Transfers!

We received this email today...

It´s that time of the transfer again and this time I´m packing my bags! I´m going to an area in Manaus, where I will probably end my mission. Goodbye, Acre! 

I will miss all of the amazing people that I have met in Acre a ton! But changes happen. I thought I was never going to return to Manaus again! I´ll see how it goes. Everyone that got transferred and I will arrive there tonight. 

I don´t have too much time to write, so here are some pictures to look at! (I´m pretty sure most people just look at the pictures anyway)

Love, 

Élder Olivier! 

BTW that is actually a picture of fettuccini alfredo that the bishop´s wife made for me because I was leaving! I almost cried tears of joy when I ate it! It turned out exactly  right!

Páscoa

We received this email April 17.

This week we could remember a little more about the meaning behind Easter. This Sunday my companion and I had a unique opportunity to teach Gospel Principles and to give talks in both of our wards. We were just about losing our voices afterwards. But it was a cool experience to reflect a little about the Savior and his atonement and resurrection. The bishop in one of our wards asked us to talk about the inportance of general conference, where we hear the voice of the Savior´s chosen prophet and his twelve apostles. Christ resurrected on the third day and today He lives! He literally guides us through modern-day prophets, and general conference is where we have a chance to learn from their teachings. I know that Christ lives and that he calls prophets to guide us. 

The work is going great here. Progress comes slow and steady at times, but when we work hard it always comes. 

Have a great week! 

Love,

Élder Olivier!

Some photos:

The best pizza in Acre- chocolate/coconut pizza, doritos pizza (it doesn´t get any more american than that) and classic brazilian cheese

Elder Castro eating xarutos (rice and meat wrapped in this one kind of brazilian leaf/thing)

Chillin on pday

Banana trees and other great things

We received this email on April 10.

Strange how fast time flies. I feel like I blinked and suddenly I was a year and 8 months into my mission. Every day is a new adventure. 

This week we mainly focused on finding new people to teach, which is always a challenge. We invited all of the members at lunch to think of people that we can teach, and we even went to the seminary class one night (yes, night- not to be confused with 5:45 AM) to challenge the students to invite friends to come to church. We´ll see where that goes. 

I´ve been thinking a lot lately about the General Conference that we had two weeks ago. Tons of inspired speakers. President Monson talked about the importance of having charity, which is Christ-like love for others. Love is one of the main attributes of God, and to really come to know who God is we must love as he loves. The best way to know who God is is by living as He and and his Son do. That´s a challenge but through the power of the atonement it´s possible!

Boa semana para todos! Amo vocês!

Élder Olivier