Hey everyone!  These past two weeks we´ve had family nights at a members house with investigators. We always try to have a family night every Monday to introduce investigators to the members. I was in charge of the game. I remembered a really fun easy game that Krista showed us in the long lines at Disney World. It was an iPhone app, but I was able to manage with sticky notes. I wrote a different animal name on a bunch of different sticky notes then stuck one on everyone´s forehead. (You can see everyone’s animal except the one on your forehead.) We had to guess what animal we were by taking turns asking yes or no questions. Everyone loved it!  It was a fun time.

Family nights are very important to help bring our families closer together. I still remember having family night as a kid. Even though I don´t remember what was taught or what we did, I remember having them. Even when I was in high school, I remember mom and dad gathering everyone together to have family night. Even though I was usually on my phone the whole time and only thinking about when it would be over, I remember having them. It´s so important to set traditions in the families early on because the kids remember. In the Book of Mormon, we always hear the phrase “tradition of their fathers”. It only took one generation for the Lamanites to turn completely against the Nephites; just because that´s what the parents taught their kids. I never really understood “traditions of their fathers” until my mission.

Literally, everything in this life depends on the traditions of your parents. Monkey see, monkey do… as I like of think. We always see and hear so much on the mission that directly relates to the “tradition of their fathers”. Kids grow up thinking that things are right and normal because they see their parents doing it or teaching it. The funniest thing we hear on a daily basis is: “I was born catholic and I´ll die catholic. My father was catholic, his father was catholic, and the father of my father was catholic” haha. This is a perfect example of what the Book of Mormon warns us about. Here is what happened to the people of Zarahemla because of the traditions of their fathers:

“Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers.

 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ.

 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.

And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God.”  (Mosiah 26:1-4)

Love,

Elder Olsen

My favorite part of the week was Saturday because we traveled to another city for a conference with an area General Authority, Elder Shmeil. I always like traveling inside the mission because it reminds me of all our family vacations and travels. We usually travel by bus but sometimes the mission rents a van and driver that picks up missionaries. Every city has a bus station with really nice comfy busses that take you anywhere. You can always catch a bus, you don´t need to buy a ticket ahead of time or anything.

It´s getting a bit cooler, but not freezing (Freezing for the Brazilians’, though). The sweaters I have are perfect for the temperature, and it´s only once in a while that I need a sweater. Usually, it´s still super hot.

We met some tartarugas at our lunch appointment this week! They carried my Book of Mormon for me haha.  At members’ houses, we eat rice and beans every single day.  And then they always have some sort of meat and salad. And about the pizza…..Brazillian pizza is a little different. First of all, the crust isn´t as thick as American pizza and they don´t use as much sauce under the cheese, if at all.    And they don´t have pepperoni pizza. The most popular pizza is calabresa and onion. Calabresa is a really cheap meat like sausage. Still not exactly sure what it´s made out of!  haha

Love,

Elder Olsen

The Tartaruga is helping us preach!

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!!! My first birthday in the mission was a bit weird. Never had a birthday like it before! Usually, I hang out with friends and go do something crazy, but this year I couldn’t. The missionary work can´t stop. We worked all day, like normal, most of the time forgetting it was my birthday. And no one knows it´s your birthday except your companion (and luckily he was nice and let some people know). At night we went to a members house for some cake and to sing Happy Birthday. And the night before Elder F. and I ordered pizza and made cookies!! I also opened some packages that I received for my birthday with lots of goodies inside:D The musical card you and dad sent was hilarious! hahaha  And I´ve already used the dog whistle–the dogs all look at me funny haha! It was a one-of-a-kind birthday!

We taught the Restoration several times this week. I´m getting lots of practice with it! Portuguese is still coming along everyday! Thanks for everything!

Love,

Elder Olsen

Email isn’t working this week.  Above is a picture of the ward mission leader and his family from the last area.  In our current area, we walk the tracks a lot because it´s faster to go between neighborhoods!