Family Snippets

Do you see?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:16:00 +0000

Just before the end of the year we travel to a viewpoint located in Almada where we could see the extraordinary landscape of the riverside of the Lisbon city.

When we got there after some driving through some narrow streets we reached the top of the hill that allowed us to see the magnificent and iconic bridge over the Tagus river and of course the hills of Lisbon that guard it's centuries of history.

Hadn't we taken the time to get to the viewpoint and follow the invitation of my brother in law that kept trying to convince us to get there, we would not be able to see what we did, and of course we wouldn't have experienced and enjoyed that beautiful panoramic view of such unique place in Europe.

In our journey of mortality we must nourish the desire to see the big picture of life, the panoramic view of life, as we do so I am sure we will pronounce an exclamation to others; can you see?

Only then we will realize how important mortality is, and how important are the decisions we make while we are here.

Smooth white sand

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:32:00 +0000

When we walked in the Guincho beach together with our family on December 30, 2011, I removed my shoes to feel the sand, my feet as I hoped were enveloped in a smooth white sand but, unexpectedly the temperature of the sand was quite cold inspite of the sunny day, it was after all the month of December!

Had I spent my time consumed with the fact it was cold on my feet, I am certain the moment would be lost for me, and I would miss the great moments we were all living that day, including the extraordinary beauty of nature.

I am grateful for family and for the opportunity of these small precious moments that make life so much more meaningful and enjoyable. I just hope that this next summer we might be able to bike together from Cascais to Guincho and enjoy again this beautiful place.

Link: More photos of this day

There is much to be grateful for! Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

2011 has been a year adorned with marvelous experiences for our family. The wedding of our sons Miguel to Lisa and João to Summer in the Salt Lake Temple have been the highlight for all of us, we are grateful these wonderful daughters that have entered into our family.

We are grateful for their parents and family and the love and support they give to their children and now our children also.

Just last week we were in Southern Europe for a short visit to my parents that are serving a mission in the Madrid Temple and to spend sometime with some of our family in Portugal. It is wonderful to see the how the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are making a difference in our lives.

There is much to be grateful for!

We wish all a Merry Christmas.

A joyful time

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:33:00 +0000

When "Christmas Markets" open in Germany, we know that Christmas is really next door, they begin with the first "Advent" a traditional celebration in Germany that marks the beginning of the build-up to the celebration of the birth of Christ. These four weeks leading to Christmas are a joyful time in German society.

Christmas Markets as far as I know began in the city of Dresden in 1434 and today are part of the celebration of this special season, and when I visit one I always look for the nativity scene which normally is a central feature in the market, it reminds us the true meaning of the celebration.

Today I took a couple pictures when we walked through including this one of "Nutcrackers"

Spring in Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

The other day I took the time to walk by a lake, it was a glorious day, the air was fresh and clean, the water was calm, the trees were serene, the light was bright and clear, it felt like a spring day to me, yet it was the winter season.

I took my jacket for a while and enjoyed the scenery and the mild sunshine and as I was walking I thought to myself that in the course of life, at times we go through difficult moments, but even then, when we stay close to the principles we know to be true, and remain faithful to them, we will see in our lives spring days during our winter seasons!

As I reviewed the teachings of last General Conference I thought of the the following counsel as I reflected upon this matter:

"If we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life" - Elder Carl B. Cook.

"It is essential that we are able to face - with courage - whatever challenges come our way" President Monson

At the end of the walk I faced with a magnificent structure with hundreds of years, a castle that was build with a foundation of the solid rock of the small island where it stands. There it was, as a reminder to us, that with a solid foundation we too can withstand the winter seasons of life.

Sense of accomplishment

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:56:00 +0000

Our daughter Ana just got her first job. Last time I spoke with her, was after several hours of work, she was tired but happy.

In day to day language we refer to work as the effort exercised to achieve or complete a certain task and I can see at least two important values of work which I would like to briefly consider here today.

Do you remember your first pay check?, your first salary? or the first income earned with your project?. Ohh...there is satisfaction in that reward, this is a lesson worth being reminded of; that there is value in earning through honest and hard work the rewards of our efforts, this is important because it means in practical terms, we can earn to provide for our needs and needs of our families.

I am aware that many want to find a job and can not always find it in today's economic climate and for this reason I would like to touch basis on another value of work that goes well beyond the financial rewards of a paid job. If you are one without a job now, let me just say, continue to prepare yourself, continue to seek until you qualify and find one in the near future, stay confident as it will come, and remember you might not find a job at present but you can always find work, including the work of serving your fellow men.

There is nothing more satisfying then the sense of something that is accomplished, something that is done... and even more so of something that is well done!, that sense of accomplishment is a great reward of work that many lose side of. When we have that sense of accomplishment we are more likely to value our time and do with it good things, including when the opportunity comes to play!

Additional reading: There Is No Substitute for Work

Early Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:08:00 +0000

The busy and lively "Zeil", the shopping street downtown Frankfurt, is constantly in a stage of metamorphosis, from one celebration to another.

The city this year dedicated a week a month to a different culture, this week was the Japanese one; you could not miss the food stands and music performances from Japan.

What we were not expecting today in our Saturday walk downtown, was to have Christmas on the streets, not the traditional Christmas Market which will we definitively plan to enjoy latter this year, but the street performers that decided to arrive before everyone else. They installed themselves in front of a large department store full of ginger bread houses in display and began to sing Christmas songs to us not in December but in November!

Link: The real meaning of Christmas

Do you really know how to do that?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:43:00 +0000

This winter in Europe the trend for clothing and other accessories is knitting, it is all over in display at the most popular stores in Germany.

This was something we use to see when we were in our teens, the only difference then is, that it was produced by our mothers and grandmothers, today they are made most likely somewhere in a factory in Asia.

In a walk downtown Frankfurt, Germany the other day my wife said, "I would like to stop to buy some knitting needles and some wool, I would like to knit a scarf", with a surprised expression I said, "do you know how to do that?" She replied in a mild tone, "my mom did, and my grandmother as well, and they taught me when I was young", to which I then somewhat unconvinced I said, "OK... why not!"

For next couple of days I saw her knitting at a fast pace and things began quickly to take shape and form, first a base for some plates, next a couple of flowers, then a trendy scarf just like to one we saw in a store, or actually nicer I must confess, and today when I arrived home I found a beret to match the previous scarf.

I said, but this time... totally convinced, "you really learned that from your mother didn't you? It is very nice!"

I think sometimes we under estimate the power of what mothers teach at home, it stays with us for a life time, that's for sure!

Additional reading: Mothers and Daughters

“There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.”

Elder Russel M. Ballard

What about spiritual prosperity?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:23:00 +0000


Miguel & João - Salt Lake City, Oct 2011

Many have looked at prosperity solely from a financial perspective, thus to prosper in this narrow vision of things one looks only to the external signs of wealth and consequently soon after the focus becomes on material possessions or the fix idea of having them. Inevitably this arrangement leads to feelings of envy, greed and selfishness and creates an enormous distance between us and the needs of our fellow men, including our families as time is not allocated any longer to what matters most but to what we want the most.

What about spiritual prosperity?

A clear understanding that we are children of an Heavenly Father that loves us, that He has a plan of happiness for us which through the atonement of Jesus Christ and our faithfulness allows us to return to Him, and an understanding that He gave us commandments to help us face the adversities of life will guide us to a path of gratitude for everything we have, even when we have little material possessions we will have a sense of gratitude for the things that matter most.

As we long each day to become closer to our Heavenly Father we increase our desire to keep all the commandments and consequently we grow spiritually and prosper.

Links: October 2011 General Conference Video Highlights

Something worth reflecting once more

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 20:25:00 +0000

Decisions are a big are part of life, we make so many in the course of our journey and so often, small ones and big ones!

Because all of them have implications for us, learning to make decisions... I should say wise and inspired decisions is a something that is worth reflecting once more.

A decision enters in the wise category when we devote careful consideration to the alternatives available to us and it becomes inspired when we prayerfully take what we consider the best option and counsel with the Lord in prayer before we take a final route.

Here is a good link to a scripture that helps in this reflection:

Doctrine and Convenants 9:7-9

Are we walking in the right direction?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:32:00 +0000

Do you stop sometimes to think; I am going the right direction?

In a real sense that was the question we had when we were walking the streets of Brussels in Belgium. My wife and I and our daughter were looking for a certain location and after walking for a while we ask ourselves, are we walking in the right direction? a feeling came over us that we were off course, we began to look for points of reference, maps, street names and then our daughter pointed to a useful street sign and said... "there... that way!" oh... the sign made all the difference, we changed direction and in minutes found ourselves where we wanted to be.

In our spiritual journey we must also constantly look at points of reference and reliable sources that point us to the right direction, then with goals and genuine effort we can also walk that path in the right destination.

Below are just a few of those reliable sources we treasure and use all the time as a family to make sure we are on the right course:

Prophets and Apostles Speak Today
Liahona and Ensign Magazines
General Conference
The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Canvas of life

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:43:00 +0000

When the box of the oil painting tubes opens and a new canvas is set in the small art studio of our home, we know that there is a moment of artistic inspiration on the way, with each painting mom completes, there is a story to tell, either a story of what is represented or the process of painting it, or both.

Our lives are a bit like this, they also tell a story to others, that's why our example is so important, the way we live matters, not only to us but to others also. The other day a couple that we know told us that they see our son in the university campus almost every day, then they added... I don't think he know us but we know him! Our example is not only for those we know, but for those we don't know. So each stroke of paint in our canvas of life defines the final picture!

Long walks, long talks!

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Random selection of pictures of this summer in Portugal

More important than the activities we do is the time we spend together, long walks close to nature that generate long talks, just time together to enjoy a meal and talk over the dinner table, seat on the beach and wait for the sunset and while we wait sure some more talking. Good conversations and good moments together are excellent opportunities to teach and learn from each other. What I like about good conversations like some we had during this summer is that they often encourage us to find our own answers to our questions and they simply turn on communication which is so vital in a family. I must say I am already looking forward to more long walks and long talks.

Link: Summer 2011

Algarve

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Just a few hours of driving toward the Algarve, the most southern region of Portugal and the weather changes, the summers here are long, dry and warm. Ana loves to come here, this is what she considers a summer vacation. As I prepare this blog entry I am enjoying the shade of a pine tree and and the aroma of lavender that is all over in the gardens, and latter in the afternoon of course with just a short walk we reach the calm ocean that is just in front of us!

A mixture of styles

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:22:00 +0000

Sintra holds the UNESCO World Heritage status and attracts people from all over the world and it is a place we would recommend anyone to visit. While we lived in Portugal we were always in the vicinity of this amazing town and enjoyed over the years discovering the maze of narrow cobblestone streets, castles, palaces and gardens.

Each visit adds to our understanding of the heritage of this location. At the center of this town there is an obvious landmark with two white chimneys, the Palácio Nacional de Sintra which was the functioning royal place until the early 1900's. Originally built under the Moorish rule for sultans summer vacations in the moderate climate of the hills of Sintra, then remodeled and altered by several of its residents of the Portuguese royal family and inevitably becomes a mixture of the Manueline and Ghotic styles with much of its original Arab influences, this building is far more impressive in the inside and it is worth a visit.

Back at home and back into the past

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:14:00 +0000

Back at home for a few days this summer and why not back into the past to medieval times, all the way back to 1148 at one of the iconic castles of Portugal which was conquered by King Afonso Henriques to the Moors. The medieval fair during the month of July in the "Óbidos Castle" is rich in culture and excellent cuisine!

Link: Click her to see a few more pictures of this event in Obidos

Speed or Velocity?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:19:00 +0000

Without going into to many details of physics, we could say that speed is how fast you car is moving while velocity is how fast you displace yourself from your original position; in other words speed is ignorant of direction while velocity is aware of direction.

When we think of velocity we must think of moving ourselves further from the position where we started, there is no velocity without tracking our direction.

I use this example because so very often we see things going at an incredible speed, being super busy, but not moving things really anywhere. Direction, a purpose, a goal, and patience are essential to arrive on time and at the right destination.

For more messages like this one see "Mormon Messages"

Balcony flowers. Isn't life like that too?

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:28:00 +0000

Our balcony flowers have maintained their vibrancy and color throughout spring and now summer. When I look through the window I find myself captured by their presence and think how much mom loves flowers, almost any type of flowers! As far as I can remember there were always flowers at home. She told me today:

"one reason I like flowers is because they help me gain and retain the sensibility to care... besides just a few flowers and there is a renewed sense of life and color around us".

As I see her taking care of small things like watering, removing the old leaves, etc, I also see the effects, the flowers grow and keep their beauty.

Isn't life like that too? Not much different! ... small acts of genuine care and life becomes more full of color as well.

It is simple and delicious

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:59:00 +0000

Today mom cooked a classic "Torta" for "Family Home Evening", a recipe that for a century puts smiles in faces of those that taste it, a cake that her mother did always for the children. It is simple & delicious!

Ingredients:

150g or 1 1/3 All purpose flour

300g or 1 1/3 Sugar

6 Eggs

Tsp of baking powder

Preheat over to 350º F. Beat egg whites until stiff. Blend egg yolks with sugar and add to it the white eggs, flour and the baking powder. Mix all ingredients. Pour into a 9" x 13" greased cake pan. Bake for approximately 40 minutes until the wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Immediately loosen cake from edge of pan; invert on towel generously sprinkled with sugar. Spread on top strawberry jam or other jam of your choice. While still hot carefully role cake and towel from narrow end.

Let it cool from 15 minutes and remove the towel. Enjoy it and have you also a happy "Family Home Evening"

A sense of purpose

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:33:00 +0000

One of the most rewarding experiences to me is to see the youth and young adults with a sense of purpose, determined to make a contribution to their own lives and the lives of others. In my experience I found that rarely this involves just the desire to achive fame and fortune, it involves rather an understanding that unselfish acts of love, compassion and service to others are in fact more important.

A sense of purpose includes the understanding of where we came from? why we are here? and where we will go after this life and it includes love for our families. It was good to see Miguel and Lisa with Ana doing hoseriding in Lisa's grandparents ranch in southern of Utah.

A dollar here a dollar there!

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:55:00 +0000

I have spend all my life managing financial matters and I have seen during all these years of experience many organizations, individuals or families losing peace of mind and opportunities for a happier life because they lacked the skill to properly manage money and resources or they ignored and overlooked the importance of these simple things.

Today I would like to share these few and simple principles and practices that will bring peace of mind and prosperity to those that apply them.

Do not understimate the power of these words; it is it's simplicity that carries it's value and wisdom.

The Principles

1. Pay tithing on time

2. Set a budget

3. Plan for the unexpected - Save

The pratices

1. Do not wait until the next day or next week; right after you receive your income pay your tithing!

2. Make a list of your anticipated bills. Adjust your lifestyle to always be within your income!

3. Put aside in a savings account a small percentage of your income

The Checklist

You don't have a savings account? get one! If you save every month a small perecentage of your income in 25 years you can accumulate a substantial sum. If you do this for the rest of your life you can be millionarie!

Doing a budget is a simple thing you don't even need an app in your phone to that. Just list your planned expenses and adjust your spending to be within your disposable income! A budget is not just for older people with a full family to take care. If you have a bank account, even a student bank account or you have a debit card or receive an allowance, this message is for you!

Remember to record your actual expenses as they happen and check if they were in your original list of planned expenses. Always stay withing your means, a dollar here and a dollar there can make the difference!

You might think this is two simple, true it is that simple!

Next time I will write more about the top 10 things that waste money and how taking control of them makes all the difference!

Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Even in a day of digital photography we love to print photos to frame and display them at home.

Photographs that are in our sight constantely at home, live with us and become a part of us, part of our active memory. These photos sharpen the contour of our memories. They invite neighbouring episodes of our past to join us in our present.

Photos like this one refine the sense of gratitude because it reminds me of special blessings I have.

Perfect balance

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Don't we in life spend quite a bit a time balacing things to achieve harmony, to achieve peace, to achieve hapiness? So... the correct understanding of what peace and hapiness is becomes critical to balance things right!

Sometimes we tilt our lives to a certain direction with the conviction it will lead us to a perfect balance, yet, along the way as we persue our objective the fundamentals are forgoten or left aside.

Our happiness as a family and as individuals comes from the the real joy we can feel from righteous living. The purpose of mortal life is for all people to have joy and a full joy will come only through Jesus Christ and by applying His teachings in our daily living, that is why Easter is so important to us, it remind us once more how we should balance things!

Quiche Lorraine

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:44:00 +0000

Smoked bacon is a traditional ingredient of the cuisine of Lorraine, France. It is used in various traditional dishes of the region, including the famous quiche lorraine. Here it is the the recipe of the quiche that mom did today and it it featured in the photo above.

Ingredients

1 Brisee pastry shell

4 large eggs

200 grams grated Emmental cheese

3/4 cup ham, diced

1 1/3 cups whipping cream (then add enough milk to bring up to 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pinch of pepper

1 tsp. chives (ciboulet)

Heat oven to 191 degrees Centigrade (375 F) Lay pie crust in quiche dish and form to dish. Poke holes in bottom and sides with a fork. Bake crust for 10-12 minutes (watch it so that if the crust slides down into dish you can push it back up while it is still maleable). Cool. Beat together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Spread ham, then cheese onto bottom of baked pie crust. Sprinkle the ciboulet on. Pour milk mixture over the top. Bake for about 40 minutes (still at 191 C). If pie crust edges get too dark, cover with strips of foil. Quiche is done when little cracks form on top and it is set up.

This is Easter morning

noreply@blogger.com (Jose A. Teixeira) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:39:00 +0000

Those who hated Jesus thought they had put an end to Him forever when the cruel spikes pierced His quivering flesh and the cross was raised on Calvary. But this was the Son of God, with whose power they did not reckon. Through His death came the Resurrection and the assurance of eternal life. None of us can fully understand the pain He bore as He prayed in Gethsemane and subsequently hung in ignominy between two thieves while those who looked at Him taunted Him and said, “He saved others; himself he cannot save” (Matt. 27:42; Mark 15:31).

With sorrow unspeakable those who loved Him placed His wounded, lifeless body in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Gone was hope from the lives of His Apostles, whom He had loved and taught. He to whom they had looked as Lord and Master had been crucified and His body laid in a sealed tomb. He had taught them of His eventual death and Resurrection, but they had not understood. Now they were forlorn and dejected. They must have wept and wondered as the great stone was rolled to seal the burial place.

The Jewish Sabbath passed. Then came a new day, a day that ever after was to be the Lord’s day. In their sorrow Mary Magdalene and the other women came to the tomb. The stone was no longer in place. Curiously they looked inside. To their astonishment the tomb was empty.

Distraught and fearful, Mary ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved. She cried, “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him” (John 20:2). They came running, and their fears were confirmed. Disconsolate, they looked and then “went away again unto their own home” (John 20:10). “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

“And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. “And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. “And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:11–17).

Excerpts of the talk of Gordon B. Hinckley - General Conference April 1996