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| Celestial room Stained glass windows |
We thought you would like to see some pictures of the temple and our beautiful garden of Eden.
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| Walkway to the temple |
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| Walkway to the World |
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| Antirrhinum garden outside our window |
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| Mangos beginning to grow |
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Our Apartment building. Bottom row 2nd and 3rd
windows from the right is ours, #204
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Inner Courtyard, Apts. on left.
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| Bedroom |
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| Dining/Living room |
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| 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.
