Week 16 April 14 - 20

Sunday:   Got up early and finished lunch prep while listening to several of  this month’s General Conference talks. There are so many that I could listen to – over and over. 

 We attended District Conference this morning – which was very good again.  Pres. Silva, District President, was released along with his counselors. His family is moving to Lisbon.  His wife was our nurse consultant for missionary health concerns.  The Algarve will miss this great family!

A new District Presidecy was sustained: Pres. Luis Mello from Portimao (center), Rui Gorjaoi as first counselor (our current branch president - right), and Jose Fernandez as 2^nd counselor (counselor in previous presidency - left).  These three men are going to do great things!

Elder Franco from the Area Seventy spoke again  this morning; fortunately we were able to understand him better when we stayed focused.  He was originally from Brazil.  

Lunch for missionaries – Mashed potato topped turkey pot pie, strawberry/mandarin orange spinach salad, vegie tray, fresh baked bread, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

After the missionaries left (around 4:00), we both took a nap we woke up at aound 9:00.  I worked on last weeks blog for a while before going back to bed.

 P-day's first item of business for me was to do the dishes from yesterday and clean the kitchen.  I also did two loads of laundry' we have had beautiful weather so I opened balcony windows  and let the warm breeze blow in.  Clothes dry fast on days like this. 

I ate the rest of yesterdays salad. . . loved every bite. Merl made himself one of his veggie omlettes. I worked on multiple projects most of the day while Merl continued to write a family letter. When I finally had to get out of the apartment, we went to the Loule Elders’ apartment to sand the ceiling – actually did more patching than sanding. We came home about 7:30 p.m. and fixed some left overs for dinner.  We spent the evening makiing arrangements with the missionaries for transportation to Zone Conference in Setubel later this week.

Tuesday we made another Portimao trip to work on the Elders ceilings.  After stopping at the Anderson's apartment to get the key, we followed the Andersons to a gas station, one they like to go to because it is less expesive.  We were almost out of gas and couldn't wait much longer.  Cars were lined up way down the road.  This seemed real unusual.  We got in line - the line went quickly because there was no gas at the pumps. We had no idea why. We found another busy station and got in line. This time the diesel pumps were empty, but we were able to fill up.

The Lagos Elders (Cook and Flores)were at the Portimao apartment and were preparing for the trip to Lisbon with town to travel to Setubal with the Portimao Elders (Vidal and Barrios). The apartment was a mess.  The Andersons assisted with the work to help clean. Poor Sister Anderson started on dishes while I defrosted the refrigerator. It was unbelievable what she uncovered on the stove - looked like cotton candy, but it was rotten rice.

We worked hard for several hours and then needed to leave to pick up the sisters in Olhao and Faro – position them for their rides to zone conference in the morning.  We took Sister Hoffman to Olhao, and brought Sister Larsen to Loule.  We noticed the same traffic jam issues around the Loule gas stations. . . this is not usual. On my phone I googled. . . “Is there a gasoline problem in Portugal?” The answer: Yes. The truck drivers who transport hazardous materials were on strike (had been for two days already). Many gas stations across the country were out of gas, and airplanes were being routed to Spain for refueling. Not a good situation.   I called the Mission Office – they were unaware.  

I was in the process of making birthday cupcakes for everyone at the conference when we later received a call back from President Fillmore leting us know that our Zone Conference was canceled.  He didn't want to risk getting all the missionaries up to Setubal with no way to get back to their areas. Eight of our missionaries were already in Setubal or in route when we received the news. A long trip for nothing. They will return in the morning.  I finished the 65 cupcakes and went to bed.

Wednesday was now a free, unplanned day.  We were able to find gas at Galp and topped off the tank when we went out to find the owner of the tow company that towed the Elders car last week. Two of our local gas stations were closed.  We got the bill paid and returned home.   We decided to just stay home to conserve gas after taking Sister Larson back to Faro.  While in Faro, we also picked up Helen near the Forum Mall and took her to her apartment.

Thursday we woke up to news that the strike was called off - and negotiations were to begin.   The truck drivers definitely demonstrated how much damage could be done if no one has any gas. We finished the Loule Elders ceiling and did some bathroom caulking. 

 That evening we rode with the Elders to Albufeira (conserving gas) to visit with Elder and Sister Powers and their family from California here on vacation. We drove through areas we didn’t know existed anywhere around here. They were staying at Pine Cliff Luxury Resport. . . and very aptly named. Huge amazing property with every amenity imaginable. I took cupcakes to share and Spot It for the kids to play. We had a wonderful visit with a great family (three girls and one younger boy).  It was a long drive over, but we found a better route home through another new area. (photo:  Elders Ribeiro and Nichols, Evelyn, Aaron, James, Amery, Eva,     )

Thursday morning brought another attraction to our little city.  We found all the streets blocked off again this morning and discovered a major youth bike race getting ready to start. 




We continued on to the park to get some exercise.  The trees and flowers are all in bloom - flowers that are so plentifully and growing in areas just like weeks.  While there, Sister Powers invited us over for dinner in their "luxury resort."  She was making split pea soup for dinner and asked us to bring dessert.  We made a big batch of brownies and picked of a big box of strawberries (the best).  

 

Before diinner, we walked around the resort, the golf course, and the overlook of the ocean. The pools and landscaping were amazing.  It was a beautiful evening.  We enjoyed visiting with the Powers family and relaxing.  The brownies and strawberries were a hit - with some chocolate chip ice cream on the side.  We watched facebook church videos on the drive home

We kept outselves busy on Saturday preparing for Easter Sunday.  We did grocery shopping and as much meal preparation a possible.  We had to go to four different grocery stores to find the ingredients I needed.  There was another big bike race, looked like older riders today. (this picture is of a group bringing up the rear. The big sports in this area are soccer (of course, rugby, and bike racing with lots of competitive clubs for each.  Our "sport" of choice is walking, and we do a lot of it.  Right now the park is our preferred destination which gives us over a mile of walking.

Week 17 - April 21 - 28

Being so far behind on adding to our blog, we decided to take a more simplistic approach.  Time is going so fast - even if we do many of the same things each day.  It doesn't matter where we live in the world, routines of everyday living are very similar.  I will focust on the highlights.

Easter Sunday:  Since our Branch President was recently called into the new District Presidency, we sustained a new Branch President on Sunday, Giovani Pignaton da Costa.  He was previously the first counselor.  He and his wife, Poliana Rodrigues Teixera and their 5 young children moved here from Brazil a few years ago.  Poliana is the Primary President.  We read most or all of the lesson material in English during the week so we have an idea of what the Sunday School discussion is about.  Our friend, Sis. Ann Skyes, is now in our branch..  It was great to see her again - she is a real go getter.

April 21:  For Easter dinner we fixed strawberry chilled soup, chicken andpork chops, funeral potatoes, stuffing, broccoli/grape salad,  deviled eggs, folar-lo (traditional Easter Portuguese bread – with a whole egg/with shell cooked inside).  Dessert was provided by the missionaries, chocolate cake and jello.  We discussed the blessing of the atonement and the death of Christ.  Christ had power over death, but he suffered for our sins (mentally and physically) until his work was finished.  How grateful we are for his love for us. 

Easter Sunday in Loulé marks the beginning of the celebrations 'Feast of the Sovereign Mother', the patron saint of Loulé.  The Small Feast (Festa Pequena) takes place on Easter Sunday when the statue of the patron saint is brought down from its sanctuary to the Church of São Francisco, where it will stay until the Festa Grande.  This all takes place just around the corner of our apartment.  It is a blessing to live so close to all the activity in the city, but it does sometimes cause traffic problems with all the street closures.

We were able to catch a few of our children at home in the evening - it was a good day.

We listened to the Tabernacle Choir's Easter program while doing all the dishes on Monday morning.  What a beautiful program!  We received a phone call from the Faro Sisters requesting we pick them up at the train station in Loule - they were joining our Loule Sisters for a P-Day shopping day at the Mar Mall.  We also received a call from Elder Marriot ((senior missionary and Counselor in the Mission Presidency) asking us to organize a Couples Conference on May 14.  The preliminary work would be to query all the senior couples to gather information on what activities we are all involved in and ideas of what more we could do to assist the young missionaries along with the wards and branches.  The conference would include a training from Pres. and Sister Fillmore, an activity, a group presentation and discussion of our ideas, and dinner.  We ended the day by having dinner at the Loule WOK, a nice restaurant by the church.

Tuesday morning I made a pan of chocolate chip banana bars with a brown sugar glaze for Missionary District Council in Faro.  It was another good meeting.   It is really easy to take off  on a wrong exit in these cities.  Today, while distracted, Merl took a wrong turn and we headed to the airport.  The way the roads are constructed, and rules of the road, it is impossible to just turn around and go the other way.  We got all the way to the airport before turning around to head back to Loule.

After arriving back home, Merl and I walked to the pharmacy to purchase a pain rub for Merl’s arm.  It is aching most of the time with sharp pains when he moves it wrong.   We also went to our local fruit market (Nice Mercado) to purchase oranges, pears and water.  We have become good friends, and we finally got a picture of  Martins Jose.  He likes to teach us some new Portuguese words or phrases, and we share cookies and other baked goods with him.  Sometimes he even gives us some fruit that is unusual for us to try.  

Wednesday we spent the day in Portimao working on the Elder's ceiling.  The Elders just happened to break their kitchen faucet that morning and we weren't able to find parts.  Merl installed a new faucet for them while I organized their missionary supplies shelf.  We were really tired at the end of the day.  

Thursday we went grocery shopping and made a BIG pot of chicken noodle vegetable soup along with fresh french bread.  Merl went to Olhao and Faro to pick up the Sister Missionaries to spend the night with the Loule Sisters in preparation for drive to Setubal in the morning for Zone Conference.  We had eight missionaries over for soup and bread (six sisters and the Loule Elders).  We watched a program from Live Longer, Feel Better Episode 1 on Fresh water, fresh food, fresh air, family relationships, fun (keep happy and healthy).  Much good information.

Friday we were up early and drove to Setubal for Zone conference.  We always enjoy meeting with the missionaries and Pres. and Sister Fillmore.  We don't always know exactly what is being discussed or taught, but we come away with energy to keep going.  The Powers had made arrangements for lunch and helped set up and organize.  We had spaghetti, salad, and bread.  This was the first Zone Conference for Elder and Sister Anderson.

The missionaries had Portuguese/English class in the evening.  We got them back to Loule in time for the class, but we had to take Sister Larson back to Faro, pick up the Olhao Sisters there and take them to Olhao.  Logistics are crazy sometimes.   

We ended the week by helping clean the chapel for church tomorrow.  We had been asked to unlock the door for a coupe from Albufeira to do their assignment.  They hadn't arrived, so we started in another area.  We stayed and helped finish all the cleaning, which we took on the challenge of cleaning the walks in front of the chapel - scraping off gum.  We bought a new jar of honey from the Farmers' Market and walked to Continent for groceries.  We watched Live Longer Live Better Episode 3 Dementia  (missed episode 2).

Week 15 April 7 - 13

4-7 Sunday’s Elders came for an early lunch after they watched the rebroadcast of the Priesthood session of conference at the church in Faro (at 10 this morning). We watched it at the same time in our apartment on our computer. We fixed them some chicken vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. They seem just as happy with a simple lunch as they are for a bigger lunch that I take two days to prepare. Maybe a lesson to be learned.

After lunch, the Elders helped bring Sister Call’s suitcases down the stairs and put them into our car. Merl is not able to do much lifting. We drove to Lisbon with the Sisters showing them our favorite sights along the freeway.. . castles in the distance, stork nests, cork trees, terraced orchards on the hillsides. It is really quite a nice 2 ½ hour drive that I never tire of.

The Fillmores greeted us at the mission home and showed us to our room for the night – they call it the honeymoon suite. In addition to the bedroom, we had our private bathroom and sitting room – all beautifully decorated. We arrived in time to watch the Sunday morning session of conference (at 5:00 p.m. again). We met Sister Moulton from Shelly, Idaho – she will be the new companion for Sister Brown. We had a nice dinner of chicken curry, rice, and naan bread.  I helped Sister Fillmore with the rise using the Bimby. She had an older model Bimby that she said I could take home and try. Carmen (the house helper) made chocolate cake for dessert.  (Photo:  Sister Moulton, Sister Brown, Merl, Kathlyn, Sister Call)

Merl and I helped with dishes before watching the evening session. Looking back, I would have a hard time choosing a favorite conference talk. Each one contained things we needed to hear – focusing on repenting and doing better and preparing for what will be coming in the future. Time is getting short, and we so want all our family to be together in the life to come.

Merl assisted President Fillmore give a blessing to Sister Call. She will need lots of love and professional help to regain her health. We then helped Sister Call repack her suitcases as they were all overweight. She had to leave several “unnecessary” items behind. We were in bed around midnight.

4-8 Monday The Office Elders picked up Sister call at 4:00 a.m. to go to the airport. We had a relaxed breakfast and visited until the Fillmores headed to the office, We and Sisters Brown and Moulton helped Carmen cleanup after breakfast; Merl was able to packed our bags in the car for the ride back to the Algarve. He was even able to find a spot in the trunk for the Bimby.  (Photo:  Carmen, Sister Brown, Sister Moulton, me)

Today was P-Day, and the sisters wanted to go to a Paderia Portuguesa which was not far from the Mission home.  Parking is never easy to find, but we did find a spot one within walking distance.  
 After parking we started on our walk.  We passed the residence compound of the Belem Palace of the Republic President, originally built in 1559.  Nearby was also a horse training school right in the middle of the busy city. 


 We were fortunate to pass by the President’s gate to see the changing of the palace guards. 

 The Paderia Portuguesa didn’t disappoint. . . Merl bought a pao de Deus (soft bread filled with and topped with coconut).

I bought a maracuja tart and a chocolate layered pastry that was amazing.  Tasted like we were back in Brazil.

On our way back to the car, we passed a park with an old statue. Further investigation found that it was of a king from India.















The next stop was the Lisbon Temple - to be completed in August.  We were able to walk around the temple - outside of the construction walls.  This temple will be a blessing to the Portuguese people, and everyone is getting anxious for the open house and dedication. 

Every time we make a trip to Lisbon, we pass the Cristo Rei standing high on a hill in Almada overlooking the Tagas River. History has it that a plan to erect something like the Christ statue in Brazil had been discussed, the project was begun in thanks for the decision of Portugal not joining in World War II. The statue was impressive with beautiful views of Lisbon across the river. The grounds and buildings are owned by the Catholic church.  The botanist in Merl always has interest in the flowers, and the flowers here were covered by bumble bees.  

After returning to Loule, we took the Sisters to McDonalds for a late dinner and then grocery shopping. Sister Moulton said she already loves Loule.

4-9 Tuesday Last night I bought a big box of fresh strawberries. I was up early to make a cake and prepare strawberries for a treat for Conselho de Distrito – Strawberry short cake. It was a hit! Elder Goff and Elder Bailey visiting from Lisbon so it was nice to have a special treat for them.

We made trips to Vodaphone to pay for our next two weeks of internet. The whole system was down at our first visit. . . so we got twice the steps in today. We also stopped by the key shop to make me a copy of the garage door key. Now I have a complete set of keys so we won’t be in so much trouble if Merl loses his keys again. Lots of catch up apartment tasks and a nice visit with Angela filled our evening.

The rest of the week will be briefly summarized.  I experimented using the  Bimby – steamed vegetables, rice, and bread.  Did some deep apartment cleaning, with breaks to study.  Merl's arm is hindering his efforts in completing our ceiling projects, so we spent a few days sandng and texturing the bathroom ceiling at Sisters apartment together.

Being tax time in the U.S., Merl worked on tax documents. Sent email with docs to Kendal.  I painted the Sisters bath ceiling with base coat and later with first top coat. Read Scriptures. Drove to Faro to take Helen’s son to the social security office to turn in documents for his mother. ALDI shopping for groceries..

April 12, Friday    Today is Emery’s birthday.  Looks like she and Anna had a good time doing girl things!

Saturday morning we attended a 10:00 baptism for Hildeberto.  He was baptized by Pres. Silva.  We  met him and his member wife, Tanya, at the District dinner/dance activity in March. They are a great couple!  Afternoon – meal prep for Sunday.

District Conference – Pres and Sister Fillmore came to town today along with Elder Saulo Franco.  We visited with him before we knew who he was – from Brazil, been in Spain for 19 years – asked him why Spain? Said that is where the Lord called him. . . We then learned that he is an Area Seventy of the European area.  We enjoyed the adult session of our District Conference  and even understood some of it.  Good turn out at the Faro chapel.  President and Sister Fillmore spoke, along with the new Lisbon Temple President and his wife.  Concluding speaker was Elder Franco.