Ricardo José Pereira Correia and Happy Anniversary!

Ricardo chose to be baptized on the 29th of June at 8 pm. The Beja Branch came to support Ricardo and his wife, Sheila. What a special evening for all of us!

Presidente Paulo (in the black shirt) asked us to put 'special musical number' on the program.  What a sweet surprise for all of us when he sang a beautiful solo of 'I heard Him Come' (in Portuguese).

The speakers were well prepared and the program was just right.

Ricardo invited his brother to come and after the program, Moisés, told me that he felt something he had not felt before.  He tried to describe his feeling but he said he could not tell us what it was, he was just happy and felt much love.  He came back to the Church on Sunday for the Confirmation of Ricardo.  We have two missionaries in the Beja branch that will be happy to teach Moises if he wants to know more. I asked him to let us know.  Last night when we got home, I saw that he had friended us on facebook.  We love this family.

 

Just a couple of notes: 

Ricardo's baptism day was also our 49th Wedding Anniversary,  What a wonderful way to celebrate our day. Plus, Grandpa took me to lunch at a Japanese restaurant.  We counted the times we have traveled to Beja for the lessons with Ricardo.  Not counting many texts and calls and follow-ups, since March 21, we have had 10 visits, 2 canceled and 7 postponed appointments (mostly due to his work). We went to help them sign up to be married, went back for their marriage, and his baptism.  We'll help prepare him to take his ancestors names to The Temple which will be the sweetest day of all. The thing about Missionary Work is that it is work and it does work...and even though our part is very small...we get to be right there to witness great Miracles.  Which actually erases the work and replaces it with gratitude.  

One of my favorite branch counsels ever!  One of the many good leaders was saying that the branch is making some progress, that it may not be an entire green field but it is growing and may be a bit yellow here and there but...THEN...President Paulo turned and spoke up: 'No... the field is white! Now!'  He said we all serve our callings without being paid...no one has to do anything.  But, when we say Yes to a calling,, then that is a Promise.  We are all adults and we need to up the game basically and treat this as a Promise and a job without excuses!  It was amazing to witness his love and testimony (as also a call to repent!)

And it does take alot of work.  Just Sunday...we left for Beja at 8:45 am and returned home at 8:30 pm

After the meetings and training, we tried to visit 4 homes in Beja and 7 homes in Evora.  Got yelled at only once, but most were not home.  We did meet a  member on the street who wishes her work did not interfere so she could attend, and we made an appt. to visit in her home this week.  We also met a kind man from India who would like to see what it is all about...so we gave a head's up to the elders that he will be there on Sunday. It's vacation, summer and County Fair times...but the field is white...Now!  

  Grandpa loves to help Beja's secretary, Erick, who is such a great young man with a sweet wife and adorable baby. Grandpa and Erick are cleaning up the records to know where each member lives.  Grandpa color-codes it on google maps, so they can see who has moved, who has passed away, who is not interested, who lives too far to travel without a car but is interested, who needs a visit, etc. etc.       

Such good people to serve with.  We learn from every kind of personality!

We have a great group to work with!  Elders Burton and Wilcox in Beja and Elders Carter and Azevdo in Evora.  Our new District Leader, Elder Azevedo, on the left, is from Venezuela.  

He is a dynamic leader/teacher with great faith. He is a blessing for all of us.

Happy 4th of July!!!   Love you all sooooo much!