as vezes, nos nao temos palavras

Sister Tatasha, Primary President in Boa Vista made a little
cardboard reminder for each child.  It says: 'I am a Child of God', 
and she wants each little one to know that it is true.  

Years back, Albert had to flee Liberia during the war to protect his life.
He wanted to show us a book that he has.  The missionaries are teaching him.
I had to step outside to take the photo of him and his Book of Mormon 
as there is only a couple of feet of floor on two sides of his mattress.  
It is his home for now.
But, talk about gracious.  He invited us in and was so thoughtful.

We were on our way to visit Octavio when we heard a fellow say, "Elder!"
We stopped to visit with TChidi Aduruao, a kind man from Nigeria.
"I have a question for you." he said.  "Tell me who Moroni is.
I attended a meeting when I was in Fogo and I want to know more about your church."
His world of work is the small table of shoe shining and repairing equipment
on the table in front.  But, like all of us, his thoughts and dreams and questions
are deep and searching and he wants to understand life.
He wrote down his name and number for us.

Sister Aguirra, a sweet Brasilian sister, asked her companion to take a photo of us together.
This was the day before her mission was completed and we felt her deep emotion.
It is very difficult to think of leaving people whom you love and serve.

"But", I told her, "Your Momma can't WAIT to get you home!
She probably has flan in the fridge and pastels in the frying pan already!"
I shared with her what my mother always told me:
Half way  back home on the plane, you will shed tears for missing those you are leaving.
Then halfway to home you will shed tears of Joy for those you are returning to!
Momma knows.  She has been on many missions and is on one now.

Life is like that.

I will not forget the many calls, visits, and interviews.
The patient and kind way of my companion.
His smile wrinkles are sun-tanned in!

Tonight, we made some popcorn to take to family home evening at Tia's home.
So many people were there.  Tia had made a feast.  After, the Opening Song, Prayer,
and Spiritual Message...our group leader, Jacinto, asked us to come up in front of the room.
The Family Home Evening was really a surprise going away party for us!
They presented us with a Cabo Verdiano flag that everyone signed and with two
Cabo Verdiano Soccer shirts which, of course, we put on, right over our clothes immediately!
These beautiful people.  Oh My! 

We have practiced every Saturday from 6-7 pm for a month now.  Our little choir is ready.
The men will wear white shirts and blue ties.  The women will wear white blouses and blue flowers.
The sisters and I will bake cakes on Saturday for after the program.
Mariama will sing, "Silent Night" as the last solo after which everyone will sing "Noite Feliz"
(I better get a good night's rest, or I will drown.)
We have taken out invitations:
 7 pm - December 15th - Christmas Program at the Church
and we are ready!