LIFE IN PORTUGAL

Here in the good ole USA we have A LOT of opportunity and prosperity not found in other countries. If you are like me, you may be complaining about our government and politics...but the reality is, we live in the promised land, and it is great. Madison reminds me each week how blessed we are to live in the USA.

She is still jumping!

Some interesting facts about people in Portugal in Madison's own words:

"Portuguese people are so funny. Let me tell you some fun facts...

They all ALL smoke, and they also all hang out their windows. No windows here have screens and so they will just open them and lean out to watch everyone below. Sometimes I will walk right by a window and all of a sudden there is a face! It usually always scares me. They will do that and have conversations across the street with each other. Everyone here is SUPER nosey! 

They also almost always serve their food to us cold. If we eat in a members house, the food is never ready when we get there.

They like to correct everything we say. They also talk really fast and a lot and they use crazy hand gestures and almost always hit me in the face. A man accidentially hit my...chest when he was aiming for my arm. Everyone feels the need to touch us... NAO TOCA DA MIM! (don't touch me!) I want to yell. haha. oi. Vida! 

But for real, I love the people here. It's so insanely different than America. But it's cool. It helps me appreciate things more." 

Night shot of her companion and a lady they helped out.

It has been awesome to learn all these things and feel more like I know a little about her life halfway across the world. And even though I miss her immensely, I am NOT sad she is there, spreading the good news about Jesus Christ and His redemptive power. I must admit when I see night time pictures I get a little concerned that she is out walking the streets in the dark...but I know she is smart and can take care of herself. I am a mom, what can I say?

This is the son of Solange, who got baptized last week.

"During the Master’s ministry, He called fishermen at Galilee to leave their nets and follow Him, declaring, “I will make you fishers of men.” May we join the ranks of the fishers of men and women, that we might provide whatever help we can."

- THOMAS S. MONSON

HASTENING THE WORK

"Every time you take someone figuratively by the hand, and introduce him or her to Jesus Christ, you will feel HOW DEEPLY our Savior, Jesus Christ, loves YOU and the person whose hand is in yours."
                                                    -Clayton Christensen

I know most of you reading this blog are LDS and friends or family of Madison. And for those of you who aren't LDS, I invite you to continue reading as this post concerns you! (The Lord is trying to reach you!)

I wanted to share a little bit about this great "work" of salvation that is happening all around the world and what the prophets tell concerning it. There is a great website hastening the work which has added to my testimony of missionary work in these latter days and I encourage you to Go Check it Out! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the FASTEST growing church in American history, according to US News and World Report. The number of fulltime missionaries is up to 80,000! 

General Conference was flooded with messages from prophets and apostles and other church leaders concerning the great hastening which Christ told us about in D&C 88:73:  "Behold, I will HASTEN my work in its time." 

We are witnessing that prophecy be fulfilled! What an opportunity to be a part of it! I loved the message S. Gifford Nielson of the Seventy gave concerning us and how we can be a part of the work. He said we must do 3 things:
1. Pray DAILY for the opportunity to bring someone closer to CHRIST and his gospel.
2. Pray for our ward missionaries and their investigators/less actives BY NAME.
3. INVITE a friend to an activity in or outside of our home.

And M. Russell Ballard warned us not to let FEAR and lack of FAITH hinder us in this effort.

So we, along with the 80,000 full time missionaries have work to do! Madison is working hard and finding many opportunities to teach. She loves having the support of members in her branch in Baxia da Banheira. I thank you all for your support of her and your many letters, emails and prayers.