Week 25 June 16 - 22

This week started out with some big changes to in the Algarve zone - some of them definitely not for the better.  Due to the changes in Visa processing on the Portugal side, many missionaries are experiencing long delays in being able to come to Portugal.  Three of our apartments are going to be temporarily closed . . . Portimao Sisters, Loule Elders, and Olhao Sisters. Elder Ribeiro is being transferred to the Acores, Elder Nichols to Montejo, Sister Darnell to somewere up north near Porto, and Sister Hoffman to Lisbon  (to organize all the sisters who will be helping with the temple open house..  I made a batch of cinnamon rolls to share when the Loule missionaries came by Sunday night to get all the transfer news.  Looks like we are going to busy cleaning and closing apartments.

Sunday evening we attended the baptism of Walter Lopez Lima from Olhao.  The Olhao Branch members are always so supportive of the missionaries and the new members.  (Elders Eriksson and Harper, Walter, Bruno Freire)

On transfer day, we took our Sisters to Faro (leaving Sister Moulton with Sister Barajas) and then Sister Darnell and Sister Hoffman to the train station.  It is always hard to say goodbye.  (foto: Me, Sisters Hoffman, Moulton, Darnell, Barajas)

On our way home, we went to the empty Elders apartment in Loule and removed the  perishable food (took to Jairo and Jared) and brought four bags of clothes to sort distribute (Ricardo – Odilia).

That evening we were to pick up the returning new Sisters from Lisbon at 8:00.  We waited at the train station for an hour before they arrived.  Our new Sisters are Sister George from Taylorsville and Sister Hales from Kansas City, Mo.  Due to some issues with luggate, two of their suitcases had to be sent on another train with the Elders traveling to Portimao.  We arrived home late kowing that we would be going to Portimao the next day to pick up the two missing suitcases.  

Fortunately, the Elders who had the missing suitcases left them with the Andersons.  We had a nice visit with them before returning to Faro to deliiver the suitcases.  We then went to the Olhao Sisters apartment to temporarily close it down.  

June 20 was the Corpus Cristi celebration (body of Christ) in remembrance of the Last Supper.  Most of the city was closed.  We still had our District Council meeting, and I made Apple Snickerdoodle bars for the snack. Elder Eriksson from Olhao is the new District leader.  Looks like I will be playing the piano this transfer – no one else plays. Merl gave a message on the Mission Emergency Plan. Took the Loule Sisters home and returned with medication for Elder Buarque who was suffering with a severe head cold.  Merl turned in the monthly gas receipts and report, while I cleaned the kitchen and fixed dinner.  Sister Moulton asked for a blessing – feeling overwhelmed with leading the work in the Loule District with no Elders. Game them an ice cream bars and sent them home.

June 21 Friday Zach’s birthday! We are so excited to have this young man as a grandson!.  He's a great kid!!

Loaded the car up with all our fixing and cleaning supplies in the morning and headed for the coast – taking a new route up to Sines by following the western coast. We took the scenic route that wound through the mountains and fertile farm lands – also, most of the drive is through the forests. Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. It was a 2 ½ hour drive passing through small villages and towns – all white wash with red roofs. We had glimpses of the ocean, but had work to do today – will definitely make the trip again to enjoy the countryside more.

Had painting to do at Elders apartment – also some more plumbing. I washed walls and baseboards and scrubbed down the bathrooms.  After doing the kitchen a couple of weeks ago, we have the apartment up to a standard that we can hold the missionaries accountable to.

Decided to take the scenic route back home and arrived at 9:00 p.m.

(Merl)  Saturday, I woke up during the early morning. Went back to bed after 4:00 am. Somehow fell asleep – rough dreams. Slept till 9:45. This is really rare for me. I must be exhausted inside. Up, dress, eat, go to the Market with Kathlyn for vegetables as usual. 

After buying our vegetables and fruits for the week, we stopped for a scoop of our favorit gelado at the Q Ice.  Crystal knows us now and followed us out to where we sat.  She talked to us a bit about the flavors and the Italian in Portimao that makes all of her products.


Back home. Don’t know what we did at home. At 6:30, picked up the Sisters at Pingo Doce and drove to Albufeira.  We taught some English lessons to the Ermalinda clan – daughters Ronisia and Risiani, and two friends Herman and Hermes (twin boys) and Ermalinda.  We thought we were finished and would be driving home by 9:00.  No such luck. . . Ermalinda had fixed a big pot of Cachupa and invited us to eat dinner with them – Came home by 10:00 – Kathlyn prepared lunch for tomorrow till after 1:00 am. She seems to come alive in the evening while I die.