High-Lights of a very special Week!

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, were such gracious hosts, so delightful to be with, and they arranged to take us back to the airport the next afternoon.  Soo many people that we care about would be at different meetings on Saturday.  

On Friday late afternoon, Paula (our Evora neighbor) called with a surprise.  She was coming to Lisbon to see us! She asked where we should meet.  We told her we would be at The Temple.  Friday night at 11:30, Paula was asking me (and showing me photos) of what she should wear. She was coming by bus early the next morning from her new city, Benedita and she wanted to respect our standards. 

On Saturday morning after a tremendous meeting with Elder Soares, we were outside giving sack lunches to the young missionaries (we met with the couples to make 190 lunches on Friday at 4 pm)

I was making sure there was a sandwich in one of the sacks and as I looked up...I saw President and Sister Oliveira (Cape Verde Temple) just standing their watching all of us with their smiles. 

Shortly after, two cars arrived about the same time.

We got to visit briefly with (left to right) Sisters Fabiana (Beja Relief Society President), Camila (Evora Primary President), Robin (Relief Society President in Evora), Me, Paula, (our Evora neighbor) and Jessica (from Beja Branch).  We also got to shake hands with every missionary we have served with so far.  What a day!  (The timing was perfect...something we could not have orchestrated...)  Paula said  everytime she comes to our church she feels at home.  So do I.

We were able to visit with Joao Feijao this week.  He has a bad scraped up foot and has been unable to attend the meetings. We asked if there was anything we could do for him.  He quietly replied: "just pray for me".  Grandpa asked if he could say one right there in his doorway. Brother Feijao smiled as we were leaving. On Saturday night when we got back to Sao Miguel, Grandpa called to see how his foot was doing.  Grandpa asked if he thought he could come to hear Elder Soares if we picked him up.  He didn't think it was possible... but look who came on Sunday!

Grandpa spends hours working on records the first thing in any new area.  He maps out members, updates lists, and makes many calls and visits to understand 'the lay of the land'.  Then, the fun is to be out finding members and new interested friends.  A mission is a roller coaster for sure, but what a great week being on top of the world!