Meanwhile, back at the temple...

The temple continues to keep us very busy.  

 Each day brings something new. 

 

We love serving here!

We love these people...

The regulars - constant and faithful.

The American Tourists - always a treat to be able to speak English.

The 'foreigners' - their stories are all sooooo interesting.

In fact. just last week we have met one on the counselors in the Kiev Temple Presidency - who is living in Lisbon for the time being. He reports that the temple remains safe and protected in spite of Russia's attacks on religious sites around Ukraine. There are 48 congregations and more that 11,000 members in Ukraine. Many have left but there are those who have chosen to 'stick it out'. 

Another highlight for us has been the Humanitarian XP Teams. These are groups of about 25 youth who have come to build classrooms for the children on the island of Cape Verde. They come to the temple to do baptisms at the culmination of their two week experience - the girls in their bright island dresses - the guys in their rumpled dress shirts and ties. They bring such a sweet spirit with them. 

(This was group #3. There are two more to go.)

Back in the fall of 2017, we served in the Curitiba Temple with this wonderful couple - Adalton and Delgia Parrela from Florianópolis.

Imagine our surprise when they showed up in Lisbon! 

Our dear Sister Tsuchiya (her husband will be the new temple president in a few weeks) is battling breast cancer. One Sunday she came out of church to find that the young women had decorated her car and made her treats.

At this time, the temple is open four days a week - Wednesday mornings, Thursday and Friday afternoons, and all day Saturday. In August they will add Thursday night sessions. 

We keep busy helping to keep the temple running smoothly. Hopefully. We meet, greet, direct, instruct, learn - all in Portuguese.  

There are eleven senior missionary couples serving in Portugal at this time - four in the temple, one in the mission office, one as self reliance, two as MLS missionaries in the Azores, one in Porto, one in Évora, and one in Vila Real. This week we all got together for dinner and a temple session. 

(I am so grateful to be able to do this nearly every single day!)