portugal experiences

What a great week to celebrate being Thankful again!  We had some good visits this week, sprinkled with activities, lessons, and luncheons.  Mostly, we are so happy for Mariah who was baptized Saturday She just glowed. That night, Laura, (Mariah's mother) sent a text sharing her Joy and 'contente' because her prayers of many years had been answered. She is a such kind and hard working Mother as she prays & pleads for every good thing for her child.  Mothers' hearts are like that.  Mariah's stepfather Paulo, came from work to show his support and love, even though he had to hurry right back. Good dads' are like that.  Laura and Paulo are so happy to come to back to church again. It had been awhile. We hope that they will prepare to go to the Temple together in the near future.  So happy for this family! The faith and smiles of many, even of those bedridden and lonesome take a special, quiet place in our hearts.  The exhuberance and hope of yout...

   "In some quiet way, the expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing  nature.  Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike."   Elder Robert D. Hales 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 is amazing the whole way through for our day, but for today, verse 18: "In Everything Give THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Mariah has decided to be baptized this coming Saturday.  Yesterday in Church, she leaned over and whispered to me that she has decided who she wants to baptize her.  "That's Wonderful!"  I whispered back.  Then she said, "Eu quero você senhora. (I want you).  I gave her a big hug and a tiny lesson about Priesthood keys!    How very thankful I am that Heavenly Father has order in His Kingdom and that each of us has a  magnificent part as we partake of the wholeness of His Blessings.  (update: Nov. 24th, the young elders were able to vi...

One of my very favorite 7 scriptures is: Doctrine and Covenants 121:45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.                             We met with Carlos on Tuesday.  He is a good man and so anxious to learn.  He received the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday, Nov. 6th and so we talked about what all of that means and with all the questions and scriptures and visiting... an hour had passed by so quickly.  Grandpa told him that we must leave, but next time we will share with him the great promises given to us when we keep our promises to God.  Carlos looked up and said, "Can we read about them now?"  And so we sat back down and read more scripture and visi...

Two weeks ago, President Alves called us from the island of Terceira where he and his family live.  He asked if I would accept a calling to serve as the District Young Women President for the Azores..   I love the youth of the Church and know that they have great influence and testimony.  My mind was overwhelmed as I thought about the language transitions here on the islands. Just on Sao Miguel, many are speaking a French/Portuguese...and there are 8 dialects just on this island. The island of Terceira is a bit different as well.  However, after grandpa gave me a blessing, my heart became calm and I remember that Nephi didn't need to know how to build a ship, he just needed to know that Heavenly Father knew how to build a ship!  So, I will try my best {to listen better after my prayers} in this new challenge to learn from and share our love of the Gospel with these wonderful youth.   My thoughts went to a phone call that came out of the blue befor...