Look Out World- Here They Come!

 These are our last two groups we have had in the missionary seminar of returning missionaries!  They are the biggest groups we have seen leave at one time... 13 missionaries returning home in the Lisbon Mission and 15 leaving from the Porto Mission!  What a powerful force for good these young people will be as they return to their homes and lives!

The Lighter Side of Easter

   I was missing not being home for Easter with my grandchildren.  It has become a tradition to hold an Easter hunt & picnic with our family in our back yard.  This is a tradition that I think I love even more than the kids and DEFINATELY more than their parents!  The excitement of the kids, the fun of hiding eggs and other treasures and then watching as they scurry around laughing and picking things up is something I look forward to it every year.  As the grandchildren have grown older we have had to turn to hiding money eggs in a bit harder places in order to keep them involved.  Again...I'm not sure they cared as much about not being involved nearly as much as did!  
   To help with my longing for "egg hunt madness", we were able to watch much of the mayhem from our security camera mounted on our wall at home.  We can connect to the camera from here and be like a 'fly on the wall' observing what is happening at our house.  It was great to watch the countdown from the family room indoors as the kids were all gathered with curtains closed waiting for the OK to run out and get started.   In fact we were able to watch on multiple screens!  Both Ryan and Brett followed children around outside with their iphones as they darted around with baskets in hand.  LOVED IT!  Later that same day (Saturday) we had the missionaries over for an Easter dinner.  It was great to share the holiday with them.  I boiled some eggs and they had a good time decorating them to take home.  A bonus for me was when we asked them to share some of their favorite family memories of Easter - 3 of the four said their favorite memory was the tradition of an egg hunt at their grandparents home!!!  If, as grown men, this still carries such a lasting sweet memory...then it makes all the mess, time, money and effort worthwhile every year.  As in all things related to the Savior... Easter is a symbol of love, And Love can be shown in many different ways,  even in plastic eggs, family time and chocolate rabbits.  The key is to make sure the Savior remains the reason and focus of Easter with family gatherings an added bonus.

We always feel more at home and somehow a little happier when we have the Elders in our home!  They are so much fun and always bring such a great spirit.

Easter Blessings

   What a memorable Easter this has been for Elder Anderton and I.  The real significance of Easter has been brought into focus  for us.  The deep meaning of the gift given to each of us by our Savior was more deeply understood and appreciated.  In the past two weeks we have received two separate contacts from our families in Utah that were sad and upsetting.  We became aware of a beloved family member who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  The surgery for Dave was done shortly after the diagnosis and the future is uncertain but hopeful.  Just days later we learned of the death of my dear brother in law Stan, who passed away suddenly.  It has been difficult being so far from home and unable to put my arms around these people I love who are suffering.  I wanted to be there to help give comfort but I have had to rely solely on the Savior.  In reality,  I know that only HE can give the kind of comfort and healing that is needed at times like these.  The knowledge that our Savior has willing suffered ALL our sins, sorrows, disappointments, challenges and burdens is amazing.   HE can then be there to forgive, comfort, encourage, and support us in any and all of our challenges.  I for one, am beyond grateful to know that because HE lived,  and loved us so perfectly, AND because He died and then rose to live again, each of us can live with the bright hope of life beyond the grave, to be with our families and with HIM who loves us most.  I am grateful for spring with new beginnings, new life and the gift of Easter which brings joy and peace to us that can be found in no other way. With the coming of heartbreaking news came the reminder of Easter and the hope for a brighter tomorrow.

One of Portugal's Famous Foods

Finally took a ride on a trolley...they are all over town

 We had half of a P-day to take a quick trip to Belem.  I have posted pictures from there before - it is a very cool place to visit BUT this time we also made sure to stop by the other thing Belem is famous for...it's Pasteis!!

Sorry, but once this little box was opened...forgot to take picture of the actual pastry.  Oops?  Just know that it was warm, crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  Yum!  You can get them at any grocery in town but not the same as fresh from the oven(:

The little cafe right next door sells this yummy food...this salad is only 3.95!!  What a bonus!!

Cool view of the "twin" to San Francisco Bridge...the 25 de Abril

Love, Love, Love the trees here!!

All the College students here where these black capes...They look like they all belong to a Harry Potter fan club!!  Just found out that inside those capes are patches like a boy scout band... who knew?

Longest Bridge

This is the longest bridge in Portugal,,, in fact I think it is the longest bridge in Europe.  It is 10 miles and crosses the river at it widest point.  We drove over it for the first time going to a SR event in Setubal Stake.  It really is beautiful!

This is the group we attended...it is a group for people seeking employment or better employment.  It is a 12 week course for 2 hours every meeting.  By the time they finish they will have learned about finding, applying and interviewing techniques.  It is probably the most popular course of the 4 offered.

This is the chapel where the group was held...look at that beautiful palm tree!!!

You Can't Run Away From Getting Older!!

 I may be in Portugal but my birthday still found me....I am officially one year older!  AND I'm not sure, but I think there is some rule that says after a certain age you may only BE one year older but with each birthday you LOOK 5 years older?!?  Oh, well on a positive note, I am very thankful and feel very blessed to be  older with all the experiences I have had in my life, to be the wife of an incredible man and the mother of 7 amazing children who all married well and added to my blessings.  The icing on my 'birthday cake' is being old enough to be the grandmother to 29 (soon to be 31) grandchildren....if it takes getting OLD to have all those things in my life then I'm all for it! 

 
The day started out with a beautiful omelet breakfast made by my sweet companion...he's actually a great cook! 

The day just got better with letters, pictures,  packages and phone calls from home..Nice to be remembered.

The great people at the Perpetual Education Fund office left me a little 'SUPRISE' on my computer and brought a cake!

Note to self....unless you look like Barbie- it does not make a good picture to stand over a cake holding a knife looking like you will either kill to get a piece or just dig in and eat the whole thing!  Wish I had a 'do over' but I don't and I love the people in this picture so I'll risk the ridicule!

The night ended with a dinner with friends and an evening of visiting and laughing.  If you are away from the ones you love... then love the ones you're with!  (I think that's a song title??)

Who Doesn't Love a Pancake??

We had the Elders over for a pancake 'Brunch' for fun and to also help give support to a newly baptized member of our ward.  She had definately lived a hard life with multiple problems...her latest is a tumor she had removed from her face that will require more surgeries.  She has been down and this group rallied around her to show support and also to offer a Priesthood blessing.  It was a great afternoon.

This is Maria along with the Elder & Sister Neiswender...the new missionary couple who we get to work with.. they are easy to be around and are becoming fast friends.

Elder Anderton is great at giving counsel and advice...always has been!  Me..I am good at feeding people and making them feel welcome.  It takes all kinds?!?

These two are companions...They make such a great pair!  Elder Empey is a big hearted, kind former football player who may end up playing for BYU (his dad was just hired as an assistant coach) and Elder Silva is from Brazil.  He is dealing with a speech problem and it is difficult for him to speak in front of people....He is my hero as he bravely faces a crowd each fast sunday to bare his testimony.  He is the one who inspired me to make the effort to stand and share my own testimony although it was WAY out of my comfort zone and natural abilities.  They are both super strong missionaries and are so blessed to have each other for companions....they are one of the little miracles and blessings I have had in my life since serving here.  There are so many people who inspire me and help me to want to be better and do more as I serve here in Portugal.  Hopefully some of it rubs off on me!