The Hurry Back Box...
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 would not be in Evora come September. Even though she had her book illustrations due and he was busy at the Evora Archives and they still needed to pack... she texted me and asked us to come that very night because they were leaving the next morning. They loved the 5 generations of their families that Grandpa had researched for them. They read The Promise from The Book of Mormon. And just as we were about to explain more to our friends...Dr. Jorge began to tell us...and we sat in great joy as he told us the things he had been studying about The Gospel of Jesus Christ since our last visit. When we left they waved from the porch as we walked down the street to our car.
How to say good-bye to my friend, Paula, who was ready early Sunday morning to come to church with us again (her third visit) even though she was was busy moving. We moved into our apartment on the same week as Paula and her mother and 2 children and we would all be moving out the same day, meaning this Tuesday/tomorrow. She hosted us for lunch after the meeting and she said her first whole prayer/blessing on the food. She had started a prayer in one of our lessons, but was so overcome by what she was feeling that I finished it for her that day. She had already looked to see if there is a church in her new town. So have we.
Sister Erickson from the Mission office knew that one of my favorite paintings would make our Evora Apartment into a home. What a difference it made!
Robin and Rusty are angels in Evora. They are in Portugal having planted thousands of acres of Almonds. They are learning Portuguese, but they speak the language of love and we think they were planted here to sow miracles!
I love the careful cover and cushioning that Heavenly Father designed
to nourish each precious individual cycle of life.
Hercino came to Evora Branch to surprise us for our last Sunday. He has been working in Lisbon for the summer. Vadinho texted after church and told us they would come for dinner. We had already given away our food and cleaned out the fridge. When Shaffers heard they were coming, they went out to buy pizza for all of us. Grandpa asked Arlindo (green shirt above) if he knew about the gospel. He said that the elders are still teaching him, but after a blessing, his eye has not been hurting. He said when he gets baptized we can watch it on zoom. The elders were happy to hear that when we texted them the next morning.
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Entao, Ate Logo!
(So, Until later!)
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you...
Philippians 1:3-11
