Rose's Called to Serve!: August 2013

In the midst of it all, we spent a couple of gorgeous days in the north. We went to the cities of Porto and Braga. We traveled with another senior couple, the Henry´s and enjoyed their company. They are good friends and dedicated missionaries. We also spent a lot of time with our wonderful "hosts", the Cruz family. Reginaldo and his wife Ana were incredible. They took us places, fed us meals at their home, and spoke English! Best of all we got to spend time in a "normal" Mormon home replete with all of the Mormon stuff on the walls, the mantles, the stairs, etc. Their 4 children were gone for a few days with family members further south, so we did not get to enjoy that part of a normal Mormon family...maybe next time. Anyway, here are a few photos of a very memorable trip.

One of Porto´s 6 bridges

Elder and Sister Henry and Sister and Elder Rose

The Roses with Ana and Reginaldo Cruz

What a great idea for the stairs in their home. Paula might have called it "cute"!

Castle spires

Porto waterfront

Typical narrow pedestrian lanes

We thought maybe Joseph Smith came to Portugal?

Another animal trick. Many of these castles had falcons back in the day.

Laundry day

Downtown Braga

Favorite sport

Famous stairs and church in Braga. From the bottom to the top 800 steps.

I am not too sure exactly what we think we are doing.

And, part-way up the stairs a phone call. Never fails!

Night life

Castle life

Best friends. Ana and Paula really did have a great time. No, they were not drunk!

They call Guimarães the birthplace of Portugal. One of their most famous battles was fought here giving Portugal it´s freedom many years ago.

Up at the top of those long stairs and behind the church.

Heading down, down, down to find a place to eat at the riverfront in Porto.

As I said, favorite sport.

Boats with barrels of their famous Porto wine.

Typical interior of many Catholic churches here. Christ´s crucifixion is frequently the focal point, as is the virgin Mary and many of the statues of saints over the years. Must be former-day saints!

The beginning of the 800 stairs looked easy!

Little chapels along the way had depictions of the life of Christ as well as His final days and hours. There were probably 15 or so of these on the way to the big chapel on top of the hill. These are very old and well preserved life-size statues in front of the painting you see behind them.