Week 34 Aug 18 - 24

Sun Aug 18    We got ready for church and then packed the car for our road trip to Lisbon, by way of Sines. With the closure of the Sisters apartment in Olhao, we had new bedding and supplies for the Elders apartment.  The Elders had alerted us that they thought they had bedbugs.  Our thorough investigation found no signs of bedbugs, but Elder Shriber has bites from something – possibly fleas while in a member's home that has lots of dogs.  They are to continue to be observant and identify the source. 

After our visit in Sines, we drove to Almada to get a key to an empty apartment from Sister Powers. They were just finishing dinner with  a set of Elders and their investigator.  We slipped into the kitchen to not disturb anyone.   We visited and had a bite to eat.  We followed Elder Powers to the  apartment we would be staying in for a few days.  It is on the other side of Almada –  a large apartment in rough condition that has housed four Elders. All we could see were repairs and cleaning. But  we are here to help with meals for the Sisters  that are working at the temple open house. Priority 1. Got beds put in to place and found some pillows and bedding. Elder and Sister Powers and former missionary, Daniel Noad, will also be staying in  this apartment on Monday night. Will be interesting.

Finally got to bed around midnight.

Mond Aug 19 We woke up early, got ready, had a little breakfast and on our way at 10:00. Our first destination was "Entre Bolo" apastelharia business owned by a church member previously from Brazil, Claudia.  We drove across the red bridge to a new area where we picked up todays meals Only had a couple of detours getting there. 

 Another 20 minute drive to the temple on the other side of Lisbon.  Merl hates driving in Lisbon.  We were met by Pres. Mello from the Algarve District.  He is the Executive Secretary of the Temple Committee.  He informed us that our lunch location was changed from the Stake Center kitchen to the annex building next to the stake center – the VIP center where Elder Anderson and his wife, temple president, Seventies reps, area leaders from Germany, and political dignitaries etc. will be having their meetings and meals. 

The temple grounds are beautiful – amazed at how well the landscape came together – looks like everything is in a their natural setting with years of growth – but all new.  Photo is of 300 years old olives transplanted from Spain. 

Beautiful facility – some furniture and areas off limits – and keep it perfectly clean. Merl told Elder Mello that he worked in maintenance at the temple at home and knew what perfect meant. We got settled, accounted for the food and the sisters, and set up. Sisters came in groups of 4 – 6 for lunch. Salad, grilled chicken, cheese quiche, jello, juice . Nice visits – clean up. Study for a little bit, set up for lanche (snacks) at 5:00. Tuna cakes, garlic pate, crackers/bread, salad, chocolate cake, goiaba biscuit/cookies. Cleaning up when Pres. And Sister Fillmore and six Elders arrived with Pres. Mello – visiting, discussion on how we have to do everything we can do, study things out, and then ask.

Cleaned – perfectly – and packed up and left at 8:00 for drive back to apartment. Two more days of this schedule.

Elder and Sister Powers (and former missinary, Daniel Noad) spent the night with us in our borrowed apartment. The Powers’ family of 7 were staying at their apartment. We made up some make-shift beds and got through the night.  (one of new favorite pictures - in the temple annex)



After two months being home from his mission, Daniel returned to help with the temple open house in any way that he could.  He was there every day - leaving at 6:00 in the morning and arriving back home around midnight.  Such dedication to the people he loved here while serving!

Tues Aug 20 Daniel left early to catch the train to the temple, and the Powers were gone by 8:30 – to go feed the ducks with their grandkids. We left around 10 to pick up the food at the bakery and arrived at the temple around 11:00. Set up for lunch – enjoyed visiting with the sisters. Pres. Mello is the executive Secretary of the temple committee – and ends up doing everything. Has been fun getting to know him better since he is the District President of the Algarve. Got a new phone today from Elder Cook – having trouble setting it up.

2^nd round of food and clean up. Walked around the temple grounds and took some pictures before heading home with two phones not working well (GPS). Did miraculously arrive at the apartment and checked maps and email. Tired. . .

Wed Aug 21 Last day helping at the temple. Had a hard time finding the temple this morning. . . arrived at 11:30. Set up and ready for Sisters at 12:00. Drove to Pingo Doce for butter and cleaning solutions. Nice visit with Pres. Mellow who helped me with my phone and GPS; and Elder Moureira – Went to the Cultural hall of the stake center to see displays for visitors. Fixed dinner when we got home and started cleaning walls ,etc.

Welcome home to Logan!  So proud of his wonderful service as a missionary.  We love all the missionaries here in Portugal - such a good group of young people!




Thurs Aug 22 Spent half the day at the apartment in Lisbon repairing, cleaning, patching, painting Exhausted. Left for home about 3:00. Arrived at 8:00 ish. Streets closed on plaza – little farmers market in the street. . . vinyl records, coins and stamps for sale Unloaded the car and went across the street to water the sisters’ plant.

Fri Aug 23   Started off the day with a load of laundry.  I then arranged kitchen supplies from the Olhao apartment for a video to share with missionaries – do you need anything?

Merl ran out of ink in his printer for as I was printing extra musicsheets for our piano kids. First lesson this week was at noon with Tomas. Afterwards, we picked up a fan from the Loule Elders apartment and searched town for a someplace to buy cartridge.  We did find one that looks promising, but it was closed today.

We headed back up the hill north of town again for our three piano lessons lessons in Salir.  These kids are doing well!   The families always prepare something for us after the lessons.  Tonight we had snacks with Pres. Giuvanni and Pollyanna – wonderful, faithful couple from Brazil.









On our way home from Saliar, we stopped for a  lesson with Caio (Raquel) – He is so excited for lessons – will progress quickly.

 Learned they will be moving to Lagos in September – sad for us and the Branch - but better for their little family as Caio is comuting now and gets home late.



Arrived home at 10:00  and learned that Preston is in hopital with pneumonia.  Prayers for him!

August 24 Sat walked to market for a few things, stopped at Q Ice for gelado – Crystal putting on a brave front, but very pregnant and sick. She’s a trouper. Found a shop to refill an ink cartridge.  We were looking to by a new one, but the owner said it was much cheaper and just as good to get a refil.  We tried it. He may be able to replace the cracked screen on Merl’s Nexis, too.  We will take it to him next week.

Studied, worked around the apartment, and prepared for Sunday.  It was a long, busy week!