July 4th in Portugal!

 July 4th was on P-day this year. The 2 elders from Braganca took a bus (2 hours each way)  to Vila Real and then the 6 of us celebrated the 4th together. All six of us are from Utah. We went on a hike and then Kim made hamburgers & potato casserole. Afterwards we played Spot-It! 

We met at this children’s park that was completely empty. How great that one of the Elders brought an American flag!

After stopping at a nearby bakery we were ready to walk it off!

We hiked along the Corgo river.

After the hike we went to our apartment for dinner!

Spot-It!

The elders from Braganca slept over and the following day we had District meeting and then lunch at a restaurant. The cost for our meals including drinks and dessert was $6 each. This week the dollar is worth more than the Euro!

On Wednesday, we had Adriene Teixeira over for lunch. We just learned that she is returning to Brazil next week.

Beautiful curved rock wall

View of the City from the other side of the same street with the rock wall.

A farmer has built this little (lean to) shed that provides shade. Interestingly, he has a scarecrow and an antenna. 

In April, when we were in the MTC we met Elder and Sister Paul & Kathryn Creer. Paul looks very similar to his older brother Dave.  They were called to Sixth Crossing, Wyoming Historic Sites Mission. On June 20th he suffered a massive heart attack and passed away on Rocky Ridge. He was 63 years old. 

SCRIPTURE POWER

Being outside the USA on the 4th of July is always more reflective and highlights the many differences that exist throughout the world. The US population of 331M represents only 4.25% of the total world population.  However, “..the Lord doth grant unto all nations,…all that he seeth fit that they should have;” (Alma 29:8) Indeed “..all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.” (2 Ne. 2:24)

President Boyd K. Packer said: “Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of age.

Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect.” (“The Choice”, Ensign, Nov. 1980)