Dinner with investigators at Sharon and Bruces (the Branch president and his wife are the best!)We made it home after almost 24 hours! It was a long day. It was great to come home to a clean house with a banner from our kids and a happy babysitter! Even though it was midnight we had to go and wake everyone up long enough to let them know we were back. JT woke up at 1 am to say hello. He was so excited to see us that he couldn’t get back to sleep for a good 30 minutes. We had a party this morning and ate the chocolate granola we brought back from Portugal.
What a great experience we were able to have! We will never be able to thank Sharon and Bruce enough. We had so much fun spending time with them and living their lives for a few days. They are such wonderful and happy people and truly dedicated to the cause of sharing the gospel. It is definitely another world there. I personally was so proud of both of them everywhere we went.
Sharon is so genuine and sweet – it is true how much that little Alex loves her and also the people from their ward. I am especially proud of her for serving this mission. It has to be hard when they get talking so fast- even though she is doing so well with her Portuguese! (I was only there for a week and didn’t know what people were saying and couldn’t communicate.) It was hard for me to want soo badly to converse but be limited. Bruce is so awesome with his magnetic personality and way with people. The people all want to be around him and talk to him. He does so much to help the people there. He drives A LOT to pick up members and investigators and missionaries. He teaches institute, conducts sacrament meeting, and teaches Sunday school. (Only a few of the things he does) It is easy to why they are loved so much.
The people we met have changed our lives for good. We have so much in life to be thankful for. Here a the last of our photos. We were able to be a part of a dinner where Edna (the branch president’s wife) made pancakes (crepes with chicken) and had invited a nonmember lady who does her fingernails. She brought her two daughters and husband. The missionaries and Bruce shared some thoughts about families. It was very special. We also went to institute and church. The members all wanted to feed us – they are very hospitable. The missionaries there are also very great. It is hard to stop thinking of all of the wonderful memories that were made, but it is time to end for now.
Comments:
Jana said…
I have to second that blog, we have been so blessed by the visit to Portugal and the people over there have made an impact on our lives for good. Mom and Dad are truly changing the lives of many. Being with them for that short week has made me realize how blessed we are to live where we do the church is defiantly true and is the same everywhere. I loved that chocolate granola too yum!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:10:05 AM
Mom and Dad Parker said…
Thanks for coming. We loved the visit and your comments were especially kind. We do sincerely love these good people and the opportunity to share the great message of the restoration.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:42:12 PM
Magan said…
We are glad you are home safe. The Parker’s look like incredible missionaries. See you this week..
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:34:22 PM
Meg the gem said…
I loved reading about your trip! What an awesome opportunity! It was also great to see what one of my fave seminary teachers is doing (post-seminary!) I was very blessed to be taught “in my youth” by someone who is still so dedicated to the Lord!
On a side note–today at the grocery store I was in the produce section and the bags of potatoes said they came from Rexburg, ID. I sniffled a little bit inside, and the people around me probably thought I was a little strange to be staring at a bag of potatoes!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:48:36 PM