Lots of Photos in May

 

We walked The Freedom Trail with Elder and Sister Manderino, he grew up in the area and knows a LOT about everything we saw. It was beautiful weather and a lovely interesting walk, but the return walk was a bit much for us..... We took the T and that was an adventure too.

We picked up Teodoro and Soraia and took them to the mall for a visit which was really enjoyable. They are so enthusiastic and already know more than many people who have been in the church for many years. We ended up talking a lot about the temple and reading part of Elder Bednar's talk Honorable Name and Standing about how we more fully take upon us the name of Christ in the temple. They don't really need missionaries meeting with them anymore, we will see how it goes. This week they couldn't meet anyway because they are trying to get a car. Apparently there is some organization that helps.

We took Otacilio to the temple for his first time. He was so happy to be there. He works in construction and was impressed by the building and took in lots of details and really looked at the paintings in the waiting area, but the peace and joy he felt was even bigger. We like driving there early Saturday morning! Definitely a calmer drive than Wednesday when we went to the Portuguese evening session.

this looked scarily wobbly above us but it turns out this is a temporary "floor/ceiling" hung under the level above and they work and have equipment there

Another "are we in Brasil?" thing - murals in the underpass we go through almost every trip.

Mothers Day pear pancake

Upper floors in the clouds on the way to the chapel. The drive there is not seeming as complicated as at first, thankfully. Its always pretty slow on weekdays though.

Sociedade de Socorro activity (Saturday afternoon) on women's health with extra decor and treats for Mothers Day. The presenter lectures at Harvard and had some familiar books, like Dr. Gregor - it ended up going about three hours! so we jsut stayed at the bldg for the Spanish Branch dinner - though it started about an hour late. They had "technical difficulties" they said, there was a sound board with music in the background and changing color lights upon the brother giving a spiel about mothers. But I was impressed that the men did seem to take care of all the food and arrangements.

There was also food after RS on Sunday, but I had to go run through songs for the Spanish branch. They sent me a song I had never heard of the night before and said I was to play it for the Primary to perform. They sang in English and Durk spoke (in Spanish) and I also played for an young missionary to sing a solo.  The electric piano in the Primary room is annoying - the bench is quite broken and chair too low, there is no way to get a pedal to work so is a bit like organ playing and the music too high see comfortably with my glasses.  I told them I couldn't play next week due to ward council and they aren't worried, they often get someone from the English ward or maybe sometimes they use the auto-play.

We didn't know that Boston had originally been so much smaller and that adding landfill started long ago. Another thing Elder M taught us.

A while back the city decided not to allow any messing around with the old gravestones, no one is allowed to clean or straighten them.

You can see the dates on this one - the death's head and angel wings are very common - death and resurrection

The second counselor (Ailton?) told me they'd ask us to speak soon and I said I needed two-three weeks but then we got a msg to speak this Sunday. At least I only have five minutes. 

Marcio and wife invited us to dinner, which meant he had to run out and loan us a parking permit. He manages a large apartment bldg right by Harvard. His wife was at work late and he doesn't eat dinner which made it interesting but Durk was able to ask several questions about member lists. She once had two florist shops in Brazil and now has a degree (two) and works with children with problems.  We felt a bit guilty when they sent home lots of leftovers but they became a blessing. While there we got a call to help some sister missionaries moving out of an apt with bedbugs. We waited for them at the church where they could leave their car until they could get a parking tag and took them to a previously used but unoccupied apt and gave them the food, as by then it was ten at night and they hadn't eaten at all.

We went ahead and did the swan boat ride in the Public Gardens next to Boston Commons, not sure why but now we have done it. It goes slowly around the little lake/pond and under a bridge to the other part of the pond. I admit the view was really pretty and weather great. Many people out enjoying some of the best weather we've had so far, lots of joggers, bikers, etc.

Now we are preparing for apartment inspections next week, that will help fill it up! The apartments are checked out every transfer (6 weeks) and then the next week will be another zone conference, bringing us full circle from the week we started.

You know me, I had to take a look at the interesting lettering. Not sure about those crazy W's -- and the abbreviations are interesting - We've all seen Gov. before but then they add the nr too (and Hon ble). Wish we could read at the bottom where it might say when this was designed and put up.

I might have mentioned we have a zone Devotional on Friday mornings by zoom, one purpose of which is to remind the missionaries to have a "Sanctified Saturday" - to give them a boost heading into the weekend when it is prime time for visiting and finding people. There is sharing of miracles that have occurred during the week. I like that term, Sanctified Saturday. It's also a good one for pondering about keeping the Sabbath day I think, Sanctify your Sunday - make it holy.

The facebook messenger for the mission is filling up with baptism notices, they have fun with them - here are a couple of examples:

 

 ¿Quiubo MBM?  We're beyond pleased to announce that our amazing costeña  friend and TEMPLE-BOUND  DAUGHTER OF GOD, Darling, will be entering into her first covenant with God @ 11 am this morning in the Roslindale chapel!  After reading the Book of Mormon  and learning about temples, she received her answer that baptism was the next step in God's plan for her . She can't wait to receive the Holy Ghost and enter into the Lord's house next week !

And thats not all... ¡Qué lo que! MBM I'd like to intruduce you to,(Drum roll please) The Man! The Myth! The next greatest convert you ever met! Luis is getting baptized today! With faith as strong as a lion , willing to drop anything to get on the Celestial Path! And a desire to learn about the gospel like no one else! 11:00am at Roslindale Chapel️. Show up or we will take your BoMs. Hit us up for the link. You know you want it 

Well, I suppose I shall add in my talk, the English version. It did get cleaned up a bit in the Portuguese - and shortened  - except then we ended up having way more time than they told us so Durk had to really stretch his out. He did a great job and people really enjoyed his talk. We were asked to tell about joy and strengthened testimonies we got from teaching people the gospel on our mission but since we were in the office both previous missions we didn't really go that route, well, I didn't, Durk found a way -

"A few years ago during a time of very high gas prices, a speaker in stake conference asked us what we would do if we ran across a place with very low prices – would we not hurry to tell all our friends? I know sometimes when I have found a surprisingly good deal at the grocery store I have posted it on social media to share the good news with others. Why are we eager to share good news? And why do we not run to share THE good news - ! The gospel of Jesus Christ, which is more important in our lives and to our happiness than any sale

In Doctrine and Covenants eighteen verse fifteen we are promised:  And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

This is a wonderful promise, but joy in bringing others to Christ is not just for the next life, it also brings joy in this life. Elder Carlos E Asay – said there is a lifting spirit associated with sharing the gospel . He said …"that each time we walk our roads to Emmaus with nonmember friends, talking and opening up the scriptures to them, our eyes are opened to added truths and our hearts burn brighter……I’m convinced that each time we …invite friends to drink of living waters, our thirst is quenched and we draw closer to the Savior of the world."

Doctrine and Covenants fifty twenty-two:  “He that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.”

Helping others learn more about Jesus Christ and His teachings draws us closer to Him as well. Sometimes we think of missionary work as going out and talking to random people on the street, but as President Nelson has said “Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.” this is also missionary work – anytime we help our family, our friends, our neighbors, our branch members turn to God and learn more of Christ and His gospel, we are gathering. When we sit by a new member and make friends with them, when we share the joy we feel from the scriptures or attending the temple, when we visit or talk with a new member, we are doing missionary work -

Did you know that the new edition of the missionaries’ book “Preach My Gospel” was renamed so it no longer says “a guide for missionaries” but “a guide to sharing the gospel” because it is hoped by the church leaders that it can be used by every member in their personal and family study throughout life. What a great asset it can be to help with family home evenings, personal study, family goal planning, in your callings and ministering, and more. It can teach you how to explain the doctrines of the church in clear and short statements that you can use in casual conversations with people. It is said that you don’t really understand something until you can explain it to someone else, so think how it will help you understand the teachings of Jesus Christ - including the many blessings promised, if you learn to explain it to others clearly. And you will be prepared when an opportunity arises to talk to someone at work, in a store, while waiting in line! Also if you can explain simply, you can sometimes clear up misunderstandings that are keeping people from being active in the church.

Elder Kearon has spoken about how this is the Church of Joy, we need to share the joy. He said  “The Lord’s senior Apostle, President Russell M. Nelson, has spoken of the joy that comes from a life centered on Jesus Christ in nearly every address he has given since becoming the President of the Church. He summed it up so concisely: “Joy comes from and because of Him. … For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!”

He has also taught: “Everything about the Father’s plan for His beloved children is designed to bring everyone home.”

Recently Elder Kearon has spoken of how amazing it is to know that we are literal children of God and how so much of the world has no idea of something that can have such a great impact on their lives.

These things, that we are God’s children, His purpose and plan are all about bringing us home, that Christ makes it possible and He is the source of joy - are examples of short and concise doctrines we can easily share with those around us, and as we do, we will find our testimonies strengthened as well and our understanding will grow. We are promised that when we share with others we are also lifted and edified and can grow in love/charity.  We have good news, let’s not keep it to ourselves!

I leave these thoughts with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Pointed roofs from Otacilio's window

There were three good-sized turkeys chowing down on something in this lady's front yard the other morning

District council always take a photo,they decided to try on the ceiling but it didn't work so they did camera on the floor then next week almost to the ceiling.

The missionaries have a pattern for when they meet people on the street and they call it The Flow, with "DEPTHR" as their watchword:

The Flow

Doctrine

Extend invitation

Promise blessings

Testify

Help keep commitments

Referrals 

We were slow getting the idea of "finger hearts" We are in the Chinese/Portuguese district, the sisters speak Mandarin and Durk gets to try his out on them.

"51 degrees feels like 41" is not what I packed for preparing for a summer in Boston and not what I expected in late May! We all hope the chill winds and storms pass before the holiday: (RS or SOC SOC assignment for Memorial Day is to bring the rice and farofa) Hmmm, now its 48 degrees with gale warnings.

The Churrasco was planned rather last-minute but there are messages on the branch page about people being worried about having an activity out in public - even though we have mostly legal immigrants, they are all scared of ICE right now. 

Meanwhile we started doing apartment inspections. We are making notes to help us remember where we found parking and the actual building name so we can find the right entrances, etc. There is a rather long detailed form to fill out online as we inspect, and we don't even know what "approved cleaning supplies" and "mission-approved furniture" really includes -- but the furniture is looking pretty familiar after a few apartments. 

We still have blocks of somewhat empty time (there's always study and reading and language study), especially as it is so common for people to cancel teaching appointments, but now we have been asked to teach the new members Sunday school class and a financial self-reliance class so that will keep us a bit busier.