"Elder Johnson" and "Solutions? Or more problems?"

 Monday, October 28, 2024; Floresta Ward, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil:

Ooooooppaaa Hello to all of y'all! How are you all doing? Como vai?

So, this week was pretty good but packed. 

First, I went to the airport and picked up my new companion, Elder Johnson. He's from the USA as well, from Oregon. He's on his 3rd transfer (set of 6-weeks).

A big miracle of the week.... I'm finally legal! [Here in Brazil! ️ So when I first arrived in Brazil, I went to the police department to get my Visa extended. That worked out fine. Only problem is... I think the mail isn't very good here... it is the Amazon of course. No, I'm just kidding.  Sounds like it's decent. But whatever the case, my document never arrived. Finally, I went back [to the Police Station] and requested a new one because the first one never arrived. Anyways, I have it now!

Another dupla of Elders had to stay in our house for a few days, that was fun :)

I got to see lots more cows grazing this week. 

As my comp said, the streets are dangerous. That's because-at least here in this city-youth got into Orbes guns. Basically, a gun that shoots a small liquidy gel ball. I've actually never used one before but... almost got shot a few times this week. It is a little funny seeing kids running around in the heat but with thick sweaters to protect themselves. 

More sun and rain, hot and medium hot.

This week there was a youth worldwide devotional [from our church] featuring a few people including Elder Soares, one of the 12 Apostles, from here (Brazil). He was in Rio de Janeiro near the Christ Redeemer Statue. 

The 2025 church youth album also came out this week in English. Always super cool!  Can't wait for the Portuguese version! 

( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/music/look-unto-christ-2025-youth-album?lang=eng )

This week I thought a lot about solutions. For each problem or difficulty, there can be many possible solutions, some temporary, others long-lasting or partial. Often, we want to solve the problem but try solving it the wrong way. 

This would be like a popular video I remember, of a man who bought a cellphone. He used it until it had no more power. Then he bought a new one, and kept doing this until one day he found out you could recharge cellphones. He looked speechless at a box full of dead phones he had bought. 

Sometimes we look for solutions where there aren't any. We can look at our problems and choose to drink or smoke, thinking we are escaping our problems. But no, we are making even more of them. We can be tired and look to substances and energy drinks, thinking it will help us be more awake and do more. But that will make it all worse. 

Like getting stuck in a pit, we can't climb up and out, or down and think we are escaping. 

Just like with a pit, the only real way to escape is up. In life, the only way by which we can return to Heaven and live with our Father in Heaven is through Christ. Jesus Christ is the only name whereby salvation cometh. 

You can look to other people, places, nations or events. You can do anything you want. That's a gift we have. But our gift of choosing cannot control the consequences of our actions. So, we must look to the future. Make the correct decisions. Look to Christ and follow His example. Follow His commandments. Love others. Do Good to all. Be a light to the world. 

I personally am trying to do that. As a missionary my life is very different than any of yours. My "job" is to help people find the correct solutions to their problems. Full time. Anyone and everyone. I don't choose one person over another. Anyone interested can talk to my comp and me. We just want people to be blessed. To get on the path that Christ established.

So, to all of you.... find lasting solutions. ***Follow Christ and His example!***

That's it for this week!

 LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS... 

I will respond to them... even if it takes a few weeks ;)

Love y'all! 

Elder David Olson

Missão Brasil Manaus Sul

Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil

Ala Floresta 

Pics-

-Youth movie night with Popcorn

-Elder Johnson, my new companion 

-Avocado bigger than a grapefruit

-Sunset on a brick road