Fortaleza, Brazil
164th operating temple
Dedicated: 2 June 2019
By: Ulisses Soares
Book of Mormon
Moroni 1-5
Come Follow Me
"Opening the Seven Seals" by Richard Draper
October General Conference
"Our Constant Companion" by President Henry B. Eyring
I was up at 5:30 this morning. I took a shower and did some preparing, praying and studying.
We had planned on attending church in Stacy & Paul's ward. They meet in the McQueen building at 9:00. Kim & Brian meet in this building too, at a different time.
James forgot his dress shirt and shoes. He had a gray dress shirt he wore with his suit and his tennis shoes. He was pretty embarrassed.
James, Me, Stacy, Alayna, Joshua
I really need to work on my smile and so does James.
Joshua gave the prayer on the bread. I was so grateful he was worthy and willing to honor his priesthood.
Before the program began, Armando, whose family is in this ward, came over to say hello. If was so nice to look back and see him sitting with his wife and a row full of children.
The program went something like this:
"Picture the Baby Jesus" - the Primary children. Their Primary is small than ours.
"Angels Lullaby" - Women's group
Piano Solo - "Angels We Have Heard on High...medley
"O Come All Ye Faithful" - Congregation
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - Men's Group
(Joshua and Paul sang in this group)
"Away In a Manger" - four children
Closing Address - Joey Harris (Paul's friend from high school)
Growing up Joey's dad was not a member of the Church. Joey gave a list of things he would teach his dad about the gospel. I didn't get them all, but here are some of them.
1. The Church is based on Jesus Christ. Because of His Resurrection we will be resurrected.
2. We can be forgiven of our sins.
3. We can learn about Jesus every Sunday in Church and everyday at home.
4. Priesthood blessings can heal as if it were Christ giving the blessing.
Joey then bore his testimony.
"Silent Night" - closing hymn
Benediction
We didn't plan very well for Sunday meals. I had a roll this morning so I could take my pills but now here we are at lunch time, hungry, and nothing to eat except sweets. Stacy and Paul invited us for dinner this evening but no plans for lunch. I suggested we get Whataburgers. At first James disagreed with buying food on Sunday which is something we do not ordinarily do, and then his tummy growled and he said okay.
We drove to the nearest Whataburger, there are several new ones in this area, and we each ordered a Whataburger Jr. We waited until we got back to the hotel, room 121, to eat. After eating it was nap time.
Around 1:30 James delivered gifts to Kim, Brian and Joseph and received our white envelope and gifts. He also got Lois and Dawn's white envelopes. Here was our white envelope gift:
Mom and Dad,
Your white envelope gift this year is a secret act of service to make someone feel seen and loved.
Anita is an older woman who lives in a very tiny apartment in Mesa by herself. She lost her husband earlier this year.
We dropped off an anonymous Christmas basket filled with Christmas cheer and some needed supplies in the hopes that she will feel loved and not so alone.
Love, Kim and Brian
I love the fact that Kim and Brian do these services for Christmas. It is a wonderful thing.
At 4:00 we picked up our Christmas feast at Mimi's. A turkey, ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato and pecan casserole, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The only thing they forgot is the rolls.
James lifted this heavy box, put it on his shoulder, and carried it to the car. From Mimi's on Chandler Blvd. we drove to Tempe to Lois and Dawn's. Dawn will heat everything in the morning and make some rolls. Oh yes there was a pecan pie, a pumpkin pie and a couple of small loaves of nut bread.
We stayed and visited a little while, snacking on a tray of chocolate dipped fruit that Connie sent. Also from Carmen a paper with a key called the Keeper of the Inn, and a mini Night Before Christmas book that Rebecca made. We left in time to be at Stacy and Paul's by six.
Paul made street tacos with and they were very good. He also made Mary's delicious refried beans. Michael came over, Adam was there and Joshua has just returned from Alayna's where they exchanged gifts. Alayna drew Joshua a picture of the three dogs and put it in a frame. It was really cute.
After dinner they opened their blankets. Jared Ammon and Dallin missed Christmas Eve with their family and Stacy was pretty sad.
After dinner we went back to room 121 at the San Marcos so the Gonzales's could do what they normally do for Christmas Eve.
I wrote out my testimony and posted it on our family thread.
Here it is:
Christmas isn't just about the baby Jesus. It's about the life and mission of the Savior, Jesus Christ. How He healed the sick, caused the lame to walk and the blind to see. How he overcame that awful monster death and hell.
Without Him we would become angels to a devil to be shut out from our God and to remain with the Father of lies in misery like unto himself. (2 Nephi 9:9-10).
Even though He was the Creator of the Universe, He came to earth as a little child. He is my Savior, Redeemer, and the Healer of my soul. The one thing I want my family to remember about me is that I testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ and I tried to follow Him in my life. I know He lives. Come, let us adore Him!
Kim sent me lots of pictures from the family party which I am going to post as soon as I am finished here.
More blankets
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Sheri and Trina followed their tradition of hiking A mountain
on Christmas Eve
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The Wallace's as Mr. & Mrs. Santa
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Roger and Lynn
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