Dinner at Tia and Antonio's

Last coffee morning in Europe



My last favorite pastry in Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 87 and 88:

The anticipation is killing us!!! Literally. I don't remember the last time we were all so tired and slightly nauseous, the stress is hitting us hard. It's really interesting to realize what an out of body experience these last few days are... one moment we are laughing and the next we cry, we can't sleep, we are so busy. Packing, cleaning, saying goodbye. All the while our heads are bobbing up and down, fighting off exhaustion and our minds are somewhere in the clouds. Everyone can see it. Everyone here is well traveled and knows what we are going through. It's the pre jet lagged, saying goodbye is too hard to handle, I can't believe it is over, state of being.

We have been stuck in this state all week. Most of our time has been devoted to the many errands we have to complete. Taxis, packing,  last minute souvenirs, etc. After our work is complete, we hit the town and relive some of our favorite Lisbon moments, visiting our favorite spots with our favorite people. Then we end the days with our goodbye dinners and friends. There are so many people here that we will miss so much! Saying goodbye is never easy- but at least we know that in Jehovah's Organization it is only a see you later. We will forever be connected with our new friends, no matter where in the world we are.

Today and Yesterday's Positives:

We enjoyed reliving our favorite memories while making new ones

We spent our last few days with our great new friends

The sun is out, we are all happy, we are all packed and ready for safe travels

so we are all tired and sad... but we had a great last night in Lisbon together

 

breakfast at the French bakery

walking through the gardens was exhausting

Gloria and Claudia

Days 85 and 86:

Sorry for the conjoined post but the days are literally stringing together as we try to prepare for our departure. Feeling slightly overwhelmed by our 'to-do' list, our thoughts on going back home, and our leaving, we all are beyond worn out. Although we are enjoying our last few adventures in Europe for this trip, we are all ready to be home and sleeping in our own beds.

Yesterday we spent the day in service and in meeting. With it being the special talk, we prepared all day- studying, sending out more invitations, and getting ourselves ready. The talk finally arrived and all I really remember was that our whole row had teary eyes. With the theme, "Why Does a Loving God Permit Wickedness", we all knew this would happen.

Staying at the kingdom hall an hour and a half after the meeting, we all said our goodbyes seeing as it was our last meeting in Portugal for who knows how long. Home late and exhausted, we fell asleep and rested for our adventurous day 86. Museums and 'barbecues' awaited us.

Early in the morning, we met Claudia and Gloria for coffee and a trip to the Museum of Natural Sciences. With weather as beautiful as it was, we all agreed to venture through the botanical gardens and butterfly garden. It was so much fun to be with these two lovely sisters. One of the best parts is- in six months they will be back in Oregon so we never really have to say goodbye.

In the afternoon, we all piled into cars of friends from the hall and headed on our merry way to the beach. Stopping for a Portuguese barbecue (pork and rice) along the way, we had the opportunity to meet some friends from the Portuguese hall. Even though the language barrier proved to be a challenge, we all had a lot of fun and laughed as we spent the evening in the sand, brought together by our mutual faith. Just goes to show that Jehovah's Organization is truly a worldwide brotherhood.

Positives:

The special talk was so heart warming and touching- and the hall was packed

Spent the evening after meeting making memories with my campolide roommates in the mall, having fun

Walked through the beautiful gardens with five amazingly beautiful and spiritual women

Spent the afternoon on an amazing beach, making new friends

Yara and Neomi- going to miss them

our group on the beach

 

 

 

 

Getting Ready for our Guests

 

Day 84:

 

As we near the end of our trip, all of us try to fit in the little things that we always meant to do while here. For example, we started the day out by inviting Tia and Antonio and Tia's mother over for a crêpe party. I think crêpes are definitely one tradition we adopted here that we will be taking home with us. I will say that, if we could, friends like Tia and Antonio and Tia's mother that we adopted while here would also be brought home with us. After the morning of breakfast and friends, the girls and I got to cleaning and studying. This past week has been like some sort of limbo for us. Stuck between being here and going home, our cleanliness around the apartment has suffered a bit.

In the evening, we all decided that we would try our hand at going to see a movie in the theatre while in Europe. It's amazing how TV series and movies all release weeks earlier here than they do in the states. We also learned that movies, Portuguese subtitles included, take intermissions exactly half way through the film. That was a surprise to us as we all had a little panic attack when the movie just shut off in the middle of our watching it. As the night ended, we all headed back home ready for bed and the remainder of our trip. Tomorrow is the special talk and a going away barbecue.

Today's Positives:

Got some cleaning done around the apartment

Had a wonderful time with our friends and our breakfast party

We spent the evening out together and, as always, had fun exploring new things and places

Hanging out at the theatre

NIght out on the town

 

Day 83:

Service day with my friends :) today, my

Post will be short and sweet. We did service all day with the exception of a run to the American embassy that almost ended in a trip to Morocco to avoid deportation. Afterward, we crashed!!!! Immigration laws are exhausting

Today's Positives:

Nobody got kicked out of the country

It was a beautiful day

 



Lunch Break

 



Makenzie giving her first (and last) assignment in Lisbon English Congregation

 



My friends Susan and Beatriz giving the #3 part

 

Day 82:

As our last weeknight meeting approached, we all left the apartment prepared to be a big part of it. Going out in service from ten to five thirty was only the beginning of our spiritual day. Looking back, this trip has taught me so much about the field and the work we do- what it means to truly sacrifice self to serve Jehovah. Yes, everyone is tired. Yes, everyone is sick. Yes, everyone gets scared or nervous. Even the special pioneer missionaries.  But, yes, we have Jehovah backing us up.

After service, we met at the hall for meeting at seven thirty. Makenzie and my good friend Susan Decker had the number two and three parts in the school this evening and they did a wonderful job. I think between seeing them on stage and getting all pumped up for the upcoming campaign and convention, tonight was one of my favorite meetings yet.

Today's Positives:

Had a good day out in service

The sun was out and it was warm
Had a nice picnic at the view point with some of the brothers and sisters

 

Breakfast



Going for a walk in the cool night's refreshing breeze



 

Typical for here- outside kiosk, projector with the 'soccer' game, and an espresso at nine thirty 

 

 

Day 81:

This morning we were invited to Ruben and Merieke's place for breakfast. After having them over for dinner not too long ago, I feel as though being around the sub CO/Coordinating Elder in the hall and his wife didn't seem so overwhelming. We laughed and joked and talked about our time here and our futures while we ate muffins and fruit and sipped on champagne and tea on the patio. It was a wonderful morning.

By the end of our visit with the lovely couple, our hearts and stomachs were full and we were ready to face the day. Service in the afternoon followed by an evening stroll through town filled the rest of day 81. Overall, we crawl into our beds feeling loved and supported by each other, by our spiritual family, and (most important) by Jehovah.

Today's Positives:

Had one more gathering with the Romero couple before our departure home

Had a spiritually up building day with wonderful friends

Went for a walk and felt refreshed afterward, saying goodbye to some of our favorite places

Day 80:

Walking to our secret spot up on the hill overlooking the city was a good way to start the day. Somehow it seems the days go by slower, almost like being stuck in a limbo between Portugal and home. Somehow we aren't really fully in either place at the moment. As sad as we are to leave, we spend most of our last few days talking about all we have to look forward to when we return to our families and friends. We know, though, that after some time our conversations will be filled with all the things we miss about Portugal. Things like our walks to this spot. Things like the congregation, the statues, the espresso, the old buildings, and (believe it or not) even the cobblestone.

Most of all- I am going to miss living with these amazing girls. Each one so different in their experience and their backgrounds and their personalities, but so similar in our goals and our love for Jehovah. Today, we strolled leisurely through the city and just enjoyed it before going to the apartment and studying. All the while, just enjoying our time together- as always.

Today's Positives:

The sun stayed out all day for us

We spent the day together

We are in Portugal

We had a lot of fun doing a lot of nothing

Day 79:

The car ride to Porto was definitely a fun one. Not knowing what to expect, we sat in the car half asleep. Upon our arrival, we stopped in to see the local Kingdom Hall. We waited for the meeting to end and visited with the brothers and sisters in the English Congregation for a while. The congregation was only 23 publishers and in desperate need for help. One couple that we met, the Ramirez family, had just moved in from New York. The husband, a former CO, had definitely made us feel the best we had felt in a long time when he told us how proud he was of us and how happy we were making Jehovah in being here. Definite highlight of the day.

After having lunch with some friends in the Porto English congregation, we headed out to tour the city. Walking the streets, we made our way to the wine cellars (we are in Porto... we had to see the Port Cellars). We spent the majority of our day on a wine tasting and tour, it was such a beautiful way to spend the day.

In the evening, we made our way to the beach and watched the water, enjoying each others' company before we made our way back. The three hour car ride was fun as well. We spent the whole time blasting music, exhausted form our trip to Porto, Portugal.

Today's Positives:

Saw a new part of Portugal

Had fun meeting some new friends related to us in faith

Were surprisingly encouraged by a couple from New York

Toured the beautiful wine cellars

Spent the entire day with friends and no real agenda  

 

 

 

 

Day 78:

Full day in service but I don't really remember it.... followed by getting kicked out of meeting for having a pale face, blue lips, and a fever. At least I got to go try and save lives and then rested a bit :)

Today's Positives:

I had a good time supporting my friends out in service

We saw some beautiful places while preaching in the sunshine

I learned that the kingdom hall is filled with people who love and care for me and made me go home and take medicine and drink tea and sleep

Tomorrow is a new day and I am hoping to get to go to Porto on a road trip with the girls

Day 77:

Leaving the house feeling like you could drop at any second isn't the most fun way to spend a Friday morning- or any morning for that fact. But I was happy to go out in service and to spend the morning in the sun with Meghan. We made our way through downtown, searching for people to speak to. Most were tourists from countries in Europe. Everywhere we turned we heard mixtures of French and German, Portuguese and Spanish, and some English. Everyone seemed in a hurry, though, searching for places and things and people in their tourist attempt to cram every possible cobblestone into their weekend in Portugal.

After a while of searching, we stopped in a café for a pick me up. Between the macchiato and the lemon meringue tart- I would have to say that I helped Meghan have a good morning. Mission complete, we packed up to leave the café. The lady behind the counter asked if I read in Portuguese. Slightly confused, I asked her what she meant. Pointing to the magazines in my hand, I finally understood why she got the impression that I read Portuguese. I spent a few minutes telling her about our volunteer work here and how we were searching for English speaking people to share some good news with but I carried magazines in multiple languages (Bengali, Portuguese, Nepali) just in case we found someone who was interested. After she accepted the magazines that I offered her, Meghan and I headed home. From there, I finally got to collapse. Sick again, I stayed in bed and studied the rest of the day away. All together, it's been a wonderful day.

Today's Positives:

Shared the truth with somebody

Spent the morning in the sun with Meghan

Studied a lot about Jehovah's great love for us and his purpose for creation and for love

Rested in hopes that I can feel better for a trip to Porto on Sunday

Day 76:

We started out with informal witnessing today, searching for those who speak English in parks- seeing as the weather was amazing and everyone was out. Everybody was feeling tired and worn out. Poor Audry and her infected bug bite, Makenzie has been feeling sick... everybody is involved in some sort of struggle but that doesn't surprise us. We knew coming into this that putting Jehovah first means things will only get harder in certain ways (2 Timothy 3:12). Despite the struggles of life, we have not lost our joy! Better yet, we are all here to support each other- even if it means dropping everything and dragging ourselves to the beach midday.

Seventy two and not a cloud in sight. We spent the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, meditating and reflecting on all that Jehovah has provided and all that he will continue to carry us through when we rely on him. It was just what we needed.

 

 

Today's Positives:
Sunshine, sand, sisters

 

Portuguese Snail on a Portuguese Flower outside

 

Day 75:

Spring time means spring cleaning. Major cleaning for those who just got a new apartment that had to be ready in a matter of hours for two traveling sisters to move into. Audry and I awoke at the crack of dawn, something the Portuguese typically don't do, to meet Tia. This past Sunday she had signed a contract for an apartment that she had hoped to move into by the end of the month when the utilities and electricity would be running and a stove was installed. Long story short- Claudia and Gloria (the two sisters from Oregon who are serving for six months in Lisbon English- had come with no arranged place to stay besides the hotel they booked for the first week. They'd been searching for an apartment but nothing had been found by the time they had to be out of the hotel. So what do they do? They pray and rely on Jehovah and so everything in their power to come up with a solution. This is where Tia and her empty apartment come in. It just so happens that with a few phone calls and a couple answered prayers the utilities were on, water running, stove installed, ready for move in this morning! The Portuguese now believe in miracles.

So we cleaned the morning away. The three of us scrubbed and talked, it w's actually a lot of fun. I really enjoy Tia's company- she is so nurturing and fun and full of zeal and love for Jehovah. Time goes by and Audrey begins to feel her arm getting worse from yet another bug bite... urgent care in Portugal swallowed up our afternoon. A doctor's visit, many euros, and some prescribed antibiotics will cure her infected arm right up! Post cleaning, urgent care portion the of the day brought us to meeting. Worn out and groggy, we made it to the end feeling so much better than we had before. We all came back to Campolide with smiles on our faces and schedules filled with friends for the remainder of our time here in Portugal.

Moral of the story- Urgent Care can come in many forms. Whether it is a physical healing, or an emotional pick me up being surrounded by those who encourage you and renew your spirit, or a spiritual type of care that one receives from Jehovah and his loving organization- when you throw your anxieties on Jehovah, don't be surprised when things work out to be quite alright.

Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Peter 5:7

 

 

 

Day 74:

There isn't much to say about today. Not much more than today was yet another reminder of how blessed I am. Every day is filled with love and laughter and beauty because every day is filled with Jehovah and the amazing friends that share my love for him. Each day I wake up to these wonderful people who struggle so hard just to make it through the day but somehow (with help from Jehovah and from each other) we say goodnight with smiles on our faces. 

Today's Positives:

Ellie

Audry

Makenzie

Meghan

Ellie from Washington

Tenesha

Every other beautiful person I have been blessed to meet on this journey

 

 

Love them with all my heart- always will

Day 73:

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life" –John 3:16

Today was the most important day of the year- the memorial of Christ's death. Service these past few weeks has been preparation for tonight; inviting as many people as possible to observe this memorial occasion. It was amazing to see the ratio of those in attendance (3 visitors for every publisher) between the English and the Nepali gatherings. It was also awe-inspiring to see two men in particular attend. Not half an hour before the memorial, Ellie and I had stood in front of the venue, handing out invitations when one man asked if he could have another for his friend- and here they were. Lesson learned- everyone deserves a chance because people might just surprise you.

The whole day was a beautiful reminder of all that Jehovah and his son, Jesus, have done for us. We go about each day in our imperfect state, we make mistakes, we are born with sin, we suffer, we die- but we have been offered a hope. The most precious gift of all, the ransom sacrifice, was offered to all mankind because of Jehovah's love for us- each and every one of us. I don't think words could ever describe the gratitude or the awe that I feel for such a gift.

Today's Positives:

Got a few more invitations out today

Had a good day out in service

Attended the English and the Nepali memorial

Out of the 43 publishers, 130 attended the memorial tonight

I have been immersed in the company of those who have faith in and appreciation for the most precious gift of all

Out in Service this Evening
 

Day 72:

With the memorial quickly approaching, of course we are going to be hitting the cobblestone like crazy! Today, I had plans with brother Antonio to meet for a study with Bobo- a Bengali man who had recently decided that he wanted to learn the truth about God- and then to continue distributing invitations in our territories.

Walking along the streets, talking with Antonio, I appreciated the company, the city, and the work. It was a beautiful day, and as we made our way through the territory we passed many sights that touched me. For example, the old couple on the bench watching the sunset in the park. Then there was Bobo, smiling joyfully as we parted from our study of the bible. There was Antonio,  and looking happy as  he invited a Nepali man to the memorial. Everywhere I looked, there was joy and love. It was a good day.

Today's Positives:

Spent my time making sure more people got an invitation to the memorial of Christ's death tomorrow

Enjoyed getting to know Antonio more and talking to him about life and Jehovah

Had the privilege of seeing the joy on Bono's face as he learned more about Jehovah and saw the sincere happiness he felt when he learned about the fact that we can actually be friends of God

Soaked in the sun and the sights of beautiful Lisbon

The Aqueduct

Walking Down Avenida

 

Day 71:

When 80% of the publishers show up to the field service group, you know it is going to be a good day. Today was very unique in that, instead of working in groups of two, we divided all 38 in attendance into 3 groups (obviously not 3 equal groups, but 3 groups nonetheless). Within our groups we were assigned one of three major territories, the remaining cards of the 30% of our territory that has not been worked in our campaign. The mission- invite as many people as possible to the memorial of Christ's death.

As we walked down the narrow streets of Lisbon, it truly amazed me to see our rows of witnesses. This feeling of awe and pride sunk deep in the pit of my being- I get to work side by side with my brothers and sisters forever if I choose. Not a single face didn't have a smile on it as we marched through the streets. We preached together, we laughed together, we ate together, and at the end of the day, we went to meeting together. Overall, day 70 has been one of the most encouraging days spiritually.

Today's Positives:

Tried a new form of service that was fun and successful

Worked side by side with my brothers and sisters in the campaign work

The sun was out for us today

Gave an invitation to a return visit of mine! 

 

 

 

Days 65-70:

A dark, dirty, and unfamiliar bus station is hardly the Spain we had envisioned when we sat those six hours on that bus, dreaming of the adventures Seville might bring. It was six in the morning when we arrived. The sun had not risen and neither had the city, it seemed, so we waited anxiously in the bus station for the sun to shed some light on the world. We had no idea where we were or where to go or even what to do, but that was the best part about being there.

Armed with a map and a few shots of espresso from the café in the bus station, we set off to find something to do. Watching the sunrise on the river, we stopped at a kiosk that was legendary in Seville for its churros (words of the tourist map of all things Seville). I will tell you now that churros are not the same in Spain- no sugar or cinnamon, just fried dough. As we sat at our table picking at our 'churros', a man and his friend who were behind us in line approached us and handed us some dipping chocolate. He insisted that churros had to be eaten with chocolate and, as drunk and somewhat vulgar as he was, he was right. We were happy to have the chocolate and we were happy that his friend, Joanna, was keeping him somewhat contained in his thrashed state. I remember Makenzie and Meghan and I were all nervous and slightly irritated when he pulled his chair up to our table...

Long story short- you never know with whom or where you will get to give a witness. This was our vacation, he was a drunk man from Whales who had a sailor's mouth and bought us chocolate so he could try and have a conversation with us. What started out as a dreaded, "so what brings you to Seville" wound up turning into a beautiful discussion on God, creation, faith, purpose, suffering, death, and hope. An hour and a half, six churros, a few tears, and a handful of scriptures later, we said our goodbyes to Danny from Whales and Joanna from Poland. Danny said he had witnesses come to his door on multiply occasions- all of which he rudely sent them away. Yet, here he was accepting our literature ands telling us how beautiful Revelation 21:3, 4 were. Just goes to show that there is still time for people to make their mind over. Spain started with the best discussion we have ever had with strangers.

 

 


Seville's Famous Churro Kiosk



After our breakfast, we set off to find the Plaza de Museo for a market that local artists go to on Sundays in order to display their work. It didn't take long at all, but we had a couple of Italians approach us on the street and give us directions. The rest of our two days in Spain were filled with food, shopping, sight seeing, boat rowing, and sleeping in a lovely little 'hotel' in the town center. It was so nice to have a vacation in Europe. Yes, we came here to serve and help, but having a little fun was a good way to recharge as we push through our final weeks.

The bus ride back was an adventure. Midnight, hot and humid, dirty, bus ride with some stranger reclined in your lap and no sleep. I think we laughed more on that bus than we did at any other point of our trip.

 

 


The Art Market at Plaza de Museo

 

 


Random University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain, greeting us with horse-drawn carriage

 


Metropol Parasol-the largest wooden structure in the world. Said to resemble a mushroom



Rowing a boat... in Spain



 

My first Sangria. So refreshing on a hot day

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy cramped bus ride back to Lisbon

 Something about packing up from Spain to Lisbon broke my heart a little. I think I realized then that going home is really happening soon. This whole time has been like some kind of extended slumber party with spiritually strong girls who just encourage and build up one another and support one another and make each other laugh. It's great to be here, having this adventure, with my friends and I don't want that to end.

Back in Campolide, it took us a day to rest and get to feeling normal again. A few days ago, a couple of pioneer sisters from Oregon showed up to serve here in Lisbon English for six months. Claudia and Gloria joined us for a day of field service as we showed them the ropes, so to speak. It's kind of endearing to be the tour guide this time around- the one giving pointers and tips. Anyway, we really like Gloria and Claudia and admire their zeal. They both have had opportunities open to them that allowed them to pack up and serve here and are looking forward to hopefully joining the School for Kingdom Evangelizers in the future.

Today, service once more. Makenzie and I headed to a few return visits, making sure they got their invitations to the upcoming memorial. Afterward, we studied in our favorite café that only has coffee and chocolate cake on the menu. This evening we headed over to sister Decker's apartment for dinner- it was so much fun. I have had such a wonderful past few days getting to know those who are related to me in the faith better than ever. Let the adventures continue.



 Out in service with Claudia and Gloria

 


Going to miss studying in the hidden treasures of Lisbon



Positives of the Past Few Days:

So much...

Spain! amazing witness and discussion at a Kiosk

Tried all the traditional foods- sangrias, tapas, paella, orange wine

Saw so many beautiful sights

Had a blast with two of my wonderful roommates

Got some sun

Been out in service finding so much joy in the fruitage of the territory as well as in the company of my brothers and sisters

Memorial is so close!!!!

I am finally blogging after a long break.... sorry about that