October 27, 2013

Happy Birthday today to Elder Jacob Henry, who is serving in the Argentina Bahia Branca Mission and has just been called to be a zone leader.  Time has flown—he will be home in the middle of January, just a little over a month after we end our mission.

We enjoyed some heavy rainstorms this week, but have had some nice sunshine for the past two days.  We are expecting more rain tomorrow and then more sunshine.  It is always nice to get the rain, clear the air and provide water for those living things which need it so badly.

Our week at the office was busier than we expected.  Elder Henry gave a wonderful inspirational message at our devotional on Monday morning.  It was very well received by the co-workers and Elder Moreira, the Area Seventy who works out of our office, said that he is going to use at his next Stake Conference.  Elder Henry had many new loan interviews to do and I was kept busy with birthdays, thanks for payments, and searching for participants on Facebook. 

Elder Henry helped Elder Bascom and Elder Barnhart move into a new apartment in Monte de Caparica  in the middle of the week.  They got everything moved except their beds.  They have been sleeping on the couch since then, but Simon Diaz is going to help them get their beds this week.

We had Stake Conference this weekend.  On Saturday afternoon and evening the meetings were held nearby in Miratejo.  Elder Henry was in meetings from 4:00 PM until 8:30 PM and I was there from 5:30 on.  The stake leaders don’t work on a strict schedule like we are accustomed to at home.  Our meeting today was at the Jean Piaget Institute in Monte de Caparica and the place was packed.  Elder Henry was the first speaker and gave a wonderful talk on missionary work and especially serving couple missions.  There were six speakers besides the stake presidency and the meeting went a little overtime.  The meetings were good, but at times a little difficult to understand.

We went to Caparica this afternoon for three baptisms, one of our best yet.  We had three adults baptized—Adilia Januario, Paulo de Oliveira and Margarida de Cunha.  We waited a while for a new convert to show up and give a talk on baptism.  Elder Henry had mentioned to the bishop that if he didn’t show up, he could give a short talk.  He did show up, but the bishop still called on Elder Henry to talk also.  He did a wonderful job.  I took Chocolate Crinkles and banana bread, as they always have food for their baptisms.

We are looking forward to another wonderful week in the mission field.  So sad, though, that Elder and Sister Johnson will be flying home on the 31^st.  We send our love to all.

From L to R-Elder Shumway, Vitor, Margarida, Paulo, Adilia, Elder Baker

Paula Tavares (recent convert) with Sister and Elder Henry

Our bishop's son, Dinis, with a plate of my Chocolate Crinkles.  He had a really full plate at one point and kept reaching for more.