Miguel

We have had some wonderful spiritual experiences during our time here.  Let me tell you about Miguel. He is a member but had a relationship with a young woman, Suzette, who became pregnant. he was drinking quite heavily at the time and she refused to marry him and left to Lisbon to have her baby.  She listened to the missionary lessons and became a member of the church.  She wanted Yara, her daughter, to have a relationship with her father so she came back to Loule and got a job here.  Miguel took the *cure* before she returned at a local hospital.  Which is basically getting dried out and having some counselling.  He became active again and after a bit received his full priesthood blessings again.  he thought that they would get married  but Suzette wasn´t convinced of his committment to not drinking and refused.  They had some trouble  others got involved and Miguel began drinking again.  At the beginning We visited him in his apartment and talked to him and helped him make the decision to get dry.  We visited him again this time and he was more committed but it was very hard.  He was shaky and craving alcohol.  He had a rough time.  We got him back to the hospital and they dryed him out again.  This time he went to the library and found a copy of the Book of Mormon.  He told us it was his rock.  He had never read the whole thing before.  He spent all his free time reading this book and grew to love it.  It gave him peace and strength to overcome a great trial. We have been meeting with him often and giving him gospel lessons and helping him any way we can.  He is currently out of work but we are hoping that soon he will have work again.  When he gets the alcohol totally under control he will stop smoking.  The branch President has offered him a calling as soon as he gets this under control.  People here so desire to have a calling. Everyone does not have one.  We are so lucky to have met Miguel and if he were the only reason we came here it was so worth it. Have a blessed week and be thankful for your blessings.  Please continue to pray for my cousin Sues daughter Susann.  She has had some setbacks and is still in danger.  Thanks MOM