We are always looking for some reason to celebrate 8)
And then, we cannot ignore 70 years!
For Mark's birthday, Carolyn compiled an amazing "book"
with tons of photos of his life and family
and lengthy letters from all the children/grandchildren.
What an impressive, huge project~
This is São Bento Monastery
One early morning we went to hear the monks.
Beautiful chanting - lovely incense
We have come here several times now to "shop"! The monks bake bread and make jam.
Then sell it in their little store. It is - divine!
Across the street from the monastery -
is this charming, delicious, historic restaurant.
First opened back in 1862.
It's on a São Paulo's Top 10 Restaurant list.
This is Marcelo Amaro and his new bride Carla.
He claims that it was Elder Craig Hall that convinced him to propose last year.
Marcelo is Randy's supervisor in Family Search.
In July, the couple were sealed in the São Paulo Temple
In July, the couple were sealed in the São Paulo Temple
after being married the previous day. In Brazil, a temple sealing is not a "marriage".
This photo was taken at their party after the 8:30 pm sealing.
Unusual event that started around 9:30, in the meetinghouse chapel where
their respective Bishops spoke to those gathered, several non-church members,
to talk about and to the couple and their Temple sealing.
Then - the party. We didn't stay too long, but Brazilians? - they party late.
Then they honeymooned in Utah.
Cute, happy couple
This is one of several São Paulo LDS stake centers. Multi-level gated building.
Craig's lawyer friend, Ricardo Leite is the President of this stake.
These are two different views from a window inside the stake center.
This favela or "comunidade" (slum) make up one of the wards.
Presidente Leite speaks fondly of it's humble members,
including an excellent Bishop.
This favela or "comunidade" (slum) make up one of the wards.
Presidente Leite speaks fondly of it's humble members,
including an excellent Bishop.
Gloria and Laird Swensen - Area Medical Advisor -
shortly before leaving us :(
Our "email thought for the day" friend, Gene Buhler sent this
recently from a writer for the New York Times :
recently from a writer for the New York Times :
"We all go into professions for many reasons: money, status, security. But some people have experiences that turn a career into a calling. These experiences quiet the self. All that matters is living up to the standard of excellence inherent in their craft."
David Brooks
David Brooks
After getting acquainted with them,
I believe this describes Elder/Dr. Swensen very well.
The night of their goodbye party, Gloria told us her conversion story as a young adult.
Read the Book of Mormon in 24 sleepless hours. Wow..
They have been great friends in many ways.
Having been here the longest, they were the perfect "senior" senior couple,
always ready to encourage us and
having so many resources and information and ideas.
We took them to the airport to go home and they presented us with
this beautiful coffee table book as a gift!
Lot's of amazing photos of things/places we have seen
and many we have NOT!
We would need another year~
They have been great friends in many ways.
Having been here the longest, they were the perfect "senior" senior couple,
always ready to encourage us and
having so many resources and information and ideas.
We took them to the airport to go home and they presented us with
this beautiful coffee table book as a gift!
Lot's of amazing photos of things/places we have seen
and many we have NOT!
We would need another year~
We hope to be able to spend future time with them in Salt Lake City, where they live.
One Friday night found us at the lovely home/condo of
Presidente and Glaucia Barreto for dinner.
He is our CTM Branch President
Glaucia is also a very sweet, temple worker friend
who serves (and helps me when I have Port. questions) on Fridays.
They also invited CTM President Robert and Julie Swensen
from Salt Lake City
Elder/CTM Doctor and Sister Sharpe from Montana
and Exec. Sec. Wayne and Alane Hale from Idaho
I should have taken a photo of the fabulous
Brazilian feast that Glaucia prepared.
A maracuja/chocolate pudin was the amazing,
unforgettable dessert that I must try to duplicate!
We left after a pleasant evening of
interesting Portuguese/English combo conversation.
Absolutely crazy for me to try and "keep up".
They all speak English but prefer to jump back and forth -
I suppose because - they can!?
Another delightful dinner party at the home of
Jorge and Julia Covacs
(middle couple)
They live in a beautiful, two story home, about an hour away.
(On a Friday, heavy traffic night)
They also serve at the CTM on Sundays and
Julia is a Wednesday temple helper/friend.
This was a marvelous meal of pasta with 3 different sauces,
(notice the "bibs" for the white shirt Elders)
meatloaf, 2 salads, bread,
coconut pudin and American brownies, provided by us!
This was one of those dinners that started at 8:30
and ended? way past my bedtime!
Brazilian women really know how to entertain, cook- and eat!
And lots more - "Porglish" chatting :)
Also included were Pres. and Nilce Bassi who serve in CTM presidency.
They live in Vertentes apartments across from us so we carpooled.
On the right is Julia's sister who was visiting from Rio de Janeiro.
Shortly after arriving in Brazil, we found this tour on the internet and decided to try it out.
We walked for 3 hours and
saw some beautiful buildings
and landscapes
This is the majestic city library.
Our guide (red shirt) was THE BEST EVER tour guide.
Perfect, loud, English and funny, charming, entertaining and smart!
many interesting "characters"
Here's our cute guy - wish I could remember his name!
Edificio Italia
Sé Cathedral - crossing traffic signal has symbols
on the streets located close to different landmarks.
another view of Sé
At the base of this monument
looks like a comfy spot for this "camper" :)
Brasilian Borboletas
Butterfly Factory/Workshop/Store
There are hundreds of beautiful butterfly types in Brazil. They are often grown in "farms". The butterflies die after laying their eggs. Then the wings are removed for this popular art form.
some of artist's collections
This is the designer couple with their favorite shoppers-
Zaugg's and Hale's
This is their shop pet bunny.
Just roams free in the 2 rooms.
These designs are made up of wings in a mosaic style. The colors are stunning.
No paint is used.
I kind of wanted this peacock but- she sold it to someone else.
Unusual "checkerboard".
The "seniors" came here 3 different times.
Could not get enough!
New "Medical" missionary couple.
This is Ben and Rita Hart from Las Vegas
They are here to replace the Swensens.
Ben is a convert originally from Georgia.
On one of their very first weekends here, they wanted to come with us
for a day trip to visit
Paranapiacaba
is an English Train Village.
About 40 miles out of São Paulo is this municipality.
It was established in the middle of the 19th century
as a company town for employees of
the São Paulo Railway which was a privately owned
British railway company.
The town and railway was built to export coffee from
the interior of São Paulo state to the port in Santos.
The village prospered for 30 years.
At it's prime, there were about 4,000 mostly British, workers.
The last steam train was deactivated in 1982.
The town is now a museum, open to the public.
Old local cemetery.
Old restored church.
This is a replica of London's Old Ben.
It helped the residents feel at home.
We could not quit thinking about our retired railroad friend Brent Urry.
We wanted him to share this day.
,
-tired old rail car-
old toy displayed inside the house
cute Brasilian boy loving his day with a kite
except for the power lines :(
This is the main restored English style home on display.
This was the bathroom inside the old village home.
Note the steps into the long narrow tub!
So few bathtubs to be seen in Brazil!
So few bathtubs to be seen in Brazil!
Ben, thinking he wants to be an engineer :)
This is a view of the old restored home up on the hill.
It was a charming way to spend the day.
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