Week 22 May 26 - June 1

Sunday May 26   After my decision to not have lunch for the missionaries on Sunday, I gave in and got up early anyway to fix a chicken casserole for them for lunch. . . in the pressure cooker – can’t work without it.  We rushed to church so I would be there in time for prelude.  Brother and Sister Mazi are back in Belgium for a month, so I will have piano duty. (photo:  Sister Mazy in the middle)   Today, Bro. Cesar Caio was called to be the Branch Clerk/Secretary. We still don’t have a 2^nd Counselor after two months since the change. Natasha Querales was called as 2^nd counselor in the YW.

Nestor and Sandra invited the missionaries (and us) to lunch today.  Since I had already prepared lunch, we graciously declined.  We encouraged the young missionaries to go, but we just wanted to come home this afternoon and take it easy. We enjoyed our lunch and put two containers together for the missionaries to have this week.  We enjoyed a nice nap and then an evening walk to the park before going to bed.  I think our lack of energy and stamina is affecting some of our days.  Merl is still not sleeping well as a result of his shoulder injury and concerns at home.  We have many restless nights.

Monday May 27  Amber’s birthday  I have to believe that a trip to Ireland was part of the birthda gifts this year||

We took our customary walk to the park to exercise.  Since I can't remember much from the day (a few weeks late in getting to this), the park must have been strenuous today.  Typically Sunday dishes and laundry are on the agenda.

We usually have to wait until late at night to call our kids back in the states.  We made a midnight call to Amber to wish her a happy birthday.  Fortunately, we caught the whole family in the car and had a nice visit with everyone.  Our grandkids are all growing up so much - some I have to look at twice to be sure who they are. . . . not good.

Tuesday May 28

Merl took an early walk to the park to hopefully clear the nasal congestion that has hit him. He said fast walking usually helps (and I don’t walk fast enough). We follow up our walks with a quick trip round the exercise equipment.

I was making preparations to go to the District meeting. I usually bake something for the missionaries, but today I gathered up all our candy and treats to share with them. I’m getting rid of temptations.  After picking up the Sisters, we were on our way to Faro.

After the main part of the meeting, we have what is now called 'Egberts Time.'  I shared parts of Logan’s recent email as our weekly messsage. Elder Renlund had visited Logan's mission, and Logan had such a powerful witness while shaking his hand.   Elder Renland had three things he wanted each missionary to know.1) On behalf of the Saviour, thank you for accepting your mission call." 2) "You have been called of God by prophesy to serve in your current mission, and if you dont know that right to your bones, you have the right and obligation to know that from God. Then right it down, it changes everything." 3) "Your Mission President and his companion have been called by prophesy."  We will say amen to that. . . even when we question ourselves why we are here in Portugal.

Merl told of his experience when we were driving to Salt Lake for conference several years ago.  I was driving when the sustaining vote was made for the newly chosen prophet, Pres. Hinckly. We both raised our arms to sustain him, and it was a good thing I was driving.  Merl had been overwhelmed with the knowledge that Pres. Hinckley was indeed a prophet, and tears flowed uncontrollably. He expressed how it is these experiences that we must hang onto when the adversary throws all of his “stuff” at us.

The missionaries cleaned up the candy, and we drove the sisters back to Loule. We spent much of the afternoon listening to BYU History episodes on the Book of Revelation and then on Understanding Isaiah. I learned a lot.

We scheduled to provide lunch for the missionaries tomorrow, so we walked to the market in the evening to pick up some fresh fruit and chips. The temperatures for the last few days have been in the low to mid 90s. I stay inside and find good things to do when it gets that hot.

Wednesday, May 29   After lunch (egg salad sandwiches, salad, chips, and fruit) with our missionaries, we went to Portimao to fix the blinds in the kitchen of the Sisters.  We didn't think to bring our ladder, so we stopped at the Andersons to borrow theres.  The two guys went to the apartment, and I stayed to visit with Sister Anderson.  In a very short time, our husbands returned with the mission accomplished.  We visited for a bit and then headed for home.  As we were getting close to Loule, Merl said we needed to get some gas - only had 7 miles left on the tank.  He looked for his wallet and couldn't find it anywhere.  A phone call confirmed that he left it at the Andersons apartment.  Now the dilemma was that all his money and credit cards were in the wallet.  We did not have an emergency stash anywhere.  I hadn't used any of my cards in Portugal, but I had a debit card with the same bank that Merl has been using.  I retrieved it from our apartment and went to the ATM ... declined. . .  We called the bank and found out that the account had been purged for non-use - a customary thing after six months of no transactions.  We were stuck!  Very humbly, Merl went to the Sisters to see if they might have any money he could borrow to buy gas to go get us wallet. . . fortunately they weren't out of funds (and it was close to the end of the month).  We got gas, we made a late night trip back to get his wallet, and paid Sister Moulton back.  What a night!   And yes, we are now keeping an emergency stash of cash.  Lesson learned.

Thursday Merl took his Nexis back to the electronics store to replace the charging port again.  A pin inside had been broken.  They said they would have to order the replacement, and it might be a few days.   

We went grocery shopping for salad fixings for a birthday/farewell party this evening,  We mixed business with pleasure and drove to the mission office to pick up a mattress and vacuum for the Andersons and dishware for a couple of their apartments.  After getting things loaded, we drove to the Powers in Almada and made the salad for the party and farewell dinner for Robert and Candy Merrill.  We rode with the Powers back over to the Lisbon side of the river and wandered around trying to find the Marriott's apartment where the party was being held.  We were glad SIster Powers was driving!  

We had a wonderful dinner and visit with our good friends.  It was Elder Merrill's birthday, and in four days he and Sister Merrell will be returning home.  They shared some of their experiences and advice to those of us staying.  We left with a teclado and a plan to start piano lessons in the Branch.  Sister Marriott will order a few more tecladas and some books.  We spent the night with the Powers and appreciate their hospitality.

 (Below:  Elder Powers, Merl, Kathlyn, Elder Bower, Sister Bower, 
Elder Marriott - standing, Elder Garrard, Sister Garrard, Elder Merrill)                                                                                                                                                                   (Sisters Merrill, Marriott, Garrard)





 (Right:  Sister Bower (back), Elder Garrard, Sister Garrard, Sister Merrill, Elder Merrill, Sister Powers, Elder Powers, Merl and me peaking, Elder Bower)

Friday 31 – Merl had a bad night and spent most of the night on the couch - continued arm problems with new back strain. I slept just fine. Sister Powers and I ate left over salad for breakfast, and Merl had corn flakes and an apple turnover.  With fewer senior couples now, we learned that we would temporarily be given three new apartments to inspect - Evora, Beija, and Sines.  We visited during the morning and took a nice walk through a big park on the other side of the freeway.  

After a quick lunch, we were on the road and heading south, stopping in Portimao to deliver the mattress, vacuum and dishes. We had a nice visit with the Andersons and drove home – pretty exhausted.

Saturday June 1– Day of the Child (Children’s Day)  Portugal has a holiday for almost any reason they can identify.  Merl woke with a severe back pain this morning and had to use a crutch to get out bed.  He knew he had pulled something yesterday while we walking in Almada - he went up a steep incline looking for a way to get to the shopping mall.  

I walked to the Market  and then to the central plaza where there were lots of people and festivities.  Children from different countries that have settled here performed native dances.  There were activities for children along with lots of booths selling things.  Later in the day, Merl needed to get out of the house.  We walked over to a Chinese store and bought a fly swatter and a beach umbrella.  I hope we will make good use of the umbrella.

 We spent time during the day to read from the Joseph Smith’s Papers about the Hill Cumorah location. I am earning many new things and am so grateful to have a firm knowledge and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so important to know the source of information – from man or from God.

Week 21 May 19 - 25, 2019

Sunday 19 The morning began with showers and some final meal prep before church.  I invited Ann to share dinner with us (E. Ann Sykes) along with the kids. We had stuffed zucchini boats, sweet potatoes with apples, green salad, strawberries with yogurt, artisan bread, and rice crispy treats for dessert. There was only a cup full of salad left on the table. 

Ann Sykes is livina in Sao. Bras and now attending our branch (previously Olhao). She is traveling to Oregon tomorrow along with the previous Olhao branch president, Paulo Azeveido, to continue work on her project: creating a community of yurts across the Algarve. It has been amazing to watch the plans and the people come together on this in a short amount of time. We always have good discussions around the dinner table with the missionaries. Today we discussed the atonement, Christ’s suffering for our sins, and our opportunity for repentence. We gave a nice white shirt to Jairo that was rescued from the Olhao Elder’s apartment – dirty but cleaned up really nice. (he was grateful for it as he has grown out of his others).

(Merl taking the photo:  Me, Sister Darnell, Sister Ann Sykes, Jairo, Elder Ribeiro, Elder Nichols, Jared, Sister Moulton)

Took a short nap and then took a walk around the city streets noticing the beautiful spring flowers,

 We checked out a little food shack on the main street  - Maxi's.
They serve Maxi pizzi, hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks.

Further up the street, we found where the beautiful music was coming from - all favorites of ours from home.  It was a beautiful evening.

Monday May 20 Walked around the city looking for casual shirts for Merl – ended up going to Primark later and found two. Stopped at Pinga Doce in the mall and bought strawberries, avocado, and eggs on sale. That was our exciting P-day!

We hadn't checked on our local storks in a few weeks and decided to take a walk in the afternoon.  Walk to bird’s nest and picked up goat cheese and raspberries at a little market while we waited for Faro apartment keys to be made (the office has requested copies of keys to all the mission apartments).  .

Tuesday May 21 Call from Philomena (landlord’s mother) mortgage company needs an architect report on our apartment. She will schedule someone to come on Saturday morning.  Because of Zone conference this week, there was no District Council - gave us more time to do some studying.  We prepared a room for the Anderson’s to spend tomorrow night with us and went shopping for pizza stuff - Made pizza for dinner on cauliflower crust.  I love bread, so the cauliflower crust was acceptable, but certainly not my favorite.

Wednesday May 22 With all the missionaries gathering, sleeping, and traveling together tonight and tomorrow, I made good use of ripe bananas, zuccini, and 'not crisp anymore' appkes,  I kept myself busy all day making loaves of bread and muffins.  We had enough to share with Elders who were traveling tonight and their hosts in Lisbon,  We had plenty for the Sisters for breakfast in the morning. 

We traveled to Olhao to pick up the Olhao Sisters, and the Andersons brought the Portimao Sister with them.  We got them all settled into the Loule Sisters apartment (they were at a teaching appointment).   Gave muffins to the sisters for their breakfast in the morning (zucchini/chocolate chip, banana, apple).

We debated whether to go out for dinner tonight with the Andersons, but we decided to stay in – made chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. We had just turned off the lights and were on our way to bed at 11:00 when Curtis called.

Curtis called to notify us of a fraudulent charge on my credit card (It had been in my bedside drawer since we arrived here, and I had never used it here). The bank had been leaving messages on Kenadees phone (my old phone number). We were able to do a three way call – our phone talking to Curt’s phone which was the link between. We were able to get all charges cancelled as well as my credit card.  Thankyou Curtis!

Thursday May 23 Up early and prepared a quick breakfast. We split the six sisters into two cars and took off for Oeiras (near Lisbon) for a special Zone Conference for the Lisbon, Setubal, Oeiras, and Algarve zones. The area Seventy from Italy was going to meet with us - Massimo de Feo.  He was the first Stake President in Italy (Rome) for nine years and worked for 30 years in the US Embassy in Italy. He was instrumental in church growth and the approval to build a temple in Italy.  Hearing his stories and instruction was a real treat for the 115 mssionaries in attendance.  Lunch served today was pizza and salad with oreo cookies for dessert.

 We made sure we filled our car with gas before heading home as there was another truckers strike  threatening.   We met the Andersons back in Loule and swapped passengers .  We dropped our Loule Sisters off and then took the Olhao Sisters to Olhao; Andersons took their Portimao sisters back to Portimao with them.

Friday May 24 
Philomena notified us that the architect guy wouldn’t be coming tomorrow because he had some other paperword to take care of before he would be ready.  She let us know when the date will be rescheduled.  There is a little health food shop just around the corner that I have wanted to check out.  Today was the day - I discovered how awesome Dietetica Naturloule is.  Today I purchased flax meal and hemp seeds.  Doesn't take much to get me excited.

We decided to not go to Portuguese class tonight.  The Sisters stopped over to spend a little time before going home after the class.  They had spotted a drunk man on the stairs into their building.  They needed a safe place to hang for a little while.  We shared a couple of ice cream bars with them.

Saturday May 25 Fortunately we got out of the apartment this morning to go to the Loule Farmer's Market before it closed.  After much soul searching and discussion, we decided to change our traditional Sunday afternoon routine of having missionaries over for lunch.  They oft times have dinner appointments on Sunday so they arae spending too much time "eating" and not teachng.  We will  instead fill in one day during the week when they don’t have another dinner appointment.  As much as I do enjoy cooking, Sundays have become too much work (before and after church).  I could use a more relaxing day - at least for a while.  I notified the young missionaries, and the plan was well received.

Today is the birthday of our friend, Hellen.  After seeing a post on Facebook, I called her and wished her a happy birthday and found out that she would be off work at 4:00 today.  We invited her and her son to dinner at a nice little restaurant in Faro close to the marina- Restaurante Piteau .   We learned that she was turning 45 years old and that she had never celebrated her birthday. She was so happy and cried easily as she enjoyed her night out. Of all of our meals, I think she made the best choice - tender pork chops with a molten lava cake for dessert (Merl's was a close second with salmon and a special Portuguese cake).  We also learned that this last Christmas, after she was baptized, was the first time she had ever celebrated Christmas.  We take so much for granted!   

Week 20 May 12 - 18, 2019

Sun 12:  We attended church in the small Tomar branch.  (bottom, center - with air conditioner on front).  They actually have a small baptismal font!

The Albrantes Elders and us, along with a family of four from the U.S. made up almost half of the congregation.  We met Curt and Brooke Phillips with their son (who had served his mission here recently) and his wife.  They are from Logan;  Pres. Fillmore was Pres. Phillips' counselor in the Stake Presidency. Pres Phillips is also a Physical therapist and gave Merl some more instruction on taking care of his arm.  The two missionaries gave the talks . We were invited to dinner along with the Phillips to the home of Lia and Francisco . 

Lia and her daughter are members, a very gracious family. Sister Lia has worked extensivly on the restoration of the castles, convents, etc. in the area.  Her speciality is stain glass.  Merl was given an ancient "Knights of the Templar" helmet to try on - one of Lia's prized possessions.  



We did a little sight-seeing around the city this afternoon.  Pretty quiet on a Sunday.  The surrounding area is covered with pine forests and lakes - much different than the Algarve.  We thought we would maybe enjoy serving in this area until we found out that the summers are much hotter than we would have expected - well over 100 degrees.  We will stick to the Algarve.  

We enjoyed a leisurely walk through the countryside - the aparatment is right on the edge of town.  We enjoyed a cool breeze watching a sheep herder with his sheep, snails climbing a wall, old architecture, flowers and trees.  

Mon 13  After breakfast, we left Tomar to go to the neighboring city of Batalha.  The city and monestary were built to commemorate the  Battle of Aljubarrota fought between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile on 14 August 1385.  The result was a decisive victory for the Portuguese, ruling out Castilian ambitions to the Portuguese throne, ending the 1383–85 Crisis and assuring John as King of Portugal. It took almost 200 years to complete the monestary, and it has been well preserved.  Parts of it is still being used.   Our friend Lia restored most of the stained glass widows in the monestary.
















We were fortunate to be there when they had the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  




 I started the food prep for the meal tomorrow at the mission home.  I brought my pressure cooker with me so I could cook the potatoes for a Brazilian potato salad and the eans for a big pot of feijoada (black beans and meats).


We spent the afterning boxing all church owned property and loading up our car.  What wouldn’t fit in the car, we placed all together in the front bedroom for future pickup. 

We received a call from Sister Anderson informing us that Sister Moulton had injured her toe playing beach soccer in Portimao (ripped the nail off of her big toe).  We gave her directions and protocols for informing Sis. Fillmore and the mission nurse in Germany.  We felt bad that the Andersons had to take care of "our" missionary, but they were willing and much closer.  

We enjoyed another walk around the neighborhood in the evening.

Tuesday morning we woke early to clean and close the apartment.  We finished loading the car and were on the road by 10:00 a.m..  It was already getting hot outside.  We enjoyed the drive to Lisbon and were the first to arrive at the mission home.  We spent some time with Pres. and Sister Fillmore going over the activities of the afternoon and making final preparations.  

Everyone arrived by 2:00 - was good to be with all the senior couples again - and to meet the Carters and the Bangeters for the first time.  We learned that Elder and Sister Carter had a son, James with his family, that lived in our ward in Twin Falls and remembered us.  Merl started the meeting by having all the couples itroduce themselves and share mission and family information.  He then turned the first 1 1/2 hours over to Pres. and Sister Fillmore for training and instruction.  

After a break, discussion turned to how we, as couples, can best serve and help missionaries and members in Portgal.  We came away a bit overwhelmed at all the possibilities and needs that we could be involved with.  Good brain storming meeting.

We had an amazing Churrasco dinner with all the traditional foods.  I helped Sister Girrard make her yummy tortillas.  

After dinner, the weather had cooled down enough for us to walk down to the Tagus River at the bottom of the hill from the mission home.  The mission home is located in a very upscale area over looking the city and is surrounded by international embassy residences. 

As we crossed over the freeway on a walking bridge the Tower of Belem came into view.  Thet ower  played a key role in Europe’s Age of Discoveries since it served both as a fortress and as a port from where Portuguese explorers departed to establish what would be the first European trade in history with China and India. It also served as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon 

 The tower is the third World Heritage UNESCO sight we visited this week (Batalha and Convento do Cristo)

Within walking distance is the Monument to the Discoveries -  A stylised caravel seems to be setting out to sea, with Henry the Navigator in its prow. On the two lateral ramps ascending to the symbolic figure of the Prince are some of the significant characters of the Portuguese overseas expansion and cultural names from the age of the Discoveries, 32 in total, all portrayed with symbols that allude to their identity: navigators, cartographers, warriors, colonisers, missionaries, chroniclers and artists.

We enjoyed walking around the plaza map of the world identifying places in the world that Portugal had discovered, colonized, etc.

 A look back at the Tower of Belem as we started our walk back to the mission home.  The return trip was much more strenuous as the sun was setting and the moon appeared.  It was a beautiful evening!

We said goodbye to most of the couples; three of us stayed at the mission home for the night:  Us, Andersons, and Carters.  

 

The next morning, we had  breakfast and packed up.  I have been intrigued by the tall walls surrounding cemeteries throughout the country - with the tops of little houses peeping over the top.  I finally convinced Merl to stop at the Belem cemetary close to the mission home.  It didn't disappoint!  

From the cemetery, we drove to the office to drop off all the supplies we had packed from the Tomar appartment.  We were asked if we could wait for the Loule Sisters who were getting their SEF cards to return to the office and take them home with us.  While we waiting, Merl sorted through tools in a cupboard and found treasures.

Drove back to the Algarve with Sister Moulton and Sister Darnell – stopping at Galp Tangerina to pick up sandwiches for the drive home. We found a cat watching the street across from our apartment - four stories up.  It joins the other window watchers who act as the Portuguese surveillance system.

Thusday we scraped and patched a bedroom wall (signs of water damage coming through from other apartment).  We spruced up apartment for a mortgage inspection tomorrow.  Our landlady, Philomena, brought us some paint. . . her son is using the apartment as collateral for a loan to build a house in the country. 

Checked on Sister Moulton’s toe – talked to Sister Fillmore.  After seeing the pictures, the nurse in German recommended it be be checked by the mission foot clinician.  We took the sisters to the train station to purchase tickets to Setubal in the morning.

Friday morning we took our Sisters to train station at 8:30.  We then drove to Olhao for a cockroach check and dropped things off at the Olhao Elders and Faro Sisters.  We finished painting the bedroom wall before the mortgage inspector came.  Picked up Sisters at train station. Fixed salmon for dinner. We were feeling exhausted from all the traveling and work from the pasts few days.  We had a surprise phone call from Elder and Sister Mann who are now back in California.  They are both helping with the Oakland Temple Open House. Elder Mann is a sealer at the temple.  They were a great couple to work with. 

Saturday morning we spent some time studying and later walked to the church to deliver cold medication to Elders.  I  started a new “healthy” eating plan (missionaries will probably miss the sugary desserts). For now, no sugar or bread type products.  We did some grocery shopping  and then listened to conference talks as we caught up things at home. 

The evening was disturbed by a loud rucus on the streets.  It didn't take long to learn there had been an important soccor match, and the favored national team had one.  Just like celebrations we experienced in Canela - honking, driving in circles, fire works, streets crowded.

We spent the latter evning making arrangements for housing and transportation to Oeiras for zone conference next week.  All our missionaries are assigned to cars – no one needs to go on the train. It helps as the zone and sister leaders had already gone to Lisbon for meetings.  It has been an adventurous week!