Papa’s laptop motherboard is fried so we now have only our office PC’s and Papa’s iPhone 6-S for letter writing during the last 4 weeks of our mission. According to our grandchildren, Papa’s iPhone 6-S is as big as a laptop, so we’ll be just fine.
It is a little late in the game to be learning from our missionary grandson, but we are swallowing our pride and following his example for this letter: First, an update, followed by explanation of photos, then photos. (Thanks for teaching by example Seth! See, we “Idosos” can learn new tricks!)
This last week passed in the “twinkling of the eye.” Papa’s explanation of why time passes faster is that each day/week/month/year is a smaller portion of our life. Smaller is quicker. Just imagine how quickly time will pass when we realize how small our lifetime is compared to eternity!
Most of last week was spent writing closing reports for three garden projects and the Codorna project. Mom worked on catching up on three months of financial reports. Isn’t that exciting?
On Thursday we had “splits.” Papa drove to APRAESPI (in Ribeirão Pires - 90 minutes east of SP) with Elder Ketcheson (Family Services Missionary). APRAESPI had a high school Christmas party and closing ceremony for their special needs garden project. Mom stayed in the Area Office with Sister Ketcheson.
No major miracles to share, but our testimonies keep growing just the same. Mom is finishing up Ether. We have fun researching different questions together in companion scripture study. For example, how did Jared fit into the Old Testament chronology with Abraham and the House of Israel? How did Abraham fit into the chronology of the Tower of Babel? What promises were made to the Jaredites regarding their heritage in the “promised land?” We always know more after our companion study than before. Lots of good answers yet to be discovered through “searching” the scriptures, rather than just reading them.
The one common thread throughout recorded history is recurring apostasy from gospel truths and subsequent restorations. It is nice to have a panoramic view of of the purpose of this earth and God’s plan for bringing about “immortality and eternal life” for His family. We are grateful to be living in the “dispensation of the fullness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
It is very exciting for your mom and me to help the poor and needy at the same time we witness fulfillment of prophecy relating to promises made to the remnants of the House of Israel in this part of the Lord’s vineyard. We are definitely in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time.
We had our ward Primary Program today. It is amazing how simple the gospel is when taught through songs and short talks by young children. The Spirit bore witness of the simple truths presented by the children: 1) We are children of God; 2) Jesus Christ is the savior of mankind; 3) The fullness of the gospel is the plan of happiness for all mankind.
Com Muito Amor e Carinho,
Papa e Gma
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| Simple manger display on São Paulo Temple grounds |
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| It is fun to watch a children explore and ponder the manger scene as we walk home in the evenings. The young boy in the photo is holding onto Joseph’s thumb gently trying to get a better look at baby Jesus. |
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| Christmas spirit is alive and well in Brazil! |
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| Orchid in bloom in front of our apartment building |
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| We love our small Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from our family! |
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| Photo from leather-bound report APRAESPI prepared to celebrate completion of the school garden project. (Notice the bottom photo.) |
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