2015 JANUARY
Beautiful orchids are abundant in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Park in Sorriso
Brazilians love their pets!
Couple of returned Brazilian missionaries returning home from a mission reunion in Campinas--at Sao Paulo airport
Senior missionary couples in Sao Paulo at Applebees
Dra. Erika Yasaki, Elder & Sister Romrell, Dr. Laird Swensen, Fernanda (assistant to Dra. Erika). Dra. Erika is the retina specialist treating my left eye for the results of a blood clot I had in October last year that blocked a main vein that feeds the retina. The update is this: I have now received two injections of Lucentes and one injection of a steroid in the eye. These injections are to block the body's natural response when a blood clot occurs. The body wants to send help immediately to construct new veins to replace the lost vein. This results in inflammation and pressure, making the vision worse. The sight in my eye is still blurry and don't have clear, distinct vision in that eye. Fortunately, with glasses and a good right eye, I am still able to read, see to drive, and do everything I need to. Of course, my vision is not 100%. Right now as I sit at the computer to type I can read with my left eye (with the right eye covered) all the words I type. This is something I could not do when the blood clot occurred, and before the second injection of Lucenetes. I am praying and exercising faith that things will stabilize in my eye (without pressure and inflammation) so that I will not need any more Lucenetes injections, and that my sight will be restored to normal. Medical science does not support this faith, but such miracles occur all the time. I appreciate your faith, prayers, and interest in my behalf. RR
New Sister Missionaries attending Sao Paulo temple from CTM (Mission Training Center)
Our good friends in Sao Paulo at the baptism of their grandson.
Beautiful part of Sao Paulo with upscale condominiums
Missionaries of Sorriso, Mato Grosso, Cuiaba mission
One of many branch "family nights"
Saying goodbye to Sister Martinez and Elder Vecchio as they return to Buenos Aires.
Rocha family
Hardest worker I have ever seen in my life. This guy dug this hole in one morning! It is for a new septic tank for our neighbor's house.
Our friend, Matheus, in the hole.
Sister Romrell and a group of children in the San Jose neighborhood.
Jabuticaba tree trunk loaded with fruit.
Despised snail. Carries diseases and destroys gardens.
Rose of the desert.
A group of sisters of the Sorriso branch.
More orchids
A replica of the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the Havan chain of stores. This one is in Sinop.
Mother cat and kittens
The soja (soy) turns yellow and then brown before it is ready to harvest.
Wonderful dinner in the home of Fre and Mauro in Feliz Natal
Jaca fruit (Jack fruit in US). A gift from Fre and Mauro.
We enjoyed coconut water from the coconuts below, a gift from Andre and Juliana.
