Two Years have brought us to this point

Well, two years have brought us to this point. I can still remember those first weeks in the MTC, now here I am writing my last email.
So, this week has been a challenge but a blessing :) I'm so glad I served my mission. Good, Bad and Ugly, I'd go back a serve it all over again. What an amazing experience, what a privilege. My patriarchal blessing was fulfilled in part when I was blessed with a greater understanding of the Atonement in my life. I have grown a strong love and understanding of the gospel. I have learned the importance of consistency in all things, but especially in the gospel. I've come to trust my Heavenly Father and believe Him, in that I believe in His promises. Enough to do hard things. I've learned the principle of endurance. And I've given myself a jumpstart to discipleship.

I love the Savior. I love being a missionary.

Pray for me and for the good people of Portugal. I love them so very much.

I'll see you soon.

Elder Buchanan and Elder Zanni

Elder Buchanan and Elder Humphrey

Elder Oliveira (Grandson), Elder Da Silva (Step Grandpa), 

Me (Dad), Elder Garcia (Grandson) 

 

A lot of walking around

Well, this week was a lot of walking around, not a whole lot to report on. Carlos kinda just disappeared into the air so that's kinda sad, but we're trying to get back in contact with him. His baptism had been marked for this last Saturday :/
Vasco's doing well! He's a happier individual, he got a phone, looks like he'll have a job soon! We weren't able to talk to him all week but he came to church on Sunday! By himself! In the pouring rain!!!! He's so cool :) Now he has a phone so we can set up times to pass instead of just trying haha.

We had a FHE in the house of the 1st counselor in the bishopric and the Relief society president on Monday with that family, they loved it which was good. We've got another one set up for tonight :) so that's nice.

Have a good week!

Another Week Under the Belt

Well, just another week under the belt :) It doesn't feel like I'm really counting down. But then again I've forbidden my companion to mention anything in terms of time haha :) I did make a good joke the other night. We stopped to grab a sandwich in a café, my back was really hurting as I sat down and I started coughing, and he was like, "are you ok? You sick?" I said "no....I'm dying!" hahahaahahahaha bum bum chi! haha get it? cuz when a missionary is finishing his mission they say he's dying haha :)

This week we have been teaching a man named Carlos Sampaio, I think I mentioned him this last week. He's progressing well. We're planning a spectacular baptismal service here in two weeks for him :) We met a really nice man this week that really needs the gospel in his life. And he came to church! He said he really liked and he felt really good and we could count on him the next week. He was the last door of a apartment complex, the only one that opened the door to us. At least in the sense that he let us talk more than 5 seconds before being like "no no no, I don't want anything" slam. (Side note: Funniest thing about the Portuguese, they'l open the door and be like "what do you want?"(that's the translation, but it's less rude) And I get out two words like, "We're here to-" "nonononono. thank you. bye. haha ...so ridiculous haha) But last door right? he let us in. He told us he'd been in a deep depression since march, and this week was the first week in a long time where he was feeling well enough to talk. And we met him! We taught about the plan of salvation, and then the gospel of Jesus Christ. He's in his 50's and loves his grandson :) Vasco. He's a good man.

I forgot to tell you some cool news!!!! We moved houses! It's just me and Elder Oliviera now :) We even live in our area. It's great, close to the church.

Here's a photo for when it was super cold while we were studying cuz we still didn't have a heater, So I made us some turbans from our scarves. 

The End is getting close

Really weird to think that the end is getting so close. It doesn't really feel like it. I was telling Elder Oliveira how normal this life becomes to you. I'm scared with the prospect of have so much time on my hands haha. I messed with him yesterday, I love to joke around and he likes English, but I'm too witty for him in English haha. He was shaking his head at me and I started singing, "When I'm gone. When I'm gone! You're gonna miss me when I'm gone! You're gonna miss me by my hair you're gonna miss me everywhere, o you're sure gonna miss me when I'm gone." haha :) He likes me, so it's funny to remind him sometimes. 

We've been working super hard this week. We've had some cool experiences! We met Carlos Sampaio, to whom we taught the plan of salvation, came back the next day taught the restoration and invited him to be baptised on the 19th. He came to church and then stayed for the baptism of the sisters, Maria de Fátima. Great baptism, well prepared, very spiritual. He loved it!
The Jesus Family came to church! All three of them! Patrícia is on a two week leave from work so she came this week and will go next week. Brother Silva invited them to his house with us tonight for a family home evening!

Elder Oliveira and I are getting along really well. He's helping me get a better Portuguese accent. Even though he said, "it'll be lost time since you're just gonna lose it in the states with your brother and everybody else who speaks Brazilian." haha ;) Sou Tripeiro! Que fala com sotaque de Lisboeta.

Anyway, there's my week.

P-day Sites

We went in a little three wheel car called a tuk tuk 

and on the cable car and saw some cool sites.

 Elder Lucas and Elder Oliveira

Pictures from P-Day

 a jelly fish

 A turtle named Rosey

 This is Luis

"Welcome to the Independent Republic of My House" hahaha :)

Importance of the Sacrament

This week I came to understand better the importance of the sacrament. Some things clicked in my studies and also during the sacrament. There was a great talk, I can't remember from whom now, on the subject of preparing for the sacrament. So this week that's exactly what I did. As I listened to the words of the sacrament hymn, (I stand all amazed) I felt an appreciation for my Savior. I heard the words of the prayer and remembered what I had learned and relearned during the week: I was reading Alma and came upon a promise that stated that if we repent, are baptized and keep the commandments we will receive the promise of eternal life. I thought, but we can only be baptized once. Then I remembered the words of Elder Bednar's talk from April. That the sacrament is a SACRED ORDINANCE in which we renew(or rather make again) the covenants of baptism and receive the purifying presence of the Holy Ghost. That is what baptism is. It is the making of a covenant through an ordinance, and then receiving the promise of the Holy Ghost to always be with us. That is why the office of a Priest administers both the sacrament, and the ordinance of baptism.(discovered that this week :) )

So each time I listen to the prayer I hear the covenants I make with the Lord, "To witness unto....God the Eternal Father, that (I) do always remember (Christ), and to keep His commandments which He has given (me)"

As I heard the prayer, I really started to understand the promise, "That they might always have His Spirit to be with them."
As I partook, I really felt the love of my Savior and Father in Heaven. I remembered Christ's words that He is the Bread of Life. He who eateth of His flesh and drinketh of His blood shall never hunger nor thirst, but be filled.

I know the Atonement is real. And that Jesus Christ lives.

That's my spiritual thought for the week :)