Elder Nielson left the Brazil MTC and made it to the "field" and is
successfully living with a new companion, Elder M.
His wonderful mission leaders, President, and sister Morrin
welcomed him with open arms to his new area on his new assignment.
I sent him a package because he was DYING for peanut butter.
From Ollie:
Olá, tudo bem?
I've felt nothing but joy, excitement, and ambition ever since I got here at the CTM.
Less than a week left here, and I could not be more excited to go.
I love it here, and I've been really enjoying myself.
I've got a rad companion, an amazing district, and the best teachers,
but I'm anxious to get out in the field.
Portuguese is challenging, as is all languages, but being fully immersed with
Brazilian elders, sisters, teachers, faculty, staff, presidency, and more,
make learning so much easier and more effective.
Our last week here is only português.
We're not allowed to speak English at all, even to our
fellow companions, district members, and missionaries.
It's been tough, but oh well, I couldn't be happier to be at the Brazil CTM.
Carbs, carbs, carbs. The food is actually pretty here at the CTM.
Although it's the same thing every single day (I'm going crazy),
We've gotten creative, making new variations.
The food will be so much better out in the field.
I'd say my favorite thing here is either pão de queijo or Guarana.
We all drink Guarana like we breathe air. It's nuts.
My companion and our district are the best. We get along so well.
We have the best time learning and teaching together.
We've met so many good people, including missionaries
from Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, etc.... they obviously only
speak Spanish, but português and Spanish have
been close enough to play sports, games, and team-teach together.
I've had so many spiritual experiences while here.
Going to the Brazilian temples, giving blessings to fellow elders and sisters,
teaching, watching conferences, etc...
But what keeps me centered, focused, organized, and in tune with the spirit is...
1. Jesus is the answer to everything
2. "Be still" Stop and listen to the spirit often.
3. The Book of Mormon is a powerful tool,
combined with the spirit, the best tool to teach and touch hearts.
Reading the Book of Mormon, writing in my journal, and my teachers make me happy.
I love the people here, my teachers and friends. It's gonna be rough to leave.
Every day is a little bit different, but...
We get up at 6:30
Study until 7:45
Breakfast at 7:50
First class at 8:30 until lunch (preach my gospel)
Lunch 12:30
Second class at 1:00pm (language)
Study/devotional/service, etc... whatever we're doing that day at 4:00
Dinner at 6:00
Study at 7:00
Physical activity at 8:10
Get ready for bed at 9:10
Bed in at 10:30
Fun stuff-
-Brazilians love this Herb drink called Chimarrão.
I actually really like it. They let you try it in this fancy-looking cup and metal straw.
Honestly not so sure if it's missionary-approved cause
It has caffeine quantity similar to tea in it, but oh well...
-Futebol is life here. And we're not allowed to play it because
Brazilians get too competitive, haha. It's OK, though, cause I smoke them in basquete.
-Theirs no such thing as "looking like a Brazilian."
They are all so diverse. Some are very black, some are just darker,
some have fair skin, and even some look like their Scandinavian.
(One of our elders saw this one sister who had blonde hair,
super fair skin, and blue eyes, and he thought she was American,
so he started a conversation; however, she was Brazilian and couldn't speak English.
It was super funny; he was so embarrassed).
-Brazilians don't use milk in their cereal. They use strawberry yogurt.
And frosted flakes with strawberry yogurt are actually muito bom.
