November 17, 2013

I gave the inspirational thought at our devotional on Monday morning.  It was a short story from the Ensign about a couple returning from a mission to Hawaii.  On the flight home since the husband was a large man and there was an empty seat in first class, they paid extra for him to have a more comfortable seat in that area.  About midway through the flight the wife wanted to talk to him for a minute, but the stewardess said that she wasn’t allowed in the first class area.  She compared her experience to how  it will be for those in the Telestial and Terrestrial  Kingdoms who will not be allowed to visit the Celestial Kingdom.  We all need to strive to qualify for the Celestial Kingdom so we will not be separated from those we love the most.

11-12-13—Now that was an interesting date!

On Wednesday we did apartment checks in Monte de Caparica and Costa de Caparica.  The Elders had all done very well with the care of their apartments.  We did find one set of Elders lacking a few essential items, including warm blankets for their beds, so we followed up to make sure that they would have some soon.  We spent the afternoon in the office and then made a visit with Elder Taylor and Elder Baker in the evening in Caparica.

On Thursday I finished my texts to all of the participants for this month.  I worked extra hard to finish them early so I will have time to help the Markhams when they arrive next week. 

On Friday we had two more apartment checks to do in the Almada-Miratejo area.  The Sisters’ apartment was very clean and orderly.  The Elders’ apartment was not quite up to par, but apparently they have been working hard to overcome some of the conditions left by the former Elders.  Some young people have not been trained quite so well as others in how to clean up after themselves.  Note to mothers of future missionaries:  Have you taught your sons that cleanliness is next to Godliness?  It’s never too late to start.

On Saturday we went to the mission office in Lisbon to discuss our plans for meeting the Markhams at the airport and see that they have a car, phones and a key to their apartment.  We did a test run to make sure we knew where to go at the airport and then had lunch at Pasteis de Belem and did a small amount of shopping.  I was beginning to feel poorly.

By evening I had a terrible headache, a bad cough and chills.  No church for me on Sunday.  I was one miserable lady!  (This is why I am a week late posting this letter.  My head hurt way too much to even consider writing a letter.)  Actually I had agreed to speak at 10-year-old Raquel’s baptism on Sunday and had prepared a talk, but Elder Henry had to give it for me.