Good-Bye Moroni!

This first part is a post Written Dec.17th 2012. The blue lettering below is an update written today.
Wednesday after Wednesday,  Lucindo Aderito Rodrigues Teixeira showed up at the young adult center to do family search with his 30 minutes on the computer. The center fills with young adults waiting for their turn on the computers, playing ping-pong, Uno, visiting, studying, applying for the Perpetual Education Fund, and emailing.  But for Lucindo, the need to search his genealogy and record his family names is paramount.

Lucindo had a free evening 10 months ago...(most evenings are free in Fogo and the people sit in front of their cement houses and visit into the night.)  Some of his friends were walking in front of his casa that evening... and they began visiting.  He wondered what their plans were and they invited him to attend something called: Family Home Evening (Noite Familiar).  That was in January 2012.  Tomorrow night, Lucindo will begin teaching his Institute class.  He is excited to learn more about our Savior in studying the New Testament this semester.  As the Elder's Quorum President, he understands the importance of helping others learn as well.

He carefully takes the folded paper from his pocket, information that he has borrowed from his uncle.  Lucindo is second to the youngest of eleven children.  His Mother passed away when he was 5 years old and his father too, when he was 16 years old.  Lucindo is the only member of his family who attends church. He was baptized on Feb 25th, 2012 and has 5 months before he will be able to go on his mission and to the Temple to give his parents the opportunity of being sealed together forever.  His eyes light up when asked about his interest in Family Search...he says it is  because he has the power to bless his family forever.

Lucindo (on the right), with his friends...one already serving a mission in Mosambique, one on his way to Brasil, and the others waiting until they have had enough time in the church to put in their mission papers.  

Lucindo credits a Family Home Evening for the beginning of his conversion.  He has never had a Family Home Evening with his own parents or brothers or sisters...

but if he has anything to do with it...He will...   He will! 

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Without parents, work, or goals, it is easy for young people here to waste their time, their hope and their lives.  Lucindo stopped selling drugs the day he went to prison and he is grateful for what he learned there.  

  
 He wrote the following in a letter to us in January, 2013. 
quando cheguei na prisão eu estava muito triste,eu estava numa sela sem nenhum condição  eu foi transferido para outra sela. No lado da minha cama estava um foto do anjo moroni ,eu não sabia quem era,eu só queria ser forte como ele era,fiquei quase seis meses a treinar para ficar como ele mas não consegui.o senhor queria me mostrar a condição da minha mesmo na cadeia...hoje sou membro da igreja da igreja de jesus Cristo. agora sei quem é moroni,ele era forte mesmo fisicamente e espiritualmente.hoje tudo que eu quero é ser como ele mesmo..hoje sou feliz.  Eu sou amo o evangelho e também amo vocês...  


Translation:

"when I arrived in prison I was very sad, I was in an empty cell. I was transferred to another cell. On the side of my bed was a picture of the Angel Moroni, I did not know who it was, I just wanted to be strong as he was.  "It was almost six months that I trained to be like him but could not do it. Heavenly Father wanted to show me the condition of myself even in jail.  Today I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I now know who Moroni is.  He was strong physically and spiritually.  Today all I want is to be exactly like him.  Today I am Happy.  I love the gospel and love you too...

 In February, Lucindo received his mission call to serve for two years!  Each day for awhile after that he would bring me his words on little folded pieces of paper and ask me to translate them.  One day he memorized the Baptism prayer, one day a door invitation, one day he shared his Testimony in broken English. He can't wait to teach the great people in the England, Leeds Mission!  

He told me that he had wanted to be physically strong like 'The Man with the Muscles and Sword', 

but now, he said, "I want to be spiritually strong ... just like Moroni"

The morning came to say good-bye to his brother and some neighbors, he has been released as a counselor to the Branch President and he had his suitcase in hand and off we went to the boat dock. 

It's quite a thing for us to watch these young people leave their island to bless the lives of others.

So many thoughts go through one's head and heart at such a parting and starting.

We gave him a small bag with some fruit in it, a note, and small laminated visual aids about 'The Plan of Salvation.'  I like to send those with the Fogo missionaries so they have something to share right from the start. I think they need to know they have something they too can share--- especially for the moment when they set their one-small-suitcase-and-a-sack-or-two down-- in a far away apt.-- next to the two full-loaded ones of a companion with new shoes.

(Two days later, it will not matter, one will have more to carry upon transfers and one thankfully a little less!)
The Mission home will help him with a new suit and tie and some white shirts and maybe even shoes.
   

Just before he left, he looked at the simple treat we had prepared. For his appreciation, you'd have thought that we gave him Christmas early! (or Christmas at all...)He gave Grandpa a big hug and shook my Missionary hand.
He looked into our eyes and paused, then said English words that he had practiced on his own:
  "I Love You!"  followed by his shy Lucindo smile!

We were both a bit over-come with emotion. We waved as he went up the boat ramp,
And I heard myself call out:

"Tchau...(good-bye) Elder Moroni!"   

Sidelines...

Conference was Wonderful!

I have felt each discourse and sense a real need to do each one as well.  

I want to try them on... until I can fit into such beautiful talks.

.

There is a small arena just outside the rented house used by the branch in Relva.  One afternoon after teaching our Perpetual Education Fund class, I observed these children aching to enter the loud and lively soccer game, yet content to watch from the broken door. It requires escudos (pennies) to enter in.  

I have been on the sidelines of life at times. My mind was flooded by bitter-sweet thoughts;

 when immediately, I was reminded of two things:  

One: I can never know another's heart, and two: I must be so careful what I place in mine.

To any outsider these young ones should have means whereby to enter the court. That judgment is obvious by their beautiful clothes and neatly trimmed hair.  Yet, if the same observer would accompany them to their homes, they would see cement or lava rock walls, dirt and cement floors, and very little food inside.  The inside walls would be made from a hanging curtain or two, and many do not have water in their homes yet. Their prayers would include:  "We are thankful for the bread for this day".  And they would mean it. A literal description of their blessing, if they could afford the 10 cent bakery rolls that day for breakfast, and maybe some rice and beans for lunch. 

Peanut Butter, Jam, and other luxuries, I have never heard mentioned, or seen used in their homes.

The nice clothes are sent to them (in large barrels that come by boat) from relatives in America. Moms will sit on the streets and sell the clothes to have money to buy food.  The clothes are free to them, but you can't eat clothes, you can't always sell clothes, and you can't get into the soccer game by being dressed up. Having nothing else...the way they look becomes of major import.   But, the way we look, is not who we really are. And we cannot know each others hearts. I am thankful that Our Savior taught us that. 

1 Samuel 16:7 

Secondly, 

Its not easy to watch life from the sidelines. 

Especially knowing that Life is much more than a game- 

and that some Heavenly Courts are for keeps..

so, what is really in my heart of hearts?. 

When we took Lucindo (Moroni) to the boat dock to begin his mission, I couldn't leave his brother on the step like this.
I went back and said, Heavenly Father loves you just as much as He loves Lucindo.  Now, it is your turn to decide if you love your Heavenly Father and invited him to come to church to learn of the happiness that his brother has found. He smiled and said he would try.
The only sidelines we really have in this life are the ones we make for ourselves...

So very Thankful for the Conference words, warmth, and warnings!

http://www.lds.org 

When the Tabernacle Choir sang: 'Where Love Is'...

(Oh My! Where is a towel when you need one!), 

Latisha turned around and brought me back to Fogo with her smile.

I love that in The Gospel of Jesus Christ, there are NO such things as sidelines!

A Caridade Nunca Falha...

Relief Society is the largest Women's Organization in the World!
This past week, women all over the World and on the Island of Fogo, Cabo Verde,
celebrated the 171st Anniversary of  this Society.  

It was so fun for me (and funny at times), to see the first Relief Society meeting re-enacted, we had some readings, a pioneer choir, and they were kind to invite me to speak as well.  It took two tables to hold the refreshments that we all came for!  As I looked into the faces of these women, real pioneers themselves, first time members, many of them the only ones in their families, one nursing without embarassment or blanket, one widow in traditional black, an older man and some children who had wandered in from the street to hear the singing, and some rather amazing tunes amidst the Creole and Portuguese as we sang, "As sisters in Zion."  I looked at young women and mothers, children with wide-eyes and beaded hair for this special celebration...and I saw hope, faith, and charity, at once...and my heart was softened.  

I got up to give my talk, but instead... found myself telling a story of service that makes the words: Charity Never Faileth very real to me.

What a Legacy we have!  The blessing to help each other during our difficult times and to love and laugh with each other in the good times!  This is the heritage we have been given by women of courage who understood what this Society needed to do in the past and what it will need to do in the future. 

Some have laughed at the inbetween times, when we were fortunate enough to make crafts and decor.  But for those on the receiving end of our gatherings, it is profound and I believe we will see it's real power in the days ahead...and we will be grateful to be a part. 

I have seen women crochet leper bandages, quilt quilts, sort clothes, take meals, help with children, and read to those who cannot. They paint toys, plan programs, plant, pray, and provide for the needs of others as well as their own families.  And it is alot.  And they get really tired. Yet they continue on because women understand what it is like to have someone understand.  One day years ago, a beautiful woman brought our family a large bowl of soup...and then she went to the car and brought back a little vase of freshly picked wild flowers..and when she left, I cried.

I am very Thankful for this Society.  Thankful that a Prophet of God understood that a Women's heart will work with or without an organization...but to organize insures that no one need be left out of this kind of love and that we can take turns so no one need feel overwhelmed and lonesome in the giving or the receiving of it. To be organized to receive and give counsel with our Priesthood leaders is indeed a great gift & blessing!

 I think of our Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Granddaughters...of the service they give everyday.  I think of my neighbors, my friends, and my visiting teachers, (who still write to me every month)!

And...I love all of YOU...ALOT!

O Sonho da Minha Vida...

Way up on top of the steep take-your-breath-away-Mosteiros mountain, the mayor and other leaders held a water celebration!  They had a live band, food, and speakers.  It was a Happy Moment to talk about the blessings of water pipes coming into their homes and how someday they could dream of having bathrooms right in their homes like in the cities.  They spoke of some electricity there already, and the future being full of promise.  Toward the end of the program which started over an hour late, (which means about on time here) there were many more people gathered.  A tour of a few of the homes that have water now!

Before we left her casa this sweet lady shook our hands in profound gratitude for the part The Church played in making it possible for her to have water inside her house!  She paused and exclaimed: 
"Este é o sonho da minha vida!"
 (This is the dream of my life!)

It is quite a thing to see some of the projects  that people help other people with all around the world.  I am thankful to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.   Humanitarian help is given to members and non-members alike.  I love that...because there are no non-children of God.
Each one matters to Him.
ALOT.

http://www.lds.org/topics/humanitarian-service?lang=eng

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/humanitarian?lang=eng

Quiet Thoughts...

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:  28,29,30

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: 
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

John 14:  27

The chemo did not work. 

"Honey, I know the doctors can do nothing more, so I know that if I stay it is because of a direct miracle, and if I don't it is ok.  I am glad to know that whatever way, it will be right,  because 'He' is in charge...and that brings me peace."  My sweet Momma's words echo all around me at once.  It is who she is... 

and who I need to be.