Week 27 June 30 - July 6

Sun June 30 Played piano for Sacrament meeting – SS class was about the temple, open house invitations, sign up for possible shifts when the temple opens, and the temple bus.  We are signed up for August 27. . . our anniversary.

Mallory Madsen and family (10 in all) arrived at the church just in time to say hello and goodbye to the members. 

 We helped orchestrate the lunch at Sandra and Nestor’s. There was so much food. . .   roasted chicken, chicken wraps with all the trimmings, hot dogs, salads, chips, bread and fresh honey, three dessert puddings. Lots of fun. Trip to Quarteira Took a good nap. Spoke with Angela and Curtis – late Merl made a pizza with extra pineapple, mushrooms, cheese,  I watched a few episodes of Hattie Feather on BYU TV while cleaning up the kitchen. 

July 1 Monday early walk to replace blind  spring wound control mechanism (don't know the name of it).  There wwere no guarantees, and we had to purchase another; but our friendly hardware store friend gave Merl instructions on how to possibly fixt the broken one. . . and how to install it correctly. Went to Chinese store for plunger and a  funnel.  We were actually looking for an aco inoxidavel parafuso (stainless steel screw to fix the handle on a pot at the Elder's apartment.  We spent the afternoon working at the apartment. (common picture - gypsy driving through town)

We received package from England for Sheila today.  The mail lady always rings our bell in the morning to open the door to the building. Today, she said she had a package for us.  We called the office to get the phone number for the Faro landlord (blinds/coverings, cracked window, bulges in wall).

Our Tuesday agenda included a trip to Faro deliver the package to Sheila.  We got a pass to go to her room onlu to find out she had been sent to Lisbon for a consultation and would be back later in the day. We instead went to the Overseas Market in Almancil and Lidl back in Loule.  
Wednesday morning I called Shiela and found she had been released and was back at her flat in Tavira Cabana de Tavira.  Even though she had not had her next arm surgery, the hospital staff felt she would be better off at home because they were going on strike the next day.

We decided to take a road trip to find her at her vacation home in Cabanas de Tavira.  She had purchased a beautiful apartment which she rents out when she is in England.  We had a nice visit with Sheila and her son and his wife visiting from Vietnam where he has been working.  Sheila was doing well today and took us on a walk around the area and showed us her favorite spots. Walked boardwalk – great visiting.  Sign I saw:  “As we grow older, our broad chest and narrow waists have a tendency to trade places.”

Happy Birthday America - Fourth of July.  We listened to a lot of patriotic music and walked to Q  Ice to celebrate.  I love the gelado sold here.  I packed a suitcase for the trip as we will be spending the night in Almada with the Powers. 

Phone call from Faro Sisters at about 10:30 p.m. They left their area phone at home and needed it for Zone Conference. We drove to Faro and back to get their phone and got gas. It was after midnight when we finally got to bed.   It will be a long drive tomorrow. 

July 5 Fri  We were up early and packed the car. Picked up Sisters and drove to Setubal for Zone Conference.   There was a lot of training on entering contact information into the new area book database .  Portugal has a lot of privacy laws that will require extra permissions given to make records electronic.   

Pres. Fillmore discussed a talk given by Pres (then Elder) Nelson  in the Oct 1996 Conferece on the Atonement.

We had a nice lunch today of rice and fejuada, greens, roll, orange slices, and yummy birthday cake. We helped set up tables for the lunch. Merl and Elder Powers left early to install a washing machine in an apartment. Sister Powers and I met them back at home. 

Merl and I then braved the heavily traveled, narrow roads as we drove up to Alfama – the oldest historical area of Lisbon to meet Frank Widmaier and his daughter, Eva. We have known Frank now for 30 years.  Alfama is a tourist city. . . no parking.  The scariest part was when Merl took a wrong turn and was driving down a narrow one way street the wrong way with a trolly car behind us. . .  Eventually we got turned around and found a place to park -even though it was a long walk to our meeting place at the bit castle on top of the hill.  It was good to finally find Frank and Eva!  

It was a  beautiful evening walking the old streets down into the guts of old Lisbon. We chose a restaurant with faro singing. Wonderful catching up with life and visiting. Best time to travel to Portugal is between September and March. Not so many people. . .

 The steep streets of Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest areas, are lined with shops selling traditional
 crafts and cafes. Passengers pack the historic No.28 tram, which winds through Alfama on its way up to 11th-century São Jorge Castle. Views from Miradouro da Graça terrace stretch over the city to the River Tagus. In the evening, melancholy Fado music can be heard in some of the area's long-running restaurants.

July 6 Sat Woke up at the Powers' apartent. . . leisurely visiting and breakfast. Listened to talk about new evidence of DNA and Book of Mormon. Time is on our side as more and more scientific evidence confirms the origin of the Nephites/Lamanites.  Merl’s prepared his onion omelettes for everyone. 

Drove home from Almada and listened to the discourse Stand Forever by Lawrence Corbridge. 

Caught up on things at home. Watched massive argument between two women on street below us.  Heads were popping out from all the windows.   At 9:00 we could hear some good music coming from somewhere and went to find it.  We walked through the narrow streets following the music (accordian and singing) several blocks away. We arrived at Sao Sebastian Comunidade where there was a big gathering – a dance held to raise money for the needy.  The lively accordian music is fun and catchy.   Hope to actually go to one of these events this summer and enjoy the ambience.