portugal experiences

We met Vitor and Mirela their children and Nanny in the parking lot as we were going into the store to buy some groceries a while ago. He is a professional soccer player from Brasil and they are kind to be entreated. This was our 2nd visit to their home. We wanted to present the Book of Mormon to them and an article about Pele receiving a Book of Mormon from Elder Andersen.  As we were leaving Mirela told us that Vitor came to the Church one Sunday, but made a left hand turn into the parking lot and the police pulled in the church parking lot as well and gave him a ticket.  Since he was late, he didn't come in.  We sure hope he will try again...its difficult to find a Sunday without practice or games!   Another good Saturday afternoon helping people with Family Search  'Maria' surprised us with some quiche that she had made special just for our visit!  On the records it says: 'do not visit', but sometimes people change their minds.   We ar...

'Our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream' Jacob 7:26   The world over, grandmas wonder if their grands need to run outside and...spin wooden tops, play leapfrog, hopscotch, and tag...anything to put the media to rest.  Everywhere, we see grandmas waiting at the doors to make sure there children are safe.    Everywhere, new eyes awaken  the light and shadows...  of old smile wrinkles and memories. 'Behold, your little ones' 3rd Nephi 17 and new mothers begin to understand their mothers and grandmothers and theirs. And the youth are reaching up,  realizing the value of their ancestors' stories merging with their own... just like Malachi promised. ...and members are returning...as if coming home... and at once...new dreams and homes are closed and boarded up--and the time between young and old becomes a smaller space. Not big enough for idle or unkind words, not sufficiently expansive for worry or even concern.  We cannot lear...

                                           Kindness is the sincere and voluntary use of one's time, talent, and resources to better the lives of others, one's own life, and the world through genuine acts of love, compassion, generosity, and service.  Moreover, kindness involves choice.  We are impressed with the kindness of the Portuguese People.   Last night, as we were trying to find one more specific address in Aqua do Alto before going back home, we asked a lady if she was aware of the person or address  that we were looking for. She had seen us walking around looking at numbers and knocking on doors. Not only did she explain the streets  up and down in the city maze, but, she also waited for us for a while (we had to go a ways to turn around and return) so she could show us where to turn!  We explained to her what we were doing and though ...

Perspective is a precious gift.  I thought about it Saturday as Emanuelly and I were coloring.  Her father was visiting with the Missionaries.  Some weeks can be discouraging on a mission...and I thought about our week and about how perspective changes everything if we try to see things through child eyes.  Well, that...and if you always carry some colored markers in your bag! Grandpa has the gift of resilience and doesn't give disappointment even a particle place in his path.  We left early Thursday morning while the shadows shortened slowly in the pre-dawn hours.  After much preparation we were excited to set up our Family History booth at the Santana farmer's maket type fair.  We waited for the Director to show us the exact spot he had promised, but when he finally did arrive...he shared with us that the committee had decided that our booth would not be permitted in this venue after-all. He felt bad but the decision was made and so we thanked him fo...

A Week of Retrospection really.  We have mapped names and addresses and have made a list of 192 people/families that we want to verify and visit on this island in the next couple of months.  Also a Brand New Year with thoughts of Goals looking forward. We will begin this week to see the Interest here in Family Search on the Island of Sao Miguel.  We have a booth and a big sign to put out at the Farmer's Market in Santana this coming Thursday.  We will open the Family History room at the Church in Ponta Delgada for two hours on Saturday afternoons as well.  We get to teach Temple Preparation Classes!  The  Azore District is planning a Youth Temple Trip in April. We are planning special activities for the youth during our time (4 days) in Lisbon! Speaking of Family and Temple, the above photos are of my Great Grandparents on my Father's side.  George Craner (born 1857) and Mary Caroline Adams (born 1860).. When we think about the lives of our a...