Walk of life

In our walk of life we as parents were blessed with wonderful children that have given us many reasons to be grateful. Our middle son João turns today (19 July) 21 years of age, these last two years he spend serving a mission in New York and for this reason we have not been able to be with him, yet we are today closer to him then ever before!

His mission will be concluded on August 5, 2010 and we will pick him up and looking forward to hear all the stories and experiences of his mission.

Want to know more about the reasons why João went on a mission? and which Church he represented these last two years? Check this link!

Mormon: The People, The Church, The Prophet

"Mormon" is a term commonly applied to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church is sometimes inaccurately called the "Mormon Church" because its members believe that the Book of Mormon is an additional volume of scripture to the Bible. The Book of Mormon is named after Mormon, a fourth-century prophet-historian who compiled and abridged many records of his ancestors into the Book of Mormon. See more in the New Website that explains the meaning of the term.

Doing good things for the right reasons

There are good youth in these times. Young men and young women that have good values and principles and want to maintain high standards and do good things in life.

Quote from President Thomas S. Monson in Ensign of February of 1997

Youth is not a time of ease nor of freedom from perplexing questions. It wasn’t then, and it surely isn’t today. In fact, as time passes it seems that the difficulties of youth increase in size and scope. Temptation continues to loom large on life’s horizon. Accounts of violence, theft, drug abuse, and pornography blare forth from the television screen and appear constantly in most daily newspapers. Such examples blur our vision and fault our thinking. Soon assumptions become generally accepted opinions, and all youth everywhere are categorized as “not so good as yesteryear” or “the worst generation yet.”

How wrong are such opinions! How incorrect are such statements!

True, today is a new day with new trials, new troubles, and new temptations, but hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saint youth strive constantly and serve diligently, true to the faith, as their counterparts of earlier years so nobly did.

Light

We went for a walk by the river in Frankfurt; a new place we found on the other side of the Main that is perfect for some exercise. After a good 30 minute walk, dark clouds form announcing rain in a few minutes. We rushed back to the car and as we did I grab the camera and took a few shots, here it is... amazing the effect of light.

A place of beauty and peace

Along the valley the Rhine offers spectacular places to relax and appreciate nature. One such place is found in the city of Boppard, about 50 minutes away from our home, where the Rhine makes an enormous loop. We took the chair lift to the top of the Hunsrück Hills to see a unique panorama.

There are evidence of the presence of the "Celts" in this city and we know was under the rule of the "Romans", was annexed to France and latter to the Kingdom of Prussia. It is a place of beauty and peace where a walk is always pleasant!

Quality of life

A quote we like!

"The quality of our lives". It's an interesting phrase. I suspect most people think of this concept in terms of the comforts and conveniences they enjoy. But I prefer to think that the quality of our lives has more to do with substance than style.

A quality life is one that positively influences others and makes the world around it a better place in which to live. A quality of life is one that that is filed with love and loyalty, patience and perseverance, kindness and compassion. A quality of life is one that is based on eternal potential and not confined to this life only.

M. Russel Ballard, Our Search for Happiness

A story of commitment

New video in Youth website!

Final Reflections

"Final Reflections" - Missionary Journal - Written at the end of my mission in March of 1982

How can I be thankful for so many blessings? My mission was the best school in life; I learned so many things... in particular how to trust the Lord and serve others diligently and worthily!

I know that many years after this experience my children and future generations will be blessed because of it! When I left on a mission I had then a strong testimony of the restored truth, now that testimony is stronger and I have gratitude in my heart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reflections for my son on a mission

Photo taken by Ana

In this day and age we can receive an electronic message in our cell phone and send a reply instantly, we can follow the activities of friends and family over the internet, read, listen and see “live” what is going on not only in our town but around the world, expectations and demands have never been so high in our interactions. For many the pace, speed and quantity of events that takes place in life today can be overwhelming. For this reason, I wish to discuss for a brief moment how we can find balance, peace and inspiration in a world where so many are seeking for our time and attention.

I found over the years that a time of inner reflection and worship at Church made all the difference for me and for our family. When our children were small, going to Church was the highlight of the week; the preparations for Sunday were a time of unity rather than a time of stress, we took pleasure in teaching basic principles of reverence to our small children and of being together with them at Church. Today all of them are grown up, but going to Church and attending Sacrament Meeting continues to be the highlight of the week.

Sacrament meeting is a blessing for every member of the Church; it is a time of renewal, a time of inner reflection, a time of inspiration, a time a learning and a time of peace. Friends and those that are learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ can feel the same as well.

Budapest: Last time here 20 years ago!

I liked this statue downtown Budapest

Last time we were in Budapest together was twenty years ago. The Buda Castle was just beautiful reflecting the light in the Danube river.

In 2002 the UNESCO pronounced that alongside the Buda Castle Quarter and the Banks of the Danube the Andrássy road and its historic surroundings will also be a World Heritage Site. The Buda Castle Quarter is the most important monument group of the country; it forms a close unit that includes the rows of houses on the banks of the Danube, the bridges, the Basilica, etc.

On the side of the river where I took the picture is the impressive Houses of Parliament, another remarkable piece of architecture.

Easter is around us

By the Main River, Germany

Easter is all around us now in Germany, flowers begin to blossom, easter symbols are in the stores with soft colors of spring, and of course sunshine and blue skies!

Easter is a central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ three days after his death by crucifixion. This video explain well the spirit of Easter.

That's exactly what we did!

Panorama view from the Opel Zoo in the Taunus

The Taunus area is known by many as the living room of the Frankfurt Area, the landscape and views of the area are truly beautiful and peaceful, besides the many charming villages through this area, makes it a top choice for many to live. The largest community in the Taunus ad our favorite is Bad Homburg.

The Opel Zoo is located in the Taunus and offer an excellent park for children and family to enjoy a good day, that's exactly what we did for a couple of hours this week!

From Sundance to Boston

Miguel's new and favorite sport... Ski. Bishop's bowl is located in Sundance, Utah. With a vertical drop of 2,150 feet and elevation level of 8,250 feet, Sundance offers a vast diversity of terrains, including one of the finest intermediate-expert bowls in the Wasatch range called Bishop's Bowl. With Mount Timpanogos signaling its beauty in the distance. Sundance receives an average of 320 inches of snow a year. 450 acres of pristine wilderness beckoning skiers to powder paradise. Sundance is owned by actor and director Robert Redford.


In the picture is Miguel in Boston during a short visit he made to the east coast of the USA.

Gutenberg

A smile from mom after a good walk in the old told of Mainz and some Mexican food at "Mexico Lindo". 

Mainz is a the home of the Gutenberg-Museum.The world changed with Gutenberg's invention of the printing press, one of the first books printed in Europe was the Bible plublished in Mainz by him. The "Biblia Latina" of 48 lines per page of 1462, was printed in Mainz by Gutenberg's partners shortly after the first edition, it considered the most beautiful of the first 4 printed bibles, was printed in 48 lines instead of 42 of the first version and in beautiful Gothic characters. An original copy of the rare bible is at the "Biblioteca Joanina" of the Coimbra University.

Never seen this much snow!

Never seen this much snow in all the years we lived in Germany, for weeks now the snow persists on the ground, with the low temperatures ice is formed on the roads... and the need for more careful driving! The white is beautiful on trees and parks in the city!

Mom and Ana are enjoying the season just outside our home in Frankfurt! It was a good 30 cm of fresh snow in the ground!

European Manhattan

There are many trails along the Main river in Frankfurt, that make a very pleasant walk in any day of year, including in a winter day like today, the skyline of this "European Manhattan", makes a photograph an original experience all the time.

Life goes on!

After 5 years Miguel returns to Frankfurt, Germany, he walked in favorite places, spoke in Church and retrieved the rusty German to find out that it is still there...

Life goes on and today he departed to the USA to prepare himself to enter in Medicine again in the University of Utah where is was accepted! we already miss him, but are happy for him and his accomplishments.