"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" (Acts 9: 6)‏

Only 30 days to Mother's Day!! I felt that I should include this experience......In January this year, 

we had a zone conference, presided over by a general authority. He invited the 44 elders to ask questions. 

All the sister missionaries (currently 9) are assigned to Maputo for safety concerns. One of the very obedient

 elders asked a question that is often times felt by the good women in the Church.  His question was:

 "How can I know if I'm doing all that I should be doing ?" 

As I recall, there was some type of interruption (perhaps this was one of the many times the power went off) 

and his question was not fully answered. I sensed that I should speak to him at the earliest opportunity, to try 

and answer his question. As we broke for lunch, I was alone in the hallway with this good elder. I said to him: 

 "The answer to your question is that when you feel the Spirit present, this is Heavenly Father's way of telling 

you that you are doing everything He wants and there is not anything more you should be doing."

 He had tears in his eyes as he realized that he was already doing all that he should be doing. Two days after 

the meeting I received this text: "I have forgotten to fully thank you personally for the words you said to me at

 zone conference. They brought a much needed comfort and peace of mind. I cannot say how much that truly

 helped. Thank you" PMG, page 11 says:  "You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the

 Spirit working through you." This is a great pattern for life. While we can always bake another dozen rolls 

or go more often to the temple or study the scriptures more or.....When we simply ensure that we have the 

Spirit working through us, we don't need to worry or feel guilty that we didn't do more. A common pitfall is 

when we compare the amount of our service to that of others. We either feel guilt or pride, neither of which 

pleases God. Our main concern should be, if we feel the Spirit working through us. Then we know that

 Heavenly Father is pleased and nothing else really matters. Therefore, we should ask: 

"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" (Acts 9: 6) 
 

 Here is a photo of the truck that we use

Mom and Sister Kretly

Mom and a chameleon, aren't they beautiful ?

Trying to defend against the attack!

The Beira 2 elders

Mom teaching her English class

 

 

I Love You!

April Fools and the WORST flu ever!! No fooling...:(

For P-day, we went with Kretlys and Dilles to a new Chuhascarrea - well, it was new to us. It was pretty good. On the way home, we came to a truck that had gotten stuck in a pot-hole. Pres. Kretly was driving and he stopped and said something to Dad and Larry. They got out of our truck and I thought that they were going to push the truck but they ended up jumping into the bed of the truck. A guy walking past jumped into too, and the weight was enough to give the truck traction and it popped out of the hole. Just another day in Africa..... Dad and I took Kretlys to the airport right after we got home and they flew back to Maputo.
The next day, we saw these guys on our walk to the beach. We stopped to watch them because the little guy was walking on his hands on the wall. He was so funny! When he saw us watching, he stopped and wiggled his feet in the air - all while balancing on the wall. It was impressive!!

 Then I noticed what looked like a bird in his friends sack and asked him if that's what it was. Yes, it was a bird that he'd caught at the beach......still alive in the sack. I asked him if it was good to eat and he gave an enthusiastic 'yes!' Yup, that white thing is a bird wing sticking out...

When Isabel came to clean, we made couve and I asked her how to tie the big head-wraps that the ladies wear. She told me to get her a capalana, so I did, and then she showed me how. I videotaped it, so I'd remember.

It was April Fools Day. Here they call it "The Day of Lies" and that afternoon, Dad got a call from a guy asking if he had called. Dad didn't have any idea what he was talking about and told him that he hadn't called him. It turned out that one of our seminary teachers was playing a joke on him and Dad. Pretty funny and pretty clever! :)
The next day, we both got sick with the flu. It was so violent that we thought it was food-poisoning but it lasted throughout the next day. Neither of us has been that sick in years. It was bad! We were so glad when it ended.
The Africans are sanguine when it comes to a change of plans and/or disappointments. It happens to them so often, they're used to it. So when Dad sent a text to a guy to tell him that his mission departure date had been delayed two months, this was his response: "That's ok. It will give me more time to prepare." That's an attitude I should have more often.
On Friday, we were still a little shaky, but we ventured out. We went and picked up a missionary call at the airport and then delivered it to the guy, Fernando. He's the best friend of Isabel's son, Jose, who's serving a mission now in Brazil - well, he's been serving in Maputo since December while he waits for his visa. Anyway, here's Fernando with his call letter.

While we were waiting at the church for someone, I went to a belt seller on the street and bought a couple of belts.

 It was a little girl running the stand and I think I brought her some business because nobody was there, but then when I started looking, four ladies stopped to look too. I think the people are curious about what we like. When I was in a store, looking at capalanas, I had a group of women come up and look at the one that I had picked out and start telling me which one I should buy. I explained that I needed a certain color for my shirt and then they all nodded and said "Oh, I see. Yeah, that one works better." In Portuguese of course. So funny!
That night, we went to Isabel's house and watched Fernando open his call. We ran into some elders tracking there, which was good because we were totally lost trying to find which little alley went to Isabel's house. Here's the gang watching him open it:

Isabel's husband read the letter, by the light of a flashlight.

We saw these girls on our walk the next day. I couldn't believe they actually had a toy. They were so cute sitting up on the wall dressing their dolls with scraps of fabric. When I asked to take their picture they were excited and sat right up. But it was only after I showed them the picture, that they smiled big....

After running around, we went to dinner.

Then we watched General Conference, well, the first session, and I put every talk in the context of Africa so when they talked about the little boy in Argentina that invited his friend to the open house, I thought of Fidel that brought his baby sister, two younger brothers, a cousin, and friend to church every Sunday without the parents.
Sunday, the power was out and there wasn't anyone to lead the singing, so I did. I hummed the first note, counted, "Un, Dos, Tres", and we sang. When I taught Primary, the lesson was on being kind to your brothers and sisters and I had to come up with a whole new list of scenarios for them because "What if your little sister wants to play with your toy?" doesn't work when they have no toys. Neither does "Your brother wants to sit by the window in the car when you go to run errands with your mother." No car, no errands, and sometimes no mother. Sigh....

This little guy conked out for the whole meeting and didn't wake up even after it ended.

That night, I had a tea party. Sort of. This group of girls - they range from 18-24 - have been asking to come over for a visit. I told them sure and that I would make a cake, but we had lots going on so I told them they had to wait until after Zone Conference. One of the girls tends kids every day but Saturday and Sunday and we were  booked on all the Saturdays so we set it up for this Sunday.
Not one of them speaks any English, so I wondered what the heck we would talk about. I'm ok 'one on one' but when there's a group and they get going, I'm lost. So, I decided we'd have the cake and paint nails. At 4:00, they all came over. The guard came to get me and we started taking pictures. 

Then the guard asked if HE could take our picture. Pretty sure he doesn't have Facebook - or a computer or electricity - but our picture is getting shown to his buddies somewhere.
The girls were hilarious!! The cake vanished in minutes and then the seconds vanished just as fast. Africans love everything and make you feel like a gourmet cook. ;)

Then Brooke happened to text me so I asked her if they could FaceTime with the girls. They were good sports and said they could. Oh boy!! That was amazing for them! They LOVED IT!!! And when Grant blew them a kiss and said 'Obrigata' (Thank you), they laughed up a storm and Fatima blew kisses back to him like crazy. They were characters!!

Then they painted their nails

and asked me how old I was when I got married. Oh and how old I am now... They didn't believe me when I told them and made me write it down - which I guess is a good thing. ;)
Two and a half hours later, they got ready to go. It was raining so they asked for some plastic bags to put on their hair. I told them that I wanted a picture but they immediately snatched the bags off of their heads. When I told them that I wanted it WITH the bags on, they said no, but I told them that I'd taken a picture with a bag on my head when I needed a shower cap.
 When I showed them the picture of me, they said I could.

Long day. Fun, but long.
Well, that's the skinny. We love you more than yesterday. I guess absence really DOES make the heart grow fonder. ;)
 xoxoxo

"What think ye of Christ ?" (Matt. 22:42)

President David O. McKay taught in a general conference address: “What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ will determine what you are, will largely determine what your acts will be” (CR, Apr. 1951, 93).

Our level or degree of faith in Jesus Christ effects how we react to our circumstances. 

Laman and Lemuel's description of the wilderness experience:

"And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions. 

Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy. 

(1 Ne. 17: 20-21)

Nephi's description of these same events:

"And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness. 

And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings. 

And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. 

And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness."

(1 Ne. 17: 1-4) 

After experiencing the exact same external conditions, (Nephi was not in a first class cabin) they describe the events very differently.

Perhaps, the main reason  why they viewed things so differently is that "Laman and Lemuel,...knew not the dealings of that God who had created them." (1 Ne. 2: 12)

Our level or degree of faith in Jesus Christ effects how we react to our circumstances. 

The same pot of boiling water can harden an egg, while at the same time soften a carrot. 

People react differently to afflictions. For instance, we read, “Behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war (14 years) between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened . . . and many were softened because of their afflictions” (Alma 62:41) (see also Alma 47:36). The war was the same length for all people; yet out of the same experience, many were hardened and many were softened. 

Alma states: “I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).

Of course being supported, is different than having a trial eliminated or removed......

Thank you for always expressing a cheerful positive attitude in all your emails. You remind me of this verse:  "let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power" (D & C 123: 17).

On March 28, 2014, we had zone conference with fifty (50) missionaries. The man sitting next to me is president João Bueno, who serves as the first counselor in the mission presidency.

 

You may recall my email from February 14, 2014, about Fernando Dominges Cambarame. He is easy to love. He is 23 years old, and wants badly to serve a mission. Fernando joined the Church in 2009, after his older brother introduced him to the Church, but the brother (who was only 28) died in 2008, prior to Fernando's baptism. Fernando never really met his father, as he died when he was a baby. His mother also died in 2011, while she was investigating the Church. This sad story is not that uncommon here.

A requirement to serve a mission is for the member to pay for their own passport. Although the cost is only $84, this amount requires a substantial sacrifice which restricts many from serving. Fernando, obtained his first passport in 2012, but it was stolen, so he was required to pay for a second passport, which he did in June 2013, but by then, his medical exams were outdated, so today (Friday, February 14th) we scanned and emailed a new set of medical exams. Hopefully, this will complete his mission application and he can begin the three (3) month wait to receive his missionary call.....Doesn't this make you want to contribute to the General Missionary Fund ?

On March 5th we scanned the final medical document he needed and on Friday, April 4th, It was our privilege to hand Fernando his mission call... 

 

 

 Later that night, thanks to Mom's sense of adventure, we went to Isabel Da Silva's home to witness the opening of his call. It is 7:30 PM but very dark, as there is only a single 40 watt light bulb on the outside of this home. Isabell's husband reads the call letter. He is to report to the MTC in Brazil on June 25th, assigned to Angola, Luanda mission.

 

 

This is Fernando and his friends that  came to support him.

 

 

Sure love you!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Prov. 3:5)‏

This week I had three separate experiences that have helped me to trust more in Heavenly Father, while trying to continue to lean not on my own understanding....

The first experience was while driving our truck. I was stopped at an intersection, that I was very familiar with, in the process of making a left turn (here they drive on the left so this would be similar to making a right turn in the U.S.) and I was only looking to my right, the direction of the oncoming traffic in the lane closest to me. As I began to move forward I suddenly felt prompted to stop and look  in the opposite direction. As I stopped,  a pedestrian had to jump out of the way as he had crossed in front of our truck. We waved at each other and I went on my way realizing the heavenly warning I had received which prevented an auto pedestrian accident.

The second experience happened on Monday, March 24th. Mom and I had walked on the beach and after arriving at our normal spot, I sat down in the sand and watched for Mom as she does an additional 5 laps. Upon returning home I went to put my sunglasses back in the truck and only then realized that somehow I had misplaced the keys to the truck as well as the key to our apartment. We quickly walked back to the spot where I had been sitting and from fifty (50') feet away I could see the keys in plain site. At no point was I prompted to check my pocket or to look next to where I was sitting. Additionally, my pants have a Velcro pocket which makes it even more difficult to lose the keys. Nonetheless, the keys had fallen unnoticed from my pocket.

In the middle of this photo in front of the large rock are my keys laying in the sand. This photo was taken a few days after the actual event, as I didn't have my phone/camera with me when the keys were left. On the day I left the keys there were a couple fisherman close by.

 The third experience occurred this morning while studying the scriptures (Mom was with the District Young Women on a march from the one large grocery store (Shoprite) to the chapel in Beira). See if you can find Mom in this first photo....

I was studying D & C 88, which in and of itself could provide several years worth of Sacrament meeting talks based upon the multiple concepts that are included in this "olive leaf...plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord's message of peace to us."

Verse 11 is speaking of Jesus Christ and the light of Christ:

 "And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;" (D & C 88:11) 

All the light in the world, either from the sun or man made sources is because of Jesus Christ. "the light which shineth, which giveth you light".

Additionally, our eyes ability to see light is because of Jesus Christ. "is through him who enlighteneth your eyes" 

He gives us light and also enlighteneth our eyes and if we recognize Christ as the source will "quickeneth your understandings" (plural)

You will probably recall that we attended General Conference in October 2011 when President Boyd K. Packer said: 

"It is not expected that you go through life without making mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit. This promise applies to all members of the Church." (Counsel to Youth) 

In the first experience, I had been warned by the Spirit which prevented a major mistake. The second experience is interesting because even though I feel I was worthy of having the companionship of the Spirit, I at no point was prompted about having left the keys. This reminded me about how Nephi learned that The Lord is always in control.

 Nephi learned to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" 

(Prov. 3:5).

The killing of Laban "who had fallen to the earth before [him] ...drunken with wine" (1 Ne. 4:7.) After "the Spirit" speaks to him three times he says: "I did obey the voice of the Spirit...and smote off his head with his own sword" (1 Ne. 4:18). Never again in the book is this incident mentioned. Perhaps, Nephi never tells his family about it. If he had it would seem that Laman & Lemuel would have tried to use this against him during their "rebellions" (2 Ne. 1:2; Alma 18:38).

While returning from Jerusalem with Ishmael's family, his brothers Laman and Lemuel rebel and desire to return to Jerusalem. Nephi exhorts them to have faith in the Lord. Nephi says his brothers "were angry with me...that they did lay their hands upon me...they did bind me with cords , for they sought to take away my life,...But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou...give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound. And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet" (1 Ne. 7: 16-18). He asks according to his faith to be given strength to burst the cords, but the Lord causes them to be loosed from his hands and feet.

About eight years later, Nephi is commanded to build a ship. His brother think he is fool, they do not believe he can build a ship and that it can cross the ocean (see 1 Ne. 17:17-18) Nephi speaks to them, they become angry with him and desire again to take away his life, this time by throwing him into "the depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying: In the name of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not...and whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed...for God shall smite him" (1 Ne. 17: 48). His brothers were confounded and "neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days....And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thine hand..unto thy brethren, and they will not wither...but I will shock them, saith the Lord...And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither...but the Lord did shake them.." (1 Ne. 17: 52-54).
The ship is built and after sailing for "many days" Laman and Lemuel become angry with Nephi and they "did take me and bind me with cords....nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it..." 

(1 Ne. 18: 11) 

Nephi learns that that Lord is always in control. Perhaps he can burst cords as in the case of Alma and Amulek while in prison who pray "O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke the cords with which they were bound" (Alma 14:26) or perhaps he can loose the cords. One day he may tell Nephi to shock them and the next day require that Nephi be bound for four days and wait for his brothers to reach the point in which they "loosed the bands" (1 Ne. 18:15) After these four days in which his wrists and ankles were "swollen exceedingly...and great was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions." (1 Ne. 18:15-16)

After the death of his father Lehi, Nephi records this prayer: "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh;" (2 Ne. 4:34)

How great it is for us to be serving as missionaries!  As of today, only eight (8) months left.

I love you!

Marching, marching and a zone conference!

Hi y'all!

This week started with Kretlys, Dilles, and us making a shrimp dinner 

for P-day. We cooked a big batch of shrimp and then each did a side-dish.

  It was yummy!!

The next day, Chanelle called and told us that she got accepted into the RAD-TECH program!! Two days after they interviewed her! Yippee-Ai-Ay!!! SO, so excited for her! And she got her first picks for clinical sites - Primary Children's and the U hospital. All those hours in the cadaver lab (and a killer interview!) paid off!! We had Kara surprise her at work with flowers. ;)

On Wednesday, after running around doing stuff all day for Zone Conference, etc, I made banana bread and we took it to Elder Olsen (from P.C.). One day, when Dad and I were at his apt, I asked all the elders if they knew how to find pop bottle caps for us girls to make jewelry. He piped up and said that he'd been collecting them and that he could get some for me. I told him that I'd make him some banana bread as payment. ;) It was a "win/win"...

Thursday was the day before Zone Conference so we were going back and forth to the airport to pick up elders that were flying in from the out-lying areas. It's too far and not safe to travel from some areas by bus, so they have to fly. 

Friday was Zone Conference, which is always fun to see all of the elders that have moved from our area. I wish I could say that I love the meeting/training portion, but it's all in Portuguese so it's pretty hard to follow. My vocabulary - and attention span - only go so far and seven hours is a LONG time! Sigh.... But I LOVE seeing the elders and being able to visit with them.

After the long day on Friday, I got up bright and early to join all the Young Women in the district on a 'march.' We all started in town at the main grocery store and walked down the streets to the church, about 3 miles. The president, Amalia, had given each branch a piece of fabric to make a banner and the girls carried these as we walked. She had them stop every so often and recite the YW theme and we sang hymns as we walked. She had gotten police escorts to ride/walk to the side of us so we wouldn't get clobbered by cars. It was pretty cool!! 

Some of the girls had hymn books to sing. Here's the neighborhood off of the street that we walked along. This guy jogged along the side us for awhile.

The second girl on the left is Isabel's daughter and the woman to my right, Telma, is the new YW president in Dondo that we pick up every Sunday for church because she moved about 30 minutes away from it. She's 35 and a high school science teacher. She's married and they have been members of the church for 3 years. I really like her. She's great!!

When we got to the church, they took a group picture and then pictures of each branch.

Here's our little Dondo branch.

After pictures, we went inside and a member the District presidency, who happened to be Amalias brother, Freeman, spoke to the girls. Then Amalia spoke and had a Q & A. Mariana translated for me. One of the questions was similar to the US. 'Can I go to the school graduation dance when I know there will be drinking and other things going on?' I guess they have this one big dance, similar to our Prom, and the parents come and watch for the first hour and then they leave and the kids are on their own and it gets crazy. So people went back and forth, but they finally decided that you should go for the first hour but then leave when the parents do.
Another question wasn't so easy to answer. One girl said that her father made her go buy his beer every Sunday. She didn't want to do it, but she knew she needed to be obedient and respectful of him. What should she do? When I heard that, I said to Mariana that maybe she should just talk to him and explain that she wanted to keep the commandment to obey your parents but she also wanted to obey the commandment to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Would he please not ask her to do this thing? Mariana said, 'That's good. I'm going to tell them.' I'm feeling a little smug (never a good thing and it always blows up in my face when I am...) while Mariana is explaining this to the group, when Mariana turns to me and tells me that it is more complicated. If the girl doesn't buy her father's beer, he can kick her out of the house. That's the law here. If your child displeases you, you can kick them out.
 That put a whole new spin on my pat answer.
After the discussion, Amalia had me teach a class on decorating their flip-flops with strips of fabric, like we did at our girls camp.

 I could only teach 7 or 8 at a time, so while we worked at the back of the cultural hall, they had each branch perform something. They danced, did skits, and sang.
One of the branch YW presidents, Veronica, was doing her flip flops while some girls danced and I joked with her that we ought to show them how to dance. She's about my age, and a riot, and when I said that, she said 'Sim!!' (Yes!) and told the announcer that we wanted to dance. I told her I was just kidding and asked if we really were and she said Yes again so we were the next ones up. The girls were so hilarious - they went nuts!! They clapped and hooted! It was pretty funny. One of the leaders (she's only 19 yr.) taped it on her phone but I haven't gotten it from her yet.
When I got home six hours later (and I left early - before they served lunch!), I showered and cleaned up. Pres. Kretly had gone that morning to drive some elders to a distant city so Sis. Kretly was alone. Dilles were busy that night so Dad and I went with Sis. K. to get some dinner and then we stopped at the padaria for bread on the way home.

On Sunday, Sis. Kretly came with us to Dondo.
Here's the young men preparing the sacrament:

I taught the first hour of Primary and taught them the 'Here's the church, here's the steeple" rhyme because the lesson was on respecting the chapel. It's a nursery rhyme but even the older kids really got into it. Creativity is lacking here, so anything the least bit creative is amazing to them, but sometimes difficult for them to grasp.
After the second hour, we zipped to another city because the branch president was an elder and he was being released because he goes home in a couple of weeks. They only meet for 2 hours so I went to Primary the first hour and sat behind this little girl. I loved her hair!!

After church, we came home. Long day - but not over yet... we had Dilles and Sis. Kretly for a pancake dinner. Then we packed it in.
We love you guys so much!!! Hope you feel the love-vibes from 10,000 miles away! ;)

Follow the Spirit

President Thomas S. Monson has said: “Not a day has gone by that I have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer. It is a relationship I cherish—one I would literally be lost without. If you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven, I urge you to work toward that goal. As you do so, you will be entitled to His inspiration and guidance in your life—necessities for each of us if we are to survive spiritually during our sojourn here on earth. Such inspiration and guidance are gifts He freely gives if we but seek them. What treasures they are! I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration. I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it” ("Stand in Holy Places," Ensign, Nov. 2011, 84).

Perhaps, more than anything else, President Monson is known for acting on Spiritual promptings. What a great example he is to all of us. 

Last Saturday, while I was safe at home, (having just experienced the miraculous rescue of our truck from the deep water experience), as I was about to take a nap,  I received an impression to send a text message to the nine (9) teachers and thank them for their prayers. 

This is the English version of my message: 

Dear teachers, thank you for your prayers. I do not believe that we could have crossed the Red Sea without your righteous prayers. Prayer works! "nevertheless for the righteous sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared." (Alma 62:40; Mor. 5:21)

Some background: Odete Fernando is the 16 year old former YW president, now Seminary teacher in Dondo. Dondo is a small isolated city about a 45 minute chapa (converted Van that holds 20+ people) distance from the next large city of Manga. On Friday, the day before our training meeting, Odete called me saying that her non-member step father, (semi-active mother) would not allow her to attend the training meeting unless I spoke with him first. He had a very reasonable concern that she return home before dark. I assured him that the training would be done by 11AM and that she would head home directly after the training. He consented to her attending and I thanked him for his loving concern for Odete.

Unknown to me, Odete had been assigned to be the concluding speaker the following day in Sacrament meeting. Her assigned topic was prayer. She concluded her talk by recounting this water/prayer/rescue experience and reading my entire text. She returned home and saw my text which she read to her mother and  step father. She testified that she knew that Heavenly Father hears our prayers and that she was able to teach her parents about prayer.

This is Elder Maezane from Maputo called to serve in Angola. He is waiting in Mozambique to receive his Visa to Angola. He just returned from the MTC/temple in Brazil. He served for 3 months in the Brazil, São Paulo West mission. The current mission president is Jose Luis Del Guerso. I was his trainer 35 years ago!

 

 

 This is an institute class for Beira 1 & 2. Everyone loves Mom and wants to be next to her in all the photos!! The teacher is Julio Joaquim Vicente, 24 years old, seated on the front row with the pink shirt.

 

 

Looking out our apartment window, we can see this woman sweeping up the sand in the street to sell. She probably earns about $.10 cents per hour. On the far side of the street you can see the large pile of sand she has accumulated. 

Mom with a gorilla glue eyeglass repair project....'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without'.

 

 

 I Love You!

How great blessings the Father hath...prepared for you.‏

It has been raining for the past few days....the weather app on my phone says there is a 100% chance of rain today!!

Gratefully, our home doesn't leak and we are 15' above ground level!!

Today, we had our monthly training for our Seminary & Institute teachers. We had 13 out of about 16 in attendance. Mom gave a good thought about the parable of the starfish in which she used a sand dollar and gave each teacher a sand dollar to take home.

 I read from 2 Ne. 11:4 "all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him." The sand dollar as you know has two marks that can symbolize the crucifixion marks in Christ's hands.

While driving home with 5 young men riding in the back cab and 6 of us inside, we began to cross a large body of water from the recent rains. Soon after we entered the water, I realized it was way too deep. 

At first I tried unsuccessfully to back up. The water had entered the engine compartment and there began to be a lot of smoke. I placed the car in 4 wheel drive and prayed that the engine would not stall. We were in limbo for about 5 minutes as I tried to go backward then forward. 

The water was now entering through the floorboards of the truck. The engine was starting to lose power....I'm certain as a direct result of the combined prayers of all those present, we were finally able to drive forward and exit the water. We have had many extreme experiences here in Africa, but as of now, this is probably #1.

 

Earlier this week I read these verses and it seems as if I had never noticed them before:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

 Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you;

 For ye are the church of the Firstborn, and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion.

 And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen." (D & C 78:17-22)

Be of good cheer and receive all things with thankfulness! Seems like a good approach to use on raining days and he that is a faithful steward shall inherit all things.

While driving in Manga we drove past this front yard...

 

 

Today, we drove past this church in Beira. The name is the church of Light, perhaps they can consider a name change to the church of water...

 I love you!