OLA FAMILIA!!! Como VAi!!

WOW! this week was pretty crazy!! Where to start... WE started off hooping it up with the Jovens and I realized I should probably stick with basketball because we played soccer after and that was just rough... these kids were just doin work, and me and my comp couldnºt do anything! haha but The language is definitly coming along, and each day I learn so much more, and I really do love speaking the portuguese language. My trainer says I am doing really good, but I am still working on understanding, but the same is true there that each day I can understand more, and carry on conversations with less and less help... Whenever we walk past school aged kids they always yell I AM AMERICAN.... or English... but itºs funny and we always laugh about it. This really is the most beautiful place in all of Portugal, and Iºm not just saying that! haha Itºs true everyone who I have talked to have said that, and itºs not hard to see why... incredible. Ya with our investigators things are going pretty well... itºs always a little sad when they donºt show up or arenºt home... but you just gotta keep pushing through that and with faith things will work out. We have 7 or 8 progressing Investigators right now... and we have one Marked for Baptism!! WOO! Que FIXE! he is super cool, his name is João! We were also going to mark two other ladies named Maria, and Anna Maria... somthing about maria here in Portugal,.. haha but both there husbands want nothing to do with us, but through the help of the spirit they allowed us to continue teaching them, and they both know this is the true church we just need to pray for their Maridos to come around... I know now what dad meant when he talked about the beautiful streets and the tiny roads and all the skiny cobblstone roads... they are so sweet!! itºs awesome... I definitely need to take more pictures on another pday or something like that... and at night the light the place up... like every window on some roads.... LOCO! haha itºs crazy to think that we only have 3 weeks left until transfer... like seriously!! I really hope I get a few transfers here In Gumaraes.... The Members have kinda lost their fire, and we are really trying to get them excited about bringing more members into this Gospel. So me and Elder Tucci have just been talking with anyone and everyone trying to find more people who are interested in their Savior Jesus Christ. This week we have found 21 new investigators, and we have faith that there will be some with real growth, and who will progresso towards the waters of Baptism... Ideally they all will! haha One problema we have aswell is that we have NO GAS! haha no stove no oven... and worst of all No hot WATER!! haha itºs been like 8 days... FOGO! But itºs alright because at least we have water! haha so all of you at home be grateful for the little things that arenºt really that little!! Also me and my comp arenºt the best cooks so we throw down cereal like itºs nothing! which is nice because it leaves less dishes to clean and itºs quick! haha Itºs getting pretty hot here... and we walk ALOT, but thats a really good thing because I eat a lot of food, and I would be gaining weight if we didnºt ! haha Dad did they have incredible pasteries when you served here aswell.. because they are seriously sooo good.... But it sounds like Elder Beckstrand is doing awesome as always in Japan!! I canºt believe he is almost to his last transfer!! I have loved the time we have been serving together, and I feel this connection with him as we serve even tho we are in diferente parts of the world, and I look forward to the time we have left to serve together. I love you bro, and letºs make this time we have together count! I know this Church is true, and Iºm so grateful for the opportunity we have to serve these Missions. We have an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime, and itºs hard but itºs the best. I love you all so much, and keep being awesome!! Ash keep hoopin! MAndy keep on keepin on! haha your awesome, and Dad you need to update me about the FInals!! haha you canºt die on me just because the Lakers are out! I still need to root against the heat! haha Thanks for the letter Mom, and keep on feeling better!

COM AMOR;

Elder Beckstrand, Gaurdar a Fe ate o fim!