Week 104 July 12, 2008

Hey Everyone!

Yeah that would be great if I could speak the Sunday that I get home. I’ve thought a little about what I want to say but I can finish when I get home.

Well can you believe that the end has finally come? It seems like a dream to me still. This is officially the last email that I will be sending to you- It’s so weird. It still hasn’t fully clicked yet but it might only click when I’m on the plane coming home.

A lot of incredible things happened this week and I couldn’t have finished my mission off any better. I was in Livramento on Tuesday and Wednesday and Tuesday night I was able to go to Elton and Eliara’s house for a dinner! It was so nice to see them again. When I got into their house, we talked for a while and then Eliara opened one of the doors and a bunch of people in the ward came in and started singing happy birthday to me. They said they wanted to do this on my birthday but since I was transferred they made it up to me. It was so nice! I ate and ate and ate till I was about to explode and as usual, Eliara made three desserts and when we left I could barely walk. It was so nice to see them.

There were two families that I really wanted to see that I didn’t see on Tuesday-the bishop’s family, and Claudia and Clenesi’s family. I was kind of sad because I was only planning on being in my old area Tuesday night. Then on Wednesday I ran into the bishop and was able to give him a hug and talk to him. Also that night we had a meeting at the church and then I was able to see Claudia’s daughter and she invited us to teach a reference that she had at her house so I was able to see Claudia’s family too. I was able to leave the city knowing that I saw everyone that I wanted to.

Oh and another great thing happened this week. Dan called me on the phone from Rio! We had an awesome conversation and I could barely believe that it was happening.

On Friday I ate lunch with Pres. Flores and his family. They showed me pictures of their family and of his mission. He has a picture of Uncle Jess but he wasn’t able to find it at the moment. He will email it to Uncle Jess when he finds it. It was so nice to be able to talk to their family. They absolutely love Uncle Jess. Because Uncle Jess baptized Pres Flores, he went on a mission and baptized people that have already gone on missions and those people too have gone on missions. Its incredible how many generations have been affected.

Today we went to a park and played soccer and made a churrasco. We were at a Baptist camp and we were able to talk to some Americans from California that were there. My legs are killing me but it was definitely worth it.
I am so excited to see you all! It’s been such an amazing experience these last 2 years and I will never forget the lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve taught. It’s definitely a weird experience in finishing my mission. Each day that passes though I get more and more excited to see you all. There’s a scripture that describes how I feel right now but I can’t write it since I only have scriptures in Portuguese so you’ll have to look it up. It’s II John 1:12.

(Here is the scripture. “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”)

I love you all and will see you soon!

I love you infinity!!!
Elder Fowler