Visit Down Memory Lane at “Portal do Morumbi” (1/6/19)

The trees are a lot taller and landscaping more mature than we lived in Portal do Morumbi in 1978-80), but the concrete apartment buildings and recreational facilities are still the same.  

Every Sunday we would have “daddy/daughter” and “daddy/son” walks around the super-safe grounds of this complex.  There were rocks to climb, forest trails to follow and other adventures to explore.

We moved to Portal after mom found a woman rummaging through the “porch master bedroom” of our quaint home on Rua São José in Santo Amaro. 

In Portal, we lived on the 19th floor of Edifício Flamboyant. Since Portal is located on a hilltop, there was always a cool breeze and a beautiful view of São Paulo.  

Of course, we can’t forget our pet parrot.  George loved to follow the children around the apartment.  Poor George (i.e. new cage; large beak; big thirst; small opening to water source).  

Rec center

Flamboyant in the background

Lots of orchids

I can see why wealthy people spend a lot of money to create tropical greenhouses in North America to grow orchids. 

Até logo Portal do Morumbi.  Thanks for your role in raising our family  

Luv,

Papa

Até Logo Beco de Batman (1/6/19)

Elder and Sister Ketcheson (Roger and Linda) hadn’t been to Batman Alley, so of course we offered to take them. After all, we want to make sure that future Senior Missionaries don’t overlook this truly unique corner of São Paulo. 

 

Batman Alley is our favorite site in São Paulo. 

Luv, 

Papa

West Office Mission (1/6/19)

This West Mission Office used to be the home of Elder Faust and Elder Bangueter. Both of these men were an important part of our first Brazilian experience. Elder Faust and his wife remained part of our life until they passed away.

TOUR OF MISSION OFFICE 

December 17, 2018 

Elder James E. Faust lived here as a young missionary (1939 – 1942). 

The first Stake in Brazil was organized in São Paulo in 1966 by Spencer W. Kimball.

Elder Faust (1975 - 1977) presided over the Brazil area of the Church, and during his tenure the São Paulo Temple was announced.

Elder Faust became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 1, 1978 and continued as president of the International Mission.

Wm. Grant Bangerter served in Brazil as a young missionary (1939 – 1941). Not only did he and Elder Faust serve in the same mission at the same time, they were companions!

Elder Bangerter presided over three missions: Brazil (1958 -1963), Portugal (1974-1975), and the International Mission (1975-1977).

Elder Bangerter became an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Apr. 4, 1975 – Oct. 1 1976).

Elder Bangerter served as a member of the First Quorum of Seventy (Oct. 1, 1976 – Apr. 5, 1989).

Elder Bangerter returned to Brazil as Area Supervisor, replacing Elder James E. Faust, July 7, 1977 – January 1978. It was then he lived in this house.

Elder Bangerter had 4 children (1 died at birth) with his first wife, Mildred and 7 with his second wife, Geraldine, including Julie Beck, past General Relief Society President. Three of his children were born while he was President of the Brazil Mission, Peggy Brasilia, Glenn Paulo, and Layne Rio. Paulo presided over the Brazil Salvador South Mission and Elder Greg Biddulph’s brother, Michael, took his place. Another son, Howard Kent is currently presiding over the Piracicaba Mission and will be released the same day as President Thomas.

In November of 1977 Elder Bangerter was stricken with a serious disease, he thought it was Scarlet Fever, it turned out to be Lepto Spirosis, a disease that is transmitted through the urine of rats. It affected his kidneys, brain, skin and digestive system, he had encephalitis, nephritis, myocarditis, and meningitis. Every day he would walk on the sidewalk on the side of mission home, barefoot, for exercise.

In April of this year President Paulo Bangerter and his wife, who were here for a Mission President’s Conference, brought another Mission President and his wife to the office and gave them a tour of the buildings and told them many stories of his childhood here.

He said this was the first MTC in South America.

In June of this year President Howard Bangerter visited the office with 3 of his sisters and 1 brother-in-law. They talked non-stop as they walked through the office and other buildings, about their experiences of living here as children. They remembered many General Authorities who stayed here. Some of them include: O. Leslie Stone, Gene R. Cook, Hartman Rector Jr., David B. Wirthlin, Mark E. Peterson, Bruce R. McConkie, James E. Faust, Joseph Fielding Smith, Spencer W. Kimball, Harold B. Lee, and Gordon B. Hinckley. One day one of the young boys, about 8 years old was struggling practicing the piano. Elder Gene R. Cook sat by his side and gave him some pointers, and before long he became a very accomplished piano player. They remember them and the missionaries playing ping pong.

They called the bathroom in the entry way, the “Throne Room”, because it had a gold colored toilet.

On June 8, 1978 Elder Bangerter was in his office, on the south side of the entrance door, when the first phone call was made to Brazil announcing the change in policy that all worthy males could receive the Priesthood. Elder Bruce R. McConkie was the caller.

New historical marker in front of West Mission Home

A MISSIONARY HOUSE 

This house is a symbol of the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil and a remembrance of the missionaries and leaders of the Church who have served in this country.

One of the first missionaries of the Church in Brazil was Elder James E. Faust. By the time he arrived in 1939, there were less than two hundred members across the country. He returned to Brazil from 1975 to 1977 as Area Supervisor. During this assignment he lived in this house, which he helped buy for the Church. For a time, this house was the headquarters of the Church in Brazil, and in subsequent years several General Authorities of the Church lived here before it became the home and office of a mission.

In a later period of his life, Elder Faust made frequent visits to Brasil, as Apostle and Counselor in the First Presidency. In recognition for a lifetime of service in Brazil, the members affectionately called him, The Brazilian Apostle”, and the Sao Paulo City Council granted him the honorary title of “Cidadao Paulistano”. At the time of his death, in 2007, Elder Faust had watched the Church grow in Brazil until it had more than one million members. This growth was for him “a cause of great admiration and wonder” and a testimony that it “is the work of God”.

Posted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018

'Tis the Season to Be Jolly, Cuz We're Comin' Home Soon, By Golly! (12/16/18)

We’ve submitted “Closing Reports” for our last four projects. Mom submitted her financial reports for the last three months.  I submitted the December Wheelchair Program Report.  Just one more financial report and wheelchair report to do before we come home on January 11th!!

In addition to finishing reports, this last week included “Gringo Geezer Bottle Band” performances at the Area Office Christmas Party and Neighborhood Christmas Sing-In.  (The Bottle Band was not quite as good as last year’s “Gringo Geezer Samba Band,” but it was still a hit.)

The final major event this last week was writing a Christmas message for the employee Christmas party at APRAESPI.  We also translated the words from Star Bright to Portuguese in order to sing it at the APRAESPI party.  

The music instructor at APRAESPI and practiced the song before the party so we could sing it together for the employees.  

One of the APRAESPI Directors (Marcos) read a “simplified” translated introduction to the song and all 250+ attendees at the party joined in singing the “only carol” about the “First Christmas in the Americas.”  Katia (the music teacher) accompanied Star Bright (“Estrela de Luz” in Portuguese) on her guitar.  It was pretty good given the circumstances.

It was a simple way to share our testimony regarding the Book of Mormon.  Now I just have to find a Tupi Guarani legend as a “second witness” to comments we made.  Perhaps we can leave that part up to the Holy Ghost.  

The one thing for sure is that Brazilians, in general, are anticipating the Savior’s “second coming,” just as we are.  Brazilians may not all be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the vast majority are “latter-day saints” of the “Church of the Lamb” as defined by Nephi (see I Nephi 14: 10-14). 

Our final role in the APRAESPI Christmas party was to stage a surprise visit as “Santa’s Helpers.”  (Repeat of previous week’s role in Morumbi ward Christmas party.).  

Since the Santa Helper suit ripped-out in the crotch, Santa’s helper quickly learned to sit with his legs discreetly positioned for photos.  (I had blue basketball shorts underneath.  Everyone knows Santa’s Helpers wear red basketball shorts, so I didn’t want anyone to stop believing.)

For next Sunday, our bishop asked Senior Missionaries in our ward to introduce “Star Bright” (in Portuguese) to the ward as part of the Christmas sacrament meeting.   

“Star Bright” is in the Spanish Primary Songbook, but it is not in the Portuguese Songbook and is not known to Church members in Brazil. 

The Portuguese translation will be distributed as the song is introduced from the pulpit before the rest hymn. We will then sing it in English and then have the congregation join in Portuguese.  

With President Nelson’s counsel to accelerate our preparation for the second-coming, “Star Bright” has special significance.  We hope to see it become more popular in Brazil and in the rest of the Americas. 

“A True Millennial is a man or woman who lives now to help prepare the people of this world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and His millennial reign. Make no mistake about it—you were born to be a True Millennial.”  —President Russell M. Nelson

"Paella" Christmas party with Liar's family (APRAESPI)   

Papa loved the seafood

"Bottle band" music - with Sister Call

Friends at the ward Christmas party

Senior "bottle band" and singing with the Area President's (Marcos A. Aidukaitis) help on the bells!

APRAESPI Christmas party with lots of "Ho, Ho, Ho" from special Santa helpers.

 Dinner at a yummy Mexican restaurant at the end of the day.

Sight seeing trip with the Ketchesons. We explored the new subway line, went to the top of the Italia Building (in background) and walked a lot!

Trip to Sweetie Ice for ice cream with these 3 guys!  Who is who!? We also took a special tour of the unopened Visitor Center, Elder Faust's home and had dinner at the Blue Awning!  

Santa's helper is ready!

Visiting with the good little boys and girls of the ward primary.  Each one received a wrapped toy, with their name on it from Santa!

Reading his list and checking it twice!

President Faust's home where we would visit with him and his wife over 40 years ago.  There was a ceremony that day for the uncovering of the plaque. 

Close up of the plaque

Star Bright performance at APRAESPI... they loved it!

Bottle band practice

There are no pictures of the Visitor Center tour.  They asked us not to share them until after the building was opened. 

"Ministering" & The Cowboy Code (12/12/18)

We forgot to include one other “Visitor” in our recent blog entry!

The Thursday that Chuck & Tami arrived (November 29th), I had an enjoyable dinner visit with an old friend and business associate - Bill Atkin.

Bill is the Chief International Legal Council for the Corporation of the President (“COP”) and Corporation of the President Bishop (“CPB”).

He had never been to São Paulo before, so I fit a few “big city” highlights into our 5-hour visit together (i.e. Batman Alley - via UBER; Edifício Italia for dinner -via metro; back to hotel Marriott - via taxi past Ibirapuera Park).

We enjoyed catching up on “religious freedom” issues (Bill was on his way to Uruguay for a religious freedom summit) as well as our mutual appreciation for cowboy art, music and poetry.

Bill confirmed my assumption that Latin American countries have a high “religiosity” rating as opposed to a much lower rating for the U.S. & Canada. The good news is that, as long as the Lord grades on a curve, we may still have a passing grade as it pertains to promises of “liberty & prosperity” in the Americas.

Thanks to our Latino brothers and sisters, we (collectively) have not forgotten that Christ is the God of this land.

Bill recently purchased a painting entitled “Ministering” at the Utah State Fair. The hobby-artist is a young Utah professional named Rick Kennington. Bill purchased the painting for “use by the Church.”

The painting resonated with me because one of the three ranchers in the painting looked a lot like Uncle Sig. (All three had the lean cowboy frames and “Sporleder” rumpus petunias). Besides, “ministering” is an unwritten part of the “Cowboy Code.”

I just received permission from the artist to make two prints of the painting for our personal use. One print could find a place beside the “Workhorse” print I received as a gift when I retired from the CPB way back in June 2007.

For the record, the “Cowboy Code” is as follows:

1. Live each day with honesty and courage.
2. Take pride in your work. Always do your best.
3. Stay curious. Study hard and learn all you can.
4. Do what has to be done and finish what you start.
5. Be tough, but fair.
6. When you make a promise, keep it.
7. Be clean in thought, word, deed, and dress.
8. Practice tolerance and understanding of others.
9. Be willing to stand up for what’s right.
10. Be an excellent steward of the land and its animals.
11. Always minister to those in need, no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be.

The latter point is the unspoken part of the code (as per my translation). It doesn’t need to be written as it should inherent in our cowboy character.

Yep! I’m definitely a cowboy (and surfer) wannabe!

Luv,
Papa

Bill Atkin with Peacock graffiti Batman Alley (“Beco de Batman”) 

Edifico Itália (Excellent Italian restaurant on top floor!)

Ministering painting

Tri-Weekly Letter from Papa (12/9/18)

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

Simple manger display on São Paulo Temple grounds

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. 

Christmas spirit is alive and well in Brazil! 

Orchid in bloom in front of our apartment building

We love our small Christmas tree decorated with ornaments from our family!

Photo from leather-bound report APRAESPI prepared to celebrate completion of the school garden project. (Notice the bottom photo.)