Day 42:

Some days you just have to take it easy. After our late arrival last night, the girls slept until the early

 afternoon and caught up on some much needed rest. As for me, I woke and did some chores, made some crêpes for the girls, and studied a bit. It killed me that the sun was out and I was wasting it, but I needed to let my body rest as well. Running the occasional errand and going out for dinner was about the only thing we did today outside of the apartment. Not much to talk about, but it was a good recovery day and an opportunity to rest up for the next few days to come. Tomorrow will be service, meeting, and then a concert. Long day, here we come!

Today's Positives:

The apartment is impeccably clean

I took care of some things I needed to get fixed around the apartment

I spent a good amount of time with my personal studies, reflecting on what Jehovah's Kingdom has done in my life, which left me feeling stronger in faith and more appreciative of the privilege I have to be a part of such a government

Had a fun night out at dinner with Audry, Makenzie, and Ellie

I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

Day 41:

Today marked for me a very somber anniversary. Spending the rime away from my family and so far from home had me worried a bit but, with friends like mine, I should have known that they would make today an amazing day. They kept me too busy to be sad. With  the help of a few friends in Bethel, my wonderful roommates found a way to get us a tour of the Portuguese branch!

The branch has 57 family members, all working to keep a great number of congregations, foreign language groups, and diverse territories organized and well fed throughout the country. From the recording rooms to the shipping department, we spent the morning touring Bethel. We learned about the ban on the witnesses that lasted u until the eighties in Portugal. We saw Jeronimo's translation of the bible in Latin- La Biblia Vulgata. We even ad the privilege of meeting and eating lunch with the Bethel family!

 

 

After our tour and lunch at Bethel, our friend Jonathan took u out to tour Cascais. Our first stop was the beach. Sunny and warm, I was the perfect day to play in the sand. Walking down town barefoot and driving along the coastline, we ha a wonderful afternoon and evening viewing parts of Portugal that most visitors never get the chance to see.

So the day comes to an end and here are my positives:

I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful and true organization

Bethel was such a faith-strengthening experience, seeing Jehovah's hand in providing for His followers

I spent the day with some of the most amazing friends one could ask for- friends who I am so thankful to have in my life and love with all my heart

We had good times and lots of laughs in the sun

Today marks a new anniversary- my first Bethel visit ever!

 

 

Day 40:

I started out the day with service plans in the sunshine. Tiago invited me out to visit some of his calls around town. For three hours we walked the "City of Seven Hills" and searched for return visits. Below is a picture of what sores typically look like here- we don't knock, we push intercoms buttons until somebody speaks to us and buzzes us in. Unfortunately, the person to let us in usually lives on the fifth floor. To be honest, I really love all the walking and wish I could add that to our service norms back in the states. With the sun and the warmth and the good association, I believe this is the happiest I have ever been out in service.

 

 

 

 

After service, I found a pleasant surprise on my bed. One of my lovely roommates had left a bouquet on my bed... and planned a special surprise for me tomorrow! On top of that, Ellie from Oregon arrived today and this next week is jam packed with amazing adventures. From concerts, Australian veggie mite parties, wine tasting, museums, dinner with a group of friends, tourist sights, beaches, and service- I am feeling very excited for the next few days but especially for day 41!

Today's Positives:

I spoke to people on the bus and in the streets about Jehovah

We added a new friend to our Campolide Group

The weather is like summer and beings out the best in everything!

I have no time to be sad about anything!!!

Tomorrow is going to be absolutely wonderful!

Day 39:

It's funny how something as simple as the sunshine can make a day so much better- even the most mundane of days. I met Crystal at Marques de Pombal this morning for our service plans. Walking through town, we made our way to her territory in Rossio. The sky was blue and seemed to dance as it reflected off the river. Something about the stucco houses and the cobblestone hills that makes this town seem almost magic- like I've been dropped in the scene of some foreign film. Then people start speaking and I realize there are no subtitles and the magic disappears for a moment and is abruptly replaced by reality.

 

We walked the hills through the streets. Pushing buttons on intercoms, we waited for replies but with little success. This was our morning. Crystal and I talked and searched for somebody to preach to. We spoke a bit about the coming campaign and ideas to increase our ministry, we spoke about our families back home and getting through the rocky parts of being "need greater", we discussed our favorite parts of the city and of being here- doing what we are doing. Even though we didn't find anyone to speak to in English about the truth, we had a nice day speaking with each other. It is such a blessing to have friends who share the same priorities and goals; friends who understand and appreciate your struggles and friends who genuinely love and care about you.

I came back to the apartment to such friends. Poor Makenzie was feeling sick today, so we spent the evening in the apartment watching movies, looking up information for planning a few things, just talking and hanging out together. I walked, I ran, I tried to clear my mind. These next few days will be jam-packed with fun events as we try to keep me occupied and try to make the best of our incoming guest's week long stay. Tomorrow we pick up Ellie from Oregon at the airport after service! Day 40 should be a busy day for us.

 

Yesterday's Positives:

I had a wonderful time with Crystal in service

I got to spend the majority of the day in summer like weather

I did my best to help Makenzie feel better

I got a good run in while I could

I'm surrounded by people I love and adore, which makes it feel like a second home here

I have so much to look forward to these next few weeks

 



Saying Goodbye at the Airport

 

Sunny Day Lisbon

Day 38:
Waking up early has never been hard for me- falling back asleep is the real challenge. We left Campolide around 6:30, catching the metro to the airport on the other side of the city. As sad as the occasion was and as tired as we all felt, we did a pretty good job at keeping the conversation light and making sure to laugh all the while. It made for an easier "see you later, Tenesha", but it was still a hard thing to do.
Leaving the airport with our hearts sinking someone deep within the pits of our stomachs, we boarded the metro one person short. Audry, Makenzie, and I all had the same thoughts racing in our minds. There was a certain confusion that came with seeing the planes and going through the motions of checking bags and getting tickets but still being so far from home. Time and space seemed to be our enemy as we all thought about our families and friends half way across the globe. So we took our moment to miss our loved ones, but it isn't going to stop us from pressing forward. Psalms 4:5 is just one of the many scriptures I keep reading- a reminder that this experience is going to be one of the best of my life if I can rely on Jehovah to get me through the rocky moments.
After making the girls crêpes in Tenesha's honor, I went for a jog while they slept. Walking in the sun, praying and thinking, I began to feel at peace again and better equipped to face the oncoming weeks and to make them the most enjoyable moments of my life. I'm in a beautiful place, I'm with wonderful people, and most importantly; I'm doing the best work there is to do.

 

The rest of my journey through town was me enjoying the sights and the quiet. This evening, I had made service arrangements with Yannik- a study who moved here from Congo about four years ago. Yannik is one of the most positive and energetic people I have ever met. As we worked territory in the night, we talked and got to know a little bit more about each other's backgrounds. I learned a lot about Yannik, like how zealous he is and how the truth just seems to sprout in his heart. Many times, I hoped I could be more like Yannik in ways, he seems to almost laugh when he talks. His joy is evident is every word that he speaks. As we parted for the evening, Yannik had walked me to my bus stop to ensure my safe arrival home and then went into the metro station to catch the train. As I waited for the bus, I noticed a woman trying to speak with the driver. She was asking him to let her on the bus but his Portuguese reply was of no use to the English speaking woman. I approached her and explained to her what the driver was trying to convey- this bus was on a five minute break and would not reload until he was ready to run it again. After speaking with her about the bus routes, I offered her some magazines to read while we waited fir the bus to start again. We talked a little about the Watchtower and before I knew it, she was racing to get on the bus that had finally started up and loaded again. I waved goodbye as she thanked me and boarded the bus. As it drove off, all I could do was smile and think about how happy I am to still be here serving where the need is great despite all the challenges we may face. Then I thought about the woman on the bus that drove away- that was the bus I needed to take.

After a long walk back to Campolide, I'm finally ready to crash. Tomorrow I have service plans with Crystal and family study with the girls. The sun is supposed to be out!

Today's Positives:

We still have more time to do as much for Jehovah and people here as we can

Made the girls feel better with a bug batch of crêpes

Tenesha got home safely

Basked in the sun and enjoyed the scenery as if I were in my own beautiful world

Spent a few hours in the ministry with a wonderful person named Yannik

Spoke with a woman and got to help her a bit

 

 

 

Day 37:

Bittersweet is the only way to describe day 37. We made it a fun day filled with positives but one giant dark cloud loomed over us today. It's Tenesha's last day with us in Lisbon. Tomorrow morning we take her to the airport so she can go home to France. As sad as it is- I am extremely happy that we got to spend this time with her, getting to know her and sharing such a wonderful experience that will never be forgotten.

After a morning run and breakfast together at the apartment, all of us Campolide girls set off for the Museum of Natural Science. It was such an awe-inspiring place filled with the many wonders of Jehovah's creation. From botanical gardens, to the creatures in the ocean, dinosaurs, the many galaxies, minerals, and so much more; the information contained in this one building had us feeling so small and so inspired by our grand creator. The whole time we were in the museum we had fun. I don't think there was a moment that went by without smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts.

In the evening, we had decided to invite Tia over to join us for a crepe party. Crêpes are Tenesha's specialty, very French of her. She taught me her secret recipe and all of us girls flipped and ate crêpes like nobody's business, declaring this day as Crepemas. As day 37 comes to an end, we say goodnight with slightly heavy hearts, not wanting day 38 to take Tenesha to France...

Today's Positives:

We were reminded of what a wonderful privilege we have to be serving the one and only creator of the universe and felt the true meaning of the exaltation found at Revelation 4:11

It was a wonderful last day in Lisbon with Tenesha

It was also a wonderful "we will see you again" day with Tenesha

Crêpes- need I say more

 

 

 

 

Day 36:

The sun brought the city to life today. People swarmed the streets and filled every corner of every park to be found. We, of course, saw it as an opportunity to preach so we spent the day roaming about the town with our ears open. Children were laughing, old men played dominoes in the park, teenagers kicked around soccer balls in the field- this is what many say it is like in the summer. Between the warmth and the general elated sense of well being; I could get used to Lisbon in the summer.

Staying out until the meeting in the preaching work, I had gotten the opportunity to speak with some foreigners- a few exchange students from the states, some tourists, and a man asking for money. Overall, it was good to be out and to speak with people.

Meeting, as always, proved to be just what I needed. "He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in distress. I will rescue him and glorify him" Psalms 91:15.  As I pondered over the talk and watchtower, a sense of peace and reassurance entered my mind and heart. There have been moments when I have felt overwhelmed, especially in a situation such as the one I find myself in now, but to be reminded that I have a stronghold where my faith lies... I know these next few weeks, despite what challenges may come our way, are going to be some of the most strengthening and life changing weeks of our lives.

After making plans for every day this and next week with various friends in the hall, we all headed back to the apartment for a movie and now we lay to rest- excite for our plans tomorrow. Day 37- we'll see what happens.

Today's Positives:

Makenzie and I dogged a water balloon that some kid tried to drop on us while we were out in service today

Audry and I scoped out a new university for us to work

The weather was absolutely perfect

Meeting tonight built us up in so many ways and helped remind us that relying on Jehovah is the only way to get through anything