Visit from Martha & Rachel + SNOW!

On Friday, January 13th my youngest sister Martha and her oldest daughter Rachel came to visit us prior to them going on a graduation cruise from Barcelona, Spain.

Martha and Rachel arrived in time for the 1st supper that evening (from 8-10PM) with the missionaries.

They were also able to attend the 2nd supper with the Abram & Solange Lima family (after the missionaries left) from 10-11:30PM.

On Saturday, January 15th we drove in Martha’s rented BMW an hour north to Braga. The main site is a religious sanctuary known as “Bom Jesus do Monte” Good Jesus of the Mount. In 1373 a cross was erected at the top of the hill. A chapel was built in 1494. In 1722 the current configuration was built.

When we first arrived it was foggy but gratefully it cleared up quickly.

There are six separate small chapels that display different scenes from the time of Jesus.

This statue with water coming from a heart reminded us of how Jesus literally died of a broken heart evidenced by water and blood. “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:34)

Today was also Rachel’s 27th birthday!

Sunday, January 15th we attended Church in Vila Real.

Monday, January 16th was our last meal with Martha & Rachel as they are driving to Lisbon on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, January 18th we woke up to the rare occurrence of snow in Portugal! 

At 7PM this car still had enough snow to make this small snowman.

Wednesday evening at the mall we saw President Hugo, Kaline & Julia.

Thursday, January 19th was District Meeting.

On Thursday, January 19th with the power finally on, (they had been waiting since 1/10) Elders Rhea & Figueiredo thought they were moving  into their apartment in Chaves. However after packing their luggage into our car and driving 45 minutes we discovered that the water was not yet on…

Prior to returning to Vila Real to wait until the water is on we stopped for delicious crepes and ice cream.

      SCRIPTURE POWER 

 What “great things” has the Lord done for us?

 

In the Title Page of the Book of Mormon we learn one of the purposes of the book.  “Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers;” (Book of Mormon, Title Page)

 

Nephi questions Laman and Lemuel: “Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?” (1 Ne. 7:11)

 

“And it came to pass that Orihah did walk humbly before the Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for his father, and also taught his people how great things the Lord had done for their fathers.”  (Ether 6:30)

 

“And there were no more wars in the days of Shule; and he remembered the great things that the Lord had done for his fathers in bringing them across the great deep into the promised land; wherefore he did execute judgment in righteousness all his days.” (Ether 7:27)

 

“And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem.” (2 Ne. 1:1)

 

The angel tells Alma: “Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them.” (Mosiah 27:16) 

 

We humble ourselves when we remember the great things God has done for us. 

 

“But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him. Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land.” (Alma 62: 49-51)

“The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us” (Psalms 126:2-3)

 

“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” (Mark 5:19-20)

  

As we keep in remembrance what God has done for us it will help us want to repent.

 

“And it came to pass that Shez did remember the destruction of his fathers, and he did build up a righteous kingdom; for he remembered what the Lord had done in bringing Jared and his brother across the deep; and he did walk in the ways of the Lord” (Ether 10:2)

 

“And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. And behold they did harden their hearts against the Lord their God.” (Mor. 3:3)

 

“And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. For I know that such will sorrow for the calamity of the house of Israel; yea, they will sorrow for the destruction of this people; they will sorrow that this people had not repented that they might have been clasped in the arms of Jesus.” (Mor. 5:10-11)