A Marriage for Time.

      On December 19, 1987 Patricia Bouchard (24) and Steve Lourenco (23) were married in the Providence Ward Chapel of the The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now the Warwick Ward) in Warwick, RI. The ceremony was performed by Bishop John Susa. It was attend by a small groups of family and friends. The reception was held in the cultural hall of the meeting house and a buffet was provided by the Relief Society, while prerecorded music was played by friends from the Young Single Adult Group of the Providence Ward.

       It was a Wonderful evening and a good time was had by all.    But something was missing.

       How I loved this woman. Marriage for time only would not do.  How grateful I was to learn that love is eternal and not meant to end with death. No, Heavenly Father knows this and in His Plan of Happiness, marriage between a man and a woman is sacred and meant to be for all time and eternity.  Family relations are to be perpetuated through out eternity.

        We were married for time only in December of 1987 knowing full well that when I had been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a full year, (on March 24 , 1988) I would be eligible to enter God's Holy Temple. There I would be able to receive the sacred ordinances and make the covenants that would allow me to return to the presence of God and for our family to be united for eternity.
      "Family: The Proclamation to The World" brings to light the simple truths about Heavenly Father's Plan for Happiness. "...marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children." We also learn that"...The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."    Marriage for time is not part of the plan. I want to my family relations to continue beyond the grave.
 
        On April 9, 1988, Patricia and I entered the Washington DC Temple and entered into the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage. Sealed for all time and eternity. If we remain faith and keep the commandments and sacred covenants we have made we know that family will be together forever.


"THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force."  
HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." ("Family: The Proclamation to The World")
     

How grateful I am to be have been blessed with five beautiful children. An inheritance of the Lord (Psalm 127:3) for sure.  Tricia Ellen, Austin Steve, Adam Paul, Alexander Christian and Andrew Zachariah. I could not imagine my life without any of them. I do not want to live without them in the hereafter. It would not make sense to build up a life time of love and memories only to have the family relationship dissolve with death. No "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave."

 Another wonderful blessing is to know that "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave." As our children begin to get married and have children of their own our family expands and will continue to expand that we may have joy in our posterity.

       

Adam & Becca 26 May 2012                                                      Tricia and JB    18 June  2014

I  Remember Mother's Hands

Yes mom, I remember the thing you can not say to me right now.

I remember soapy bubble baths and your hands in my hair and on my back.  I remember how you kneeled by the tub  watching as I played with my boats until my fingers wrinkled up
And the water got to cold for me to say any longer.  I remember the special way you could wrap me up in that huge towel and carry me to bed. You would carry me to bed and let me cuddle up to you.I would play with your ears 'til I fell asleep. I remember the song you would always sing to me about me being " un pedico"( this would forever be my song). I loved  smell of Pond's Face Cream on your face , and I remember that sometime you would fall asleep before me. I loved to watch the way you would make your lips pop as you pushed the air out.

Your hands never seemed to stop always busy taking care of our needs and wants. Sewing , cooking , cleaning, consoling, even in prayer.b

I remember your hands held together in prayer. I knew when you held up your one finger I needed to wait because you were talking with Heavenly Father. It must have been very important because sometimes you were crying
Sundays were different. I remember your fingers working up and down your Beads with Jesus swinging on the end as we sat in church .
Dad was home all day.  I remember dad falling asleep as he rested his head on your lap and you ran your fingers through the little hair he had and over his shiny scalp.

I remember what a hard time I would give you about eating. I know you tried your best. I remember you trying to shape my beans and rice and a little fahrina into " ballinhos"so I might eat them.

I remember our Long  walks from the doctors on the Eastside of Providence  to home with a stop at MacDonald's along the way.  My hand in yours as we walked and talked about hopes and dreams and days of old back in Brazil . A bus might have been quicker but treasure this time alone with you.

These hands sewed countless badges and patches from cub scouts through boy scouts without complaint .

I remember the back of your hands wet as you wiped tears from your eyes. I am sorry for the tears that only a child can bring. Fears and disappointments . I have also seen tears of joy and pride. I know that your tears were always full of love no matter what the reason may have been.

You have alway said a mother can be to hundred children but a hundred children could never be to one mother. Now as a father I begin to understand. Now as I help you to do the things your hands can not do anymore I understand .

I have not forgotten the love I have felt in those beautiful hands .  No,  I have not forgotten, not yet.