The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

Um adeus...

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security. And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child and you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much so you plant your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure you really do have worth and you learn and you learn with every goodbye, you learn...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLIE ANN!!!!

Today is such a special day!! Allie Ann is turning 8 years old! Time sure flies by!!!

I think back at the day that she was born and i fall in love with her all over again!

8 years ago on the 27th we went to the hospital in Brigham City really early in the morning because the doctor was going to induce me. Very nervous and yet so excited!!!

Yet Allie was not born until the next day, the 28th at 4:00 p.m. That was after pushing and pushing and pushing and even forceps were utilized!!!

I was too narrow though, therefore she came into this world through a c-section. After a painful day and a half it was all so worth it the minute she was here and healthy. My life was never the same. I woke up from the anesthesia almost 2 hours after giving birth and was told the good news: that I had delivered a healthy baby girl!

The nurse handed me my baby and I met my Allie Ann for the very first time! And there she was, so beautiful! I held her as tears came down my cheek amazed at how perfect she was. I noticed her dimples and thought she was the most beautiful baby girl in the whole world!

8 years have gone by and Allie continues to be the most beautiful girl in the world to me. She is a sweet little girl who is unselfish and very kind to others. She is a wonderful daughter and I am very proud of her.

The only trauma i have of those 30 something hours was having to endure this movie on T.V. in my hospital room. It was called Oh Brother where art thou?!! Man, that drove me nuts especially when pain would take over and I couldn't find a comfortable position to lay on!!

Epidural was heaven sent and it worked out pretty well. When you are heavily medicated anything sounds great!! Then I was able to endure that movie in the back ground for what it felt like 20 hours!!!! I do not know what that movie is about, in the name of memories i have tried to watch it since but i think that having that movie playing in the background for so long has created some kind of trauma that i can't get past!!! hahahah! So I still haven't watched it but I will never forget its title!!! That is for sure!!!!

Anyway, fun wonderful times! Parabens Allie... Wish you all the very best throughout your life. You will always be my baby girl!!!

Allie: Origin and meaning of the name: of a noble kind, brightness, exalted, happy, lively, merry, noble friend, inspired advice. Allie's origin is Germanic, Old English, Italian and Hebrew.

It is the pet form of Czech, English, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese Alice in the English language.

Allie's name was picked after her grandmothers. My mother's name is Albertina and the name Allie is a nickname for any name beginning with AL plus Allie's paternal great-grandmother's name was Alice which also influenced our decision to name her Allie. The name Ann was given to her after the name of her paternal grandmother's middle name.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Many years ago the First Presidency issued a statement that has had a profound and lasting influence upon me. “Motherhood,” they wrote, “is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.

Because mothers are essential to God’s great plan of happiness, their sacred work is opposed by Satan, who would destroy the family and demean the worth of women.” Russell M. Nelson, “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,” Ensign, May 1999, 38

Mothers find the beauty of life wherever it may be...

Womenhood - Mothers Who Know Who They Are...

President Julie B. Beck on motherhood:

“The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”

"However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.” Julie B. Beck, “Mothers Who Know,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 76–78

Elder M. Russell Ballard on mothering:

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108–10

You are the trip I did not take;

You are the pearls I cannot buy;

You are my blue Italian lake;

You are my piece of foreign sky.

(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

Field Trip

Earlier this month, I went with Brenton on a field trip to the American Heritage Center. It was a lot of fun. The kids had a chance to see how people lived in 1917. They talked and watched the blacksmith work, they played pioneer children games, did some laundry, made some butter and watched how to use a 1917 wood stove. It was really interesting. They sat in one of the pioneer living rooms and listened to a gentleman tell about the people that used to live in that house. They saw pictures, clothes, instruments and furniture used by them. After this they still had an opportunity to milk a cow! One of the interesting things we learned about the 1917 wood stove was that mothers used to place their premature babies in the stove warmer that is situated in the upper part of the stove!! The warmer was designed to place the bread after it was baked but they also used it to place their premature babies for about 2 weeks!!!! Isn't that amazing???? So right then I told Brenton that since he was born 2 months early that he would have been place in one of those too!!! And he thought that it would have been cool!! The lady who was talking to us about this part also said that a lady who went through this tour was 90 years old and that she had been placed in one of these warmers for two weeks when she was a baby. Wow! Pretty cool! the kids then enjoyed a cookie (and so did I:) baked in that cool 1917 stove and the taste was incomparable.

So last Sunday, April 26 was the anniversary of my own baptism. It did not take place around my birthday because my dad was working in Libia (North Africa) and hadn't arrived yet so we waited for him to baptize me.

What a special day it was!! I was able to have my own day and enjoy the start of a new beginning!

My family had been baptized 4 years earlier when I was 4.

As I have mentioned before, my family lived in Africa for quite a few years before I was born. I was born in Carmona, Uige in the North of Angola, (central Africa).

Due to a civil war, my family had to flee and went back to Portugal. I was only 3 years old.

We lost everything we owned and my parents started from scratch once back in Portugal. We were spared our lives and that was all that mattered. I was 3, Samuel 9 and Paulo 8. We did have guns pointed to our heads several times and were miraculously spared. Little girls my age were being raped by the guerrilla in front of their parents as well as women in front of their husbands. Our family lost all that was material but we did not suffer one scratch.

For many years Portugal had been under a dictatorship which obviously did not grant the freedom of speech or of religion. The church had not been able to get in for a very long time. But by the time my family got there the church was just starting and my family met the missionaries shortly after we arrived.

My mother is originally from Coimbra and as you know that is where we settled.

My father was very knowledgeable of the Bible and had very tough questions which had never been answered throughout the years in the faith he was living at the time. He had searched other religions but was never able to get answers that would actually put the pieces together.

Finally he met the missionaries and asked those questions. The missionaries did not have the answers. At least not at that moment and asked permission to go home and study and get back to him. My father was pretty sure that due to the fact that they were so young that there was no way they would know the answers and thought they would never not go back.

Well, they did go back and answered every question! My dad was very impressed and everything made perfect sense. They took the missionary discussions and my brothers and parents were all baptized. There were no church buildings since the church was so new in Portugal so they were baptized in a huge rubber swimming pool. The meetings were held in a local building that served other purposes. We were only the second family to join in Coimbra and one of the first few in Portugal.

I had to wait until I was 8 years old and was also taught the discussions. The missionaries gave me a Book of Mormon and asked me if I would like to be baptized. I was very young but I already loved the gospel in a way that I can't explain. I was so happy every time I went to church. We always had family home evenings and I loved my dad's prayers. It was my pleasure to accept to be baptized.

I will never forget my own baptism. I had a wonderful experience that day which will always be sacred to me.

I know that my parents went through many trials as they faced that war but I believe that it definitely prepared them to meet the missionaries and be ready to receive what the Lord had in store for us.

We were spared our lives and also given a spiritual beginning.

High School Quinta das Flores

This is one building of the High School I attended. This is situated about 8 minutes from my house on foot. This building is the one where I had most of my classes in my first few years there. My English, History, French and Math classes were all here as well as Art classes. All of the others took place in other buildings like this one. When I was in 7th grade, in this very building, I decided to buy smelly bombs and drop them in the classroom during History class. My objective was that it would stink so bad that we wouldn't have that class and that math would also be canceled. Well, it didn't really go as planned as far as cancellation goes but the place stunk SOooo bad!!! Our teachers made us sit there in class and endure that nasty smell. One of the students got really sick to his stomach! ahahah! No one could concentrate in that math class. It was horrible! Finally I told them I did it and they sent a note to my parents saying that I had placed two smelly bombs in the classroom and that I could be suspended for 3 days. My dad tried so hard not to laugh as he read that note and gave me a lecture, but I know that he was about to crack up laughing. I never got suspended because I told the truth voluntarily. I love a good prank, that's just me!! But shhshhhshhh...! don't tell Allie and Brenton about this!! ahah

This is my Middle School

This is the Middle School I attended and it is called Escola Preparatoria de Eugenio de Castro. I went there for 2 years. Here you can see some of the buildings, but this school's area was huge! It is located about 20-30 minutes by foot from my house. Fatima and I always walked together. We made sure we went way early so that we could play with marbles. The loser had to give up at least one marble to the winner. Racing marbles was awesome!! I started attending this school at 10 years old and that is when I had my first English class. My English class name was Daisy! hahahah! I really had a lot of fun here!! Fatima and I and her two brothers were the only members of the church in the entire school. My schedule was classes every morning starting at 8:20 until 1:30 p.m. and twice a week it would go from 8:20 until 6:30 p.m. I had classes on Saturday morning as well. Fatima reminded me that we also used to go to school way earlier not only to play marbles but to play dodge ball!! Man, we killed everyone!! hahahah

My Elementary School!!

This is the entrance to the elementary school I attended. It is bigger than you can tell on this picture! My room was number 4 on the 1st floor. Right across from the windows you see here on the first floor. Our windows faced the opposite side where we could see more of the playground area. It has grades 1st through 4th and we have the same classmates and teacher all through the 4 years. Two of those school years I had classes in the morning and two in the afternoon. Good ol' days!!!

Coimbra!

Coimbra

City Park (Coimbra)

City Park (Parque da Cidade) in Coimbra / Winter

Coimbra City Park

City Park (Parque da Cidade) in Coimbra

City Park (you can see the University tower at the top)

Rio Mondego in Coimbra

Coimbra tem mais encanto na hora da despedida!...

This is Coimbra! My mother was born here and only left Coimbra to marry my dad. They lived in Africa because my dad was working in Angola for quite few years and so all of us were born there. When I was 3 we moved back to Coimbra and that is where my brothers and I grew up. Coimbra is known for its University which is about 800 years old stil functioning perfectly. It has students from all over Portugal, rest of Europe, Africa, Asia and America. It is very diversed as you can imagine. The grades to get in are among some of the highest making it really hard to get in the first time one applies. I did attend this university when I was studying English/Portuguese Modern Literature. Tradition is a big thing when you live the student life! It was a lot of fun! I miss Coimbra! It has changed and grown in many ways but unlike other cities that just get big and busier with not much regard for the visitor, Coimbra will always have a hint of romance and will always make anyone who visits it feel welcome. To me, it will always be home...

Uige, Carmona - Angola (city where I was born)

I came across this picture just recently and it was very emotional for me to see this. My parents don't have a picture of Uige, I have only heard about it. This is the first time that I have seen a picture of the place where I was born. It is situated in the north of Angola and it was the main area for production of coffee which was also exported to other countries. Small little place which I would love to visit someday...

having fun in the water!! (Angola)

African Elephants (in Angola) I rode one when I was about 2 or 3 years old

Angola, Africa

Angola, Africa

This is the Coast of Angola where I was born...

Figueira da Foz in Portugal. This is kind of a "rug" that stretches along the sand so that you can get closer to the shore

These are on the sand so that your feet don't burn as you walk closer to the ocean. Some parts of the beach have long stretches of sand and you have to walk quite a bit so you walk on these to make that easier.

Praia de Buarcos na Figueira da Foz

This is Figueira da Foz beach. This beach is one of the closest to Coimbra where i am from (about 30 min by car). I spent the majority of my summers here... a lot of fun summers! My parents used to rent a home by the beach and we would stay 2 to 3 weeks there on vacation. So much fun e que saudades!!! Now, really?? How can I get used to the snow??!!

Montemor-o-Velho Castle (30 minutes from Coimbra)

My Mother's family is from Montemor-o-Velho e Figueira da Foz (where the beach is). My maternal grandmother lived just by the walls of this castle so my mother's playground was literally the castle. She used to go inside and play when she was a little girl. I have taken Allie and Brenton there and they enjoyed playing there as well:) This is just one of many castles that surround Coimbra.

Ponte D. Pedro e Dona Ines (pedestrian bridge over Rio Mondego)

just blowing off some steam...

Blogs are journals and today I have to share my feelings.. as we say in portuguese: Oh Egua!!! Tira o cavalo da chuva!!!! My frustration is about the behavior that those who are supposed to know better have. It's so ironic how adults get on their children's cases and make them behave and remind them over and over again how they should be nice, and polite and make sure they don't hurt others feelings and here we are as adults hypocritically allowing other adults to behave exactly the opposite way that we teach our children to behave!!! The difference is that a child can actually be justified, but an adult who acts that way simply because holds on to grudges and can not seem to move on should be ashamed! I guess they are right when they say that all people get old but not all grow up... There are those who walk around pridefully displaying their sense of entitlement. How dare they??? The minute people believe they are entitled life has a way of showing them that it is not so... but still some people only see their own noses failing to acknowledge others in the process. Yes, there are those who like to control and manipulate and if things don't go their way they will retaliate even against their own blood... the ironic part is that they will claim doing it in the name of "love", in the name of being so "close" as a family. Well I have news for them, closeness does not mean control, dictatorship and oppression. It means letting the members of one's family live their lives and respect the role that each person plays in the family instead of competing with them. People like this are a joke to me, perhaps even entertaining at times, but for the most part frustration speaks louder because i do love my children and do try to bite my tongue so that they don't have to have one more person in their lives throwing fits and embarrassing everyone in the process. Some of us have gone the extra mile and try daily to make it a better environment for the children, one that is free of resentment and tension, one that is filled with communication instead, one that genuinely makes them feel that they are indeed the most important people in our world. But all that is challenged and looked upon as weekness because some people like to perpetuate what should be left in the dust and hold on to grudges because that's the only way they feel alive. It seems like they are so wrapped up in their own miserable world that they can't see the beauty of being kind and letting it go. They are uptied and antisocial and the problem is that they are blinded by their own insecurities which does not allow them to associate with others. People like this don't know how to live for in their minds they always have to be better than others even when no one else feels that way. I feel sorry for them. I was taught by a loving mother who has gone through some hardships in life to never hold grudges. Her example taught me that everyone deserves a chance. However I feel that I have given these people a chance so many times and at times it just feels like everything is in vain... ... tolerance and respect... that's all I ask..

Euros

European currency (Euros)

Coimbra Soccer Stadium

Coimbra Soccer Stadium (near my house:())

Ponte da Europa (vista de Santa Clara)

Ponte Europa em Coimbra

Outro dente que caiu!!!

O Brenton perdeu um dente no dia 1 de Marco de 2009, um dia depois de chegarmos da Disneylandia e no Sabado dia 11 de Abril perdeu outro dentinho!!! E o dente da frente mas de baixo, mesmo ao lado do outro que ja tinha caido. Esta a crescer!!!! O mais engracado e que eu estava ao telefone com a minha mae, irmao Samuel e Claudia quando o dente caiu!! A minha avo Dores fazia anos no dia 11 de Abril.

Feliz Pascoa!!!

Entao ontem comemorou-se a Ressurreicao do nosso Salvador. Espero que todos tenham tido um bom dia e optimo fim-de-semana. Todos os anos no fim-de-semana de Pascoa, ha uma exibicao de animais bebes numa area que imita uma cidadezinha pioneira. Centenas de familias visitam essa area durante os 3 dias em que esta aberto ao publico. E tipo uma feira com actividades e comida mas a atraccao principal sao os animais bebes! O meu irmao Samuel e que ia adorar estar no meio deles todos!!! ahahah Eu e o Adam levamos a Allie e o Brenton e encontramo-nos la com o Josh e a Shari que trouxeram os dois irmaozinhos mais novos para que os 4 pudessem divertir-se juntos. Tudo correu bem e foi bastante divertido. A Pascoa aqui tem muitas tradicoes diferentes das que temos em Portugal e apesar de ja ca estar ha 9 anos ainda me estou a tentar habituar as diferencas. Mas, pela maior parte consegui lembrar-me do que normalmente fazem aqui para que fosse divertido para os meus pequenitos. O adam ofereceu a Allie um peixinho e agora ela e responsavel por lhe dar comida e o Brenton e o assistente dela. O peixe e basicamente para os dois mas a Allie e a que tem os maiores direitos sobre o peixinho:) Ela deu-lhe o nome de "Star". Na Quinta-feira passada ela ficou muito triste porque o caracol do mar que ela trouxe da praia na California morreu. Fartou-se de chorar e por isso o Adam foi com ela comprar o peixinho. Ainda fala no caracol do mar mas ja anda mais contente. Ontem para alem de irmos a igreja, passamos o dia a fazer actividades no nosso quintal para celebrar a Pascoa com a Allie e o Brenton. Foi um fim-de-semana bem passado.

Carpe Diem!!

Today is a much better day when it comes to having some worries lifted. A couple days ago I was quite concerned for my health. My purpose on posting this today is not to go on about my symptoms but rather to share with you some of my thoughts during these last few days. Thoughts that were more intense because I was indeed scared. Unfortunately we only reflect about all the things that really matter when we are afraid that somehow it could all slip away. It is interesting that the past didn't really come to my mind but instead the future was a priority in my thoughts. I felt an urgency to prepare things that will be of value to my children like the importance of my journals, pictures and my family history. I really did think a lot about it because that is the only way that my kids will truly know me. Evidently, my main thought was always Allie and Brenton. It was about all the many things I still want to do with them and for them... all of the special days and experiences they still have to live and how much I want to be there for them. It was all of the many things I still want to teach them... and be taught by them. I thought about Adam and what I wish for him... and all of the things that are still in store for us. I must admit that I was scared to a certain extent but that fear was only of any complications that would prevent me from being there for my children. I also thought about relationships with friends and family. My heart is so full of gratitude for all that I do have. In many aspects I have had to rebuild my life but the constant love of my Heavenly Father has always been there through other people... Shari and Josh were very nice in having the children visit me in the hospital while I was being tested. Shari and I have come to know each other better with time and I know that a genuine concern for each other has grown. Shari stopped by with the children and I felt her concern and love for me and I deeply appreciate it. People may wonder how we do it or how it is possible for us to care at all but the answer is simple, we are both mothers and we both speak the language that only real mothers comprehend. That is our secret. Like I said previously a had a couple of days to worry quite a bit but everything is okay as far as being able to rule out "the bad stuff". Adam is a great nurse!!! He took some days off to be with me and the kids and he sure made things easier on me. I was able to rest and feel better. In summary, our future is unknown. The next 10 minutes are uncertain so Carpe Diem!!!! Just Cease the Day!

General Conference Weekend

The first weekend of the month of April was special because it was time once again to have General Conference. As you may agree every session was unbelievable! Personally I felt that this Conference was so different from all the others in the sense that I felt that the general authorities were way more personal than usual. They shared more about their own families and for that reason I think they were so much more emotional. The experiences shared by most of them really hit home and I believe it touched anyone who listened to them. I interpreted on Sunday and we had the chance once again to be visited by Elder Richard G. Scott who is always so mindful of all the interpreters. He always makes sure to send a word of encouragement or to visit us personally during the early morning devotional which precedes Conference. He visited us at the translation center on Sunday morning and as soon as he walked in and my eyes set on him I started to tear up right away. The spirit that he projects is contagious. He looked around the room at all the faces and then he proceeded to shake hands. He came to me as I was sitting and stared into my eyes and i stared back. His stare pierces you in a way that it doesn't cause you to worry, it just gives you peace. My tears were just about to fall and I felt such love from him. It was a wonderful experience. Elder Scott spoke to us and gave us all an apostolic blessing. He blessed us with" an increase of the gift of tongues not only during this Conference but every time it is needed in future events". The work of interpretation and translation is not easy especially live but it always helps to know that the general authorities are praying for us. Elder Scott made sure to tell us all that the Brethren spend many, many hours in the preparation of all these talks and that they rely on us, the interpreters to convey their message in the spirit that it is given. Majority of the members in foreign languages do not know the general authorities' voices. They only know the interpreter's voice. The responsibility on our shoulders is enormous because it is through our interpretation that they will feel the spirit and it is through our voice that they will be taught the gospel. Having the knowledge of a language is extremely important but it isn't enough. Without the spirit you can't do this work. I have witnessed and lived great spiritual experiences in that little booth where the eyes of the world can not penetrate. They can't see us but they can hear us and it is the spirit that definitely magnifies our calling. Preparation and prayer will allow the spirit to step in when it is beyond our capacity. I have seen miracles happen in that room. Anything is possible during a live session of General Conference and the Lord is aware of that therefore His influence is notorious. None of us can do His work just by relying on language proficiency and fluency. The key is to be prepared and to be humble during that preparation and performance. I know that every time I interpret it helps me more than I help other people. It is a balm for my soul. It helps me to cleanse my thoughts and I allow myself to leave the worries of my own world outside those doors so that I can focus and be teachable in order to be a vessel for His voice. My own testimony grows with every single opportunity.

"God doesn't give you the people you want... He gives you the people you need. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you the person you are meant to be. I hope you shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it is about learning to dance in the rain."

O Brenton com exactamente o penteado que queria!

A Allie a posar...

Beijinhos!!!!

Eu e o Brenton a conversar

A Allie e tao meiguinha...

Eu e a Allie a conversar

eu e os meus pequeninos

A Allie a pensar...

A explorar

peek-a-boo!!

os tres de maos dadas

os dois a atirarem pedrinhas

a atirar pedrinhas...

Tao giro!

A caminhar...

Coisa linda

O Brenton a caminhar na praia...

A Allie a banhar os pes...