We love these great people!

We just returned from visiting the Boa Vista Branch.  They are amazing and growing fast! 

Seminary class in Espargos.  We love visiting these classes!

Some of our Seminary students here in Santa Maria.  I love how intent the students are in
understanding the scriptures.  I looked around me and  I couldn't resist taking this photo memory.
Like collecting smooth stones, or a colorful leaf,
I simply must put some of these important moments in my 'pocket' to take home with me.
  

Cleaning up records, dividing branches, and helping train willing young minds are time consuming, but important.
We really admire this young Esmael from Espargos.  He comes in the evenings after school to help in his calling!

I will always be amazed at the inspirations and directions given.
This is a training of two new secretaries in the Boa Vista Branch, Jorge Paulo Te and Jidiel Kenedy Rocha.  Like many times before, a name and password account must first be taught and a simple review of a computer before the training can proceed.  Yet, in faith,
these young people go forth and learn their part and bless other lives along the way.

Trainings and then Interviews.  We love these young people who want to make good decisions
and change their lives to become valuable to their families, neighbors, church, community, and country.

Brand New Elder's Quorum!
Do we really know who we are and what we have?
Do we know we have the power to act, and not merely react?
Do we know that we can help others through the Power of the Priesthood
and bless their lives FOREVER?!
(I went with Lizzy to visit a family after our Primary Training, but when I returned to the church,
I sat in the back and listened to some of Grandpa's message.)

I LOVE LISTENING TO HIM SHARE HIS WORDS AND TESTIMONY!

Thoughts along the way...

We ride in a hiace (Yahz) between towns.  

The vans will never leave on a timed schedule.  

When a van is full...the van will go. Not a second sooner.

Generally--we visit with the other travelers, who also plan, sleep, read, wait,

sometimes, we coax the wind into open windows and just think.

The world is so much with us.  

Our little computer shouts storms, politics, and such at us.

It would be easy to worry, feel a bit over-whelmed, confused, 

depressed by the news (which really is as old as the world).  

Oh! To cover our anxieties over the decisions and difficulties
 of people and governments in an attempt
to escape the world by wrapping up in a blanket, 

locking all the doors, reading a good book
 to the accompaniment of classical music 

and the smell of creamy hot chocolate or carob comfort 

(absolutely froth/bouncing seven tiny marshmellows)!  

But, as nice as that is in the evenings after a hard day of work...

it is even better to know 

that the world is right on schedule and that things will all work out.

  

I remind myself of this truth: 

As bad as the world gets...that is also how good it is getting!  

Opposition in all things really does mean opposition in all things.  YEA!  

And we get to choose what and which to think about.  

Things are getting better and people are becoming magnificent!  

Youth have bright eyes that come with strength and resolve

Being on a full-time mission gives us a great perspective, 

(very much like the mission of being full-time parents) 

in that we see Miracles regularly.  This work couldn't happen without them. 

We see things happen that can't.  

We witness ruined lives becoming vibrant and hopeful again.  

People who are bound by decisions and addictions becoming free

 through a faith that surpasseth understanding.  

Shadow people becoming great leaders 

with compassion to search out and serve others.  

We know their names and their faces, we learn of their dreams and fears, 

their strengths and weaknesses, their trials and triumphs, 

and we are amazed at their humility, and teach-ability.

More and more it becomes clear why we must each come unto Christ 

with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. 

No wonder we must become as a child, accepting our Father's will 

instead of expecting our own.  

To reach for His plan first, placing our own aside 

to become an heir to what He has prepared for those who wait on Him.  

I remember standing at the end of the high diving board at Ephraim's city pool.  

I can almost smell the chlorine of the water that I stared at; 

the water that I wanted so much to dive into.  

As I stood there...it came to me 

that unless I abandoned my fear, and actually dove in, 

I would never feel what it was like to swim to the surface of victory.  

I think life is like that.  

We must make our goals 

without turning around or climbing back down.
It's in the doing that we really understand the how and why.
And it works!

There are so many people that are looking for truth.  

So many good hearts longing to know why we are on earth, 

where did we come from, why are we here,
and where are we going after this life?  

With all that is going on in the world, 

the answers to those questions are also going on...

boldly, nobly, reaching every climb, and making hearts light.

What a great time to be on the Earth...

what a perfect time to dive right in!

(with patience of course, the van must be full!)

sweet moments

45 years ago today, this handsome young man invited me on our first date,

                              and he is taking me out to dinner tonight to celebrate!

Each week has many highlight moments.  I must remember a few from this week.

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

We met in a small cement room.  We were visiting Karl, Vanda and their 7 year old daughter Larisa.  Kaisse was there as well.  He is a bright young man, a cousin to the family.   Jacinto was there.  He is the leader of the 'group' here in Santa Maria.  Oh, and Jerson came, and the missionaries came, and a member girl came in the middle of the visit, and so we ended up with 12 of us in the small standing room only room.  We shared our message and the Spirit was so sweet.  They are happy to have more scriptures to read.  They want us to tell them more.  They came to our choir practice Sat. night and then to Church on Sunday.

We were getting supplies from the boat dock last Wed. at 11 am.  Turns out after a few trips and getting home about midnight, we finally got the cargo on Thursday.  It all depends on when they decide to unload the boat!   On one of our trips, we met a fellow on the hiace  (yas) (the van transports) from England who was interested in our message and wants to hear more about it this week in his apartment.

We were walking home from installing the new sister missionaries' washing machine when we saw a mother in the doorway of their home holding a baby girl who was giggling as her father would run toward her and then back up and run toward her again.  They were so cute with the baby.  We had to stop and meet Olavo and Evanilda and their little Gizele.  They invited us to visit with them the next evening and after the first lesson, they invited us back again.  They were so kind in thanking us for The Book of Mormon.  In fact, they asked us to come collect them for choir practice and they were so happy to participate.  We will visit again this Thursday.

Yesterday, Mariama called early.  "I need your help" she said.  Then the phone went dead.  We never know when we have power or when the phone will work just right.  We hurried to her apt. to see what it was she needed.  She was all ready for Church.  "I got up early," she said.  "I have been ready for 2 hours already. But, I need your help.  I want to pay my tithing today and you must show me how to write it on the form."

Atou saw me when we were returning from a visit and she hurried across the street (as fast as one can bustle across a cobblestone street carrying her jolly large self and a baby on her back).  She pulled a man with her who she introduced us to as her brother.  She told him that I am a "Gud (Goo-ed) woo-man"  They are from Senegal.  They told us that they hope we will come to their home for dinner one day when we can come.  Out of respect for their safety, we do not teach Muslim people just now, but we can sure be their friends and I just really like Atou.
She makes me want to be a Goo-ed Woo-man!

My knee had an attitude this week.  But, I was reading in Alma and saw my struggle as very insignificent, and then with our prayers and thoughts with the people in the Philippines this week...there was no time to worry about a slight limp of a couple of days.  But, Jacinto brought some salve for me to rub on it just to be thoughtful.  I really love good people.  Like the young missionaries who will take boxes out of our arms or ask how they can help us.

Tears washed over me when we learned that all of the missionaries in the Philippines have been found safe after the monster storm.  I know they will provide much love, comfort, and help to so many who are struggling right now.

We laughed during our little 'group' activity this week as the Institute students put on a play about the Tree of Life!  It was so well done...and of course was funny in parts where they added their own personalities.
Yesterday, Elder Benedict asked the leader of the 'group' who would be giving the Sunday School lesson as it was time to begin.  Our leader got a funny look on his face as he had totally forgotten--he thought a minute and then said, "Do you know Elder Benedict?  He will give it!"  (note to selves:) we must reinforce preparation again.
But, you have to smile and nod meanwhile.

To be in a cement home, sitting on a bed or bucket, in an everything-bedroom, frontroom, kitchen- room, and bow our heads with beautiful people who thank Heavenly Father for sending us to their home with an important message is always a tender moment for us.  There really are no words for some of the sweet moments when we feel the great love our Father has for His children.   

Love to Learn!

We visited a home in Santa Maria and the grandma kept reminding her grand-daughter
to keep practicing her letters.  It brought back so many home-work memories.
The desire to learn, unlocks light.

We had Family Home Evening with a family in Boa Vista.
Without electricity in their home,
the candle and cell phone made a soft glow.

Something sweet happens when a child reads.
We all discover something that we need to know.

We love attending the Seminary and Institute classes.
The teachers come prepared and ask great questions,
thus, the classes turn into discussions and most everyone participates.

Do Teachers understand how valuable they are when
they love their students and love sharing their subject?
True Teaching is not pushing information into a student,
 but pulling it out.

P.S.  There are many new things to learn on a mission.  This week we are setting up 2 apts. One for the sister missionaries and one for a new couple that will be coming to this island in a week!  Getting electricity and water hooked up here is quite an experience as well.  Grandpa has been getting information and filling out paperwork to help make our 'group' into a branch and our island and Boa Vista into a District.  We are starting Activity nights once a week, adding a Seminary class in the mornings, and starting a choir practice on Saturdays to prepare a Christmas Concert.  Sister Oliveira gave us blue ties for the men and we are making blue fabric flowers for the women. Of course, the best part of our work is talking to people on the street and in their homes. 

We had a sweet experience.  One day we were walking down the street and began visiting with a young woman who said that her sister is a member of our church.  Two days later a fellow from Espargos called and told us about a young woman who lives here, and sure enough, it was about the sister of the young woman that we had met earlier.  We already had the information and had an appointment to see her.  When we arrived, she got really teary and gave me a big hug.  She said she has missed the church so much.  During the sweet visit, she brought out her baptism picture from long ago and told us about 'her' missionary.  We just 'happen' to know him very well from our time in Fogo.  We took a photo of her with her family to Tadeu, (her missionary) when we went to Fogo to visit.  We asked him if he would write a letter back and just two days ago we took the letter to her and what joy she felt again.  
In his letter, he encouraged her to be true to what she knew... 
as I watched her read his words, my heart was tender. 

Oftimes the best learning of all is remembering.
We do that when we listen to good teachers and leaders, parents, family, friends, 
scriptures, and especially the still small voice inside of us. 

I am Thankful for so many Great Teachers in my Life.