Beautiful Beach Town

Figueira da Foz ... is a beautiful town with a unique beach front...

 When the tide is low it reveals these black rocky lines where families and children can play in the quiet pools. 

Portugal on Fire

It has been HOT here.  I am getting used to sweating.  Usually 15 minutes after my morning shower it seems I need another one... but the thought of putting more humidity in the air keeps me from turning the water back on!  Actually, it is not as bad as I was worried about, either that or Heavenly Father is blessing me to get through it.  Because of the heat and the fact that we have had no rain since May, there are fires all over Portugal.  The fire fighters have done a great job at keeping the fires from spreading too far but there is always smoke in the air- especially up North.  

On our way to Gaia in the north we were diverted off of the freeway because of a large fire that was in process of 'jumping' over the freeway.  Needless to say, we were 30 minutes late for the devotional and had an exciting experience with our Garmin!

This is a separate fire we saw on our way back to Lisbon the next day!

Missionaries on the Move!

We always hate to see the missionaries in our home ward of "Lapa" leave.  These are the ones we have a chance to know really well and the ones we can have over to dinner on a fairly regular basis

Porto Mission is losing a big group of valiant missionaries

This is our latest 'batch' leaving the Lisbon Mission.  As we counsel these Elders and Sisters about their future goals and helping them to make commitments about continuing to practice habits that will ensure their spiritual growth and strengthen testimonies... we are beginning to realize that the time is soon approaching when WE will be the missionaries leaving for home. We know we will have to make an effort to keep the Spirit strong in our lives and to move forward, not fall back into old habits and routines.  We feel our mission has changed us for the better and we would hate to step backwards when we return home.

A

One Rock at a Time!!!

All the stones being dug up for construction are saved in bags and then replaced

 Every sidewalk and plaza n Lisbon (and in every other city we have been in) are made with different patterns of white and black stones.  Some patterns are intricate and some more simple but there are small stones forming sidewalks and bigger stones forming many of the streets throughout all of Portugal.  Here is a closer look at how this is accomplished!

One stone at a time creates a beautiful pattern like this one which is one of my favorites!

Figs.. dried OR fresh still yummy!

A Late Birthday gift from Antonio & Joanna.  Fresh Figs and a new variety of peach we haven't tried...YUM

 It is possible to get to the ripe old age of .... 68 and realize that you have never tasted a fresh fig!!
Elder Anderton has fallen in love with the dried figs he buys at the fresh food market every Saturday.
He has purchased so many that they gave him a nice cloth bag for being a loyal customer!  We LOVE dried figs so this was a real treat...  Fresh Figs are Yummy too!

Look at the shape of this peach.  I wish I could remember the name of it but take my word for it...  They are super sweet !

Happy Birthday Elder!!

68 years young!!  He looks good to me!  It was a fun celebration for an amazing man.  So blessed to have him as my "companion" for eternity!  Not sure I could get along without him.

 Elder Anderton's birthday and Maria Paulo's birthday are 4 days apart.  This is a joint celebration with lots of cake and singing happy birthday in both Portuguese and English!

Birthday Dinner at an Indian Restaurant for a change.... It was Yummy!

A 'toast' to health, happiness and success...  

Our complimentary Mango Smoothies... brought to us after we told him we didn't want the compoimentary little mugs of alcoholic cider..... Mango was a HIT!

We Work With a Lot of Missionaries...

 The only bad part about that is... most of them are LEAVING for home!  They are still wonderful to be with.  We learn something new each time we give a departing missionary training.

Elder Foutz is on his way home.  He has been serving in our ward for quite awhile.  These two Elders have eaten their weight in dinners at our house...It is nice to have someone who appreciates your cooking!!