LAST transfer day! Andy staying put...to wrap it up!

Andy's note to us this week was very short and mostly just some personal stuff and arrangements to talk on Christmas (woo hoo!) but here are some things we gleaned from his note to President Hall, along with some cute pics!

• He took some members/investigators to Stake Conference on a bus that broke down and caused a little delay but overall everyone was good.
• He is not transferring or changing companions...he'll finish his mission out where his is and he seems happy!
• A new Elder came into their District with this transfer.

Bus ride to Stake Conference!



Andy and Elder Elverton who he hadn't seen in 4 months.



The parents with their children,
the youngest duckling of the group, Elder E. Souza! 
Elder Gomez was made a trainer!





Andy and his pink camera
(his old one broke and he
bought this one a while ago)

Andy has the Spirit of Aloha!

Oi Dana!!!

Feliz Aniversário!!! Parabéns!!! Happy Birthday!!!  I hope you had a great sunday birthday! I sure had a great sunday yesterday! I baptized a young man named Felipe whose 16 years old. He´s Cristovão´s neighbor, literally right beside his house, like their houses are glued together. Felipe looks like a rebellious one but he is a real down to earth guy, really sees the importance the gospel can have in his life. The Book of Mormon and Cristóvão played a huge role in his conversion...We taught Felipe mostly with Cristóvão and it was just so cool hearing Cristóvão testify of the truth! They both LOVE to play guitar and they are serious fans of Classic Rock! There is a member here named Will who is a guitar teacher who has become a big friend of theirs...Felipe is going to feel right at home with the guys here...lots of them play guitar. I have high hopes for him...We had a great week! As i mentioned in my email to the President, Felipe brought a friend (Sárvio) to church and i believe that Sarvio liked it a lot. Im so happy to see how the Gospel is influencing their lives  and how they are sharing it already! I beared my testimony yesterday and i realized that it was my second to last time as a missionary...I cant describe how i feel...I know that im going to just pass the next testimony meeting crying...haha Anyways...Last email i said that this decision to where to go to college was going to be the hardest of my life...well i lied...Hawaii!!! Here I COME!!! I thought and prayed a bunch...I just feel good about Hawaii and every way possible...not just because its Hawaii...but i just feel like its the place for me....My planner even before i knew i was acepted is decked out hawaiin style...I put one of  those temple cards you sent me on the front... SO go ahead and sign me up for Hawaii!!! :) Who knows...maybe after a transfer over there ill go to Idaho....I know my friends are not going to like me for this and its a big sacrifice of fun and good times i know i would have with them, but there are plenty of new people to get to know.

Love, Elder ANdy

 

Felipe's Baptism!

Cristóvão - Andy has this young man doing a painting

that he's bringing home for a gift for the family!

Andy is re-gifting a banner we sent him back in Sept!!

 

Great week...great pics!

Oi!!! meus queridos!

This week was splendid! Yesterday really just put the cherry on top! and why you might ask??? because yesterday was sunday which is my favorite day of the week and becuase of two things that happened at church yesterday!  First Lucas came to church all dressed up in a white shirt and tie and i didnt recongnize him at first. It was so great and funny to see him all dressed up. Sadly i didnt have my camera with me so ill take a picture with him next week! Secondly was the baptism of  our buddy Cristóvão!!! His baptism was really nice because he said it has been sometime that he has been needing guidance or ``Equilibrium`` as he would say in his life and im so glad to have experienced the moment of a ``new beginning`` for him. His story is interesting as he was born here in Patos but grew up mostly in Rio de Janeiro then moved back here when his parents seperated. His mom is a member there in Rio and he has had a lot of contact with the church but never arrived to point of seriously thinking about being baptized. The time was right for him when we first met him one afternoon looking for another address from a man we ended up never finding. It was a really nice baptismal meeting and was especially sweet for Elder Villela being it his first baptism in the mission! I know that this Church is true and that it provides true happiness in this life. I love you all and have a great week! Elder ANdy M. Howell

Cristovao's Baptism!!



The District of the Almighty Ducks!!

 

Ping Pong anyone??

Hi, my name is Elder!

Excited for Parker, happy for his Lucas!

Òla Dana! 

Oh my goodness!!! Im so excited for Parker!!!!!! We will have to give him a suprise visit someday in St. George because I will not go 4 years without seeing my goofy goon!!! Gosh thats so exciting! I hope hes excited!

 

Im doing great here just super really. Super content and full of thanks to our Heavenly Father for having blessed me so much these past two years...Lucas our latest convert is doing stupendous and will be a great light unto his family. Things are way complicated in his family but thanks to the Gospel everyone is having a huge change of heart. I just cant tell you how amazing it is to see the change in someone. His mom Alexandra whom we are starting to teach with her ``husband`` Valtair, she has the strong desire to be baptized but she is not married. So we will do all we can to teach according to God´s will that Valtair will see the importance of marriage and how much his family can be blessed. Their names on the temple roll will do miracles...Alexandra, Valtair, Willians and Deusilita and Laurencio...Lucas is excited to go tracting with us this week! I love this Gospel so much! Elder Villela and I are super excited to be working together and are ready to be molded in the Lord´s hands. We are roasting are bodies trying to invite others unto Christ. We have two families possible to marry and Cristovão also who is just one of the coolest guys  i have met in my mission that is preparing to be baptized the 18th! Plz put him on the roll as well. I love you and wish everyone a splendid week! 

Love, Elder Andy