General Conference and White-Wash Transfers

Saturday, October 6

We went to the famous Loulé market this morning. I wanted to get a small gift representative of the Algarve as our Loulé Elders and Sisters are leaving the area. I found four different fabric panels that had pictures and the name Algarve on them. The Elders probably won’t be too interested in them, but I suggested they give them to their mothers. They all seemed genuinely appreciative of the token gift. It didn’t hurt that I wrapped American granola bars inside each of them.


With the time difference, the Saturday morning session of conference was at 5:00 in the afternoon. Our District building is in Faro, and conference was broadcast there. We gave rides to the Sisters and Edgar, a new member. He is a great young man. We were able to watch conference in English in a separate room with several American missionaries and a few Portuguese young people who are learning English.

The Sisters wanted to watch the afternoon session (started at 9:00 p.m.) with us in our apartment and make pizzas for dinner. We made personal pan pizzas combining things we each had in our refrigerators. Each pizza was different, but made to our own specifications. As both Sisters are leaving, they tried to use up all their perishable things.

I had forgotten our dessert and dropped Magnum ice cream bars out our window for the Sisters to catch for a late night treat. This has become a customary practice – to avoid all the stairs, we drop things out the windows oranges, pears, licorice, cookies, ice cream bars, etc. They haven’t missed catching anything yet.

Following are some thoughts that Merl had during the conference sessions this weekend:

Any time I hear the phrases, “we need an adjustment” or “I feel compelled” from the Prophet, I know there is new revelation coming and I listen. Adjustments are coming fast, and I surely sensed that the Second Coming is close at hand.

 The prophet said, “We will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”

When he told us there would be a course correction pertaining to the name of the church, my first thought was, why did it take so long for this to happen? I have personally never liked being called a “Mormon”.

There were specific talks on handling stress, hardship, the adversary. Elder Bowen’s talk on the absolute necessity of the Book of Mormon to gather Israel in fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant.

Knowledge and instructions are pouring down upon the saints so that we can deal with any trial or any of the darts of the adversary and those who revile and fight against righteousness.

D&C 121:33; “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.”

This truly was a revelatory conference and I loved it. There were many inspirational insights that caught my attention. We will need to read and study these talks to remember and incorporate them into our lives. We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we love the Lord.

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Sunday, October 7

Today was the test for Merl’s legendary packing skills. We drive our small, Toyota Yaris – with a hatch back door and tiny trunk. We met the Sisters in front of their apartment and started to load up four huge suitcases, two carry-on suitcases, and extra personal bags – and two Sisters in the back


seat.

We arrived at the train station a little early and sat on an outside bench along the tracks reminiscing about the last six weeks.

The time has gone by quickly. We have grown to love these two young women who have - and are - serving so well. Sister Haws brings a sense of maturity and calm, while Sister Kelson has energy and spunk. A good pair! It was sad to wave goodbye to them – but we hope that it won’t be the last time we see them. Sister Haws is from the Mesa, AZ, area; Sister Kelson is from Midway – close to Park City, Ut.

We met the Elders and Jairo at the church for a Missionary correlation meeting. Nestor Querales represented the Elders Quorum, and Giovani Costa represented the Branch Presidency.  With all four of our missionaries in the Branch leaving, I know that Jairo is ready to panic.  I can hardly imagine being 18-19 years old, a member for only 5 months, and being the Branch mission leader.  After the announcements in Conference yesterday, a lot of new ideas were shared as how to proceed with the missionary work within the Branch. The possibility of creating groups in the outlying areas to fortify members that have difficulty coming to Loulé was discussed.

We enjoyed both Conference sessions today, the morning session in Faro 5:00 p.m., and the afternoon session at home at 9:00 p.m.  What a great conference!

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Monday, October 8, 2018

We spent the morning at the Loulé sisters’ apartment doing some deep cleaning in preparation for the new Sisters to arrive tomorrow.  Merl was able to fix the sliding blinds in two rooms and unclogged the drain in the bathroom sink. The refrigerator, even after Merl’s best efforts, is still leaking water from somewhere inside. We have requested a new refrigerator for them.

We drove to Faro to spend a little time with Elder Rogers and Elder Patricio for their P-Day. We went to the food court in the Forum Mall for their last dinner together. They chose “Walk the Wok,” an excellent place that customized our choices for a fresh, filling dish. The company was just as good. Afterwards we took
them to some members homes to say their goodbyes.

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Tuesday, October 9

Morning came way too soon. We needed to be in Faro before 8:00 to load the car with the Faro Sisters and their HEAVY bags. They didn’t need to worry about weight because they are not flying home this transfer.


 We were, somehow, able to fit everything in our car and get them to the bus station just in time to meet the Elders who helped get their bags loaded onto the bus. And then they were off. As we were waiting in the loading area of the bus station, Merl was approached several times by different people asking him “where is the bathroom,” “what time does the bus leave,” “where do I buy tickets,” “where is this bus going.” He must have looked very official with his white shirt, tie, and name tag.  (Fotos:  Elders Rogers and Patricio and Sisters Estaban and Restrepo)

We stopped back at their apartments to do some touch-up cleaning and organizing – and a few repairs. We are slowly getting needed repairs and improvements done to make the apartments better for all the missionaries in our area. We brought some wooden chairs inside that had been left on the balcony and took pictures of alleged damages and structural cracks on outside walls. We hope issues will soon be settled with the landlord.

When in Faro, I like to stop at the Jumbo Market (like a huge Walmart) that has a much better selection of many food-stuffs, including American food.

About 4:00, we picked up our new Sisters at train station – Sister Jackson from Las Vegas, and Sister Ngalu (pronounced like Nauvoo) from Hawaii. They took the prize this week for having the heaviest bags. I wish I had taken pictures of the four of us trying to get the bags up three flights of stairs to their apartment (no elevator).  It took two of us to carry each bag.  They had not eaten anything since breakfast, so I went home to fix them grilled chicken sandwiches and fruit. We delivered the food and let them settle in for the night.

Later (much later) we were called out again when we received a call from the new Elders. They said their GPS was not helping them  find their apartment. So we were off to the rescue to the find the lost Elders in the McDonald’s parking lot by the church (Elder Lewis from Arizona and Elder Payne from Colorado). Of course they were hungry, so Merl offered to purchase them something to eat before leading them home. We have learned that missionaries are always hungry and seldom turn down something to eat. It was fun when we met Sister Neves there – she works nights as a nurse at a senior rehab center and was grabbing a bite to eat before going to work. We sure love her!

The Elder’s pack a little lighter than the Sisters, but it was still a challenge getting their bags up four flights of stairs – again, no elevator. We were exhausted by the time we got home and crawled into bed.

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Wednesday, Oct 10

We were a little surprised this morning to learn that there was a District Missionary meeting today. I usually like to have a dessert or snack for the missionaries after the meeting, but I was not prepared today.

With all the new missionaries in the area, Elder Payne has been assigned as the District Leader with his companion, Elder Lewis.  Elder Patricio and Elder Alves (new, from Brazil) are the Zone Leaders.



 We also met the new Sister missionaries in Faro, Sisters Tavares and Chagas – both from Brazil.  (Foto:  Sisters Tavares, Chagas, Ngalu, Jackson)

 So we have four Brazilians and four Americans in our District now.

 After the meeting we took the Loulé Elders and Sister to Jumbo to do some grocery shopping.

Merl fixed a nice lunch while I took a nap. We received a nice text from Sister (now Caroline) Haws who is now home in Arizona. I am sure her family is grateful to have her home again. . . but we sure do miss her.

We attended/assisted with the English class at the church. Miguel and Anna were there tonight. The new Sisters started with some basics to determine the level of the students. The majority of the time was spent on “getting to know you phrases.”

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Thurs, Oct 11

It rained during the night and off and on all day – our first rain since we have been here. The temperatures are down into the 70s. . . I love this weather now.

A few weeks ago, Sister Bowers posted a picture of a new mop she had purchased – and she loves it. With all the hard tile floors, it can be used for a duster as well as a wet mop – a Swiffer mop. This type of mop is not new to us, but all the apartments are equipped with a mop bucket with a rag mop (which I don’t like). So today, we went out in the rain to find a new mop. I then and swept and mopped all or our floors. I felt like they were clean for the first time. Elder and Sister Powers are coming to spend a couple of nights with us as Sister Powers will be receiving some training on the churches medical software and procedures in Faro.

Merl made a trip tonight to Olhão with Bro. Nestor Quariles to check on the water heater that has not been working for four months. We have finally received permission to do something about it since the mission home hasn’t been able to get the issue resolved. I stayed home and watched 17 Miracles and Mobsters and Mormons as a cleaned the apartment.

On their return, I learned the decision on the water heater is to call in one of Nestor’s subcontractors that works with water heaters on Saturday.  There is hope. . . .