Week 33 August 11 - 17

Sun Aug 11 Morning came early – church today was a special Missionary focused program. The primary and youth sang two numbers I hope they call me on a mission and There is Sunshine in my Soul Today. Both Candida and Nestor spoke – both had a close relationship with Mae Powers . After Ssacrament meeting, Nestor invited Mae to come to the pulpit to share a message with the branch members – many of them who knew her. It was a special, emotional meeting.

Merl was asked to take our JAS members to Faro to a committee meeting (Leandro and Eunice). . . we are now the official leadership support (adult oversight) for the JAS group – under the direction of Elder and Sister Marriott. Caio asked for piano lessons. Will probably add him on Friday after the kids.   He lives up on the hill closed to Nestor and on the way to Salir where our other three piano students live.

Sister Powers and I hurried home to get lunch on the table for the hungry family. We had 11 of us and we had plenty of food. I made pulled chicken sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, 7 layer dip with chips, pita roll ups, big vegetable relish tray with dip, potato salad; cut up fruit; brownies.  We put candles in the brownies for "  " birthday.  

 Elder Powers stayed behind and talked with Merl about all kinds of health stuff while the rest of the Powers family went for a walk around the city reminiscing about the time Mae lived here and the she people taught. Next stop for them was to visit Tomie and Mario Silva before heading to Salema for the week. Great family.  Tome was not able to attend church today because of her broken leg

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We took a late afternoon drive to Faro to visit with Sisters George and Breinholt – rash is getting better.  Sister George's head is still causing her some problems - but seems to be slowly improving.

Monday Aug 12   We made aother trip to Faro to check in on Sisters George and Breinholt – still down with the concussion.

Seems like out Sisters are all struggling a bit right now.  We learned that  Sister Hales is needing a ride on Tuesday for a doctor. appointment in Almancil.  Sister Moulton continues to have her ups and downs - missionary work can be very challenging.

Worked on the blog while Merl studied. We took the Sisters to Albufeira with us to visit members in the city while we taught a piano lesson to Risiani – Karina missed her bus connections coming back from Porto. Will have to catch her later in the week. Risiani is doing well.  The apartment is home for Ermilinda, here three daughters (the youngest has Downs Syndrome), and Karina (a niece, I think).  Ermalinda is not afraid to tackle fix-it jobs, but she was grateful that Merl helped her fix the doorknob and lock on her front door – it was a challenge.

After picking up the sisters, we drove home and made arrangements for our trip tomorrow aftermppm to Lisbon for a temple tour and zone conference. We will be taking Sisters George and Breinholt – smoother ride in the car for Sis. George.  The conference starts early on Wednesday morning, so we are driving up on Tuesday evening.  

Aug 13  Tuesday    I cleaned the kitchen and did some laundry before taking Sister Hales to the doctor in Almancil. While she was there, we went to the British Store (a little frantic with no GPS) but found it.  We got some good deals today.  Overall the prices are higher in the overseas market, but it has items from England and the U.S. that aren't available in the Portuguese markets.   Picked up the sisters after their appointent and tried to find a gas station that had some gas – all out. We had been asked to bring 60 bananas with us to Lisbon for lunch; the Adersons are bringing 60 apples.  We went to three grocery stores to find enough good bananas. I fixed lunch for the Sisters and packed our overnight bag.

We took our Loule Sisters to the train at 3:30 and then picked up the Faro Sisters for the long drive to Lisbon.  We didn’t want Sister George being jostled around on the train.  We were able to find a gast station outside of Faro that still had some gas. . . so we topped off the tank.  The drive was uneventful - the passengers almost always sleep all the way.  

Dropped the sisters off at the temple, and they walked a block to the apartment they are staying in.

 We had trouble finding the hotel that the office elders said they had made a reservation for us.  We finally found the hotel, but there was no reservation.  A phone call to the office revealed that we had been given the wrong hotel name.  The correct hotel was next door to the original one.  We finally got checked in and settled.  The room was simple, and rather interesting. . . there was a curtain that separated bed area from the shower and toilet. . .

Morning – quick breakfast and a crazy trip to the temple. My phone has not been working – not connecting to wifi or the data plan. . . haven’t been able to figure it out. Filled up with gas and finally saw the steeple so we arrived at the temple a few minutes late.

This zone conference was for five zones - the largest group we had met with.  We met in the new Stake Center next to the temple and went in small groups over the temple.  All temples are beautiful and this one is no different.  It is small and and tastefuly decorated in shades of lavender, greens, beige inthe upholstery and flowers, lots of tile and marble, simply decorated.
The grounds are beautiful.   What is amazing is that two months ago all that was here was dirt and rocks.  Now there are 300 year old olive trees and tall palm trees along with beautiful flowers and shrubs. The Portuguese people are blessed to have a temple now. . . and they will love it.

After the tour, we drove to Mem Martins for zone conference. This was our first time in this city and chapel.  We had five zones together, about 100 people.

President Fillmore first spoke about the Gathering of Israel.  The word in Portuguese is "coligacao de Israel."  Which means to bring together or connect Israel.  The Latin word ligar means to connect.  In Portuguese, ligar means to call or connect by phone, or to turn on/connect the light or the television.  Eu ligo voce = I will call you.  Ligue a luz = turn on the light.   The gather (bringing together) of Israel and sealing (connecting) together of families is occurring on both sides of the veil.  This could never occur without the coming forth of the Book of Mormon which clarifies the Doctrine of Christ and contains the fullness of His Everlasting Gospel or without the sealing power,by whih families are sealed together for eternity,  This power was returned to the earth by the angels Elijah and Moroni through the prophet Joseph Smith in fulfillment of ancient prphecies.  There is not another church on this earth that has the power or a full understading of the meaning or extent of the Gathering of Israel. 

That is what all this missionnary work is about - gathering the House of Israel from all parts of the world.  As we entered the conferencee room, there were oranges all over the room, in random places.  After this discussion, President Fillmore asked everyone to go find an orange and bring it to the box - used as an example of "gathering."

Two missionary were asked to give a seven minute discourse on establishing the church.  Then there was role play and companionship study. It had already been a long day, and lunch was delayed (Subway ovens weren’t working), so we served the apples and bananas. . . waited, and still no sandwiches. Called the busses to come pick up everyone for the trip to the dedication site for the preaching of the gospel in Portugal. Everyone changed into P-Day clothes - the Elders using the chapel.  Photo indicating Sister Fillmore didn't know where all the Elders had gone. . .It was a long ride; Merl and I sat on the front row behind the bus driver - bad decision.  He was not a careful driver, and Merl was a nervous wreck by the time we arrived at our destination.

It was a beautiful day for a walk to the monument in the mountain with pine trees and boulders. One year ago, we went with the Casals to this site. It is such a serene place so close to the bustling city of Lisbon.  President Fillmore read the dedicatory prayer given by then Elder Thomas Monson when Portugal was opened up for missionary work.  Testimonies were shared and pictures taken. . . a special, beautiful area.

 The ride back to the church was not much better.  The sandwiches and cookies had been delivered, and they were devoured in no time.

Missionary who will be returning home at the end of this transfer were invited to share their testimonies.  Everyone joined in the Mission song; and then it was time to clean up, pack up .  We discovered 100 KitKat bars in the fricge - which were to have been handed out after lunch.  Pres. FIllmore always likes chocolate to perk everybody back up.  With the strange schedule, this had been forgotten.  We handed out candy bars to those who had not left – saved the rest in a disguised box in the refrigerator for the Marriotts for meeting on Friday.   They Merl got to drive  home. while the rest of us slept most of the way. 

When we arrived home, we discovered that we had lost our internet connection at the house – we pay every 15 days, and today was the the 15 day. . .and too late to recharge our account.  Merl ill have to get their first thing in the morning. Feeling l

Elders in Sines (Shriber and Garay) called to tell us they think they have bed bugs – calls and pictures.  Probably will need to make a trip soon. Also, Elder Flores says the Portimao apartment has cockroaches. . . Looks like a fun rest of the week.

Thur Aug 15

Resigned up for internet.  The bad part is that we lost all of our unused balance.   Piano lessons with Tomas – then took a teclada and books to Caio Martins.  He has always wanted to play the piano and is so excited to start lessons. 

We met Wellington, a Brazilian man who is living with the family while looking for work.  He will bring his family from Brazil when he gets established.  Cairo and Raquel were from the same stake - also Ricardo and Kelma are from the same stake in Brazil . 

We hadn't expected to fine Caio at home, but it was a holiday.  Portugal has random holidays all the time.   The August 15th  holiday is the feast day of the Asssumptio of Mary which celebrates the Christian belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary into heaven following her death. 

We received and reviewed inventory list of the Olhao apartment that was in the file. Most of the items are not in the apartment – hope they were removed by the landlady somewhere along the line.

Fri Aug 16

Spent the day in Olhao emptying out the apartment, cleaning, repairing. . .

Piano lessons in Salir for Emily, Felipe, and Daniel. Kids are doing well with piano – learning notes on lines. We were invited to a surprise Churrasco dinner with the Ricardo, Giovani and Nestor families.  Kelma had made a chocolate cake before we arrived, and she showed me how to finish it - with milk wash and chocolate ganuche filling.  Sandra Batista grilled several types of  meat, chicken, and fish; served with beans, rice, tomatoes, juice and dessert.  It was a beautiful evening shared wish good Brazilian fiends (Nestor's family is a mix - Venezuelan and Portuguese).  Got home around 9:30

Sat Aug 17
We returned to Olhao to prepare for meeting with the land lady to close apartment. We received a phone call giving us our schedule and responsibilities for next week when we will be in Lisbon helping with meals for the sister missionaries serving at the temple open house.  We are excited for this opportunity.  We also received a call from Elder Taylor who is not doing well.  He thinks he has a stomach blockage.  Merl talked to him and send the info to Sister Fillmore.  Recommeded to drink lots of water and rest.  

Later in the day, we received a call from Eulalio – needed help to clean the church.   We were exhausted but went over.and helped sweep and mop floors. 

About 8:00 p.m., we met some branch members at te Cerca de Convento for a band concert featuring one of our branch members, Silvio Switha. Pretty good music - lots of American hits and sung in English.  It went until mdnight, nonstop.  We went home at 11:00 and could still listen from our windows. Music got louder and more screamy the later it got.


Merl had a bowl of bread and milk at 11:30 and crawled into bed. VWe have had a very long, hard couple of days. Carrying heavy things up and down four flights of stairs. . . we are really feeling our age.  Crashed.