Snelsons in Portugal: Elder Soares

The next morning, we showed up and there was some loud music playing close by. It quieted for about 10 minutes and when we got word that they were on their way, we thought we’d be good. But nope…! Elder Williams wrote about it in his letter home and it made me laugh, so I asked him if I could borrow his description:

“The big conference finally arrived, and the whole mission lined up for the picture with Elder Soares. But as fate would have it, a large concert was setting up right next to the temple grounds. And as it happens, they were doing an early morning mic check. So as we were all lining up, we would often hear random strings of guitar and mic static.

Eventually the whole mission was in position, then President Barcellos announced: "Everyone get ready! Elder Soares is here!"

We all got quiet and put on our suit coats. We stood in our places in reverent silence as one of the Twelve living Apostles on the earth got out of his car to walk toward us with other General Authorities. But as soon as he got out of his car, a familiar voice filled the whole air. This is what it said:

"It's close to midnight

And something evil's lurking in the dark

Under the moonlight

You see a sight that almost stops your heart.

………

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night

And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike

You know it's thriller, thriller night

You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight, yeah"

And with that, the whole mission lost it and we smothered laughter as we watched an Apostle walk up to us, while the nearby concert blasted "Thriller.” When Elder Soares finally got to the front and began to talk to us, the music immediately stopped.

It sufficeth me to say that that was a moment to remember. I can at least say that my first time meeting an Apostle was very epic. Perhaps even... "thrilling!"

Thanks Elder Williams. It actually was pretty funny. We were all quiet and then Thriller started blasting at the exact moment that they exited their cars. I thought “Oh no!” But it stopped right when he stood in front of us and stayed quiet until we were all inside the church.

Here they are walking up while Thriller plays - they’re all smiling…

We took the picture.

Then Elder Soares, and the other authorities, shook every person’s hand, which was so nice of them. Sis. Barcellos was taking pictures, so we got a couple of good ones with him.

Also visiting was Elder Cook and his wife. He served in the Area Presidency in Africa while we were in Mozambique. They came to Beira once and I still remember how tired he was. I had prepared dinner for them and after the meeting, I invited them back to the apartment to eat. He said thank you, but that they were tired and would just eat at the hotel. We knew what the food was like there, so yucky. So, I told him that the food was terrible and that they didn’t need to visit with us - just come over for some taco soup and cornbread, and then we’d take them right to the hotel. He said, “That actually sounds good.” and that’s what we did. But it was a close-up view of the often grueling travel schedule that church leaders and their spouses do for their callings. It takes a toll. What a sacrifice.

Besides Elder Cook and his wife, Elder Budge (Presiding Bishop) and his wife were there. Because they all spoke English, and most of the mission speaks English, they decided to do all the talks in English and have translation headphones for the missionaries that didn’t speak English. We were so happy!! We could actually understand what Elder Soares and his wife were saying. It was so kind of them to speak in English - it’s hard to speak in a second language. It’s harder to follow promptings from the Spirit, because you don’t always have the vocabulary to speak spontaneously. A.lot of heavenly help there. But his talk was so good!

Here’s an experience he related:

‘When I was called as an apostle, I told President Nelson, “I know a thousand other men who are better qualified to serve.” ‘But President Nelson, with his tender eyes, took both of my hands, and said, “But the Savior told me that it’s you.” ‘

As Elder Soares related this, I could picture Pres. Nelson with his clear blue eyes looking kindly at him as he received one of the most demanding callings, and explaining, “But the Saviour told me that it’s you.”

He also said this: “When things happen that shake our faith, then seek for things to renew our faith.”

Elder Cook shared this experience: When he was 6 years old, his father abandoned the family. He remembers asking his mom what they were going to do. Then he said, ‘She got her scriptures and turned to Proverbs 3:5. She read it to me and said “We are going to trust Heavenly Father and do our very best to keep his commandments.” She was a woman of great faith.’

Great talks, great lessons, and hearing it spoken in English was awesome!

Then we hurried outside to organize and pass out the lunches. 153 lunches were picked up in about 15 minutes!

After the lunches were done, I saw a woman in an African dress and complimented her on it. I asked her if she’d had it made in Africa and she said yes, in Mozambique! She grew up in Beira and knew several of the members from our city. She and her husband and kids immigrated to Portugal about 8 years ago. It’s a small world when you’re a Latter day Saint. Her daughter works with the Seibold’s.

Then we sat in the car and watched Rockwell’s baptism. (So thankful for facetime and zoom on a mission )

After that, we went and did a session in the temple with some of the couples. It’s a happy day when we get to go to the temple.

After the temple, we went to the American store, that buys overstock of American food. Sometimes they’re close to expiration, so you have to check the dates. I was there for cake mixes and brownie mixes. They had cake mixes, so I loaded up. No brownies this time. :/ It’s triple 7/11 prices, but it’s worth it for some things. Other stuff, not so much. I passed on the $5/oz beef jerky. (One of the things I miss…)

Then we headed home. It was a great day!!

The next day, Sunday, Elder Soares and his wife and the other visiting authorities spoke and they broadcast the meeting throughout all of Portugal. Only the Lisbon stake was invited to the church, so we watched it with our little Vila Real branch.

After church, we took a picture with the Young Women.

Then the Primary kids wanted to be the picture too, so everybody piled in.

Pres. Hugo showing the guys his mission pictures. :)

That afternoon, we met with the six Young Women in the park for an activity. We only have one YM, so he came too. And the family dog, Foofy, came too. (Fofo means “cute” in Portuguese.) They brought him from Brazil and he goes almost everywhere with them. The three families from Brazil have given our little branch a much needed boost of members, help, and enthusiasm!!