refreshing joy

Loving on Shawna

2011-05-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

My status on Facebook last night was this: My day went something like this: 1. no internet in the morning. 2. no electricity when I got back from the gym 3. no shower 4 wrong bus so it took 3 hours instead of the regular 1 1/2 hours 5 bird poops down my back as I am waiting for the light to change at the corner - no change of clothes with me 6. It was raining.
BUT the day wasn't bad - you can't have a whole bad day!

And really the whole day was not bad.

There were things that at the time

didn't feel so fun but that I could end up laughing about

and just recognize that all in all life is good.

And it makes for good stories. I love good stories!

What I didn't share on Facebook was that the day began

with something even worse.

Something that made my heart feel heavy all day.

Something that caused me to ask God "why?".

When the internet finally came on

(and before it went back off again!)

I saw a post and learned Shawna had cancer.

Stage IV.

I don't know Shawna that well myself

but I know more about her then just to say I know "of" her.

She was Kellie's maid of honor.

(I think she has played that role in a lot of weddings

because she is the kind that becomes a friend to all.)

She's been at my home a few times.

I was blessed to get to hear her teach the woman at our church

several times with an amazing ability to share her love for Christ.

I know about some terrible, beyond what anyone

should have to go through,

kinds of things that this young woman has already endured

and came through shining for Jesus.

I guess you would say I admire her from a distance.

And now she, along with her new husband and children,

are about to begin another hard battle.

Literally a fight for her life.

God does not answer my question of why.

I don't know why

but I have a feeling that He

is going to shine brightly in her life during this time.

Please join us in prayer as we hold her up

to the one who knows the answer to my question.

The one who loves Shawna more than any of us.

It makes bird poop on my shoulder and down my back pretty laughable.

If you would like to follow Shawna's fight against cancer

this is the link: http://lovingonshawna.com/

Our Dental Experience in Brazil

2011-05-04T04:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a wisdom tooth removed by a dentist here in Brazil. I had prayed and asked God for a dentist because the tooth had broke while I was in the states and the dentist there had told me it would have to be surgically removed. He suggested I do it in Brazil because of the cost and our finances :). I didn't do it last year because of the knee problems I was having so I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. Anyway, I prayed and one day when I was at the gym here at the condo, I met a lady working out that was very helpful and wanted to talk "English" with me. Turned out she was a dentist! She gave me all the information (phone number, e-mail, etc) and at some point stated that she wanted a recipe for cookies (they are well known here!). That weekend I made some and decided to take some to them . They ended up having us (with the rest of her family) for Easter dinner! This past weekend we made arrangement for dental work.

She picked us up at our apartment building (we're in the same complex but different buildings) and planned to take us to work with her the whole day. She said she had a few other appointments (her own father being her last) but most of the day she had reserved for us. BUT first we needed to stop at her parents house as she didn't have water in her apartment to take a shower that morning after working out in the gym!

Wow! Her parents house was amazing! Custom built for them about 13 years ago in this wonderful (expensive) neighborhood that we had no idea you would even find in Rio. The details put into their house was, for me, so fun to see.

BUT I am way off the subject, am I not?!!!

They took their time showing us around, gave us breakfast and made us feel at home while our dentist, Marianna, took her shower. Her mother was trying to learn English so we had fun with that as we did a mixture of Portuguese and English to “try” and carry conversations with her.

Then off to the office – We got there and she had a few other appointments so we just sat in the waiting room and waited. Then she got to me. I had also told her that at some point we would like our teeth cleaned and checked for cavities, etc so she did that first for me.

No cavities!!!!!

No, she doesn't quite use the same techniques as the dentists in the states but all was good. Then it was time to pull the tooth.

She did an x-ray. Then she numbed up the mouth. She had to do that several times before the job was done because that tooth didn't want to come out!!!! She did have to do the surgery, just as the doctor in the states had told me. It didn't hurt. It was just a lot of pressure and being uncomfortable as she twisted and lifted on it. (She had to go underneath since there wasn't enough on the top to grab).

Finally it was out!!!! She stitched it up, cleaned me up and I went back to wait while she worked on her dad and Warren. I must add that while she was pulling the tooth her father took Warren out to lunch!!! They are a great family!

Warren didn't have any cavities either!!! And it always feels good to have your teeth newly cleaned!

We were done. It was time to pay. She wouldn't take anything although she would like a package of some of her favorite things from the states. I asked for a list. She is being kind. It will be one great box when I get done with it! She also handed me a bag of fruit and yogurt to take home so I would have something she thought I could eat last night. I couldn't but I'll explain why coming up.

Then we headed for home. It's a long ways. And first she needed to stop and pick up her son, stop at the store (she came with a bag for us, again, of fresh bread, and icecream for me!) Then we headed to the pharmacy to get pills for me. Lots of pills. I'm not sure what they were all for but by the time we got home I couldn't wait for the pain pill. The numbness had started to wear off and I was hurting. Bad. And not because of the missing tooth but because of my tongue. She had told me afterwards to be very careful not to bite my tongue and I thought I was BUT I have this huge sore on the side of it where I either bit it or got it caught in my partial.

Still, today, I can barely eat and it hurts so bad to talk because it rubs on my teeth. Warren said it looks like ground beef!!!! The mouth does heal fast though, right?!

I did eat a little breakfast of oatmeal this morning (so I could take the pills) but I won't be talking much today. A good thing Warren is going to Alex's for the day to work on his cabinets again.

Marianna has invited us to a birthday party this weekend and her father wants to take us sightseeing on Sunday morning (church is in the evening). We also have plans for me to teach her how to make cookies :) and with all the other things she said she would like us to do before we leave, well, there just won't be time.

I know that God answered my prayer for a dentist. I was just asking for a good one. One to do the work, at a good price, with expertess. He did that. But then, we always ask too little of God.

He also gave us a family of friends.

(I went to take pictures and my battery was dead. Bummer.)

Smile!

2011-04-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

We were sitting at the table at a suco (juice) bar when I saw her approach.

She was headed straight for us Americans, after all, we are an easy target.

They believe that all Americans are rich.

What she didn't realize was that we've seen it before.

Poor, dirty beggers are all over the streets of Rio.

Some simply beg and others have small things to sell.

She had an object made out of a soda can that she was peddling.

We didn't even know what it was suppose to be.

She was young and dirty.

I recognized the smell of having not showered for some time

as she got closer to us.

It always makes me sad. But in this case it especially bothered me because of what I saw.

When she opened her mouth to speak I saw that she was missing her two front, bottom teeth.

That impacted me because 30+ years ago I lost my four front,

bottom teeth in a car accident.

I was able to have crowns put in right away so, unless I tell people, no one knows.

But this past year I had some problems with one of them

and so I am in the process of having a implant done. Muito money!!!!

Which means, right now, I am wearing a partial and I hate it!

And I complain about it.

My tongue is constantly playing with it and no matter how hard I try

to train myself to leave it alone I haven't been successful!

I'm also very self conscience of having it out (with one tooth missing)

even in front of Warren.

Really, I don't even like to look in the mirror without it! (vanity, I guess)

Even though we are having to watch our pennies these days we found it to be a necessity to have the implant done....

And then seeing her I realized how much I still have.

How much I take for granted.

How much I assume is still my right to have.

I've told many people here in Brazil (when asked about our economy in the U.S.)

that we Americans (myself included) really don't know how to be poor.

We can be losing our jobs, our income, and still drink our fancy coffees, have our own car, buy processed foods for ease, have cable TV, own our computer, central heat and air-conditioning, own a washing machine and dryer, membership at a gym, kids in sports or dance, good meals out, etc because we've grown accustomed to it. We know no other way. We think we should be able to have and do what we've always had and done.

And then I saw her teeth, or rather her lack of teeth, and it has me thinking.

There are things I just assume I should have. Almost like they are owed to me.

And forget how blessed I am.

I forget to be truly thankful.

I forget that maybe I don't deserve it after all.

I forget that having all of my teeth is a gift.

I am a rich American.

For Today

2011-03-30T03:21:00.000-07:00

Warren's brother-in-law died last night.

Totally unexpected. Too young to be gone. Too soon for all the loved ones that remain here.

I watched a good friend of mine go through the grieving process after losing her husband and

felt that I learned so much from watching her...

but now, once again, I have no idea what to say or do. Death is too hard on the people that are left to live life. There is no words that you can say to someone that will bring comfort for a loss that feels as though it is strangling them.... where they are almost wish it would.

Here we are in Brazil. Feeling so helpless and far away. We had thought the day could come

when we would lose someone we loved while we were at such a distance. But the thought of it

was so much easier than the reality of it.

I had the sudden rush of wanting to be with my family. Not wanting to lose a second of time with any of them. Of course, this isn't possible. Of course, even if there were not such a distance we would continue living life in and out of each other's presence.

But for today, I will treasure more the lives of those that I love so much. I will pray more for them and take joy in their voices on the phone, their comments on Facebook and just in my knowledge that they are a part of my life.

For today we will mourn the loss of a man that made Warren's sister so happy. A man that was a great father and grandfather. A man that was friends with all.

I can only picture him smiling. I can only picture him living life to the fullest.

This is the man we shall mourn today.

Rest in peace, Dennis. You are greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Shopping in Paraguay

2011-03-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

A week ago we spent some time with Ben, Melissa and their kids

at their home in Iguacu.It was great to be able to talk

and hear their hearts for ministry as new missionariesto Brazil.

We are excited to watch and see how God is going to use

the whole family.

And He will. He does that with willing people.

On the last day we were there, we took a couple of buses

and headed over to Paraguay.

Even as we were doing it we weren't quite sure why -

it's just something you do.

We laughed at the joke that the first 45 min. are fun

but the remainder of

the 5 hours - not so much!!!!

Actually we enjoyed our time with them

and we also met up with KaKa, Lilianand little Marcus.

We got to know them when they lived in Iguacu

during our time there in 2009.

They have since moved to Praia Grandeto begin a church there.

So happy that we could spend time with them.

This is the way we got around once in Paraguay!

And it was hot. Very, very hot!

Warren needed a new backpack since the one he had bought in the

states fell apart in a matter of days.

This store had so many it was hard to decide.

He got one. $9 for a really good one.

Oh ya, that's why you go to Paraguay.

For the prices!

Their import taxes are either non-existant or they are very low

so by crossing the border the prices of things go down considerably.

So it is a busy, crowded, dirty,

(we keep forgetting not to wear flip flops there. Poor KaKa!)

depressing town

because it's full of people wanting to make money.

But we go because Brazil is very expensive.

We went to a chinese restauraunt for lunch.

I'm not talking American kind of chinese.

It was wonderful and inexpensive.

The table was huge and sat all 10 of us

(the baby sat on a lap).

the menu.

They did have one in Spanish too which is the one we did our best with.

Slippers in one of the stores.

They have a lot of general type stores that carry a little bit of everything.

Recognize the packaging?!

From the same store as the slippers.

They also have a lot of specialty stores and high-end stores.

Just about anything you can imagine can be found here.

The streets are narrow and full of traffic. They don't watch out for anyone but themselves

so it's your job to make sure that you are safe from traffic.

Melissa almost got her arm taken off right after this picture was taken

as a SUV came down this and wasn't concerned at all that it didn't fit

along side of parked cars on one side and Melissa walking on the other side.

I was walking behind her and didn't see how it missed her.

The sidewalks are full of vendors. Usually more of the poor that set their wares

out there and send their children out to try and entice customers.

Many a times you would find children sitting under the tables where they

literally spend their day - maybe their childhood.

It is heartbreaking.

When you do purchase something from a store you must first take your purchase

to a department that writes it up and then has you pay for it.

Then you move to another department with your ticket

and they give you your merchandise.

That is how it is pretty much done in Brazil at a lot of stores too.

It is time consuming and frustrating sometimes but...

patience, Sheri, patience.

More of a look at the streets.

Monday is actually a slow day there.

The first time we visited it was crowded beyond belief.

A stuffed animal store.

Here they are sitting in one corner of the store actually

stuffing the creatures!

I tried to talk with them but my Portuguese isn't very good.

Oh, that's right, they speak Spanish over there.

No wonder!

Julia loved the fact that the bear was bigger than her!

These are packing supplies.

As you walk the streets you hear tape being pulled off of the rolls are they

repack things that were bought during the day.

The reason? Well, you can only take $300 or less into Brazil without paying

a duty tax. People don't always agree with that law so they take things out of the original

packaging and pack things together in other boxes

and then sneak them across the border.

Sometimes paying a runner that will take them across

by going under the bridge to the other side.

None of us had enough money to have to worry about it!

It was hot and tiring so we promised the kids ice cream at the end.

In all honesty, we wanted it as bad as they did.

Funny how McDonalds can even taste good when you haven't had it for a while!

It was good alright!

Notice all the re-packaged goods. Not sure how these were being delivered

without being found out. Or maybe it was for a whole different purpose that they

didn't have them in the original packages...don't think so.

Saying good-bye to KaKa, Lilian and Marcus.

And to Tim and TaLisa.

Who by the way had homemade ice cream for us when we got back.

(they've been to Paraguay before!)

And we ate it, every last bite.

Actually, it was a very fun day.

A good day to put in the memory book.

Oliver is 3!!!!!!!

2011-03-21T04:56:00.000-07:00

Oliver Isaac our little "laughter" boy!

His big brothers knew what they were doing when they picked his name -

he can bring sunshine to the darkest of days with his joy for life.

You are my sunshine

you make me happy when skies are gray

you'll never know, dear, how much I love you.

please don't take my sunshine away.

Love you to the moon and back again, little guy.

You are a joy.

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Life (in Brazil) Thus Far

2011-03-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

We made it, not just to Brazil but also to summer!!!!!

After experiencing winter for two years straight, we

arrived to enjoy many warm, comfortable days and a few hot, suffocating ones.

Ahhhh, to wear flip flops once again - my choice for foot wear!

We flew into Foz do Iguacu where we were able to spent a few days with the Roger's family.

As always, we enjoyed our time there and it felt like being with family.

We also got to meet the newest addition to their family, Linda Grace. Linda means beautiful in Portuguese so

"beautiful grace"

I love that.

waiting to load on the bus for retreat

From there we went to the Carnival retreat in Campo Mourao. It was an amazing time.

We saw friends from many places in Brazil that we hadn't been able to see for some time.

I looked over the crowd amazed at God's goodness - that we could have the opportunity to

know so many people from so many places. And call them friends. We are blessed.

one of the sessions at retreat

It was beautiful to see the people from one church fellowshipping with some from another.

I believe some good friendships were made.

There were also some teaching sessions that were amazing.

We were strengthened as believers and then there were some that became believers.

God used the time.

fellowship

The last morning there we had a baptismal service.

These two women especially touched my heart because

I had met them the first night of retreat.

I believe God had put them in my path.

They were mother/daughter and had just lost their mother/grandmother to suicide.

They were in so much pain and had come because friends had encouraged them to come.

They had shared their story with me that first night and because I had learned a little bit about grieving from my good friends, Cindy and Deb, I was able to minister and pray with them.

And God did meet them. He has began a process of healing.

And by the end they were filled with a peace and joy that they didn't have when they arrived.

Yes, they will still grieve their loss but now they knew

Jesus was going to go through it with them!

Beautiful!!!!

After the retreat was over we stayed in Campo with Diego and Aline.

What a great time with them!

The first evening we also had dinner with Bill and Sheri Holdridge from Calvary Santa Cruz.

We so enjoyed getting to know them. And Bill got to go to his favorite place to eat in Campo:

Pizza Brasil! It was good!!!

We loved the time in Campo, experiencing life as Diego and Aline know it. Meeting some of their friends. Getting to attend the Wed. night study at church. And having wonderful, long talks with them. Hearing their hearts. Praying together.

It was good. Really, really good.

Then we caught a bus back to Iguacu where we were able to spend time with our newest missionaries. Ben, Melissa, Moriah, Daniel, Julia and (another new addition) Alaniah Lyon.

They warmly welcomed us into their home/lives, even giving us one of their two bedrooms!

It was almost like being home as we have known this family for years. Warren and Ben worked together for some time and one way or another they have always remained in our lives.

It was good to hear their hearts and to watch a little bit of the process as God has begun to reveal some of what their ministry is to be in Brazil. We're watching with anticipation!

Their children are a delight and we saw our time together come to an end way to quickly.

We did spend a day in Paraguay with them but that is for another post :)

We were able to go to the Sunday service and were so blessed by it. So good to see so many of our friends from previous visits. And the service was awesome!

Then we took a 11 (was suppose to be 10 but there was a lot of road construction) hour bus ride to Curitiba where we were met by our good friends, Ricado and Marcella. It was soooo good to see their faces!!!! We have settled back into our home here at the church and in many ways it feels as though we had never left. We look forward to seeing many of our friends on Sunday.

Warren has been able to see some of the guys and meet Tom Stowe (the pastor filling in for John). I got to spend time with Pricila yesterday but, quite frankly, I've been hiding in the bedroom with a terrible head cold/flu. Better today but still not ready to get out and about.

God has been good to us. We have had safe travels, gotten to see so many people we love and have been reminded of God's call on our lives to be here.

It's always good to be reminded.

Thank you for the love you show to us by praying for us. So many times we feel in desperate need of it, for we are in desperate need of Him.

A Note to Calvary Corvallis

2011-03-05T16:59:00.000-08:00

As we sat with the group of people about ready to receive the first message while at the Carnival Retreat in Campo Mourao I couldn't help but smile as I looked around at the group of people that have come from different Calvary Chapels throughout Brazil. It is a large turn-out.

Tim Rogers then stood up and welcomed everyone and prayed for the time together. During the prayer he thanked the Lord for what He has done in Brazil. Tim choked up. Suddenly I understood his feelings. He was looking at 11 years of he and his family's service in Brazil as he gazed at that crowd. I know that Tim would give God the glory, and rightly so, but I also know that God chose to use this man because he and his family we're willing to take that step of faith.,
.
Eleven years. Some rewarding and some just plain hard but now the fruit of his labor was before him.

My next thoughts were of Calvary Corvallis. How I wish that you could have seen this small ( in comparison to the whole, for it is just some of the members of the churches represented here) portion of the work that you have partnered in throughout these 11 years. Many lives saved and changed. Many people healed and restored. Many leaders raised up. Many families saved from ruin.

And much more work to do.

But God is faithful.

May we all be as steadfast in our callings.

1/2 a Century?!

2011-02-21T02:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Dori!!!!!

How does it feel to be 50?

Thought so.

Hope it's your greatest year yet!

Dori, from the very beginning you have always brought a bunch
of "life" to our family.
Your sense of humor always makes one smile
and your kindness is beyond words.
Your also the one that has the greatest sense of what it takes
to keep this family connected.

You're a one-of-a-kind sister
and a one-of-a-kind friend.

I am so thankful you're mine.

Enjoy today.
You'll be in my thoughts.

Love you much.

Our plans, our needs, our thankfulness!

2011-02-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that we are about to make our third trip to Brazil since officially becoming missionaries in July of '09. Back then we had gone with the expectation that we would be settling into the city or town that God would have us to minister out of. We had packed what little we had left with that in mind!

That, of course, was our expectation and now, in hind sight, see it was not God's plan. We have been blessed beyond measure in being able to travel to many of the churches, spending time with the pastors and their families and ministering to the people however God would lead. We know, had we settled in one place, that things would have looked much different and we wouldn't have had many of the opportunities that have been ours this way.

We've been reminded many times of Pastor Rob telling us of a vision that he had before we were even ready to leave. He had seen a map and on that map there were stick pins on the places throughout Brazil that we had traveled with our routes drawn out for each visit. Much like the way we view the maps of Paul's missionary travels (NOT that we are anything like Paul!). As we talked about “settling down” in one place, Rob, upon several occasions would remind us of his vision and express that he did not see us settling down – at least not for some time. As of yet, although there are many places we could see ourselves living in Brazil, we have never felt God confirm to us that we were to put down roots.

A year ago we were given an opportunity to buy a house in Tennessee. This was not in our plans. Even after the purchase was made we were in awe of it, wondering what God had in mind. Although, we are still not convinced this is a permanent situation we feel for now this house is to be our home when we are in the states. It was in need of work that we are doing with the hopes that when and if the time comes to sell it we would make a profit of some sort on it. The cost of housing and of living in Tennessee is quite a bit lower than that of Corvallis making this a possibility for us. Another added bonus to living in Tennessee has been the cost and the hour reduction of flying to Brazil. On our last trip we were amazed at how short the trip felt after having made it so many times before from Oregon. Now it's done in less than a 24 hour period compared to a 32+ period before. (counting layovers and travels to and from airports). That is huge when you are arriving, hitting the road running! We also were blessed to learn after moving here that a Brazilian Consulate had opened in Atlanta – a 2½ hour drive for us! We were especially grateful for that as we made our way there yesterday to apply for our new visitor visas. We did the interview and had the new visas before the end of the day!!!! These are just some of the ways that God has confirmed that this move was of Him.

So we continue on with another missionary trip! We are returning to Curitiba for the majority of our time. With John Hwang on an extended leave right now he had asked us if we would consider going back and helping Tom Stowe with the church as they settle into the changes that so suddenly came upon them. We are blessed to do it. We also will be spending some time with our friends in Foz do Iguassu where we spent much of our time on our first trip, then on to Campo Moura. Here we will be able to spend time with many different churches, pastors and their families as there is planned a Carnival Retreat for many of the Calvary churches throughout Brazil. We look forward to touching bases with many we have not seen for some time and also those that we have not been able to see at all. While in Curitiba we are hoping to make a trip out to Florinopolis in order to spend some time with both the churches there. Many of you know that Claudio and Jess Caze are in the states right now and so we would like to stop there and encourage the pastor that is filling in for Claudio while he is gone. Also Nathan Cate is still pastoring at the other church in Floripa. His young family is a joy to us and we look forward to our time with them. After leaving Curitiba we are headed for Rio where we will spent about 2 weeks ministering in whatever ways Alexandre has for us. We hear he already has plans!!!! We are thankful to have an opportunity to go back to Rio. We have a love/hate relationship with the city but with the people it is pure love!

I will try to keep updates on this blog while we are there and we both have facebook accounts where we would gladly welcome you as our friend if you are not already!

We just received a new 10 year tourist visas (it allows us to be in Brazil 6 months out of each year) and are praying about whether we are to try for a more permanent visa this fall or be content with this. We have found that God has always given us the next step, however, He has not given us much more than that at any given time! We are trying to learn contentment in whatsoever state we are in without feeling anxious about it.

As you can imagine all of this travel is expensive and while we know that God alone is our provider we have been reminded that many times God uses people for that provision and that those who assist in this way share in the ministry. Philippians 4:17. We know that times are hard and money is scarce these days but should God lay it on your heart to help out with these expenses we would be so grateful. Maybe it could be a monthly contribution for the 3 months we are gone (March, April and May) or a one time gift. All the money would totally go towards the expenses of this trip as God has provided us the means to take care of our living expenses. Any gift can be given through Calvary Corvallis 2125 NW Lester Ave. Corvallis, Or 97330. Write Warren Yoder in the memo line.

It is a tax deductible contribution. We are not asking for anyone to make any kind of commitment to us. We are taking this trip, as we have the others, by faith knowing that God is our ultimate provider.

We wish to thank all of you that have continued to bless us with phone calls, e-mails and facebook messages! It is ALWAYS such a blessing to hear from you. We also are so very blessed by the support of your prayers. We are so needy of them. Please know that you are loved.

I can't believe I'M old enough.....

2011-02-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

You have always been amazing.

You were one of those "great" kids -
an "awesome" teenager-

(Okay, there are a few things during that time
I still don't like to hear about or talk about!)

And then you became a man.
A husband. A father.
A grown son.

And you're great at all three.
I'm proud to be your mother -
I love being your mother!

You've changed my life.
And it's been wonderful.

Happy birthday

to my favorite
oldest son!

I love you, Josh.

Happy Happy Birthday Birthday!!

2011-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the birthday of two very special girls in my life -
Both of them brought to me because of one man's love.
My son's.

The first is his wife of 8 years.

She was Josh's dream for a wife.
And my dream for a daughter-in-law.
Neither of us have been disappointed!

I love you, Jodi.
I couldn't have done any better had I picked you myself.
I love how you love my son
and your children.

How respectful you are of other people.
And the goodness and sweetness that is your heart.

And then there is Lily!
The only girl in a sea of boys.
And every bit the princess.

I loved you from the moment I knew there was a you.
Enough gentleness to call you girlie
and yet enough toughness to hold your own
with four brothers.

One years old today.
You make my heart sing.

To two of my favorite girls

Happy Birthday!

My life wouldn't be the same without
either one of you.

Meeting our new Neighbors

2011-01-25T18:05:00.000-08:00

Remember how your mother always warned you
(and maybe still does!)
to be careful what kind of underwear you wear
because you never know when you may
be in an accident?
As a freshman in high school that came to my mind one day
as I waited in the emergency room
following a car accident.
I hope they were presentable.
I can't remember anymore.
But I do remember thinking about it.

Well, yesterday, I added a new one:
Be careful what you wear to paint in
because you may end up on the nightly news!

Yep, that's what happened.
Both Warren and I.
In some of the worst clothes we own.
My hair was a mess and....
Well, that's not really what this story is about.

Last week, for Warren's birthday,
I bought him a house.
Okay, that's not really true.
It just happen to close on his birthday.
Anyway, we bought it to try our hand at the rental
market while at the same time, hopefully,
helping out our monthly income.

The house is in pretty good condition seeing that it was built in '77
so the list isn't that long of what we need to do to get it rent able.
First of all, wallpaper needed to be removed (my job)
and painting needed to begin. (Warren's job)

When Warren got to the Master bedroom he noticed a box
on the closet shelf
and soon I was summoned to take a look.
Two (2) grenades.
After deciding it probably wasn't a good idea to throw them in the garbage
(we don't have trash pick-up there anyway!)
we decided we would get the number for the police the next day
and call them then.
We didn't think it warranted a 911 call.

A bit later Warren informed me that the police were on their way.
He had remembered that there was a phone book out in the trash pile
and got the number for the police so he had called them.
Then we got a phone call.
We were to exit the house until they got there.

Man, that was going to slow down the work!

Soon, we saw two police cars pull up. (they always come in twos)
They took Warren back in to check things out
and came back with mixed opinions.
But joint in the opinion that
the bomb squad needed to be called.
Police continued to come.
(at one time I counted 10 police cars lining our street)
and then the chief (or so we think)
from the bomb squad.
All of a sudden we were told to get in our vehicle and drive down the road a ways.
Crime scene - do not enter tape was strung across our property line.
We were told they were smoke grenades.
They weren't as concerned about those.
BUT in the box (of which Warren hadn't taken out to examine)
were two metal canisters of ether.
We were also told it was enough to blow up our house
but not enough to evacuate the neighborhood.
(not sure how much that would have to be!)
They knew they were old because of the metal casing.
Ether is no longer packaged in metal because it is prone
to deteriorate and then leak.
Ours was doing just that.
It also crystallizes with age.
And there lies the danger.
More of the bomb squad was called along with the truck and
trailer that carries "the canister".
"The canister" has a hydraulic lift on it for the lid and also for the
tub that lies inside of it.
Here the hazardous material is laid and then
carefully (with the use of the hydraulic lift)
put into the protective canister.
We watched as two bomb squad, fully armored, guys went into our house
to retrieve the explosives.
One man simply used a flashlight to direct the other man's carefully
placed feet as he carried that
"which could blow up our house"!
Two trips were made to get it out.
After it was safely in the canister Warren was asked if we knew of anything
else that would give us concern in the house.
Warren mentioned a box that he had seen in the crawlspace under the house.
Sure enough!
Some type of flares and different firework type of things
that could definitely explode with the heat that we get in a
Tennessee summer.

About 3 hours from start to finish we were told we could once again
enter our house.

We, along with one of our new neighbors,
were interviewed for a piece on
Chattanooga's channel 3 news.
Thus the concern for what I was wearing.

All in all
we never felt afraid.
We didn't realize that we had been in any danger until
we were already in a safe zone.
All in all
it's made for some pretty good
story telling.
I love stories.
That's what makes life interesting.

I did wear the same thing when we went back today.
We were painting after all.
And surely that was a once-in-a-lifetime thing!!!!!

These are not pictures of our house on fire
(it was still standing when we left today)
I just added them because Kellie said pictures make for
a more interesting post!

Feliz Aniversario, Warren

2011-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

It has been my joy to share
life with you.

To be your wife.

To be able to laugh and cry with you.

To share adventures
as well as every day life.

To know you as a father, grandfather

and friend.

I am so glad that I choose you
to share this life with.

I did good.
Very, very good!

I love you, sweetie.
Happy Birthday
to my most favorite person
in the whole world.

(and thanks for choosing me, too!)

MR. DYKAST

2010-12-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

It's almost hard to remember our family without Jason.
It's as though he always was.

And that's the way it should be with family.
Incomplete without each one.

We realize, Jason, that it really wasn't us that you thought you were
choosing when you married our daughter.
But you got us anyway.

We got the better end of the deal!
Love you so much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

A Savior is Born!!!!

2010-12-25T06:05:00.000-08:00

It's easy to forget that this day is not about you and me.

That it's not about the snow falling outside, as I write this,
or the cinnamon roll I just ate.

It's not about the music in the background or the good meal and family time ahead for us.

It's not even about the presents.

I forget that sometime.
And when all of the above doesn't fall into place you'll hear me say

"it just doesn't feel like Christmas".

It was a normal day for this world, as far as the people were concerned.
A day of work, of routine. Nothing special. Or so it seemed.

And yet God, in His infinite wisdom, chose that particular day to provide a way
of salvation for you and me.
And He chose it in a form of a baby.

And He didn't plan it to be "special" in the ways
that we would think it needed to be.
He had Our Saviour born to a very young, inexperienced couple.
He had the birth take place in the discomfort of a stable.
A smelly, dirty place intended for animals.
Certainly not built with the intention that a King would be born there.

He made a grand announcement,
not to the high society of the times,
but rather to a bunch of poor, dirty shepherds.

And then He put this young couple, with a small child,
on the run for their lives.
Having to trust fully in Him.
That what He had said would come to pass.

Yes, the wise men came to worship Him eventually
but I don't recall hearing of them at the foot of the cross
as He was dying.

And, now, you and I are asked to fully trust Him.
That what He said will come to pass.

No, the day doesn't always feel like what it is.
But it is what it was meant to be.

Let us not forget.

Our Family Christmas 2010 Tennessee

2010-12-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

While our whole family was together earlier this month,
we were blessed that a good friend
of Jason and Kellie
(who just so happens to be a professional photographer)
volunteered
(by his wife's nudges!)
to take some family pictures for us.

What a gift!

This guy still gives me butterflies!

Our "crazy" grandchildren.
Our cup runneth over with joy!

You can get a little bit of a glimpse of their personalities
with these pictures!

Our family has a lot of fun together
and I think Rich captured our enjoyment of each other.

side note: Notice Jake on Brett's shoulders.
While taking these picture, at some point,
Brett spit on the ground.
(he said later that right after he did it
he knew it was a mistake)
Jake copied him.
Then Brett heard,
"oh, that was a mistake."
He continued to tell Brett that he had spit but it landed
in Brett's hair - thus the mistake.
He then proceeded to try and wipe it off.
Not so good for Brett's purposely messed up hair.
Oh well, like Brett said - he made the first mistake!

Josh and Jodi thought it was a great time to have a good
picture taken of their family together....

Actually, I think it's great.
Each person is so themselves in this picture.
It's a keeper!

Thank you so much Rich Smith!
They are the greatest and we are blessed that you would do this for us.
And Heather, thank you for the little arm twisting that you may have had to do!

You guys are the best!

One Amazing 3 Year Old!

2010-12-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

Noah
Can it be that you are actually 3 years old already?
Where has the time gone?

It seems like only yesterday that we were dreaming of you.

You may not have been born into this family
but it has always been God's intention
for you to be a part of us.
You are.
And we couldn't be happier.

We love you so much.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

Listen and You Can Hear It Too

2010-10-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Warren sang to me during our wedding. A song he had written just for me.
Girls dreams of that sort of romantic thing!
Most every anniversary since, he has sung to me "our song".
I beg for it.
And I tear up every time.
It is my song. Written with me in mind.
So very long ago he had used this song to express himself to me.
My favorite line?

"The feelings that I have are like no others I have known."

What is it about music that stirs such emotion in us?
It ignites feelings of passion,
it soothes troubled hearts,
it calms a crying baby,
it cleanses the soul
and it is one of the greatest forms of worship.

I remember singing to the kids when they were little.
I sang about all sorts of things.
Jesus loves you. Jesus loves the little children.
And an all time favorite of mine -
You are my sunshine.

Sometimes I even made up songs as I sang. It all depended on the situation!
I continue to sing over my grandchildren.
Usually when no one else is around!

To hold a child and sing over him.
Oh, the innocence that you recognize as you look into their little faces.
I would study them as I gazed upon them. Memorizing every little detail.

Pondering in my heart.
Sometimes there would be smiles and sometimes huge tears rolling down my cheek.
Both from the awesome responsibility of being called
Mommy or Grandma
to such an extra-ordinary child as the one I was holding at that very moment.

I had dreams for each one.
Dreams because of my great love for them.
I had plans -
and they were all for the good of that particular child.
I wanted nothing but good for them
while at the same time I realized,
being an adult and all,
that having the good plan
would sometimes mean tears in their life.

And I also realized that they wouldn't always understand my intentions.
Not at the time anyway.
But I would press on because I knew that someday, hopefully,
they would understand my motive:

My unexplainable love for them.

I sang over them and marveled at the fact
that I was chosen to be an instrumental part
of this little person's life.

So blessed I am, I realized.

I was reminded of all of this when God brought this verse to mind:

Zep 3:17

The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

If I listen carefully I can almost hear the melody......

What's love got to do with it?

2010-10-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

While we were in Curitiba I watched way to many movies
and to much TV on the internet.
I also did a lot of reading, studying and talking.
What else is a person suppose to do when sitting
with one leg elevated because of an injury?!

Anyway, I watched this show,
not necessarily one I would recommend to anyone,
that was about a family.
Right in the beginning of the show the father of this family dies of a heart attack
and after his death secrets of his life begin to be revealed.
Like - he had another family. A mistress for 20+ years.

The family is pretty shaken from this revelation
but the one hit the hardest by it is, of course,
his wife. The mother. The widow.

She had always thought, and so had everyone else,
that they had one of those wonderful, loved filled marriages.
Now, understandably so, she is wondering what the truth is.
Had her whole adult life been a lie?

In one scene she is crying. Hard, gut retching tears.
Her daughter tries to comfort her by saying,

"you know he loved you."

And she replied,

"yes, but he didn't give up anything to do it!"

I was so struck by that line that I paused the show and wrote it down.

It impacted me.

The idea that you need to give something up
in order to love.

I cheered on that romantic notion. Of course, loving is about dying to self.
It didn't take a genius to see that this particular man
hadn't loved at any expense to himself.
Just when it suited his purposes.
Just as long as he got something out of it.
And - is that really loving at all?

So it made me think:
Does love always cost something?

It is always best to go to the source in order
to know the truth
and so I went to God.
The source of love.
No, He is more than that.

God is love.

1Jo 4:8

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Wow! In looking further I saw that He had definitely given up a lot to love me.

To love you. Eph 2:4-10, I John 4:10

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God, because He is so gentle with me,
left me to stew on that for a few months.
And then, a couple of weeks ago,
He brought it to the fore-fronts of my mind again.

I read this:

what Richard Stearns points out from Scripture, from David’s example and the widow’s two mites, is that it doesn’t matter how much we give, what matters is what it costs. What matters is our faith.

Our current giving costs us nothing. The bottom line is our current giving does not require us to live by faith. Now, please hear me that God calls all of us to different things. This is why we CANNOT COMPARE our giving with someone else’s. All we can do is look at ourselves and ask, Does my current giving cost me anything? Does my current giving require me to life by faith? And, it’s worth noting, that this is true of all giving–our time, our talents, and our treasure. It’s so much bigger than money, but where our treasure is there our heart will be too.

http://www.karipatterson.com/?p=1115

I am challenged to consider my monetary giving.

I do give but only to the point of it pinching a little.

I don't allow it to affect my life too much.

But beyond that, I believe that God is asking me to consider more.

The entirety of my life.

My time, my talents, my interests. What I invest in.

To mature in my love for Him. To allow it to cost me.

Mar 8:34

And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Dying to self. Jesus' greatest act of love.

Sharing Time

2010-10-03T03:41:00.000-07:00

I'm smiling today

because it's a extra-special day.
Double the fun,
double the excitement
and double the anticipation.

It's a double (actually triple)
birthday in our family!!!

I Remember (so long ago) when my youngest sister was born.
Not only was she a ways behind in years then the rest of us
but it was also on my Mom's birthday.

Special indeed!!!!

Where do I begin to say what these
two ladies have meant to me?

To say that my life wouldn't be complete without either of them
is under-estimating their value.

Of course, Mom, you have shaped my life.
I know I have sung your praises to everyone before.
So today, I'll just say "ditto"
and mean it with all my heart.

I only wish to be as beautiful as you-
inside and out!

And Sandee -
our family wouldn't have been complete without you.
Your compassion
for the sick amazes me
and your sense of humor has kept us all in stitches.
A great combination.

We've had some good talks,
you and I,
and at some point my little sister grew up
and became a friend.

I love you both
and I am so thankful that you are in my life.

Have a wonderful day -
and may the year be filled with God's blessing,
direction and wonderful surprises
that only HE can give.

Happy Birthday!!!!

* and one more thing -
I also have a niece born on this day.
The baby of the entire family.

Happy birthday, Janae!

You keep life interesting!
and I love you much.

(okay,okay, Janae is just as special as the other two
but I couldn't start posting for all the nieces and nephews-
I'm just too forgetful.
while at the same time, how could I not mention it,
being the same day and all?
Life's decisions are hard.....)

One Word

2010-09-30T05:08:00.000-07:00

Last night, at our going away party,
John asked the people here at the church
to either tell us or write down
something we have said or done to bless them personally.
Each one is a treasure to us.
And truly humbled us.

One young woman hugged me
while saying into my ear,
"There is one word I want to say.
Restoration.
That's what you have taught
me is possible
with God."

And suddenly, the pain and the tears were all worth it.
Once again.

Thank you, Lord.

I will restore to you the years the swarming locust have eaten.... Joel 2:25

Estados Unidos - here we come!

2010-09-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we board the plane to go back to Tennessee.
To say that we have mixed feelings is putting it mildly.
We are so very excited to see Kellie and Jason at the airport in Nashville.
To see our friends at Calvary Cleveland.
And evidently, the rest of our family in December.

We have missed them all.

But in order to see them, we must leave those here in Curitiba
that we have come to know and love so very much.

I remember John praying the Sunday before he left for the states
that their would be tears when we leave
because then we would know that love had taken root.

God has been faithful to answer that prayer.

So in this last post before we leave,
I will give just a snap shot of the joy
that we found in this place.

The pictures were chosen, not because any one person
is more important to us than another
but rather because they were some of the better pictures
or they expressed a part of the church body that I wanted to convey.
And remember.
I have treasured pictures of most everyone in my possession
that I am sure I will look at often.

To our friends in Curitiba,
We love you, each one.

You have blessed us above and beyond
what we could have hoped for.
We have grown in our love for Jesus because of you.

Thank you

for the laughter,

the tears,

the honesty

and the great love shown to us.

You will not be forgotten...

Besides - this is not good-bye but only

See you later!

and God bless you until then.

Is It 58? Already?

2010-09-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

I've already told you how wonderful I believe my parents are.
Not only have they given me a childhood full of great memories
they have given me an adulthood full of unconditional love,
Godly wisdom and the best of examples.

I couldn't love them more.

And the greatest gift they have given me:
Their love for each other.
It has only grown bigger with time.

I am blessed by you both.

Happy Anniversary!!!!

I Seem to Remember That Today is Special.....

2010-09-21T03:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Joni!!!

You're still not ready for purple!

So thankful that you are my sister.
We may have had our rough patches but, seriously,
they are hard to remember right now.
A history together is worth so very much.

So thankful you are my friend.
We have had fun!
The many shopping trips and the laughing until early morning hours
(or not going to bed at all!).
Sharing deep, heart felt things.
You know how to give of your time, how to laugh
& how to listen.
Very important things in friendship.

So thankful you are in my life.
I can't imagine it without you.

Have a wonderful birthday
and know you are deeply loved.

A Little Humor

2010-09-19T04:04:00.000-07:00

This picture got me to thinking......

do you see any resemblance?.......

or is it my imagination?.....

I've got my own "Little Rascals"!!!!

the "Little Rascals", or early version "Our Gang" was a show created in the 1920's.
It was intended to be about real children doing things that real children do.
Google it and you will find a few laughs.

God's Handiwork. Floripa.

2010-09-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

We did it and I'm so glad that we did.
We hoped on a bus and headed for Florianopolis for a week.
I knew in my head that it's beautiful there but I always forget HOW beautiful.
Someday, when I'm not on crutches, I will explore that place...

Waiting at the church to leave for the retreat center

We found out a few days before we left that Calvary Chapel Floripa was going
to be having a retreat.
It sounded like a great time to get to know some of the people and
a great excuse to see Claudio, Jess and Zeph again.

And the sun.... the wonderful sun.

Kevin, Deigo, & Claudio

Deigo from Campo Mourao, was the guest speaker.
Powerful teachings on the last days.

A good retreat always has the following:

Worshiping

Teaching (and translating!)

Praying

Playing

The sweetest of times: Baptism

And fellowship.

Warren goofing off in the cafeteria with Larry,
his children and one of the other boys.

We were blessed to be a part of it.
Blessed to meet so many great people
and to again see some that we have already grown to love.

The peace of Floripa

After the retreat was over we had time to hang out with the Cazes.
It was good to get to talk about their lives, the church
and to experience life with them for a few days.

The restaurant we went to. Out on the dock. Best shrimp and fish ever.

On Wed. we took a boat taxi and headed out for the part of the island that you can't get to by car.
They had taken Warren and I there on our last trip
and we had enjoyed it so much.
We weren't disappointed this time either.
How many times do you go before it becomes "old stuff"
and you take such beauty for granted?

I don't know. But I think it would take Warren and I quite a few trips.
Warren was ready to move!

Claudio, Zeph and a new friend.
Fishing. They actually caught a couple small fish.

The group
back: Dani, Pricilia, me, Warren
front: Bruna, Jessica, Claudio & Zeph

Jess and Zeph (2)

sorry about the bad picture!

There is something bad about Floripa though -
the bugs!
I got bit by something and this swollen foot is what I had to show for it.
It itched like crazy and that lasted for a few days
but everything is back to normal now.

Our hotel patio and the view from our windows.

These are the children of Danielle and Nathan Cate.
Three of them they recently adopted while in the states.
The oldest is 6. The youngest is 13 months.
Nathan is the pastor of one of the two Calvaries in Florianopolis.
We were able to spend an afternoon with them at their home.
Such a great afternoon.
We heard their heart for Brazil and the people they serve.
Their commitment to their children.
And most importantly, their love for the Lord.

It is a privilege to know them.

Danielle, Ezekiel 13 mo., Jeremiah 2, Josiah 6, Hope 4, Nate, Grace 3, Lily 2

The whole family.
Aren't they adorable!!!!!!
I must admit I stole these pictures off of their blog.
Of course, I had forgotten to take the camera.

There is so much beauty in Floripa and the pictures show just a fraction of it.
You really must come visit.
You really must experience it.
Just let us know and we'll be sure to be there too!

Good-bye, Floripa, for now.

The Green Bus

2010-09-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Warren with "the girls".

A couple of weeks ago we had the fun of going on a city tour bus
through the streets of Curitiba.
Because I had been having problems with my knee we hadn't been out to see too
much of the city on our own so it was a blessing to be able to do this.
We had been wanting to do it, Marcellie had been wanting to take us
and one Sunday a girl from the church gave us tickets
not even being aware of our desire to go.
It was such a blessing.

Thank you Natalia!

A school class on the walking street.

First Marcellie arranged for us to have lunch downtown with a
classmate of hers that grew up in Albany.
He actually graduated the same year as Josh
but from West Albany.
Too bad for him!

Then we "dreamed" in some of the stores in the area
while we waiting on the bus.

Settling in for the bus ride. As you can see the top of the bus is open.
It was the perfect day to go. Sunny but not to hot.
The girls bought us the hats,
afraid we would get sun burned.

Our guides and good friends:
Marcellie and Helo.
(Helo is John's sister-in-law)
Both are beautiful inside and out!

One of the parks in the downtown area.
Notice the sidewalk sweeper.

Hey, a little "fixer-upper" for me.
But then, Warren isn't so much into electrical work.
Better pass!

One of the city sidewalks.

The building of an apartment complex.
Thought you may want to see the "bones".
These guys are putting the stucco over the brick.
They had a pulley rigged up with a bucket on the end
and would pull it up to them with the cement in it.
They were on the 3rd floor, I believe.

One of the magnificent buildings that are being restored.
Curitiba is considered the European city of Brazil
and you will find much of that influence in the buildings.

I love it!

The picture doesn't show the "I" on igreja
which means church.
The bottom line means
"God is love"

The Tubes
explained later.

Although Curitiba is light on the graffiti,
every now and then you run into some areas that are full of it.
Some of it is almost a work of art, others -
not so much!

This is what they call a "tube".
It is one of many around town and is actually
the bus stop!
People can enter these and change from one bus to another
without buying another bus ticket.
Curitiba is known for it's public transportation system.

And this is one of the reasons you want to take
public transportation!
And this wasn't even rush hour.

This is the side of the tourist bus.
I took the picture to show you how close we are to the ladder.
We (the bus) are in the middle of a turn at a major intersection.
The ladder is in the intersection with a man on it repairing something.
The ladder is leaning on the electrical wiring that runs across the street.
We (the people in the bus) could have easily reached up and grabbed the wires.

We remained stopped in the intersection until he was done with his repairs.
We could not have finished the turn without
running over him.
No OSHA here I guess!!!!

Finishing our afternoon with a light snack at an outside cafe.
Beautiful weather + beautiful people + a beautiful city=
a truly memorable afternoon.

Thank you, Marcellie and Helo!!!!!

5 Years Old! No Way, It Can't Be!!!

2010-09-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAXWELL!!!!!

You have brought your grandpa and I such joy. You are such a great helper.

You make us smile every time we see you or a picture of you.

You are so full of love.

We can't imagine life without you.

We love you more with each day.

Blow out all the candles - may your wish come true!

(I hope it's to come to Tennessee and visit us!)

Not That I Know A Thing.....

2010-08-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

The following is a response to my sister and brother-in-law who are considering a move
in order to be involved in a ministry they feel God may be calling them too. Having left Corvallis 1 1/2 years ago I realize I am still a newbie at all of the "ministry" stuff. I don't claim to have the answers. This is only my thoughts and revelations since coming to Brazil. I thought I would share with all of you-

When we were about one month out from leaving for Brazil last year,
Kellie asked me what my expectations were.
I, being the wise mother and woman of God that I am (!) replied,

"I don't have any expectations."

I remember her face and her kind answer.
"Mom, you do have expectations. I understand what you are feeling. When we moved to Tennessee I didn't think that I had expectations either
but then as things began to happen, or not happen, as I thought they would
I realized I did have expectations. You DO have expectations."

She was right.

Of course, Warren and I are all for hearing from the Lord and acting on it.
I would never want to discourage anyone from that.
There is great reward in doing what the Lord lays on ones heart to do.

However, the reality is this: It is not easy.

It spurred us on as we were getting ready to leave to know that people were behind us, encouraging us and telling us how wonderful
they thought we were in doing what we were doing. I'm sure we needed that at the time.
I'm also sure that there was pride involved that God would deal with later :).

And then the day came when we had done it.
The business was sold, the house was gone, good byes had been said
and we were sitting thousands of miles away from what we had called home
and there was no one there with us to tell us how "wonderful" we were.
No one else to live this strange life but us. And it didn't (and hasn't) always felt good.

Sometimes I have wanted to quit.
Sometimes I have thought people owed me more, God owed me more,
because of what we had given up. (just being honest here).

Let me warn you that being in the ministry makes you more susceptible to being hurt.
I know this because ministry IS people.
We sin.
We say things we shouldn't. We do things we shouldn't.
We leave things unsaid that we should say and leave things undone that we should do.
We don't live up to others expectations. We don't live up to our own

I think the biggest expectation that I had, and didn't realize that I had,
was that I would suddenly be more spiritual.
A better Christian. More in love with God.

I wasn't.

It took me a little while to admit that to myself.
I was the same person with the same faults and failures. The same tendencies to sin.
I make mistakes and they are now even more noticeable because I am "in ministry"
and I'm not "suppose" to fail or sin. I am not "suppose" to let others down.
And there will be criticism. From others but even more so from yourself.

I guess I say all of this not so much to discourage you from ministry
but rather to encourage you to be honest with yourselves.
Be sure it is the Lord and not some notion that life will be greater, easier by doing it.

Serving, truly serving, is giving up your life to people that may treat you as servants.
They won't always appreciate you. Some of them may not even like you.

Ministry is learning what it really means to trust the Lord for financial provision
while all the while learning that what we think we need
is not always what God thinks we need.

Ministry is filled with many ordinary days.
Lots of days of ordinary things that don't make for good stories to tell those back home.
Days that make you wonder what your purpose is - why you left it all.

And the life you use to have, the one you left behind, it goes on without you.
As it should. You wouldn't want it any other way. And yet - it's hard.
It's hard to feel you no longer belong.

Before I have you believing that we regret our decision or that our lives have been
full of difficulties and hardships
let me assure you that is not the case.

We have met amazing people.
We have made some wonderful friends.
People we love so much. People that have shown so much love to us.

We have had opportunities to do and see things that we would have never imagined.

We have experienced God working through us
when we had neither the strength or the abilities needed.

We have seen God provide financially through miracles.

We believe we are living God's best for us right now and we wouldn't trade it.

There has been such joy.

To stay or go?

The answer, and the joy, lies in obedience.

Either way.

A Simple Song

2010-08-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

My sisters: Dori, Sandee, Me and Joni

Earlier today it was recommended to me
that I listen to a song on YouTube.

Although it was a familiar song to me

it wasn't one I knew well and certainly not one from my childhood.
But in hearing it, for whatever reason, emotions welled up inside of me.

Good emotions.

Ones of security and safety.
Of loving and being loved.
Remembering.

Although I am happy to be at this stage of life
there are times when those feelings come over me
and I am washed in the joy of innocence,
the excitement of discovery, the warmth of belonging,
and the freedom of being young.

My parents: Keith & Delores Miller

I was blessed with a wonderful childhood.

Parents that loved each other (and still do!).
Parents that didn't seek after riches
but instead sought to be rich in the things that mattered.

Dad worked hard and if there were times we were poor, I didn't know it.
No, we didn't always have the newest toys or the latest designer jeans
but what we may of lacked financially was small in comparison to what we had.

Dad and Mom made hard choices like selling a successful business in order
to take a lower paying job so Dad could be at home more.
They both made the decision for Mom to be "a stay at home Mom".

Family was decidedly more important
then driving a fancy car or
Mom having a closet full of dresses and shoes.
Or a large retirement plan.

Oh sure, there were times of longing for "things"
but I don't remember dwelling on that.

What I do remember is a house full of laughter,
A Mom that was my greatest confidante
and many friends & family around our kitchen table.

Sitting on the ice cream freezer while Dad hand cranked it.
Stirring the thickening that would become gravy.
My hair blowing in the wind on a quick motorcycle ride around the block.
Husking the corn on the last day of summer vacation.
Drying dishes while Mom put away leftovers and one of the sisters washed.
Mom singing to her latest made-up song
or whistling an old hymn.
Singing.
Dad pushing me on the swing.
A gentle spanking that made me cry
because it hurt my feelings rather than my bottom.
Crazy made-up plays that the parents had to watch.
The smell of a freshly cut lawn.
Saturday night baths and Lost In Space.
Playing Dutch Blitz late at night because Mom wanted to play one more hand.
There were always games.
And always there was talking. Much talking.
And laughter.

And people - did I mention the people.
Our house was always full of people.

Both of my parents are warm and friendly.
Dad is good in a group and never knows a stranger.
Mom is more of a "one on one" type of person.
Looking back I wonder if some of the boyfriends us girls had
stuck around as long as they did because they wanted to
talk with Mom. No kidding.
Dad could easily get acquainted with anyone but Mom could truly know them.

And our friends wanted to be there.
Every Sunday we went to church and Dad faithfully
would drive around picking up our friends
so they could go with us.
And then, after church, they were just a part of the family for the day
because, I suppose, that's just how it was suppose to be on Sundays.

I don't remember not loving Jesus.
Oh sure, I had to come to a decision to make Him my Savior
at some point in my life but I just always loved Him.

I had heard about Him for as long as I could remember.
Bible story books. Singing. Praying.
Still today my parents encourage me in things of the Lord.

Through the years they have supported me in unbelievably hard situations.
They have encouraged forgiveness when others wouldn't have.
They have given me an example of loving
when it's difficult as well as when it's easy.
They have shown me that faith is to be practiced in the most difficult of times.
And I have learned what it means to follow hard after the Lord from them.

A simple faith? Simple people?
Maybe. But real.
Very, very real.

My journey of faith began with them.

I am forever grateful.

So many memories from a simple song played on YouTube.

Hangin' With the Guys

2010-08-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

Thomas (on the left) and his band

We've been busy.
It's not easy to keep up with all the young "folk" here
but we certainly do enjoy trying!

We were invited to go see Thomas' band play at a local book store.
Of course we met up with some of our friends from the church
for an evening of good music,
food and laughter.

watching the band play: Brad, Doug, Laura, & someone we don't know!

As we were leaving at the end of the evening I commented to Warren
that I had realized that our friends were young enough to be our kids.
And yet, once again, we had hung out with them the whole evening
and they had treated us as one of them.
We were blessed. We are blessed.

We have made such good friends here.

The wire opera house.

Then last week we spent a day with Ricado and Marcela.
They showed as around the town, looking at all the beautiful parks,
having coffee & the best carrot (rabbit, as Ricado called it
in trying to explain in English!) cake ever,
spending time at their house (working on Portuguese and English together),
and then out for a soup dinner.

the ceiling in the wire opera house

We had the best time with them.

Now you must consider the fact that when we met them
neither of them could speak English - at least not much.

Then Ricado kind of got pushed into the learning process when he
drove me around to doctors,
helped Warren with the painting at the church,
came to the church to oversee the electricians, etc.

We saw a lot of the two of them
and they began to carry around a Portuguese - English dictionary.

Or we always made sure there was an English speaking person around!

Now we communicate with a mix of English, Portuguese and hand & body motions!
(I must admit, they do better with English than we do with Portuguese)

Curitiba has a lot of natural beauty and beautiful parks.

We have laughed together and cried together.
(well, at least the women have cried together!)

They have become wonderful friends to us.

A rodent that is common in the parks.
I asked if they would hurt a person and Ricado
just told me if they turn and start coming after me to run.
Then he laughed. I still don't know if they would hurt a person. :)

Marcela

a Ukrainian church made out of 10" square timbers

Jardim Botanico

We arrived at the gardens just as it was getting dark.
It took my breath away to come up over the hill and see this sight.
Amazing.

Someday we want to go back when everything is blooming.
We are in the middle of winter here, ya know.

inside the greenhouse

A couple days later

(after they both made sure we had everything we needed
while they were gone - Marcela even arranged that our sheets would be
washed since she usually does them!)

they left on vacation.

We're happy for them. But sad for us.
We really do miss them.

And now to show you one of the projects
we worked on while John
was gone:

Stripes!!!!!

We love how they turned out.

Side note: Please continue to pray for my knee. Although it is better
I am still under the direction to stay off of it and limit the use.
I know God has a purpose it's just hard to see it sometimes.
But then, that is why we are to walk by faith and not by sight.

We also have decided that God would have us stay in Curitiba
for much of our remaining time in Brazil this year.
Much prayer went into that decision and truly our deciding factor
was peace.

We are hoping to visit several of the churches for short visits
before the leadership conference in Oct.

Please join us in prayer as we seek God's heart in this.

The Kindness of Others

2010-08-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Today is our 32 anniversary

and this is what we were greeted with first thing this morning!

Keren delivered this beautiful basket full of
wonderful breakfast items.

A gift from Calvary Curitiba.

We feel as though we are the ones that should be giving to them.
We have been so blessed here.

Thank you, church!

And speaking of blessings:

I don't often take a picture of my hand
but this was after another, previous blessing.

3 of the girls from the church gave me
the gift of a spa afternoon a few weeks ago.
I had a facial, manicure and pedicure.
They finished the time with tea and bite - size indulgences!
A most enjoyable afternoon.

Poor Warren, I think he

painted that afternoon!

That's right, he and a few of the guys have been doing some painting
around the church. Inside and outside.

I've done a little but my knee continued to limit
the amount
of time I could be on it.

However, it is much better now
and so I'm finding myself doing more and more
each day.

To Warren's relief!

We just finished our 3rd week of Portuguese lessons.

Pricila is our teacher and what a joy she is.
I actually look forward to our class time -
although, I can't say that about the homework yet!

And this weekend's homework is a killer!!!!

Ricado (the go to guy here at the church!)
young electrician, the boss electrician!

While John (the pastor of the church) is away
the people here have a mental list of things they want to accomplish
while he's gone.

The electricians came for several days and although they didn't
speak English "boss" guy
and I tried to communicate and had fun doing it!

You would have heard a combination of the two languages -
or at least the attempts!!!

The younger electrician? Well, he was more shy and kept a distance from me.
I know, I probably scared him into thinking he'd have to speak English with me,
or worse yet, he'd have to try and understand my Portuguese!!!

And by the way - he's the one that went through the roof and ceiling!

No, I don't usually wear a hat - but this was a special occasion.
Marcellie invited me out for English tea
and to make a long story short, Warren and Pricila ended up joining us.

We loved their company.

Warren felt that the place was a little bit girlie
but he was a sport.

(He even put on a hat but I'll spare you that picture!)

Marcellie,me and Pricilia

The hats were there for picture sake, I think.
A most delightful tea time with lovely company.

(I thought I would use some adjectives that sounded a little bit "British"!

Ju and her mother.

They invited me over for a
wonderful afternoon last week.
I was able to hear their testimonies.
It is always such a faith builder to hear
the amazing things God does in people's lives.

It was a wonderful time of fellowship and, once again, food!
These Brazilians know how to entertain!

I wouldn't want to end this portion of the post without
telling you that this is just a small taste
of the ways Warren and I have been blessed since
we are here.
Unfortunately, I don't always remember my camera
(I know, whip me with a wet noodle)
but there have been dinner dates,
invitations to homes,
gifts, and visits that have meant
so very much to us.
And I hesitated to mention any at the risk of minimizing
any of the other times spent with the people here.
They have all blessed us.

John and Flavia's house.

Although we had decided to stay at the church
we did use their house a couple of times to do some laundry
and to have a quiet place to study
when we knew the church was going to be busy.

Adam, Natalia, and Brad

More of our friends as we made our way out to lunch
after church last Sunday.

We've had the blessing of using John's car.

We really hadn't taken it out very much
(we finally had to put gas in it on Sunday for the first time!)
but now that my knee is better we decided to get out a little bit more
this past week.

And then there was yesterday -

We decided to go to one of the malls just to get out of the house
(it's been cold, really cold!)
Our plan was to walk around looking for a while and then grab some
dinner before heading back home.
We were about done with the walking part when
it was realized that we had lost the parking ticket.
A sudden rush of anxiety.
We knew that would be problem because:

1. We didn't know the language enough to communicate what was going on.
2. We knew our documents (passports) and the car documents (registration)
wouldn't match in name.

oops!

It took some time but we got it taken care of.

They had sympathy on us
and
with the assistance of a
smiling, helpful, non English speaking, Brazilian man
we got by with a small parking fee.

He let us take the car home
(much to my relief!)

Thank you, Lord.

We didn't stay at the mall for dinner....

Enjoying the View

2010-07-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Outside the office window

I just walked outside of the office door
(where we spend a lot of time when it's cold outside
because we can heat up this room fairly easily)
and it hit me:

GARLIC

Warren had made breakfast this morning and on a whim
decided to make scrambled eggs with
green peppers, cheese and garlic.

Now, don't get me wrong,
I like garlic and I am very happy that Warren
has been taking such good care of me
while I am down with this bum leg
of mine....
but....
we have church tonight - here.
and the smell is pretty strong, no, make that
very strong!

And I know of no quick fix
to rid a place of garlic smell.

(the eggs were wonderful though!!!)

waiting for the results of my MRI

We've been in Brazil for 7 weeks now.
(5 of the days we spent in Iguassu
the rest of the time in Curitiba)

It hasn't gone as we had anticipated.

It never does.

Most of you know that I have had some problems with one of my knees.
The day we were leaving Cleveland for the airport I noticed that it hurt to go
down the stairs at our house.
It continued to get worse as time progressed until one day
some of the girls here in Curitiba insisted that I go to the doctor
that very afternoon.
Making a long story short, I ended up having an MRI
and found out that the cartilage in the knee was impacted.
(not sure how it happened but probably in the packing process)
There was fluid on the knee and inflammation
so shots, medicine, ice, heat and no walking
were the prescriptions for healing.

Then the doctor added
"it takes a long time to heal".

And it has.

Although we were so very thankful that no surgery was needed
it has been hard to be sitting most of the time, with the leg up!

It has changed what we would normally do while
stationed in a place like
beautiful Curitiba.

We haven't been able to do much exploring.
Making for few pictures when you sit around most of the time.

But it's been good.

It's been great.

Really.

Ju's birthday party!

And I must say that the people have been the greatest
in caring for us.
Humbling, really, as they drove us around and made
arrangements for doctors, taken us out to eat,
watched movies with us,
cleaned the church for us,
made sure we had clean sheets and towels
(and anything else we could possibly need),
translated for us
and
(the greatest gift of all)
spent time with us.

I know that we cannot possibly give back to them
all that they have given to us.

No, these aren't my feet. Oh, I wish!

look at those heels on the dancing feet of the birthday girl!

And I can't say enough about Warren.

Servant hood.

For seven weeks.

How does that sound to you?!
(and, really, without complaining)

But we have had some excitement:

one way to let the sun in!

Imagine being in the study, talking with two of the guys
from the church,
and all of a sudden hearing an awful noise that doesn't
seem to stop!

We (at least the other 3 people!) ran out to the
sanctuary to see what happened
and find this.
With two legs sticking out from above!

One of the electricians had fallen through the roof
and the wood ceiling!

thankfully, he wasn't hurt

Ricado holding the roof tile.

and all of the repairs were made yet that day.

Earlier this week we had Ben, Melissa, Moriah, Daniel
and Julia Lyon here for a visit.

They had recently sold their belonging
and took the step of faith to move to Brazil.

Last year at this time we were doing exactly the same thing.
Okay, not exactly.

We did not bring along 3 children and I was not pregnant!

They were on their way to Foz do Iguassu where they will
participate in the Missions Training Program
for 2 months.
It was a joy to spend time with them.
(I can't believe I didn't get a picture!)
Please pray for them as they adapt to a new country,
find a doctor for Melissa and the baby,
and make decisions,
life changing decisions,
for their family.

We are praying about whether God
would have us join them for the
training program.

Please join us in that prayer.

Although we think it could be a valuable thing for us
we also are aware that it would take the remainder of our time
here in Brazil this trip
(other than the last week of a leadership conference)
and would mean not making a trip to some of the other churches.
All in all, we just want God's best.

Before I sign off, with you believing that we do nothing here,
let me tell you-
ministry has been sweet.
We have had time to devote to study, prayer, counseling
and fellowship like never before.

I believe that is why God has allowed
this trial in my life.

And for that we are grateful.

I've got to go. Some of the girls are treating me to "spa day" this afternoon
(they are just that great)
and I just remembered the garlic.

Anyone know about a quick and easy way to get rid of garlic breath?!

Happy Birthday, Jake!!!!

2010-07-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago, you made us Grandparents.
It was one of the happiest days of our lives.

You still continue to bring us so much joy.

We couldn't love you more!!!!

Have the best birthday yet!

The World Cup from a Layman's Point of View

2010-06-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is what the World Cup looked like in our living room on Wed.

while the Brazil team played their first game.

I'm really not that much into sports

but we are in Brazil

and Brazilians take soccer aka Fotebal seriously.

I mean it.

They close businesses during the game.

McDonalds posted a sign in the window

(as did other establishments)

that they would close their doors 15 minutes before game time

and open 15 minutes after the game was over!

before the game started:

So our church did what every church should have done.

They hooked up the TV

and had a party!

And all that could come (in the middle of the day) came!

and although I'm not that much into soccer (or any sport for that matter)

I like a good party!

let the game begin:

concentration:

most of the group (the food along with a few more fans are off to the side)

tense moments:

looks like there is a chance for a goal:

Right on! A goal!!!!

there was a lot of excitement with each of the two points:

The crazy thing was, when the game was over (Brazil 2, N. Korea 1) everyone just sat there.

Quietly.

Non responsive.

Slowly they got up and started to clean up the mess from the party.

What?

where is the cheering and shouting?

WE WON!

I guess Brazilians take pride in the game

and this was a poorly played game.

Facebook was full of comments from my Brazilian friends

about how lousy they played.

I always thought a win was a win - guess not!

Oh well, better luck next time, Brazil.

(Sunday, our place!)

But the party sure was fun :)

Come On In.....

2010-06-14T05:51:00.000-07:00

It was almost an eerie sound in our house this morning....
Quiet. Absolutely quiet.
Well, except for the ticking of a clock.

It seemed so to us because just a few hours previously it had been full of activity -
music, laughter, talking and even a few tears.

People spread throughout our home, enjoying one another
and, more importantly, enjoying a time of meeting together
to hear from the Lord and to have fellowship with Him.
The service was wonderful
and Warren felt your prayers.

This is taken from the very back of the sanctuary.

What you can't see is the people off to the right

and in the front.

Studying God's Word

Worshiping

Wonderful worship...

Warren having just finished the teaching.
His translator is to his left.

Communion

That's right - we have made the church our home for the next 2 months.
After being here a few days we decided that it would be easier access for us
by foot to grocery stores, restrauants, coffee shops, buses
and most importantly the people, if we stayed here.
John and Flavia have made it clear that we are welcome to use their house
while they are gone -
and if the temperature gets unbearable
(this building tends to get cold, we are told!)
or for whatever reason we may think it a good idea,
we may accept that offer.

But, for now, this is our home.
And we couldn't be happier about it.

the kitchen

the living/dining area
see the stairs at the end of the room?
They lead to the sanctuary and office.

the other side of the livingroom
we sometimes watch a movie here and meet with people
but most of our time is spent in the office upstairs.
The LR tends to be the coldest part of the house-
well, that and the kitchen!

our room
The house actually has 4 bedrooms (the other three are used for children's classrooms)
Each has it's own bath.

our bathroom - the shower is just off to the right

I guess I forgot to download a picture of the office.
Our favorite room and where we spend most of our awake time.
I'm sure before we leave here there will be a picture
or two taken of us here.
We're surrounded by John's books with a desk in the center of the room -
two computers on top of the desk so as not to cause any arguments!!

We had the joy of having people individually stop by throughout the week.
(Warren even got a few going out for coffee times!)
Bible study was here on Thursday night.
We went to a couples dinner on Saturday night
(where we spoke briefly and enjoyed wonderful food!)
And yesterday was busy with morning and evening services.

We loved all the people time!!!

As far as the times in between?
We spent a good portion of it in this very room.
The day we were leaving for Brazil I had injured my hamstring on the left leg.
It finally caught up with me last week and I could barely walk.
So I spent most of the week icing, heating, up on pillows
and generally over-all babying it.

It's much better today.

So if you want me to tell you about the week
be prepared
to hear about Season 2 of the Gilmore Girls,
a little about Everybody loves Raymond,
a Beth Moore Bible study (wonderful),
a few key sentences I'm learning from our first Portuguese lesson,
and what all my friends on Facebook were doing.....

You get the idea!

So, although I'm still trying to be gentle with the leg and stay off of it,
I'm heading out to explore a couple of blocks around our new home.

RIGHT NOW!

I need this people.

Head and Shoulders.....

2010-06-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had the privilege of going to one of the favelas (slum)
here in Curitiba.
Karen is a young woman from the church who
volunteers there to teach a class of 9-10 years old English.
They love her!
She had wondered if Warren and I might join her and her nephew, Pedro,
so that the kids can hear English
"without the accent"!

the class (w/ Pedro in front)

We jumped at the chance!
Karen introduced us and then opened the time up for questions and answers.

Questions like:

What do you eat for breakfast in the U.S.?

(they tend to think that all Americans eat bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc.
every morning of our lives. It's a huge disappointment to hear we tend
to open cereal boxes most week days!)

How big is your house?

(I assured them that we don't all live in houses like what they see in the movies.)

How many kids do you have?

How old are you?

(they were told that is rude but I answered anyway!)

What is your favorite food?

(we then had to talk about ice cream for a while!)

Are you rich?

(what? are you kidding? I am soooo very rich in ways that really matter...)
(Warren answered wisely : God provides everything we need.)

teaching the words to the song

After the many questions we were able to teach them a song in English.
Warren had thought of a kids song earlier that morning:

head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and tooooeeees,
eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!

(I know you were humming!)

Writing the words to the song.

We sang it over and over, faster and faster.
With the motions of course!!!!

They also thought they had to teach Warren and I to sing it in Portuguese.
I'm a better teacher than I am a student :(

We finished the time with plenty of hugs and assurances that I would be back next week.
I'm bringing marsh mellows!!!

(Warren will be studying on Saturdays and won't be able to go again)

A stone walking street.

After leaving there we headed to one of the malls where we ate lunch
and then walked around some of the downtown area. Beautiful.

Many beautiful churches in the area. Most of them Catholic.

"My Lord is my God"

I love the colorful buildings in this area.

This area had a small park in the center.

This is a line of Taxis in front of a building where an artist had done the pictures
that you see on it out of tiles.

It was a wonderful day with our new friends, seeing another side of life
and a new-to-us city.

Although, a truly beautiful statue, my first thoughts in seeing it were
"I am so thankful the Savior I serve is no longer on that cross"!

We're enjoying our time here and can hardly believe
that we have already been here for 2 weeks.

Warren starts teaching this Thurs. night.
(John, Flavia and the children arrived in the states yesterday)

We both will speak at a couples dinner on Saturday night.
(It's valentines day here)

Warren will teach twice every Sunday
and I will lead a women's study every other Saturday.

We're needy of prayer.

We are weak but He is strong.

Another Place to call Home

2010-06-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

We're back in Brazil now

but before we left we were so blessed to have Brett come

and see us for a few days.

Remember last year when he was suppose to meet up with us in Brazil

and then the trip was cancelled at the last minute

(and I do mean last minute!)?

Well, once again, plans haven't gone as we thought they would.

He planned to come and see us in Brazil in August

only to find out (when purchasing tickets for the trip)

that he had to fly by June 5.

Bummer.

No chance he could go to Brazil because of prior commitments

so he used the ticket

(that he would have lost anyway)

to come to Tennessee.

It was a great to get to put him up in our house

and spend some precious time with him not knowing

how soon it would happen again.

It was quick but full of great, serious conversation

and plenty of laughs.

And some work -

we were getting ready to leave for 5 months, ya know!

I love that kid more all the time.

It was with some sadness that we sad good-bye to our new friends

at the church in Cleveland.

And then there were the good-byes that needed to be said

with Jason and Kellie again.

Always hard but better this time! (knowing we are going back).

We arrived in Curitiba on the 28th of May after an all night plane ride.

Living in Tennessee has cut off a whole day of sitting in airports

and flying across the states!

Thank you, God! ( and I mean that!)

Our trip was uneventful which is what you want when you are flying!

John picked us up at the airport, took us to breakfast and then

we went to stay with the Gill family.

It was so great to meet this group of people - and I do mean group -

Deborah and Fred have 11 children (3 of them no longer live at home)

and what fun they have together!

We especially enjoyed the singing they did together before meals, in harmony, I might add. Beautiful!

They enjoy a place right outside of city limits on a few acres of land

where they have many different kinds of animals.

Warren especially loved it and I think had a little bit of envy when he spied their shop!!!

We look forward to getting to know all of them better as they attend the morning service at Calvary Curitiba.

The Gill's house

The Gill's shop

We were only in Curitiba one night and then headed to Iguassu Falls

where we were so blessed to get to see all the people from the church

that we had come to love so much when we were there last year.

God was good to allow that visit to encourage us in what is before us this year.

It was such a blessing to get to spend time with

Tim, TaLisa, Bethany and Abraham.

TaLisa said we only have yet to blow up at each other once

and then we will truly be family!

Our hearts are certainly being knit together.

She blessed my heart by telling me she just feels better when we are around.

Thank you, Lord.

We stayed with one of our favorite families in Iguassu Falls!

Raames and Jacqui, along with their three girls, have from the beginning

(when we were there last year) taken care to see that we would love our time in Iguassu

by having us over at least once a week (usually more often and Raames is the best cook ever),

stopping in to check on me when I was sick (Jacqui is a doctor),

bringing food over, taking us to Paraguay and

making us feel part of their circle of friends.

Generally, just making sure that we wouldn't get too lonesome and homesick.

All this and they speak very little English!

We had a few laughs as we tried to communicate with one another

but on the whole it went well and we couldn't have enjoyed

our time with them more.

We love them all.

And Jacqui - it meant the world to us that you would come

to tell us good-bye after working a 24 hour shift!

We had the best time going over the border into Argentina.

(Terri and Larry, we must go!)

I have blogged about this restaurant before when Larry and Karen

took us there last year.

Some of the best food you'll ever want to taste

and very inexpensive by American standards.

We all felt pampered and full by the time we left but....

eat your heart out, Larry Lyon!!!

we still had to finish the night at the coffee shop

(okay, I snuck in coconut ice cream from the shop around the corner).

A perfect end to a wonderful evening.

We got to play Grandma and Grandpa to Bethany and Abraham

while we were there.

That included attending one of their classes in self defense.

Sooo fun to watch.

I'm no expert but it looked like they knew what they were doing

and it looked hard to do!!!

We were blessed to get invited over one afternoon

to our good friends' house, Lucianna and "grandma".

Lucianna was our Portuguese teacher when we stayed in Foz last year

and became a very good friend as we spent many an afternoon

pouring over lessons and then finishing up with good conversation (in English!)

and coffee (with frozen whip cream!).

Grandma is a little spit- fire that speaks no English

and yet, somehow, we wormed our way into her heart as she has ours.

She is growing in the Lord and shares, with tears, her love for Him

and her desire to see Him.

We love them both dearly.

And the food was amazing!!!!

We left Iguassu with some sadness

while at the same time excitement in knowing

that we have the same opportunities

to grow in love for the people in Curitiba.

Lucianna and "Grandma"

We are now in Curitiba.

You may have heard the expression that

"it's cold in Curitiba and the weather isn't too great either"!

If our first time with our church family last night

is any indication then that is only true about the weather!

(it is cold and rainy here today)

They were warm, inviting people and we are so looking forward

to getting to know and love each one.

And Warren and I look at each other and ask,

"can you believe we really get to do this?"

God is good.

We Walk Not By Sight....

2010-05-25T05:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we don't have to have eyesight to really see.

I was reminded of that as Warren, Jason, Kellie, Brett and I stood in the driveway of one of our neighbors. The man of the house, Steve, had lost his eyesight because of MS about 6 years ago. He lost it quickly, without much warning. As a matter of fact, he was driving home from a vacation when he had to pull to the side of the road telling his wife that he just couldn't see well enough to drive anymore. Hard stuff.

He told us last night that after going through the tough questions (the why, God?) he finally came to the place of realizing that his choices were going to affect not only him but the rest of his family.

And his relationship with the Lord.

He now uses his disability to share with others the spiritual truths that he has learned because of this disability (although I don't know that he would call it that anymore). Amazing man, amazing family. We are looking forward to getting to know all of them a little bit better when we get back from Brazil. We're already blessed for having met them. He promised to pray for us and I believe he will - he doesn't seem like the kind to be negligent in anything he says he will do.

For those of you who don't know - we are headed back to Brazil in a couple of days (the 27th). Our return tickets are for Oct. 18th. We are still on a tourist visa.

We fly into Curitiba where we will be for a couple of days and then our plan is to take an overnight bus to Iguassu (we have some of our things there to pickup) where we will get to spend about 5 days with our friends that we made last year. Looking so forward to that!

From there it is back to Curitiba where we will move into John and Flavia's house while Warren fills in for John at the church for a couple of months. (They will be in the states) Not sure what the plans will be from there but we know that God is always faithful to reveal the next step to us when we need to take it.

After all, Warren met Steve (our neighbor) the other day when he (Steve, not Warren) was out mowing the lawn on a riding mower using his sight stick to guide him.

I figure that if he can do that then I can surely trust my God,

who is able to see all things, to guide us.

I'll be back to regular posts while in Brazil. Please keep us in prayer.

And don't forget: I love comments!!! :)

The Sound of Silence

2010-03-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

I KNOW - I've been silent for way too long.

I didn't intend for it to be this way.

I just lost interest.

Not in you, my faithful readers but rather in trying to answer questions

that I really haven't had an answer to.

I still don't know all of the answer to all of the questions

but I will tell you what I know (however uncertain it may be!)

We are in Tennessee right now,

about one and a half miles from Kellie and Jasons' house,

in our very own house.

That's right - we bought a house.

NO, we weren't looking to buy one.

It hadn't even crossed our minds.

We were walking one morning when we came across this house

with a small for sale by owner sign.

It was a sad, empty, worst house in the neighborhood kind of house.

I LOVE THAT KIND OF HOUSE!

After about two weeks of talking and praying

we decided to go and look at it.

We saw possibilities.

We waited. And prayed.

Two weeks later we went to see it again

and took along a friend that is familiar with the housing market here.

We made an offer - it was accepted.

A week later we owned a house.

We left for Oregon (for a month) 3 days later still in shock!

Had we really bought a house? And what was God doing?

Where were our plans for Brazil in all of this?

We have had much confirmation that we have heard God in this and yet,

once again,

we are waiting to see all that He has in His heart for this house.

Will we live in it part time or rent it out? We don't know.

It needs cleaning up, painting, updating, etc. but it is livable.

(We are living here and so enjoying it for the time being!)

At this point we are planning on going back to Brazil next month sometime.

We are still on our tourist visa (the last year until it expires) and will use that once again.

We can be there for 6 months during the year.

We then plan to come back here and apply for a new visa -

which one we do not know yet.

We do not feel that God has given us any direction regarding that.

We do know that having moved to Tennessee we are now 2 hours

from the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta (which was just opened within the last year!)

and we have cut out 1 day of travel between here and Brazil (counting airports and layovers).

We are so enjoying our fellowship here with Calvary Cleveland and, of course,

we love living close to Jason and Kellie.

We do miss the rest of our family in Oregon,

our good friends and our church body there.

We plan to still call Calvary Corvallis our home church.

They are, after all, our sending church.

We find in scripture that God's ways are not our ways.

We do not always understand what we feel He is directing us to do

but we know that we have always found Him faithfully looking out for our spiritual best.

So, once again, you find us waiting.

And, though it is unsettling at times, it is a very good place to be.

And YES, we still feel called to Brazil.

Good, Good Memories

2009-12-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that we leave this great country of Brazil tomorrow. As we leave, I wanted to show you a few pictures that capture some of the things, places and people that we saw over the last 5 months.

We are so blessed to have been given

the opportunity to renew aquaintances

and make new friends.

We will miss all of you.

And though your picture may not be seen here you are no less thought of.

We have came to love you.

How blessed are we all to be called

"the children of God"!

We already look forward to our return.

Please pray for our visa process

and that God will reveal His will for us

regarding where we are to make our home.

I will continue posting of our adventures in the states. We hope to return to Brazil sometime in Feb. or the beginning of March.

Thank you faithful readers for joining us here and a special thank you for all of you that hold us up in prayer.

God has been good to us and His loving kindness never fails.

A Walk in the Park - in red mud

2009-12-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

Luiz and Melissa

As we come to the completion of this trip to Brazil we found ourselves back at Campo Mourao.

When you go back for seconds you know it was good!

Diego and Aline

We were so blessed to get to spend time with both of the pastors from Campo and their wives. Of course, we came to love them and admire them. Young people who have given up

"more comfortable" lives for the sake of the gospel.

Listening to them talk we found ourselves refreshed in service.

This picture is especially for Jake and Max.

These monkeys that were playing in the trees right outside of the dining room window.

One day Warren saw 7 and this particular morning there were 3.

Believe it or not, the monkies don't come around very often

so it was very exciting to see them 2 days in a row.

The main building on campus.

Again I was disappointed with myself that I really didn't get a picture of Junior and his kids. Delinda (his wife) was back in the states visiting her parents. We did get to spend time with Junior - sharing what the Lord is doing in each of our lives.

A rich, rich time for us.

Our home for the week.

The "beast" is parked in the driveway.

An older pickup with no power steering, loud, etc....

we were thankful for it!!!!

The swimming pool area.

Yes, it's a rough place to live....!

It's really a beautiful campus.

Between the rain storms of the weekend, Warren and I took some walks.

Many birds, lizards (huge), butterflies and we hear there are snakes.

Fortunately we didn't see any of those!

We got to attend the mid-week service at church as well as the Sunday service.

It was so good to get to fellowship with the people there and see some familiar faces as well as many new faces. God is doing some great work there and it was exciting to hear about it.

Warren taught on Sunday night and this is Junior translating for him.
(I guess I did get a picture of him!)

This is the kitchen of the house we stayed in.

We "fellowshiped" around this table alot

as on Saturday it rained the entire day.

Now I know that doesn't sound so bad BUT

the campus is out of town a ways.

To get to town you have to go down a very long dirt lane.

Campo has red dirt that gets very slippery when wet and makes for huge dips in the lane. Dangerous driving conditions with the "beast".

We were confined to the house.

Warren doesn't like to be confined.

He made it through.

We stayed longer at Campo then what we had intended too.

We found it hard to leave.

Amazing beauty with amazing people.

A wonderful, God given gift to us.

Floripa and Curitiba

2009-11-26T07:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is seriously the most random way to start this post -

but remember (from my posts on facebook)

that I kept forgetting to carry the camera once we got to Floripa (Florinopolis).

I missed some really great shots.

I didn't get one of the Caze family (duh, Sheri!)

nor any of the church that Claudio pastors.

I am extremely disappointed with myself so please

don't continue with the discouragement by reprimanding me!!!!

On the Sunday that we were in Floripa we attended

Calvary Floripa (the Calvary in the lake area) for services in the morning.

The previous day we had attended the surfing ministry (of which I forgot the camera)

where we met the pastor and his wife (Nate and Dani)

from the other Calvary on the island.

They invited us and the Cazes to join them for a BBQ after church the next day.

Nate is the man with the broom....

(this picture was actually taken the day we went back to help

with tile but this is the same place we attended the BBQ-

remember I didn't have my camera with me....

We then attended that church in the evening. Both churches are full of warm, loving people.

We heard there was a project going on at Nate's church on Thurs.

so we borrowed Claudio's car and headed up to help for the afternoon.

They were laying tile in the Sanctuary.

Notice that they also have a upper story building project going on

and would love a team to come and help!

We were the grouters!

Warren asked for the float to install the grout and the guy he asked

proceeded to take off his flip flop, tear it in half and hand it back to Warren.

He said he'd rather spend the money on new flip flops

than to buy a tool he'd hardly ever use!

and by the way - it worked great!!!

The flip flop

Mixing the cement - by hand.

Warren and I didn't even get half way done with the grout project

but there wasn't an opportunity to go back.

Working together did make for sweet fellowship

and a good night sleep.

It also made for a few sore muscles the next day!

This was the lake that we had right out our "guest house"window.

I know - we were spoiled.

On Claudio's day off we took a boat taxi

to a part of the island that you can only get to by boat.

It was a really wonderful trip other than the fact

that we couldn't have lunch there as planned because the storm on the previous

day had taken out the electricity. Bummer. We did get to hike to this waterfall though.

That is Jess and Warren in the picture.

It was beautiful.

Don't let the word "hike"fool you. It was more realistically a difficult "walk".

This, however, was a hike!

What you are looking at is the road from the Caze's house to the main road up above. This is the first stretch. Warren and Zeph are walking up because we couldn't make it up the hill with all of us and our luggage in the car....truthfully!

This is the second part, after rounding the corner. And yes, it is that steep, maybe more so.

There are stairs on the side because you can barely walk on the road it is so steep.

Jess just ahead of me. I went last because I wanted to get the pictures

and because I didn't want them

to hear me panting.

We had a sweet time in Florinopolis

getting to know people from the two churches

and also the families of the pastors.

We then headed to Curitiba where the Hwangs live.

John picked us up at the bus station and we were immediately on our way

to a birthday party for 2 year old Daniel!

The food was wonderful, the company great

(it was at Flavia's mothers house with her whole family)

and the actions of the little birthday boy priceless!

And we got to meet little Anna. Beautiful like her mother.

We were only able to spend three days there this time

but the time was rich with the church and the Hwangs.

Again, I didn't get pictures of the church. (go ahead and beat me with a wet noodle).

We found ourselves, again (like we did in every place we visited)

thinking we could make ourselves at home there.

We left feeling blessed.

And headed to Campo Mourao on the sleeper bus.

We left at 11:00 and pulled into Campo just before 6.

The sleeper buses are our favorite way to travel.

It is not roughing it, believe me, and yet costs alot less than flying.

Don't be fooled by this picture, Warren is not sleeping.

When it was time to go down for the night

the seats completely turned into a bed.

Real comfort.

And now we are in Campo - but that will have to wait for another day.

And-

I have been taking pictures!!!!

And to all you Americans: Happy Thanksgiving!

Cidade de Deus

2009-11-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

Laise and Tamara, our friends and tour guides from the City of God

A little over a year ago, we had two missionaries that came to Corvallis

from their home town of Seattle.

Ben had been living in the City of God for three years

and Josh was soon to go for the first time.

While they were in Corvallis they stayed at our home

and we were blessed to hear about this place from these amazing men

who were giving up their life of comfort and ease in Seattle

to make their home in this "city" so far from home.

From that time, I have wanted to visit for myself and was given the chance last Tues.

Here is our one day trip.

Join us once again for another "walk around a neighborhood".

We spent a large portion of the day at the Tamara's house (who is also the aunt of Laise).
They fixed us a wonderful meal and were a wealth of information.

This family loves the Lord and it was a blessing to see people
come at different times throughout our stay there just to be prayed with.

From the house, Laise's father also runs a Christian radio channel
that is broadcast over the load speakers throughout the City of God.

This is taken from the upstairs of their home.
Later, while taking a walk, Laise told me how this street has been used once a week
for a Feira (an open market).
In Copacabana we see these all the time out in the streets.
Streets are closed off to make room for vendors to come and sell their wares.
Many fruit venders as well as handmade goods.

This Feira was different, however. It was a drug market.
Imagine, right in front of their house, once a week, every kind of drug
you could imagine would be sold out in the open.

Just recently, the police took over the City of God.
For now, it is quiet from drug trafficing
and violence.

For now.

I don't know what gauge of wire is used here but this is what
all of their power poles looked like.

Makes for a good nights sleep....

One of the houses I saw there. Most were more of a subdivision effect

but this one had a "country feel" to it.

One of the areas that was used as a garbage dump.

The street.

It may be hard to see but the water was green.

You can expect that there is a mixture of rain water and sewage.

There are many houses that are made of brick.

Only as there is money are they finished in concrete.

This is a rare sight as most of the houses are unfinished brick.

The City of God has somewhere between 200 and 300 thousand people in it.

That was the closest estimate we could get.

This is a section that they call the "wood houses".

This is where the poorest of poor live.

This particular steet is waiting for government houses that are suppose

to be ready in the first of the year sometime.

Each of these houses are approx. 8'x10'.

We were asked if we wanted to go inside one of these houses and pray with someone.

We did.

The person that lived there was a young man who made me think of Brett.

About his age. Living here.

I cannot tell you what it did to my heart....

There were many, many children.

All of them wanting me to take pictures of them.

When we got home that night I could not calm my mind

as I continually saw these children in my head.

What are their hopes and dreams....

Or have they already stopped hoping and dreaming?

This river runs through this part of the neighborhood.

It has trash dumped in it and I was told that the sewage flows directly into too.

This is the only life that the majority of these people know.

I'm not one to ask God "why" very often

but that night as I lay in bed, unable to sleep, I did find myself

crying out to God "why"?

And what began with asking God why there are those that have to live this way,

ended with me asking God why I have gotten to live so blessed.

Who am I?

I would like to say that I will never be the same.

I pray I will never be the same.....

Women Things

2009-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

One of the things, in Brazil, that have been a trial and a joy to me has been women's ministry .

If you know me, you know that I have always loved being involved

in this ministry at our home church in Corvallis and was

blessed to sit under amazing women as they

lead in Bible studies and prayer times.

Basically, they discipled me.

I am grateful.

And now it became my turn as first in Iguassu Falls I was given the opportunity

to lead a weekly Bible study with the ladies of the church.

I was scared, they were gracious!

What a great time of fellowship from week to week.

I came to love each one and look forward to every Friday night.

I still miss our nights together.

There was serious study and discussions. A few tears. And alot of laughter together.

And food - fun and food go hand in hand in Brazil!

I miss you all and look forward to seeing you once again!
Thanks for letting me learn with each of you....

Although we haven't had a weekly study while I've been here in Rio
we did have a special night for the women.
I was asked to teach.
Once again, I was scared.....

I prayed and studied for days. The Lord didn't reveal to me what the teaching was to be on. Warren told me not to worry, God would come through.

I reminded Him that I'm not a last minute type of person.

He reminded me that He is God.

And then, the day before, He did show me what I was to teach on.

I studied. I was prepared. I was still scared.

But God did come through for me. I literally felt Him lead me through the study.....

The worship was a blessing. The decorations amazing. And the fellowship wonderful.

And then the Brazilians came through with the food thing once again!

It was a night I will always remember as one where the Lord, once again,

showed Himself faithful to me.

And I saw the wonder of Christian fellowship as prayers were said, tears were shed and laughter rang throughout the room.

God, you are good and do good.

Copacabana - in the SUNSHINE

2009-10-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Join us for a walk on Copacabana beach!

One of our favorite things to do since arriving in Rio is to walk a couple (yes, you read that right!) of blocks to the beach and take a walk.

We have seen many sights while walking the beach...

some of them not fit to put on a blog!!!!

But all in all, it is a wonderful, refreshing thing to do.
We both love to people watch and the beach brings a great opportunity for it.
There are always soccer (futebole) games going on in the sand and people watching and cheering them on. You'll see exercise classes, sunbathers (hence the comment that all things are not fit to be posted on the blog!), surfers and swimmers.

There are a lot of bike riders, little kids driving battery operated cars and many, many people walking. The main road is closed along the beach on Sundays and on a warm, sunny day both the road and the sidewalk are full of people.
Music groups are playing here and there hoping that people will put their change in the little hats or cans.... There are also "silver men" - people that have painted themselves silver to look like a statue. Once they receive money in their can they begin to move like a robot. Most of them are amazing to watch and worth a few Reals!

And then you see the sand castles.

Wow!!!!

They are amazing pieces of art. Much detail has gone into each one.

I'm not sure what additive they have put in the sand but even after some heavy rains many of them had survived.

Christ the Redeemer

This is a copy of the famous one that stands on a hill in Rio, overlooking the city.

An artist at work.

I'm not sure if it is this structure or not but one of them actually had a water trough

that ran on top of the wall and came off into a fall at the end.

Very creative....

We are enjoying our stay in Rio very much but it's not all beach time!

Nor has the weather all be beach weather!

It's hard on the Cariocas when it rains. Most of the people depend on public transportation or walk from place to place. Including us! The rain makes that miserable at times. Especially when it comes down in sheets. But it doesn't slow life down here. We continue on as normal although it did make Warren and I decide to stay in one evening ....

Warren has had the opportunity to share at a men's study and also to do the

teaching at church last night. I have had the pleasure of doing the

teaching at a ladies tea last Saturday.

For those of you that have prayed for us - thank you -

God was faithful to use us in our weakest areas!

We have also been invited into the homes of people and taken

on little trips here and there.

We have prayed with people, counseled with people, cried with people

and laughed with people.

It is a blessing to be here and all in all have a hard time believing

sometimes that we have this priveledge.

We do not have internet access at our apartment so that is

why these posts are few and far between. It's our hope that you are

still continuing to hold us up in prayer!

And thank you to all that have e-mailed, commented or facebooked us.

You really have no idea how much we long to hear from each of you and how

much a simple line can mean to us.

So sorry that, right now, we cannot always answer each one.

Today is a sunny, warm day as well as a holiday so can you guess where we are going?!!!!

We do have a pull out couch if you'd like to join us anytime soon...!!!!!

Our 5 week Home

2009-09-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

the juice bar on the ground level of our building

We're in Rio!

Our apartment is on the 3rd floor.

The open window is ours.

Our apartment building is 12 stories. Notice our open window.

The bedroom: The side that you can't see has a large closet. First time our clothes

have had a closet since leaving home. It feels good!

The bathroom: Josh, it's an instant hot water heater - nice!

the kitchen: that is the side of the refrigerator on the left

The living and dining room combo: This apartment is the largest
that our apartment hunters had looked at for us.

We were welcomed with fruit, flowers and a clean apartment.

Another view of the living room

We arrived in Rio last Fri. and are enjoying the city very much. It could not be anymore different from Foz. People everywhere. Noisy and much dirtier. Be careful where you walk - both for safety and because you never know what you may step on!

There are great needs here. The biggest being that many do not know Jesus. Too many.
It could all be way too overwhelming.
And then I remember.

But God...

And I find myself asking, "Is this the place, Lord?"

Did I mention that this apartment is two blocks from Copacabana beach?!
Pictures of that next time!!!!!!!

a Wish to be Illegal....

2009-09-23T05:39:00.000-07:00

So much for thinking that we didn't need Tim and TaLisa's help so much. Since they have been back TaLisa has added us to her long list of things to "take care of". We are grateful but humbled. Very, very humbled.

It doesn't feel good to have to be looked after. Even the smallest of things seem to have become things that we need help with - at least that is how it feels. (TaLisa reminded me that what I am feeling is pride - that crushes!)

Life has changed drastically in this little house with the additional 4 people living their lives here this last week. It's been a blessing to us - a fun busyness - but it is busy! So far this week we have been gone every single evening and many of the days. Plus there have been the job of getting kids back to school, putting away the treasures from their trip to the US and connecting with all the friends they had left here for a couple of months. Busy is putting it mildly.

Add to it our visa quest.

Yesterday, after TaLisa had made an appointment for us (and herself) to see a lawyer, we headed off to find out about a new permanent visa that we had heard about. Sounded too good to be true and it was. For us anyway! After going with the lawyer to the Police Federal we were informed that it is only for those that are residing in Brasil illegally. Once every 10 years they issue visas for illegal immigrants to make them legal. We didn't fit the criteria. Then we asked about a missionary visa. (the irony of asking about information of an illegal visa to asking about a missionary visa!) It's recommended that we try for a visa from Paraguay at the Brazilian Consulate. TaLisa is checking on that for us today when she takes the kids to school. It's our prayer that they will allow us to do that as it would be faster and a much easier process.

All in all, we must remind ourselves that God has a plan and is aware of everything involved.

Again, we find ourselves learning to walk by faith.

Today WAS the Day.....

2009-09-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

Since coming to Foz there has been some disappointments
- some large disappointments -
but none came close to the one we got yesterday!

Over the last year God has been trying to teach me what faith is to look like in my life.
The thing that has been revealed to me over and over is that working faith is just knowing that God only wants His best for me. That His plan will always be the best even when it doesn't look that way. I may not understand it at the time, maybe I will never understand it on this earth, but it will be the best for me and everyone concerned.
He is primarily after my spiritual best. That is first and foremost on His heart for me.
I want that for my life. It has taken me to Brazil.....

Sometimes that best takes on the look of huge disappointments in the meantime.

Yesterday Brett (and others that we love from our home church)
were suppose to board the plane to come and see us.
Our pastor and his daughter had planned to come to Brazil last year for a conference when they found out that Rob was going to have to have surgery and couldn't make the trip. Tickets had already been bought for that trip, 5 year visas secured. That trip was put on hold.
This was to be that trip with Amanda and Brett added to the traveler list.

A blessing to me all of these months, knowing he was coming.
I have missed that boy - I have missed family!
And having the others added as guests - well that was the cherry on the top!!!

It wasn't to be.

Unknown to Rob, until they got to the check in, the visas have to activated by going to Brazil within 90 days of receiving them so both of theirs were of no good anymore. He tried to make some phone calls while at the airport but there was just no way it was going to happen.

That left Amanda and Brett with the ability to go if they wanted. Amanda didn't feel at peace about going without them. Understandably so.

After many phone calls back and forth and even more prayers it was decided at the last minute that it wasn't peaceable for Brett to be going either.

I wanted it to be God's will. I wanted that boy on the plane.
But I didn't feel good about him coming either.
So when Rob called back saying he just didn't feel right about it, I agreed.
And felt relief. We all did.

We don't know God's purpose yet.
It's okay. In the end, I really want God's best.
For Brett even more than myself. And....

He does have a ticket good until June!!!!!!

pictures by Kellie Dykast

Discoveries

2009-09-14T18:54:00.000-07:00

The makings of whip cream. We blame this on Larry because soon after we got here he informed us that we had to have coffee at this particular restaurant. Not only was the food good but with the coffee came w/ this frozen cream on the top. Heavenly. Well, we did go there and we did get the coffee. No frozen cream sitting on the top for us!
But it did give us an idea. We have since kept whipped cream in the freezer waiting for our treat each
day to share with our Portuguese teacher right after lessons. It would be a crime to forget....

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Today marks the two month anniversary of the day we left for Brazil.
It doesn't seem possible.

And as we are here at this mile stone mark we find ourselves packing for the next leg of our journey. And it's hard to go.... we have come to love it here and especially the people.

Peanut begging to go along as we take off for the store.

I just missed the picture when her head was back in a full howl....

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I thought I would capture some of the things we have seen on pretty much a
daily basis or at least a regular basis, that maybe seemed strange in the beginning
but now are pretty much a part of life for us.

Warren doing a much too familiar thing - trying to communicate with someone who doesn't understand English! He was trying to find out if they had batteries at that particular store. He left not knowing. "But," he said, "I didn't see any." And he did get a few smiles from her as he tried to make the appropriate motions for batteries.....!
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I think the biggest thing that I have come to realize is that I am the very same
person here that I was in Corvallis. Maybe that sounds strange. Of course you are, you say. Well, maybe I should have known that or maybe I did but just hoped to be different.
(you know, like hoping that God would give me the gift of tongues in Portuguese!)
I mean, I want to be this dynamite person for the Lord
but instead I find myself with the same struggles,
the same insecurities and the same selfishness
that I hoped would somehow disappear along with the miles
between here and there. They didn't.

So my words of wisdom:
Don't leave for the mission field thinking you'll be different once you're there.
If anything, these things about myself that I loathe have been magnified.
(and new ones added!)
Thankfully, I have a patient, loving God! (and husband!)

The recycling guy. Usually it's done with these carts
but sometimes you do see a horse-pulled cart.
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I have also found that I love leading the ladies Bible study but that I suck at it. Yes, no kidding.
Studying is hard for me and wanting so bad to honor God's Word
sometimes feels overwhelming.
But in my weakness I did experience God covering for me. Giving me insight and scriptures that I wouldn't have had on my own. Being amazed by Him.
And week after week I realized how much I needed Him. It was worth it for that.

Our neighbor sweeping the sidewalks in front of her house.

A man mowing the grass. I hope you can see the mower. It's small and old.
However, this is not the usual. Most lawns are mowed with a lawn trimmer.
We have even seen the city guys mowing the lawn that way along big expanses of highway.

Another neighbor, across the street on the side of us. He is always outside doing work around his house or yard.
We liken him to my Dad. He must have the best kept place in the neighborhood and he does!

This is the garbage can! Their version of it anyway. The garbage men come here three times
a week. It's all gathered by hand, put in the road and then the truck comes by and
it's thrown in the truck. Nothing automatic about this.

Delivering propane. Much of the deliveries are made on motorcycles.
People also get their water jugs , take out food and groceries delivered this way.

We pretty much go to the grocery store every day or every other day. We look forward to it. We always walk. We had tried the larger grocery stores downtown. And while they may have a little bit more selection we didn't find that their prices are that much better. We liked this store. Lider is it's name. (Leader) We became known by the clerks there and though we couldn't say much we always got a smile and a few words.

And yes, Warren grocery shops too. Times have changed!

Not sure what he does with this truck but I thought it was cute and as soon
as he saw me ready to take a picture he got out and posed!

Studying for our Portuguese lesson. although we take the class together Warren is more advanced than I am. Today it was really a nightmare for me as we worked on telling time.
Oh, Jake, where are you when I need you?!

He's working on his homework. Counting and writing numbers. Don't get too smug.
It's not as easy as it looks. Unless of course you speak Portuguese!
And she checks for spelling too....

Laundry.
TaLisa is much taller than I so I am actually standing on a chair to hang up the clothes.
I will have a shorter line. You can count on it.

This has been home.
And it has been a good one.It's been a great 2 months.
What felt different and scary at first is now comforting to us.
We will miss this home and these people. But we feel the nudge to move on and besides...
the Rogers get home in 2 days and

they want their house back!

Side note: Brett, Rob, Jess and Amanda arrive on Friday and we couldn't be more excited. They will be in Foz until Tues. morning and then leave for Campo and Curtiba. From there they will go to Rio where we will meet up with them again. We are planning to stay in Rio for the month of Oct. We have return tickets to Foz on the 31st.

Please continue to pray about our visas.
Also that God will use us in Rio in spite of ourselves.

All of the pictures in today's post were taken today as we walked. That is how common of a sight it all is.

Out of Order

2009-09-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry I got my posts out of sequence. I had down loaded some pictures and left them in edit not realizing that they would post in that order rather than the order I post them in.

All this to say, there is a new post after the next one if you haven't read it yet!!!