Enjoying Beautiful Cabo Verde

Dear family and friends,

We feel like we are on a fast track, trying to get projects ready to give over to a new couple (no one called yet), and to see and do all the things we want to experience again, for the last time, like our trip last Monday to Santo Antao. 

The boat that we travel on between islands.

The windy mountain heights

Our group of missionaries in the pine forest.

A sister missionary.

The HUGE waves on the ocean on our group trip. (Thankful the waves were not big when we were on the boat.)

Tomorrow is Roger's birthday, also our cat Sam.  Nicole's 1st grade devotional program at school in on Wednesday.  Any more news from anyone?

We have been having troubles with our email server, so are going to switch to gmail soon. 

The weather here is no longer hot--some days I even carry or wear a sweater because of the chilly wind, especially close to the sea.  When we went to Santo Antao, up in the pine forest, it was so cold we could see our breath!--a "first-time" here.

Last Sunday I taught the Relief Society lesson on Fasting, all in Portuguese.  I have learned previously that preparation ahead of time is the key to not being scared or nervous.  Since I had to translate all I wanted to say that was not in the book, I needed plenty of time to prepare.  The lesson went fine and every sister helped me with comments or reading, etc.  I just hope it doesn't happen again!

We have been going to the local hospital twice a week to deliver newborn baby kits (from Salt Lake) to the new mothers.  Last Thursday there were 33 new babies, including 2 sets of twins!

Yesterday there was a baptism of a lovely young adult woman, the only member in her family.  Her mother and sister came to the baptism even though they were not in favor of it, but hopefully they were welcomed and felt the love shared in this church, and will be OK with their daughter and sister joining.

One of my piano students is helping me with piano teaching by translating and explaining some of the concepts.  He also has begun playing one hymn in sacrament meeting each week, working with the branch president as to which hymn to play.  Today we went to the other chapel, and he wanted to play all 4 hymns in our home branch.  When I saw him later, he said it went very well, and the branch president said so also.  He will become my replacement for our branch music!  He jumps right in to any chance to play and is not afraid to play in front of others--in fact, he blossoms with it.  He is one of the three to whom we gave a personal keyboard to take home a few weeks ago.

Tomorrow is P-day, and the missionaries want to come to our house in the afternoon to watch a church movie and eat pizza and cheesecake (they furnish the pizza, I made the cheesecake).  They are all so fun to be with, and it is great to hear of their teaching experiences. 

The Lord's tender mercies keep coming to us and helping us meet the right person at the right time.  Prayer over many seemingly small things really helps to solve problems, such as not knowing how to fix something, or whom to call for assistance, etc.

Enjoy the photos.  , the windy mountain heights, our group of missionaries in the pine forest, a sister missionary, and the HUGE waves on the ocean on our group trip.(Thankful the waves were not big when we were on the boat.)

See you soon!  Big hugs and loves for all, and prayers for you every day.

Love always, 

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister