Opa, bão?

After the longest day of travel, I made it down here to Goiânia! When we got here, we had dinner at the mission President's house, and got our area assignments! I am going to Rio Verde with Elder Bowen to open an area. Elder Bowen has one less transfer than me and was reassigned, serving in New Jersey. It's going to be interesting because we are both trying to remember our Portuguese haha.

Right now, we are staying with the assistants until Tuesday after zone conference. We watched General Conference at the church on our phone. But, it was really good. There were so many good talks, I can't wait to go back and listen to them all again. 

It is so hot. 

Sadly, due to federal law, we have to wear masks while walking in the street. It makes the heat awful. But, I am so happy to be here. There is a lot of work for us to do, so it is exciting.

Spiritual thought: My favorite session of conference this time was the priesthood session. One thing that stood out to me was when Elder Gifford Nielson talked about how the courageous decisions we make now will affect eternity. We need to have the courage to do what is right. We need to have the courage to serve the Lord, even when it is hard. I invite you all to pray to have that courage.

If any of you have things from conference that you liked, I'd love it if you wrote me an email to share with me!

Photos:

1. Our conference setup (we put the phone next to the microphone for surround sound)

2. Me and my new companion, Elder Bowen

3. A Bakery called "the holy supper" which here means sacrament

4-5. Saying goodbye to the Maryland Baltimore mission 😪

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