Early in the morning on the day of District Conference it is easy to go through every detail again and hope it all works. Have all the speakers been notified and have they timed their talks? Saints from two islands will need to get up very early to be in time for their transportation. Is the transportation all worked out? Some are walking down the mountains, some taking the boat from Brava. Chairs are stacked in pick-up trucks from across the island winding their way on the narrow cobblestone roads arriving about the same time as the makeshift stand and pulpit, water for the speakers, and the sound system that we hope will work through the whole meeting. Programs are printed with a hymn on the back. Our interpreter is ready. The choir members are showing up. It is almost time.
Please come everyone. Please come on time.
We went to the hotel to pick up Elder Dyches of the European Area Presidency (and member of the 2nd Quorum of Seventy), President and Sister Oliviera, (Cabo Verde Mission President) and Elder and Sister Mathews (counselor with Grandpa in the Mission Presidency) still thinking about the details. But, the time had come to just enjoy. The plans were all in place. What happens, happens. And guess what happened?
They came! Everyone came EARLY...from Brava, and from Mosteiros and from Relva and from Cova Figueira 1 and Cova Figueira 2, and from Congresso and from Sao Filipe 1 and from Sao Filipe 2. And Gaita's husband came, and Joao Lopes Mother came and Henriques grandmother came and about 900 of us gathered with our faith and our hopes and our memories and our needs all under the basketball hoops to spend 2 hours together talking and learning about things that really matter. We came!
As our visitors walked in, everyone stood up, and the choir was full of angels! The women had made little red flowers to match the young men's ties from the tailor's material at the market.
Grandpa told everyone that he loves them and I know he really does. I have seen him kneel down many times to ask Heavenly Father to bless these wonderful people. He also asks Heavenly Father to bless each one of you. We love you so much! With tender feelings, Grandpa was released today as The Fogo District President... (because it won't be long until we get on the airplane to come home!!!) All at once our mission has gone by so very fast. We will leave the Islands of Fogo and Brava and spend the last four months of our mission helping on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. It will be fun to see who lives there. I know we will love them too. But, oh how our hearts are tugging at us as we leave so many wonderful friends here.
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| Our new District Presidency will be great. They know how to pray. They know what to do and their leadership/service will bless many lives. New District President: Luis Manuel Dias Vieira Counselors: Joao de Brito Pina Lopes and Arnaldo Lopes Gomes |
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We smiled when many were ordained to the Priesthood. We think Fogo will soon become a stake! like Pres. and Sister Oliveira. Their talks were inspired and just perfect for all of us to hear. Many families and youth wanted to have their photos with them after the meeting. |
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Even the little details are fun to do with people you love.  We have received visits and phone calls and text messages from many kind people last night and today.. Ahhhh, the next life will be so much better... no one will ever ever have to leave the neighborhood or say good-bye again! |
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