Our Place of Refuge and Beauty

Celestial room Stained glass windows

We thought you would like to see some pictures of the temple and our beautiful garden of Eden.

Walkway to the temple

Walkway to the World

Antirrhinum garden outside our window

Mangos beginning to grow

Our Apartment building.  Bottom row 2nd and 3rd
windows from the right is ours, #204

Inner Courtyard, Apts. on left.

Bedroom

Dining/Living room

Even have a dishwasher!

As the sun has settled down in the southern hemisphere, and daylight savings time has once again affected life in the United States, I was thinking about “light” today in our fast and testimony meeting.  We heard wonderful, stirring testimonies from members who accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ from two to twenty-six years ago.  Many commented about the light that warmed their souls as they came into the meeting houses for the first time and felt the love of the Savior and the members, which light continued to be present as the missionaries taught the Gospel to them.

I bear testimony that the Light of Christ is felt daily in our lives as we accept and live the principles that the Savior taught.  It is that Light that gives brightness to the heavens and earth.  Good is light; evil is dark.  Those who do evil things have no glow and most of their evil acts are performed in the nighttime. Our grandson Chase, asked about Halloween in Brazil and I explained that for the younger children, it usually is a party in their or their friend’s homes.  They do dress up as is done in the U.S., but trick or treating is not done much unless they live in high rise condominiums or apartment complexes.  The streets are much too dangerous at night!

This week was wonderful, and we enjoyed many spiritual experiences.  Our assignments included coordinating the work in the baptistery on two days.  Many young people came from faraway places to be able to perform the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and much work was accomplished. Because of time restraints and space limitations, the groups are limited to 30 young men and 30 young women in separate sessions.  Obviously, the smaller the group, the more ordinances each individual can perform, but that doesn’t keep the larger groups from coming. 

We also coordinated the adult endowment and initiatory sessions for our shift on the other three days.  The temple was filled with delightful members from as far away as Fortaleza (12 hours), Maceio (6 hours), as well as members within a few miles from the temple. We had the opportunity to meet one of our dear missionaries who served with us in Belem – always a highlight.

Now, what does that have to do with light?  A bus, chartered by members from Maceio which was traveling through the night to get to the temple, was stopped by “highway robbers” who forced the bus from the highway onto a dirt side road, and robbed all of the members, taking money and jewelry.  No one was injured and it did not keep the members from enjoying their day at the temple – where there is LIGHT.  The thieves, who work under the cover of darkness, cannot dim the light in the eyes of those who are following the Savior and doing His work!

We love Brazil, but we also understand that there are many who, because of poverty and vices, steal and rob from others who have the appearance of having more luxuries in life.  We are grateful to live in the gated security of the temple complex, and never venture out at night.  We love the Savior and are thankful to be able to serve Him and his wonderful, committed people in northern Brazil.

Our love to each and every one of you.