July!

 

Elder Merrell has serious skills! He can get that heavy cart with 28 bags of food into a small elevator in one go. Those bags are heavier every week. I guess its harvest time and produce is cheaper, probably a good 10 lbs each at least. His white shirt is cooler than his dark Tshirt in this weather.

For those who aren't "in the know", missionaries use terms like father, born and died, etc. referring to their trainer, arriving and departing, etc. So the District Council had to have a "funeral" photo for Elder Ballard who goes home next week.

For several weeks there has been work going on across the street in and around the building that also houses the Dollar General and and Escape Room and Archery place. I was eager to see what fun store or adventure place was coming. Oh well. 

We are still struggling to find things to do during the days and even some evenings. I've probably mentioned more than once that the Brazilians are hard workers and work long days and often six days a week or occasionally more. That leaves little time for lessons and visits. And we still have several who never respond to any messages or calls. I read about Sister Wilcox in New Zealand and all the things she does to put together ward council agendas and ward bulletins and working on computer programs to track new members plus teaching seminary and having "comp study" with young missionaries, etc. None of that here. 

We heard lots of fireworks and saw some on the the 4th, I think if our window faced to the left we'd have seen a lot more since I could hear a huge barrage and see reflections from the building to the side. 

Good ol' Tobin Bridge- as seen from what I call "the rusty bridge" that we take sometimes to get to Maverick Landing for the food distribution service hours. The other bridge near us is the Chelsea Bridge which raises and lowers though we haven't seen it happen yet - hopefully we won't get stuck behind it opening one day.

The one we can see the top of from our window is Chelsea East Bridge that lifts up: 

Second Autosuficiencia class had some new people and only two from previous week. Guess that's how its going to go..... Tales offered to help drive Antonio's family so we could legally bring the 6 who wanted to come, later 5 - but then they sent a message saying none were coming because they were tired. Tales didn't get the msg because he "doesn't check his phone when he wakes up" so he went to get them anyway. Maybe he'll check his phone next time.

I really wanted to get a photo (but didn't) of our first time having our apartment full - For some time I had wanted to find a way to get all of Otacilio's family to something so we invited them to eat. They said Sunday would work best so we set a date and time and also invited Soraia and Teodoro so there would be someone who would be a good conversation partner for Otacilio's wife. Then we ended up inviting Otacilia as well. But we just got Otacilio and no family (said his wife had to work). Otacilia ate two platefuls and laughed at herself. I did Mexican and they said we eat healthier than most Americans (black beans with sweet potato, lime-cilantro brown rice with a bit of corn, sauteed mushrooms and zucchini, lots of sauteed bell peppers and onions, lettuce and cheese and shredded chicken for the carnivores. Both big avocados were no good inside. Discussions about ginger ale occurred. Soriaria was able to get FamilySearch going better for both Otacilia and Otacilio and they now have family names printed out for temple baptisms! Then we went to Mary and Tales' where we had to eat more food and Soraia decided we all should quit eating for about 48 hours.....

Last Hogwarts letter for grandkids! Liam turned 11. I had quite a time searching for the file before we left and almost accidentally found it just as we were finishing packing Then had to break out the few calligraphy things I brought here to address it (not quite the shade of green I wanted) and then we walked up to Revere to mail it. That's an "Owl Post" stamp on it, of course.

Elder Ballard is going home, Elder Esplin transferred out, we are getting Portuguese sisters - and by their names they are probably actual Brazilians. Elder Keller moves to become zone leader and Elder Gomes will be district leader. Big changes in the district! The Chinese sisters switch companions (there aren't many Chinese speaking sisters in the mission so there aren't many options). I know all this because I finally can get to the mission Drive info and figured out how to read the "adjustments" file.

Sometimes at church or gatherings I will feel like I am really understanding a lot of the Portuguese! then suddenly I will get absolutely nothing..... But then, I'm not studying it as much as I could.

We visited in Drew's honor, but didn't pay big bucks to go inside.

Durk suggested driving about to get the lay of the land around some places we've talked about visiting - the USS Constitution, Fenway Park, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Google Maps lady insisted on trying to get us down a road that said Authorized Vehicles Only and big red warning signs when we tried for the USS Constitution so we went around and around a bit, but we sort of saw where we would park and a bit of the area. 

Can you spot the Target store?

When we got to Fenway there were parking spots right there and the weather was not too hot yet, so we went ahead and walked around it. They won't let you in at all unless you pay for a one-hour tour which we weren't inclined to do, but we got some photos for Drew of banners about famous players, a statue of "Zas", etc. We declined the opportunity to spend $130+ to buy him a red sox hoodie, sorry Drew!

 Then on towards the museum, some crazy driving as usual - why does the voice say "stay right to turn left" when they mean the middle lane?! We almost missed several turns or forks even with the map up, and did miss a few. I think as usual the driving wore Durk out so we came home and made quesadillas with leftovers from company dinner and watched some TV (gasp) so it was a peaceful day off for our P-day this time. The  young missionaries were having a big gathering&play-type P-day for the last one of the transfer. I see some of their conversations and photos on FB messenger. Like these:

 

Elder Keller, who ended up here for just one transfer.

I was going to post less often but it gets long and rambly, doesn't it? Nothing very inspirational this time. Sent Otacilia some quotes about fasting, as she said she hasn't done it yet. It pretty amazing actually, to study all the promised blessings. At least two general authorities pointed out that it is one of the simplest principles to teach and follow for the some of the greatest blessings. To Sandra who says she is trying to come back, this time I sent Elder Oaks' talk about why we have the church. We were glad to be asked to drive some sisters to transfers on Thursday,as we have nothing at all scheduled! We will get to visit a bit with some other seniors.

Mission Devotional was mostly reports of some of the more amazing baptism stories. Even though we worry occassionally aobuthtose who don't seem to really get converted or stay, I think I agree with Elder Ballard when he said if it takes a whole bunch of baptisms to get a few really elect, then we just do a whole bunch --- because you never know which will end up being like Soraria and Otacilia. 

Sometimes, as the missionaries will tell you, you can tell because those who really want to get baptized do well, but the Liahona tells of one very sharp active member who turns out to have been homeless and seemingly pretty hopeless when first found by the missionaries, but a year later is prospering in every way. I was surprised to find how recently some of our really strong members joined the church! people like Crislaine who was baptised three years ago - I thought she was someone who had been part of the church for many years if not second generation. I can see how the early church sent out missionaries so young in the gospel - Soraia could teach anybody! and has been a member less than a year. Those who really love the Lord and study the scriptures and live the principles don't need long to become very firm and capable.