Staying in Canguaretama!

Hey Papa!

Sounds like you guys had a super duper weekend! Sounds like a blast! I seriously cant wait to ride a bike again! and with you guys that will be a screamin deal if we all wear mathing jerseys! So...transfers happened...thats the biggest news...and a lot changed!!! Im still here in Canguaretama, the last of the Fantastic Four that started here four and a half months ago...Elder Franco and Elder Broad were transfered...Their area was closed becuase the group of missionaries that arrived was very little the group that left was really big so to compensate the presidente had to close some areas...Im REALLY going to miss them. In these past 4 months we grew very close but life goes on and im excited to live a new chapter of my mission with my new companion from São Paulo, Elder Kutomi! I seem to only get brasileiros from Sao Paulo! With only us two in such a HUGE area we have TONS of work to do and im PUMPED for the challenge. I need something to keep my mind off of home...I still just cried my eyes out in gratitude for being here bearing my testimony last sunday and for knowing these people. Im happy that ill be here for another month or so or maybe two more months. Im super happy that i will pass my birthday here! IM really excited to work with Elder Kutomi! He seems like he is a hard worker! Thats exactly what this area needs! What this Branch needs! Seriously lately i have been reading a lot of scriptures about perserverence and how those that go the extra mile when things are tough achieve miracles... The example of Mormon talking to Moroni (in the book of Moroni) telling him that in spite of so much wickedness and trials they will work extra hard ``diligently`` so that some of the lamanites could be saved is a great example of perserverance. We all need a little perserverance in our lives these days...I love you guys! Have a splendid week!!! Abração Elder M. Howell

Elder Franco...transferred this week

Elder Broad, also transferred...

Elder Kutomi...new companion!

Huge bananas!

Christmas in July...packages made it!!

As mentioned before, we had had a bit of a backlog of stuff that took two tries to get to Andy...well, it looks like it made it!!  

Please forgive me (as in for not writing a lot !)...i have so much to tell you guys but i just get caught up writing to the president...i have so much going on in me head its hard to think sometimes...haha i hope the pictures make up for me lack of writing...oh and  I GOT EVERYTHING YOU GUYS SENT!!! i think...i received 5 little packages with the two freakin awesome soccer jerseys and the three shirts which two of them ive already gave away :P and the japonese treats and the 16 gig memory card...(does it have the caricatures) and the journal...i will try to send you guys two asap...the rubix cubes and Elder olive trees hymn book...what else...the Disney stuff!!!! I loved the little picture of Morgan and Madison! It made me really trunky! hahaha Thank you guys so much for everything!!!! Im doing great! just trying to survive and be super animated...haha still loving this area and the people....There are no words to describe the feelings in  seeing someones life competly hanged by the gospel...a person who has absolutly no desire anymore to what is wrong...Like its described in Mosiah in king benjamins talk when he asked the people how they were feeling about the things he has said and all were touched by the spirit so strong they had `` no more desire to pratice evil```....Im so grateful to be here to give people the chance to be touched by the spirit...i could be happier...even though i miss you guys so much...have a splendid week! Love, Elder Andy 

6 months and Acai!!!

Once in a while we throw 20 Reals into the letters we send...

Andy likes to buy everyone Acai Berry treats with it....

We've had a rough time getting things to Andy...

We've sent two packages that got stuck in customs...they wanted $150 each if Andy picked them up...so we had them sent back to us...then we re-packaged them in smaller little envelope things...apparently only one of those has arrived...hmmm...

Firstly i want to thank you guys immensely for the package i recieved! The package with a white shirt a journal the cd of evanescence that Edler Franco just died happy for...was his early birthday present his birthday is the 7th of september which happens to be independece day of Brasil and the memory cards and yugi oh cards which truly made the birthday of a boy named Matheus who is from that family i wrote to Dana about...We threw a big party for him and i did spend quite a bit for ice cream cake and balloons and hats...I gave two of the cards to Elder Franco as memory cards are ridicoulsly expensive here and he was needing more memory to take pictures and i did give that new white shirt to my companion elder Everton as he only had two shirts, i gave him two shirts in fact...I have a total of six shirts now which is great but i will end up giving another to Anderson a baptism of mine...Speaking of baptisms i recieved the greatest news EVER!!! you guys know the Jefferson (Goiaba is his nickname)  i bapized in Mossoró...He sent his mission papers a month ago and is waiting for his call now!!!!  i
serioulsy almost cried knowing this...made my day....im anxiously waiting for everything that you guys have sent and praying that all arrives safely...it seems like the package i recieved took a month to arrive...My shoes are ending...the heels are falling in...im going to need to buy some new ones...just letting you know....my friend Elder Franco is needing new shoes as well...let me know if you guys will put more money into my account for shoes....Im doing great here, Im just trying to stay animated as im arriving in the hardest stage of the mission perserving these last 6 months....Aquercia a recent convert gave a talk yesterday for the first time in her life in church and she did so great! I so grateful for the gospel and the great freindships we make through it....I miss you guys a ton but i know im in the right place... Love you guys, have a great week...

Abração, Elder ANdy

Fourth of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Fourth of July Ice Cream!

Elder Everton's birthday!

Elder Wilson

New companion...Ele é um ``curto Prazo!``

Andy wrote some personal notes this week...not a whole lot for blogging, but here is what he wrote about his new companion, who is apparently going to be with him for just one transfer.

Things are going great here with my new companion Elder Everton...Turns out

he is a Missionary from Manaus!!! He had to go home for a little while due to a bad knee

and he is easing back into missionary life doing a transfer here in this mission...He is plannin

on heading back to Manaus in Sept....What a trip right. Ive got a companion from another mission!!!

Elder Everton - he is a "short term"!

Me and Elder Kitchen - my first and only American companion!