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...

Sunday morning in Ponta Delgada, when Grandpa learned that he was to teach the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School (RIGHT NOW!) he quickly stood up and gave a wonderful lesson.  So many participated as we felt the words in the Thirteen Article of Faith and what they mean in our lives.  I wondered at the composure he had as the lesson unfolded beautifully as if he had been preparing all week.  And then the thought came to me...that he had.  As we study the scriptures daily, and try our best to understand and apply them...we are prepared to share our joy anytime, anywhere. ...and then on the very same Sunday afternoon, after Sacrament meeting, and just as Sunday School was about to start in Ribera Grande (other part of the island), Maura, came over to give me a hug.  She wanted me to teach Primary.  What?  And I followed her into the Primary room and with chalk, markers, and scriptures we had a nice visit together.  We talked about the promises t...

    Change is an important part of life.  Kinda why we're here.  It is so exciting to learn new things and to give others encouragement as they learn and grow as well. Luke 2:52 shares that our Savior grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.  None of us land on top knowing everything, but we can choose to change and become better as we follow our Savior.   I love when we learn from children because they are direct and open hearted.  With in seconds of Grandpa being asked to come sit on the stand as a counselor in the Ponta Delgada Branch Presidency, sweet Laura, age 9, came to sit in his empty chair next to me.  And her simple act of love changed my busy morning mode and made me want to be present and kind to others all day as well.    I think Heavenly Father knows that we all need to see the world through new eyes and so He gives us families. There is something about being a grandparent that is impossible to d...