Hey everyone.
Well, I survived Carneval! Haha, it was a pretty fun experience. For a few days during the week the city was entirely deserted , and everyone went to the beach (about half an hour away)- I hear that it is really crazy there. Other than that, just a bunch of drunks and people running around in masks causing mischief.
So for the past week it has rained everyday, almost all day! Which has been awesome. I would rather work in the rain than this sun anyday. It was really getting dry here, but now that we have entered into the rainy season everything has gotten really green again. I´m loving it. However, I have never seen so many frogs at once in my life!! Working in the rain seems to bring funny experiences too.. I am really glad to be with Elder Silva, we get along very well; ele é o cara!
The work here is going well. It has been hard since the branch has stopped helping; however, I know that this work will continue no matter what. I am grateful to be a part of it.
During the week we went to visit an investigator family that lives on a farm out beyond the edge of town (Senhor Ruí and Donna Nair)- Wow I love to go there, such an awesome place. They have a large family, 15 or so kids I think. All are married and live elsewhere. So we only meet them when they are helping on the farm. This time when we arrived, we noticed one of them grinding matta to feed the cattle, and dumping it in the troughs for them. We went over and helped him feed them for a while. It was cool, the cows here are really different looking. Occasionally two of them would get into a fight and start butting heads- (it made me think of watching deer and elk doing the same back home). It was cool though, as we worked we talked to the son, named Maurício, and got to know him pretty well. Then made an appointment to pass by his house and meet his family later in the week.
What a great family. We have been praying to find a good family to teach. I am very excited. I have come to recognize that the Lord truly puts people in our path to teach. Our job is to keep our eyes and mouths open (in the sense of talking) and certainly we will find them. The other day, we also ran into an ex-hobo. His name is Sen. João and he was a vagabond living in the park. However, he won a little house from the mayor or something (i wasn´t really getting what he was saying) He is turning his life around. We found him in his house and gave him an invite for church. Usually we have to go looking for all of our investigators on sunday morning and help remind them. However Senior João made it there on his own, Bermuda shorts, unbuttoned shirt and hat made of garbage. He is a funny guy, and I am excited to teach him.
It is exciting to hear all of the missionary news from back home, many missionaries leaving and coming home. I hate to imagine what I would have been missing had I stayed home. This truly is such an incredible experience. I have never felt so close to the Lord, and never been so content. I always wondered why everyone would always "bug" me about going on a mission. But it is clear to me now that they knew of the blessing and joy that come when involved in the Lord's work and didn´t want me to miss out. I would do the same to any young man or woman reading this.
A mission is not easy, and it is not all joy and happiness. It is work- yet it is the closest to true happiness and joy that I have ever felt. No matter your situation, each day is a proof of your faith. Only I feel that on a mission, you receive a greater witness according to your faith. God wants you to realize that these things are true, just as much as he wants those that you are teaching to realize it.
I want to challenge everyone at home to do a little missionary work this week.. whether it be sharing your testimony with another, talking to a non-member, or just doing some missionary work on yourself. Look for that testimony inside of you, and write it down. I know that the Lord will always, always help us in the pursuit of that which is just, and I know that he wants us to know the truth. I know that God lives, and that this is His church. Each day we are just trying to live better, to be better, and to do that which is better. I cant think of any better way to accomplish this than living this gospel the way that it was intended.
Thank you for all of your support, I love and miss you all.
Falou,-Elder Olson
Friday, February 20, 2009
February 18, 2009
hey everyone,
It sounds like all is well back home. Say hi to Jared and Mike Swan for me, eh? Well, I am glad to hear that dad and daniel got home safely. It was funny though, that dad wrote; the first thing he did when he got home was go buy a new washer and dryer. Ha,ha, it made me remember for a bit what that was like. At the moment I have 2 washers--one connected to each arm.
This morning I was wondering how I am going to live without some of the things that they have here, like today we woke up and walked to the panificação (its like a bakery for all types of bread) It is so good, cheap, and they have them everywhere, also fruit stands. Almost everyday we like to make a fruit drink- fruit here is way cheap, and there are so many kinds.. -mangaba, maracuja, manga, jaca, and the list goes on. Today we got got some avacadoes,only here they are huge and are sweet instead of salty.
Hey, I finally got the package yesterday. it is greatly appreciated. That puzzle will be awesome to use.. (as will the M&M´s) Also joe and mischele, that tie is chique da pega! (it is sweet!)
Well, this week has been great. The work has slowed down a little because the members have stopped getting involved, but we are still going strong. Over the past month we have been working with 4 investigators who have been progressing very well. It has been awesome to see them exercise faith and grow in this gospel. On Saturday morning, three of them were baptised (and the other will be next week). The font at the little chapel house hasn´t really been working. So on friday morning E. Silva and I went looking for a river that was close to their house called "Rio dos Ciganos" (which means river of the gypsies). It was about an hour walk on a little trail to get there but the baptism was awesome, such a calm and tranquile place. They will be very firm members. One of them, Rafaela, will start doing splits with the sister missionaries next week. They are way cool.
Well, this week has started out well, we have been doing alot of tracting and finding some great people. It is amazing to see the power that this message has.
For the past two days it has been raining pretty hard. I am really liking it a whole lot better than the sun. I love working in the rain. It is a whole lot prettier and greener when it is raining. However, the only bad thing is that most of the roads are dirt, and we dont have brakes any more!(or a seat..) Haha, but its a good time. We were talking as we were riding, and then we tried to give each other a high five, only we ended up hitting in to each other and Elder Silva flew off his bike. A man came over to help us, and we ended up talking to him for a bit; he pretty much invited himself to church! It is funny the way the Lord works sometimes.
Also we have an investigator family that lives out on a farm, clear on the edge of town. I love going there and teaching them. It is an older couple named Donna Nair and Senhor Ruí, they are hilarious. It is such a beautiful and tranquil place.
Well, Carneval is next week! Ahhhh, ...yeah I have no clue what is going to happen. But I think that it is going to be madness from how things are looking right now. Just have to watch out for the caretas!
I am really loving it here. It is such an incredible experience. I know that the Lord is in this work, and that this work truly is marvelous. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
I love you all, take care,-Elder Olson
p.s.- I attached some pictures of the baptism to this e-mail..and one of me and E. Silva in our newly found house..tchau..
It sounds like all is well back home. Say hi to Jared and Mike Swan for me, eh? Well, I am glad to hear that dad and daniel got home safely. It was funny though, that dad wrote; the first thing he did when he got home was go buy a new washer and dryer. Ha,ha, it made me remember for a bit what that was like. At the moment I have 2 washers--one connected to each arm.
This morning I was wondering how I am going to live without some of the things that they have here, like today we woke up and walked to the panificação (its like a bakery for all types of bread) It is so good, cheap, and they have them everywhere, also fruit stands. Almost everyday we like to make a fruit drink- fruit here is way cheap, and there are so many kinds.. -mangaba, maracuja, manga, jaca, and the list goes on. Today we got got some avacadoes,only here they are huge and are sweet instead of salty.
Hey, I finally got the package yesterday. it is greatly appreciated. That puzzle will be awesome to use.. (as will the M&M´s) Also joe and mischele, that tie is chique da pega! (it is sweet!)
Well, this week has been great. The work has slowed down a little because the members have stopped getting involved, but we are still going strong. Over the past month we have been working with 4 investigators who have been progressing very well. It has been awesome to see them exercise faith and grow in this gospel. On Saturday morning, three of them were baptised (and the other will be next week). The font at the little chapel house hasn´t really been working. So on friday morning E. Silva and I went looking for a river that was close to their house called "Rio dos Ciganos" (which means river of the gypsies). It was about an hour walk on a little trail to get there but the baptism was awesome, such a calm and tranquile place. They will be very firm members. One of them, Rafaela, will start doing splits with the sister missionaries next week. They are way cool.
Well, this week has started out well, we have been doing alot of tracting and finding some great people. It is amazing to see the power that this message has.
For the past two days it has been raining pretty hard. I am really liking it a whole lot better than the sun. I love working in the rain. It is a whole lot prettier and greener when it is raining. However, the only bad thing is that most of the roads are dirt, and we dont have brakes any more!(or a seat..) Haha, but its a good time. We were talking as we were riding, and then we tried to give each other a high five, only we ended up hitting in to each other and Elder Silva flew off his bike. A man came over to help us, and we ended up talking to him for a bit; he pretty much invited himself to church! It is funny the way the Lord works sometimes.
Also we have an investigator family that lives out on a farm, clear on the edge of town. I love going there and teaching them. It is an older couple named Donna Nair and Senhor Ruí, they are hilarious. It is such a beautiful and tranquil place.
Well, Carneval is next week! Ahhhh, ...yeah I have no clue what is going to happen. But I think that it is going to be madness from how things are looking right now. Just have to watch out for the caretas!
I am really loving it here. It is such an incredible experience. I know that the Lord is in this work, and that this work truly is marvelous. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
I love you all, take care,-Elder Olson
p.s.- I attached some pictures of the baptism to this e-mail..and one of me and E. Silva in our newly found house..tchau..
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 11, 2009
Hey Everyone,
Thank you so much for all of your letters and e-mails. I love hearing from you all. and seeing a picture every now and then.
Wow, this week has been incredible! Unfortunately, I only have a few more minutes until I have to leave. So I am going to have to cut it a bit short. However one day I will be excited to tell you about all of the crazy adeventures that I had this week.
Elder Silva and I are getting along great. He is honestly my best friend right now, and we are both so excited to work together in this area.
This week, we caught the fire of the work. We are working hard. I think that I can honestly say that this week has been the greatest of the whole mission-(so far, eh?)Each day, we have been able to see the hand of the Lord in our work. There is absolutely no other way to describe it. We are really envolved and enjoying the work. I am so grateful for my companion,Elder Silva is such an awesome Elder. We have a great friendship and are learning a bunch from each other.
This week i have learned alot about the Spirit. I know and have experienced his help, everyday this week. He has directed our route and given us the words to say. I have taught this week in a way like never before. This work truly is marvelous. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
Today, being p-day, we went on an awesome adventure clear out into the middle of nowhere, with a member here, wAlisson. It was incredible. I can't describe to you all how much I love Brasil, the people, the beauty, and everything that I am experiencing. This has been the best 5 months of my life.
Well, I gotta go. Take care,--I attached a few pictures of our excursion today.Desfrutem!
I love you all-Elder Olson
p.s.- things are starting to get a little crazy here with Carnival coming up in a week or so... it is going to be Havoc.well, happy valentines day and happy late birthday dad- I miss ya a bunch -love ya..tchau.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Febuary 4, 2009
Hey everyone,
It is great to hear from you all. Dad it sounds like China is pretty different. It is pretty amazing that we are still able to communicate through e-mail, no matter where you are in the world.
I have been trying to send more letters--the only problem is that they take a long time to get there, and I usually only recieve letters once per transfer from the mission home (because my area is so far away)
Hey, tell Karrie Askerlund congrats from me. Cambodia mission will be awesome. I cant believe Mike Swan is almost home! -manda uma braço pra ele de mim. -->
Well, this week was transfers. I will stay here in Estancia, which I am very happy about, I have come to love this town. But I recieved a new companion yesterday: his name is Elder Silva, he is from Curitiba. He only has 1 month more than me on the mission, so this transfer should be interesting. It will be a new experience for us both. He is an awesome elder though.. and is excited to work hard. I am very excited for this transfer... things are going good for me..
I am aproaching my 5 month mark on the mission, crazy eh? It feels like I just arrived.. yet I look back and see how far I have come with the language, and how much my testimony has grown. I was reading in Ether (I think) the other day, and it was talking about our time here on earth. It said that "man must work out his own salvation". I have thought about this alot.. I have been in a situation to know this gospel all through-out my life--yet I dont think I was concerned about my own salvation. There are cross-roads in our lives that are trying and that are difficult, and it is at these times that we must show faith and must be diligent.. Because we are given these trials to help us grow in patience, love and faith-just as Paul wrote in Romans 5-; it is at these times that we must make desicions and work out our own salvation.. I am certain that the things that we do here with effect us eternally.and salvation doesnt come unless we work for it and use our agency correctly.
I love you all so much.. The work here is going great. It slowed down a bit over this last transfer. but I know that this transfer will be awesome. I am very happy for my new comp.- and for all of the blessing I have recieved.
I know that this is the work of the Lord, and I am grateful to be a part of it. I love you all and thank you for your support. Valeu..
-Elder Olson
It is great to hear from you all. Dad it sounds like China is pretty different. It is pretty amazing that we are still able to communicate through e-mail, no matter where you are in the world.
I have been trying to send more letters--the only problem is that they take a long time to get there, and I usually only recieve letters once per transfer from the mission home (because my area is so far away)
Hey, tell Karrie Askerlund congrats from me. Cambodia mission will be awesome. I cant believe Mike Swan is almost home! -manda uma braço pra ele de mim. -->
Well, this week was transfers. I will stay here in Estancia, which I am very happy about, I have come to love this town. But I recieved a new companion yesterday: his name is Elder Silva, he is from Curitiba. He only has 1 month more than me on the mission, so this transfer should be interesting. It will be a new experience for us both. He is an awesome elder though.. and is excited to work hard. I am very excited for this transfer... things are going good for me..
I am aproaching my 5 month mark on the mission, crazy eh? It feels like I just arrived.. yet I look back and see how far I have come with the language, and how much my testimony has grown. I was reading in Ether (I think) the other day, and it was talking about our time here on earth. It said that "man must work out his own salvation". I have thought about this alot.. I have been in a situation to know this gospel all through-out my life--yet I dont think I was concerned about my own salvation. There are cross-roads in our lives that are trying and that are difficult, and it is at these times that we must show faith and must be diligent.. Because we are given these trials to help us grow in patience, love and faith-just as Paul wrote in Romans 5-; it is at these times that we must make desicions and work out our own salvation.. I am certain that the things that we do here with effect us eternally.and salvation doesnt come unless we work for it and use our agency correctly.
I love you all so much.. The work here is going great. It slowed down a bit over this last transfer. but I know that this transfer will be awesome. I am very happy for my new comp.- and for all of the blessing I have recieved.
I know that this is the work of the Lord, and I am grateful to be a part of it. I love you all and thank you for your support. Valeu..
-Elder Olson
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