Prayers and Righteous Dreams... 1 Samuel 16:7

Shortly after arriving in Cape Verde, we met Danuesa.  She has helped us as a substitute Seminary teacher, has served as a  Primary leader, and always eager to help in any way.  She told me that her prayer is to be a missionary one day.

Me and my new wrinkles and gray hair were blessed to be attending Primary in Relva, the exact Sunday that Danuesa was teaching about our bodies being the Temples for our Spirits. It is difficult for her to read sometimes because her eyes are crossed, but she turned right to the scriptures in the lesson and read 1st Corinthians 3:16.  She sometimes has to reach to write on the chalkboard due to the hunchback that makes it difficult to stretch up.  But she does...stretch up.

And the moment I have memorized is when she shared, with all the children and me,
her deep appreciation for the gift of having a body.

So...

You can imagine our joy when we were in the car half way to Relva this past Tuesday for Perpetual Education Fund Interviews when a phone call came from Praia.  They needed a mini-missionary for three weeks beginning now!  We tried to think of who was next in line to serve a mission and phoned a Branch President...but he didn't have a sister available, and into our hearts came 'Danuesa'!  Of Course! We stopped at her home on the way up the steep hill to the chapel house.  Grandpa asked her if she would serve a mission.

Prayers and righteous dreams are answered right on time...

and I wish you could have seen her face!

Her father was happy for her, but concerned at the same time. Is she ready?  Where will she stay?
He didn't have money to help her.   She would need a skirt.  Right now?!
'She'll be just fine', her mother smiled. 

We told her we would return in two hours to take her with us to Sao Filipe.

On the ride home, she was quiet. I told her that she had one of the sweetest companions ever! A Filipino sister who... sure enough! Just reached out and gave her a giant hug and put her arm around her... hunchback and all!  "We are so thankful to have you here!" Sister Llano (an angel) said.

We see Danuesa often as we come and go, and her smile gets bigger with each day it seems.
Sweet Sister Llano shared with me that when Danuesa prays and teaches, her words are heard and felt.

I am blessed to know that is true.

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder!

Stephani was not at her home, so we walked in the direction her brother pointed. We found the color of casa that he told us about and hollered her name into the night-sky.  Of course, we couldn't wait to tell her in the morning!  Someone peeked their head out of a doorway and pointed to a third floor and called out her name for us in a loud voice. I wish you could have seen her smile when Grandpa told her that she will be serving her mission in Brasil! 

The Dos Santos Family when Jasiandra opened her call!

Luis Cardoso opened his call to Brasil as well!!!

Three days of a Mini-MTC was the cumilation of this last semester's  'Preparing for a Mission' Institute class.
These are the next missionaries to leave Fogo.  Thanks to Pres. Gomes and Brother Barros for hosting these three days soaked in service and love, these youth experienced how much work and how much Joy awaits them as Missionaries!  Our little Island will send close to 80 missionaries this year.

Many of these (earlier photo) are already in the field!

Wilkers Mom received photos of her missionary son who is in Portugal.

He will be happy to know that she is attending church with his brother and sisters!  

Ten months ago, I was sitting next to an older sister in church. She told me her story after the meeting and reached for her purse to show me a Christmas postcard that 'her' missionary had sent to her.  I noticed that the missionary has 3 children by now and is probably very busy in his life back home...but I wish he could know how much that postcard still means to her. I wish he knew that she has carried it in her purse for over 3 years so far...

Silas' mother did not know we were coming for a visit.   Her son showed us
how to get on the path to their home and welcomed us into their front room. He went to tell her the good news.  Missionaries were here to visit!  She would feel so honored to have visitors in her home.

While we waited to meet her, my heart memorized Matthew 6: 19-21 by looking around me.

During our Mission in Brasil, and again here in Cabo Verde, we have seen little photos, curled from age, tacked to walls.  Photos with faded names on the back framed on tables in places of honor; photos of their special Baptism day savored in purses and scriptures and photo albums.  Everyone asks us if we know Elder or Sister so and so... since we are also from America.  They want us to know 'their' missionaries;  the ones who taught them about a Father in Heaven who loves them.  The ones who knocked on their door and offered a gift called Joy!

It isn't about the missionaries...its about the message.  The love people feel for 'their' missionary is the same love that missionary feels for them.  It is called The Pure Love of Christ and it is given as a gift, both to the willing giver and willing receiver.  We have learned that the field is white and ready to harvest and everyone is welcome!

You will love serving your full-time mission someday...
But the great thing about today is: every time you are kind to someone, you are serving a mini-mission right now!  

We love each of you so very very much. 
Hugs and High-Fives! Hurrah for Israel! 

27 pair of sneakers...

Junor was three when his father went to America.  It is normal for families here to split up for America.  It is rare for families to get back together, but when He was five years old, his Mother took his 5 brothers and him to America too.

When you live in Cabo Verde, you sit and talk outloud to neighbors and the star-studded night sky; you move to music that no one turns down; and you wave to everyone on the cobblestone streets in front of your casa.  You don't really know how poor you are, but in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Junor knew.  At school, he would stare at the other kids 'sneakers' and wonder why his father couldn't buy those fancy gym shoes or nice clothes for him.  If only he could own 'Walkmans',  he would be important too.

His mother told him:  "You have to learn to give things value--You have to value yourself."  He heard those words often but it took 16 years of wandering until he understood them.

He met 'so-called' friends that placed their  'value' on drugs and drinking.  He dropped out of school in 9th grade to hang out with them.  They had Walkmans.   His father gave him a clear choice: go to school or get a job or move out.  He moved out--and in and out-- of places after that.  He was 18 the first time he was locked up for 90 days.  Next, he was caught riding his bike with 18 bags of cocaine and 1 oz. of marijauna in his pocket.  Probation had no value.  Neither did the results of driving his friend's stolen car, or selling drugs.  "You would pray in prison, but forget when you got out."  He should know because of the many times he was in jail, detention, on probation, or in prison.

But, he always called his mother on Saturdays.  And she would say:
"You have to learn to give things value--You have to value yourself."

Inbetween being drunk or locked up, he would try at times to work a real job.  He worked at a gas station for two months.  His brother's wife got him a job at a shoe lace company for 9 months.  He vacumed the hallways at a hotel and 'fixed things'.  Even a cement job once, but, working was hard and when he would fight with someone, the cops would come.  Then there were the  searches, violations of probations, guards, and immigration people to deal with.

At one time, Junor had 27 pairs of sneakers...

He also had 3 children and they would visit "The Pizza King" on week-ends when he was...somewhere.  But, he never really got to be a part of their lives because his green card was taken at age 30, and he and his habits were deported.  His parents sent money...but without family, and with very few jobs on the island, he spent their money on alcohol and drugs.

In August of 2006, he knelt down to pray.  He begged that somehow  he could have help to stop drinking.

"On the last day of August in 2006, I woke up without a desire to smoke or drink.  Two weeks later, missionaries knocked on my door.  They asked me if I had 5 minutes.  I wasn't interested, so I said: No.  Come back tomorrow.

And they did."

Junor was baptized a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints on November 26th, 2006.  He is the Branch President on the island of Brava.  You can only get there by boat. He speaks English and Creole, but Portuguese is difficult.  He is patient, soft-spoken, funny, and kind.  We really like him. He is a humble man who knows that there is no value in having 27 pairs of sneakers.

He still calls his Mother every Saturday (and sometimes in between!)   President Cardoso teaches the young people in his branch, that "you can choose your choice, but Not the consequences."  He reminds them:  "Good ends Good!"  He shares with them that: the scriptures have Value...Family has Value...and life has Value.  He knows.  

"My only regret is that I did not find the Gospel earlier in my life."  Probably  why one of his favorite scriptures is in The Bible in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3.  To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven.  His take on it is: "Don't put off the season to make the right choices. The time to change is NOW...This is our season and this is our time, because you never know when it might be too late."

There is a plan of happiness.  "It's like coming out of a jar.  You can't believe you were ever stuck inside of it.  I have a purpose to getting up in the morning...It's like
You have to learn to give things value--You have to value yourself."

and he does...

because he found out that He is a Child of God.

**************************

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;  

(Doctrine and Covenants   Section 18:10)

But mostly Today...

Was I busy matching socks or coloring with the kids?  Did I forget to set the minute hand?

Seems I was just 17 and in love with that handsome young Benedict Runner kid.
And two minutes later, he was on a Mission in Brasil, and then he returned with honor...
and with those same blue eyes.

Were we reading storybooks too much, or trying to save for bunk beds too long,
or spending too many afternoons in the soccer-fields and sun, clearing dishes again?
Was I smiling, or ranting and raving, when it happened?

All I know is that Life goes by as if a furious wind, yet gentle breeze...and  it happens all at once.

And then one day, on an island off the west coast of Africa, far from home, I turn 61 years old.
What?!

I love these beautiful Cabo Verdianos that speak Portuguese and Creole all around me and into the night,
I love that they sing loud and I love that they want to know what 'family' and 'forever' are all about.
I am thankful that it is Conference Week and that every word and warning was prepared just for me.  

Thank you to our Family.  Our Goodly Parents and Siblings. My Amazing Husband,
Our Wonder-Full Children.  Our Precious Grandchildren.
Thank you for making my Life Blessed beyond "good Measure.
...Pressed down, and shaken together, and running over..."

  I am thankful for the Scriptures and for my Heavenly Parents and for an Eternal Plan of JOY.  I am humbled that my Savior loves me enough to let me learn and grow and change and become...and I am grateful that He will help me do it.

Life, is an amazingly durable, fragile, timed moment, on its way to brilliant light!  I don't want to miss a moment of the Splender it holds.  That is why I am so thankful for each of you.

Ahhhh, family photos!  I had to promise everything from getting out of dish turns to an early Christmas to get ANYone to co-operate!!!  But, prepare yourselves...because we already need another!  I love that the Family Photo below is less than three years old and the next will include 8 more grandchildren.
I love each and every one of you for being MAGNIFICENT in my Life!

Older?  Yes.  Grayer? Absolutely!  Wiser?  Sure hope to Shout!
But mostly today...I am Very Thankful.

Early Morning in Cabo Verde, April 8, 2013

Momma and Daddy, Thank You for giving me life and welcoming me into your home 61 years ago this morning.
I am Eternally Grateful.
Today is a P-Day and so we will hang out our clothes and prepare our week,
but I also want you to know that my love and prayers
are right there in that Hospital room with you today.
 I love you fiercely and Forever...

In Celebration of Marriage!

 A few photos from four Marriage celebrations over the past few months. Marriage is a wonderful thing to celebrate and when and where possible we like to attend!

The marriages take place in the city hall, but afterwards the couple invite everyone to celebrate!

Everyone pitches in to make the day special!
Special dishes are washed over and over so everyone can
enjoy the feast!

Whether simple or elegant, it isn't the celebrations that matter...the important part is the fact that
Marriage is a Sacred Ordinance.  A Temple Marriage, performed by one having Authority from God,  can last forever.  In the Temple, the words, until death do you part...are never spoken.  Knowing that this authority exists on the earth, a trip to the Temple becomes a goal that brings Couples many blessings along the way as well..  

Right now, the closest Temple is in Recife, Brasil...
but Temples are dotting the earth,
and someday, there may even be one in Cabo Verde!