We have so much to catch up on our blog, so here goes!

   

   

We have a new couple that arrived here in Portugal….Ron and Shannon Sommer. Everyone is so excited to have them here to serve. We were able to go to Lisbon to meet them in person, have lunch with senior couples, and Pres. and Sister Fluckiger, and then travel with them to the Algarve (where they will be serving) and help them get settled for a couple of days. They are wonderful and will be such a great help to that area. We desperately need senior couples. Portugal is awesome…come join us!  

                                

 

We continue to travel doing apartment checks in our area in Santarem and also now in the Coimbra area. It is wonderful to meet with our missionaries and some of the leaders in the branches. We have also been trying to visit many inactive members and new members. Wherever we go, we are welcomed with open arms and FOOD! Our visits usually end up being at least an hour, sometimes two, as we try to get to know them better, encourage them, and share our love and testimony with them. We have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people in these visits. Many have difficulties in the lives, but they are open and honest and willing to try to make needed changes to bring the blessings of the Lord into their lives.

                             

 

And, we have had more awesome baptisms here in our district in the past weeks. Some of them have been families and that has been really incredible. Two weeks ago we had eight baptisms in the same day!! Four were from Peniche, one from Carregado, and three from here in Santarém. It was a day we will never forget as one after another of these good people entered the waters of baptism. The Lord is really blessing this area.

 

One of the baptisms in Peniche is named Fatima. She is 75 years old and has been investigating the church for 30 years! She has known the missionaries for all those years and has called herself “their mom”. They also call her “mom”.  She still keeps in touch with many of them. We were surprised that she chose to be baptized in the ocean (Peniche is on the ocean) instead of traveling to Santarem where there is a font with warm water. The ocean is really cold and it takes a strong person to go into it. She is very strong and it was an enjoyable baptism.

 

Later in the day we witnessed two baptisms of families.  The first was the baptism of João and Joana Soares.  They have a 6-year-old daughter that will be raised in the gospel.  If you want to take the time, here is their story that witnesses the power of the Book of Mormon.

Three weeks ago the elders started teaching João English lessons as a referral from our Branch Mission Leader.  João was invited to church the following Sunday.  He came for the next two weeks and seemed to enjoy it.  The members were good to fellowship him.  He is married, but his wife was working both weeks.

Last Sunday was District Conference, and João and his wife Joana and his 6-year-old daughter all attended.
The following Monday evening they all came to the church and the elders taught an English lesson.  Joana already spoke some English and indicated that she was there because she wanted to learn more about the church.  The elders taught the first discussion.  When they told the story of the First Vision, Joana asked if that was the same prophet that “wrote” the Book of Mormon.  She then told us that she had received a copy of the Book of Mormon just a couple of weeks prior from a friend or relative.  She had been reading it.

When Joana was asked about her studies in the Book of Mormon, she stated that she was learning a few things, but the most important thing to her was how it made her feel.  She described the feeling of the spirit that so many of us recognize.  It was amazing to her.  It was amazing to us. We had no idea that she even had the book.  As we read other passages with her and João from the Book of Mormon you could physically see the comprehension and the manifestation of the spirit in her eyes and in her countenance.  She had already received a witness from the spirit and borne testimony of it.

João had not yet read the Book of Mormon.  When they were both challenged to be baptized he indicated that before he accepted that he wanted to know for himself.  We could tell that Joana was ready to accept the challenge, but she said that she wanted to be baptized with her husband and that it would be best for both of them to prepare together.  We could tell that they were united in that decision, and in their determination to know for themselves.

During the week as more lessons ensued and as they studied together, they both agreed to be baptized this upcoming Saturday, the day before Easter.  They will be confirmed Easter Sunday.

 

 

The same day we also witnessed the baptism of Carlos who is 18 years-old.  He wants to prepare to go on a mission.

 

The next baptism was the “completion” of a family.  Their last name is Soares.  The grandfather has been a member for over 30 years.  He has been a faithful member, including his strong desire all of his life to see our prophet.  Recently he made the trip to Utah, and his lifelong dream was fulfilled.  His son has been a member for several years, but has been inactive.  He is now coming back into activity.  He baptized his son, his daughter and his wife.  We are now hoping to help them concentrate on the next ordinances involving the Melchizedek Priesthood and the temple.

We love it here in Portugal. 

 

 

And, we had a couple of days of so much rain that we had floods along the Rio Tejo.  When it rains here, it comes in torrents.  Umbrellas are always in fashion in Portugal!

 

 

 

 

 

And always the joy of baptism.  Sometimes the very cold and windy joy of baptism!

But our hearts were warm.  Hey, it had been raining just a few hours before, so we were thankful for what sunshine we had.