portugal experiences

Five year old Laura asked her Mother: "Mae, why are you going to get baptised?"  Keilla shared  this: "Because when I am baptized I will be part of the family of Jesus!  It made Laura very happy.  Yesterday was such a special day for their family.  We were able to meet Keilla's husband over zoom since he is in Belgium. Laura shares with her daddy everything she is learning from the missionaries.  One day over zoom, she told him that he must quit smoking because it is not a good thing to do.      I have been thinking alot about the blessing of earthlife and especially about my gratitude for water this week.  As many friends gathered at the church to witness Keilla's baptism, I thought about the symbolism of rebirth that Jesus taught. What a miracle! Coming out of the water with a new and clean heart.  I saw the eyes of Keilla and Laura right after the baptism and felt joy for them.  I thought about the Sacrament water and ...

Five days ago we were transferred to São Miguel nos Açores (When we looked up 'Island of Sao Miguel in the Azores' on the internet, Grandpa eyes smiled. "The whole island is full of your favorite flowers!" he said.)  We are amazed at the abundant color, sun, and beautiful clouds on this Island.  I feel like we live in a postcard with such personal Heavenly hugs as the Hydrangea bouquets encouraging us every step.      President Resendes of the Sao Miguel Branch is an avid genealogist by hobby and works in the Dairy business, especially in the production of cheese by profession.  He lit up when Grandpa asked a question about his ancestors and immediately had us follow him upstairs to the church family history room.  It is incredible to know about the intelligent and diligent record keeping in the azores.   We met some wonderful leaders in the Azores our first Sunday. Next to our Branch President Resendes and Grandpa are (the District) Pre...

Our 'Hurry Back Box' came to be when our grandchildren were young and they wanted to stay with cousins and grandma and grandpa longer. Instead of trying to find their hiding places or seeing their tears when their parents said it was time to go...we simply called for them to come sit on the entry stairs and they would choose a tiny toy or treat from the treasure box (beginning with the one who put their shoes on first!) We thought if the comings and goings happened fast and happy that their parents would bring them more often! When we learned that we were being transferred, I looked around for the Hurry Back Box.  I didn't hide from our new assignment, but there were tears.  How can we leave? How can we say good-bye to The Evora Branch with Presidente Samuel e Familia?  The Beja Branch with Presidente Paulo and his family. How to leave Jorge and Ana Rita and Family?  They asked us to come again for dinner in September after their vacation...but we told them we w...