Here are pictures of our Thanksgiving feast in the lovely apartment of Arlen and Debbie Woffinden. Arlen is a branch president at the MTC and a former mission president in Belo Horizonte. He is lawyer and is the Church's legal councel in Brazil.  From left to right seated on the couch are David Neeleman, São Paulo Temple President;  Donald L. Clark, MTC President and Richard C. Hill, Area Medical Adviser.

Steven and Janet Dawson,  office couple in the São Paulo North Mission.  He serves as a branch president at the MTC.

In the foreground is Claudia Andrew, wife of the Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency.  In the orange shirt is Tom Pratt, a branch president and he and his wife, Ruth, serve in the office of the São Paulo Interlagos Mission.  At the head of the table is Larry Dille,  medical adviser for the MTC and in the right hand upper corner, Zaza Clark, wife of the MTC president.

From left to right:  Jerry; Sherri Neeleman, wife of temple president; Janet Dawson;  Karen Jeppsen, whose husband is in a branch presideny and they work with the Perpetual Education Fund; Lynette Clark who along with her husband, Larry, are temple missionaries.  He is also a Branch President.

Left to right, Sisters Ruth Pratt and Debbie Woffinden.

Sister Vicki and Jim Urry, newest couple to arrive in São Paulo.  He is an auditor trainer and a former mission president in the São Paulo East Mission.  Next to him is Don Andrew, Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency.

View from the window of the Woffinden's apartment on the 17th floor.

Walking off the dinner before desert.  Within the walls of this condominium complex are miles of paths that wind through the forests and gardens.  This condo complex is called "O Portal".

This in the lobby of the commons area. It features an indoor pool, two restaurants, a large room in which craft fairs are held  twice a week, a large exercice facility and a library. Arlen Woffinden is seated on the table next to Sister Neeleman.

It was a wonderful celebration.  We have learned to love these couples a great deal. We are both amazed how fast we draw close to them and are aware that this happens because we are all engaged in the work of the Lord.

São Paulo Temple

Almost every week, we have the great blessing of going to the São Paulo temple. Not only are we able to receive the strenght that comes from temple attendance, but we are often blessed to take family names with us thanks to the research and preparatory efforts of Jerry's sister, Becky. We ride the bus with missionaries who are also fortunate to be able to attend the temple regularly. Until a few weeks ago, we went with the American missionaries. Now we go with the Brazilians and are able to attend the Portuguese session. Head phones are availble to hear the presentation in English which Jerry has opted to do.  

These photographs are on the lovely grounds surrounding the temple.

As is true of all the temples, the gardens around the them are both imaculate and stunningly beautiful.

The brazilian national flag waving in front of the temple.

Close-up of the gardens around the entrance to the temple.

Early in the morning and sometimes around dusk, these palm trees are full of noisy, colorful, wild parrots,  It is hard to see them at times because they hide themselves in the palm fronds.  But they make their presence known by the constant squawking.

Looking on to the main street that run directly in front of the temple, Francisco Morato.

At ground level underneath the row of palms trees mentioned above are dozens of gardena bushes with fragrant white flowers.

Just across the parking lot from the temple are two large buildings where headquarters of the Church in Brazil are located. In the building shown here are found the offices of the Area Presidency, a mail service and many offices for the various departments of the Church.

The grounds are proffesionally cared by by a large staff of gardeners.