The End-May 26th 2014

Oi Family and Friends!

Well this is it. It's over. I'm coming home. It's too surreal. Well the only thing that I can write is my testimoney. These two years will forever change my life. Its been the hardest thing I've ever done, but one of the greatest blessings in my life. I've learned so much, things that I hope to apply in my life for the rest of my life. I love Angola, and it will forever have a place in my heart. I know that this is the Work of the Lord, I know it. I know this Church is literally the only Churh of Jesus Christ on the face of the planet. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, I had the privilege to read it 7 times on my mission, and I love it, I love it so much, and I'm excited to even expand more of my knowledge in the gospel here soon. I love you all and I'm excited to see everyone, thanks for all the support these last two years. Until here soon.

Love,

Final Countdown-May 19, 2014

Oi Family and Friends!

Last week of the mission here, whattt crazy. Just as of late trying to take it in and enjoy the last bits and parts about Africa, even the crazy and hectic parts. This past weekend we had our mission conference with Elder and Sister Renlund which went real swell. Learned some cool things about leadership and such. 

Yesterday was our Pday so we played soccer all as a mission because the Lubango and Huambo Elders were here, and that was fun, all 5 of us who are going home made a team so that was fun. Then the internet place yesterday was broken so we had to wait to do it today, kind of annoying. But life is going good, gearing up for the big change and all, and seeing my parents here in Angola. Can't wait to see everyone, cant wait to tell everyone what has happened to me in the past 2 years. Love you all! 

My last email next Monday will be my testimony and last bit of thoughts that I have. Love you all, and have a great week, until here soon!

Tchau,

 

What up!

Oi Family and Friends,

As these last couple of days are rolling to a close, I've been very unmotivated to write alot in my emails haha. But life is good. Mother's Days was way cool talking to my family and such. So weird that I'm seeing you so soon. 

This past Saturday I got to baptize one of my old investigators from my last transfer, Arsenio. Such a funny guy. Always remember him. We have mission conference coming up this next week with Pres. Renlund so that will be way cool. Only have one week to apply what I learn but it will still be good. And because our mission conference is on Monday our Pday next week will be on Tuesday. So I'll do emails and all that good stuff on tuesday next week. 

We've been working alot with recent converts and less actives this past week, and it's something we have been focusing on. Like this past Sunday, we had two of our less actives show up which was way cool. We were excited. Every soul is precious, even when numbers don't show it, there just as important as investigators. 

But life is going good. I'm a bit nervous to come home and have a whole culture shock and life shock, but it will be good, I'm excited too. Sorry this email is short, but my brain is mush, we played a soccer tournament in our zone this morning and I'm way tired. But we won the championship so it's all good. But I love you all, can't wait to see everyone! Have a good week! Stay close to the Savior always!

Love,

Keep on Going

Oi! Famiy and Friends,

This week was alright. Haha life has been a little rough as of late. The area is going slow, the branch is kind of falling apart, just good ol Angola haha. But it's all good. Something that also has been impeding the work a little bit is the rain. Its been raining a bunch as of late. And Angolans and rain don't mix. For example our branch only had 83 people show up because it rained that morning. Ai. It can be frustrating at times. So because of rain, two of the days this week, all of our compromissios dropped. But life goes on. 

One cool story that happened is that we met an old lady, who is a member who can't leave her house because she is completely blind. Her name is Celeste, and her house, even though it was just like any other Angolan house, it reminded me of Grandma's house. And she was so funny and sweet. The church leaders have pretty much forgotten her, she hasn't gotten a visit in forever. So were going to start passing by once a week to just talk her. She has already been through the temple and she still wears her garments, and doesn't let anyone else wash them. Way faithful member, she is just old and blind and can't remember everything all the time. But it was way cool to sit with her. 

We also found a new guy named Leandro, who came to church for the first time this past Sunday so that's also exciting. But life is going good. Elder Marqueza and me are doing great, he is a funny lil guy, and I don't know why but all natives love to play and repeat over and over again the same music. 

So for Mothers Day were planning on doing it at President's house at 5 pm our time. So I don't know what time that is there, so you guys can figure that out. Weird that I pretty much only have 3 weeks left. Kind of surreal. But life keeps going on, to bigger and better things. Love this Gospel, love my Savior and my Heavenly Father, even though I'm weak and falter, they are there for me every step of the way. Love you all and have a good week!

Love,

Pictures Week #99

Elder Brown and a monkey

Helder and Ana's family

Silvio getting baptized 2 weeks ago

Baptisms from 2 weeks ago

More Baptisms

Baptisms

Keep Chuggin along

Oi Family and Friends!

This week was kind of slow work wise. Our area is pretty much starting over from scratch. We had two baptisms this past Saturday with Dadinho and Mano, kids of a family who has an older brother who is a member. So that was pretty cool. And then I got to go to the other baptisms and see Deucalino, Ju and Maria get baptized. So this past Saturday I had 5 baptisms which was way awesome to see. Way spiritual. 

Also this week was General Conference in Portuguese. Haha not my favorite, because Portuguese kind of ruins the talks, but it was good. I already downloaded most of the talks on a pen drive, as well as we're borrowing the discs to watch in English. There were tons of way good talks, haha love General Conference. 

So pretty much the only thing worth writing about this week was my division with Elder Yeanoplos. So while we were walking in this busy paragem, I felt a bump on my backpack, so I turn it around and two of my zippers are open. I check all the pockets, and they didn't have anything. But they did take one thing, a pocket dictionary, which was actually Elder Garcias that I was going to give back to him. So now officially I have gotten "robbed" here on my mission, haha so I should be good for these last 4 weeks. 

Also I had to go give this baptismal interview to the wife of a member. He said we shouldn't come because there was too much water, but we said it would be fine. Well it's a bit of an obstacle course the first part but then we get to a part where literally you couldn't go any further unless you went through the nasty black water, with who knows what's in it. Haha he wasn't kidding. So I made the decision, and I really wasn't thinking that much, that we would take our shoes and socks off, roll up our pants and walk through the water to his house. I wasn't really thinking of the possibility of getting infectious bacteria or viruses, or stepping on glass or who knows what. But we walked for a good 5, 10 minutes through the neighborhood in the water until we got to his house, and then when it was over, walked back through it. Very cool memory, thinking back on it, really gross too. 

But yeah I'm loving it. I'm loving Elder Marqueza, haha he talks alot, and we mess with each other tons. He is one of my best companions I've had. Way funny. I'm going to try and get more videos of him these last 4 weeks. But life is good. Just got to keep my head down and keep going, stay close to the spirit and build my testimony. So weird that Andrew is going home today. Ai! Glad the family had a good trip to Utah and got to see everyone, can't wait to see everyone as well. Well I love you all, have a good week!

Tchau,

Life

Oi! Family and Friends,

This week has been pretty good, kind of long, but good. So on Tuesday I showed the Assistants my area because they are taking it over and there were people getting ready for baptism. So that took all day, but it was good, rode in the truck all day. Then at night when all the Elders who were leaving were having their final dinner at President's house, we were invited to stay and eat as well. It was way good, way good ribs and such. Haha weird that will be me here in like 5 weeks. I still don't feel like I'm coming home. It still hasn't hit me and I don't think it will until I have like 3 or 2 weeks left. 

And it also weird walking in this new area, because I feel that stress of having to know my area 100% but then I really don't have to because my companion Elder Marqueza is staying and I'm not. I don't know, it's weird. Speaking of Elder Marqueza, haha he is so funny. I already love him, he is awesome. He is still Mozambican, but he is one of my favorites. It will be a fun 5 weeks, especially with Elder Yeanoplos and Elder Money in the house. 

Last night, me and Elder Money just talked forever about sports and BYU sports. Ah I miss BYU sports, way awesome. Well my Area is pretty cool. Very dirty. But it's cool. People in this area don't like white people that much, I've already been yelled at and such, but I don't care. Just love them. 

This week we are going to have two baptisms which is way cool. Two kids who are 11 and 12, and for some reason haha I'm baptizing one of them, so that's exciting. As well as Deucalino, Ju, and Maria are also getting baptized this Saturday from my old area, so I get to go to that as well, so I'm way excited, so pumped. Just trying to do my best and power it to the end. 

Yeah the Easter video is so awesome, I love it, I can not wait to come home and watch all the new Bible videos, they are so cool. Glad everyone Easter was good. All about the Savior, everything in our lives is centered in Christ. On our way here to the cafe, we were getting ripped on by a 7th day Adventist about Saturday and Sunday. It's just like people, open your eyes! Who cares if it is Saturday or Sunday. It's all about Christ, and will forever be about Christ. That's the gospel, the Atonement. I've said it before and I will forever say it, the thing I learned the most about on my mission is the Atonement, and I still don't even know alot about it. I love the Savior and what he did, and I will try to honor his name as best I can, always. On and after the mission. Well love you guys! Have a great week, and travel safely! Until next week!

Tchau,