O Último

Holy smokes, everything passed by so fast. This is probably going to be my last email to you guys. The past two weeks have been a compete blur, I almost don't believe that I'm already done. It feels super surreal. 

Anyway, since my last email, our mission has officially split. A couple of weeks ago, all the exiting missionaries got to have one last big meal with Presidente and Sister Barcellos before they headed back to the States. We went to this really nice steakhouse and got unlimited steaks and other stuff. It was insane. So that was super fun. 

Last pday, we had our 4th of July celebration. It was on the first, but it was the closest we could get it. It was super fun, though. we had a big BBQ and played a bunch of games. There was t-shirt painting, and some of us got our faces painted, too. Some of them were pretty funny.

Then, on the actual 4th of July, we got together with our zone leaders and the other elders in Gaia and made a bunch of ribs and potato salad. We lit off a little sparker, too, which was fun. Not a whole ton we could do in Portugal, especially as missionaries. 

This past week, we had fun finding out on the outskirts of Espinho. We had a few friends and members out there we wanted to visit, so we hit them all up and then decided to knock some doors. It's always super cool to see the Portuguese countryside and all the awesome houses and gardens people come up with out there. 

Went to my last sacrament meeting as a missionary, and it was pretty good. Fast and testimony meeting, too, so it was good to hear all of our awesome members talk. We also had a baptism too! Well, it was the other elders in Gaia, but we share the area, and we helped teach him too a bit, so that was really cool to see him get baptised and confirmed! Now him and his whole family are members. Super cool family, too.

Today was my last pday. It was pretty good. We all met up in Porto and went to a Francesinha restaurant. If you don't already know what a Francesinha is, I highly recommend you look it up. They are unique but super, super good. Afterwards, we walked a bit around Porto, went to see some things for the last time, and grabbed some last-minute souvenirs. Once we were all done, we headed back to the church, and we held a funeral for me and the other elder who was "dying" in my district. It was definitely a unique experience. 

One last scripture: Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

I was reading a bit through scriptures about missionary work, and this one caught my attention. Not only do I like it as a missionary, but I think it applies to everyone who does anything to help others come unto Christ. The blessings are real!

Well, this is it. Hope you guys have an amazing week! If you have any questions, please shoot me a message, and I'll respond! I'll send out details about my homecoming here in a bit, too.

Obrigado por tudo!

Elder Howard 

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