15 Years!!

When I say it, 15 years sounds like a long time to be married. But when I think about it, I don't feel like we've been married a long time.

15 years ago I had such a different idea of what marriage was going to be like. I had the 4 kids, white picket fence and a dog on the front porch. I had a vision of this life that you see in fairy tales. Okay... life isn't a fairy tale, but it has turned out to be way better than I ever imagined. Sure...we've had our difficulties, but to be married 15 years and be so happy and content...that's something to be thankful for!

I thank God for bringing me a wonderful husband and a great father to our daughter. I thank God today for the 15 years we've had together and pray for many more to come!!

Seventh Grade

We have now survived 2 days of 7th grade. I am now actually able to say that Jordan is in 7th grade without that "feeling" in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I've read posts about friends and their children's first day of kindergarden or 1st grade. I remember those days...seems like only yesterday we were embarking on this homeschooling journey. And now...2 years to HIGH SCHOOL! YIKES!

Jordan is again being homeschooled this year and we are using "Switched on Schoolhouse" on the computer. (Not internet based, but computer based.) So far she likes it and says it doesn't even feel like school. She is also attending band at the local middle school and will continue with art class w/ a local artist/homeschooling dad. We'll have a busy year running to band 5 days/week and art class once a week. I'm excited to see her art pieces this year and really looking forward to her 1st band concert w/ this big band!! FUN!!!

Learning & Living

One thing I learned from my experience in Brazil was to concentrate more on personal relationships and less on time and my "to do" list. The Brazilians don't worry about what they have to do or when they need to be somewhere...for the most part. If they are in a conversation w/ a friend or someone needs them, all else is put aside.

I have a "to do" list today...but I am going to take Jordan and Abbey swimming. There is only so much time left with this sweet girl God gave me and today...it's all about her!! It is cloudy, may rain, but we're going to give it a try. I'll pack lunches, put on the sunscreen and have fun today!!

Tomorrow she starts 7th grade...((SIGH))

Back Home

Actually, this picture is from the beach that we visited on our last day in Brazil. Just had to add one more pic from our trip. ((SIGH))

We said goodbye to Juliana, Paulo, Carolina and Audir and boarded the plane in Curitiba. As I walked onto the plane, sadness filled my heart. I was sad to be leaving Brazil, the Lopes' and the friends we made along the way. Once seated on the plane, Jordan started to cry...having many of the same feelings. The river of tears flowed...Jordan, me and finally Lance. Going on a mission trip is different than taking a vacation. We were touched by many people, made good friends and became closer to the friends we already had. In many ways, they feel like family to us and saying goodbye was hard.

So...now we are home and it actually does feel good. Jordan is outside playing, laundry is going and we're settling back into life. I don't think any of the 3 of us will ever be the same from this trip. We have learned a lot about ourselves as individuals and as a family.

If our Brazilian "family" is reading this post, we miss you and thank you for a wonderful experience!!

The grand finale

We've had a couple of days of sight seeing w/ Paulo & Juliana. SO fun!! We've been to a little town near the beach, went to the beach and went out w/ Juliana's parents to a great restaraunt last night. It was great to see her family!! The restaraunt was like none I've ever seen!

Tonight we ate at a Churrascaria...BRAZILIAN BBQ!! It was great food, lots of fun and wonderful service. You start out w/ a sort of buffet and then they bring the meat to you...many different kinds, many times, and pasta and side dishes. Oh...and they had sushi! (Yes, Jordan was thrilled!)

We've had a great time in Brazil!! We are thankful for all we've learned, experienced and seen. We have been blessed by the people we have met and the bonds of friendship we've made!!

Vila Pantanal

SO...at breakfast yesterday, Carlos mentioned that Lance would be preaching at the service at Vila Pantanal that afternoon. Lance thought he was kidding. Well...on our way to church, Audir affirmed that Lance was indeed preaching at the service...in 10 minutes!! Lance had prepared a sermon before we came and luckily remembered most of it. I have to say...I think it was his best sermon!! God definately took over and allowed Lance to talk to the people in a profound way!

Vila Pantanal is where Audir is the pastor. She has taken on this church in a VERY poor area on the edge of Curitiba. It gets cold here at night...very cold and my heart aches for how cold they must be living in those small, wooden houses along a stream. (I am sleeping in sweats and have 2 comforters on our bed to keep warm.) We will go back and see the school on Wednesday. We have some craft items to take to the children...it will be neat to see them get excited about them!!

There were a few children at the church last night. I'll tell you...these Brazilian children are simply beautiful!! They crave and seek out attention and affection. In the 5 minutes after service last night, Lance had a little girl (4-5 years old) wanting him to hold her. Of course, he did. And somehow had her laughing!! God is surely in this place!!

Pop Rocks!!

We gave out extreme sour poprocks to everyone the last couple of days!! SOOO FUNNY!! This is Ana...she is Pedro's Juliana's cousin. She is a hoot! I could've taken about 50 pictures similar to this!! Most people liked the candy, some not at all and some wouldn't even try. I'll tell you this...we laughed so hard we almost cried!! So much more fun than our original idea of brining M&M's. And everyone liked that they got candy from the US!!!

We leave Mafra today to go to Curitiba (where Paulo & Juliana's parents live). We'll do some sight seeing for the next couple of days. I will miss the other missionaries at July for Jesus. And those children w/ VBS...will forever be in my heart!!!