Diane and Dan Erickson Mission to Lisbon, Portugal

Constancy Amid Change As we completed our final two days in Portugal, we couldn't help but reflect upon the previous 18 months of our mission. Missionaries come and go but the missionary spirit lives on forever. On our last day we went to the Orient Station to help the missionaries who were transferred. Our time upon the stage is over and we will move on, but the teaching of the Gospel continues. The course of the Lord is one eternal round. New Sisters arrived, their trainers came in from their various areas and two Sisters just completed their mission and were returning home. Parting is such sweet sorrow and we know that we may never see many of these people again in this life. However, we also know that relationships are eternal and that we will once again meet each other. Such a fitting way to say good-bye by attending the temple with the other missionaries who were also leaving. Our final dinner and evening with President and Sister Barcellos. The Barcellos are truly among the ...

Our Final Week As we prepare to return home this week, it is with a touch of sadness that we say good-bye to so many of our friends. Diana and Latícia are two of our favorites. They are the twin daughters of two special people, Jorge and Carmelita Silva from Cape Verde. A Miracle This Sunday is General Conference and consequently, we do not have our regular Sunday meetings. Regardless, Sister Erickson wanted to go to the chapel to see if anyone arrived. While we were there, we were surprised to meet a young woman and her son. Having lived in Portugal for twenty years, she had just returned from having a vacation in her homeland of Cape Verde. She had met with many of her church friends in Cape Verde and had the strong impression that she needed to return to the Church. Fatima and her son, Eduardo, know many of the people we know in Cape Verde. The Missionaries Monday night we went to the Orient Station and picked up two sisters who had just arrived by train from the north. Sister Morte...

A Fun Week Sister Erickson, being the gregarious person that she is, has made friends with several of the people in our apartment building. On Saturday we enjoyed a fun filled and uplifting dinner with three of those people. Katrina and Mario, on the left and who are married, take care of our apartment building and keep it exceptionally clean. Ercília, who is 82 years old, is a retired school teacher. Interestingly, our dinner truly had an international flair. Katrina was born in Brazil, Mario in Angola, Ercília in Portugal and, of course, we are from the US. Our Final Sacrament Meeting Today we bid farewell to our ward members and spoke in our final sacrament meeting. Next week is General Conference and then we fly home on April 6th. Between us stands Eloy, who was the first speaker. Without question he captured the hearts of everyone in the audience and left us with a hard act to follow. It was an emotional day for everyone involved. A Taste of Portugal On Terceira Island this statue...

Lisbon Stake Conference This Sunday we were blessed to attend the Lisbon Stake Conference. Elder Boom from the Netherlands is the Europe North Area President and he presided at the conference.   We were also blessed to have Elder Texeira (pictured above), an area seventy from Cape Verde, attend and deliver a most meaningful message. One Eternal Round The dynamic nature of a mission continually brings us into contact with great people and then we are sad to have them leave. Elder and Sister Snelson returned home to Provo, UT and today we were privileged to watch their inspiring homecoming talks via the internet. Another Fantastic Couple In celebration of her birthday we had Sister Wilcox along with her husband, Elder Wilcox, for an enjoyable dinner today. The Wilcox's serve in the Lisbon Temple. A Taste of Portugal Sister Erickson and I continually enjoy walking on the cobblestone sidewalks and paths and seeing some unique artwork.  We found this design of a bluebird in a ...

Those Senior Couples One of the many blessing we receive as senior missionaries is the association that we have with other senior couples. Last week, more than ever, that blessing was magnified as all of us met together in Porto for zone conference. The men and women shown here have lived valiant lives and are now experiencing one of their greatest adventures. They know the value of hard work, discipline, sacrifice, overcoming trials, and sharing their love and testimonies with the many people with whom they meet. Without exception they know that Jesus Christ is their personal Savior and will go and do as He instructs. As further evidence of their love and willingness to sacrifice, almost all of these current missionaries have served multiple missions. From left to right, Elder and Sister Benedict have previously served together in Cape Verde and Brazil. Elder and Sister Demke have served in East Timor and Cape Verde. Sister and Elder Snelson have served in Mozambique. Elder and Sister...

The Transfer Begins   The best-laid plans of mice and men. On Tuesday we awaited the arrival of four young missionaries at the airport and had a few minutes of concern when only two walked out of the luggage pickup area. The president immediately was on the missionary travel help line only to find out that the other two missionaries were never informed of a change in their flight plans and consequently arrived at the airport a day late and found out that their flight had departed one day earlier. The travel office rebooked their flights and they finally arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile an already busy mission president and wife had to adjust plans to have another orientation session and lunch with the latecomers. The word, "flexible" best describes one of the necessary attributes of any missionary, old or young. Elder Chamale and Elder Venâncio were the two who arrived on time. From the airport we drove to the Orient Station, a large transportation hub located on the...

Preparing for Transfers The week before transfers is usually a quiet week for me and Sister Erickson but nonetheless a lot of work is being done behind the scenes. The mission president works with his assistants and sister training leaders and, through prayer and inspiration from the Lord, they plan who will be transferred and where the various missionaries will be going. This is an exciting week since the missionaries know that changes will be coming and anxiously anticipate how their lives will be changed.  In addition to the in-field missionaries, there are new missionaries arriving and others leaving to return home. Each missionary typically travels with two large suitcases plus a carryon bag. Once the transfer plans are complete, the office missionaries begin the complex logistical task of coordinating travel itineraries. One of the restrictions is that a missionary cannot be left alone. Elders must always be with another Elder, and Sisters must always be with another Sister. ...