This is (formerly) President and Matron of the São Paulo Temple
Rita and Paulo Puerta
When I first came to the temple, shortly after our arrival in July 2014,
one of my sr. missionary friends introduced me to Sis. Puerta.
She speaks a little English because she has grandchildren in the U. S. :)
(However, this does not always happen. I have met many women who speak no English
and they never have a conversation with their American-resident grandchildren) :(
Anyway, with the help of my friend, Sis. Wilkins; I asked Sis. Puerta if I may please
serve here while we are living in São Paulo. I explained that I had previously been working
for four years at the Oquirrh Mountain temple, so I felt somewhat qualified.
She said definitely yes, but I had to wait until the temple re-opened
early in Sept. after a month of cleaning/refurbishing/etc.
This worked perfectly for me, giving me time to settle in and help get
Elder Hallzinho started in his new assignment in Family Search.
Pres. Puerta interviewed me on Sept. 3, 2014 at 9:00 am.
His "broken" English was so charming. He is such a humble, kind man.
He then gave me a beautiful, Portuguese blessing to set me apart as a
Oficiante do Templo
I could feel his and Heavenly Father's love during that prayer
without needing to know all the words.
At times like this, there is a special "spirit to spirit" communication.
During our regular devotionals, one of the temple Presidency speaks to us.
When I sit with someone who can translate, I learn so much from Pres. Puerta.
He told of a day when a six-yr-old boy entered the front doors of the temple.
When asked if he was looking for someone, he replied
that he needed to come in to say a prayer for his parents.
The President was touched that this small boy knew about the power of the temple.
He told us on another day, that the temple represents Jesus Christ
and that when we come here, we are in His presence.
He counseled us that as we interact with patrons (and anyone in general)
that it is often "better to break a rule than to break a heart"
(Elder Hugh B. Brown)
But also very important, to follow the spirit.
Another time he told of the previous night, that he had attended a party where most of
the people there were very engaged in speaking about Brazil and all of it's problems.
It was a very negative and discouraging discussion and he left feeling depressed.
After some reflection, he remembered that he has faith that
Heavenly Father will take care of things.
We don't need to worry.
This is representative of Pres. Puerta's personality and cheerful heart.
He is loved by many members here in São Paulo.
~
Front lawn of São Paulo Stake Center
On a Sunday evening last December, there was a Christmas Devotional
for all temple workers and their spouses, held at the Stake Center next to the temple.
We invited Randy, but unfortunately he declined.
We didn't persist because I thought he might be bored with all the Portuguese talks.
My husband graciously translated for me.
The meeting turned out to be mostly beautiful music for the season.
There was one number performed by a mother and her child.
They sang an unforgettable arrangement of "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus".
I regretted that Randy had missed this spiritual event. Based on his previous
attentiveness at this kind of meeting, I'm certain he would have enjoyed it.
President Puerta spoke to all of us. He began by thanking us for our service and sacrifice.
He spoke of two sisters who live quite a ways out but wanted to serve on Saturday mornings.
So they ride their bicycles to the temple on Friday afternoon, stay overnight
at the Temple housing complex, and ride back home on Saturday afternoon.
This is the only possible way for them to serve at the temple and they were happy to do it.
Then he told a story about a man that he knew who lives in Campinas. He often comes
to the São Paulo temple even though there is another temple in his city.
Pres. Puerta asked him one day, why he drives 1.5 hours to attend São Paulo temple.
He just replied that this temple had special meaning to him.
That day he was early for the next session so while he waited in the lobby,
he chatted with a woman who's family was baptized when she was a teen.
She told the man that she had been praying that someday she would meet the
former missionary that had baptized her so that she could
properly thank him for changing her life. After a short conversation, it was determined that
this brother was actually that same missionary. ~
What a "tender mercy" and happy reunion that must have been.
After Pres. Puerta's talk there was more marvelous music.
After the meeting and refreshments, each "shift" took a turn to gather
on the front lawn of the church for a group photo.
We were a large, good looking group but the photo print we received
was regrettably too small to duplicate for publication here.
~
This is the former first counselor and his wife.
Francily and Aldo Francesconi
This couple recently was called to serve as the
President and Matron of the Porto Alegre, Brazil Temple
So, as they prepared to leave us, they wrote this message to all of the ordinance workers.
In the last thirty-two months, we had the privilege to live and serve in this
Holy Temple in the sweet company of each of you.
You have enriched us with your kindness, affection, and dedication.
Many of you crossing the city of São Paulo, coming from so far away.
Waking up so early or arriving so late in your homes
after a self-sacrificing work shift have given your best. You are our heroes.
We already miss every single face and every single smile that made our stay at the Temple a unique and singular moment of our lives. We love each one of you and can only say see you soon.
"Friends are not sealed in the temple but are eternal."
I was so touched by the note that I felt compelled to reply.
The message was in Portuguese so I had my teacher Kryz, translate it and
then she helped me to answer in Portuguese.
The following is the English version of my thank you letter to her.
It helps describe my feelings towards her.
thank you letter
DDear Sister Francesconi,Dear Sister Fransesconi,
Dear Sister Francesconi,
When I first met Sister Francesconi, her hair was shoulder length.
A few weeks later she made me laugh and said that my cute, short haircut
had inspired her to cut hers off.
She said she was a little disappointed it didn't turn out quite like mine.. ;)
This woman reminds me of a quote from David Brooks
"About once a month I run across a person who radiates an inner light.
These people can be in any walk of life. They seem deeply good.
They listen well. They make you feel funny and valued.
You often catch them looking after other people and as they do so
their laugh is musical and their manner is infused with gratitude.
They listen well. They make you feel funny and valued.
You often catch them looking after other people and as they do so
their laugh is musical and their manner is infused with gratitude.
They are not thinking about what wonderful work they are doing.
They are not thinking about themselves at all."
There are a few people who go way beyond regular "nice".
She is one of the sweetest, kindest people I know.
She is one of the sweetest, kindest people I know.
I hope I can be like her when I grow up.
I have come to love so many of these Brazilian women;
at the temple and the CTM.
Many of them speak some English but when they speak to "a group"
there is a lot that I miss. It seems especially painful when they are telling
a funny story and I just don't really "get it".
Sometimes, they will attempt an explanation but not everything translates well.
I feel their spirit, their love, their humor, but even though I want to be,
and I desperately try, I'm not totally included - because of this "barrier".
My heart goes out to all who have immigrated
or served missions to Utah from foreign lands.
~
So now the Peurtas have recently been released :(
October 2015
October 2015
They too distributed a thank you card with these words from a familiar hymn
"Each Life that Touches Ours for Good"
will now have new meaning for me !
will now have new meaning for me !
A new President and his wife have been called.
Monica and Fernando Silva
President Silva is a former church employee in Salt Lake City.
They are both native Brazilians but have lived in Salt Lake for many years.
So, fluent bi-lingual temple president and matron will be very helpful
for future Americans or other English speakers,
who want to serve and/or attend this temple.
who want to serve and/or attend this temple.
I recently met them and they are perfect for this job.
Already making some needed changes in temple logistics.
They are also overflowing with love and enthusiasm
for all of us and the temple.
~
All this Temple President talk makes me
remember our beloved President Hal Johnson.
He was Craig's mission president in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil North Mission in 1969-1971.
He later returned to Brazil to be the São Paulo Temple President
with his darling wife, Virginia in 1984-1987.
I think about and imagine the two of them,
walking the hallowed halls of this temple.
Before he passed away in 2004, he and his wife and often his children
who lived in Rio with them, would travel from Idaho Falls or Brazil to Orem, UT
almost every year, for the missionary reunions.
Each time they would visit, remember, ask about our children.
They kept a HUGE scrapbook that they brought each time to display,
of cards and letters and photos that they continue to receive from all of us.
It was fun to look at and find our own as well as other friends in the book.
We understand that Virginia is still alive, but not well.
Their amazing legacy lives on in Brazil and all over the world
where their missionaries live.
Several have served as mission presidents in Brazil as well.
They had the best teacher possible.
The annual spring reunions continue until ?????
Every time we have gone, it's a different mix of return missionaries.
We look forward to attending this next year.
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