Transfers, and 100 years

 Monday, September 9, 2024; Floresta, Rio Bronco, Acre, Brazil:

Eai meus amigos, mais uma semana daqui, da Floresta Amazonas! Eu estou muito bem, sendo muito abençoado!

Another week, honestly not too unusual. This week my comp Elder Nascimento and I worked a bunch, lots of lessons fell through, a little depressing from that aspect. But that led to other lessons and meeting new people. Lots of tiny cool experiences and miracles. But here's some of the things from my week!

It was also another week full of smoke, fumes. Apparently burning up fields and land isn't good for the air quality. Who would've guessed? 

One day it rained super hard. That helped wipe away the fumes and smoke... for the rest of that day. The next day it returned in full force. 

Saturday night was fun because it was the Brazilian Independence day. Being a holiday, weekend night, even if everyone wasn't partying, the air quality got super bad. So we went and helped some ward members clean the chapel. 

We've been working with and teaching several youth who have been coming to seminary. Working on preparing them for baptism. Awesome to see people learning and changing as they better understand God's plan for them. Two of them are Ian and Ketlen. Makes me reflect more and more on the basic principles that I've always taken for granted, but actually make such a difference in our lives and decisions.

Transfers! Today we had transfers, and my companion Elder Nascimento left for another City, Porto Velho. My New companion will be Elder Santos, a Brazilian. Should be a good transfer!

This week President Russel M. Nelson, the Prophet, turned 100 years old! They had a celebration event for him, which was broadcast to the whole world. During this celebration, several family members and friends spoke. They spoke about what he has done and the impact he has had on his family, friends and the world. As I reflected on their words, I found it very interesting. 

When I think of the words of wisdom and revelation given by the prophet, I think of his promises. Of the condional blessings we can receive by following God. Of the lack of blessings and difficulties that may arise from disobeying and straying from God's path. In other words, about CONSEQUENCES. On the one hand, President Nelson has always emphasized the consequences, good and bad, from our actions. But also, as spoken by many (if not all!) of the speakers at the celebration, President Nelson is remarkable in the love that he shows for others, his family, friends.

From his example, we can learn that even as we help others understand the consequences of their actions, we must always do so with love. That through our help, we must uplift others, and help bring them to an understanding of what they must do. This applies especially to parents with their children, or older siblings to younger. But also with any of us, we must always help our family and friends become better, helping them understand their responsibilities and the consequences, but leaving them with a surety that we love them, and want the best for them. That's my invitation this week. 

Do Good. Love is Why. 

That's its, love y'all!

Elder David Olson️

Missão Brasil Manaus Sul

Pics-

-Our ward's Bishop 

-Family Home Evening with Denis

-Brick roads

-Fumaça and cows