Out in Service with Audry and Makenzie

 

Day 49:

As our stay here presses forward, thoughts of home and our return start to morph. What used to be a longing for day 89 has now become a feeling of disbelief that it is so close. In the beginning weeks it all felt like vacation with tours and new sites and flavors and sounds- everything new and exciting. As time progressed, it became unsettling to realize that this was more than just fun and games. I remember how overwhelmed we felt knowing that we had to adjust everything; schedules, comfort zones, eating habits, routines- life itself. Now, though, it feels like a new life. It took us half our journey but this is our life.

We don't have crazy and outstanding adventures in Europe each and every day. We don't backpack across the continent, ducking in and out of hostels. Although these things sound fun, we are here to serve Jehovah. We came with a purpose to help. I'm not sure, really, what we expected, but this is what we found. Life. Being here is basically like being home- minus our family, our friends, our jobs, our favorites of miscellaneous things we take for granted, minus the comfortable and the familiar. Being here is putting Jehovah first like we do at home. The only difference is that the challenges we face are different and we are being tested in many new but ultimately faith-strengthening ways. Today was just like any other day. Our life is waking up, getting ready, and heading out the door to serve Jehovah. Just like at home, but here we have been given the opportunity to serve in a congregation that could use more help covering the territory so that as many people as possible can hear about the truth.

Though we didn't get the opportunity to speak with many, we spoke with some today on the streets. We found a few people from a cruise that brought them here from the UK. We had a wonderful conversation with a couple of girls from California on vacation in Europe and I remember thinking about how nice it would be to go somewhere... that's when I realized that Lisbon and serving here overseas has become our life.

It's starting to feel familiar with new friends and new favorite places and a new little family and a new home. 49 days in and we are finally getting the hang of things. Familiar, but still an amazingly new and wonderful blessing of a lifetime.

 

 

Today's Positives:

Spent the day in service with my friends, going to places where we now understand how to find people to speak with

We got to talk to some people and place some magazines today

After service, we went to our favorite café and studied our Watchtowers

We are in Europe, not vacationing, living the best life there is to live

 

Day 48:

 

Today served as a reminder that spring has sprung. Trees  that were once barren seem to have bloomed over night as I walked through the park. After a morning of cleaning the apartment with Audry  and Makenzie I was out in service with a Portuguese sister, Yara. Tara and I took our time finding English speakers on the streets as we got lost in the city searching for her territory. Joining the English congregation in January, Yara and her sister Neomi are fairly new to the area so between the two of us, getting lost was no problem.



lonely pup sleeping on a bench in the park
 







 



 

 

 

Statues around every corner

We walked the streets for hours. When it grew dark we called it a day. Having talked to a few tourists downtown, we can safely say that it was a productive day. Plus, we found a few new places on our way to Yara's territory. One thing I am learning is that the entire city is one bug circle- a big circle connected by alleyways and seven hills. I still have much more exploring to do, though. Lisbon is full of hidden surprises- we have 41 more days to find as many as possible.

 

 

Today's Positives:

Discovered a few new places with a new friend

We got the apartment looking nice and clean

Talked to a few people today about the truth and am feeling more than ready to begin the campaign this Saturday

I'm still in Europe with my best friends, doing the best thing we can do with our lives

 

 

 

Visiting in the hall after the best meeting yet

 

Day 47:

Exhausted might literally be the understatement of the century. Flagging down a taxi at two in the morning- I am just thankful we got Ellie to the airport safely. I am also thankful, I realized as I observed other taxi drivers in this city, that we got the driver we did. We didn't really understand each other but he sure was nice and laughed at all our jokes and played cool jazz music that we awkwardly snapped to on our way to and from the airport.

Taxi and airports aside, it was a great day. Seeing as it is almost four in the morning, I don't remember a lot of details but I do know that I went out in service, I cooked up a storm, and I left meeting feeling loved. Loved. This is the night that marks the moment when I felt like a part of the Lisbon English Congregation, officially. We are talking stay in the Kingdom Hall until they kick us out after meeting kind of initiation. Not only do I have service plans booked for weeks but I also have invitations to outings, to peoples homes, I even got hug. Portuguese people don't hug. Best meeting yet.

I started the night on a high and it is still such a wonderful evening. When it sinks in later that Ellie is gone to Washington state, I will come off of my cloud. For now, though, I will enjoy the feeling.

Today's Positives:

Everything; minus saying goodbye to Ellie

Beautiful weather that I enjoyed to the full

I flagged down a taxi like no other- wish I had that moment on video

Have so much to look forward to that I am excited for the next few weeks and all the days filled with wonderful memories to come

The campaign is starting on Saturday and I feel so ready to explode with gratitude for the memorial of the ransom sacrifice

I get to visit a street of umbrellas soon like I have always dreamed because they set one up today in town!!!

I feel very up built and very much wanted here in Lisbon English congregation

 

 

 

Day 46:

Step by step, I feel as though my feet have grazed every cobblestone in Lisbon. Spending the morning in the ministry with Connie, a sister from New Zealand who lives in the apartment above ours, was such a wonderful beginning to the day. Sun on our backs, strolling the city, searching for people to talk to about the truth- Connie and I got to know each other better. I really like Connie- I like how down to earth she is, I like her love for Jehovah, her soft demeanor, and her sense of humor. It was a great morning, I made a new friend and plan on joining her for a few outings in the coming weeks.

After service hours were filled with errands and studies. More walking, more sunshine- I was fairly happy. This evening, our Australian friend, Justin, had invited us over for a dinner of some of his favorites. Appetizers consisted of bread and Vegemite (I'm actually extremely excited that I can check eating Vegemite off of my list), for dinner Justin had made the best soup that consisted of a blend of vegetables and herbs he had grown accustomed to while living in Thailand, and for dessert he made spiced chocolate mousse with praline topping and cayenne pepper. Between the food, the wine, and the music we all agreed that Justin is a class A entertainer. My favorite part of the evening was when he taught us Australian phrases... I am so determined to learn and use as much of them as possible while I am in his company. I also like that I am dunned the "Daggy Jumper Nana". It means I am a bit of an old soul who wears nerdy sweaters- term of endearment, I have been assured. So we made plans to karaoke sometime before our trip is done.



between the walking and all the food, we are all ready to crash and

 sleep in as late as possible before we hit the town again tomorrow. Day 47- Ellie's last day so we are making the best of it!

Today's Positives:

I am learning more about the friend's in the congregation and making a lot of new friends from all over the world. It makes me realize and appreciate the fact that I am part of the only organization where something so fantastic is possible and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to meet such wonderful people.

I learned that Vegemite tastes like malt and salt but is quite good when you pair it with a mild, soft cheese

Overall, every moment of the day was enjoyable and I end it looking forward to all the fun times that lay ahead 

Day 45:

 

we can only guess what the next half of our stay here in Lisbon will bring but we know it will lead us somewhere greater than we ever have imagined

 

 

Today marks the halfway point.

Thinking about this in the morning was bittersweet for me. Forty five days and I feel like I haven't done as much as I had hoped. Sometimes it feels like each day is such a struggle to get through, like being thrown one obstacle after another and getting through it just to be knocked down again. I say this, not to be confused with pessimism, but in a manner of dignity and renewed strength. We have made it forty five days of some of the most intimidating work, in a foreign place, with no family or friends along with us, where everything is different and difficult to understand, and we are still standing- laughing and happy with all the determination in the world to make it through this experience and finish strong.

As we did our family worship tonight- after service and touring the city with our visiting Ellie- we were all deeply touched by the video on the society's website. The video follows a young girl who put all her faith in Jehovah to serve where there was a great need for kingdom preachers. Hearing her speak of the challenges felt all too familiar. Hearing her speak of the blessings in which she reaped was even more real. Thinking about what this experience is doing for us- the opportunity we have to experience the best life and building our faith in Jehovah- it makes me realize that today marks the halfway point. We are forty five days stronger, forty five says wiser, and we have forty five days to keep growing and giving. These next forty five days will continue to be a struggle and to have their own anxieties, but we will continue to be happy and to be blessed. We have each other, we have so much to look forward to, and most of all we have Jehovah

Today's Positives:

Went on a study with a girl who's love for the Bible and God are so sincere and genuinely inspiring

Got used as an example in the ministry as someone who relies on Jehovah and proves that He provides (that made my day)

Had a fun time running around the city with the girls and showing Ellie a few places

I end the day feeling uplifted and sound in mind and heart that this will be one of the best experiences of our lives

Just What We Needed

 

 

Day 44:

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder- which means that art must be as well, right? As we stared at the pieces within the museum, we discussed amongst ourselves the individual interpretations of the exhibits. At the end of our visit to the museum of modern art, it was unanimously decided that art is like beauty. There is no real definition; just interpretation of the expression of creativity, imagination, and emotion of oneself.

 

 

Ellie and the giant table

 

 

 

 

 Belem, the part of town in which we visited today, was extremely packed. Weaving in And out of crowds, I tried my best to find the art around me.

 

 Lately, I feel as though I have been letting the appreciation of the city escape me. Today was like opening my eyes again. From the statues, to the buildings, the cobblestones that lay the earth like puzzle pieces beneath our feet- art is in the world surrounding us.

As we continued on our way, we visited a very unique place to Lisbon. The LX Factory is a street of beauty and art. Groups of industrial buildings that were abandoned in the 19th century are now occupied by a variety of a vendors- from books and soaps, to arts, crafts, and clothing. It was amazing to see the works of peoples' hands, the streets so alive with an appreciation for detail and hard work.

 

Dinner in a café at LX Factory

 
 

 

Reflecting on the day, I realize the depth of my submersion in art and in beauty. The most beautiful piece, in my personal opinion, was a sign that we saw hanging in the streets of the abandoned warehouses. This sign reminded me that this trip, despite the rocky parts, is going to develop into something amazing. I just need to give it time, to adjust my lens, and to keep searching for the beauty in every moment that I am here.

Today's Positives:

Had a fun day in beautiful weather with my beautiful friends

Got an unexpected visit from a friend in the hall who came just to give us hugs and cookies and make sure we were all happy and well

Saw some amazing pieces of art and had fun exploring the museum

Made a return visit while we were out

 

Day 43:

Today has been such a roller coaster of a day that I think it would be best of I just stated the positives from beginning to end and forget all the in between.

Positives:

Woke up and had a nice brunch at a cute café with the girls

 

 

Had a nice afternoon strolling in the sunshine and exploring

Made it to meeting and enjoyed a wonderful talk and Watchtower study

During the Watchtower, the brother conducting the study made an interesting point that I took to heart. He stated that we, all those in this particular hall at this particular moment, had the very special privilege of experiencing firsthand the slightest of glimpses into what Jehovah's Kingdom will do for mankind. I looked around and saw the diversity within the seats if the hall and knew what he meant. People of all nations, united in worship. This realization and appreciation for this opportunity made my desire to give back to this congregation and to Jehovah burn even more so than it has been since we got here.

After meeting, we met Justin at a venue in town to see a concert. It was Miguel (the singer from day 35) and his band, the Brass Wires Orchestra. It was amazing!

 

 

We are all exhausted from the day. It has been full of it's ups and downs, but in the end all I have to do is focus on the positives. I have wonderful friends and a wonderful spiritual family here. I have the love and support of so many people. Each day, I am constantly being refined, renewed, strengthened, and reminded of the many blessings that I possess and I am not going to let anything distract me from that.

Another positive- tomorrow is another fun filled day. We start with service, go to the museum of modern art with friends, and then we head out to some hot spots in Lisbon.

I'm excited for another good day, day 44.