We left portugal about four weeks ago - and it has been a whirlwind!  So many wonderful experiences with family and dear friends.

Both are true - we are super excited to be with friends and family, but very sad to leave the wonderful people in Portugal that we have grown to love.  

Our mission has officially ended....but I'm a bit behind on my posts.  So here is the second-to-the last post about our time in Portugal.  Stay turned for the final post soon!

Our time here is fast fading - only two weeks until our mission ends.  We are feeling very sad about parting with our many new-found friends here in Portugal.  But also very excited to be with our family and long-time friends.  This post covers the period from mid June until early July.  I will soon make another post to cover the rest of July - so much to  share!

We love attending zone conferences and mission leader council meetings.  Sister Leal is all heart - and we all feel here deep love and goodness.   President Leal is an exceptional teacher and trainer.  He speaks with clarity and power - I can listen to him for hours on end and never tire - he speaks in such a thoughtful, balanced, and compelling way.  He teaches missionaries to work hard and work smart.  And they rise to his high expectations.  Because of their diligence and faith, they exude a goodness  that is palpable.   A few of "favorite" missionaries are shown below - but there are many more!

...but you can't take the farm out of the boy".   

We were thrilled to receive visits from our siblings during the best time of year to come to Portugal - in the spring!

We were VERY happy to welcome the arrival of spring.  The flowering trees and gardens are simply lovely!

 Most days, the temperature ranges from the low 40s to low 50s.  And rain, lots of rain.  Not the slow and steady Seattle-type rain.  Here, we do it North-Atlantic style:  cloudbursts and gusty winds;  the rain comes down in sheets, then moderates, then comes again with a vengeance.  We've experienced several hail storms too - one day there was upwards of an inch of hail on the road! 

Wow, we absolutely loved the holiday season here in Portugal!  It was a filled with beauty, love and laughter.  So let's start with our Thanksgiving celebrations....

We recently were invited to attend an interfaith event in Porto, which included short prestations by leaders from these faith communities:  Jewish, Buddhist, Islam, Catholic, Bahai, Latter-day Saint, and HIndu.  

Our hometown of Barcelos  is famous for its rooster (aka Galo de Barcelos).  Here is a quick rundown of the legend that makes the "galo" famous throughout Portugal: