January 2009 - Happy New Year!

The Land of Chattering Teeth
I was asked more than once why on earth I had decided to visit Minnesota in winter, especially this winter, what, with the endless days of -10, -20, -30 degrees? Well, I just wanted to see snow. Snow I did see, stacked high, blowing, in snowman form, with ice scrapers, and bundled objects running in and out of buildings to stay out of it – all foreign concepts to your average Brazilian, I might add! I endured the sub-zero temperatures because I was warmed by the company I visited during my visit home over the holidays.

Christmas with family

Below are pics from events with my family - Christmas in Albert Lea with mom, sisters, and nieces, and in the Twin Cities with brothers and sister-in-laws, Brett and Noel and family (boys sporting their new Brazil soccer shirts!) and Bart and Lydia, the newlyweds.

AWANA visit
How fun it was to visit First Baptist and see my friends at AWANA. I shared with them about what I was doing in Brazil and visited small groups to sign the 'missionary' page. The Sparkies and T&T'rs asked good questions and gave good answers on what it meant to be a missionary.

Other Fun Happenings on my whirlwind trip home . . .

Lunch with friends Nicole and Tonya with baby Sydney ~

Dinner with my goddaughter Madeline ~

Coffee with my niece Carli, the coffee Queen ~

Gymnastics meet with nieces Jordan and Jenna - yeah, medals! ~

Getting to know niece Emery Jane better, who was excited to open her chocolate surprise egg from Brazil with a toy inside!

Chuck E Cheese and story-time with niece and nephews Gabe, Anna, Ethan

And as fast as it came, it was over . . . .

Abby cat not wanting me to leave, again!

Last night in Minnesota sunset - good bye cold!

December Celebrations

'Tis the Season . . . to say 'tis!

It's celebration time! Many festivities were held this December to celebrate our Lord's birth. From church programs to Ladies' Tea, from children's parties to ice cream parlors, I made the rounds to a number of events this month. I must say I am a little tired, but I am headed to the great white north of Minnesota for a little R&R (and yikes - cold!). It will be a little adjustment to go from 90 degree weather to below zero, but I am excited to see family and friends. Below are pictures of the many activities this month.

Student Year-End shots

One of the many uses for toilet paper rolls . . . Nativity scenes

Celebrating the Anniversary of Projecto Semear and a Successful Year!

I Scream! You Scream! We all Scream for Ice Cream!

English Students decorating (and eating) sugar cookies

Lar Christmas Pageant

Time for Presents

Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies! I baked over 400 sugar cookies for different events!

Morumbi Church presented 'The Miracle of Christmas'

PACA school presented "Meet me at the Manger"

Calvary Church Ladies Christmas Tea - Theme: Do you hear what I hear?

(I'm sitting next to a Brazilian missionary to S. Africa - it was nice to connect and share stories)

Calvary Church kids and singing 'Happy Birthday' to Jesus

Teachers I work with (left - Lar Batista, right - Vila Andrade)

Updates at Vila Andrade

The elevator is being installed slowly, still needs electricity. And a generous donation brought a great kids library and activity center to the Community Center.

What is the biggest thing Brazilians celebrate - soccer!
The Sao Paulo team won a Championship recently, and I happened upon a store in a mall which sells their gear, and had a picture taken by a trophy from another tournament. That's probably the closest I will ever get to a soccer game!

The Real Reason to Celebrate - celebrating the birth of the one who was, who is and who is to come - the Hope for all nations - Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

"All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed." Ps 72:17