portugal experiences

We were able to attend the Lisbon Temple again!  This time with our Evora Branch!   On the bus coming home from the Temple, we received a text from Hercinio wanting Grandpa to meet with him to go over his first talk..  Elders Delaney and Caetano received a note from Antero who wanted to meet because he had some questions.  So we arranged for Grandpa to meet with Hercinio early in the morning, and we stopped at the church to meet with Antero as the elders wanted us there.  However, Antero had friends with him and so it was quickly decided that the friends could watch the First Vision (19 minute movie) while the visit with Antero could still take place in another room.  I watched the movie with the friends and then began to visit with them about the movie and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about the Priesthood being restored to the earth.  About the dispensations of time...thus, the need for the restoration.  Arlindo (...

Dr. Janeiro (Director of the Archives here in Evora) invited us to go to The Public Library for a personal tour of the artwork his wife has done in the children's section. He set a time for us and when we arrived, he was also there.   It was wonderful!  You may love to go to her facebook page and read about this exhibit:  Ana Rita Janeiro (she speaks English and would love to have you leave a message!) We had a great zone conference in Lisbon!  President and Sister Barcellos are so easy to be entreated, very dynamic and inspired, and we love learning from them. Mia sat by me in Relief Society in Beja.  She is so sweet and texts me now and is taking lessons there.  Santosh came all smiles to our Young Adult Activity.  He has a new job and so now he can attend Church on Sundays.  We are so happy for him.  His growing up in India story and ending up here in Evora is amazing.  There are so many good, hard-working, kind, patient, and wis...

 Just 42 hours ago, Saturday April 16th, Laura was married to Logan in the Logan, Utah Temple.  Ahhhhh! What a special day for our family!  In the evening until 3 am (due to the time differences) we got to watch our family gather and celebrate!  Laura and Logan chose to be married in the Logan Temple, where both of their families have spent much time.  Laura's great grandparents, (my father and mother) loved their time in the Logan Temple as the President and Matron and we have sweet tender memories there. Such a wonderful, as well as a teary, missing family, day for me.  That said...             In our hearts...family is why we are here.  We know the promises made in Sacred Temples...are. 

We were blessed to go to the Lisbon, Portugal Temple with our sweet Beja Branch!  36 people were able to come on the bus.  21 went inside the Temple and 15 enjoyed being on the grounds and in the small visitor's center.  With all there is to do in Lisbon, it was wonderful to note that most everyone stayed right at the Temple for the full 8 hour day.  A Joyous time of learning for all of us.   Our Branch President, Paulo, had asked us to get a speaker for this special occasion and also asked us to participate in teaching The Plan of Happiness related to the Temple.  We had the branch members help us as we explained each step.  But, we must tell you how excited we were when after a few phone calls...we were able to schedule with a counselor in the Temple Presidency that was willing to come speak to our small branch.  President Edson Tsuchiya has served as a counselor for 3 years and was just called to be the President for another 3 years beginn...

  This is a photo of a small stone that I keep in my top dresser drawer.  Grandpa was in college, so I would often paint rocks for gifts. I was penning the letters on this one while waiting in the doctor's office.  I used my 8 months along 'table-self' to hold the stone while I wrote the words and our (almost to be born baby!!!), kicked enough that the letters were not as crisp as I wanted for a gift...so I just kept this one.  These simple words have become profound to me as the years tumble over each other quickly. This week we have been out finding members who have 'forgotten' they were. Many tender mercies happen, like people just "happening by" that knew the person who moved far away that (used to) live in a house that (used to) be right here, but is now a parking lot...OR a neighbor "just happened" to be out hanging clothes and knew that their neighbor whom we were looking for had passed away years ago.  Sometimes we talk to many neighbors ...