From Portugal With Love

We just returned from a nice dinner with President and Sister Fluckiger.  It was wonderful to visit with them, just the four of us, and talk about what we are doing with the Perpetual Education Fund and our possible service as missionaries in other ways.  We are hoping that we will be able to help out in other ways as time goes on.

                On Friday night we had Elder and Sister Lund over for dinner and visiting.  They are leaving on August 20^th to return home to Utah.  We will really miss them.  There is another couple, the Roses, coming when they receive their visas and the Johnsons are being brought back from Porto to live here also.  They will probably live together in the large apartment which the Church owns in Lisbon.  It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and has had two couples there in the past.  We are glad to be on the other side of the river because that is where our office is located.  It is much more convenient for us.
                  This is the back entrance to our office building/chapel:

Tower of Belem in Lisbon:

Our mission president's home (Very lovely):

I meant for these pictures to be at the end of my letter, but this is where they landed, so read on if you have a mind to.

                The Lunds brought us five live plants and a computer table,  so our apartment seems more homey and we are pretty well set.  We had considered buying or make-shifting a computer table.  Sister Lund has been cleaning out her apartment and also gave us some spices, so I was very happy to have them.  Some spices require much searching to find them.  Thank you for the recipe, Crystal.  I made Hawaiian Chicken for the Lunds.  It was a hit; they wanted the recipe.

                This week we were busy getting ready to send out reports to priesthood leaders in all the European countries where we have PEF participants.   I couldn’t believe how many names and addresses this would involve.

                It has been a little warmer here this week, but still way cooler than home.  I’m glad that we will enjoy two summers here.  It is a very agreeable climate.

The young missionaries are continuing to baptize in our area.  I think there has only been one week when we didn’t have a baptism. Yesterday there was a mother and daughter baptized and today a man.   Today we met a Sister from Riverton, Utah and our new Sister serving in our area is from Taylorsville, Utah.

Congratulations to Gregg who was (or maybe its will be) sustained as the first counselor in their bishopric today!
We also heard from our friends Marilene and Claudir in Chapeco that they are expecting a baby and we are so excited for them.  They have been waiting several years for this great blessing.
The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the most happiness and peace in this life and I am so grateful that it is a part of our lives.  I pray for the Lord's blessings to be with all of our friends and family.  We send our love to each of you.