portugal experiences

We want you to meet Bernardino and Maria da Paz.  We love this couple!  When couples grow older and have smile wrinkles around their eyes like theirs...that speaks outloud. They laugh through life, they love to serve, they know that Heavenly Father is in charge, and that brings peace and smiles.   They have followed this scripture through their lives and it is easy to feel their faith. We spent a few hours this past week with them visiting people...including their son and his family. Oh Boy!  You can love people and still be terrified to the core at their ability to drive a van through the narrow streets as if chased by fire!  Ducking around and through the car crowded one-way mazes.  Still catching my breath!  Ha!  and Tanya, who got teary listening to a Primary song on my phone.  She is a beautiful singer,  but forgot it is a gift that she needs to share.  We have been texting and she even came to church Sunday.  We were...

During our missions, when we travel we always take peanuts (almonds when we have them) and water.  It is our go to meal when we are on our way.     A surprise luncheon after church for Rebeca who begins her mission to Sao Paulo Norte.  Ines (on the right) will miss her friend so much, but she leaves for her mission soon. She will serve in England. A fun day preparing for Elder Soares visit and preparing 180 sack lunches with other senior missionaries  in Portugal.    It is always a blessing to be with our inspired Mission President Barcellos.  He is a kind and loving leader.  A teaching moment for us as a missionary returns to his mother's hug.  A professor from BYU, served a mission here in Portugal years ago.  He chose to come to Sao Miguel;  a peaceful island where he could write his book.  His daughter Hanna, made friends with Julia (middle above) and soon the two families became friends.  Befo...

We felt blessed to be in Lisbon for the visit of Elder and Sister Soares!!!  We loved their inspired talks for the missionaries serving in Portugal, the Azores (and Cape Verde by zoom).  We were so glad for the words of  Elder and Sister Cook and Elder and Sister Budge as well.  President and Sister Barcellos arrange such beautiful occasions with their love and devotion.  We also got to hear from Elder Texeira (Cabo Verde) in the missionary meeting. What great leaders we have to learn from.  Everyone points us to Jesus Christ with their hearts and words.  We really love that!  Another blessing that we do not take for granted is technology.  As we waited at the airport for our flight back to the Azores, we were able to witness the baptism of our Paxton and to give 'hugs' to many family members at the meeting. Thank you for including us Ashley. We were in Lisbon for such a short time.  The Seibolds met us at the airport when we arrived, we...

A highlight this week was a lesson with Renata.  The missionaries taught a beautiful lesson and we love so much when they invite friends and members to read from the scriptures.  On Sunday, Renata came to Church for the 2nd time.  Keilla, who lives in Ribeira Grande also came and I couldn't wait for them to meet in person for the first time. We had given their info to each other and Keilla who was baptized last week had already texted Renata who is taking the lessons...both are from Brasil and both from different towns on this island and both will soon be moving to Belgium to reunite with their husbands who have work there. They will live only 15 minutes apart in Belgium!  Friendships are so important.  (I often wonder how ministering angels work?  It seems they must have correlation meetings to plan the puzzle pieces that bless lives here on earth.)   We do not believe in coincidences!   A Busy and Wonderful Week.  We arrived at th...