Nancy's
News
Fomos ao Templo do Centro da Cidade de Provo esta semana. Foi bom ver as pessoas com quem trabalhamos lá antes. Eles ficaram felizes em nos ver.
We went to the Provo City Center Temple this week. It was good to see the people we worked with there before. They were happy to see us.
Eu, prima Karin e prima Lorna. Elas têm sido como irmãs para mim ao longo dos anos.
Myself, cousin Karin and cousin Lorna. They have been like sisters to me over the years.
Meu primo e sua esposa partem para Natal nesta segunda-feira, Peter e Gayle Bybee. Eles estão nervosos, mas também muito animados. Eles estão aproveitando o treinamento no Centro de Treinamento Missionário de Provo.
Fomos surpreendidos com a visita de duas de nossas netas esta semana e esqueci de tirar foto. Voltaremos a vê-los amanhã e lembrarei de tirar algumas fotos.
My cousin and his wife leave for Christmas this Monday, Peter and Gayle Bybee. They are nervous, but also very excited. They are taking advantage of training at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
We were surprised by a visit from two of our granddaughters this week and I forgot to take a photo. We'll see them again tomorrow and I'll remember to take some photos.
My cousin and his wife leave for Christmas this Monday, Peter and Gayle Bybee. They are nervous, but also very excited. They are taking advantage of training at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
We were surprised by a visit from two of our granddaughters this week and I forgot to take a photo. We'll see them again tomorrow and I'll remember to take some photos.
My cousin and his wife leave for Christmas this Monday, Peter and Gayle Bybee. They are nervous, but also very excited. They are taking advantage of training at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
We were surprised by a visit from two of our granddaughters this week and I forgot to take a photo. We'll see them again tomorrow and I'll remember to take some photos
John, nosso filho mais novo, veio do Colorado nos visitar para nos dar um abraço de boas-vindas e trouxe sua namorada, Britni. Foi ótimo.
John, our youngest child came for a visit from Colorado to give us a welcome home hug, and he brought his girlfriend, Britni. It was great.
Alguns narcisos e uma foto de Provo vista da montanha. Você pode ver o Lago Utah à distância.
18 de abril - saindo para uma caminhada esta manhã, nos deparamos com uma cena inesperada. Vimos guindastes e homens retirando o Anjo Morôni do Templo de Provo. Foi tão divertido assistir isso. Um jovem estava tirando fotos e pedi que ele as enviasse para mim.
Some daffodils and a photo of Provo from the mountain. You can see Utah Lake in the distance.
April 18 - Out for a walk this morning, we came across an unexpected scene. We saw cranes and men removing the Angel Moroni from the Provo Temple. This was so fun to watch. A young man was taking photos and I asked him to send them to me.
DE PORTA EM PORTA
O tempo de viagem foi de 30 horas. Nosso filho David e o neto James com sua esposa Megan nos encontraram no aeroporto. David nos levou até Provo, onde Martha (filha) estava esperando com sopa, pão e abraços. Ela e David nos ajudaram a desfazer as malas, o que foi de grande ajuda. Nossa cama já estava feita e havia algumas coisas na geladeira para tomarmos o café da manhã. David voltou no dia seguinte e cortou a grama e tirou o pó de alguns lugares altos para nós. Demorou uma semana para colocar a casa em ordem... pelo menos do jeito que gostamos.
Door to door
Travel time was 30 hours. Our son David and Grandson James with his wife Megan met us at the airport. David drove us to Provo where Martha (daughter) was waiting with soup and bread and hugs. She and David helped us unpack our suitcases, which was a great help. Our bed was already made and there was a few things in the refrigerator for us for breakfast. David came back the next day and mowed the lawn and dusted some high places for us. It's taken a week to get the house in order...at least the way we like it.
É clima de primavera. Há narcisos e tulipas e lindas árvores floridas. Faz frio à noite - 0,5 Celsius.
It's Spring weather. There are daffodils and tulips and beautiful blossoming trees. It's been cold at night -0.5 Celsius.
BEM-VINDO A CASA
Eu amo a árvore com flores rosa no quintal do nosso vizinho.
I love the pink flowering tree in our neighbor's yard.
Interlúdio - 4 a 11 de abril de 2024
OUR LAST DAY IN BRAZIL
"JUST A LITTLE BLUE "
APRIL 3, 2024 - NATAL
We have three 50 lb. suitcases and one smaller carryon, that we checked through to SLC - but we will have to go through customs in Dallas. I am writing this in the airport. There is a good deal of waiting time.
During the last week, there were lots of photos taken and well-wishes given, even a few tears, and food shared. There was panic in a few eyes at the office.
TIRE ART
IT MIGHT BE FOR THE BIRDS
I saw the sign on the wall on Easter Sunday. It seemed appropriate and joyful for me. Because of Him, we also will be resurrected. It's a wonderful truth to ponder.
The middle photo is looking into the middle of the world's largest cashew tree. They think the seed was planted by an animal. I don't remember its name but looks like a squirrel without a tail.
I wonder how the lineman figures out the right cables to use for what building.
How about some bottle cap art?
THE RIO BRANCO WARD ON EASTER SUNDAY.
WE LOVE THEM
We ate a lovely dinner of local favorite with the Silvino family. The mother and father work as service missionaries in the mission office. From left to right: Fernanda 13, Ana Paula, Allen, Nancy, Gwen Falck visiting us from Saudi Arabia, Pedro Silvino 18, and preparing for his own mission, Hervton Silvino. They have been such a great help in
every way.
We overlapped for one whole day with some great grandkids. A sunset stroll with the Phoenix Ostergar's on the beach in Natal. L to R: Cathy, Sarah is holding James (4 months), George 2 being held by Adam ,and Eloise 4 is in front. Nancy next, Allen III, and Allen, Jr.
A few more photographs of our visit to the beach and other activities, mostly food, We had a lovely suite. The American dollar goes a long way in Brazil.
Tapioca with meat filling on the right and below a passion fruit mouse that was frozen. Delish!
A couple of mugs on a mug.
Mission Presidents are encouraged to take a few days now and then to rest and rejuvenate. Gwen arrived from Saudi Arabia and we all spent a few nights in São Miguel do Gostoso. It is a beach town by the heel of Brazil. The beach there runs east and west.
We stopped on the way and had this delicious moqueca (fish stew) as we overlooked another beach by the ocean.
We had wonderful rooms and food, horsebacking riding, massages for some, bathing in the sea and watching for waves. Saturday morning, Allen and I went early to the beach to watch the sunrise, and see some fishing boats go out. It also was a time for local people to run and walk on the beach. For Gwen's birthday, Allen ordered a whole fish for lunch. It was delicious. Cake for breakfast is always tasty.
Allen walking below
Under the Touros sign it says...MARCO ZERO. This is where the Portuguese first landed on the "heel" of Brazil, the bump closest to Africa. It is the beginning of the road that runs south along the coast. They have a lighthouse there, but we couldn't get any closer without an appointment. The sailboats are called "Jangadas". They are fishing sailboats that have been used for hundreds of years. Our driver was also willing to pose for his photo.
We are trying fruits that we haven't tired before. The smaller one is Graviola and the larger one is called Jáca. The inside has large sections of fruit and each section has a big seed. The fruit is very sweet and has a nice textures. We were able to share it with Allen and Cathy. I love my cactus. It started as 2 plain stumps a year and a half ago and now it has grown some fun arms. I will be sad to leave it behindd.
This young man is my hairdresser, Pármenas. He has his own shop, is in medical school to be a dermatologist and knows a little English. I was really glad to find his shop just a block away, and get some good haircuts. I started out with a barber and it was good once or twice but didn't work over time.
We only have 2 missionaries leaving this transfer, but have 7 coming and we are preparing for the big day. This will be our last transfer and we are training some service missionaries to do our jobs.
BOM DIA AMIGOS !!!
LET'S SADDLE UP AND RIDE!
Sidewalk Design in Natal
Julia Ostergar and Kevin Escobar
Allen 3 asked me to do this word for Cathy. It is one of her favorite words in the Book of Mormon. Inabalável means unshaken. The prophet Nephi talks about having unshaken faith in Jesjus Christ and his ability to save us.
2 Nephi 31:19
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This was a day for a Relief Society picnic. Relief Society is the largest women's organization in the world. I remember attending for the first time when I was 18 and I went with my mother. I have learned so much over the years from the women in R.S. both old and young. I learned how to be a better mother, how to build creativity, how to serve others, how to grow in Spiritual ways, and how to have fun doing it all.
The arrow below points to some tapioca pancakes that are folded in fourths. Some of these have coconut and some have butter, but you can fill them with anything.
Tapioca
At the back of the table you can see bottles of fresh juices. They come in so many flavors and are really delicious.
Below is a fun door entry, and a picture of us with Karolynne. She was one of the first people to great us in our ward. She is lovely, talented, and thoughtful person. She is engaged to Mateus.
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FIRST THINGS FIRST
Announcing the wonderful and welcome arrival to our family of Blair Lois Treanor with her parents Ruth Ostergar Treanor and Charlie Treanor. She joins her big sister Gigi, and is our 11th great grand child.
I decided to put a missionary selfie everyday on Instagram for a while. I just posted the 4th one @ nanoink1. I have been deleting a lot of my photos, but thought this might be a fun record of the missionaries that were here during our last transfer. I marvel at their hard work and faith and smiles.
I have been trying to use up my art bits and paper before we go home. These are some of the cards I have made.
We took a new smoke detector to some missionaries in the North of Natal. For some reason, Elder Snyder wanted our photo.
Feeling in the pink today. We received 14 new missionaries this week. It is always a busy day. It usually starts with lunch. Allen collects passports and official documents, and we make sure they get everything they need including their new companion and their assigned area, which is probably the most exciting part. We spent a lot of time this week updating our "Welcome" Powerpoint Presentation.
Missionaries on their way to a P-Day Zone Conference. The entrance to the city of Sousa are these loving dinosaurs.
Two photos from the Youth Conference where we spoke: the Youth gathering to hear us, and two Youth reciting the scripture that was the theme of the Conference. 3 Nephih 5:13 They were all so brave and very willingly went out of their way to greet us with hugs.
Our two service missionaries, Elder Nascimento and Elder Rodrigues preparing for their day in the office. They have been trained and will take over their duties this week.
The watercolor is my rendition of the Architect's drawing of the Natal Temple that was announced about a year ago. It's fun to make cards to give to people as thank you's...and so forth.
Youth Conference
This is a long weekend in Brazil. For some it is as long as 5 days. It's CARNAVAL! I guess you would compare it to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It started with the Portuguese immigrants in 1723 and parades. Later the Samba schools got involved. They practice their dances all year. The whole country celerates. There is a lot of noise, music, costumes, drinking, fireworks, etc. Because it can be dangerous on the streets during Carnaval, the missionaries come in early before dark and have a special activity on their preparation day.
Also, the stakes in Brazil usually have Youth Conferences during Carnaval, so that there is something positive for the kids to do. Our building has a party for the children a few days before Carnaval where they can dress up and throw confetti. We are going to speak at one of the Youth Conferences tonight. They are holding it outside the city at a chácara, which would be a small farm venue.
I asked my friends at the pool about the purpose of Carnaval. They said it is to celebrate life, Brazilian Culture, Music and more. Historically, it is the beginning of Lent and school starts again in earnest. Carnaval attracts thousands of tourists to places like Rio de Janeiro.
February is upon us...A few photos from January. Allen's birthday tapioca. It looks a bit like a taco with a meat filling. The "taco" is chewy and tasty and a good vehicle for lots of flavors, sweet or salty. Banana and Nutella is popular. I love the colors on the small restaurant that sells soup. We haven't tried it yet.
A concrete pillar with a phone number. The people who own this business mark as many posts as they can with their phone number. We see them all over the city. Fossa means cesspool. Maybe they clean them.
The Reis Magos on the back of a bus.
Pool Party Birthhday. Delite and I had January birthdays. We do water aerobics with some other ladies. We celebrated with a little breakfast after we exercised together. As Brazilians serve cake for breakfast, I brought some fudgy brownies, which are a hit with everyone. The other photo is my birthday dessert. It's a pistachio budino...Yum.
SO FAR, SO GOOD
The sunset from our apartment window. And a see through sun on a building sign.
Our Zone Conference
A STUDY IN CONTRASTS
A TIME FOR TRAINING, TEACHING, REJUVENTATION
This month, there were 6 zone conferences. In the middle of them, one of the young missionaries had an accident. It happened during the night. Elder Haws had a nightmare, He ended up walking in his sleep, and unfortunately put his arm through a window. He lost a lot of blood. and had to be in the hospital for several days. He had surgery to fix a severed artery. Allen & Cathy spent several days in the hospital with him to make sure he was well taken care of, His father came to be with him and fortunately had served a mission in Brazil himself.
Allen & Cathy weren't able to be in our zone conference. But the intrepid Assistents to the President took right over. I thought I would take some photographs of the zone conferece process.
The AP's Elder Santos and Elder Lane did some training.
Elder Brown and Elder Parish caught me looking.
Elder Obray and young man who is preparing to serve a mission, They are always invited.
The sisters in our zone
are a great group. The Sister Leaders did some excellent training too.
The missionaries practice together some things they were taught and then give each other positive feedback. They practice again. I enjoy watching too and giving feed back, as does Allen.
It's good to have
supportive friends.
LUNCH
Elder Lane setting a good example of how to fill your plate.
Elder Feliz (from the Dominican Republic) enjoying dessert:
Acai ice cream topped with sweetend condensed milk, powdered milk and granola.
Ele está FELIZ!
Elder Martin approves of Elder Miller's and Elder Ostergar's clean up efforts.
Our flight has been booked. We leave Natal on the 3rd of April and arrive in Salt Lake City about noon on April 4th. We will have two more missionary transfers and training for those who will take our places.
Car Window Collage:
Mangos anyone or a car wash? Lava jato is a power wash place. I like the hand painted sign.
We do not see houses on their own in the city very often. I love the balcony. We went to pick up a missionary at the airport, but it turned out we were a day early. It was a missionary that was returning to the mission. We brought his first companion with us to welcome him back. So the three of us ate lunch at the airport.
Thinking of Home
Our time is winding down in Natal and for our mission. Tickets are ordered for missionaries 3 months in advance of their departure, which should be this week. We have some leeway, however. It is a strange sensation to come to the end of our experiences and think about home. We always have some longing for home. We often tell each other "At least we are together." That's the best part of being home. Our experiences will linger with us far into the future, and we have many ways to communicate with friends here. There are lots of thing to do and prepare to train a replacement. They will probably be native service missionaries
Missionary Selfie
The Best Smiles.
Elder Arias and Elder Silva
Another representation of the Reis Magos.
FELIZ ANO NOVO - 2024
H
Another photo collage of colorful buildings. The Church was built around 1756 and was the 3rd church built in Natal. We caught the bride just getting ready to enter the church. Allen has been inside and says it has some incredible woodwork, but we couldn't get a photo today. We tried to get a photo of some men building a decorative sidewalk, but Allen took a selfie instead because the sun was so bright.
MISSIONARY SELFIE
Christmas was on Monday this year, and Mondays are the missionaries' preparation day. President Ostergar did a switch. The missionaries had Monday to visit and teach and share good cheer. Tuesday ended up being their p-day. The same thing will happen this week and on Friday, we will receive 10 new missionaries. The New Year will start with an adventure. Nothing ever seems to go as planned.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES & FUN
These are my pool friends. We are having a little Christmas party with secret friends. Fred is our teacher. He is taking the photo.
Mateus is serving us pizza at our favorite place...Reis Magos.
P-Day for us. The Silvino's are the missionary service couple that help us in the office. They are wonderful and very energetic. We exchanged some small gifts.
The Christmas tree is in the mission office and has a decoration with each missionaries picture. Allen & Cathy gave them to each missionary personally with a bag of homemade English toffee.
Another mural with the Reis Magos.
A Christmas party for Stake Presidents and their wives at the mission home. We introduced Christmas Crackers and Eggnog plus a full traditional family Christmas dinner. The couple is our Area Authority Seventy, Elder & Sister Sankari. He loved everything. He really enjoyed making paper snowflakes. See them on the windows.
Art therapy. My need for a physical therapist has ended. My doctor was so helpful. Allen is helping build up my walking stamina.
NATAL EM NATAL
Christmas in the city of Christmas
Dec. 10, 2023 - We took a car tour this evening (Sunday) to see the Christmas lights. A big theme in Natal is the Three Wise Men or Reis Magos. They have many different representations of them around the state.
They also have many lighted Christmas trees made with strings of lights. One is about 15 stories high and the lights are always changing patterns and colors. We can see it from our apartment window, about 5 miles away. Below is a number of photos at night and during the day.
Above is a stairway painted with the Christmas Story
Above is a tunnel of lights to walk through.
Elder Arnulfo and Sister Pilar Valenzuela are on the right with Allen and Cathy. They came for a mission tour in Natal. They were delightful and kind people. Cathy's sister Debbie and Greg Stapley are the Mission Leaders in the Valenzuela's hometown in Mexico. Cathy sent them some Maracujá toffee with the Valenzuelas, as they will be home for Christmas with their family. A fun surprise.
Great Grandbabies
Levi Donald Linn on the left and James Alexander Ostergar on the right. They were born in October and November 2023.
Missionary Selfies and Car window collage. Can you see the waves of water in the street?
We have decorated the office for Christmas and are preparing for a mission tour this week. Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, a member of our Area Presidency will be our visitor. We will have two days of training. We will have half of the mission on Thursday and the other half on Friday. There are many things to prepare, especially gathering all the missionaries.
The big snowflakes are made from window envelopes we found in the office that aren't in use anymore. We also have a pot of poinsettias at the front of the office with a small framed watercolor of the Nativity. I will do a few more things this week.
Ponta Negra is the most famous and visited urban beach in Natal. And it houses the most unique sand dune in the State: Morro do Careca. This beach is enjoyed by tourists and natives of Natal and the sea is great for swimming.
Morro do Careca is a dune over a hundred meters high and completely bordered by vegetation. The name refers to the head of a bald person.
The fortification - known as Forte dos Reis Magos (The Three Kings) - possibly began construction in 1603. In 1630, it was mentioned as completely completed. Its design and subsequent additions are believed to be by Brazil's chief engineer, Francisco de Frias Mesquita. From 1634 to 1654, it was under Dutch rule, called Ceulen Castle.
In 1894, Forte dos Reis Magos was no longer considered a defensive element for the Army and was deactivated in 1904, but was used during the First World War and restored between 1953 and 1958.
In 2013, management of the fortification passed to IPHAN, which carried out archaeological and historical research and prepared the restoration project for the building, It is one of the most significant cultural assets in Brazil.
We watch the most amazing cloud formations in Natal. I am thinking of all the things we will miss from the northeast of Brazil. Clouds will be one of them. This week we are scheduled to get 17 new missionaries and we are only losing 6. The ones who are leaving will have dinner with the Mission Leaders at the mission home. It's Thanksgiving Day or in Portugues, O Dia de Acão de Gracas. (Works of grace or thanksgiving.) I am very grateful for the experiences we are having together. We have learned a lot about ourselves and the things we do and about the wonderful people here. We will miss them very much.
CAR WINDOW COLLAGE
THE FELLOW WITH THE CART IS A PERSON WHO DOES CARD - BOARD RECYCLING. SOME CARTS HAVE HORSE OR DONKEYS
The colors of the Brazilian flag are blue and green and yellow. Water, earth, and sunshine, I believe
Two Peruvian missionaries were required to go to São Paulo to the consulate there because they didn’t have the documents they needed to be legal in Brasil. On the way back they texted Allen and said that they were in the airport, and then they said they were hungry, then they said didn’t have any money. They then said they had $R40 (about $8 US) and they would make do. Allen said that he had no way to send them money and maybe if they smiled at the stewardess, they could each get 2 packets of peanuts.
They arrived with no problems.
BOSQUE DOS NAMORADOS
I have been thinking about collage lately. There are times when we whiz by something in the car and I think, I would like a picture of that. Therefore, I am thinking of a car window collage project. Today, we went to a great park for a walk called Bosque dos Namorados...translated it might be Lover's Grove? I thought of a tree collage.
We were thrilled with the arrival of our newest great grandson , Levi Linn. He was born on Hallowe'en. That's all we know for now... He was born almost on Hallowe"en. It was October 30th near midnight. His full name is Levi Donald Linn, and he weighed 7.5 pounds and looks like his older brothers.
I have been working on surprises for Christmas Zone conferences. We will have about 130 missionaries at Christmas time. All Christmas things are in the stores now in Natal, and with the word Natal meaning Christmas, it's a big celebration here. There will be lots of lights and representations of the three kings or Reis Magos.
Every Saturday - open air market or FEIRA
Collage of trees with names like: cajueira; guabiraba de pau; pau ferro; mangeira; jatoba.
COLORS OF NATAL
These are a few photos from the last two weeks. Left to right and top to bottom. My orchid! I bought this when we first arrived in Brazil at a grocery store called Nordestão. After the blossoms fell I kept taking care of it. It bloomed again. It was so fun to watch the process.
The beautiful red fruit is a dragon fruit or PITAYA.
The Red River Valley is a photo from our apartment at rush hour. Pink, yellow and green buildings dot the landscapes. There are very creative ways to mark dangerous potholes. We are greateful that people mark them.
CARTOLA - We ate at a fancy restaurant that has operated since the late 1800's. This dessert is carmelized bananas, topped with carmelized cheese, cinnamon and sugar. All the waiters wore white jackets. It was like a scence from a 30's movie.
The mighty Potengi River photo taken from our apartment at high tide. The river backs up from the ocean for a few miles, and the sunsets are gorgeous. The Potengi River divides the city into two zones.
NEWS OF THE WEEK...
It is new missionary week. See a previous post) Missionaries will arrive on Friday the Thirteenth. We are receiving 22, which means lots of paperwork and lots to do. There are always last minute changes. We are having to open some new apartments and furnish them as well. It's a big job for everyone. It takes quite a bit of time for the President to interview each new missionary. He loves his job. It is always an exciting few days.
We tried making a typical North Eastern Brazil food staple called Cuz Cuz. I first thought of Cous-Cous, but it is different in many ways. This cuz-cus is flaked corn meal, and you cook it in a cuscuzeira. A cuscuzeira is a type of double boiler.
Allen wanted to make a polenta lasagna. He thought he would try using cuz-cuz. Soak the flaked corn lightly in water. Pack lightly into cuscuzeira and steam it for 15-20 minutes. Take out the cuz-cuz with the handy handle. At this point you can cut it and serve it. It is a popular dish at breakfast with eggs or a ground beef gravy. Allen crumbled the cuz-cuz and layered it with cheese, ricotta, and sauce for lasagna. It was very tasty. We fed the mission office with this on Monday. It was delicious. Allen has already thought of different ways to add to the flavor.
These are my brothers, John and Jim Farnsworth. Jim died yesterday, September 29, 2023, at the age of 86. I am the only one left of my siblings, and I guess I am bringing up the rear. Jim is on the right. His full name is James Franklin Farnsworth. Here are a few more photos of this good man.
Gwenth Ann; James Franklin; John Hedley
Jim, around 14, and Nancy , around 6
Jim marries Carrie U. Carmichael - 20 June 1964
Jim, Carrie, Marna John and Scamp
Father - Harry Farnsworth, Jim and baby Jane Ostergar
Curling Champs
Above: Nancy, Blazenka, John, Jimmy
On the left, Leslie and John Stewart - Jim's kids; Jim and Nancy at brother John's funeral
Four generations in Brazil today:
Allen Jr. & Nancy
Allen III & Cathy
Allen IV & Cynthia
Nico & Felix
It is wonderful to have Allen IV and his family be here for a week. They have delightful boys that stole the show at Church today, I was also one of speakers in Sacrament Meeting. I spoke in Portuguese, of course. My subject was how can being humble bring us closer to Christ.
The fruit of the cashew is delicious and sweet and juicy. It also fills the kitchen with a terrific scent of paradise! You can see that the nut grows at the bottom of the fruit. We also picked up some sugared cashews covered with sesame seeds. They are obviously delicious.
The gentlemen below are Nordestinos or people from the Northeast of Brazil of which Natal is a part. They have on their local outfits and are a small band of musicians. I love to look at the faces of these characters, and their colorful leather hats. The women's hats are leather too, but more of a cap.
Fun Sidewalk Tile
My missionary moment this week: I took an Uber to the Mall and back. I met a friend there and she showed me how to find the right stores, etc. and we had lunch together. I bought some clothes. And...we had a lot of fun. I got into a conversation with both my Uber drivers and both of them were interested in knowing more about the church in Brazil. I was able to talk to be understood, I think. I was then able to pass on their info to the closest mssionaries to where they live. I gave a Book of Mormon to the one who brought me back from the Mall.
NEW MISSIONARY DAYTITLE
About every six weeks, we receive new missionaries. Friday, 12 new missionaries came and one came on Saturday because of flight problems. One was reassigned while he waits for his visa. We never seem to have a "normal" experience.
Food for everyone. The assistants get their turn too. Elder Ramos and Elder Richardson.
President Ostergar serving some caju juice for the new missionaries.
Sister Nascimento will train her new companion, Sister Lima
BEM VINDO
Arriving at the mission home. We make a Tetris of suitcases.
It's a long day. The missionaries get up at 3 a.m. They leave the MTC in São Paulo and fly to Natal arriving about 12:30 p.m. Sister Almeida having a litte nap.
Everyone gets a photo with the president. Sister Ostergar sends it to their parents.
Elder Simão takes a lot of photos.
Elder Miller trained Elder Alves on the right and now is going to train Eler Castro on the left.
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Lots of trucks to pass
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Colorful town signs
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Brick works
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Goats
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Cactus with many arms
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Assú sisters, dedicated and earnest
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They earned a pizza
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Chapel next door with bas-relief
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Getting lost in Mossoró...round in circles
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Phone training
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Bad dinner, bad internet at Victoria Palace, nice bed.
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Praças or little town squares
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Carnaúba palm trees - indigenous to northeastern Brasil
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Delivering packages to missionaries
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Dinosaurs - Sousa
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Banoffee
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O Mirante
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Mountains & Clouds
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Toad in the road
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Bean soup
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Urubus - vultures
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Grocery store dinner and a movie.
TRIP TO THE INTERIOR - AUGUST 22-25
HAPPY LIST
New phones and lunch
O Mirante - The View with A fresh fish lunch.
Caranúba Palms
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
NO WORRIES
Art Therapy
An overabundace of "cute" memes.
Did I mention missionaries?
Our Ward.
Clouds and palm tees and visitors like Julia.
Old buildings - doors and windows and sidewalks
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Food,
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graffitti,
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friends
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photos from home
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New Tastes
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New Friends
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New Fiancé
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New missionary
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Mushroom Sauce w/ dried apricots
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Hidro ginastica
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More clouds & sunsets
Twos days after the wedding Reinaldo and Claudia were baptized. They were so happy. And it was a little bit crazy. Reinaldo's Mom and step-dad, and one of her boys had a hard time finding a bus on Sunday morning, so we waited for them, but it was worthwhile. Claudia looked pretty in red. Claudia’s hair came undone and her elbow came up during her baptism, so she went down again. You could tell Reinaldo was getting ready because we could see him bending his knees before the prayer. They were given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the Bishop during sacrament meeting and Claudia also bore her testimonhy. She said that she had felt hate most of her life from her family and kids at school. She was always looking for love. She expressed her feelings of love for her family and the new path of her life.
Reinaldo's mother and the 4 children. From left to right: Edycarla, Thiago, Elias, Roger. Some ward members behind,and more came. The room was full.
Thiago (James) is not pictured. He was on the bus with his grandparents. I was really happy for them, and pictured the wonderful things that can happen as they embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church has so many ways to help people progress temporally and spiritually. Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.
THE WEDDING
AUGUST 4
2023
2023
Edycarla had to wait longer than we thought. She looked chic in my suglasses and her new dress.
Claudia and Reinaldo also have three boys that were at school. They were baptized a few weeks after we arrived in Brazil. Their parents had much paperwork to do to get a marriage license and things were up and down for a while. We were thrilled to be part of their wedding. We mini celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary by standing by their cake. It's on the 7th of August.
Claudia and Reinaldo will be baptized tomorrow morning. Claudia is nervous about it. Everything will be great! Their family will be altogether. Everyone seems happy that this is finally to be....eventually forever.
Random Photos
Another gate in front of a door. This one has hearts.
Mergulhão is a diving bird. They come out to fish around sunset on Fernando de Noronha.
Turn on the sound in the bottom right hand corner of the video.
Elder Ferreira's leg is all better from his burn. I liked his t-shirt at the Pday run to beat the President.
We have about 108 missionaries in the Brazil Natal Mission. We will have quite a few more by Christmas. Allen and Cathy are the mission leaders. The president chooses two young missionaries to be his assistants.
The missionaries are divided into zones. Two missionaries are designated as zone leaders.
In this mission, we have 4 zones. There are 2 zones in the capital of Natal and 2 zones in the interior of the state. They report to the assistants.
Each zone is divided into a number of districts (2 to 5).
Each district has 6 to 8 missionaries
Each district has a district leader that reports to the Zone Leaders.
Each set of missionaries has their own area.
Every week the missionaries have a district meeting to report on their goals and to do some training. We have a new edition of Preach My Gospel. This provides excellent training.
Every 6 weeks, there are zone conferences. Allen and Cathy travel to these meetings. Everyone has breakfast together, then training by the young missionary leaders, packages and supplies are delivered. The meeting ends with a nice hot lunch.
This week, we will receive 13 new missionaries from the U.S., Mexico, Bolivia, Peru and Argentina. Some of them are young women. Each new missionary receives an experienced companion that is called a Trainer. Training takes 12 weeks. When we receive new missionaries, it means that there will be transfers. Often missionaries will be moved to a new district, receive a new companion, or a new area.
The mission leaders, Allen & Cathy, also have an interview with each missionary every 6 weeks.
When the church congregations are small and are not attached to a Stake organization, the mission president has responsibility for them in their area. Allen spends time taking care of these branches of the church as well.
MACAIBA DISTRICT
Back Row: L-R
Elder Monteiro
Elder Bispo
Elder Manzanares,
- District Leader
Elder Vogelsberg
Front Row: L- R
The Ostergar's
Elder Simão
Elder Nohr
Mission Organization
FERNANDO DE NORONHA
Twenty years ago, someone told us about an island off the coast of Brazil which was a nature preserve. I looked it up and thought, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to see it." This last week we spent three days on the beautiful island of Fernando de Noronha. We were able to meet two members of the church there and to evaluate the possibility of a "Group" unit of the church. Noronha has claim to the most beautiful beach in the world. The color of the water was amazing, as were the sunsets and the snorkeling and the seafood. Find proof below.
The rocks in the background are called the two brothers. You will see them in other photos from different angles.
Snorkeling with Hebert aka Betinho. He gave us a personal guided tour of the island and held my hand while we snorkelled. The rock in the background, Morro de Pico, can be seen from all over the island. Next to it is one of the white fortresses on the island.
The chapel of St. Peter's. The fishermen's church. The doorkeepers on the right are standing beside carvings of Jesus and Peter.
On our boat tour we saw this family of golfinos (dolphins) and many beautiful inlets and beaches
Frutos do Mar or Seafood Medley, starring octopus.
On the right is part of the most beautiful beach in the world.
One of the two brothers, the other is behind. A different view of them on the right, and I thought this beach was actually even more beautiful than the other.
There were diving birds called mergulhōes on this beach at sunset. I need to learn how to edit my video's first. Maybe on the next post. It was a glorious trip....or just another day in Brazil.
We were lonely for family and friends this week. The activities on the Fourth of July are always enjoyable. And Canada Day was on the first.
Motorcycles work their way to the front at all stoplights! There are at least 20 here and more on our left. At first it was frightening as they zoomed by on our right or left. But we are acutally used to it now. It's fun to people watch.
Motorcyles are used for deliveries, Uber, tranportation, going to school, etc.
Just Another Day in Brazil
Part 2
FORGET YOURSELF AND GO TO WORK!!
NA RUA !
THIS IS WHAT YOU SAY FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU GO TO WORK. "INTO THE STREET!" "LET'S GO!" WE ARE READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD.
On the right is Elder Monteiro and Elder Simão. We work with them in the office. They work hard and keep us all organized. Elder Monteiro is the Financial Secretary and Elder Simão is our Media and Housing Secretary. He likes banana candies. His mom sends them to him on a regular basis.
Just Another Day in Brazil
Saturday, June 24, 2023
This is the beach at Genipabu, which is just north of the city of Natal. We went here with my cousin Peter Bybee,his wife Gayle and President and Sister Ostergar. It was our P-day. We took an exciting dune buggy ride through the nearby dunes. We visited a churasscaria in Natal and then went south to visit the world's largest cashew tree. On the way home we stopped for ice cream. Allen's choice of the day was passionfruit and Peter tried cajá.
Genipabu is an indigeousness name "Jenipabu". Apparently it is a fruit, but our guide didn't know about the fruit. The pineapple was delicious, however. The black round things are actually delicious grapes.
Above: Allen enjoying the moment. On the left is Peter, Gayle and Allen III. They weren't ahead for long. You can see Natal in the background on the right.
The principle trunk of the cashew tree, and on the right, it is just starting to blossom. They harvest the fruit in November. They figure the tree is about 130 years old.
THe top of the cashew tree extends for a block or two. It is quite amazing to see it from the top. The leaf blanket beneath adds nutrients to the soil and keeps the soil moist. Below is some local color on the drive back to Natal.
Street Median means a raised center strip of street right-of-way with varying widths containing landscaping and street appurtenances. Boulevards often have medians.
In Brazil, they often make the medians into narrow parks. You can find benches and tables and steps, statues and sometimes kiosks that sell food. There are beatiful trees and flowers. People walk along them in the early evening and in the morning.
On the left is another type of gate. This one is from an older home, maybe in the 40s or 30's. Notice the wooden shutters.
On the right is some art therapy I did. Find the hidden pictures. My hand is doing much better.
Sister Medeiros on the left has finished her mission. She will be going home to the state of Acre in Brazil. It is a small state in the northwest of the country, and was acquired from Bolivia at some point in history. They produce rubber and Brazil nuts. Her companion is Sister Corrêa from the state of Amazonas. Manaus is the largest city in the state and sits on the amazing Amazon river. The painting is of the Manaus temple and was painted by another sister missionary. Allen III served part of his mission in Manaus. There is a Brazil nut in the middle of the group.
It's hard to say goodbye.
Happy Smiles
The entry to every Brazilian home has a wall and a gate of some sort. We saw this one in the interior town of Currais Novos. The gates come in all sorts of styles. I will post more from time to time.
3 June 2023 - This coming week, we will have transfers and we will receive 4 new missionaries - a small group. We are traveling to Currais Novos today with Allen and Cathy and will go to two church meetings tomorrow. Allen says it's about a two hour drive. But it is almost 3.
Our mission goes from the coast west a little beyond this map and north to Mossoró. We don't have missionaries in all cities. The Mission dips down south to Patos.
The Humble Pinha
So named because it looks like a pinecone. It is delicious, juicy, and sweet. You can see it whole, cracked open, and the detritus. You can suck the flesh from the big black seeds. It has really a creamy texture. They are in season right now. If you chill them, then it's cold and creamy!
A Bishop shepherds his flock, but in this case the Bishop is shepherding an Iguana that found its way to church. They had to cross a busy street to find a safe place for him. He has a helper to stop traffic.
OUR
HERO
May 20, 2023 - We have two missionaries in our care this weekend.
Elder Miller who has been having undiagnosed health problems, and Elder Ferreira who spilled a quantity of hot oil on this right leg and needs some treatment every day for a while. Pres. Ostergar and Cathy are in Recife for some training meetings with Elder Gary L. Stevenson, one of the Twelve Apostles. It always fun to hear what they have learned when they return.
We now have a doctor in the family. Adam graduated from Washington University's medical school in St. Louis and will be a resident at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. His brother, Allen 4, helped him drive their moving van across the country. Sarah and his two kids, Allen 4 and Jane were at the graduation. We watched on line. A third little Ostergar is coming to their family in December.
Jane is having another little Linn in November,
#4. Daisy and Joe Ludlow graduated from BYU and will be going to Boston. Daisy will be working on her PhD at MIT. Joe will work for a year and then go to graduate school. Our grandchildren always amaze us.
Allen and Cathy had some extra time driving to the Interior one day. I gave them some referrals we had received that were along the way at places that the missionaries couldn't reach. They had a great adventure.
Allen took his Dad last night to visit a contact Allen III had made at a Home store. The man had previously received a Book of Mormon. He read about 1/3 of it and then put it in his cabinet with some other books for a few months. When he went back to the cabinet, all the books had been eaten by termites, as well as the innards of the cabinet. I guess Allen found him because he needed a new Book of Mormon.
WHAT WILL IT BE?
This building is on our way to the mission office. It's at the beginning of a commercial district, and I wondered what it would be. I started taking photos from the car window.
Starting to put tile on the stairs.
AHA !
I HOPE THEY
HAVE AN
OPEN HOUSE!
CHURCHES
One block east of our apartment is our chapel, and one block west is the City Cathedral. We have seen a procession to the cathedral go down our street. It has a very modern style. When we visited it it had modern decorations, wooden benches on a floor that sloped towards the altar.
All the chapels for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have removable benches or chairs so that the space can be used for other activities.
When we traveled to the interior, I noticed that a lot of little churches were painted yellow ochre.
Our little chapel from our window. Below is the front of our chapel, the day Elias, Roger and Thigao were baptized. To the right is Bishop Lira, He is wonderful man.
The city cathedral...or Catedral Metropolitana de Nossa Senhora Da Apresentação. This photo is from the back and from our window. Below are the several crosses in front of the catheral that make sort of an interlocking sculpture. The carillon is out front as well.
Two neighborhood churches - one big and one small. The interior shot is of the small church. The statues are draped, maybe for Easter. The large church has St. Peter on top.
MORE TIRE ART
Other churches in the interior. They all have something unique to find.
HEALTH CARE BRAZIL
I love palm trees. These are outside of the DNA Center, where they take your blood, etc.
I forgot to check the spelling on my name. My grandmother, Sigrid, would laugh.
I have a very nice neurologist, Marcelo Marinho. Doing something for the first time in a foreign country takes some getting used to. Every medical building so far has a receptionist that looks at your ID. We have a Brazilian foreigner’s ID card. Then you are given a pass to go through the turnstile. If it’s a large building, you enter the floor number you want on a numbers pad on the wall which directs you to the proper elevator. In the office you take a “number” and watch a t.v. screen for your number to come up, then you see a clerk at a window to give them more information and to pay for your visit. You wait again for your name and room number to come up on the screen. Fortunately, the elderly are given priority status. Everyone is very nice and courteous. All of the clerks wear uniforms. In smaller buildings you skip the elevator part, but might have to go to a second part of the building to wait. Sometimes the clinics send you the results by email and sometimes you pick up the results yourself and take them to your doctor. An ear, nose and throat doctor is called an OTORRINOLARINGOLOGISTA
Presidenta Ostergar with a tip for the missionaries. Her Portugese is really blooming. Don't forget to unlock the little musical notes on the bottom right of the video for the sound.
Lunch out after PT in our new outfits.
The bandeirantes (literally flagbearers) consisted of a group of men from São Paulo, who between the 16th and 17th centuries were responsible for clearing the interior lands in Brazil , having as some of their functions the capture of fugitive slaves, the enslavement of indigenous populations and the search for metals. precious in the national territory.
HAPPY EASTER
HE IS RISEN!
The city is full of music and bells and chocolate filled Easter Eggs. Friday was a holiday and many people go away to the beach or to be with family. Allen and Cathy will visit us here. Our Bishop has asked everyone to come early and wants no one to be missing. That will be wonderful.
Alma 7: 11,12
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
A Little Get-away...
On Thursday, March 23, we drove to São Miguel de Gostoso with Allen & Cathy. It is on the coast north of us about 2 hours, and the beach actually runs east and west there. On the way we stopped in Pajé by the beach and had a beautiful seafood lunch. It was really delicious. We were looking around the property after lunch and at the horses on the adjacent property, when the owner came over, and told us all about his place and that we could rent it for a family vacation.
In São Miquel, we stayed at a Pousada (like a bed and breakfast) called Hara until Saturday at noon. It was beautiful. It looks ordinary on the outside, but as you go through the gates you break into big smiles as their sign says: Welcome to Paradise, a spot between heaven and earth. We checked into our rooms; each had a balcony that overlooked the property. We were also greeted with a glass of iced hibiscus tea. There were bougainvillea petals placed around our room.
We headed to the ocean which was at high tide. There was a big slope down to the ocean. I sat on the slope and let the waves break over my legs. One big one carried me away. I lost my good sunglasses and the glasses underneath them. I didn’t do what I thought – take them off. My suit filled up with sand. We watched the sunset. Hara’s ads talk about having a private beach, which is sand and lounge chairs and a hammock hanging in a thatched roof shade. It has a gate that you go through to get to the ocean, which takes a few minutes to walk to.
You can eat all your meals at Hara. Breakfast is complimentary. The food is all made to order. We enjoyed some excellent meals with good service from a young man named Carlos. He is 22 years old and is studying public administration. He has tattoos and braces. His dad is a chef in Galinhos, which is further north, and which he highly recommends. Friday night we ate a meal in town at a place called Oré. All the shops and restaurants were open until at least until 11. We ran into an American family, the Cooks, and a couple from Mossoró. He is a member of the Stake Presidency there. It was a lovely coincidence. The Cooks, Jared and Alison, leave in May. They have lived here for a while to give their kids an international experience. Jared served a mission in Brazil and they had one of his converts with him. We had met her before.
Hara is also a spa. You can have a Yoga class in the morning, sign up for massages treatments, etc. It has a lovely pool and you can order drinks to be brought there. The service is great.
We went to the beach again Friday and Saturday. Allen & Cathy & Allen went horseback riding on the beach. I watched the waves and listened to a book. We watched the sun go down. We went at low tide on Saturday and I let the waves wash over me again. I loved it so much. My ear is still plugged on one side and I couldn’t quite get all the sand out of my hair. It was hard for me to walk in the sand. We got a little too much sun, even with sunscreen. I loved seeing the coconut groves on our journey and the little towns we passed through.
Pajé: entering the restaurant. The first view of the beach.
Appetizers: Tapioca squares with molasses, octopus on a stick with farofa, grilled cheese on a stick.
The little urn is to hold used napkins, bones, etc.
Two COCO NUTS.
The Neighbor's Farm
Beach Art
We found some fun art
at the restaurant.
Above you see the ordinary looking pousada from the street. On the right is the view inside!
Travellers Palm
The sky is incredible
Fisherman bringing in the morning catch.
Some cowhands riding off into the "sunset".
Coconut Grove and Traffic conditions. I love the baby donkey.
Enjoying family, friends and good food...Friday night in São Miguel de Gostoso, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. That's it for now.
Tire Art
Borracha means rubber in Portuguese. A Borracharia is a rubber place. Many places use tires as signs for their tire stores,
Planters , spiders, and birds, oh my!
Missionary selfies are irresistible.
There are constant changes when we are going to receive new missionaries. Some are sent to other missions to await their visas and we are excited when we actually get them here. Every new missionary gets a pillow and mattress pad. We give them an orientation, a great meal at the mission home, a beautiful view of the coast, and a new companion. They get to call home.
Not everyone arrives on the same flight. It would be nice if they did. Sometimes we are assigned to pick up missionaries at the airporit. It's fun to see their first reactions and hear their questions.
March 4, A Trip to Recife...
Moqueca - Brazilian Fish Stew and a whole Brazilian fish with vegetables and teeth on the right.
The trip to Recife took about 4 hours one way. We visited with Rebeca and her son Thomas for lunch. Rebeca was Allen's secretary when we were at the MTC in São Paulo in 2003. Her husband Fabio Escobar is the temple recorder and a stake president in Recife. We visited with the mission president in João Pessoa on the way home and ate more seafood.
Cake for Breakfast
What’s not to like. Every Brazilian breakfast I have seen serves cake. Some are made with corn, some with tapioca, and some are made with wheat flour. Our favorite so far is a cake flavored with coconut and cajá. They make fillings with sweet and condensed milk. Chocolate cake is popular. Everyone loves sprinkles. Elder Wargha, our financial secretary would choose pineapple cake. We had a little birthday breakfast for Professor Fred this morning. I brought some juice and brownies. Fred teaches our water exercise class three mornings a week at the pool in our building.
Earlier in the week, we made spudnuts as part of breakfast for the missionaries for the P-day 5K that is subtitled, “Beat the President.” The missionaries have to run with their companions which is often an advantage for him. This week he came in second
What’s not to like? Every Brazilian breakfast I have seen serves cake. Some are made with corn, some with tapioca, and some are made with wheat flour. Our favorite so far is a cake flavored with coconut and cajá. They make fillings with sweet and condensed milk. Chocolate cake is popular. Everyone loves sprinkles. Elder Wargha, our financial secretary would choose pineapple cake. We had a little birthday breakfast for Professor Fred this morning. I brought some juice and brownies. Fred teaches our water exercise class three mornings a week at the pool in our building.
Earlier in the week, we made spudnuts as part of breakfast for the missionaries for the P-day 5K that is subtitled, “Beat the President.” The missionaries have to run with their companions which is often an advantage for President Ostergar. This week he came in second
.
Fred and the pool ladies and cake
The president and the EYE
Sister Ostergar
with some
missionaries at
the P-day 5K.
Can you pick out the Brazilians?
Below some missionaries on the eye. The top part is a museum and near the bottom is a library.
Missionaries on the ramp of the Eye
Sand in the city. There is a sand dune park right in the city. There are places close to the beach where you can slide down the dunes into the ocean.
HARMAN GRANT PROGRAM
When we were at the MTC for training I happened to pick up a paper for this program. Last week, 2 keyboards with a course of instruction in Portuguese, arrived in the mission office. They were lost for a while. Usually, a missionary couple is responsible for teaching the people who are interested in learning how to conduct music for church meetings and in learning how to play the piano (keyboard). I requested keyboards for Pérola Bastos (13) and for Niobe (18). They are both thrilled. Arthur Bastos will teach both of them and now they have a way to practice at home. If they finish the program in a timely manner, they can apply to keep the keyboards as their own.
Niobe comes from an especially humble home. The first room you enter is very small and is the living room, dining room and a bedroom with a hammock rolled up in one corner. The house is situated behind another house and has a steep alley to ascend before you get to the front door. Niobe has been learning English and can join the BYU Pathways program next year. She is happy and determined. She loves music and is very good at conducting already. She will change that family. Arthur is not in the photo. He is 16 and plays the hymns in our ward. He is proficient enough to teach these girls. The keyboards have carrying cases so they can be brought to activities or used in Young Women or Relief Society meetings. We are all excited.
II
INTERLUDE:
Julia was here in January and I had a TIA on February 3. It is now February 25. I have had lots of tests. I am almost 100%. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers,
It took us 3 months to actually get to the beach and walk on it. It took Julia coming for a visit! She went the first day she arrived! I love the clouds we see every day. We also saw some leaf-cutter ants and cactus near the beach, and some little yellow crabs and some tiny fish that flashed in the water like tinfoil.
A wealth of sights, sounds, smells, touching and taste. A huge open air market in Natal. I am holding some saffron. The women are shelling beans...green beans. They are a speciality in this area. The market goes on for blocks. We bought some spices and some fresh coconut. The meat is carne de sol. It's is meat that has been salted and dried for a few days. It's really delicious. There was lot of wheelbarrows for hire. Men would carry your goods. Everyone was hawking their wares. I found a crochet hook on a side street. Allen bought a type of bag to carry his papers to the office and back, and Julia and Cathy found some flowy pants with bananas, coconuts and cashew. I had a taste of acerola, and a "fresh olive". It was black and fruity and delicious. A fun thing was the stroop waffles filled with Brazilian fillings. They were hot and crispy.
AA wealther
This is Damião. He is 82 year old. He was baptized last Sunday. When he was in the baptismal font, he was quite emotional and he put his hands overs his eyes, and we waited a few minutes while he composed himself. He has a wonderful smile. This Sunday, today, he was confirmed a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
When the Bishop was praying, Damião put his hands in front of him with the palms up to accept the gift. There were tears in his eyes when he left the stand. Someone took his arm and brought him up and took him back to his seat. It's never too late to change your life for the better. He has a great support system now to help him in any way.
REFERRALS/REFERÊNCIAS
Many of the referrals that we get belong to people that live somewhere out in the country. Everyone in Brazil calls it the "Interior". Some request a Book of Mormon, but most request a personal visit. Missionaries automatically receive referrals from Church websites and social media in their Area Book Planner. Each companionship has one phone that they share and the Area Book Planner is on their phone. If the referral program can't find any missionaries close by, the referrals for our mission area come to me, and I figure out how to send them to the closest missionaries, but in most cases there is no way for the missionaries to visit them. These referrals have a tendency to get backed up.
What the missionaries can do is call the person and give them resources. But, they are busy teaching in their own areas. It's a nice problem to have. Pres. Ostergar wants us to help these referrals get resolved. The Church hopes that all referrals can be contacted in some way in the first 24 hours, while people still remember that they were interested. We are suggesting to the missionaries that they contact a few a day to see if it will help them "clean up" their area books. The church has some amazing resources including teaching people remotely. This became more available because of Covid.
Missionary Selfies!
Another beautiful sunrise this morning. Pictures, of course, won't do it justice. We haven't had a chance to walk on the beach yet. We are often too tired when our preparation day arrives and it is easier to put our feet up at home. We keep planning it though.
FRUITS OF NATAL, BRAZIL
Neighborhood Fruit Stand.
Caju fruit or cashew. They are sitting here upside down. There is one nut per fruit. The fruit is stringy but makes wonderful juice.
Caja Fruit. They are like a small plums and a bit sour, but still fun to eat. They are used mostly for juice and they are generally from the Northeast of Brazil
Guava or goiaba - lovely pink inside. You can eat it all and cut it like an apple, but the seeds are hard.
One of my favorites, and I just tried it for the first time this week.
This is SIRIGUELA. They are small and have a big seed but are sweet and juicy with a note of citrus.
This is graviola. It is big with white flesh and black seeds that you clean out. Also great for juice.
The pineapple are delicious in the Northeast and not acidy. The price noted would be $1 USD
Below are oranges and they have lots of different tangerines
A wall of silver bananas. One fruit not shown on this page is passionfruit. The small red fruit on the fruit stand above is acerola. I believe it is mostly used for juice. they look like mini, mini vintage tomatoes, but a little darker red.
One type of papaya out of several
Tahity lemons
One type of melon out of many, including watermelon or melancia. All delicious
2023
It's the new year! We hope it's a great one for everyone. Maybe a banana a day will keep us all happy. The ones we have been eating are called silver bananas. They do have great fruit it Brazil. In the Northeast, where we are, the pineapple is especially sweet and not acidy. There is mango, papaya, and they do have chestnuts. There are oranges, cashew, caja, acerola, acaí, graviola, guava, passionfruit, and others.
This is a sunrise through the rain...New Year's Day. One of my favorite quotes is:
Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.
Martin Luther
We see the occasional horse cart in the city. There are two-wheeled carts around town that are pulled by people, horses, donkeys or even motorcycles. The horses are small and a lot of times the carts are piled high. When we were in the interior the animals were mostly roaming free in the “suburbs”. There are thousands of motorcylces weaving in and out of traffic. Many of them deliver things across the city, or deliver food, etc. You can get an Uber ride on a motorcycle. Hmmm, maybe I will try that sometime.
And then there are the potholes. If it’s a bad one, people put something in them so that drivers can see them. We have seen dead trees, brooms, sticks and boxes, etc. A lot of the side streets are very bumpy. They are “paved” with parallel paving stones called paralelapípedo. It gives us a full body work out. Occasionally we find a pothole by accident...teeth jarring.
Can you see the star hovering over the wisemen? This is a common theme in Natal. It lights up at night.
I am going to skip all I have missed up to this point and talk about Christmas. (I will record what I have missed from time to time in the future.)
December 20 – We are in Caicó today, inland from the coast about 6 hours. We woke up at 4:30 and were cold because of the air conditioning. It is about 100 degrees. It didn’t take long to warm up. We watched a bit of the sunrise. The church is right across the street from where we are staying. We had another good day with 8 missionaries and the four of us, plus Elder Almeida, one of Allen’s assistants. We had another big Christmas meal and our tree was the better than yesterday’s.
We drove to Mossoró later in the day. it’s big city.
I had tender feelings about Mary and Joseph today and their ”precious burden.” I admire their great faith. Pres. Allen went out to work with the missionaries. I admire his energy and faith as well. We are close to the coast in this area. It would be fun to drive along the coast, but we will probably take the fastest route home. We have two more Zone Conferences to do in Natal.
December 22 -- Today in Natal, we had a special musical number by Elder Bispo. Bispo means Bishop in English. He had a lovely, pure voice and had written his own Christmas song. His song filled the room with a wonderful spirit of Christmas. We have talked in each zone conference about consecration, and what that means for a missionary. How can they/we consecrate our time and talents for two years and beyond.
Christmas Eve, we cleaned house and made soup and a pumpkin butterscotch custard for Christmas Day. We need a lighter meal. We took it easy most of the day. We are still in recovery.
CHRISTMAS DAY
We watched a beautiful sunrise from our window. We talked together for a while and listened to Christmas music. We took a little Christmas gift to the porteiros. We have four door men that have helped us a lot. At church we sang and visited. The bishop and a counselor gave great Christmas related talks. The children are so beautiful. We will join Allen and Cathy for lunch and visiting this afternoon. Feliz Natal em Natal. Merry Christmas in Christmas. Natal was founded on Christmas day.
In front is Elder Parish. He is a brand new missionary. He has been blossoming under his trainer Elder Ramos. Elder Ramos was in the mission office when we arrived and helped us so much. I don't know if I know a more joyful and diligent couple of missionaries.
Sunset between Sousa and Caicó in the state of Paraiba, Brasil
Some time in November:
Because I like to send cards and letters through the mail. We walked to a post office (correiro) this week that was near the office. It was a very small one. They didn't sell any stamps (selos). They only had stamp machines. I found out that they do sell stamps online, if I can figure it out or maybe find a bigger post office.
I haven't identified the name of this tree yet. There is always something in bloom here as well.
Lays has been holding out on us. We can get chicken flavored potato chips here! They are pretty good.
The first Sunday in our ward, we met the Bastos family. The parents both served missions and were in the MTC when we were there almost 20 years ago. They remembered us. Arthur is 17 and plays the piano for the ward. Pérola is 13 and adorable and Heitor is 4. Aline is the Primary chorister and Erivelton is a counselor in the bishopric. I fell in love with them right away. We have met a number of members who remember us from the MTC. We love it.
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Our arrival in Brazil. We were greeted by the Mission President. A view from our window on the 31st floor of our apartment building. Pineapple cake for the missionaries. Mmmm. Giant avocados. They use them to make smoothies!
Miscellaneous Expenses....
How do I explain that in Portuguese. We worked it out with a bit of English and a bit of Portuguese!
This photo is of a very nice seafood restaurant called Nau. We went there our first night in Brazil. Our granddaughter, Jane, was visiting her family and it was her birthday. The wonderful thing about restaurants in Natal is that they always have play areas for children. The boys loved that. We are starting a new adventure.
We still don't have access to the internet in our apartment, so I am doing this at the mission office on my own time.
My Portuguese needs help, but I am getting by. There is one office missionary that laughs at me a lot. His name is Elder Ramos. We actually laugh together when I try to act things out or say things backwards. I am still learning the best way to attach photos to the blog.
