PERSISTENCE, SNOW, AND MIRACLES

When we first got here, our goal was to meet every Branch Member in their homes within our first few weeks - we got about 85%.  About 5% of the remaining members made it clear we were not wanted in their homes.  EVER.  After a few weeks we were able to determine that another 5% had moved.  Then there was the last 5%.  We have gone to some homes a dozen times, texting and calling in between.  Our Relief Society President, who knows EVERYBODY (several from their days in Cape Verde) told me that "Sister Jane" (not her real name) had moved.  But each week during planning time, when we thought about who to try to call or visit, we felt like her name should be on the list.  So every other week we would text, call or drop something by Jane's house.  About a month ago she responded to a text - PROOF OF LIFE!  Finally this week she agreed to meet with us.  Since I am her Ministering Sister (and she speaks English) Craig and I decided I would go alone.  We had a VERY tender discussion where I listened to her heartbreak and tried to encourage her, and we both felt the Love of the Spirit.  I don't think she will be coming back to Church in the near future, but she now knows she is loved and missed.  And the Branch now knows she is still among us.  We are so grateful that we were prompted to be persistent!  

If you've listened to any news, you know that Boston had quite the snow storm this week.  We just have to include a few pictures.

You can see how hard it is to dig out your car.  Thus the "saving places"
with everything from lawn chairs to a shopping bag to a can of paint!  In
the neighborhood where we work, people DON'T mess with saved places!!!!

Each week in our District Council each companionship reports on their "Miracles."  Craig and I feel like the word is used a bit freely, but we had one this week.  We were sitting in a home at a kitchen table.  Suddenly, we heard a sound in the cupboard that was about a foot away from my chair.  It wasn't very loud, but it was the UGLIEST sound I had ever heard.  Trying to look calm I asked what it was, and the hosts engaged in a debate over if it was the mice or the rats.  The miracle is that I was able to sit there until Craig could quickly wrap things up and we left without me screaming or making a scene.  Definitely a miracle!!!  UGH!

Our Branch's Missionaries    The other Senior Couple is the Area Medical
Authority.  He speaks Portuguese, so they come to our Branch on Sunday,
but they don't work with the members during the week.