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 east side of Lisbon, and met with the many missionaries who had arrived from all over Portugal to meet their new companions and then depart for their new areas.

We were able to hand out welcomed letters from friends and family.

As we work with these missionaries and hear about their experiences and decisions that lead them to serve a mission, we are constantly amazed how the Lord has touched the lives of these young people to the point where they have committed to serve Him and sacrifice a portion of their young lives for a period of 18 to 24 months.

One such missionary is Sister Lee, from Kaysville, UT, who has shared her experiences with us and has touched our hearts in a very special way. 

The departing missionaries arrive on Tuesday and have a full day on Wednesday attending a self-reliance class, temple session and dinner at the mission home before traveling home on Thursday. However Tuesday night they typically don't have anywhere to eat dinner. Since they are usually hungry and out of money, we have been inviting them to our apartment for hamburgers and all-you-can eat company potatoes.

Elder Feletoa, Elder Guttenberger, Elder Thompson, Elder Jones, Elder Caetano and Elder Smith leave our apartment with a full stomach and a smile on their face.

A New Companionship

Sister Collins, from El Granada, CA and Sister Balboa, from Magna, UT are now assigned to serve together.

Their apartment is just a short walk from the Orient Station.

A Taste of Portugal

The fish market never ceases to surprise us.

The Members

To end the week, we were invited to a member's home for dinner and great fun and conversation. Our ward includes the five office Elders and two proselyting Sisters. Together we were nine missionaries in all, quite an overwhelming number of guests for anyone to have for dinner.

As the evening gradually came to an end, Suzy, in the blue outfit on the right and a member for one year, shared her thoughts with us on how the Lord has changed her life since she was baptized. She has felt the influence of the Holy Spirit many times and continues to feel a sense of peace that she didn't feel before.

As we continue to serve our mission, we come to realize more and more that our relationship with others is truly one of the most important blessings that we share. Our association with the missionaries as well as our love for our family and friends will last us not only for the remainder of this life but will continue on in the next. We know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and, indeed, find inexpressible joy in sharing it with others.

Just to let you know, our next blog will be published two weeks from today. Stay tuned...