We Love Kind people!

January 16, 2023

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 she had no time for a message, she was so gracious in helping us.

It reminded us of a very rainy, windy, night in Evora, when The Stake Patriarch and his wife came to give a Patriarchal blessing to Djodjo! This photo looks clear with a flash, but it was a rainy rainy slick cobblestone type of night, yet they came.

Farmers here on Sao Miguel will turn off their tractors and take time to help find people. And they even listen to our message at times!

We went to find two sisters. The one came to the 2nd story window on the left hand side of the door. She said she had never heard of these people that we were searching for, but something seemed off... just then the first floor window on the right hand side of the door opened and we explained that we were looking for two sisters and her whole face lite up! 'I am Maria!' and pointing to the other window, she exclaimed, "and that is my sister! You have remembered us! I am so happy!" (slowly, the other sister closed the window and went inside fairly embarrassed that her lie was discovered. It happens alot). However the happiness for Maria is why we keep looking for members on the island. Covid changed alot of things here, but when Maria came back to church on Sunday; the looking and finding and tired feet were all worthwhile!

Grandpa worked with the youth to get names to take to the Temple while I attended a ministering meeting with the Relief Society sisters. We also began teaching Temple preparation classes this week to Orlindo and Maria and family. Found lots of people, including a a young man that we met a couple of weeks ago on our way to the archives. He is a student from Guineu-Bassau. We gave his name to the missionaries and they are teaching him. On our way to take the elders to an appointment an hour away we saw some more of this beautiful island! We prepared our lesson in the car while we waited. Grandpa gave a nice talk on Sunday on the spur of the moment when the member assigned did not show up. So many good experiences to learn from on a mission!

Have to add a very funny moment from one evening this week. Grandpa was opening a gate to go knock on a door when he looked up and saw a huge dog. I have not seen him jump/run/backwards so fast for many years! When the owner came out the 'ferocious' dog's tail started wagging. Ha!