MADEIRA

4-2-13

Hey family! I only have a couple of minutes again today to write, sorry!  I arrived in Madeira yesterday and WOW it is absolutely gorgeous!!!  We have a beautiful view out our kitchen and study room windows of the ocean.  We live in the city of Machico and there is a small branch here.  I am SOO excited to tackle the work.  There is a lot to be done and I am super stoked!  This past week in Braga has truly been amazing and one of miracles.  Some of the highlights were teaching that family of 6- LOVE THEM!!!  They are so loud and boisterous and fun and I feel at home.  I love those kids so much.  We walked with three of them to church on Sunday and on the way back- what a beautiful Easter morning it was too!  I was able to read about the Resurrection in each of the four gospels that morning and was filled with the Spirit and lots of joy and peace.  Jesus Christ truly was resurrected.  And because of Him, we will be too!!!  It was really hard saying goodbye to that, but we will keep in contact. :)  It is always so hard saying goodbye to people- Braga is family.  I will miss them a TON but I am excited to get to know and love the people here in Machico.  The longer time I have on the mission the more and more I realize how imperfect I am and how much I need to rely on the Lord.  I am so grateful for this because it is SOOO much better to always rely on the Lord 100%.  One of my district leaders in the past, Elder James, once said that we need to pray to the Lord as if everything depends on Him and then after the prayer we need to act as if everything depends on us.  So true.  I am so humbled to have this blessing of serving the Lord 24/7 in Portugal.  I love this country and its people and I love the Lord and this gospel.  I know that when we live the commandments we are blessed and happier.  I know this is the true church of Christ.  The more I learn the less desire I have to be in any way ´part´ of the world.  If anything takes me away from the Lord I will cut myself off of that thing.  It is just not worth it.  Love you all so much!  Hurrah for Israel!!!

Sister Tingey