Jerry and Vernon

Ilha BelaOne of the days spent on

2011-04-14T11:10:00.000-06:00

While visiting in Ubatuba, we spent one entire day visiting the "Ilha Bela" (the Island Beautiful). We took a bus from Ubatuba to São Sabastião. From there we boarded the ferry, for there are no bridges to the Island. Here we are under way and the island is in the background.

Even though there are clouds in the background, the sun was unusually warm.

We had a our lunch in a little park along the seawall, with our feet dangling a few feet above the waves that were spashing at the foot of the wall. We had purchased some sandwiches at a snack shop along this road.

There were lots of shops along this road that led inland from the ocean.

Looking towards the mainland from the ferry on the trip back. Walk-on passengers were not required to to pay for the trip to or from the island. The ferrys only charge passage or the vehicles, and they run 24/7.

Several large ships were anchored in this port, waiting to take on or unload cargo.

We are almost ready to disembarque and go back to the inn.

2011-04-14T06:50:00.000-06:00

This was taken at the Tieté bus terminal in São Paulo. We are about to board the bus for Ubatuba, a small resort town on the coast about three hours northeast from here. The sister next to Jerry is Lynette Clark. She and her husband Larry are serving as temple missionaries.

This is the little inn (pousada) where we stayed for a few days. The bus dropped us off on the highway about 4 blocks from here. It was raining very hard. Each of us had two peices if luggage to pull and an umbrella to hold. By the time we arrived here we were all soaked to the skin. This picture of Jerry at the door to the reception desk, was taken the next morning after it had rained all night.

This little two story house was the first structure built on the site and served as the residence for the owners while the other buildings were under construction. The french doors on the porch open to a dining room where we played games in the evening.

The pool was small. I don't know what Brother Clark was photographing.

Behind the bamboo privacy fence on the left side was the room that Jerry and I occupied.

A view of the entrance to the courtyard of the inn

This sign was about a hundred yards down the road from our inn. The bottom sign has the name of our bed and breakfast, "Vivendas do Morro Verde".

Every morning Jerry and Lynette got up early to go for a stroll along the beach. In order to get to the beach, we had to walk about two block to the highway, then about three more blocks to the ocean.

This is George who is a very talkative almost hippie-type. His wfe is at his right side and her sister on his left side. The two sisters started this inn about 20 years ago. George, who was born in Belguim, lived for 40 years in Califonia, then came to Brazil about 10 years ago where he met and married his 2nd wife . He spends his time painting and showed hundreds of his paintings.

Some early morning tourists playing a kind of paddleball on the beach.

This is looking down the beach in the other direction from the picture above.

The vendors start early. This picture was taken early on a Thursday morning and the beach was almost deserted.

Not all of the coastline was sandy beaches. At some spots the waves were crashing on the rocks.

Time to go home. We had made arrangements with the bus driver to stop on the highway and pick us up at the same place he dropped us off. We had to keep an eye out for the right bus. When it came along, we waved him down and he stopped along the side of the road and loaded our bags. It was a wonderful respite from our duties at the MTC and the Clarks were great travelling companions.

2011-04-06T11:06:00.000-06:00

This was taken at a restaurant in Embu. The picture is of the entire medical staff for all the missionaries in Brazil. From left to right; Dr. Rick Call and his wife, Sue Ann from Pleasant Grove, Sister Kerma and Dr. Richard Hill from Idaho Falls and Elder Larry Dille and his wife Sandy from Tremonton. Elder Dille supervises medical needs of the missionaries at the São Paulo MTC. The two medical doctors field health questions from the 27 missions in Brazil. Notice that Dr. Call has an ear phone. Both physicians field calls From all over Brazil, wherever they are and whenever the call come. Great people!

Every group of missionaries that arrive at the MTC has a photo like this taken. It is emailed along with a letter from the President to parents of each new arrival to the São Paulo MTC.

Our egg lady. Every Satuday morning we go the open air market to shop for food for the week. We have become friends with this lady and her husband. The dozen eggs we buy each Saturday lasts us for the week.

Dr. Hill looks over the mangos. We have developed quite a taste for them. At the current exchange rate, they come to about six dollars for four mangos.

The nut vendors are a familiar sight and are quite common at these open air markets. But nuts are more expensive here than in the states. It is ironic that Brazil nuts are cheaper at the Orem Costo than here in Brazil.

You can find some pretty strange things here. Dr Hill did not buy the mask.

Colorful clothing is quite prevelent. Brazilians tend to be a bit more daring in their choice of colors than Americans.

Brother Dille tries on a new hat. I don't think his wife approves.

Wash day in a humble neighborhood. The Brazilians call these favelas. We stopped along one of the main streets in this area to snap this picture. The news portrays the favelas as a breeding ground for crime. However we have not had a lot of experience visiting these area, but feel like the media has over dramatized the cases of crime that do occur here.

So long for now. We will be home soon.

Americans arriving at the São Paulo MTC

2011-03-28T12:44:00.001-06:00

Group picture with President and Sister Clark that we email to the parents of each group of arriving missionaries. This is the March 23, 2011 picture of the Americans. Only the second such group we have received in the last 5 or 6 months.

Elder Abraham M. Rawlings from Moroni Utah was the only missionary to ride in the van that carried all of the luggage for the 17 Americans that arrived at the São Paulo MTC on March 23rd. He helped the driver unload the bags before the van carrying the other missionaries arrived.

Waiting for the other van to arrive.

We didn't have to wait long. The Elder in the front seat is taking a picture of us as I am taking his picture. Depending on the traffic, it is about a 30 minute drive from the airport to the MTC (on a good day). The MTC has a contract with a transit company to provide the vans and buses that we use for all our transportation needs.

Missionaries almost always take an overnight flight to Brazil, usually from Dallas or Atlanta. So when they finally get to the MTC they are exhausted. These missionaries are no exception. We try to keep them awake until after dinner when they are free to go to bed early if they wish. But by then, many have found their second wind don't retire until the normal time of 10:30 pm.

This group is one of the first to use our new secure unloading area. Food and material deliveries as well as garbage pick ups are made from this area. We also load and unload missionaries here who are going to or coming from the temple.

Brother José Peçanha, mission secretary, takes an individual picture of each missionary for administrative purposes as well as a group picture which we email to their parents. Elder Adam W. Schwartz from Kennewick, Wasinhgton is shown here having his photo taken. He will serve in the Porto Alrgre South mission.

Elder Schwartz again finding his name so he can write in the email address of his parents.

We are so thrilled to again have groups of Americans finally getting their visas so that they are able to come to the MTC. Here several are waiting for the final Elder to have his picture taken. From left to right in front; Sister Chanel K. Grant from Yakima Washington, Sister Ruth Lindsey Turner from Vancouver Washington, Sister Kamryn Elyse Bailey from North Bend Washington, Elder Noah R. Krulish from Sammamish Washington; Back Row, Elder Kurtis R. Brodhead from Everett Washington, Elder Trevor R. Pearcy from Slippery Rock Pennsylvania, Elder Abraham M Rawlings from Moroni Utah and Elder David L. Potts from Issaquah Washington. Notice how many are from the Northwest. They submit their request for a Brazilian visa through the San Francisco consulate. For some reason those who submit their requests through Los Angeles consulate (Utah, Arizona, So. California, Nevada and Idaho) are not yet receiving their visas.

2011-03-27T12:23:00.000-06:00

This is the Campinas Temple and is located about an hour and a quarter north of the city of São Paulo. Today, March 24th 2011, Jerry and I accompanied a group of Brazilians missionaries who came to this temple because the São Paulo temple is closed for cleaning and repairs.

This building, which is adjacent to the temple, houses some offices and a distribution center on the bottom floor and apartments for patrons and temple workers on the two floors above.

The wife of this couple was kind enough to take a family name for Jerry through an endowment session.. When they met each other outside the temple the two greeted each other with a Brazilian hug and a kiss. This is a very common tradition here in Brazil. (One lady touches her cheek on the cheek of the other person and they both make a kissing sound with their lips). The brazilians are a very kind, loving people. The husband served as a teacher at the MTC, but this happened before we arrived.

Some of the beautiful trees and schrubs on the temple grounds.

Jerry makes her way back to the parking lot behind the temple where the buses are waiting for us.

The two white buses brought us to this temple and waited while we were inside. The smaller bus brought those missionaries who have never been to the temple. The larger of the two is the one we came on and which we are about to board for the return trip. It takes about half a day to make this trip and we left the MTC in São Paulo at 6:30 am.

A view from the back of the temple.

The temple sits on a hill and offers a 360° view of the surrounding countryside.

A major freeway provides accessibility to the temple.

Security is partially provided by a guard booth and controlled entrance and egress.

2011-03-27T12:17:00.000-06:00

This building, which is adjacent to the temple, houses some offices and a distribution center on the bottom floor and apartments for patrons and temple workers on the two floors above.

The wife of this couple was kind enough to take a family name for Jerry through an endowment session.. When they met them outside the temple the two greeted each other with a Brazilian hug and a kiss. This is a very common tradition here in Brazil. (One lady touches her cheek on the cheek of the other person and they both make a kissing sound with their lips). The brazilians are a very king, loving people. The husband served as a teacher at the MTC, but this happened before we arrived.

Some of the beautiful trees and schrubs on the temple grounds.

Jerry makes her way back to the parking lot behind the temple where the buses are waiting for us.

A view from the back of the temple.

The temple sits on a hill and offers a 360° view of the surrounding countryside.

A major freeway provides accessibility to the temple.

Security is partially provided by a guard booth and controlled entrance and egress.

2011-03-18T15:25:00.000-06:00

The building in which the Brazilian MTC resides is seven stories high. The first five of these photos were taken from the top floor of this building. This one is looking down on a palm tree that stands outside of our front room window. The lovely garden below provides us with a beautiful scene from all three rooms of our apartment.

This patio lies just to the east of the front portion of the main building. An older home used to stand on this spot in which the former executive secretary of the MTC and his wife lived. The overhanging roof to the left of the picture houses the weight room of the MTC. This is a pleasant place for the missionaries to hold their companion study sessions.

This garden of geometrical shapes is situated between the weight room and the front entrance to the MTC. A simular garden is located on the other side of the entrance to the MTC lobby. It is always well maintained and carefully manicured. However this garden is not visible to those who pass by on the street in the front of the MTC. One must look down from above, to really appreciate the design.

The largest tree in the center of the picture is a mango tree and is quite a prolific prodcuer of the fruit. Jerry and I have acquired a taste for mangos and have them a few times a week. To the left of the tree, part of the entrance to the weight room is visable. In the foreground is the roof of a large parking garage.

This large white apartment building has been under contruction ever since we arrived in Brazil. Out of curiosity we stopped by the sales office and inquired how much the penthouse apartment cost. About R$ 450.000,00 (reais or Brazilian currency) or $300,000.00. It is almost completed now. Note the huge net that shrouds parts of the building. These nets prevent falling object from injuring people on the ground.

We are in the Villa-Lobos Shopping Mall which the Brazilians call a "Shopping" dropping the word "mall" from the phrase we would use. Jerry and Sister Dille are using two of the dozen wash basin conveniently located in a large food court area. We didn't eat there but did have clean hands on the way home.

Whew! Home at last! Sister Dille successfully drove through the São Paulo traffic and made it safely back to the MTC. We went along for the ride and helped navigate. It is quite a satisfying feeling to maneuver the streets of this big city and get back home safe and sound.

Fred and Carol Williams. Elder Williams served as my trainer when I was a brand new senior companion in Araraquara. I will always be indebted to him for his great example and excellent training. They are currently serving as president and matron of the Recife temple. They had come to São Paulo so that Sister Williams could receive physical therapy for her wrists, both of which were broken in a fall in the temple parking lot in Recife.

2011-03-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

The previous post showed the flower stands outside of this huge cemetery near the center of São Paulo. Now let´s take a look inside of it. Here I am approaching the entrance.

The grounds are well maintained and it is here that many of the flowers purchased at those stands also find their final resting place. (I couldn't resist that)

It was very serene and peaceful in the cemetery.

In the very center of these graves is a Catholic chapel.

The site slopes downward from the entrance, occasionally offering views like this.

On the edge of one of the overlooks stand this impressive memorial to those who have served in the military.

There are hundreds of rows of graves marked with tombstones. Some are modest while others are very ornate and quite large. It feels like you are wakling through a miniature city.

There are many flowers placed on the monuments, but the are also thousands of trees, many of which themselves are covered with beautiful blossoms.

Elder Larry Dille and Sister Sandra Dille, medical advisers for the Brazil MTC.

We are sure that many of these elaborate monuments were quite costly to purchase and set up. We have wondered where the poor and humble people are laid to rest.

An obvious representation of a familiar scripture.

Most of the names we saw were either of Portuguese or Italian origin. Of course the were names other nationalities represented, but I was surprised by the number of Italians names.

Sometimes Jerry shows a mild flair towards the dramatic. She still is as pretty as ever.

I liked the pose and expression of this old priest.

We spent several hours wandering up and down little streets like this one, by we only covered a vert small part of this huge cemetery.

This last photo is of the inside portion of the wall that encircles the cemetery. It is lined with crypts the are numbered. The columns are 5 deep and there are thousands ( we did not walk all the way around the inside of the perimeter) of these stacked tombs.

It is an impressive place to visit. It is also a very graphic reminder of the size of the work that the living must do for those who have ended their mortal probation without having received the ordinances of the Gospel.

Cemetery Flowers

2011-02-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

The first six photos were all taken just outside the south wall of one of the largest cemeteries in São Paulo. The back of these small shops (to your right) is the wall of the "Cemitério do Santíssimo Saramento/Araça" on Avenida Doutor Arnaldo. There are dozens of these vendors along this street.

This is a very busy street and it is easy to see how much of the sidewalk has been taken up to accomodate these flower shops.

The flowers are simply gorgeous. I was amazed that so many people can make a living selling flowers to those whose loved ones are interred in this cemetery.

Sister Sandra Dille, wife of the MTC Medical Officer, Larry Dille.

There is probably stretch of about the lenght of two large city blocks of the shops.

We did not see a lot of people purchasing flowers while we were here, but it was in the middle of the day. Perhaps the shop keepers are busier just before regular working hours begin and at the end of the work day.

However, not to be outdone by the dazzling display of all these beautiful blooms above, Jerry has been able to get her violets to produce gratifying results down here in Brazil. It may be due to her tender loving care or it could be the climate here. Or maybe a little of both!

Congratulations Jerry.

Singing in the mail room

2011-02-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

These scenes in the mailroom (Jerry´s Office) are typical of missionaries singing to Jerry. She asks them to sing to audition for preludes and special numbers to be performed at firesides, devotionals, mission conferences and special events. She also has them sing to her when they have locked themselves out of their bedrooms by leaving their keys in the rooms and then shutting the locked doors. Its the price they pay for having her unlock their doors. But sometimes missionaries just want a way to express their joy and this (especially for the Brazilians) is one of their favorite ways to do so.

All of the Elders in this post are Brazilians.

A few are reluctant to participate, but eventually all join in the singing.

Jerry is always delighted to find a missionary that can play the church hymns.

We often comment to each other how much love we feel for these choice young missionaries from the moment they set foot in the MTC. This comes in part from the fact that they are so eager to learn and are themselves so loving. We also feel however that it is a blessing given to us because of our calling.

Banespa Building

2011-01-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

On Friday, January 21, we decided to visit the old headquaters of the National Bank of Brazil shown here. The public is allowed to go to the top of this building. There is an observation deck just below the round tower. One must take two elevators, a narrow stair case and a circular metal stair case to get to observation deck. Once there however, the 360 degree view is spectacular.

Just begore entering the building we ran into this demonstration. It was peaceful and orderly. We were told that they were bank employees but we were unable to find out why they were demonstrating. Some had on animal costumes and music was blaring so loudly that we could not hear what the speaker was saying.We took a lot of pictures and this one above is typical.

Notice the helipad on the bulding in the foreground. São Paulo is said to have the largest fleet of private helicopters in the world. If the number of helipads you see on buildings is any indication, I believe that is a true statement.

As you can see a storm is coming in and if it starts to rain they make every leave the tower. There were frequent lightning strikes and we felt that was not a bad rule to have.

The rain is almost upon at this point ane thguide are indicating it is time to go inside.

One more picture and we'll come inside to start the long descent to the ground.

By the time we get back to the street level, the cloud burst is almost over. We begin the several block walk back to the bus stop.

2011-01-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

Instead of getting on a bus or taking the subway, this day we decided to get better acquainted with our own neighborhood of Casa Verde. So all of these shots were taken within easy walking distance of the MTC here in São Paulo. Normal garbage pick up usually takes place between mid-night and 6:00 A.M. People place the waste materials in plastic sacks and put the sacks in these metal baskets which are emptied during the night. No bulky garbage cans to haul back and forth and the sanitations trucks come by multiple times during the week.

This photo has nothing to do with our walk around the neighborhood. It was taken on New Year's Eve. Normally pictures are not allowed in the cafeteria, but an exception was made on this ocassion. We were sitting with the mission president and his wife and had dozens of missionareis wanting to take our picture. Jerry thought it would be fun to take this shot of them shooting us, so she barrowed a camera and this is the result.A street corner on a little hill with a veiw of the city looking to the northeast. At this point we are about six or seven blocks away from the MTC.

Many people in this area don't have anyplace to park their vehicles except on the street. This family had space for several cars behind this gate. Ours is an older lower-middle class neighborhood. During our walk I stopped to talk with an 83 year old man who has lived in the same house since his marriage, well over 50 years ago. He wasn't sure how long he had been married. He answered my question about how he was doing by saying that he could still walk; and as long as he do that he said he was doing just fine.

This man was pulling bricks and mortar up to the third floor of the new building. Some one behind the plywood fence was mixing the mortar and supplying the bricks. So far as we could tell, there were only two people working on it as we watched for a few minutes.

Neighbors are out on the corners chatting with each other while the young boys are out flying there kites. This is the the first day without rain for about a week. You can tell the there have been a lot of kite accidents by noting all of the remnants of kites tangled up in the electrical wires above the streets in both the photo above and the one below.

This tree is typical of those found in many of the older parks in the city. This is the arae where we live and work. The longer we are here the more we are grateful to be here in this wonderful country. We have been very blessed during the almost three years of our missions.

2011-01-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

2011-01-09T11:11:00.001-07:00

This is a partial view of the MASP or the São Paulo Museum of Art. It is a huge building suspended in the air by two concrete beams which are supported by four concrete pillars, two of which are partly visable on the left (in red). We were very impressed with the display of art inside the museum. We were not allowed to take pictures of the artwork inside, but on display were paintings by Gauguin, Monet, El Greco, Picasso, Van Gogh. Toulouse-Lautrec,Van Dyck and many other famous artist. This shot was taken from across the street (Avenida Paulista). In back of me is the Trianon Park, a lush green area in the middle of the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere.

This shot of the Brother and Sister Dille was taken only a few yard from the first photo. The palm trees are wrapped in Chistmas lights and were being undecorated by city park employees. We wondered how they were going to remove the lights that were forty feet up the side of the trees. And there were hundreds of tree decorated like this one.

This is a shot of a bench inside the museum but not in the area where the paintings were displayed.

The paths within the park were all paved with broken stones about the size of golf balls.

Even though the strees surrounding this park are crowded, there were relatively few people within the park. Dogs are allowed in the park but must be on a leash.

Although we had heard from some that this park is not always safe , we saw a lots of armed police and felt comfortable as we strolled through the beautiful scenery.

There were two or three well used playgrounds within the park. We commented that this may be the only nearby place where families that lived in the city can bring their children to play.

Now we are back in the MTC. I wanted to show this picture because it is a scene that we see several times everyday. It is a view from the third floor (the floor on which we live) looking north. The tiny spire to the left of the beige building is the new Casa Verde Chapel. This is the building for which the MTC missionaries provided the music at the open house in August of last year.

New Gardens and Weight Room

2010-12-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

This new weight room stands on the site of the old home that was used as the residence of the former MTC Executive Secretary. These machines are brand new.

High walls surround the weight room with pleasant gardens on three sides. The fragrance from these white gardenia bushes is "muito gostoso" (very nice)

This portion of the garden is just to the left of the picture above.

This is a view of the newly planted privacy bushes that separate the main building on the right from the new weight room on the left.

These free weights are outside of the other machines but are under the extended roof of the weightroom.These stationary bikes are older machines and were available to missionaries before the new facility was begun.

New exercise equipment with a view of the free weights outside and a partial view of some of the garden area.

Kite shop

2010-12-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

This fellow with bald head is Brother Cobra. He is a member of the Chruch and makes his living with a a large 15 passenger Mercedes van. He took a group of senior coples on a 4 day trip to Rio and few weeks ago and made friends with the Dilles (seated next to him). Sister Dille mentioned to him that had seen children on the beach flying kite and she was interested in buying some kites for her grandchildren. He said he knew a man in the neighborhood where he grew up that had a kite shop in Osasco. He said he would take her there some time. He did and Jerry and I were invited to accompany them.

He would not let us pay for the gas nor for his service, but was willing to let us treat him to lunch. He recommended this little restarant which was great. It was clean, the food was good, the price was reasonable, and the service excellent.

This is the kite shop. There were hunderds, if not thousands of kites. The Dilles must have puchased dozens of them.

After showing them many different designs and models, they made their selections.

He autographed some of the kites and was happy to pose for these pictures.

This is the kind of place we would never have been able to find on our own. The Dilles were pleased with their selections and settled up with him as we left. This little outing took the whole day and we enjoyed going with them.

Embu das Artes

2010-12-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

This is Embu. It is a town about 20 kilometers southwest of São Paulo. Every week-end artists, craftsmen, seamstresses, weavers, pastry makers, jewelry artisans and the like, line the streets of this little city to sell their wares. We took the bus along with the Dilles to show them this quaint community that we have visited many times before. We stopped near the Temple to pick-up Dr. and Sister Hill who wanted to come along with us and they helped us find our way there.

Dr. Hill, Elder Dille, Sister Dille, Sister Hill and Jerry stopping to look over jewelry at one of the many booths that line dozens of the streets here.

We are looking down on a small praça (town square) from the 2nd story of an old church and monestery. It dates from the 1690's and now serves as a museum. The street descending this hill had a gallery on the left side that featured hundreds of paintings and some of the most ornately carved doors and coffee tables we have ever seen. Jerry and I were particularly taken with a brightly colored and intricately carved glass-topped table. Our enthusiam was dampened considerably when we learned the the asking price was $7,000.00. (R$ 12.000,00)

Another view from the same old building. We ate lunch in a restaurant similar to orange colored one in the upper left hand corner. Before we did so Dr.Hill asked one of the waitresses if they soaked their lettuce and other salad fixing in Clorox water to kill the "bugs". Assuring him that they had done so, we felt better about eating there.

A third view from a different room of the museum. We were asked not to take photos of the inside of the old church, but I felt comfortable taking these pictures from the windows of the church.Clockwise from the bottom left: Dr Richard C. Hill & his wife Sister Kerma Hill (from Blackfoot, Idaho); Sister Sandra Dille & her husband Elder Larry Dille (from Tremonton, Utah) and Jerry. The restaurant was old but very clean and we enjoyed a pleasant meal with each other.

We couldn't resist taking a picture of this fellow who was trying to sell these three adorable little puppies. He was more than willing for us to take his picture.

The fellow with the beard on the right side of his booth is selling hand made musical instruments for children. These are the kind of whistles and drums that grandparents buy for their grandchildren and then the grandkids drive their parents wild with the incessant racket. (Note to our kids -- We did not buy any of them!...Should we?)

2010-11-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Our Neighborhood

2010-09-26T18:01:00.000-06:00

This is a dead end street that runs east and west and is located directly behind (south of) the MTC. The church purchased a home on this street and removed it. They have made a few parking places where the home once stood. But the principal reason for the purchase was to provide an emergency exit to the rear of the MTC. This is the door that opens up to the street seen in the picture above. Behind this door are the parking places and the rear exit from the MTC which is reached by walking through basketball court to this street.

It is a little difficult to visualize it from this photo, but the owners of this home have extended the enclosed space for their car by about two feet into the street. This was done either because they have purchased a car and it wouldn't fit in the space (garage) for the vehicle or because they traded up and now have a bigger car that won't fit in that space. This seems to us, to happen frequently because we have seen this same extension into the street many times since we have been here in São Paulo.

This vine or plant that covers the wall behind Jerry is the best deterent to graffitti that we have ever seen. (The darker green plant) The church uses it on the out side walls surrounding chapels, around the temples and we have some of it growing on walls at the MTC. It must be trimmed from time to time but seems to be a very hardy plant that would be next to impossible to remove from the wall once it has established itself.

This street is called "Rua Relíquia" and runs north and south to the west of the MTC. The street that runs behind the MTC (photos above) runs off of this street. If you were to turn 180 degrees, you would see the same view as in the first photo. This home in front of you is for rent or sale and has been vacant for a long time.

This is the same street as the one mentioned above and is located about a block north of the location of that photo. Across this street is the entrance to the new MTC loading dock, bus loading and unloading area and parking lot. The dark glass windows above Jerry's head is part of the guard booth. The open door above the front windows of the green car is the pedestrian entance to the parking lot and the large army green doors on the left side of the picture are the vehicle entrance doors.

Another typical home in our neighborhood. Inlaid rock or tile is the usual material used for the floor of the car parking area. Most homes have iron fences in the front, which may be low like this one behind Jerry. Other may be six or eight feet tall.

Same home with Jerry's back to the camera. If you were a missionary tracting in this nighborhood, you would normally not be able to open the gate because it would be locked. So if there were no door bell on the fence, you would stand in front of the home and clap your hands as loud as you could. Missionaries learn how to clap loudly enough to be heard by the people inside the homes.

Now we are looking north on Rua Relíquia. About a block and a half beyond the bend in this road is where the new chapel is located that was featured in our last blog. It is at that point that the road becomes quite steep.

This corner snackbar is a favorite of the missionaries. On their preparation day many come here for their favorite snacks. It serves hamburgers and french fries and has an amazing variety of smoothies. They include flavors like maracujá, açaí, caju and goiaba.

This is the street on which the main entrance to the MTC is located. It is found six cars up on the right.

This is Sonia, the tie lady. She used to set up a little cart across the street from the MTCunder a huge umbrella. She was finally able to rent a little cubby hole around the corner from the MTC where she can conduct her business out of the rain. These are my "birthday ties" They are quite economical and are of fairly good quality. We bought two ties for about $8.70 ($R 15,00)

This small corner pharmacy has served the medical needs of missionaries for many years. The pharmacist here has become a friend of the MTC purchasing agent ,Benjamin Braga, and offers the MTC a price on many medications that is competative with the larger drugstore chains.

This is the front of a neighborhood grocery store which is right next to the front entrance of the MTC. Missionaries, MTC staff and even sometimes the MTC kitchen staff are regualr customers here. We buy items here to supplement the meals that we eat in the cafertia. These may include oatmeal and eggs for breakfast, condiments and friut. These are some of the places we see every day here in São Paulo. We will miss these places but will miss the people more when it is our time to come home. Until the next blog.

Singing at the Open House

2010-09-20T08:39:00.000-06:00

For the past year and a half the church has been building a new chapel about 2 blocks up the hill from the São Paulo MTC. We have been watching the progress of this building with great interest. The building was finally completed about two months ago and the missionaries of the MTC were to invited to sing on four consecutive nights at the open house. Jerry was a bit frazzled with weight of organizing the program, auditioning the missionaries who would be performing the special numbers and printing all of the sheet music. This was all in addition to her routine work. However, she always does such a great job of organizing these kinds of events and this one was no exception. The following photographs give a breif glimpse of the the program.

. Missionaries arriving at the underground parking of the new chapel.

They are already singing (and hamming it up)as they enter the building from the underground parking lot.

They line up in front of the new building.

. Sister Christine Brown and Sister Marília Rodriguez prepare for the performance.

. Sister Mikayla Bartell (black sweater) will sing a solo. SisterAmanda Prestwich at her left.

. Brother Andres Lopez, Teacher Supervisor, will lead the choir.

Sister Rita Lourenço in the white blouse is from Angola, Africa and will serve her mission on the Cabo Verde Islands.

Brother Lopez tells the choir that it is time to start the performance.

Elder Nicolas Bons plays the piano for the first number of the choir. He is assisted by his companion, Elder Johnathan Cannon.

A small crowd of members and curious neighbors assemble on the sidewalk in front of the chapel.

. Jerry gives some last minute instructions.

. The programs begins.

. There are more people in the choir than in the listening audience.

. Elder Matthew Barry from Provo has a solo part on the program.

Sister Kristine Hochstettler from Tucson Arizona has a beautifully trained voice and was always willing to share her talents.

View of the chapel from across the street (Rua Relíquia).

Bishop Tiago Rocha observes the choir from the lawn in front of the chapel.

Jerry observes as a double quartet performs.

Each missionary was so willing and enthusiastic as they sang.

Jerry was pleased with the results of all her planning and preparation.

Cafeteria Remodeling

2010-09-09T07:09:00.000-06:00

This series of photos shows the day by day progress of the remodeling of the MTC caferteria. These photos will be of more interest to those of you who are familiar the building down here. For those of you who are not, I will try to make the next blog more interesting.

This whole project only took about three weeks from start to finish.This is part of a breezeway between the offices on the ground floor and the caferteriaWe used this area as the temporary cafeteria remodeling.The old tile floor was removered and replaced with new non-skid tile.

New conduit was laid in the floor to run the electrical lines to the ceramic heating and cooling tables.

Simone Pontirolli, food service manager and Vicente Martinez, building engineer check the plans.The trenches are filled with concrete.And the floor is prepared for the laying of the new tiles.The old steam tables were all removed.And the new floor emerged.There were a lot of little details that needed attention.New tables were assembled and brought in.The island in the middle of the cafeteria was removed.

The glass tops on these serving tables can be either hot or cold. They use 1/4 of the energy of the old steam tables.Finally they opened it up for business on the 2nd of August, less that three weeks after they began.The pots of rice and beans on the serving table in the middle of the picture are a part of almost every lunch and dinner served in this cafeteria. A very satified customer!

Botanical Gardens of São Paulo

2010-08-23T05:36:00.009-06:00

Kerma and Richard Hill from Blackfoot Idaho, Area Medical Adviser for Brazil with Jerry. We took them to the Botanical Gardens for our first P-day in a month. We had been to this park before, but this was their first time. Dr Hill receives calls on his cell phone all day long from mission presidents and their wives requesting medical advise for sick and injured missionaries. Here he is taking a call from Sister Prieto (the mission president's wife) in the Goiânia Mission.

These huge leaves were clustered around the base of a palm tree and were about two feet wide and three feet across. They were not part of the palm tree but were growing on a separate staulk next to the palm tree.

Dr Hill still on the same call.

This bush of brilliant pink flowers caught our eye as we walked through the gardens. The gardens were full of school children on field trips from various schools in the São Paulo area. Here a group of children are rolling down a grassy slope and then running back to the top to try it again.

Children are pretty much the same all over the world. At first a little shy, but as we made an effort to talk with them they warmed up. Soon they we practicing all the English word they knew. When we began to speak to them in Portuguese their natural curiosity came to the surface and we had a delightful time talking with them. As you can see they were quite willing to let us take a few pictures.

These children were all from the same school and ranged from about nine to twelve years old.

There was such a profusion of beautiful flowers through out the gardens that was hard not to show more of them. For now this one will have to do.

Oh to have this much energy again!

They followed us for a while asking us if we didn't want to take just one more picture Upon seeing this large gatheing of children excitingly pointing and screaming for other to "come and see", we joined the crowd to see what was happening.
This was the reason. A small band of tiny monkeys had come out of the forest to beg for food. One of the students had a banana which he peeled and offered to one of the larger monkeys. He quickly grabbed it and in trying to scamper away, dropped the banana. You can see him in the middle of the picture about half way up the tree. He's looking regretfully down at the banana. Tchau for now. I will send more pictures soon.

Vernon and Jerry.

Couples we have served with

2010-08-16T16:58:00.012-06:00

President and Sister Clark addressing Dr. and Sister Brinton, Area Medical Advisor (AMA). He thanked them for their for dedicated service in Brazil. This was a gathering of the mission presidency and branch presidencies, as we held a farewell party for the Brintons. They served together in Rio as Mission President and then came back to Brazil about six months later as AMA.

Front row left to right: Ronald and Thelma Dent. He served as the mental health adviser and now they serve together as temple missionaries together. Then Sister Nilce Bassi. Back row: President Osvaldo Bassi, president of Branch 12. And then us.From left to right: Adriana and Paulo Kretly, 2nd councelor in the CTM presidency; Orestes de Oliveira, counselor in Branch 13; Nasário and Martha Araújo, President of Branch 13; Dennis and Lavina Alldredge, counselor in Branch 4.

From left to right: Carli and David Arntsen (she has her hand on his shoulder). President of Branch 6; Don Farrow, counselor in Branch 4; Larry and Lynette Clark (her sister's husband is David Eastman's brother. Some of you know David). President of Branch 4; Front row couple on the right: Nolan and Christine Steadman, counselor in Branch 1. From left to right: Luis Carlos and Rose Mary Perrupato, counselor in Branch 12; Ruth and Thomas Pratt, president of Branch 7; Álvaro and Fátima Ichi, counselor in Branch 12; The Perrupato's son; Maria and Ruben Ferraz, counselor in Branch 6.
Back row, from left to right: Richard and Kerma Hill, new AMA and counselor in Branch 7; Milton and Barbara Brinton, departing AMA and former president onf Branch 4; Sidney and Marisa Camargo, first counselor of the CTM presidency; Donald and Zaza Clark, MTC President; Front row: Luiz Carlos Yamaguchi, president of Branch 11; Ercilia and loacir Nunes, counselor in Branch 11.

We´re still alive here in Brazil

2010-08-13T11:23:00.002-06:00

13 August 2010

Dear Family, Friends et al.,

There will be pictures to follow soon!

Until now Jerry has been the chief of our blogging efforts. However since we returned to Brazil, she has had more to do than she had during the first two years we were here (some of it is at her own choice) and I have a little less to do than before. Currently she is going through the grammar part of a new district's curriculum in the classroom with them for two to three hours a day.

She is supervising the rehersals of the MTC choir for their perfomances at a new LDS chapel "open house" not far from here. We are now in the middle of perforamces every night this week. We are just there at the open house for a half hour, but getting almost a hundred missionaries up the hill to the chapel and then back to the MTC each evening is a major task in itself. And it has been more of an adjustment to a new mission president and wife than anticipated.

She also is doing an hour of exercise, an hour of companion study with me, and two hours of individual study a day. (She truly is not happy unless she is over scheduled). I, therefore, have assumed her duty as the official blogger in this companionship. The drawback here is that my typing skills are not nearly as good as hers. But I'm going to give it my best shot and we'll post news items of interest and photos on a regular basis.

Repentance is a wonderful principle and with some help from Jerry we want to get back into the routine of posting the things that will be of interest to all of you. Thanks for all of your encouragement to do so. We appreciate all of you very much.

Abraços (hugs) to all.

Vernon and Jerry

2010-05-23T17:35:00.002-06:00

No pictures yet! We have to relearn how to post them.

We went home March 12 and resubmitted our mission papers. We received our 2nd mission call on May 12th. We were called to return to Sao Paulo and serve one more year in the Missionary Training Center (MTC). Vernon is the Executive secretary and I am his assistant.

It was interesting returning to the same apartment where we had lived for two years. We knew exactly where to put everything and was unpacked in no time. Sunday we were able to reunite with eight senior couples we had been serving with and one couple we had known before, who had returned while we were gone for their fourth mission in Brazil.

Seven new American couples arrived while we were gone. All the young missionaries are new to us too. A Lot is being changed in the first two days of the orientation for the new young missionaries. The missionary department is always trying to make these first few weeks of an individual's mission meaningful and memorable.

One thing knew to our calling is "acting." The missionaries now have a teaching experience the very first day. We acted the part of a couple that the missionaries had found and were coming over to teach for the very first time. Two MTC teachers acted the part of the missionaries. They did not know our specific situation but the new missionaries did. The new missionaries were to evaluate the first encounter with the couple by the missionaries to see if the missionaries were able to identify the specific needs of the couple. It was interesting how insightful the new young missionaries were.

friday p-day at the batanical garden

2010-02-08T18:12:00.019-07:00

For p-day we love to find

a park in Sao Paulo to stroll through. So for my birthday I got to choose.

this botanical garden use to be a private estate.

one of the buildings in the park is a plant museum.

I love the little details on this building.

Vernon/Grandpa enjoys the museums more than most of us because he can read the text that goes along with all the displays.

but I can still enjoy the architecture and the stain glass windows (this was the ceilingin in the entry) without a good command of Portuguese

these wide open areas are such a refreshing brake to all the freeways, skyscrapers, cars, concrete, and graffiti

Off in the distance are green houses.

Here we are inside one of the green houses.

Even those these gardens are inside, we often see just as lush folage in outside landscaped gardens throughout Sao Paulo.

Many of the gated communities that surround the skyscraper communities here in Sao Paulo look very much like these botanical gardens only on a smaller scale. It is amazing how far away you feel from the city when a wall of natural growth surrounds you.

Wow! I just love all the variety of theses different sizes and shapes of these leaves.

This was one of the hotest days we have had so far in Brazil and inside these green houses it was almost too humid and too hot to stay very long.

There has been so much rain in Sao Paulo that a trail washed out and cover the park with mud. All the water was muddy and these water lilies were covered with mud. There were workers throughout the park that were shoveling out walkways and spraying the plants that were covered with mud.

Some of the walkways were covered with puddles and some of the stair ways looked like water falls from the ground water that was draining off. We have had rain everyday in Sao Paulo for about 45 days straight. Usually the day starts out hot with clear skies then some time between 4 and 6 the skies cloud up and we have a thunder storm. Fortunately it helps things to cool off but the ground has just become so saturated that even some trees are falling over.

These stairs looked like something out of an ancient Mayan ruin. There were two sets of stairs on either side of a large multi circular pond. stairs looked like something out of an ancient Myan ruin.

This day was almost too hot to be out, but it was amazingly cool in the shade. After we got home I think we all felt exhausted from a little heat exhaustion.

The flowers are just breath taking all over Brazil. I never seem to be able to get use to seeing these types of flowers out in the open. Back home they would only be inside, in a green house, or a floral shop.

Blue flowers that looked like orchids were growing as a bush which we had never seen before.

This walkway was covered by tall bamboo. It was like walking through a natural vaulted ceiling as high as you might see in a cathedral.

Originally I wanted to bring a picnic but when we found that there was this delightful out door cafe at the park we decided to have lunch under these gorgeous arbors

We did bring some fruit with us. The Brazilians call it "lashiba". They look like old strawberries, but when you peel them they look and taste like a sweet peeled white grape.

But inside is a huge pit.

It turned out to be a perfectly refreshing day.

saying good-bye

2010-01-22T14:23:00.004-07:00

It takes about two weeks to say good-bye in Brazil. This is just one of the many farewell parties we had for the Woodwards before they left. This was a dinner with the first councilor and all his children and grandchildren. They are a wonderful example of the strength of members here in Brazil.

Brother and Sister Carmargo have four sons and one daughter, one son-in-law, and three daughter-in-laws (the youngest son is not married yet), four grandchildren and one more on the way. They all sang a wonderful farewell to the president.

The Cafeteria never misses a chance to put on a special spread. This was the full-time and part-time staff good-bye to the President.

The teachers are all return missionaries and all wonderful!

We had a farewell photoshoot with all the missionaries the last Saturday evening before they left.

The big three talking through the transfer of administration. President Clark (in-coming President) came down with pnemonia in the MTC in Provo and had to go back home to Georgia to recover. Vernon was called to be the interim president until he recovers. Left to right Elder Christopherson (executive secretary and interim President), President Woodward (out-going President after two years), and Aldo Francesconi (director of the Brazil MTC who stays year after year)

The last photo of the gang! Dr. and Sister Halls, Elder Christopherson, President and Sister Woodward, and Sister Chris. . We finally shut the doors and took off for the airport.

Visit to family in Araraquara

2009-11-23T04:37:00.007-07:00

This man in the middle is Jalal Samaha. I arrived in Araraquara as a brand new senior companion just in time to participate in the confirmation of Jalal and Maria as new members of the Church. They had two small girls of about one and a half and three years old. We are standing in front of a chapel built on the plot where the old home stood that we used as a meeting house in 1962-63.

This is Jalal and Maria's grandson, Leandro Gritte. He is about 15 years old and is the 2nd son of Erika Samaha Gritte. He gets up at 6:30 am each mornng, showers, gets dressed, has breakfast and catches a city bus. He makes one transfer to get to his high school. After his high school classes are over, he gets on another bus and goes to a trade school where he is learning about electronics. He has dinner somewhere along the way and then goes to seminary in the evening. He usually arrives home between 8:00 and 8:30 pm. He tries to get in a few hours of home work before going to bed.

This view is looking from the street, Voluntários da Patria, at the chapel through the main gate. Jalal uses a cane after suffering a very serious motor cycle accident several years ago. After 47 years of faithful membership in the Church the whole family are still going strong. One of Jalal's sons-in law is the bishop of this ward.

On the left stands Jerry as I take her picture from the beautiful park that I remember so well as a young, struggling senior companion. The park or "Praça" takes up an entire city block and has dozens of old trees that where huge when I worked here as a missionary nearly 50 years ago.

This veiw looks at the park accross the street from where the picture above was taken. I remember looking accross the street from this very spot seeing this street as a veritable river during a particullay heavy thunderstorm. The cobblestones were covered with swift moving water that was threatening to flood the park and our chapel, but the rain stopped almost as fast as it had started and the water was soon drained off from the street.

There was room for only a few cars to be parked in the back of the church.

Most of the members' cars were parked on the streets surrounding the chapel.

As we were about to leave the chapel after the meeting two diligent members welcomed me and asked me if we were going to work in their ward. They expressed their disappointment when I told them we were only visiting.

This is the kitchen of the Gritte family who had graciouly invited us to a big dinner in their home after church. Sister Gritte and her daughter are busy getting things ready as her second son comes in to see if he can get a sample of one or two of the dishes. I don't think he was successful.

Jalal and Maria on the right, Jerry standing next to Bishop Gritte, and Jalal's brother in the blue shirt. He has had the lessons many times but is not a member...yet. The two girls in the front are cousins.
The Samahas and the Christophersons

Sunday night we had a late dinner back in Maria's home. She comes from an Italian home. Her grandmother and mother taught her to cook Italian dishes. After marrying Jalal she learn to cook Lebonese cusine. Over the years of their marriage they have blended their favorite dishes from the two different cultures into an interesting mix.

They were so gracious and kind to us that we were almost overcome with joy. How wonderful it was to spend time in the city and with the people where my testimony grew and where I learned how to be a missionary. By comparison, the missionaries that are training in the MTCs of the world today are much better prepared to be powerful and effective missionaires than I was.

visitors from the U.S.A.

2009-11-20T12:47:00.003-07:00

We were treated by a visit from Mike and Christine (Vernon's nephew). Christine served a mission in Brazil four babies ago.

Mike was hoping to go to a Soccer game but this was the best we could do. There was not a single professional game scheduled for the week that they were here. We enjoyed watching these young and old men play in our favorite park.

Christine on the rocks. It was a perfect day. Actually it was a perfect week the President told us to take extra p-days especially because we did not receive any American missionaries the week they came. Actually we have gone three weeks now without receiving any missionaries . . . visa problems. The first American missionaries we anticipate getting will not be until first week in December. Our numbers are really low. In two weeks we will be down to 12 American missionaries.

October and November is when alot of my favorite flowers start to bloom.

I love these blue flowers. We have a lot of them around the MTC, but these were in the park.

I can't resist a picture of the ducks

I believe Brazil has been good for our health.

another birthday in Brazil

2009-09-14T06:07:00.012-06:00

We went back to the Dutch town of Holambra for the Floral Festival (Expoflora). It was just like a state fair. Grandpa/Vernon always liked to go to the Utah State Fair on his birthday.

These cars were all in mint condition. There isn't much that Grandpa/Vernon enjoys more than cars.

Outside of the big display area where the cars were, we saw these big beautiful planters. An older gentelman asked us if we would like him to take our picture together. So many of the people here are exceptionally friendly and anxious to help you, however they can.

There were hundreds of little booths selling their wares. One of the most amazing things that we observed was that no one was smoking.

People from Holland settled this area and so you see the dutch influence in the archetecture throughout the town.

There were children dressed in traditional dutch costumes and wooden shoes performing throughout the festival.

Bands were playing and marching along the sidewalks. These dutch dancers were on stilts.

There was a huge warehouse just filled with table after table of plants and flowers that you could buy.

There were orchards of every size and shape.

Bright brilliant colors filled the whole warehouse.

Plants like these, that we would normally only be able to grow indoors, thrive everywhere in and outdoors in Brazil.

All the walkways throughout the festival were decorated with these beautiful gardens.

When we left Sao Paulo the skies were cloudy and threatening rain. But the closer we got to Holambra the clearer the skies were and the day turned out to be perfect.

Some of these plants are just breath-takingly beautiful.

Some of these plants were huge.

I think I miss our grandchildren the most and so I could not resist capturing this terrific play area. Many of the displays were open for you to experience rather than just look at.

This jungle gym was set up by a company that was marketing their outdoor living designs.

We walked through a large building that had hundreds of floral designs for special occations from Weddings to Haloween.

We almost left before going into this building and were so trilled that we found it.

Each display was different and so fun and visually exciting. I have found that Brazilians love to celebrate and decorate.

This was one of my favorites. I love all the different patterns , the colors and especially the lighting.

It was almost overwelming there were so many displays one after another.

The festival was more than just an exposure to the Flemish culture. You see and feel the influence of India and Africa that has mixed together to create the vibrant culture that I have come to love here in Brazil.

This display was a surprize. All of a suddened you felt like you had stepped into the American South West. I hear that cactus are actually becoming a indangered species and have become very popular throughout the world.

These simple little nooks were some of the most dramatic floral displays.

Besides the indoor displays there were outside living displays; many of which you could walk right into.

This one was especially inviting.

I wanted to remember how they set up the hammock in this display.
In Brasil you see tile used everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

We were invited to sit right down in this display and have our picture taken with the Halls. (He's the MTC physician)

The ground is covered, in this display, with tiny white stones and the picture on the wall is actually alive. Many little plants inbedded in moss are held inplace behind a wire mesh.

Just like the artist who will sketch your portrait at the Utah State Fair, this fellow was trying to get someone to let him sketch them. (For a price of course)

Many of the Ameican missionaries that work at the Brazilian Church Headquaters in São Paulo (A Associação) came to this Expo on Saturday and said that it was extremely crowded. We went the day before (Friday) and didn't find it too crowded at all.

There were several hundred young people in Dutch costumes everywhere you looked.

This was one of the most enjoyable outings we have taken. We just keep finding things to do and places to go that are so pleasant and enjoyable. "Um forte abraço a todos" A big Brazilian hug to all of you.

Casa Museum

2009-08-16T21:41:00.007-06:00

This was the entry of a mansion that was owned by a Brazilian Banker. He and his wife had no children so after they died they left their home to the city of Sao Paulo with an endowment to make it into a Homes Museum.

This bench in the mud room was beautiful and wonderfully comfortable. It had three scooped out areas for sitting

I forgot to get a picture of the front of the house but you can get an idea of its size from the back view of the covered patio and the upstairs library

The covered patio looked like an outdoor dance hall or concert room.

The side patio has been transformed into a lovely outdoor dinning area. I imagine that this facility is also used for wedding receptions.

The blue over lapping umbrellas created an amazingly peaceful and cool atmosphere for outdoor dinning

African violets added a charming touch to all the tables. These trees are all over Sao Paulo. The amazing thing is I had one of these trees as a house plant for years and never realized that they grew into such gigantic trees. This is a small one.

An outdoor gallery surrounded the back yard.

It is amazingly peaceful in Sao Paulo once you get inside the walls and gates that surround most of the large homes and condominium skyscrapers in Sao Paulo. You instantly feel like you are in a different place, miles away from the busy streets. The trees and bushes and ground covers buffer the sound of the traffic.

Here we are inside the library upstairs.

The fire place seemed way too small to warm a room of this size but Sao Paulo does not have to deal with the long winters we enjoy in Utah. We usually have only had two or three cool days a week throughout the winter months that we have been here. All you really need is a warm sweater during the day and a nice cozy blanket or two at night.

The library was filled with the original furniture and paintings of the family that owned the home everything was quite opulent

There were cases filled with dishes.

and more dishes. Someone stays busy dusting and keeping all the silver shining and the crystal sparkling.

The bathtub was marble too. I must say that this was a little too much for my taste.

On the main floor of the house the bedrooms have become galleries of typical home furniture from various periods. Dormir (to sleep in Portuguese)
All different types of clothing storage pieces lined the walls on two sides of the room.

The other two walls displayed chairs and furniture meant for sitting. There was an other area that had a photographic and multimedia display of the homes and furnishings of the poor. The contrast was striking.

We parked about five or six blocks from the museum. The sidewalks are maintained by individual home and business owners. You need to look down as you walk to keep from tripping. Some walks are well maintained many are not, the sidewalks very considerably too.

I was quite surprised to see broken dishes used to create this sidewalk outside one of the homes we passed on the way to the car.

Soon we were back in Sao Paulo traffic, but thanks to our GPS we are able to find our way to the MTC no matter how many wrong turns we make. Even though there is a lot of traffic, and very slow going, you rarely ever have people honking their horns at you. The Brazilians are very polite drivers. All you have to do is roll down your window and wave your arm and they will let you merge into a lane.

Restoring a Cathedral

2009-08-16T20:08:00.004-06:00

We tried a second time to get a view of Sao Paulo from the top of a skyscraper but the building was closed. We found this charming cathedral unexpectedly as we drove around trying to find parking and decided to visit it instead of waiting two hours for the skyscraper roof top cafe to open.

this is a side view of the cathedral.

the front doors to the cathedral were amazingly beautiful

this view gives you an idea of the arch way and the tile floor

Inside the cathedral there were ladders and scaffuling where replastering and repainting was being done on the walls. There was a car inside the cathedral that was being raffeled off as a means of paying for the restoration.

The stain glass windows were stunning.

I can't resist capturing these wonderful stained glass windows.

their is usually very little light in these old buildings and cathedrals. The light filtering through these painted windows is captivating.

A low wall surrounds the cathedral. There is not much of a buffer between the church and the busy streets of Sao Paulo.

the cathedral was a great find and made for a terrific outing.

Our favorite park

2009-07-12T12:10:00.013-06:00

This is our favorite park. We have been here three times now. The director of the area MTC's, Kelly Mills, was just here and after going out to dinner we took him to my favorite spot.

The park is always so peaceful and amazingly quiet even when there are a lot of people here. We almost feel like we are in a cathedral when we are here.

The turtles look like statues sunning themselves on these logs. They move so so slowly (except when they are swimming in the water) that they do look like they are statues. Then they are just extremely slow.

The geese enjoy strolling right along with us.

Every time we come there is some tree or bush in bloom no matter if it is winter, spring, summer or fall.

We always enjoy being together with the Halls and the Woodwards

Just over the fence were families of capivara, ducks and geese all sitting and sunning themselves.

The park is very clean and well maintained. There is no charge to enter the park. I am always surprized that more people do not spend time in the park. On Saturday when we brought Brother Mills here, there were more people than on Fridays when we normally have our P-day. This day there were a lot of monkeys in the trees and groups of children were feeding them.

These long rows of trees resemble long corridors in cathedrals with high vaulted ceilings.

This part of the park is very serine with a statue of patron saint of the forest looking out over a small stream and with huge moss covered bolders.

It is hard to imagine when you are in the park that just a short distance away are very crowded highways with thousands of cars. The retaining walls throughout the park are made of concrete blocks and the pathways are also made of some sort of paving stone.

We met a couple in the park that were willing to take a group picture here on top of this monument. It marks the midpoint between the equador and the South Pole and is known as the Tropic of Capricorn. We gave them a pass-a-long card and shared with them a little bit about the Book of Mormon and the Church.

This is the museum of wood. It must have been an old mansion at one time.

The upper level of the museum is not always open to visitors but this day we were invited to go up stairs. Here we are putting on the slippers designed to help protect the wooden floors.

Vernon's pair were a bit miss-matched
but you can see how beautiful the floor is with these two tones of hard wood.

The guide stayed with us and explained everything in great detail. The President speaks Portuguese and Sister Woodward speaks some but mostly we all rely on Vernon to do the interpretting.

These are close-up shots of the stained glass windows that were the only source of light on this second level.

Butterflies were the motif in the one of the rooms.

Seed pods and leaves of the various specie of trees in Brazil was the inspiration for the stain glass windows in the other room.

This one window had a whole in it.

The defused light coming through these colored glass panels also lends to the peacefulness of this place.

Each one of these wooden panels is made from a different type of wood found in Brazil.

The carving on each panel shows what the leaves look like and the seed pods for this specific type of wood

All of the rooms on the second floor are filled with old furniture that has been made from the various types of wood. I especially liked the different chair designs.

I was tempted to sit in the chairs to see how comfortable they were but there were "please do not sit on the chairs" signs all over the place.

This room is down stairs and has large gross sections of wood to give you a sence of how big the tress are. Then there are trunks behind the table that have been cut revealing the varigation in color that many of the trees have. The bags on top of the cabinet are also made out of wood products. They appeared to be made from large strips of bark or pods that we saw laying on the ground under certain types of trees in the park.
This cabinet holds actual samples of the seeds for each of the different types of wood.

The seeds are as varied and interesting as the samples of the wood.

This shot gives you a feel for the architecture of the building and the beautiful natural lighting throughout the museum.

On this particular day there was a display of children's art from throughout the world. They were all impressions of the Amazon. Following are a few of my favorite.

Tuacons are birds native to Brazil

These children really seemed to be able to capture the richness of the color I see and feel everywhere in Brazil.

The shapes and movement of these childrens art is so delightful.

Many of them captured for me the mood of this wonderful country.

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

Just outside the park are small shops and cafes. On Saturday there were street venders that seem to pop up every where. The other day when we went to the zoo. The police came by and told them to move or they would have to take them to jail and confisgate their wares. They all packed up but as soon as the police left, the the venders moved back in.

Here you can see the wall that surrounds the park.

Here we are on are way home. Vernon always schedules beautiful days for our outings.

We revisted the capital to see the art

2009-06-11T15:42:00.008-06:00

We noticed that the capital building had some exiting art displays as we were herding the missionaries through the building. We did not have a chance to stop and enjoy the art so we decided to return on one of our p-days.

The art is on every level of the building and down every hall. The following are a few of the pieces that I really enjoyed.

This artist reminds me of Nancy Lund, a watercolor artist in Utah, who is one of few artists that has been allowed to paint on temple square.

Bold color seems to me to be synonymous with much of the art in Brazil.

I always enjoy a portrait

This painting reminds Vernon of the Brazil he experienced when he was here as a missionary.

There are brightly colored homes and businesses all over the country. They are packed in wall to wall everywhere and this picture captures that feeling quite well.

The rolling hills throughout Brazil creates these wonderful roof-top scapes.

This delightful abstract painting reminds me of the umbrellas salesmen that you see between the lanes of traffic on the main streets in Sao Paulo, especially on an overcast day when rain is likely.

The African influence is very prevelant in Brazil. The love of bold colors and pattern I think also comes from Africa.

This is only one of the galleries in the building. The tile floors and the brake up of space in the large open areas throughout the building are as exiting as the art on the walls.

Each level was open to these lower level galleries.

This was the show that had grabbed my interest the most when we rushed through the building the first time.

These paintings must be inspired from the streets of Sao Paulo.

When we first started to navigate through the city the maps looked just like this painting. The longer we are here the more I am falling in love with the color and the patterns of Brazil.

Not my best pose but I like the sculpture in this display. They were just as fun as the paintings.

The display continued on down the stairs. All the tile floors and the stairs throughout the building are made of granite.

Here the p-day gang is gathered at the top of the stairs.

You can see this big mural of the history of Brazil at the bottom of the previous picture. Vernon gives you an idea of the size of it

You may have heard of the flooding that has been devastating the homes of thousands of families in the Northeast of Brazil. While we were here, load after load of relief supplies were being hauled in and was beginning to fill up this side of the entrance to the capital building.

These large wide open areas bathed with light were a nice contrasted to the hall ways of legislative offices.Here the Halls are climbing the stairs in the main entrance. These images of the Amazon area were quit impressive.

“São Paulo State Legislature Pays Tribute to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”

2009-05-26T08:13:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning, May 18th, the state legislature of São Paulo called a special session to pay tribute to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to recognize the Church’s efforts to strengthen families, its humanitarian aid programs, and its “Helping Hands” community service projects.

The solemn assembly was called and presided over by Deputy Chico Sardelli, with various public officials and religious leaders in attendance, among them: Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Brazil Area Presidency, who represented the Church leadership; Councilman and teacher, Professor Marcos Cintra, currently serving as Labor Secretary for the City of São Paulo; as well as many councilmen from neighboring cities, state representatives, legislative assistants, Area Seventies, and Stake Presidents.

A band from the São Paulo State Military Police opened the session by playing the Brazilian National Anthem. Several elected officials then spoke on record to praise the Church. Among them was Secretary Marcos Cintra who noted: “I’m not a member of the Church, but I have known and respected the Church for more than 15 years. I have friends who are members. They are admirable people. One in particular I remember was Elder James E. Faust, who served as an apostle and left an indelible mark on Brazil.” (It should be noted that in 1996, Mr. Cintra worked with the city council to award Elder Faust the title of “Honorary Citizen of São Paulo.”) Cintra went on to say, “This is a people who show their love of Christ through their actions. They really live their religion.”

During the session, Maria José Ribes, the Public Affairs Director for the São Paulo Multi-stake Public Affairs Council, recounted and showed some of the Helping Hands projects in word and video clips. After her remarks, an ninety-voice choir of missionaries—Elders and Sisters—from the MTC (Brazil’s Missionary Training Center) presented two musical numbers which touched the hearts of those assembled. Many were visibly moved by the missionary spirit as they sang, and tears were shed. President Afrodízio Nascimento, of São Paulo’s Parque Pinheiros Stake, was in attendance and summed up his feelings in just a few words: “I was really moved. I felt the Spirit very strongly. It was incredible.”

As the session drew to a close, Elder Stanley G. Ellis, 2nd Counselor in the Brazil Area Presidency, took the stand. In the name of the Church, he officially thanked the legislature for the tribute. He went on to remind those present of the strength of the Church of Jesus Christ in the state of São Paulo: “This is where Latin America’s very first stake was organized, and the very first temple in Latin America was built. In Brazil today there are more than 1,100,000 members, with nearly 300,000 of them in this state alone.” He recalled the Church’s efforts to strengthen families. He emphasized the teachings centered in Jesus Christ, the Savior. He testified of the truth of the Restored Gospel. With great emotion he concluded by expressing his love for Brazil and its people.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Deputy Chico Sardelli presented Elder Ellis with an official plaque, commemorating the occasion. Sister Ellis, representing the women of the Church, was presented with a gift of flowers. Elder Fernando Araújo, Area Seventy, who accompanied them, also received a plaque in gratitude for the many Helping Hands projects of the Church.

One not-to-be-forgotten moment was vocalist Suellen Yamaguchi, as she sang “Suas Mãos” (“His Hands”) while images of Christ’s ministry were projected on the screen behind her.

Deputy Chico Sardelli brought the session to a close by emphasizing the Church’s role in society: “What we have witnessed here today shows a part of that great work. I must confess that I’m very happy. I fear God and I try to do what’s right. Today I’ve learned even more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” He then turned to Elder Ellis, and said, “Thank you, Elder Ellis. In the name of this legislative body I thank the Church of Jesus Christ for the services you’ve rendered. And finally, I announce that I have introduced legislation to recognize the 23rd of September of each year as “Day of THE FAMILY: A Proclamation to the World.” In gratitude, Elder Ellis presented Mr. Sardelli with some literature about the Church, a Tabernacle Choir CD, and a framed print of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Elder Araújo presented the same gifts to Secretary Marcos Cintra. Each of the legislators also received copies of “The Family,” “The Living Christ,” and the Articles of Faith—suitable for framing.

As those attending the session left the legislative chambers, they passed through the hall of monuments. There they were greeted by some missionaries from the Brazil São Paulo South Mission with information about the Church, as well as by several volunteers who were wearing the distinctive yellow Helping Hands vests.

The event was covered by official state media. Before the session, Elder Stanley G. Ellis was interviewed by reporters from TV Assembleia (Legislature TV channel).

capital performance

2009-05-25T19:07:00.014-06:00

We took 90 missionaries to the state capital to sing (see following write up) We had 20 sisters and 70 elders. Sixty four of the missionaries were from the United States and 26 were from Brazil.

Originally they had asked for a 40 missionary choir to come and sing--one bus load. But I felt like this did not really represent our choir. We are not trained singers and the hallmark of our choir is the spirit with which we sing. I asked if Vernon and I could pay to bring a second bus load. The CTM director felt like if we took that many missionaries they would not have to have some teachers come and could give them the day off. This would enable them to have the money for an extra bus. I was elated but then I still had to leave many behind that wanted to come. It was great news but it also was the saddest day ever that I have had at the mission. I felt like I was going out West and leaving some of my children behind.

We sang two numbers. An arrangement of "Love is Spoken Here" combined with "Love at Home" that one of the new missionaries suggested. Then we sang the choir arrangement of Sally DeFord's beautify piece "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" that she wrote for her daughter when she was baptised.
Irmao (brother) Lopez one of the teachers lead the choir and Sister Summerhays played the Flute. Elder Lopez had forgot his music so at first we thought Sister Summer hays would have to play with her back to the audience. I had brought extra copies of the music so she ended up sitting down on the second row of seats and taped her music to the chair backs of the first row.

We had three practices. Friday and Saturday night from 8:00 to 9:30 and then had a seating assignment practice at 5:30 on Sunday. For our regular Sunday Fireside performance we sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" we invited everyone that wanted to to sing to join the choir and had 130 missionaries sing that evening. The choir was exceptional that evening.

Sister Gibson played the keyboard which was difficult because of the way they had the sound system hocked up. She could not hear herself play. She has been a blessing for us. She site reads wonderfully well and is ready and willing to help us out in a moments notice.

I forgot to load the music stands on the bus so I held the music for the violinist. Elder Moss brought his own violin and Elder Cleghorn had a Celtic jazz band in Texas and together they were terrific.

We had time to run through each song once before the guests all arrived. I was especially pleased that the president got to hear both numbers because Vernon had to take the President and Sister Woodward to the airport before the choir sang.

There did not seem to be much concern that the meeting did not start on time. The meeting did not begin until about 10:30 (a half hour late)

By the time the meeting did start the whole lower level was full.

They had several speakers and the meeting was televised. The missionaries were so excited to be on Brazil's equivalent of c-span. The meeting organizers asked the missionaries to stay in their seats until everyone had left the hall.

There was a display in the lobby. When we did leave I was stressing out because the missionaries started mingling with the crowds. I did not think we would ever get them back on the buses. We finally got all the missionaries on board and made it back to MTC in record time. I was relieved when the last missionary signed in. The missionaries loved the experience!

Cathedrals all over Sao Paulo

2009-05-25T17:07:00.014-06:00

We could see this cathedral from the freeway on our way home from many of our P-day activities. We kept talking about trying to find it and finally did. The day was over cast and eventually started raining.

Graffiti is everywhere in Sao Paulo and it is sad to see it all over the base of this beautiful structure.

The architecture of these cathedrals are wonderful

Grandpa/Vernon is the one that finds these terrific places for us to visit on our p-days

This dog had found a nice dry spot right next to the front door of the cathedral. He stayed there the whole time we were visiting the church.

The humidity is high in Sao Paulo and rains a lot. Many times it sounds and looks like someone has turned on the shower when it rains, but today it only was only a lite shower.

There was no electric light on in the cathedral so I had to add fill light to the photos so you could see anything in the picture. The color was quit vivid but the photo looks washed out.

The tile floors were beautiful

The wedding decorator was in the cathedral when we were there. He told us that this dove represented the Holy Ghost. He also told us that they have weddings every weekend. They fill the cathedral with flowers. He said that the different families go in together to pay for the flowers. He also said that they will have a wedding every forty-five minutes.

Sculptures were throughout the cathedral

and ever wall had paintings representing the life of Christ

Every window was stained glass.

there seemed to be at least a hundred.

This is a shot is of the neighborhood right across the street from the front of the cathedral.

A charming outdoor restaurant is also right across from the cathedral where we were able to park

back to the beach house for hamburgers

2009-04-25T15:28:00.007-06:00

We were invited out to Brother and Sister Gunn's beach home again for a picnic. This time we made sure that we did not have to hurry back and stayed most of the day with them.

The view is just spectacular

Their city is about a three hour drive from Sao Paulo.

Brother Gunn loves to fix hamburgers for Americans.

These hand-made lace food covers were so charming. I hope to find some in the market place while we are here

i Sister Gunn is not Jewish but was anxious for us to prove that we really enjoyed the food by having seconds.

This was my first hamburger in Brazil

This was a perfect day.

Holambra

2009-04-12T13:25:00.006-06:00

Friday, April 10th was a national holiday for Easter here in Brazil. Everybody, except teachers, had the day off. So Jerry, I and Doctor and Sister Halls went on a little day trip. President and Sister Woodward decided to stay at the MTC in case something unexpected happened.

The picture above is one of two entrances to the town of Holambra. Founded in 1948 by Dutch immigrants escaping the devastation of WWII in Europe, it could be called the flower capital of South America. It is also home to other kinds of agricultural co-ops.

After a lunch of Dutch pancakes, we drove around the town and found these capivaras (world`s largest rodent) in a large park in the middle of the town.

These two were discussing the events of the day.

The largest of these animals can weigh 200 pounds.

At the other end of town stands a full size working windmill. It stands seven stories high.

The ground floor is a reception area.

Steep, narrow stairs lead from one floor to the next.

Jerry and I went all the way to the top.

Here I am with Dr. Halls (in the white shirt) on the varada or porch of the fourth floor.

One of the huge blades up close.
Looking up from the varanda that goes all the way around the windmill.

Signs were written in Portuguese, Dutch and English.

There were several signs that said. "Don`t Touch Anything!"

The EPA or some other US Government agency would never have allowed anyone above the 1st floor.

Going down we were asked to go backwards.This is a corn field across the road from the windmill.

A view of the land scape from the windmill.

bus ride to the museum cafe

2009-04-12T11:34:00.005-06:00

Vernon and the President had gone to lunch at the Sao Paulo Modern Art Museum. They thought it was so good they wanted all of us to experience it. We decide to take the bus, which is an experience in and of itself.

there was plenty of room to start with

but the buss filled up fast

The Cafe food was wonderful! Food presentation is a real art in Brazil. This is the salad bar.

This is a sea food dish. If you look closely you can see the eyes on the shrimp. The food was so colorful and delicious.

One of the chiefs stepped out of the kitchen to stir the file mignon

Everything imaginable was available on the desert bar. I had flan, fresh papaya and mango with dark chocolate shapped like a rabbit.

they had all kinds of specialty drinks available and rabbits were everywhere in celebration of Easter.The cafe is open every day but only for lunch. We were glad that we arrived early because the cafe was filled by the time we were ready to leave. We caught the bus for home just outside the museum. Taking pictures out the bus window is safer than taking pictures on the street. If you look really closely ( just above the round shapes on the left) you can see two men washing the tiles that cover this whole skyscraper. The men were hanging from cables and had power water hoses squirting the dirt off the building . The MTC has been washed down once since we have been here.

On almost ever main road you will see vendors that set up portable shops. They sell fresh food, flowers, umbrellas, cell phone chargers, jewelry, stuffed toys, bottled water, and every other thing you can imagine.

In addition to the street vendors you have little shops mixed in with homes and apartment buildings. Lots of people trying to make a living and a lot of people living in this big city.

In contrast to these little street markets are the large apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping centers, factories. and freeway over passes.

There is always construction going on throughout the city. Concrete and red clay bocks are what they use. I am sure they are structurally sound but they look like they would easily crumble if they ever had an earth quake here. The only natural disasters we have heard of since being here was too much rain and flooding in Florianopolis.

Here we are in Casa Verde the neighborhood where the MTC is located

the land here is rolling hills so the houses and business look like they are stacked up on top of each other.

We are coming to the end of summer here but there still are a lot of trees in full bloom--pink, magenta, coral, yellow, purple, and white. Sometimes the trees, and bushes and flowers look artificial they are so beautiful. On our P-days we really enjoy riding through the city on the bus.

Park, Beach, and McDonalds

2009-03-29T11:53:00.006-06:00

Before we talk about this week's outing, I think we should say something about these pink skies. They really aren`t the color you see here in this shot. It may be that our camera is failing or that the camera card has become corrupted. We`ll try a new card next week, although some, including our grand daughter Emma think they are quite nice and would like to come to Brazil to see the pink skies. This is a view of the Santos/Sao Vicente beach from the Oscar Niemeyer lookout point.
Oscar Niemeyer was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the 15th December 1907. He graduated from the Escola Nacional de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro in 1934. At this time Oscar Niemeyer joined a team of Brazilian architects collaborating with Le Corbusier on a new Ministry of Education and Health in Rio de Janeiro. Oscar Niemeyer worked with Lucio Costa and Le Corbusier till 1938 on this project.

He is probably the most famous architect Brazil has ever produced. The picture before this one is the lookout point he inspired and comemerates his contributions to Brazil. He was the principle designer of many of the buildings in Brazilia.

Here some city workers are doing some repair work in front of the lookout platform. It is located on Ponchat Island just off the coast. It offers a spectacular view of the coast and of the ocean.

Santos is a coastal city about 75 kilometers from the city of Sao Paulo. We took a day trip on Friday March 27th, to visit this city were I labored 46 years ago. Nothing looked familiar to me except the the large high rise apartments along the beach. It is the largest port in Brazil and was the point from which the vast quantities of sugar and coffee left Brazil for more than 250 years. This is a fish market on the wharf area of Santos. Notice the white crane on the roof ready to swoop down and snatch any disgarded fish.

Another view of the fish market

We had stopped here to ask direction to a couple of restaurants we were looking for. One turned out to be not a restaurant at all, but a small potable cart on a street corner. And we never did find the other one.

So...as hunger became more accute, our search for an authentic Brazilian dining experience gave way to expediency and we unanimously voted for the Golden Arches.

Sometimes we succumb to circumstances. But even though Jerry and I are not great fans of McDonalds there was something strangely comforting about the meal fries, a salad, a chicken sandwich and a Guarana.

And then we visited an "orquidario" or an orchard park in the very middle of this large city.

A peaceful oasis in the heart of the hustle and bustle of this sea port. It was so serene and the dense tropical jungle that surround the center of the park effectively cut out most of the noise of the city

Ponds abounded. We watched these turtles for quite sometime until we realized that they were made out of bronze. We did find several live turtles, one curious turtle started to follow us out. We were able to outrun him.

It was very warm here and very humid. It was easy to close yor eyes and imagine what it must have been like 500 years ago when this city was founded.

This may have been an ugly duckling at one time, but now was a very handsome blackswan.

There were several large coy or carp in these ponds that would come to the surface as if to beg for food.

Although this bird was very still it was nevertheless a real bird. It was a very spectacular drive home. Sao Paulo is about 2500 feet higher than Santos. The highway connecting the two areas is and engineering marvel. We are so greatful to be here and also able to see so much of this beautiful land. We are grateful to be here.... and we love all of you.

Pico Jaragua

2009-03-22T12:10:00.005-06:00

we have not been out on a weekly day trips for a while because Vernon/Grandpa and the doctor have had spend a lot of time taking missionaries to the hospital. But Friday was a good day so we left early in the morning and drove to Pico Jaragua. This is the highest point in the Sao Paulo area and looks out over the surrounding communities.

The day was hazy so we could not see out over the valley very well. Never the less it was still spectacular.

We could drive almost to the top but then had to hike the last few feet to the top of the peek

about 250 stairs up
There was a tram at the top that we thought we could have taken but then found out that it was only for service personnel

We could stop along the way and catch our breath

But the view at the top was worth it
the communication tower projected up 400 feet into the sky

A close up of the tower looks like a big abstract painting

There were several look-outs stationed around the base of the tower.

Coming down was harder than going up unless

There was a big concession stand at the bottom this is the roof. Rain comes quickly and it is nice to have some place to wait out the storm. We were lucky no rain this day. However we think we will try and come back on a day when it does rain so the valley will be cleared of all the smog.

This is the path that leads to the concession stand from the stairs. A common paving done throughout Brazil is done with granite blocks that will last for centuries. They called it "paralelepipido" (parallel cobble stones)

At the bottom of the stairs is a nice little play ground

Our P-day is a play day for the most part and we do have a lot of fun driving around the area and finding fun spots like this.

Being around 19 and 21 year-old missionaries is keeping us young

Happy Birthday Emma

2009-03-22T06:52:00.002-06:00

We are so excited that you want to learn to play the guitar! Your granpa Cox could teach you a lot. It is fun to be around someone who can play the guitar and sing. We will ask to see if we can be home next year on your birthday. We know we will be released in March but we are not sure what day. Send us some pictures of your party.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa Chris. . .

spelling still a problem

2009-03-16T10:30:00.002-06:00

prepatory experience not predatory experientce even though I felt like I was indanger of loosing my life and anyone else in the car if I got behind the wheel in Sao Paulo

Jerry drives in Sao Paulo

2009-03-16T06:20:00.004-06:00

“An unexpected experience”. The doctor here at the MTC was concerned that Vernon/Dad/Grandpa needed to have his cataracts checked to see if they were "ripe" and needed to be removed. We made an appointment with a doctor across town and she said she needed to dilate his eyes to complete the examination and wanted to know if I had a drivers license. Gulp!

I had tentatively decided that I would not drive unless it was an emergency. So I had put off the predatory experience of driving around Sao Paulo on a Sunday when the traffic is significantly less. Our appointment was on Saturday March 14th and it seemed to me that the traffic was not quite as congested as it is on a regular week day. But still right down in the middle of Sao Paulo on the side streets the traffic was bumper to bumper. The bigger challenge for me was the hundreds a people that move out into the streets waiting for the light to change.

We survived!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIAM

2009-03-15T06:30:00.002-06:00

We heard from Great grandma Tanner that your mom planned a big party to celebrate you turning three years old today. I have a picture of you in your bright green shirt picture hanging in my office right by my computer. All of the missionaries love it. One of the Elders said that you look just like his little brother and it makes him happy everytime he looks at your picture. I hope you have your mom help you write to us and tell us all about your day.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa Chris. . .

Mercado Municipal Paulistano

2009-02-20T16:45:00.005-07:00

Our Mission President wants us to get out of the MTC at least once a week. This gives us a great opportunity to give out pass along cards. Vernon/grandpa does it best because he can talk with the people and answer their questions.

This was a visual feast. I have never seen whole pigs hanging in a meat market. Every imaginable part of the animal could be purchased pickled, salted or freshly cut.

I learned that tripe (the stomach lining of cattle is what is used as the casement for sausage. I may never eat it again.

a lot of the meat was salted so it did not need to be refrigerated.

Vernon/grandpa is always trying to increase his vocabulary so he was asking all the vendors the names of the fruit that we rarely ever see in the states and writing it down so he would not forget it.

I had never seen red bananas. They also had some bananas that were as small as a man's thumb.

I love cashews but had never seen a real cashew fruit. The nut we eat is the dark part on top of the fruit. One nut per fruit.

I absolutely loved this outing. Brazil is so colorful and this indoor market was a profusion of shapes, color and texture.

some of the stalls had their fruit displayed in fancy baskets and individually wrapped and others just stacked in crates straing from the farms.

on the second floor was a row of restaurants and hundreds of people were eating. The food look wonderful.

We ate at the Mission before we left so we wouldn't be tempted. It is so easy to over eat here in Brazil.

I couldn't resist taking a shot of one of the menus. the floor is mahogany.

The building was built in 1922 and has 22,000 square meters of floor space. A meter is a little bit larger than three feet. The building was built to house this market and has persisted to this day. The purchasing agent for the mission told us that this is where many of the best restaurants in Sao Paulo buy their meat, fruit, and spices.

The stain glass windows are wonderful and the architecture detailing of the building was fabulous.

needless to say this has been one of my favorite outings. I hope to paint some of these images when I get home.

MTC Brick Oven party

2009-02-20T16:02:00.004-07:00

Finally the oven is cooking pizza. Aldo planned a grand opening. His wife came and made the first pizzas

It was very festive. Brazilians love a party.

Music was playing everyone was clapping and some were dancing.

all of the full time employees and the three missionary couples were invited to celebrate the firing up of the brick pizza oven.

Tables were set up in one of the hall ways and big plastic sheets were hung to block off the area so create a private dinning room by the oven.

valentines day outing

2009-02-20T15:15:00.003-07:00

the day started with flowers delivered by the men to all us wives. Then the wives took the husbands out for American Pizza at Pizza Hut. It was great. Then we drove into the Center of Sao Paulo and went to the Modern Art museum. Photographs were not permitted inside the galleries but outside in the courtyards the cameras were allowed

The building itself was my favorite part of the museum. It reminds me somewhat of the Brimhall (Design) Building at BYU but on a much grander scale.

Outside the museum is a wonderful park filled with huge dinosaur-size trees. These parks are a wonderful relief from the skyscraper jungle that goes on for miles.

The parks are clean and amazingly un- crowded. Maybe there are more people enjoying the parks on the weekends just like the beaches. We usually plan our outings on Friday. The only crowds that we bumped into are usually school kids on outings with their teachers.

These tree trunks look like giant web feet to me.

Across from the museum is the train station built during the colonial period.

The building has been wonderfully maintained.

Vernon/Grandpa plans all of our outings and is looking into planning a train ride for us out to some of the surrounding cities. Many of the people in Brazil will commute to work on the train. Some have a three-hour commute, one way. When we asked one of the workers here at the MTC why, they said there is no work in the towns where they live.

I took this picture on the bridge that we had to cross to get to the car that we parked on the street. We were a little worried about parking the mission van on the street, but no problem. We take the GPS with us in our back pack just in case someone saw us take it off the window when we parked. I don't remember if I mentioned that Doctor Hall had his wallet taken right out of his pocket on one of our outings. Before he could notify the credit card company (two hours I think) the thief had charged over $1500.00. We are just a little more careful now than we had been.

Butter fly Farm

2009-02-10T05:32:00.008-07:00

we spent a wonderful Friday in the Country. One of our visits was to a butterfly farm

The make butterflies will land on you they are attracted to the perspiration

The area is enclosed with nets so that the natural predators of the butterflies can't get in. Fly are one of their predators they can't get in but they do lay their eggs on the net and the larva does get through the nets

The flowers are native to Brazil and the area is filled with the flowers that attract the butterflies

these are called Chinese lanterns

This butterfly had just been born and was being released out of the cage

The lab is where they keep the chrysalis until the butterflies are born

the hydraingea were everywhere

They were huge

It was a wonderfully pleasant day

pizza party

2009-02-05T15:39:00.005-07:00

This is Aldo Francisconi's home in Embue. Aldo is the director of the Missionary Training Center here in Brazil. He bought this home over twenty years ago and has been remodeling and adding on to it over the years. In Brazil you are required to take your vacation time all at once. Everyone is required to get a one month vacation even part-time workers.

The yard is surrounded by the jungle and they say that monkeys are often found in the yard. Aldo and his wife are antique collectors and avid pizza makers. Both Aldo and his wife have Italian ancestors.this is the side entrance into the new addition he has added on to his home.

this room is a pizza kitchen and a place to place a lot of their antiques

This is Francille and Aldo in their aprons and hats. Francille makes the crust, cuts up all the toppings and makes the tomatoe sauce Aldo does the cooking and the cutting. This is quite the show. Aldo puts the pizza in the oven with a wooden pallet. Shakes it off onto the bricks inside the oven. Then he shuffles it around with the metal pallet until it is done.

Here I am looking into the ovenAs soon as the pizza is done The bang a pan that hangs on the wall next to the oven, pour olive oil over the pizza and cut it up into wedges.

Vernon is looking out the window. He counted the seating and figured that they could serve 50 people in this room.

We had to leave early so they let us eat the first pizza that came out. I am a little surprised that they like things like Broccoli, Zucinni, eggs, chocolate and bananas on their what all they put on pizza as well as lots of what I like cheese, peppers, onions, and olives. The tomato sauce is more like a very finely ground up salsa rather than a tomato paste based sauce.

Besides the pizza they have a system set up for Kareoki (I am not sure if that is how you spell it)

Then they have over a thousand videos

and a room full of sofas. This is a perfect place for a family gathering or gathering of friends. I understand that they often host wedding parties here too. Needless to say it was just a delightful evening. The GPS even worked on the dirt roads that we had to take to get to their home.

perfect light for violets

2009-01-18T17:49:00.002-07:00

Our kitchen has the perfect light for growing violets. Sister Linford gave me this violet when they thought they were leaving the first time. It did not have any blooms on it when she gave it to me. When they had their call extended I gave it back to her in full bloom. When they left a month and a half later the blooms were gone again. But within a short time this little plant burst forth with blooms again. The fern we bought at the outdoor market never died but it didn't flourish so I finally replaced it with a ficus tree (Benjamin tree). We bought it at the supper market for 10 Reais about five American dollars. It is two feet tall and doing wonderfully well. I have three other house plants that are thriving so I am a happy camper.

2009-01-18T17:33:00.002-07:00

We visited the museum of Japanese immigration on our p-day expedition last week. We learned that most of the Japanese came to Brazil to work in the coffee fields after Brazil freed the slaves. They brought with them their wonderful knowledge and skill in farming vegetables. They introduced most of the vegetables that are in the Brazilian diet. We learned that there were two groups of Japanese. there were those who stayed loyal to the emperor of Japan and those who embrace Brazil as their new home. Many did not stay long and returned to Japan but others stayed on and flourished with the much longer growing season. Brazil today has the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan .

PiZZA is just going to get better at the MTC

2009-01-18T17:20:00.003-07:00

This is the newest addition to the Brazil MTC. It is almost completed. There a few pipes that still need to be put in place. We have Pizza every Thursday night and the director (Aldo Francesconi..Italian descent) of the MTC is convinced that now we will have the best Pizza ever. We also often have Bar-B-Qued meat just like the "Brazilian Churrascaria" We are so spoiled here. . .so much fresh fruit and all the fresh vegetables to build wonderful salads. They have even started making whole wheat rolls for us. The food is so wonderful that I am disappointed when ever we go out to eat.

Bishop McMullin visits Brazil MTC

2009-01-18T16:59:00.002-07:00

Bishop McMullin, the second councilor in the presiding bishopric visited the MTC this evening. What a blessing it is that we live in an age when transportation and technology enable the leaders of the church to strengthen the members and the missionaries throughout the world. Once again blessings were pronounced on all the missionaries who will commit to faithfully serve the Lord. . . that non-members in our families would embrace the gospel . . . that family member who have become inactive and left the church will return . . . and that active family members would remain faithful. How blessed we are when we give of our time and means to assist the Lord in preparing the world for his second coming

4 missed birthdays

2009-01-14T14:33:00.003-07:00

Cooper Happy Birthday on the 30th of December . I can't believe how well you read the scriptures

Hyrum Happy Birthday on the 6th of January. Wow you are five years old and will be starting school soon I loved the picture of you a Jacob pretending to be bushes in front of the dinosaur.

Lyncoln Happy Birthday on the 11th of January. I saw you on Aunt Anne's blog I could not believe how long your hair is and you sounded so grown up on the telephone the other day

Zachary Happy Birthday on the 13th of January, I love your back yard I bet you are having lots of fun playing outside in the middle of winter