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