Week 26 June 23 - 29

Sunday: MERL;   Sunday always starts with church.  I still understand very little in church. I usually study the scriptures during priesthood. 

We had Sister Ann Sykes over for lunch.  She gave us a narrative of her many adventures from Australia, Italy, and now Portugal. (Commentary on the Lord’s Prayer to losing her home in Austrailia to Paulo Azevado and the Yurt project.) I think I will just stick with the life I have. I went for a long physical and mental walk and exercise in the Park in the evening. Kathlyn stayed home and worked on whatever.

6-24 Monday: MERL:  Up at 3:45 am again, back in bed at 5:00. Up at 7:30 - my shoulder and the 
nerve pain makes sleeping difficult.  This morning, I moved my office back into the south bedroom for privacy as needed. I fixed an omlette for breakfat -  my go to favorite: veggies, ham, pineapple, eggs.   Typically we do laundry on Mondays.  I did some reading while Kathlyn tried to catch  up on three weeks of the blog. We walked to the park in the early evening – lots of people walking and running – groups training with each other.  It was perfect weather.  Sister Powers called asking if they could stay with us Wed and Thurs nights – meeting a friend in Albufeira and then driving to Seville – Costco run.  Of course, the answer was yes.  

We made a late run to the grocery store for croissants, cheese, and turkey for sandwiches for District meeting tomorrow.  

When we arrived home, we could hear and see activity going on the main plaza.  After investigation, we learned that it was a celebration of John the Baptists birthday.   June 24 was chosen as the date for the commemoration  because scripture tells us that John was conceived six months before Jesus. Presumably, then, John was born about six months before Christ, and Christ's nativity was celebrated on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.  Loule celebrated with performances of all the area traditional dance groups from neighboring cities. 


 6-25 Tuesday District Council – prepared sandwiches, celery sticks with peanut butter and herb cream cheese, mini fruit kabobs. Merl discussed . . . . . Called Sheila and coordinated a hospital visit by the Faro Sisters. We took the long way home from Faro this afternoon so Sister Hales could see some of the countryside. I enjoy the rural roads with all the orchards, vineyards, gardens, ruins. . .
 

Spent part of the afternoon cleaning the apartment and getting a bedroom ready for the Powers. Talked to Elder Heiner – they will be here on Wednesday for lunch before heading to Faro and Tavira.

Met the Sisters in Quarteira for a teaching appontment with E . Location changed to the home of Andraea and S . . The Elders were teaching E before they were transferred. Now the Sisters will be working with her. She has been having headaches and a lot of pain and requested a blessing.

6-26 Wednesday Expeting Heiner family at noon and Powers at 3:00 ish. Started lunch preparations

Ended up being a dinner at 6:30 after several changes in plans during the day. Eliot Heiner with his sister, brother-in-in law, 19 month old daughter, and Heiner’s fiancee. Had a nice meal and visit – Powers joined us for dinner and spent the night. Walked to the park in the evening – beautiful weather. Restless night with lots of noise from bands preparing for this weeks Mediterranean Festival 2019. Down town sectioned off with 10 different stages and sound equipment, food booths, lots of people expected starting tomorrow night. But we suffered with the preparations tonight. Merl and Elder Powers took the Loule Sisters to the Faro train station – going to Lisbon for Sister Hales to get her SEF card. Kind of strange. . . all of our area missionaries are in Lisbon either with SEF or Leadership Conference. Just us to hold down the fort.

June 27 Thursday. Powers were up early and heading to Seville – Costco run. They rented a Smartcar for the trip – no room for us. We sent a short list of things to pick up for us. Paid our internet bill and took a walk around the main plaza where all the activity will start tonight - Med 2019. This little city really likes to celebrate in a big way. I doubt we will get any sleep for the next four nights. I joked about sleeping up at the Elders’ apartment that is on the other end of town – it is empty right now.

We purchased some cork bookmarks and Algarve dishclothes to give to Elder Heiner and his family.  We love cork!!

Spent the afternoon working on the Elders’ apartment – cleaning, fixing, rearranging. Hope we will get some new missionaries this next transfer. Lots of visa waiters in the wings.

 Picked up the Loule Sisters at the train station – successful day at SEF. The traffic is starting to flow into the city. Powers stopping at IKEA where they will get something to eat – fixed salad and sandwiches for us. We and Sister Powers walked up through the park tonight and through the ritzy housing area north of the park. I am particularly looking for a traditional Moor chimney that I would like to put on our new apartment when we get it built.
 


Walked down through the central part of the city where the Med 2019 (Jazz Festival) is taking place (for 4 nights). 10 stages set up around the historic center with musical groups scheduled to play. Food and beerbooths set up everywhere. Enjoyed the activity and crowd until it was time to go to bed. The party didn’t end until 3:00 a.m.

Med 2019 - included in the itinerary of greatest “World Music” festivals in Europe, the MED Festival takes place in the Historical Centre of Loulé. Along with the musical alignment that brings to Portugal the best music references in the world, this festival also combines gastronomy, plastic arts, street entertainment, handicraft, dancing, workshops, and much more, with the clear objective of promoting the various cultures from around the world.

Friday 28 Everyone was up around 8:00 this morning. . . relaxed morning. I made banana pancakes and cut up a variety of fresh fruits for breakfast. Powers were on the road again by 10:00 to see a friend in Albufeira before heading back home. We enjoy the adventures we have with this couple – one of the perks of serving with other senior couples.

Spent most of the afternoon working in the Elders apartment – deep cleaning and moving furniture into different rooms. We moved the office into the front room (mostly due to big windows with no covering) and the exercise equipment into the previous bedroom. On our way home, we found the replacement part for the blind system in the bedroom. Broke while trying to install. We had to hurry super fast to get to the church for our Portguese class Sister Sykes) – then assisted with the English class. . . two new ladies( Simara and Evelyn) along with Jairo. four hours later, we cam home, ate a little late dinner, and headed to bed. Loud Med 2019 music till 3:00

Sat June 29 Elliot stopped by to pick up little gifts at the house. Met them at the market while shopping. Worked at the apartment. Attempted to return the broken blind thing, but everything was closed. Grocery shopping for hot dogs and buns for a lunch at Nestor's tomorrow. . .(do I buy them in a can or a jar?) Loud music again.