January 20, 2013

This week brought some successes with our PEF participants.  We had a young man named Franklin who had lived in El Salvador, then Spain, and he now resides in Sweden.  Because of his moves, we didn’t have the information necessary to contact him, so I made contact with his bishop in Sweden.  When we finally had his phone number, Elder Henry called him.  After communicating with him several times, this week he paid his entire loan in full.  He had only made one small payment in 2006 prior to this time.  Another young lady originally from Brazil (Adriana) who now lives in Portugal paid 1,000 euros this week, which is about half the amount she owes.  We seldom mention to the participants that they even have loans to repay; we just call them and ask how they are doing and if there is anything we can do to help them.  I called two young women from the United Kingdom this week to see if they wanted their loans transferred and really enjoyed my visits with them.

 We also had the opportunity to meet a district president from Cape Verde this week named Cesar Fortes.  He and his wife have both been PEF participants.  We find that so many of the bishops and district and stake presidents here are quite young.  The same thing was true in Brazil.  He thanked me for the text messages that I have been sending to him, his wife, and the other participants in Cape Verde.  I send inspirational messages, birthday greetings, and thank you messages when they make payments.  He made me feel that what I am doing is worthwhile.  Some of the others have responded and said how much they appreciate the messages also.

I took a fall on the way to the office on Tuesday morning.  The interesting thing is that it happened in the smoothest spot between here and there.  My right ankle twisted for some reason and I fell hard on my left hip.  Fortunately I am well- padded and didn’t break any bones.  My ankle hurt for a couple of days and I have several small bruises and was sore for a few days, but doing great now.  I was very blessed.

Elder Staples has a brand new companion from Brazil-- Elder Oliveira, who has only been a member of the Church for a year and a half.  We really like Elder Staples, so we are glad that he didn’t get transferred.   They had a few investigators at church again today.  The papers are ready now so that the one couple can get married soon.

The Coito family from Brazil was sealed in the temple on the 12^th—We are so happy!  Their daughter Jessica wrote that she is in the process of submitting her papers to serve a mission as she will turn 19 in April.  I would be so thrilled if she were sent to Portugal, but that probably won’t happen.

We send our love to each of you.  We are so grateful for our opportunity to serve this mission.  We are so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Older section of Cachilas

So much colorful graffiti here everywhere!

Love this roundabout!

Helder and his family--investigators

 “Life’s journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares.  Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings.  Decisions are constantly before us.  To make them wisely, courage is needed:  the courage to say, ‘No,’ the courage to say, ‘Yes.’  Decisions do determine destiny.  The call for courage comes constantly to each of us.  It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be.”  Thomas S. Monson