Travel,Travel and Birthdays!

You don't have to know me very long to know that I love to travel - and this month, I was able to travel twice. The end of May, I went to Atlanta for a wedding and this week, I traveled to Vitória, Brazil for some mental health service. Both were amazing trips.

I was happy to go to Atlanta, not only for Liza's and Will's wedding, but also to be back in the USA. Liza is no longer Liza Cheek, but Liza Sears and they both seem so happy! It was also wonderful to see all the grandchildren in the "Atlanta Cheek" family. It seems odd to call them that, because half of them are in Utah now.

There was a lot of preparation to do, from cutting up fruit and making Cowboy Caviar (a bean and corn salad that is yummy!) to ironing 18 round tablecloths, 10 long tablecloths, a wedding dress and three bridesmaids' dresses, setting up the cultural hall and decorating it, picking up a cake, pies, cupcakes, and cake pops.

We were busy!! But everyone worked together with a lot of good cheer, and it make the work seem a lot easier! (I didn't realize how tired I was until I got back to my apartment in Brazil after everything was over and spent most of the next 24 hours resting!)

One fun thing we did was the grandkids and I went to Chick Fil A after the temple sealing. I told them it was a family tradition now (we had gone there before, after my granddaughter Rachel and her husband Will Martin were sealed)

Also, Susan told me about how she and her friends had won an award for their funny video of D&D Book of First Nephi. Here is a link to it if you want to see it:   https://youtu.be/DNWRMdcmY8c. It is really cute - but it was surprising to hear Susan's voice coming out of Father Lehi!

On Monday, May 29, I flew back to Brazil, and had 14 sisters and 3 elders on the same flight, going to the Brazilian MTC. Our plane was delayed 3 hours and they all just got out their Uno cards and played in circles on the floor in the waiting area. They were so enthusiastic about going to Brazil on their missions that it was like traveling with 17 puppies!

This week, I went to Vitória, and it is so beautiful, on the Atlantic coast, with ocean breezes and miles of beach (Praia da Costa). I saw almost no graffiti there, very few motorcycles and it seemed very safe. Motorcycles are not bad in themselves, but in São Paulo, many motorcyclists break the law, riding in between cars and running stoplights. Motorcycles also are used by thieves, grabbing phones or bags from pedestrians. When I don't see motorcyclists, I feel safer.

I had to leave for the airport at 5 am. It was hard to get up! By 9:30, I was at Vitória. Two STLs (Sister Training Leaders) met me at the airport. They were so nice! They showed me around Vitória and took me to a convent (Convento da Penha), which dates to 1558.

Many Brazilians make pilgrimages there to be cured of illnesses and leave notes of thanks for being cured. It was nice for us that it was Dia dos Namorados (Valentine's Day) and there was a special mass to celebrate it. We got up to the top where the chapel is just as it was letting out and we could see the priest sprinkling people with holy water as they left. Across the chapel, the door was open, showing a beautiful view of the city. It was just a breathtaking scene. I wanted to take a picture, but thought it might not seem respectful, so I didn't.

Then we went to lunch and the sisters were excited to eat at - Burger King! (And later, for dinner, I got Pizza Hut). This food is missionary heaven - but just not what I was hoping for! They were so happy, though, that how could I say anything?

The next day, the missionaries waited with me at the airport to meet President and Sister Turner. I really wanted to meet them, as I had heard a voice message from President Turner and he had a North Carolina accent! I looked him up and found they were from Cary, North Carolina, only about an hour from where I went to college. When we met in the airport, I told them that I had gone to school at East Carolina in Greenville, and Sister Turner said, "I grew up in Greenville." I found out that she was the daughter of Lionel Kendrick, our branch president there - and that she had known Wayne when he lived there! It was such a tender mercy for me and for her! We both cried.

Lastly, this is a special month for the Utah Cheeks! There are five birthdays in one side of the family. I got each of them birthday cards but couldn't send them from Atlanta because it was Memorial Day, and the post office was closed. I sent them by pouch when I got back to Brazil - I hope they made it! It was fun also sending them e-cards to their email addresses and money by Venmo. I loved hearing about what they did with the money! 

I hope your June is beautiful. Next month, I will be able to go to Salvador, to present at a zone conference in the Salvador South Mission. It will be on mental health (of course) and I am excited to be preparing the presentation. I really like helping the missionaries to better take care of themselves.

p.s.  The elder that I told you about, the one who was so sick and nearly died, went home last week to a happy reunion with his family and friends. He will finish his mission locally as he recovers his strength. But you never saw such happy faces!