Hey Family!
The MTC is great, but it is also alot of work. Every day I get up at 6:30 and then go to bed at 10:30ish, I try hitting 10:30 but usually get somewhere between then and 10:45. Portuguese is going wonderful, on my first day I walked into my classroom and my teacher was only speaking Portuguese which was a little scary because I didn't understand most of it but I did understand somethings which was cool. I've learned so much quicker here than I would have anywhere else which is good because last friday we had our first investigator. His name is Celio and he's a 50 year old ex-pastor who lives in Belem. I was nervous thinking that I wouldn't be able to understand anything that he said and that we weren't going to be able to give a lesson for a full 45 minutes but it turned out awesome and we hit just about 45 minutes. I definitely felt like I had the gift of tongues then because I wasn't able to speak as well before and then the words just flowed when it came time. I am super grateful that I was able to have a Spanish background because it has definitely helped me in learning portuguese because they are similar. We are just going through the lessons in order with Celio and last night he accepted the invitation to be baptized which was amazing because I know that it wasn't because of anything that me and my companion said and it was the Spirit.
Now to tell you about my companion. His name is Elder Walch and is from Tigard Oregon which is near Portland. He went to BYU and is a major runner guy. Like he was only one place away from making the BYU track team and stuff. But he's a really chill guy and knows a bunch of people here and is in the same ward as one of my EFY friends from there which was funny. I'm currently the senior companion btw and it's pretty cool.
My district is amazing. We have Elder Brown, Elder McIntire, Elder King, Elder Thurston, Elder Walch, Elder McGrath, Elder Robinson, Elder Clark, Elder Linfesty and myself. Last Sunday me and Elder Thurston sang the Spirit of God in Sacrament Meeting with two other sisters, because they needed a musical number and that was fun. And I did the electronic part of my visa today and so i will be getting it 2-3 weeks at the earliest, and my whole district are like me and are all visa waiters. The Elders in my district all joke around and say that I'm going to be translated and that I should take them with me as I go.
So far since I've been here I've seen a couple friends from up at BYU-Idaho and also Hermana Foster who is leaving for Peru tomorrow (Aaron and Karalee write her!), Elder Ostler and Elder Perry.
So unlike everyone else I don't especially enjoy the MTC food, which makes me just about the same as my district. I did for the first few days but now its lost its savor to my tongue I guess I don't like sugary fatty processed foods and yea...everyother meal tastes good but most of it is starting to not really have a rich taste anymore, but i am grateful and I do eat.
So I need you to send me my immunizations card and also my yellow fever card (I had it last in the Denali it may be in the center console), because they need those and yea...its muy importante. Also send me my Patriarchial blessing and some jeans and t shirts that I can use for pday clothes and service projects. Preferably my blue hollister one because I like it. I'll have a list of forgotten things that i'll be sure to send you via mail. Speaking of which I love mail. Handwritten letters are the best but typed are nice too. Since coming here I've recieved two postcards from Grandpa Olsen which I am most grateful for and also a DearElder letter from Aunt Melanie. (Dear Elder is an online website where you type it all out and they'll deliver it the same day or the next day and it costs as much as a stamp, I would recommend using it if you are forgetful and/or want a letter written back to you).
To whoever sent me cookies yesterday, thank you. I would say thank you specifically, however the cookies came anonymously and so I have no sure idea who sent them, so for whoever sent them please come forward and write me a letter letting me know it was you :).
The paper and pens that we got at walgreens before I went in has been an amazing help to me with journal writing and also with note taking.
I don't have Grandma's email address and so I would be most appreciative if you could send it over this week and also remember that the only address that I have is our home address and so if you want a letter then you have to write me (cough cough...charlotte billy aaron and karalee)
Remember to forward this email out to the list of people from Facebook! And also write on Facebook telling them to write me.
I am so grateful for the opporutity that I have to serve here and I'm greatful for all the blessings which I've been recieving here. The Spirit is strong and I've found that if I want to be able to learn I have to have the Spirit with me here.
I love you all and you're in my prayers,
Elder Eric Olsen
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