November 2019

November 3

November started out on a high note. . . we weren’t able to attend, but our great granddaughter, Isabel, was blessed today by Aaron, dressed in his formal Scottish attire. Oh, how I miss participating in all these special occasions.  

After church, I made a yummy lunch of eggplant parmiason, salmon patties, sweet potatoes . Merl visited with Curtis about issues with the duplex. It is nice that we are able o communicate so easily with family members at home who have responsibility for our home affairs.

Nov 4 Monday Brett’s birthday and Prestons birthday

We met Elder Sammons and Elder Nichols at the park for a game of miniature golf. I think Elder Sammons beat us all – and I came in last. It was a beautiful day in the Algarve. We took the Elders to lunch at McDonalds. 

 I sneaked in a nap while Merl did some studying. I made a big batch of mollasses cookie dough to be used for District missionary meeting on Tuesday and JAS institute class on Wednesday. Had nice phone visits with Sister Sykes and Helene (Hels) in Alcotim. Making arrangements for our next service project.

Nov 5 Tues Got up early, read some from the Book of Moses and baked molasses cookies for the District meeting.  Received message from the Sister in Faro. It started “good morning darling Egberts.” We knew something was up. Their shower head is spraying everywhere, and they asked Elder Egbert if he could come fix it. Could have been worse.  We stopped at Primark and Decathalon on our way to the Sisters’ apartment looking for a yoga mat for me. Our Branch is starting a pilates class this week. . . I am going to try it out.  After fixing the shower head we went to the District
meeting.

The District missionary council in Faro went well; Merl was asked to discuss gifts of the spirit; he always does a good job, and the missionaries love learning at his feet.  We provided sandwiches, apple bars, deviled eggs and juice for lunch.

We stopped back at Primark and purchased a mat – also two small day packs from Decathalon.

Baked a few more cookies and took them to our music man and fruit man. They were still warm when I handed them to our friends. They seem to love the attention from us crazy Americans.

It was a long morning, and we took a nice nap along with some studying. I called Hellen (Hells) to make arrangements for a service later this week with two of our Elders (Nichols and Sammons)

Nov 6  Wed  We took a walk to the park and made banana chocolate chip bars for Institute JAS, Researching source for steel trusses for Helena – Pres. Azeveda. Phone call from Elder Ross in the evening reporting Elder Valdez was having severe head/tooth pain. Contacted new our new mission nurse, Sister Hall. She and her husband are serving in Vila Real.  We took treats to Faro for JAS and then to Olhao to take some  pain medsto Elder Valdez.  Visited with Elders on a variety of gospel subjects waiting for the doctor to call to and then to get a prescription.  Received a nice thank you note from Elder Ross and Elder Valdez.

Nov 7 Thurs – lots of follow up phone calls, medical, Thanksgiving, Christmas, service.  We had a late breakfast annd then delivered cookies and banana bars to the missionaries.

Nov 8 Fri – Carson’s birthday Service project at Shamwari up on the Spanish border by Alcotim. Our Loule Elders (Nichols and Sammons) went with us to clear tree limbs and brush from the hillside where future structures are going to be built.   The vision of Shamwari is retreat for disadvantaged children Helena with blown out knee (healing)

 We were finally able to schedule a trip back to the Alcotim area to see Helena and work at Shamwari, another outdoor service project (clearing cut trees and brush down to the road for removal) for the Elders (Nichols and Sammons). 

 Her project is moving along well in spite of government regulations and personnel issues.  We helped provide a nice lunch and left her an English Book of Mormon.  Her vision is to create a retreat for disadvantaged children to enjoy.  This would give them a place to discover nature, be at peace in the world, and offer new directions in life.  As a child, Hels was in and out of orphanages, but was taken out on excursions by an older couple who gave her a glimpse of what life could be like.

Piano lessons in evening – Added David da Costa – now have four students in Salir. After the lesson, Poliana asked if we could stay for a little bit for dinner and to celebrate Felipe’s 11^th birthday. As we didn’t have any more appointments, we said yes. Nestor and Sandra came to help with the dinner – grilled chicken salad sandwiches (delicious) and hot dogs cooked in a tomato sauce Brazilian style. Fruit and finger foods were served with the sandwiches. Kelma frosted two cakes (pineapple and
lemon) with whipped cream – one topped with chocolate shavings and the other with coconut. The other kids and adults were in the front room blowing up balloons and decorating for Felipe’s birthday.

 After singing to Felipe, it was announced that there was another birthday – Me (a day early). What a surprise – Facebook has a way of exposing secrets. Happy birthday – in Engish, and yummy cake. Wonderful families here in our Branch (Ricardo and Kelma,Emily and Filipe; Giuvanni and Poliana da Costa, Daniel, Davi, Beatriz, Miguel; Nestor and Sandra Querales, Jonas, Tomas; Wellington) Got home late and crashed into bed – Kelma sent some cake home for breakfast .Watched new Book of Mormon Video – Lehi blesses his children and dies.

Nov 9 Happy birthday to me! The big 70 – kind of surprised to have made it to this far. Neither of my parents made it to this age. I pray for continued health! Nothing was scheduled for today – weather was not the best. We went to the farmers’ market to pick up a few things and spent most of the day making preparations for dinner with the missionaries tomorrow. Received a phone call from Jairo – let us know he would be off work at 1:00 and would like to come see us – we knew better, he loves to come eat with us whenever he has a chance. Decided to make french bread, a chicken pot pie topped with mashed potatoes. We actually found some russette type potatoes at Lidl – the first we have seen here. Have to make mashed potatoes.

Sun Nov 10 Made a cake and the french bread before church. Played piano for Sacrament meeting. Home to finish meal preparations. Elders Nichols and Sammons, then Jairo, then Sisters Hales and Donahue. Nice dinner conversation with lots of gospel questions. After our visitors went home, I watched a few episodes of Relative Race while doing dishes.

Mon Nov 11 Veterans Day

Grocery shopping – fruit for Zone Conference on Tuesday – bananas, apples, mandarins. Fixed/replaced wheels on suitcase for Sister Hales. Took glasses to the optical shop down the stairs to have nose pad reconnected. . . replaced both at no charge. Piano lessons in Albufeira – girls not home – snuck out of the house. Single mom with three girls at home struggling. . . will talk to the girls at church on Sunday to make decision to try to continue or remove the keyboard and give to someone else who will use it. Tough choices!

Tue Nov 12 Early morning trip to Setubal for Zone Conference (with Elder Nichols and Elder Sammons). Pointing out cork trees and stork nests. Good meeting - met Elder and Sister Hall. Sister Hall is a nurse and will assist Sister Fillmore with medical issues. . . she says it has been a fire hose of info and needy missionaries. Visit with Pres. Fillmore with the request again that we consider moving to Abrantes – center of the country. No pressure, but he thinks we would enjoy a new experience in Portugal, and we are needed there. We agreed to check it out and get back to him.

 Had subway sandwiches, chips, cookies and fresh fruit. Plenty of food for everyone today. Lightly raining when we started home. I rode back with two sets of Sisters (five girls in a car) while Elder Egbert transported two sets of Elders back to the Algarve (five boys in a car). I will admit I prefer riding with someone that I trust (Merl). It was an anxious, uncomfortable drive home. . . but we did all arrive safely.

Just before midnight, we received a phone call from Sister Fjelsted informing us that Sister Hart was very sick and in much pain. We headed over to Faro to check it out. Merl gave Sister Hart a blessing and got her calmed down enough to lay down in bed. Not knowing how things were going to develop, we decided it best to stay close

Wed Nov 13 Ended up spending the night in Faro on the couch. Sister Hart actually slept most of the night and was feeling somewhat better in the morning, so we came home.

Merl took the Loule Elders to San Bras for a service project with the Olhao Elders at Sister Sykes property. (Elders Nichols, Sammons, Ross, Valdez)
More tree and brush clearing, bonfire, laying rock to delineate paths. Got a lot of work
done.
 I stayed home in bed with my computer and watched season five episodes of Hatty Feather. Wonderful relaxation.

Got a ride to Continent with the Sisters to purchase bread flour to make some french bread to go with a big pot of chicken noodle soup – for the Faro Sisters and the JAS Institute group. Had a nice group in attendance tonight – also had the Faro missionaries join us along with Irena (prounounced idena) a 19 year old who will be baptized on Sunday. The Elders later said she has been their most faithful investigator (Taylor and Sales).

Thur Nov 14 – Logan’s birthday

Relaxed morning – phone calls on couples Thanksgiving social, follow up on Sister Hart, apartment contract info, temple reservations for social, etc. Message from Ricardo saying that Felipe has been asked to accompany the children and congreation (Come Follow Me) in the Primary Sacrament program on the 24^th. Could I put together a simplified version for him. . . he has only been taking lessons for a few months. . . but he is progressing. This will be a challenge, but a good opportunity, if we can put it together. He just turned 11 last week and will be leaving primary soon.

Got a call from Faro Sisters- Sister Hart was ready to go to the hospital to find out what is causing her pain. Called Sister Hall to get a GOP. (guarantee of payment document). Picked them up and went to the private hospital – took about 3 hours max to wait and get checked out – better than normal. Took the Sisters to a pharmacy for prescriptions and then home.

Nov 15 Fri Call from Beja Elders – water heater isn’t working again. Merl not feeling well – intestinal blockage or something. . . . drove to Beja to look at water heater and do an impromptu apartment inspection. It is always a beautiful drive through agricultural areas of forests, grape vines, olive trees, cork, plowed fields. Stopped at grocery store looking for yams – bought some fresh fruits and vegetables and apple turn overs.

 Drove home and quickly went to Leroy Merlins to look for table lamps that would serve as piano light for piano students in Salir. Very poor lighting in their houses – I can’t even distinguish notes on the page. During piano lessons, I worked with Felipe with the simplified version of Vinde a Mim. He preferred playing the right hand only from the regular hymn book – amazing. Had good lessons, set up the lights in both houses, had delicious squash soup and canela leite (sugar and cinnamon browned in a pot with milk poured over – delicious). Nice visit with families – talked about the gift of tongues and languages. . .

Home – nice visit with April

 Nov 16 – Sat. Merl went to a service project with our Elders and Nestor near Bouliquiem. A branch member needed help setting posts for a fence around his new business. The soils here are very rocky, and it took a lot of work to dig down deep enough to put the posts in. Our Elders are learning all kinds of tricks and skills on these service projects. The crew was treated to a lunch back in Almancil before coming home. I stayed home and went to market and found cilantro. I made a big pot of quinao taco filling with beans and corn for dinner and a batch of chocolate chip banana bars for baptism tomorrow.

Drove to Albufeira for piano lessons - usully followed by a meal prepared by Ermilinda. 

Nov 17 Sun Played piano for church and accompanied children in their progam practice. Showed our piano students what piano pedals are and what they are used for. The lesson manual introduced pedals this past week, but the keyboards don’t have them. Baptism of Irena. Played piano. Took Sister Hart back to the hospital for further tests. Got right in on a slow Sunday night. . . still took a couple of hours to get tests and find nothing still. Home to get another prescription.

Nov 18 Mon Spent big part of the day traveling between grocery stores looking for items for Thanksgiving dinner - hard to find yams, evaporated milk, pumpkin pie filling, bread for stuffing. Made tortillas for tacos and took a walk to the park. Exercise – it has been cold and rainy off and on all week – haven’t been to the park and we are stiff. Watched the Children and Youth face to face program on the computer.

Nov 19 Tuesday District Council in Loule. Merl asked to discuss how missionaries can explain to investigators how to pray for answers and what they can expect answers to feel like. I made two big loaves of french bread for the two duplas. Sister Donahue had been sick all night and didn’t feel good during the meeting. I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup in the afternoon and shared with both sets of missionaries. Started to gather things to take to Lisbon area in the morning. Food, bedding, tools – will be back on Wednesday evening.

Nov 20 Wed   Woke early and on the road by 8:30. Rained hard all night and continued off and on this morning. The early drive through the hills and valleys had a different feel. . . it has been so hot and dry all summer, and now new life is emerging everywhere. The fields have a green tinge – new grass and crops. Trees are soaking in all the rain and look stronger and healthier. Sines for inspection and check on a kitchen water leak.

 Drove to Abrantes for another Elders apartment inspection and to check out the apartment we will be living in if we decide to accept the transfer. No electricity – and it was in the 50’s. Phone calls to the office and to the electric company (EDP) finally resulted in a
technician coming to check on the problem. Learned that if EDP isn’t able to do a meter reading at least once a year, they turn off the power. This apartment has been empty for around 6 months. We now have power. It is a nice, clean apartment – smaller than the one in the Algarve. . . not as homey. We went to the grocery store to purchase a few things to prepare our contribution to the senior couples’ thanksgiving meal tomorrow (pumpkin pie squares and candied yams). Stopped at a little restaurant a block from the new apartment – Merl ordered grilled salmon (no surprise) – and he was very surprised. Two big pieces of salmon with potatoes and carrots. I ordered veggie lasagna – a pound of cheese melted on top of a bowl of broccoli. Very hot but rather tasteless. Won’t order that again. Back to apartment to make our beds.

Nov 21 Brian birthday – Thursday Foggy, Rainy morning. Merl went to grocery store to purchase more butter . Made candied sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie squares for our Thanksgiving Couples dinner. Packed up our food and drove around the city a little. 1 ½ hour drive to Lisbon . Arrived at the mission home and helped prepare dinner for the senior couples. Fillmores, Marriotts, Garrards, Ostlers, Mouras, Powers, Halls, Egberts (not there – Bangeters, Carters, Andersons).

Wonderful meal, visiting, sharing Thanksgiving traditions, and an evening temple session. The first for us in the Lisbon temple. A special night – perfect evening after a few days of cold and rain. Said our goodbyes and drove back to Abrantes for the night.

Nov 22 Angela Birthday – Friday Cleaned up the apartment and packed up our belongings. Foggy again this morning. Drove around the city a bit, found the castle on the hill, and then crossed the river to begin our trip through the countryside to Evora.

 We drove through mountains and valleys, through forests of pine, cork, eucalyptus, olive trees. . . beautiful, winding road drive. Any area flat enough had fields – mostly corn stubble with pivot sprinklers. Forestry is a prime resource. Drove through several small towns – Agua Todo de Ano, Cancado .. . one flat area in the middle of nowhere had the municipal airport – with lots of building construction. Other sights – cactus farms, lots of standing water in fields (lots of rain recently), cattle crossing signs, sheep gazing under cork trees. Old stone houses and ruins scattered through the fields. Little villages clustered in clearings. Beautiful country – very much different than southern Portugal.

Found the Elders apartment in Evora and had a good inspection. (Elders Gedde and Ernstberger).  Then on to home. Found a back way to Salir without driving all the way to Loule – piano lessons for Daniel, Davy, Emily, and Felipe. Elder Sammons sick and throwing up – took over warm cinnamon milk

Home and ready for bed. .. long couple of days.

Nov 23 Saturday Elder Sammons still not feeling well – chicken soup, rice pudding went to market to find sweet potatoes, mandarin oranges, tomatoes, one pear for thanksgiving. Cleaned kitchen and started going through cupboards and closets to sort for give away, take back to the office, take to Abrantes. Found turkey roasting bags in back of drawer.

Nov 24 Sunday

Primary program – went to church early to get music instruction from Candida (didn’t show). Program went well – but the highlight for me was when Felipe (one of our piano students) accompanied the congregation in singing “Come Follow Me” using the regular hymn book. Granted he only played the right hand with chords – and added the left hand chord at the end of each verse. Then the children sang the last verse again at the end. He didn’t miss a note and stayed perfectly in tempo. Amazing with only 3 months of lessons. Took a nap and then made ginger snap cookies. . okay, but not perfect. Wanted to take some to Felipe and family to say congratulations and thank you for a job well done. Will find something else.  (Emily and Felipe Rozenda, Davi and Daniel da Costa)

Nov 25 Monday up early to go to Seville, Spain, to Costco with Elder and Sister Anderson. The bridge over the river separating the two countries is still under renovation.  We needed to pick up a few things before we leave the Algarve. . . we are only 2 hours away. Rain this morning, but good drive. Found pumpkin pie and canned pumpkin – main thing on the list. Also stocked up on almonds, pumpkin seeds, variety of vitamins and supplements. . . . home. . . watched a Christmas
special with Gentry and Lexie Walker – excellent music.

Nov 26 Tuesday We went to our District Missionary meeting and then prepared to head to Abrantes. Each trip north, we take another load of our belongings to our new apartment. I always love the drive – wish Merl had the luxury of looking at the changing scenery. We took our ladder to the Abrantes Elders’ apartment so they could start working their moldy bathroom ceilings. We spent the night at our new apartment which puts us an hour closer to Lisbon.

Nov 27 Nathan’s birthday Wednesday

Another trip to Lisbon to renew our SEF cards for another year (government residency cards). We were told that we would be finished by 11:00…., but shortly before 11:00, we finally left the mission office to drive across town to the SEF office. A few hours later, we all were legal again. The Powers were also getting their SEF, even though they are heading back home in a month.



 We went shopping with Sister Powers to make some purchases to use up a credit they had– she bought two fans, we bought 2 cans of special mold resistant paint. We took Sister Powers to an apartment to deliver a fan and ended up fixing three doors dragging on the floor. We visited a couple more apartments with Sister Powers and took care of some problems. Also went to a Pinga Doce in Setubal to check out possible food options for zone conference. . . nothing decided. Sister Powers usually takes care of meals for conference, but she will not be here for the next onference. We had a late drive home and started food prep for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Nov 28   I wannted to make a thanksgiving tree for the missionary dinner today. We found some supplies in the apartment, but I had to make an early trip out to find colored paper and black paint. Merl was tasked with the job of painting an outline of a tree while I cut out leaves. . . and prepared dinner. We had ten missionaries around our table (plus us) for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal of turkey, stuffing, potatoes/gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, rolls, green salad, cranberry sauce, fruit kabob turkey, pumpkin pie squares, and chocolate mousse. Mad busy day preparing. The missionaries wrote what they were thankful for on leaves for our tree, and we gave Algarve cork bookmarks to everyone plus Algarve towels for those leaving (Sales, Taylor, Ross, Nichols).

October 2019

The month of October got completely away from me.  Happy birthday to Curtis and Halle!

Zone conference this month was held in Portimao - with just the Algarve Zone.  The Elders in Portimao and Lagos organized the lunch with the Zone Leaders from Faro and the Sister Trainers in Loule conducting the meeting.  We (and Elder and Sister Anderson) assisted where we were asked.  

Towards the end of the meeting, Pres. and Sister Fillmore arrived.  Pres. Fillmore discussed with Merl the possibility of us being transferred to Abrantes - if we were willing to accept the move.  Since we love the Algarve and the people here, it will be a hard decision.

 Merl listened to a series of podcasts on "Regrain your Brain."

In correlation with this info, we have stepped up our exercising regiment in our local park.  We get at least a two mile walk each time we go, along with a good physical workout on the machines.  Even if it is late at night in the moonlight.  I have amazed myself in that I can actually do some modified sit ups now. . . something I haven't been able to do for several years (sloppy back).

Wednesday evenings we supported the JAS (Young Single Adults) group that meets in Faro for Institute class.  It is a small group, strong and interactive.  I think they have enjoyed the different foods that we bring for refreshments after class.  Sometimes it is desserts, soups, or sandwiches.  Some of the big hits were deviled eggs, anything with peanut butter, banana chocolate chip bars, and chicken noodle soup.

Piano lessons continue to be both discouraging and highly exciting.  We have seven students at varying levels of commitment.  Merl continues to practice and progress as he is trying to stay ahead of our two students who are advancing well - Daniel da Costa and Felipe Rozenda. . . Emily Rozenda (the oldest at 14) is starting to catch on.  Miguel (9 years) recently decided to play and is doing very well.  We teach these students on Friday evenings in their duplex type houses.  With supportive parents and a little bit of friendly competition, they are progressing.

We have three students on Monday evenings in Albufeira, Risiana and Ronisia Santos and Karina Evora. The desire to learn to play isn't followed up with commitment to practice.  We sometimes have our Sister Missionaries help with their lessons.  Tomas Querales is kind of in the same boat.  During the summer months, we had lessons on Thursday mornings; but as soon as school started, times and days are random as they juggle around with so many schedules.  He lives in Tor.

Our last student is Caio Martins, a young man with a wife (Raquel) and son.  He is really excited about learning to play the piano but recently moved to Lagos - an hour away.  He was going to come to Loule after work once a week for lessons - but he wrecked his motorcycle, and his car isn't dependable on the road any more.  We have gone to Lagos for a few lessons but are trying to locate someone who can help him - especially as we are likely moving in the near future.

We continued to help Nestor Querales with the alfarroba harvest.  We enjoy getting outside and working in the fresh air and visiting with his wife's

 Portuguese relatives.  We work hard for a few hours, filling sacks as fast as we can.  A perk to this work has been the availability of fresh fruit, particularly persimmons, pomegranates, figs.  I have tried out recipes for persimmon cake and fig muffins.

Our missionaries have experienced a variety of health ailments and/or stress and depression issues this fall.  Elder Egbert has been kept busy giving blessings; I make lots of chicken noodle soup; and we spend hours sitting with them in the hospital waiting rooms.

Market day with a trip to Q Ice is almost a weekly routine.

October General Conference was amazing, even if our sessions start at 5:00 and9:00 p.m.  We did have an interesting experience after the first session on Saturday  (ended at 7:00 p.m.)  We were in the foyer at the church when an elderly man entered and asked for the missionaries.  Our Faro Elders had received a phone call from him a bit earlier.  He introduced himself as Dennis Jones,.He is a member of the church and was in town searching for his friend who had offered him a place to live when he retired (offer made years previously).  He had lost the address and the phone number for his friend and had been sleeping at the bus station and traveling back and forth to Sao Bras with no success.

As it ended up, the missionaries plan for a place for him to sleep that night fell through. . . and we were "guilted" into not allowing this poor, old man to sleep (or not sleep) at the bus station again.  So we took him home with us with the plan of finding his friend on Monday.  We gave him a hot shower, an evening meal, and a nice bed.  Sunday we took him back to the church to watch conference again with us.  He is highly educated, knows something about everything, and well versed in the gospel.  He complains of a little dementia and feet problems.  He said he was from British Guiana and had lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan - where he met Walter.  Dennis said he would be about 80 years old now.

Monday morning we made arrangments with Eulalio (a former Faro police detective and our landlord) to go to Sao Bras with us to find Walter.  We went to the city and government offices with no luck. . . then to the post office.  It was a miracle (to us), that a lady at the counter knew this family (her daughter was good friends with Walter's daughter).  The bad news was that he had passed away two months ago.  She gave us an approximate address. . . and Dennis was determined to go see his widow and expected her to abide by her husbands invitation.  Long story short, we finally found Walter's wife who was in know position to take someone into her home and turned him away.  Now we have a homeless, friendless, most discouraged man on our hands.

We contacted our Branch President and our self-reliance member for ideas on what resources might be available for him.  Because he was a British citizen, and England has agreements with Portugal, it looked hopeful. 

Tuesday, we and the Faro and Olhao Elders worked at Sister Sykes' property in Sao Bras.  We were there for several hours clearing brush, trimming trees, burning the slash.  After our lunch, Ann asked Merl to give a dedicatory prayer for the property and the vision that she has for it.  

We received word from our self-reliance representative that in order to help Dennis wish social services he needed to submit passport information.  That's when the truth came out when Dennis and Merl went for a long walk to the park.  Dennis is not Dennis, but Detlef - from Germany, not British Guiana.  He has used the assumed name for many years because he hates Germany and the German people.  He said he had no family and would never go back there.  

(Sisters Fjelsted, Hart; Elders Ross, Valdez Taylor, Sales)

While at a District Council meeting with the missionaries, I received a phone call from  from Antonio – a counselor in mission presidency.  He had been in touch with the the previous Branch President  and current Bishop of “Dennis."   Turns out this kind, old man was recently released from prison (first in Japan and then Germany) for drug dealing and pedofilia.  He fled Germany to avoid probation and a church disciplinar council.  He has three siblings there - that he has disowned.

So the next morning, we had a big meeting in our apartment with Giovani (our Branch President, Rui Gorjao (Counselor in the District Presidendcy), and Odilia (self reliance rep).  Dennis's options were to go back to Germany or talk to the German Consolate on the phone for some plea deal. . . he wouldn't talk to anyone from Germany.  So, Giovani took him back to the bus station in Faro.  We sent him off with my copy of “Saints” that he had been reading.  He was sad but thankful for the almost week of refuge with a warm bed, personal bathroom, laundry services, and good food.

A few days later, we learned from his Bishop in Germany, that Portugal sent him back to Germany.  In spite of his past, we were sad for the situation he has found himself in.

After all the drama of the last week, we took a few minutes for ourselves and headed for the beach.  Nothing better than running sand between our toes and soaking in some good October sun.

The middle of October we made our road trip for apartment inspections to Sines, Evora, and Beja.  It is a long day trip, but I never tire of the beautiful scenery.  We spent more time working with the missionaries on Sister Sykes' project and our local apartment inspetions (Olhao, Faro, and Loule).  

We met Bro. and Sis. Goet from the Netherlands at church.  After a nice visit, we were invited to visit them and learn more about Merl's ancestry.  Bro. Goet knew exactly where the "Egbert" side of the family lived back in the 1600's (info from Family Search).  We hope to take them up on their offer.

Piano lessons in Salir – followed by lunch.

We took Sister Collins and Sister Hales to lunch at Dozo.  Transfers are coming up.  I purchase Algarve bookmarks for departing missionaries - need to stock up again.  We learned that both sisters were being transferred and that Elders would be sent back to Loule.  We did a good cleaning and repair job on the ex-sister's apartment so it would be ready for our new Elders - Elder Nichols and Elder Sammons.  

Whether it be visa difficulties or a general lack of missionaries coming our way, the Mission has been closing apartments.  This involves a lot of work with landlords, utility companies, and the office.  We have been spending a lot more time in negotiataions between the office and landlords.  With the number of missions increasing and the work going forth with zeal in other countries, it seems we are doing more with fewer. . . both young and senior missionaries.  We are definitely busier.  

The evening of October 24, we hosted Elder Goff and his parents for the night.  It was good to see Spencer again and meet his family.  We had dinner and good conversation before saying goodnight.  After breakfast, they were on their way north.  It is fun being able to meet former missionaries and their families when they come through. . . and good that we have room to accommodate some of  them.

Over the past year, we have had Sisters come over to shower when they forget to order their gas; this month was the Elders.  We have better water pressure in our apartment, so that may be part of the reason.  

The last Sunday of the month, we had prepared lunch for the missionaries.  When we were all invited to join the Querales family, we loaded up our dinner and took it up to Tor - there is seldom any food left when you feed hungry missionaries.   Elder Sammons and Nichols have been great neighbors.

The city of Loule is always in party mode or hosting cultural events.  The end of October (in the parking lot of our park) we found a wonderful cultural information tent displaying displays and activities from areas of Portugal and different cultures represented here.  We particularly liked the ancient pipe organ demonstrations and wood products made with a foot controled lathe.  

Halloween was pretty uneventful in town with lots of decorations but few celebrations.  There were a few kids in costumes on the street; a bunch of older kidssomehow got intoour apartment building, but we didn't answer the door when they knocked.  I had nothing to give them (not prepared). . . and later thought I could have given them each an apple or a banana.