Last Thoughts

Following the baptisms of Luis and Fernando and his family, we had dinner with our Brasilian daughter, Natalia, and her parents. What a blessing this family has been to us. The first Sunday we were in Tatui we had dinner with them and now our last Sunday we once again had dinner with them. It was a tearful good-bye. That night we were picked up and travelled to Sao Paulo where we stayed with Presidente and Sister Ribeiro in their beautiful apartment. They could not have been more gracious or kind. We had a wonderful meal with them the next day, Monday, and a testimony meeting with the other Elders and Sister who had completed their missions and were returning home. I think there were about nine of us all together. Presidente and Sister Ribiero drove us to the airport that night for our long flight home. We left Brasil loving the amazing Brasilian people and grateful for the blessings we received serving our Father in Heaven in this beautiful country. I would like to bear my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is true, it is life changing, it blesses my life in untold ways. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and companion, Al. I am thankful for my children and the support they were to us while we served this mission. It was hard being so far away from our home and our children and grandchildren. My angel sister, Glenda, passed away a month and a half before we returned home and we had the joy of a new grandson being born one month before returning to the States. I am grateful for my family, for dear friends and our wonderful Pella 2nd Ward family. I leave with you a message to stay valiant in the gospel of Jesus Christ, be committed to serve our Father in Heaven by serving others. Our lives can only attain the joy our Father in Heaven wants for us by being obedient to the gospel standards and following the counsel of our leaders. I leave these thoughts with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR MISSION FROM ELDER BARRUS What a WONDERFUL experience to return to Brasil some 50 years after my first mission. This time was much better as I had the most WONDERFUL companion in the world. I am so grateful to her for the support and love she showed to me. To have the privilege of spending 18 months in the same branch and falling in love with the wonderful people of Tatui was a dream come true for me. I am grateful to Sister Barrus for the time and effort she put into this blog. It is great to be able to go back and remember the people and the feelings we had and relive those special times. I am grateful for the wonderful mission presidents and their wives that we were able to serve with. Our first seven months were with President and Sister Farnes. They treated us so well. They arranged for our great apartment and showed us unconditional love. Our last 11 months were with President and Sister Ribeiro. They too were wonderful. We were privileged to spend a lot of time with them and spent several nights in their home. I don't believe I have ever spent time with a more spiritual and loving couple than the two of them. I want whoever may read this in the future to know that I have a strong testimony of Our Father in Heaven - that He knows us and loves us and wants us to succeed. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can return to live with God and our family. Our Savior did His part and now it is up to us to follow His example and live like He would want us to live. I want my dear wife and my children to know how much I love and appreciate each of them.

Our Last Sunday in Tatui

Our last Sunday in Tatui was amazing. Elder Barrus baptized Luiz in the top picture and Fernando and Jananina and their two oldest children in the remaining pictures. Sisters Gerber and Correa taught them. Fernando is now the Young Men's President and Jananina is the secretary in the Relief Society Presidency.

Familia de Fernando e Jananina

Al baptized this wonderful family the Sunday we left Tatui on May 6, 2018 to return home. Fernando, Jananina, and their two oldest children. Beautiful, amazing family. We keep in touch with them. Fernando is now the Young Men's President and Jananina is the secretary in the Relief Society Presidency. They are planning on being sealed as an eternal family in May 2019.

Caldo de Cana

On our way home today, it was really hot, even though we are approaching winter here. 87 degrees. Are we going to miss the weather here come next winter in Idaho? You bet we are!!! Anyway, we passed the old VW Van that sells Caldo de Cana by the side of the road. He has a machine in his van that he feeds the sugar cane through and juices it Then he adds limao (lime) or abacaxi (pineapple) to it and it is icy cold. Delicious and perfect for a hot day.

A Special Family

Jocilene and Diego were some of the very first families we visited when we first arrived in Tatui. They hadn't been coming for quite some time. When we went to their home, only Diego was home. We invited Diego to come back to Church and he said he would but that his mother wouldn't come. Well, she did! And she and Diego have been coming every week since. Pictured with Jo and Diego is Jo's boyfriend Cosmo, a wonderful, gracious man.

Last Itapetininga District Meeting

Today, May 1, was our last District Meeting in Tatui. Our District is called Itapetininga and includes Tatui, Itapetininga, Cerquilho and Boituva. Since transfers are next week, everyone brought something to eat. The Sisters are Sister Barrus, Sister Gerber, Sister Correa, Sister Campos and Sister Giminez. Elders: Elder Barrus, Elder Amorim, Elder Freiria, Elder Egbert and Elder Swanson. These Elders and Sisters have been such a huge blessing to us.

Fernando and Janaina

We had a wonderful FHE with this family who will be baptized by Elder Barrus May 6. I watched the Sisters make pastells, they are really yummy! Edsen, Debora and Roberto all joined us for FHE.

Pedro Miguel

This family lives in a very humble home behind other homes. There are two rooms, the living-kitchen-sleeping room and a bathroom. The three older children, Nicoly, Felipe and Nicholas had been coming to Church until their step father returned home from prison and he will not allow them to go. We pray that his heart will be softened. They just had this sweet, beautiful baby boy, Pedro Miguel.

Churrascaria

For our last P-Day in Tatui we took Sister Gerber, Sister Correa and Angelica out for almoco and had churrasco.

Golden Family

Fernando and his two oldest children have been attending our English class for the past 3 months. We invited them to the Taco Party we had and they thoroughly enjoyed their time there. Elder Barrus asked if they would be interested in knowing more about the Church. Fernando said they would so Sister Gerber and Sister Correa have been teaching them. They are planning on being baptized May 6, the day we leave. Fernando, Jananina and their two oldest children will be baptized. The two youngest are not old enough yet. Wow, this has been an amazing journey!

Luiz

The young man pictured with Elder Barrus is Luiz. Al was walking down the street when Luiz stopped him and asked him if he belonged to that Mormon church. Luiz said he wanted to know more about it. Al contacted the Sister missionaries and they have begun teaching him. Al invited him to come to Church and it was wonderful to see him walk into the Church this morning.

Gospel Principles Class

Usually this class meets in a small classroom but there were so many today that we met in the Chapel. Elder Barrus taught the class today, so awesome to have so many there and so many investigators.

Graca's Baptism

This lovely lady is Graca. She was contacted by the sister missionaries, Sister Gerber and Sister Correa. At first her husband said she could attend Church but not be baptized. After he became more acquainted with the Church and the members of the Tatui Branch, he agreed that she could be baptized if that was her desire. Elder Barrus baptized her this morning, April 29, 2018, just before Church began and then confirmed her in Sacrament Meeting. What a wonderful day and so great that her husband came in support of her decision.

Packing Up and Giving Away!

We've been busy packing up our apartment and giving away the things we have accumulated in the last eighteen months. We have been amazed at how much stuff we have. It has been fun making the deliveries.

Our Last English Class

Thursday evening we taught our last English class before heading home. We had a party following the class. Two of the wonderful ladies who attend the class brought us gifts to remind us of Brasil, two sacks of beans and two sacks of the very best coffee in Brasil. They asked if we drank coffee, we told them, 'no', but thanked them for their thoughtful gifts. We gave the coffee to the wonderful people who keep our building secure where we live.

Almoco with the Sisters and Celebrating Their Birthdays

Thursday, April 26, Sister Gerber and Sister Correa came to lunch. We made Hawaiian Haystacks. Sister Gerber's birthday is May 5 and Sister Correa's is in January. We decided to celebrate their birthdays together this day. It was a lot of fun. These darling sisters are wonderful missionaries. They work very hard and are seeing in abundance the fruits of their labors.

Our Apartment's Art Gallery

Every time we received a picture from our grandchildren or one of the children in the Tatui Branch, we would put it up on the wall in our apartment. We have so enjoyed it these past 18 months.

The Owl Family

A part of the Tatui Branch Family is this Owl Family. They are burrowing owls. We have watched them raise two families. They lived here at the Tatui Branch before it was even built. They moved somewhere else as the construction was going on but returned and have been here ever since. They like to watch WHO is coming to Church.

Gracie and Miguel

Just before the Going Away Party, we visited with Gracie and Miguel. Gracie was baptized Christmas Eve and Miguel was baptized not long after that. We told them that when they are ready to go to the temple to be sealed to let us know. We will do all we can to come back to Brasil to come to their sealing. Elder Barrus gave Miguel that tie to wear. He told him it was his wedding tie. He also gave Roniery his Y hat, and Haury his black trench coat to wear when he goes on his mission They were thrilled!

It was a GREAT Party!

Brasilians know how to PARTY! It was a wonderful Going Away Party, We were so surprised and felt overwhelmed with all their love and kindness. We took pictures with some of our dear friends. Photo 1: Antonio (new convert, terrific friend). Photo 2: Our dear friends Antonio and Gloria. Photo 3: Antonio's brother Aparecido and Darcy, my heart warms at the sight of each one. Photo 4: One of my Brasilian daughters, Angelica. Photo 5: Thaynna,(another Brasilian daughter), Angelica and our angel Dalva. Photo 6: Presidente Edivaldo holding Mayra (Brasilian granddaughter), Gil, Breno and Ryan. Photo 7: Our dear friend Roberto. Photo 8: Clayton (he bought our car), Kamila, Gabriele and Lara. Photo 9: Rafaely, Dalva and Carlos. Photo 10: Esther, Marilia, Livia and Luciana (all recent converts). Photo 11: Yngrid (only member in her family here, comes by herself every week) and her friend. Photo 12: Debora and Edsen jumped in the pool! We love these kids. Photo 13: Everyone in the Pool! Gil, Breno, Debora, Mosias.

Surprise Going Away Party!

We are pictured with Marcia and Marciu. They have a beautiful home in Tatui and are members of the Tatui Branch. They invited us to a Family Home Evening at their home Monday evening, April 23. We knew that Edsen and Debora were going to be there and we brought Dalva, Rafaely, Yngrid and a friend of hers. We came in and were just sitting visiting. I was facing the smoky glass sliding doors that go out to the pool. All of a sudden I saw people beyond the smoky sliding glass door, they almost looked like ghosts! Until they started walking through the opening of the glass doors, it was our Tatui Branch. They had all conspired to organize a surprise going away party for us. We were overcome, the tears flowed.

Companions for a Day

Sister Gerber and Sister Correa had to go on splits the day of Alessandro's baptism. They needed to go to the baptism but they had also invited a family to Church and needed to walk with them to Church and introduce them. Since they couldn't be in two places at once, I became Sister Gerber's companion for the day and Marilia became the companion for the day for Sister Correa. Marilia joined the Church the end of last year.

Alessandro's Baptism, April 22, 2018

This is a great baptism story. Elder Barrus and I were called by the Sister Missionaries serving in Boituva. They said a man had called them and wanted to know more about the Church but he lived in Tiete which was too far from Boituva for them to go there to teach. Since we have a car, they asked if we would check on him and see if he would like to receive the missionary lessons. We setup an appointment with him and went over on a Sunday afternoon to visit with him. He is seventeen years old and is attending the music conservatory in Tatui studying piano. He had a piano in his bedroom and played for us. WOW! He is professional. We made arrangements to bring Sister Gerber and Sister Correa to Tiete to teach him. We took them there once and a couple of times when he came to Tatui for school, they and Elder Barrus met him at the Church for lesson discussions. His mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are all active members of the Church. His father had been an LDS missionary but when he was divorced and remarried, he began attending his new wife's church. Alessanado was not raised in the Church, we're not sure what the whole story on that is. Several members of his family who live in Sao Paulo came for his baptism, mother, grandmother, aunt and uncle, two little brothers, his dad and his dad's wife. Very supportive family. Usually a person is baptized following sacrament meeting and then confirmed the following Sunday. But since most of his family was coming from Sao Paulo, they asked if he could be baptized before Church and then confirmed the same day in Sacrament Meeting. The arrangements were made. Presidente Marceu had come down to the Church at six in the morning to fill the 'font'. When we all arrived just before eight in the morning, the water had all leaked out! Thus the bucket brigade to fill the font! They had to fill the buckets outside and then climb two flights of stairs to the chapel where the 'font' is. Elder Barrus had the privilege of baptizing him. Photo 1: Alessandro and his family. 2: Sister Gerber, Sister and Elder Barrus. 3: Sister Gerber, Alessandro's girlfriend who also wants to be baptized, Alessandro and Elder Barrus. 4 and 5: Filling the buckets and filling the font.