Letter sent home by Elder Matthew Olson, 23 December 2009/ received 25 January 2010
Hey Family,
Well, here it is... The time of the year when we think about presents, snow, and a bearded fat man that rides around on a magical sled pulled by deer. It's quite the holiday!!!
Here in Brasil, things are a little different...There are few presents, no snow and Santa may have missed a few kids here. Yet the spirit of the holiday is here. Unfortunately, there are many others that believe that Christmas is a day to spend drinking and listening to music as loud as the Boom Box will play.
It is amazing how much I have come to appreciate the small truths that the gospel provides us. The world's knowledge is limited and unsure. Although it may seem attractive; the way of the world leaves us hopeless, without peace, and with a dark future. Only Jesus Christ gives us the assurance of something much better than any treasure upon the earth, “where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.” He gives us the promise of an Eternal treasure. Which is truly the greatest present that one can receive.
However, as I thought of a few Christmas traditions that we gained from the 3 wise men. I remembered that Christmas is not about what we receive, but that which we give. The wise men sought Christ; bearing the long and tireless journey, so that they would be able to give their precious gifts to the “Son of Man”. And then that is when I realized that just any gift is not sufficient for the Savior of the world. No, he doesn't want just any gift, but he wants our TREASURE; that which we hold dear to us in our lives. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”(Matt 6:21). He says that because He wants our heart. Our full and complete devotion, willing to sacrifice what we hold most dear in our lives, our treasure, and give it to Him. Wouldn't it be so much easier if our treasure was something that we were already preparing to give to the Lord? Our time? Our money? Our faith? Or how about ourselves? Are we willing to give that last and hardest portion, or are we as the rich young man who could not give up his riches or surrender himself fully to the Savior?
The Savior left it clear for us:
“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked[Jesus] a question...Master,which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matt 22: 35-37).
He does not ask us for half of our hearts, nor 99% of our mind, but He wants all of it.
There are many wonderful things that we can do for the Lord, and there are many things that we can give Him; however, the first commandment of the Lord is not suspended just because of our vigorous pursuit of a lesser good. Yet our submission to Him in the end is a victory. There is a song that I heard not too long ago, I don't know the name of it , but it always helps me remember how close the Lord is when I need Him.
Here am I, Here I'll be. If your searching for the truth you will find it in me.
Lift your eyes, trust your heart. Give me your faith and your healing will start.
Here am I, Can't you see, When your falling, fall towards me.
I will be there to lift you up, Here am I. (Unknown author)
Jesus Christ is our light in the darkness; only through Him may we have Eternal Life. What an honor an a privilege it is to be here and represent Him. I cannot think of anything that would be as rewarding as the time that I have spent here. My mission has been much more than an opportunity to help God's children. But also a moment for me to come to a better understanding of my Savior, “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?(Mosiah 5:13)
This has been my chance to better know the Lord, and give Him my heart.
I love you all so much. Merry Christmas!
Elder Olson
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Opa January 20, 2010
Things have gone well this week. For the whole week Elder Santos and I will do divisions with our zone, so I will constantly be with another elder in our area. Things have been going a whole lot better. We had some great people visit church this sunday. I took their addresses and marked a day to visit them all. It is in a part of our area that I didn´t even know existed. I truly don´t know how we were able to find the houses, but we did(although it may have taken quite a while).
One is named Daniel (he is really big), and he was brought to church by his girlfriend who is an inactive member. They are great people and really love the teachings of the church. We visited him yesterday to mark a baptismal date. He feels unready to be baptised (which is common). He has faith, but he feels that he needs more. So I marked the date anyway and told him that we will have 3 weeks to help him increase his faith in Christ before the baptism! We were preparing for Domácios wedding, but yesterday we learned that he is having some doubts after a fight that he and his "wife" had. He is such an incredible guy and has such great desire to be baptised, but he with either have to marry or leave the house.--------
Ha, the other day we were visiting a recent convert family. (they are having a little difficulty staying active so we pass by frequently to help them out) So, the oldest son fights "capoeira". I was talking to him about it and he decided to show me a few things. It was alot of fun.
I am glad that the Lord called me to serve in such a great place.
I know that this church is the only true church of Christ.I know the Lord is able to bless us through the Prophet´s guidance.
take care, i love you all!
tchau,-Elder Matthew Olson
One is named Daniel (he is really big), and he was brought to church by his girlfriend who is an inactive member. They are great people and really love the teachings of the church. We visited him yesterday to mark a baptismal date. He feels unready to be baptised (which is common). He has faith, but he feels that he needs more. So I marked the date anyway and told him that we will have 3 weeks to help him increase his faith in Christ before the baptism! We were preparing for Domácios wedding, but yesterday we learned that he is having some doubts after a fight that he and his "wife" had. He is such an incredible guy and has such great desire to be baptised, but he with either have to marry or leave the house.--------
Ha, the other day we were visiting a recent convert family. (they are having a little difficulty staying active so we pass by frequently to help them out) So, the oldest son fights "capoeira". I was talking to him about it and he decided to show me a few things. It was alot of fun.
I am glad that the Lord called me to serve in such a great place.
I know that this church is the only true church of Christ.I know the Lord is able to bless us through the Prophet´s guidance.
take care, i love you all!
tchau,-Elder Matthew Olson
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
tio neves January 13, 2010
Hey family,
I was glad to hear that we got a new addition to the family this week!!! Give baby Andy a hug for me.
Well it has been a good week. Our zone conference was yesterday, and I was able to see Elder Dinwiddie again...WOW! He is already speaking portuguese so well! It surprised me alot.
So over the past week we have been working with a man called Domácio and his wife. They are very interested in the church and love our visits. Monday night we visited him and he practically marked his own baptism with us. He is so excited to become a member of the church. We talked about marrage, and a few other things that he will have to do in order to be baptised (like stop smoking).But he is very determined and knows that the church is true.... and really that´s all that you need.
Things are going well here for me. On Sunday the church was completely full and we had almost all of our investigators there as well. There must have been over 200. Right now I am in Estância(his first area), and will spend the day visiting some old friends and converts.
Well, love you guys. Take care.
-Elder Olson
I was glad to hear that we got a new addition to the family this week!!! Give baby Andy a hug for me.
Well it has been a good week. Our zone conference was yesterday, and I was able to see Elder Dinwiddie again...WOW! He is already speaking portuguese so well! It surprised me alot.
So over the past week we have been working with a man called Domácio and his wife. They are very interested in the church and love our visits. Monday night we visited him and he practically marked his own baptism with us. He is so excited to become a member of the church. We talked about marrage, and a few other things that he will have to do in order to be baptised (like stop smoking).But he is very determined and knows that the church is true.... and really that´s all that you need.
Things are going well here for me. On Sunday the church was completely full and we had almost all of our investigators there as well. There must have been over 200. Right now I am in Estância(his first area), and will spend the day visiting some old friends and converts.
Well, love you guys. Take care.
-Elder Olson
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tchiliko!!! 1/06/2010
Hey gang,well the new year has definately come and it is as HOT as ever!!!!!
I want to start this year off right, so mom.. if you could send me a birthday list, with the name and birthdate of all it would be much appreciated.
Today I went with Elder Deurden to the Aquarium here in Aracajú, and then visited the Art and Cultural Center on the Orlã. I will have to send pictures later. But it was great. Elder Deurden and I talked alot, about pretty much everything and he has been talking to me about going to BYU after the mission. Which was something that I had been thinking about before. If you guys could look into applying at BYU for me, that would be great, I think that I need some more details too, if possible.
On monday we had a great day of work, marking some new baptisms! We met a great guy named Domácio that is really interested in the church and has already been reading a Book of Mormon that was given to him some time ago.
We were also invited to a Family Home Evening of an inactive 19 yr. old kid named Alderlã that has made the decision to return to church and prepare for a mission. He invited all of his friends and family to the meeting. We left a spiritual message, and had a few games. We will get alot of fruits through this young man.
On Tuesday we lit the zone on FIRE during the zone meeting! The president had changed alot of things on the mission to help the missionaries work more effectively, and everyone is excited.
I have been able to see that it is through humility we are able to progress and can become better people and better disciples of Christ. I can see that there are so many things that I have learned here that will be able to help me later in life. I think that everything changes when we realize that, many times we are not here to be taught or helped by others, but that we are here to do that for them.
I know that this gospel is true and that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
Hope all is well back home.
I love you all a bunch
valeu,-Elder Olson
I want to start this year off right, so mom.. if you could send me a birthday list, with the name and birthdate of all it would be much appreciated.
Today I went with Elder Deurden to the Aquarium here in Aracajú, and then visited the Art and Cultural Center on the Orlã. I will have to send pictures later. But it was great. Elder Deurden and I talked alot, about pretty much everything and he has been talking to me about going to BYU after the mission. Which was something that I had been thinking about before. If you guys could look into applying at BYU for me, that would be great, I think that I need some more details too, if possible.
On monday we had a great day of work, marking some new baptisms! We met a great guy named Domácio that is really interested in the church and has already been reading a Book of Mormon that was given to him some time ago.
We were also invited to a Family Home Evening of an inactive 19 yr. old kid named Alderlã that has made the decision to return to church and prepare for a mission. He invited all of his friends and family to the meeting. We left a spiritual message, and had a few games. We will get alot of fruits through this young man.
On Tuesday we lit the zone on FIRE during the zone meeting! The president had changed alot of things on the mission to help the missionaries work more effectively, and everyone is excited.
I have been able to see that it is through humility we are able to progress and can become better people and better disciples of Christ. I can see that there are so many things that I have learned here that will be able to help me later in life. I think that everything changes when we realize that, many times we are not here to be taught or helped by others, but that we are here to do that for them.
I know that this gospel is true and that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
Hope all is well back home.
I love you all a bunch
valeu,-Elder Olson
Quê Lua Quente!!!! 12-30-2009
Just wanted to quickly wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR from the burning wastelands of the Brazilian Sertão!!!!!!!!!!!!!
luv ya,
-E. O.
luv ya,
-E. O.
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