Last Week in the Baltimore Mission

Oi gente!

This last week in Chambersburg went by fast. It's crazy to think I'm  leaving this week. We had my last zone conference in this mission, and also a stake conference on Sunday. The Stake conference was actually the creation of a new stake, so a 70, Elder Calderwood, came to form the new stake. It was streamed on YouTube,  and we don't have access to that. So, we got to go to a members house to watch it. There were some good messages shared, and it was cool to see the forming of a new stake.

Other than that, last P-day we got to go to Gettysburg to see some memorials and battlefields, and today we are going to Cowans gap state park to hike. We also found out today that a bunch of restrictions are being liftedI have loved my time in Chambersburg and the Maryland, Baltimore mission. I am so grateful that I was able to come here and meet so many wonderful people. Next time I write, I'll be in Brazil!

Spiritual thought: This week is a great time to remember the sacrifice our Savior made for us, and his resurrection. I invite you all to find something you can improve #startingtoday

NOTE from his mom: Elder Olson leaves for Brazil on Thursday, April 1st and arrives on Friday afternoon back in his original mission of  Goiania. He is really looking forward to it and spent the week getting ready. He had to ship home all his winter clothes, suits, boots and coat along with his guitar. I had to send him his Portuguese Bible, Portuguese study books, more white short sleeve shirts, and a few odds and ends. We are praying he travels safely and has positive, safe experiences there in Brazil.

Photos:

1. Gettysburg eternal flame of peace monument

2. Gettysburg Pennsylvania Civil war monument (we went on top of it too, but I don't have pictures)

3 & 4. The Temple barn, where Sydney Rigdon and his followers used to meet

2. Gettysburg Pennsylvania Civil war monument (we went on top of it too, but I don't have pictures)

5. P-day activity

6 - 9. We went out to Cowans Gap State Park, hiked a little, and explored. My mom camped here with her family when she was a little girl since they lived not too far away.

VERY unexpected changes!

Oi pessoal!

This week the craziest thing happened. So, we had interviews with President Nye, and nothing special happened. But then, like 4 hours later, I got a call from President Nye and he told me that I'm going back to Brazil on April 1st!!!!!! I was so shocked, I didn't know what to say. So yeah, that's super exciting. I guess I should have waited to buy a guitar haha. Sadly, I'll miss Kaci's baptism, but I'm still excited. 

We also got to go on in person exchanges with the zone leaders this week. It was fun, I went with Elder Lund and we got to help someone move. We didn't have a ton of lessons this week, but we did get to have 2 in-person lessons with Kaci. She is progressing well, but still hasn't come to church. Please keep her in your prayers so that she can reach her goal of being baptized on April 10th.

Spiritual thought: D&C 52:17 "And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you." 

Humility is not weak! As we humble ourselves before God, and submit to his will, he will make us strong. Be humble.

Photos:

1. We made chicken stuffed soft pretzels

2. We went way out to a graveyard in the middle of nowhere to do billion graves, and I found this sign

3. District picture

4. District picture

Fake Spring

There were a few nice days this week, but it has started to be cold again. The sun has been out a lot more though so that's nice. 

We got to meet with Kaci again this week. She is doing good, and we are trying to help her with her church attendance, prayer, and scripture study. Sadly, something came up last minute and she wasn't able to come to church. But, Jerome watched church again on zoom so that's good (He is the Facebook pastor we found, I think I talked about him last week).

Other than that, it was a pretty normal week.

Spiritual thought: I have recently been studying humility, and I came across this scripture.

1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."

I think this verse is referring to those who are prideful. We should not think we are all that just because of the worldly wisdom we have. It is nothing compared to the wisdom of God. We must be willing to humble ourselves and submit to his will because he knows best.

Pictures:

1. The local dispensary (yes mom, the picture is just a joke )

2 & 3.  A cool one-way bridge on the Pennsylvania backroads 

Unexpected Changes

Hello everybody,

This week has been kinda crazy. It started off strong with a baptismal invitation. We invited Kaci to be baptized on April 10th and she accepted! She is so excited and we are as well. It was the last lesson I taught with Elder Giles, and the best lesson we ever taught together

On Wednesday, we were supposed to get 2 new people, but it ended up that we just got my new companion, Elder Jacob. So, we were in a trio with Elder Faimalo, and we got put in a different district, so I wasn't the district leader anymore. We reorganized the whole house for three people and stuff as well. Then, one day into the transfer, we get a call that a different Elder is coming in to be companions with Elder Faimalo. We had to rush to reorganize the whole house again, and Friday night Elder Sedan got here. Now, I am district leader again and things are back to normal.

Anyways, the week was crazy but good. My new companion, Elder Jacob, is a great missionary. We are excited for this transfer.

Spiritual thought: In my studies, this verse stuck out to me: Helaman 7:16 "Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?" 

We should not give in to the temptations of the devil. There are so many things that may seem like they might bring us joy, but all the temptations of Satan are meant to drag us down. He wants us to be miserable like him. Why would anyone want that? I sure don't. Don't give in to the enticings of the devil, follow Christ, and find true joy!

Photos:

I've been really bad at taking pictures recently, sorry. But here's a couple

1. Elder Jacob and I (we used this picture for a free Bible ad)

2. Kaci, Elder Giles, and I (we weren't wearing masks because we all had already had covid, so don't roast me please)

3. For an early early early birthday present, my parents chipped in with me on a guitar so I will have one to play for the rest of my mission (and beyond).