Father's Day Miracles June 19, 2022


What Joy to hear an Apostle this past weekend as Elder and Sister Neil L. Andersen came to share their hearts in Cape Verde and to dedicate the Cape Verde Temple in Praia.  President and Sister Roberto Oliveira, serving as the President and Directora of the New Cape Verde Temple invited us to attend the dedication and to stay in their home with them for 3 marvelous  days that will last in our hearts forever. 


What an experience to see some of the behind the scenes preparations 
and wonderment of the Miracle of a Temple in Cabo Verde.  President and Sister Oliveira are much loved by the Cabo Verdianos and as we walked with them we saw that they are much loved by the woman doing laundry, a man in the store, the apartment security guy, the scheduler at the Temple, and everyone in their path...including us.


Such Joy to visit with them again!  They treat us like royalty. 
We laugh and cry together...as family and best friends.












So many of our young friends from Fogo came up to Grandpa and thanked him again for helping them prepare for their missions and for helping them fill out their mission papers.  We have many photos and many tender memories and stories to share with you.  One young sister came up to give me a big hug and she held up her phone so her Mother could talk to me from the island of Sal where we spent time as well.  What Joy to see that these choice young people are now getting married and raising families.  Some stories can wait until we get back home.  I cannot even write a part.  We need to prepare for a wedding tomorrow in Beja!  (a wonderful story for next week...the work and blessings continue...)  

Well, actually we cannot leave this week without telling you thank you for the emails that you sent to Dad for Father's Day.  He read them on the flight back to Portugal and was touched by your love.  

Oh!  Plus, one of the many miracles we witnessed on Father's Day...scroll to the photos at the bottom., 








Now for one of the many sweet Miracles of The Temple in Cape Verde:


As we prepared to leave early, we came out with our suitcases, to see President Oliveira reading his scriptures.  And just that quick, we are off to our Mission and they are off to the Temple.  The days went so fast and were so delicious!  Ok...now one of the many miracles:


As we listened to the Dedicatory Prayer, we noticed that Elder Andersen asked Heavenly Father for rain (chuva) because in Cabo Verde it only rains for two months of the year and then not another drop until  August and September comes again.  They need rain against drought to grow their food. Following the beautiful prayer it began to sprinkle and was raining the next morning as we caught a cab for the airport. My heart was so full of this miracle that we were witnessing so I had to take this photo for you. When President Oliveira's car would not start to take us, he said, "I wonder what Heavenly Father has in mind with this."    We explained the miracle to our taxi driver, to the nurse who helped us get our covid negative test for the airport, and we wanted to tell the whole island why it was raining.  The taxi driver wanted our facebook and whatsapp number so we could send him more information as we talked about the Temple. We sent a text to President Oliveira...'maybe your car will start now.'  The young taxi driver has already messengered us.  


(Note: Maybe His tears are saved for 3rd Nephi 17:20,21 and John 14:6 and 11:35, and Luke 19:41, and Hebrews 5:6-7 and Moses 7:28...so the above is not a fact...but we felt that our Savior were there...and in the moment, I wondered if maybe He even wiped a tear or two.  It is easy for me to think that, as my Father, Grandpa Craner, knowing the importance of Temples would have wept and your Father and Grandfather, Elder Benedict was taking his glasses off to wipe his eyes here and there during the dedication, and I was quietly leaning down and using the hem of my dress to dry my tears...I wish a dainty lace handkerchief would do... Sunday, on the Temple grounds, people were crying and laughing at the Miracle.  We cannot forget these moments.

We Love You Forever...We miss you so much...Sending Hugs!

Sometimes you tease me because of my little sayings...but it is true:
MIRACLES ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THEY CAN'T
and you are one of them!!!
Happy Father's Day! with great love, Grandpa and Grandma

PS  I am adding this from the church news on June 30, 2022 about the Rain in Cape Verde. 

 https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-30/elder-andersen-prayer-for-praia-cape-verde-temple-miracle-of-rain-259848

Popular posts from this blog

Winding our way this week...

Image
Weaving our way in and out of the narrow roads and mazes of this beautiful place and wonderful people, driving from Ponta delgada to Ribeira Grande, Rabo de Peixe, Santana, or Pico de Pedra, etc. etc. and back home again...give us time to reflect on the many blessings that we witness  in the lives of those whose faith sustains and honors them. We are learning so much as we come and go. The Branch Presidency enjoying refreshments right before The Leadership Counsel Meeting       We were invited to go to the weekly fair (like a farmer's market) by some of the sisters in the Ponta Delgada Branch and we keep thinking we will and then an appointment or visit takes precidence.  We were happy to go finally this past Thursday.  It was so fun to see Maria da Paz and Augusta selling their baked goods and Rogeria selling her beautiful crochet items. Then we got thinking that maybe we could open a Family History Information booth!  The people are already gathered ...
Read more

Tender Mercies and Miracles

Image
Sunday morning in Ponta Delgada, when Grandpa learned that he was to teach the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School (RIGHT NOW!) he quickly stood up and gave a wonderful lesson.  So many participated as we felt the words in the Thirteen Article of Faith and what they mean in our lives.  I wondered at the composure he had as the lesson unfolded beautifully as if he had been preparing all week.  And then the thought came to me...that he had.  As we study the scriptures daily, and try our best to understand and apply them...we are prepared to share our joy anytime, anywhere. ...and then on the very same Sunday afternoon, after Sacrament meeting, and just as Sunday School was about to start in Ribera Grande (other part of the island), Maura, came over to give me a hug.  She wanted me to teach Primary.  What?  And I followed her into the Primary room and with chalk, markers, and scriptures we had a nice visit together.  We talked about the promises t...
Read more