frei daminão")as we went early to get our investigators, a family passed by on the other side of the street and yelled across asking if the chapel was already open. Haha, to be honest I thought that they were joking. C´mon that just doesn´t happen here. We responded yes, and they continued down the road. After spending the morning trying to find all of the people that told us that they would go to church, we ended up arriving late with only 1 person, Alexandra. It is always a little disappointing, walking all over the village trying to get people to go to church and everyone but one gives you a pretty illegitimate excuse except the couple that actually end up going. But hey, I´m pretty used to it by now. Anyways, we arrived at church a little late and as we entered in the classroom we saw that entire family of 5 listening intently. Also some members had brought friends, and one of our recent converts had brought his sister that we had begun teaching. Needless to say we were very happy, and after church we were able to pass by and mark the baptisms of the entire family, as well as many of the other visitors. I can truly testify that the Lord is in this work. He is out there with us everyday, helping us find the elect or at times helping the elect find us.
Today was great. Elder Hill and Elder Moreira, who are our zone leaders, came and spent the day with us. It has been a while since I have been in the company of so many galegos.(like gringos) They both already passed by this area, so we did some visiting of old friends and converts. During the afternoon, one of our recent converts, named Maria (she is way awesome) took us to the sítio (or little farm) of her family. We had to walk for about an hour off in the hills to get there. Wow, what an awesome experience. I put of few pictures of today on this e-mail. All of that area is covered with gauchos (or cowboys), it is a pretty awesome site to see. If we had gotten there earlier we could have visited the nearby waterfall and gone fishing someplace on their land, however we´ll have to do that some other day. We were able to walk through the pig farm that they had there, which was pretty cool and very stinky. (the wild pigs that they have here are honestly terrifying!)
Well, this week we will spend alot of time in Maceió. We had to go there for district meeting on Monday and we will return tomorrow for zone conference with Elder Didier (Area authority of Brasil) that should be great. However we won't be able to make it home until Friday. tá osso ñ é..?
Well I´ve gotta go. Just want to let you all know that I am doing great. Viçosa is taking good care of me. This week was really good, and I hope that all is going well for everyone back home.
love you guys a bunch,valeu galera...!
-elder olson -love ya.