We have been very busy the last couple of weeks and that's the way we like it. If Gale doesn't have enough to do he is like a caged tiger. Every time a missionary calls with something broken I am so glad cause it makes Gale happy.
Sunday was our District conference (like Stake Conference) Gale was released from the District Presidency which meant I got to bear my testimony, in Portuguese of course. I think I surprised President and Sister Tavares,. They were quite tickled. I have given several talks and born my testimony many times but they have never been present. It has been so hard. I think it is like trying to move a mountain with a teaspoon. I have to say in these winding up weeks I am not as driven to learn Portuguese as I was before but I continue to add vocabulary, why not. I still have to give one more, off the cuff talk at my final zone meeting titled " My mission was a success because....." I'm still trying to figure that one out. We had many people in the Algarve District come up to us and tell us how much they loved us and how much they will miss us. There were even some tears. As I sat on the stand after my testimony I looked at all these lovely people just like I do back home in Shoshone and wish I could tell each one of them how much I love them for many different reasons. My Portuguese just isn't good enough for all the thoughts I need but they don't seem to care. One lady said" What am I going to do without you telling your husband how beautiful I am" There were many other lovely expressions of love. My cheeks were sore from being kissed so many times and I was exhausted after church but it was wonderful. And you know what? Next week my husband gets to sit with me in church. I never minded it at home but here it was very lonely sitting alone many times. I am starting to get our apartment ready for the new couple who will come the end of February. I am just writing a list of all the unique and quirky things about this apartment. I hope they love it like we did. We found out that the lady who we rent the apartment from has come to church two times. Yeah. She had some financial reversals during the downturn and truly works every waking hour but we have called her and emailed her and a couple of months ago we went to visit her so this was very good news.
Last night we went to a baptism of a very special man. He had decided to be baptized and wanted to surprise his wife so he arranged the whole thing on their wedding anniversary and had her called in to a meeting and when she arrived there he was standing dressed in white.On the way to the meeting we were called and asked to give the talks on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. So, a little nervous I stood at the pulpit and gave my heartfelt feelings. After the meeting the mans Father, not a member, came up to me and thanked me for my talk and said that my Portuguese was excellent and that as I spoke he could see a light glowing all around me. Now that was exciting. I can see he and his wife getting baptized also in the future.
Today we go to Lisbon to renew our residency. It seems silly when we just have 50 more days but it is the law and we always comply with the law. Thanks to all of you at home for all your support, both financial and spiritual. We have felt the love of the Lord and know that each of us is important to him. All for now, Mom, Kathleen, Sister Roberts
