October 6, 2013

What a glorious opportunity to have access to General Conference in the comfort of our homes and to be able to listen to the inspired discourses of our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, the twelve apostles, and other chosen servants of the Lord.  The talks have all been great thus far and we can only expect them to continue to be so.  There was a strong emphasis on missionary work and I especially enjoyed David A. Bednar’s talk on tithing (my favorite commandment) and Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk on depression with his usual compassionate perspective.  We are so blessed to be members of Jesus Christ’s true church and to have these semi-annual conferences to encourage and uplift us in our efforts to live more righteously.  It was a thrill to see that Braden, our 6-year-old grandson, had taken some great notes as he watched conference with his family.  What a blessing to see our grandchildren taught in the ways of the Lord.  I really liked Boyd K. Packer’s comment that we have a safe place to raise children in this troubled world—it is in a gospel-centered home.

Mike had an appointment on Monday with a doctor in Lisbon to see if there is anything which can be done to alleviate the pain he has had in his leg.  The doctor sent him to get an X-ray, but the lab was too busy to do it.  So, we are returning to the hospital tomorrow about mid-day and then he is to see the doctor about 6:00 PM.  His leg has actually been feeling better and he has been walking more, but that is usually the case when you finally get an appointment.

We started a new month of PEF contacts.  I spent a good part of my time this week texting the participants and reminding them to watch conference this weekend.  It was well worth it if even one watched who wouldn’t have otherwise.  Fabio, who recently moved to Portugal from the UK and has been inactive, responded by asking where and when the conference would be broadcast.  His stake president happens to work in the church offices with us, so he was going to call and give him the information.

Elder and Sister Johnson have less than three weeks remaining on their mission.  We took them out to the churrascaria in Charneca on Friday night where we ate with the Adrianos a few months ago.  We really enjoyed the evening with them.  We came back to our apartment and had fudge pudding cake and ice cream.  This next weekend we plan to go to Evora with them and enjoy the sites there.  It will be sad to see them leave.  We have enjoyed having senior couples to associate with on this mission.

We are so grateful for our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for this great experience we have had to serve a mission here in Portugal.  We have missed our family and friends, but have made many new friends that have blessed our lives greatly.

If we have opposition and difficulties in our lives, as we all experience from time to time, we need to remember that “All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Christ.” Timothy J Dyches

Many homes have tile on them in Portugal.

Notice the bottom street Avenue Estados Unidos da America.

One of many large older homes found here.