Coming Home!

Hey everyone!

I don't have much time today, but I just wanted to send one last email before my mission ends. I should be seeing many of you soon! This last week we worked really hard, and on my last proselyting day, we had a baptism! It was the son of a less active member who had turned 9, and they wanted to have the baptism this week, so we taught him everything and baptized on Sunday. I worked hard until the last minute and feel so blessed for the opportunity I had to serve here in Brazil, and in the States. I have learned more during my mission than during the rest of my life. I have learned to be patient, humble, charitable, and countless other things. 

I am grateful for all of you that have supported me in this wonderful journey!

Love you all,

Elder Olson

Peseverar até o fim - Persevere to the end

Hi everyone!

We had a pretty busy week. We didn't have any in-person exchanges, but we did do one online. Basically, we just joined in on a few lessons of another companionship in our zone. Anyways, other than that, not too much going on. We have been working super hard to try and prepare people for baptism so that we can have at least one this transfer. 

I don't know if you all remember, but my mission president gave us a goal of 40. Sadly, we did not reach that goal. Some of you may be thinking, why in the world was their goal so freaking big? Well, that's a good question. I have realized that because my President gave me this really huge goal, I have been more focused and have worked harder than ever before. This transfer has been so fun and has flown by. 

Spiritual thought: I would like to bear my testimony that as we worthily serve, God can use us as an instrument in his hands to help others and save souls. This week, we talked with 3 different people who were contemplating suicide. The Holy Spirit guided us in each one of these different situations. One of which, we ran to her house to give her a priesthood blessing. I know that the power of the priesthood is real. In the blessing, God gave me the exact words that I needed to say to help this woman. If my companion and I had not been paying attention to the promptings of the spirit this week, these 3 people may not have received the help they needed. I know that as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, God will use us to bless his children. There is no greater joy than the joy that comes from serving the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Photos:

1. Rodizio churrascaria!!! (Basically Tucanos)

2-5 A cool park to the side of the restaurant 

Zone Conferences and Downtown

Oi gente!

This week was good, it started off with zone conference. We did a lot of roleplays to practice teaching, and I had to do lots of them in front of everyone. I was kinda nervous, but it was good and everyone learned a lot. After Zone conference, we had exchanges. This time, I went to the assistant area in downtown Goiânia. It's a cool area. We took advantage of the fact that lunch was close to the Goiás soccer team stadium, and I bought myself a Jersey. 

The work in our area was a bit more difficult this week. Sadly, it is looking like we won't be able to teach Erik anymore because of some problems. But, we were able to find some really awesome people. Also, we received the referral of a pastor who lives in Goianira, and we might be able to go and preach in his church this next week! We are keeping our fingers crossed, because that would be an excellent opportunity to find new people in Goianira.

Spiritual thought: At Zone Conference, President Piros talked a lot about "widening our vision". It reminded me of what I learned at Timberline: "vision is what future success looks like." If we want to succeed, we have to really see the possibilities, and then set goals to achieve our vision. Without vision, we can't progress.

Photos!!!!

1-2 Zone conference

3. Reunited with Elder Arias 

4. Exchanges (in front of the Goiás team stadium)

5. Exchanges 

City of Churches

Hi everyone!

We started this week off with a good ol' exchange. We traveled about an hour and a half by bus to a city called Annapolis to do exchanges with the district leader there. Fun fact: Annapolis  is the city with the most churches in the world. I worked with Elder Pedroso. We spent most of the day walking, because he had marked some lessons super far away. But, it was a good time. I had never been there before so it was cool to see something new. Also, the bus station on the way home has Burger King, so we definitely took advantage of that.

We also had to walk to Erik's house and back this week, on the eternal dirt road. This time, we took a bit of a different route, and got chased by a huge dog so that was fun Haha. Sadly, the appointment fell through, so the Journey was not a huge success. Also, we are going to have to remark his baptism due to some minor problems. But, we had 5 people at church this week! We were happy about that.

Spiritual thought: Doctrine and Covenants 62:1 "Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."  God knows our weaknesses. He understands us completely and wants to help us overcome our temptations!

Photos!!

1. Burger King

2. Chimarrão (also known as maté, I used to hate it, but I have been converted)

3. Exchange with Elder Pedroso

A Bird Pooped on my Head

Opa meus amigos, tudo bem?

We had an awesome week! It was supposed to start out with an exchange, but the other Elders got sick, and we couldn't risk it. But, we still had to go almost all the way to their area to drop off a Book of Mormon for one of our new friends. We had to walk about an hour and twenty minutes to get there, and most of that we were just on the same dirt road that went on for eternity. But it was all worth it. 

Our friend, Erik, read some of the Book of Mormon and received an answer to his prayer that it is true! He is preparing to be baptized on August 1st! We also started teaching his stepdad and younger brother. All three of them came to Church on Sunday, which was awesome! His stepdad, Wilson, had actually been to church with other missionaries years ago and said that he was so happy to visit again. Please keep them in your prayers so that they can progress towards baptism.

We have been working super hard to find people in the neighboring city, Goiania, to start a branch there. Sadly, not all of our ideas have worked out. We tried doing an online event on Sunday night and invited a bunch of people on Facebook and stuff beforehand, but nobody showed up. But, it happens. We are still working hard and finding success in other ways.

Spiritual thought: In Alma 15, Alma and Amulek receive a message from Zeezrom (Who in the previous chapter had debated against them) asking them to come to him. It says that Alma and Amulek "went immediately." I think this is a great example of what we should do when someone is in need of help. True servants of the Lord are always willing to go and help immediately.

 Photos

1-2. The eternal dirt road. We walked on this road for like 40 minutes... but it's cool because you can see downtown Goiania in the distance.

3. We had to walk for 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Erick's house, and we passed this small airport on the way

4. I had to carry a bunch of groceries home, and as I was walking,  a bird pooped on my head. This photo was captured shortly after Haha.

40 in 6?

Hello everyone!

I am now writing to you from my new area in Goiânia! I am loving this area. There is a TON of work to do. Since we are whitewashing this area, there are a bunch of uncontacted referrals, so we find all of the people we teach from referrals. The members here are also really awesome. We introduced ourselves to most of them on WhatsApp, and a bunch of them passed referrals of people who may be interested. We found a bunch of new people this week and had some very spiritual lessons. 

Our second morning here, the mission president called us. He challenged us to baptize 40 people by the end of the transfer because they are trying to open a branch here. That's quite a few... But we happily accepted the challenge! Please keep us in your prayers so that we can reach this goal! 

On Saturday night, the bishop here called to ask us both to give talks in church the next morning. I was nervous I wouldn't have enough time to prepare my talk, but it went super well. It was probably one of the best talks I've ever given.

Today, (p-day) we are deep cleaning the apartment because it was absolutely disgusting when we got here. I don't think anyone has ever cleaned it.

Anyways, I hope you are doing well and that you enjoyed this longer than normal update!

Spiritual thought: I've probably shared this scripture before, but I wanted to share it again Alma 29:9 "I know that which the Lord has commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself,  but I glory in that which the Lord has commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy" I would like to testify that there is no greater joy than doing that which God commands and helping others repent.

-Elder Olson

Photos!

1. Our first day here (on the balcony of our apartment 

2. Church after our talks

3. Sushi

Father and Son Reunited

Oi pessoal!

Happy Independence day! Living outside of the country has helped me realize how blessed we are to be Americans. Today, I start my final transfer. Surprisingly, I am not staying here in Rio Verde. I will be finishing my mission in Goiânia, and my companion will be Elder Bezerra, my son (I trained him)! It's always so sad to leave an area, but I'm so excited to be companions with Elder Bezerra again! Its going to be a blast.

The work this week was pretty slow, lots of appointments fell through. But, it was still good. Nothing too crazy. I'd like to thank everyone for your prayers for Onaldo, he is recovering well, and his doctor said it's a miracle that he lived through it! 

Spiritual thought: This week we watched a missionary devotional with Elder and Sister Christopherson. Sister Christopherson talked about the principle of "unpacking our bags". For example, whenever the saints had to reestablish, the Lord commanded them to basically act like they were going to stay for a long time, and that made it so they always prospered wherever they went. They put their all into it and labored diligently every time. When we never stop to labor diligently in the service of the Lord (or in any worthy cause) we will prosper.

Thanks to everyone who supports me and writes me! I love hearing from you.

-Elder Olson

Photos:

1. Happy Independence day! (We didn't have a flag, so I drew one.

2-3. Cereal. You all know I love cereal. My companion does too. During the past 2 transfers, we bought basically all the different types of cereal that exist here and rated them from best to worst