Yes, we are always excited to have such a great brother as Aaron. He´s getting older by the minute, growing like a weed, before long he will be talking about laying his gray hairs... Happy Birthday brother!
And now for the real excitement--a story of life and death, and the sisters in São João saving the day.
I don´t think I´ll ever have just a normal week with no happenings at all. I´m destined to have a life full of novelties and things to "write home" about. So, we have an investigator of long duration who is clinically depressed. His condition has worstened since we first met him as his daughter who lived with him and cooked for him moved out to live with her mom. A member who was living in a small room is now living in his apartment, but was gone this week to the temple in Madrid along with practically every other active member (there are only two priesthood holders within a reasonable distance --30 minutes by car) Anyway, he called us yesterday sobbing uncontrollably asking for the number to the elders quorum president (one of the two who is still in town) We then called him back after our appointment (about an hour later) and he had not stopped crying and hadn´t gotten a hold of anyone. We luckily were with our amazing Aida and so we went right over as fast as her bum leg would go. When we got there we were really scared to go in. The doors to the apartment building, as well as to his apartment were open and there wasn´t a sound. We were terrified that he had done the unspeakable and were so greatful for the presence of Aida,the fearless lady nursed by a monkey. We walked solemly through the house calling his name and were unsettled even more by the picture of his family which is usually carefully displayed in a prominant place, but was overturned in disarray. We got to the back of the apartment and heard him sobbing in his bedroom. We were so releaved to not find him dead and I sang hymns for about an hour while Sister Schneiber made phone calls and Aida made soup, as he hadn´t eaten in more than two days. The elders then came over and gave him a blessing and we finally got a hold of the two priesthood holders who happened to both be at the chapel in institute class with their cell phones turned off. Anyway, he stopped crying and is doing better, I am so glad, however, that the missionaries found him months ago and continued to visit him because I´m sure that he would have died crying in his bed without our watching out for him. It´s a sad story, but sometimes that is also the role of the church, to comfort those who stand in need of comfort. We were explaining to our investigator Fátima the family of the church in all the world. A person can go anywhere in the world and find a reliable family environment simply by finding the church (this also aided by the web which has the addresses of all the chapels in the world and most of the phone numbers as well) Anyway, just another example of the true church on the earth that makes life better for those who are part, and for the world through their influence for good.
Joaquina, Rui and Miguel are still reading the Book of Mormon although they have to do it in secret so the dad doesn´t destroy the book. We talked to her the other day and her faith is amazing! She said that she will continue to hold on to what she knows is right regardless of the opposition and is constantly looking for opportunites to come to church when her husband leaves for a little while. She also said that even if she can´t go, she will make it so her children can attend. I´m so amazed by her courage and faith. This is true!!!
Anyhow, it has been a good week and we have been greatly blessed, I´m seeing more every day how much I have. Mom, thanks for the recepies and don´t worry about the filling, there will be enough. Also, for all of those people who want to send me packages (which I´m sure includes everyone reading this) either the mission address or my address here in São João da Madiera will work:
Avenida Dr. Renato Araujo
Nº 369-3º fte
3700-244 S. J. da Madeira
PORTUGAL
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