AND WHAT ADDED MORE TO OUR JOY....

You may remember that prior to going to Brazil five years ago we spent a month serving in the Cambridge (Boston) Portuguese Branch.  It set the stage for our missions - not only were we trained by the best of the best (Sister Melo and Sister Goncalves) but we had AMAZING, SPIRITUAL experiences.  We've been wanting to go visit that Branch since we came on this mission, but haven't felt we should miss a Sunday in the Branch to which we are assigned.  Since last Sunday was our Stake Conference, we decided that would be a good Sunday to sneak away.

As we pulled into the parking lot we started feeling a little silly... Maybe nobody would remember us, and it could be somewhat awkward.  The second man who came in the chapel shook our hand and basically said, "You served here before going to Fortaleza five years ago.  You gave my wife and me blessings.  Right after you left we got married, she got baptized, and I became active."  (He shared a lot more detail and emotion.)  He's the Branch Mission Leader, and according to the Elders who have served in that Branch does A LOT of good and is awesome.  His wife is in the Relief Society Presidency, but was ill and not able to attend Church on Sunday.  Missionaries have said she's amazing as well.

Artur - We were embarrassed we didn't instantly recognize him at first!

After Church another sister (who had come in after Church started) came up and hugged us and cried and cried and said that the blessing Craig gave her, and the instruction to leave her abusive situation and get active again in the Church changed her life forever.  There were others, too...  So sweet to see them.

Sweet Janette and her son (love his beaded tie - it was St. Patrick's Day!)

We LOVED our short time in Cambridge those five years ago, and have always been grateful for the two hard-working, Angel Sister Missionaries who we feel prayed us there!