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
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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
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
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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
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
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