Uma Dia de Maravilhoso!

     Saturday, September 23, 2017, we had the most wonderful day a the Campinas Temple.  A large group from the Tatui Branch accompanied Robson and Sheila and their two children and Roberto to receive their own endowments and Robson and Sheila's children to be sealed to them for time and all eternity.  Roberto has been a member for a year.  When we first came to Tatui last November we visited Robson and Sheila who had been inactive for quite some time.  Paulo and Elder Barrus visited with them and invited them to come come back to Church.  They jumped in with both feet!  Robson is the Branch Mission Leader and Sheila serves as a counselor in the Young Women's Presidency  And now they are a forever family!

Family Home Evening

     We had Family Home Evening with our new convert, Angelica, Monday night at the home of Darcy and Aparecido.  In front, Darcy and Angelica.  Back, Aparecido (Darcy's husband), Antonio and Gloria and me.  Aparecido and Antonio serenaded us with several beautiful songs.

Serendipity!

     We went to Itapetininga Sunday evening for a Fireside the Mission Presidency presented.  Presidente Ribeiro and Presidente Santos (1st Counselor) and Presidente Preito (2nd Counselor) all spoke.  After the meeting Presidente Santos said that Presidente Preito wanted to speak to me, he said that Presidente Preito spoke English.  So we went with Presidente Santos and he introduced us.  Presidente Preito spoke perfect English.  We asked him where he learned to speak English, he said he lived in the United States for awhile.  He said after his father passed away, his mother moved to Orem, Utah and married a gentleman named Anderson.  I said, 'Your mother's name isn't Vitoria, is it?' YES!  Vitoria worked with Al and I to teach us Portuguese before we left for Brazil.  While we were at the MTC we were able to spend some time with her.  She is such an awsome lady.  Vitoria translates for the MTC.  What a small world!

Carlos' Baptism

          Carlos was excited to be baptized Sunday after Sacrament Meeting.  He was baptized by his grandfather, Joao.  Pictured left to right in back, Joao (grandfather), Carlos, his Dad, Antonio, grandmother Fatima, Aunt Rita and Rita's baby Larissa.  In front, kneeling, Carlos' mother, Stacy and his sister, Isabella. Fatima is my visiting teaching companion and Al and I home/visit teach Antonio and Stacy.

Mocas e Rapazes Actividade

     The Young Women and Young Men had a combined activity on Saturday, September 16.  They had a great time!

Almoco with the Elders

     Our new Elder is Elder Lima from Fortaleza, Brazil.  Al found taco shells at our grocery store that is just a block from our apartment so we fixed tacos for Elder Lima and Elder Langford.  It was wonderful!  The Brazilians don't use the taco shells for tacos, but we did!

Professoras Visitante

     These are my beautiful Visiting Teachers, Gloria and Dalva.  They are the heart of our Branch.  I love it that I am the second tallest sister in the whole Branch!

Honoring their Priesthood

     In the middle is Savio, he was just baptized three weeks ago.  Haury, 15, and Ryan, 14,  asked Elder Barrus if he would take them to Savio's home on Monday so they could teach him about the Priesthood.  Al said they did such a wonderful job, taught him the responsibilities of the Deacon, Teacher and Priest.  Savio and Haury will be Priests by the end of September.  They read through with him For the Strength of Youth book.  The future of the Church is in good hands with such outstanding young men.

Maria

     Maria is a member of the Church but doesn't attend.  She is such a sweet lady.  She owns a small store and bar.  Her daughter and her family are very active in the Church in Sao Paulo and Maria is so proud of them.  She told Elder Barrus that her grandson was being married in the temple soon and she was so excited to share that news. Elder Barrus stops by to see her often and she is always so very gracious.

The Trio!

     Elder Barrus and I were invited over to Gloria and Antonio's for almoco last Friday.  Unfortunately I couldn't go, still recovering from some medical stuff.  But Al went and enjoyed a wonderful churrasco.  Pictured are Aparaceido, Antonio and their sister, Bella.  They all sing and harmonize beautifully together.

Ate Mais, Elder Campos!

     Elder Campos has been assigned to Sao Paulo.  We will miss this great young man, we both had tears when we said goodbye.   But, we still have Elder Langford, for which we are very grateful!

September Birthdays!

     Our beautiful daughters Amanda and Kylie and handsome son-in-law Michael all have birthdays in September.  Para Bens!!!!!

Angelica's Baptism

     Angelica began attending our English Class a few weeks ago.  Her mother had joined the church years before but when she married her husband he didn't want her to attend any longer.  Angelica wanted to know more about the church. Elder Langford and Elder Campos taught her and Elder Barrus sat in on some of the discussions. She decided she wanted to be baptized.  She asked Elder Barrus to baptize her, it was a special blessing for Elder Barrus.  I wrote out my testimony and translated it into Portuguese on the computer.  I knew it probably wasn't correct.  Angelica teaches Portuguese so she went through it and corrected it.  I so appreciate her and her wonderful, sweet spirit.

Brazil's Spiderman

     Elder Barrus was in town when Spiderman stopped him to talk to him.  He said he had some relatives who were Mormons.  So Elder Barrus gave him a card and invited him to come to church.  Every ward or branch needs a Spiderman!

Addy's Very First Day of School

     My granddaughter Addy started Kindergarten this year!  She is our little princess.

Eclipse

     We had the opportunity to speak with Amanda as they were watching the eclipse in Sugar City, Idaho.  Amanda gave us a link and we were able to follow it live on the computer.  Pretty exciting! It was on August 21, 2017.

Policia Federale Building

     We had to go the Policia Federale Building to get our official identification for Brazil.  I am in a wheelchair because I took a nosedive off one of the exercise machines that we work out on at the praca of the Mango Trees.  Caught my foot getting off, lots of bruises and tore a muscle.  Poor Elder Peterson had to wheel me around since I couldn't walk.  I'm doing much better now, I'm able to walk for short periods of time.  What a blessing that nothing was broken.  Elder Peterson is from Utah and a wonderful, kind young man.

Mission Home in Sao Paulo

     On Thursday, 24th of August, we had to drive into Sao Paulo to get our federale card.  We met the other elders at the mission home.  It sits on top of a hill.

Savio Baptism

     Elder Langford and Elder Campos taught this young man, Savio.  With Savio is his sweet mother who is very supportive.  We were so happy to welcome Savio into the Tatui Branch.  Elder Langford baptized him.