Até Nos Encontrarmos Novamente (Until We Meet Again)

It's hard to put into words the events (and feelings) of this past week. 

One day, it's 'same ole, same ole', and the next thing we know, it's, "Because of the Coronavirus, all American Senior Couples serving in Europe will be returning to the United States ASAP."

Brother Alves brought us the word from President Coelho and President Fillmore.

What to do next?

Our little world had turned upside down.

We still had our assignments at the temple for one more day. We had to pack, give stuff away, say our good-byes, repack, use up our metro passes (ha), spend all our Euros, and so much more!

I think the hardest part was not being able to say good-by to all our friends. It felt so incomplete. 

Anyway...

This puzzle didn't get completed.

Filipa stopped by - and took lots of food off our hands. 

Good-by to our dear little temple. We sure do love you! Our time here ended way too soon!

Lisboa!

You are truly one of my favorite cities - ever!!

We were supposed to be packing for our 'little jaunt' (a journey taken for pleasure) to Paris, Switzerland, and Spain during our temple closure - not to return to the United States!

Nevertheless, on the morning of Sunday, March 15, we found ourselves headed to the airport - not to Paris, as planned, but to New York City.

Last chance for a tin of bacalhau, sardines, octopus, ...

At the airport we met up with some of the other 20 American couples (plus some Sisters) leaving Portugal.

Sister Brown, Sister Marriott, and Sister McClellan used the layover time at JFK wisely by eating salads from Wendy's. 

And so, 5,116 miles and 18 hours later, we arrived in SLC.

Kimberly and her children were there to pick us up. (Keeping their distance, of course.)

Home Again, Home Again!

Thanks to Kristy and Kimberly, we have plenty to eat.

And how is our two week quarantine working for us, you may ask?

 

Four days and counting...

Lastly...

Our granddaughter, Emma, received her mission call this week. She will serve in the SLC Temple Square ASL Mission.

Beginning May 20, 2020.

The Work of the Lord continues!✌

So, that was the week that was. 

What the future holds, we know not. 

In these times of uncertainty, I am thankful for a living prophet to guide and direct us as we come unto Christ. 

We love you, President Nelson!

Lisboat

This week we viewed Lisbon from a different perspective.

We took a boat trip on the Tagus River (Rio Tejo) 

The Tagus River originates in the mountains of Spain, travels for 645 miles, and finally empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Lisbon. 
Legend has it that Lisbon was built to impress visitors arriving by boat, and after taking our boat tour, I'm bound to agree. 



We enjoyed a unique view of all of Lisbon's Seven Hills and a closer look at some of its most important landmarks, including..


Praça do Comércio



Ponte 25 de April (25th April Bridge)
-the largest suspension bridge in Europe and the 20th longest in the world. Often considered as a twin sister of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco because of its similar design the bridge in Lisbon is actually 300 feet (100m) longer.


The enormous Cristo Rei monument is built in 1959 in thanks to God for having spared Portugal during World War II, inspired by the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro. ‘God opens his arms to the city’.


Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the famous monument that celebrates the Portuguese who took part in the Age of Discovery of the 15th and 16th centuries, located on the estuary of the Tagus river where ships departed to their often unknown destinations.











Torre de Belém
The Belém Tower was built in the early sixteenth century in the Portuguese late-Gothic style, the Manueline. This defensive, yet elegant construction has become one of the symbols of the city, a memorial to Portuguese power as it was during the Age of Discovery. 

And since we had already visited these sites, we didn't even have to 'hop off' the boat!
And, did I mention that the day way exceptionally beautiful?

Portuguese Street Art

This week we explore... 

Portuguese Street Art 

(AKA Graffiti)

I must admit that I appreciate the tiles and sidewalks more, but...

Portugal seems to have its fair share of street art.

Even in our little neighborhood of Moscavide, we have a wall dedicated to various artistic creations. 

There are several routes that we can take to and from the temple/church each day. One of them takes us by "The Wall".

 

(And these are just the 'amateurs'.)

Buildings are not even exempt...

Anyway, love it or hate it, now you know!

(I will share more of these treasures as they are discovered!!)

 But there was more to our week than just 

GRIFFITI

We took a trip to Ikea (pronounced ee-kay-uh)

Found this strange place.

And even invited President Tsuchiya over for Sunday dinner since his wife was visiting her sisters in Porto and he looked lonely.😋

And let's just end with this special blessing from our beloved prophet...

Amen.